Video interviews with the Top 16 this week!

[Sean K Reynolds]

We're enlisting the Know Direction podcast staff to arrange some short video interviews with the Top 16!

The plan is to record two "episodes" of 8 competitors, one "episode" on Tuesday, February 11th, and the other on Wednesday, February 12th. The start time for each episode is 5:30 pm PST and ending at about 7:30 pm PST. Each episode will focus on a particular competitor for about 10 minutes, with a few minutes transition time before the next competitor.

The questions will cover how they got into gaming, what it felt like to make Top 32 and Top 16, what they think their strengths are as a designer, and so on. Don't worry, they won't be asked anything that'll disqualify them. ;)

I expect Know Direction will post a recording of the "episodes" to their YouTube channel afterwards.

We should have more information in tomorrow's RPG Superstar blog. :)

[Jacob Trier]

Very cool, and a great way to keep the voting public interested in the contest and put some focus on the designers behind the submissions.

Hopefully, the logistics will be sorted out so all 16 get a chance to be interviewed.

[Anthony Adam]

I can see the voter comments already...

"Oh dear, another hairy one!"

"Oh no! The meme favored by Christmas Jumper man again!"

:P

[Mikko Kallio]

Jacob Trier wrote:

Hopefully, the logistics will be sorted out so all 16 get a chance to be interviewed.

All the time slots for the interviews are between 2:30 am and 5:30 am in my time zone, so I've been discussing with Ryan if it's possible to record my answers in my own time.

He said they're not equipped to play them during the live show, but they'll add them to the audio version they'll release as a podcast.

[Tripp Elliott]

Mikko Kallio wrote:

Jacob Trier wrote:

Hopefully, the logistics will be sorted out so all 16 get a chance to be interviewed.

All the time slots for the interviews are between 2:30 am and 5:30 am in my time zone, so I've been discussing with Ryan if it's possible to record my answers in my own time.

He said they're not equipped to play them during the live show, but they'll add them to the audio version they'll release as a podcast.

I asked about doing it early and got an "our way or the highway" response, so I may type up some answers, but no interview for me.

Which is fine, I'm too old to be in a podcast anyways.

[Jacob Trier]

Mikko Kallio wrote:

Jacob Trier wrote:

Hopefully, the logistics will be sorted out so all 16 get a chance to be interviewed.

All the time slots for the interviews are between 2:30 am and 5:30 am in my time zone, so I've been discussing with Ryan if it's possible to record my answers in my own time.

He said they're not equipped to play them during the live show, but they'll add them to the audio version they'll release as a podcast.

Awh, come on, Mikko. It wouldn't be the first or last time some sleep has been sacrificed for the greater good of RPG Superstar :-)

[Mikko Kallio]

Jacob Trier wrote:

Mikko Kallio wrote:

Jacob Trier wrote:

Hopefully, the logistics will be sorted out so all 16 get a chance to be interviewed.

All the time slots for the interviews are between 2:30 am and 5:30 am in my time zone, so I've been discussing with Ryan if it's possible to record my answers in my own time.

He said they're not equipped to play them during the live show, but they'll add them to the audio version they'll release as a podcast.

Awh, come on, Mikko. It wouldn't be the first or last time some sleep has been sacrificed for the greater good of RPG Superstar :-)

Jacob, I want to win as badly as everyone else, and I would stand on my head and spit wooden nickels if it helped me to attain that goal. :D

To be fair, I told them that the first or last slot would be ok for me, but added that if I can record it in my own time or do it some other way, I would prefer that. This is not only because I need stay sharp at work but also because I don't want to disturb other people in the house.

The questions and duration will be the same, so there won't be much of a difference. And I guess it levels the playing field somewhat because no-one will be arbitrarily at a disadvantage because of their work or location. :-)

[Curaigh]

I am looking forward to this. Though I am sorry, those in the wrong time-zone won't get the same treatment. The international aspect of RPGSS has always been one of the draws for me.

Just finished reading the Top 16 bios too. Not sure how I missed them, but it is cool to see.

On a related note. I have been doing this for a long time & have met board folks at nearly every PaizoCon, so why am I still surprised that some people do not look like their Avatar?!? :)

[Robert Brookes]

I am far less genderless and watery, yes.

[Mike Kimmel]

I am not very draconic, but I am freakishly skinny like a chimney troll. :)

[cartmanbeck]

I'm nowhere near as pretty as my avatar. Less cleavage too.

[Daethor]

Cool! I love Know Direction and I love RPG Superstar, so I'm looking forward to this :) Good luck, everyone!

[Victoria Jaczko]

If I could be a badass blonde dwarf, I would be.

Nothing like my monster, either. I'm afraid I'm not really a horse.

[Emmanuel Greene]

I happen to look exactly like my avatar. When I'm wearing a fake beard and wizard costume, that is... ;-)

[cartmanbeck]

Doing the interview was a fun experience... do I really sound like that, though?? LOL

Here are the links to the interviews:

Group 1
Group 2

If I get real bored waiting for more people to comment on my encounter round entry, I might link to the point where each contestant's interview starts.

[Mikko Kallio]

As I mentioned before, I recorded an interview in my own time, but I heard that it cannot be included in the podcast. So as far as I've understood, you'll only see a written version of it on Know Direction. I uploaded the file on google drive, though, and if SKR is ok with me posting a link here, I might do that.

[Ryan. Costello]

Hey Mikko,
That was the live recording, where we couldn't include the audio you sent us. We'll be editing and transcribing those recordings this week and posting the blog and podcast (purely audio version) on or before Monday. That blog and podcast will include your recordings. Additionally, we will be releasing 10 minute podcasts of each contestant's interview. Your recording will be released with the rest of the audio.

Tripp, Mikko came up with the idea of sending a recording of his answers rather than just written answers to us. That's why we didn't mention it in our correspondence. If you have the capacity to record an MP3 of your answers, e-mail it to me, we'll include it with the other audio we release.

Actually, if I can convince all the superstars who didn't make the live recordings to send us audio of their answers, we can skip the arduous transcription and focus on getting the audio out sooner.

[Jacob W. Michaels]

I'll see if I can manage that -- I haven't done much audio/video recording from my computer, to be honest (I don't even have a webcame!). I did just send in my blog answers this morning, though, Ryan.

[Robert Brookes]

I had a lot of fun with that interview, once — ah — it finally happened correctly. Technical glitches aside, I'm really happy that Jenny Bendel was able to coordinate this with you guys, and that you took the time you did to put this together for us and the people following RPG Superstar.

[Mikko Kallio]

Ryan, thanks for the clarification! (And apologies about any extra work this may cause.) Good to hear that Tripp and Jacob also get a chance to get their voices heard.

Jacob, if you have a headset, you should be able to record it with decent sound quality, but in a pinch the built-in microphone of a laptop, tablet computer or even a cell phone should do. Most Linux, Windows, Android, etc. versions/distros have a sound recorder of some sort, and it should be easy to find a freeware sound recorder if you don't have one. You can pm me if you need any help with that.

[Mikko Kallio]

While waiting for the official release of the audio version of the podcast, I added a dl link in my profile in case anyone wants to listen to it before next week. I suppose that is ok considering most of the other interviews have already been available for a few days.

[Mikko Kallio]

Aaand I just noticed a Special Interlude is up! Thanks Ryan!