Beyond Bossfights

Beyond Bossfights

By BraxwolfVideo Games
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Beyond Bossfights episodes

  • Beyond Bossfights 6 – Gaming Communities (Part 2)

    This month, I’m joined by Roger Edwards, proprietor of the Contains Moderate Peril podcast and blog. We talk about communities within game forums (both official and unofficial), game fan sites and blogs, and also touch on communities that form around gaming press sites. Lastly, we tackle some of the newest kinds of gaming communities, those that surround recorded and live-streamed video.

    http://media.blubrry.com/beyondbossfights/djpimpdaddy.forgot.his.name/beyondbossfights/Beyond%20Bossfights%20Ep%206.mp3

    Download | Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher

    Show notes:

    Guest this episode: Roger Edwards of Contains Moderate Peril Podcast and Blog

    Main Topic – Community (continued from episode 5)

    —-

    Questions/Topics for discussion:

    • Official Game Forums
        • Primary method of communication between game companies and existing players – is this effective? Forums are still only used by a small percentage of the playerbase
        • What is the purpose/motivation of this community? In recent years community has been more about ordered marketing by the developers, rather than a free and equitable platform to be used by players
        • What are the pitfalls of a) maintaining the community (for the game co) b) becoming too involved in this community (for players)? For both groups this can lead to an adversarial relationship. Also there is a risk of both parties lacking objectivity
        • Unofficial Game Forums
            • How do these communities come to be, and what is their purpose/motivation, generally speaking? It may be due to dissatisfaction with official channels or simply to fill a gap in the market
            • Are these types of forums necessary/needed? Are they helpful or problematic? The unofficial LOTRO forums are a prime example of the good and bad that arise from such niche communities
              • Fan Sites/Blogs
                  • Player/fan created content. Are these effectively utilized by game companies today? Some companies have the wisdom to capitalise on fan content. take the Priority One ST podcast that Cryptic regularly use. Turbine greatly benefitted from CSTM. Arenanet want all outlest for Guild Wars 2 under their wing, yet Dulfy.net is an asset they recognise
                  • Should they be treated more like actual press? What would the pro’s/con’s be of such an arrangement? Depends on the nature of the fan site. The official gaming press is not something I am impressed with at present so why aspire to it
                  • What are some of the challenges with building communities around blogs? It takes a lot of work and dedication. The risk of burnout is high. The public have high expectations. You’re dealing with passion and readers may not always react logically
                    • Press sites
                        • Exclusive/early access to game/game company news and ability to spend time providing that news brings a lot of views/comments/followers
                        • The gaming press has to tread a fine line between informing the public and becoming an extension of the ongoing marketing campaign. I feel they tend more to the latter
                        • Communities exist mainly in the form of post commenters and RSS or podcast subscribers
                        • What is the purpose/motivation of these sites to foster community?
                        • Is community in this setting more one-way (readers to authors) than in others
                          • YouTube/Streaming
                              • Newer/Younger communities
                              • How else are these communities similar/different than the others mentioned? The new communities are very much about “immediacy” and streaming addresses this
                              • What do you think is attracting younger gamers to these types of communities? Live streaming and YouTube provide a far more direct answer to many gaming questions and queries. In some respects its the next best thing to “try before you buy”
                              • Feedback

                                e-mail:

                                None this week

                                iTunes:

                                One of the best podcasts out there and it is done by Braxwolf so that makes it awesome by default. Keep them coming and continue to be amazing!

                                – BraxFan303

                                Beyond Bossfights is a rather unique podcast, in so far that it celebrates those that contribute to the wider gaming community. Braxwolf is the ideal host asking his guests a broad mixture of questions in an intelligent and enjoyable manner. Keep an eye on this podcast. I suspect that this will be the show that everyone will want to be on in the months to come.

                                – Moderate Peril

                                You can send your feedback to [email protected] and I’ll read it on the podcast. Reminder that Beyond Bossfights is on iTunes and Stitcher. I would appreciate your ratings and reviews!

                                Contact information:

                                Guest

                                Twitter: @ModeratePeril

                                YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MoreModeratePeril

                                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Contains-Moderate-Peril/147681581953735

                                Website: containsmoderateperil.com

                                Me

                                Twitter: @Braxwolf

                                Facebook: www.facebook.com/braxwolf

                                YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/braxwolf

                                Blog: braxwolf.wordpress.com

                                #podcast #conversation #community

                                Beyond Bossfights is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://braxwolf.wordpress.com/

                                0 min
                              • Beyond Bossfights Episode 6 – Gaming Communities (Part 2)
                                This month, I’m joined by Roger Edwards, proprietor of the Contains Moderate Peril podcast and blog. We talk about communities within game forums (both official and unofficial), game fan sites and blogs, and also touch on communities that form around… Continue reading →
                                1 hr 11 min
                              • Beyond Bossfights 5 – Gaming Communities (Part 1)

                                This month, I’m joined by Roger Edwards, blogger, podcaster and community builder. We talk about in-game communities and some of the benefits/downfalls surrounding them. We also talk a very long time about the Newbie Blogger Initiative to explain what it is, how it builds community, and how it benefits both the gaming community as a whole as well as the individual participants. Not sure how to get involved in the NBI? Give us a listen, we mention several ways!

                                http://media.blubrry.com/beyondbossfights/djpimpdaddy.forgot.his.name/beyondbossfights/Beyond%20Bossfights%20Ep%205.mp3

                                Download | Subscribe on iTunes

                                Show notes:

                                Guest this episode: Roger Edwards of Contains Moderate Peril Podcast and Blog

                                Definitive Gaming History

                                Main Topic – Community

                                Reason for Discussion:

                                The Importance of User Communities in Online Games (slideshow)

                                • Users may come for the game, but they’ll stay for the community
                                • Community features are crucial to user retention in online games
                                • Gaming communities build brand loyalty
                                • Gaming communities are a two-sided blade and need to receive professional and quality support from the games operators
                                • —-

                                  Questions/Topics for discussion:

                                  • When did community become such a large part of gaming?
                                  • In-Game
                                    • What are some examples of in-game social capabilities and which ones are “required” in order for a game to succeed? Which ones are becoming “expected” by gamers?
                                    • What are the downfalls to in-game community?What is the Newbie Blogger Initiative, and how are you involved? (add link for NBI forums)
                                    • How do you see the NBI enhancing the general gaming community?
                                    • The democratization of writing, broadcasting and publishing tools is a unparalleled cultural shift. People have become increasingly skeptical of traditional information outlet. Blogging and building communities is a great way to get more relevant information, directly interact with like minded people and enhance your enjoyment of a game through shared experience)
                                    • Creating content is a excellent transferable skill
                                    • Interacting with as broad a spectrum of people as possible is a positive thing and socially beneficial
                                    • Feedback

                                      e-mail:

                                      Mighty Braxwolf,

                                      Thanks for reading my email on your podcast again. It’s always a surprise to hear something you’ve written read out loud on a podcast—but I’ll admit, it’s certainly far from unpleasant.

                                      I’ll get you an iTunes review up soon. You deserve some more 5 stars.

                                      Enjoyed the podcast again. I knew next to nothing about machinima. That’s changed now thanks to you.

                                      Looking forward to your next episode.

                                      Take care, Randolph

                                      iTunes:

                                      One of those podcast’s that you wait for it come out every month. To see what the topic will be and who the Guest will be. Braxwolf does a wonderful job, of keeping the show moving and on track. A GREAT Listen!

                                      – Draculetta

                                      I have to say, Beyond Boss Fights is one of the best engaging Podcasts I’ve listened to in a long time! If you haven’t checked out Brax and his work your missing out BIG! Thanks Brax and keep up the awesome work Bro!!

                                      – Iogro Merrybelly

                                      I found this podcast after Braxwolf appeared as a guest on LOTRO Reporter. I thought I would check it out since he claimed to tackle some of those philosophical and political questions that are missed in mere gaming “news.” Well, he does deliver.

                                      That being said, I do wish it went deeper – this could be amended by involving more voices or getting at further underlying questions. Don’t mind me though, I am a ‘hard-to-please’ philosophy student (yes I am making fun of myself) and I give this criticism because I already like what Braxwolf is doing a lot. It takes time to do what he does and I appreciate it.

                                      – mateikav

                                      You can send your feedback to [email protected] and I’ll read it on the podcast. Reminder that Beyond Bossfights is on iTunes and Stitcher. I would appreciate your ratings and reviews!

                                      Contact information:

                                      Newbie Blogger Initiative

                                      Blog site: www.newbiebloggerinitiative.com

                                      Forum: newbiebloggerinitiative.com/forums/

                                      About Page: www.newbiebloggerinitiative.com/about-nbi/

                                      Twitter: @newbieblogger2

                                      Guest

                                      Twitter: @ModeratePeril

                                      YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MoreModeratePeril

                                      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Contains-Moderate-Peril/147681581953735

                                      Website: containsmoderateperil.com

                                      Me

                                      Twitter: @Braxwolf

                                      Facebook: www.facebook.com/braxwolf

                                      YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/braxwolf

                                      Blog: braxwolf.wordpress.com

                                      #podcast #conversation #blog #community #NBI2014

                                      Beyond Bossfights is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://braxwolf.wordpress.com/

                                      0 min
                                    • Beyond Bossfights Episode 5 – Gaming Communities (Part 1)
                                      This month, I’m joined by Roger Edwards, blogger, podcaster and community builder. We talk about in-game communities and some of the benefits/downfalls surrounding them. We also talk a very long time about the Newbie Blogger Initiative to explain what it… Continue reading →
                                      58 min
                                    • Beyond Bossfights 4 – Machinima (and An Unexpected Vidcast!)

                                      This month, I’m joined by Pash, the creative genius behind An Unexpected Vidcast. We talk about his inspiration for the vidcast, he walks me through his creative process, and we speculate on the reasons that the machinima style of film making hasn’t taken off as quickly as once expected. Pash also generously shares some of his side projects, and some of the ideas that did not make it into the vidcast (yet?).

                                      http://media.blubrry.com/beyondbossfights/djpimpdaddy.forgot.his.name/beyondbossfights/Beyond%20Bossfights%20Ep%204.mp3

                                      Download | Subscribe on iTunes

                                      Show notes:

                                      Guest this episode: Pash of An Unexpected Vidcast and LOTRO Players

                                      Definitive Gaming History

                                      Main Topic – Machinima

                                      Reason for Discussion:

                                      “However, machinima is maturing so rapidly, some predict it will soon be a major force in animation, especially with the imminent arrival of a new generation of hardware and software promising an era of photo-realistic “cinematic computing.”

                                      …
                                      Machinima filmmakers are also using so-called massively multiplayer online games, such as Everquest or the Dark Age of Camelot, to make real-time movies. The games’ dungeons-and-dragons environments are the sets, and different players log in over the Internet to control the characters. A host PC is hooked to a VCR or camcorder, and the action is recorded as it unfolds.”

                                      – Games Invade Hollywood’s Turf by Leander Kahney (Wired Magazine, 7/9/2003)

                                      Questions for discussion:

                                      • What exactly is “An Unexpected Vidcast” and what gave you the idea?
                                      • How many characters do you voice?
                                      • Can you take us through your creation process?
                                      • How do you keep content fresh?
                                      • What limitations do you find with this type of film-making?
                                      • Do you play other games, and do you create content using those game engines as well?
                                      • Are you involved in other kinds of filmmaking?
                                      • Are you involved in other “creative” types of things?
                                      • Do you involve your family in your filmmaking?
                                      • Are you concerned about fair use?
                                      • Considering the predictions of Wired magazine in 2003, and the obvious advances in technology bringing video game engines closer to quality CGI used in filmmaking today, why do you think machinima hasn’t “taken off” as predicted over ten years ago?
                                      • Feedback

                                        e-mail:

                                        It was nice catching up with Merric and Goldenstar. I’m glad you had them on the show.

                                        Not sure how this pertains to your gaming life balance topic, but I’ve recently undertaken a shift in my own gaming habits. For about 5 years I played exclusively PC games—mainly MMOs—while my Xbox 360 gathered dust. These days it’s the opposite. We have our 360 set up in our bedroom where I manage to walk on a treadmill whenever I want to play a game. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to pull this off (as I’m not the most coordinated individual in the world), but it really hasn’t proven that difficult. Now I can game and get some exercise at the same time. Two birds with one stone you might say. My play sessions generally last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, and when I put down the controller I’ve actually broken a sweat. So far, so good. I’ve lost a bit of weight (which isn’t a bad thing for me) and have managed to play through a couple of excellent games in the process: Dragon Age 2 and Diablo 3.

                                        I also found it interesting how you’ve managed to game together with your children as they’ve gotten older. That’s something I’m still experimenting with with my six-year-old son. He really enjoys Skylanders. Thankfully that’s a game I enjoy too. We’ll play together from time to time, but as of yet, we really haven’t found any other games that have stuck with him. I’m guessing that’s an age thing at this point. Sometimes I wonder though. My father’s passion was yard work. I tend to spend as little time as possible in our own yard. Perhaps my son will “rebel” against his old man and be out in the yard every chance he gets. We’ll see, I guess. – Randolph

                                        iTunes:

                                        I sat and listened to #3, this was my 1st listen to Beyond Bossfights. Lots of fun, nicely organized, quality content. Goodjob Braxwolf

                                        Brewstyr of Brandywine

                                        You can send your feedback to [email protected] and I’ll read it on the podcast. Reminder that Beyond Bossfights is on iTunes and Stitcher. I would appreciate your ratings and reviews!

                                        Contact information:

                                        Guest

                                        Twitter: @PashboProudfeet

                                        YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AnUnexpectedVidcast

                                        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pashbo.proudfeet

                                        Website: http://anunexpectedvidcast.weebly.com/

                                        Me

                                        Twitter: @Braxwolf

                                        Facebook: www.facebook.com/braxwolf

                                        YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/braxwolf

                                        Blog: braxwolf.wordpress.com

                                        #Podcast #conversation #Machinima #Creative

                                        Beyond Bossfights is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://braxwolf.wordpress.com/

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                                      • Beyond Bossfights 3 – Gaming/Life Balance

                                        Goldenstar and Merric of Casually Strolling Through MMO’s join me to talk about the need for intentional #balance, and life after CSTM. Thanks for listening to this unofficial “Casual Stroll to Mordor reunion”!

                                        http://media.blubrry.com/beyondbossfights/djpimpdaddy.forgot.his.name/beyondbossfights/Beyond%20Bossfights%20Ep%203.mp3

                                        Download | Subscribe on iTunes

                                        Show notes:

                                        Intro Guests this episode: Goldenstar and Merric

                                        Definitive Gaming History

                                        • Merric
                                        • Goldenstar
                                        • CSTM Catch-up (Special Segment)

                                          On June 14th of 2013, you posted CSTM To End with Episode 200, an announcement that garnered over 230 laments and well-wishes. Would you like to let the CSTM faithful know what you’ve been up to in the last eight months?

                                          Main Topic – Gaming/Life Balance

                                          Reason for Discussion:

                                          “So this, is why I am unplugging for 2 weeks. No gmail, no twitter, no Steam, no podcasting, no Netflix, definitely no Minecraft, no music, no TV, and no iPad. …… I will spend my nights with the boys playing Legos, or getting out to visit! It is winter so going outside to play is rather comical, but perhaps we can go see some family. “

                                          – Unplugging from the internet Posted on 2/11/2014 by DJPimpDaddy

                                          Questions for discussion:

                                          • Was there one final straw that caused you to decide that the gaming community involvement was taking up too much time, or was it just a culmination of a lot of little things?

                                          • Was it only the CSTM “stuff” that was getting in the way of living, or was it also gaming in general?

                                          • Why was it important to you to get the “balance” back?

                                          • (Merric, and GS if also applies) Talk about how living healthier factors into the lifestyle balance issues

                                          • Do you use any gaming or technology to help motivate you to keep focusing on health?

                                          • Has your gaming playstyle changed since you altered CSTM’s focus?

                                          • Are you able to incorporate gaming into your family time?

                                          • Do you think there is a relationship between “life stage” and gaming playstyle?

                                            • With the supposed “aging player base” in MMO’s, do you think the more casual playstyle demanded by busy gamers is influencing the games, themselves (ie, making them easier, more accessible, more gimmicky)?

                                            • What do you miss about your involvement with CSTM?
                                            • Feedback

                                              I enjoyed the discussion this week as well. I tend to play male characters myself (somehow that just feels more comfortable to me), and I hope that I’ve conducted myself in such a way as to not fit into any of the negative stereotypes out there. – Randolph

                                              You can send your feedback to [email protected] and I’ll read it on the podcast. Reminder that Beyond Bossfights is on iTunes and would appreciate your ratings and reviews! Also, as of this episode Beyond Bossfights is also on stitcher, so add it to your playlists!

                                              Contact information:

                                              Guest

                                              Twitter: @strolltomordor

                                              Website: Casually Strolling Through MMO’s (http://cstm.mymiddleearth.com/)

                                              Me

                                              Twitter: @Braxwolf

                                              Facebook: www.facebook.com/braxwolf

                                              YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/braxwolf

                                              Blog: braxwolf.wordpress.com

                                              #Podcast #conversation

                                              Beyond Bossfights is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://braxwolf.wordpress.com/

                                              0 min
                                            • Beyond Bossfights Episode 3 – Gaming/Life Balance
                                              Goldenstar and Merric of Casually Strolling Through MMO’s join me to talk about the need for intentional #balance, and life after CSTM. Thanks for listening to this unofficial “Casual Stroll to Mordor reunion”! Download | Subscribe on iTunes Show notes:… Continue reading →
                                              1 hr 1 min
                                            • Beyond Bossfights 2 – Girls and Gaming

                                              Whiteberry of Laurelin and I discuss some of the differences between guys and girls in gaming, have fun with some of the stereotypes, and talk about some of the problems the industry faces.

                                              http://media.blubrry.com/beyondbossfights/djpimpdaddy.forgot.his.name/beyondbossfights/Beyond%20Bossfights%20Ep%202.mp3

                                              Download | Subscribe on iTunes

                                              Show notes:

                                              Intro Guest this episode: Whiteberry

                                              Reason for Discussion:

                                              This is not to say that the game is actively sexist. Male and female Mechari are both consistently portrayed as being cunning, intelligent, manipulative, and capable. You spend a great deal of time helping both male and female explorers. There’s an extended sequence in the early Exile areas involving a pregnant woman, which raised my eyebrows once or twice, but it didn’t trip anything over into rant mode. But it’s passively there, which means that no one on the team was trying to be sexist. They just weren’t trying not to be.

                                              The Nexus Telegraph: WildStar’s great big sexist elephant in the room by  Eliot Lefebvre

                                              Referenced in this episode:

                                              Ear Biscuits (Rhett & Link’s podcast)

                                              Press Heart to Continue (Dodger Leigh’s YouTube gaming channel)

                                              Feedback

                                              Speaking of the topic of discussion, it was especially pertinent to me as I’m a middle-aged gamer myself.  If you’d like my two cents worth on the topic:  I don’t see us growing out of gaming.  I’ll be gaming in one form or fashion until I can’t anymore.  I’m pretty sure of that.  It’s certainly not a maturity thing.  I think about gaming fairly constantly, and I can’t imagine that changing or being replaced by something else.  My mother is 80 and she learned how to play bridge in her early twenties.  She’s played it all of her life and still plays it 3 times a week at her local senior center.  Just swap out bridge with video games and I think that’s going to be my life story as well.

                                              Contact information:

                                              Guest

                                              Twitter: @toarda

                                              Website: http://toarda.com/

                                              Me

                                              Twitter: @Braxwolf

                                              Facebook: www.facebook.com/braxwolf

                                              YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/braxwolf

                                              Blog: braxwolf.wordpress.com

                                              #Podcast #Gamergirls #gamingstereotypes

                                              Beyond Bossfights is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://braxwolf.wordpress.com/

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                                            About Beyond Bossfights

                                            From the publisher's feed

                                            Beyond Bossfights is a podcast that discusses various aspects of video gaming and pop culture, including film and technology. We're three middle-aged guys just sharing what we love!