Shut Up. We're Talking.
Host: Darren and Karen
Darren and Karen present this commentary podcast covering recent topics found within the MMORPG Blogging and Podcasting community.
Host: Darren and Karen
Darren and Karen present this commentary podcast covering recent topics found within the MMORPG Blogging and Podcasting community.
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Shut Up. We're Talking #63
Sun, 16 May 2010 17:52:00 GMT [download/play]
Introductions
Listener Mail/What we're playing
Sparkle Pony
Games as Art
Blogs of the Week
Darren - Commonsensegamer.com
Karen - Journey's with Jaye
Ivan - The Big Freaks
Frank - The Big Freaks
Game Reviews Broken
Darkfall Fans Snikering
Alganon
Plagiarism
Little Known MMO Sites
Through the Aftermath
The Twenty Sided Tale
Rules of the Game
Troll Racials are Overpowered
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Previous Episodes
Episode #77 - Duration: 2925 - Released: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 06:16:01 +0000 Episode #76 - Duration: 7730 - Released: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:34:01 +0000 Episode #75 - Duration: 4659 - Released: Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:57:48 +0000 Episode #74 - Duration: 4071 - Released: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:22:45 +0000 Episode #73 - Duration: 4943 - Released: Sun, 07 Nov 2010 19:41:07 +0000 Episode #72 - Duration: 4707 - Released: Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:28:52 +0000 Episode #71 - Duration: 3820 - Released: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:39:28 +0000 Episode #70 - Duration: 4623 - Released: Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:51:32 +0000 Episode #69 - Duration: 4837 - Released: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:07:07 +0000 Episode #68 - Duration: 01:13:32 - Released: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:34:00 GMT Episode #67 - Duration: 01:12:09 - Released: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:24:00 GMT Episode #66 - Duration: 00:59:30 - Released: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 23:26:00 GMT Episode #65 - Duration: 01:23:43 - Released: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:03:00 GMT Episode #64 - Duration: - Released: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 15:51:00 GMT Episode #63 - Duration: 01:13:26 - Released: Sun, 16 May 2010 17:52:00 GMT Episode #62 - Duration: 01:12:04 - Released: Thu, 6 May 2010 23:28:00 GMT Episode #61 - Duration: 01:26:12 - Released: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:26:00 GMT Episode #60 - Duration: 01:57:27 - Released: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:34:00 GMT Episode #59 - Duration: 01:37:24 - Released: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 03:48:00 GMT Episode #58 - Duration: 01:21:01 - Released: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:45:00 GMT Episode #57 - Duration: 01:47:46 - Released: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:01:00 GMT Episode #56.5 - Duration: 00:02:21 - Released: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:26:00 GMT Episode #56 - Duration: 01:01:53 - Released: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:41:00 GMT Episode #55 - Duration: 01:16:27 - Released: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:31:00 GMT Episode #54 - Duration: 01:14:25 - Released: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:51:00 GMT Episode #53 - Duration: 01:31:47 - Released: Tue, 8 Sep 2009 04:12:00 GMT Episode #52.5 - Duration: 00:04:12 - Released: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 19:43:00 GMT Episode #52 - Duration: 01:04:24 - Released: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:00 GMT Episode #51 - Duration: 01:17:30 - Released: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:49:00 GMT Episode #50 - Duration: 01:35:33 - Released: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:15:00 GMT Episode #49 - Duration: 01:03:31 - Released: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:27:00 GMT Episode #48 - Duration: 01:13:44 - Released: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 15:25:00 GMT Episode #47 - Duration: 01:10:07 - Released: Sun, 10 May 2009 21:21:00 GMT Episode #46 - Duration: 01:27:11 - Released: Mon, 4 May 2009 02:05:00 GMT Episode #45 - Duration: 01:04:36 - Released: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:01:00 GMT Episode #44 - Duration: 00:56:47 - Released: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:15:00 GMT Episode #43.1 - Duration: 00:18:59 - Released: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 20:11:00 GMT Episode #43 - Duration: 00:59:34 - Released: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:24:00 GMT Episode #42 - Duration: 01:11:28 - Released: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 15:14:00 GMT Episode #41 - Duration: 01:06:59 - Released: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:55:00 GMT Episode #40.5 - Duration: 00:02:50 - Released: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:48:00 GMT Episode #40 - Duration: 01:16:52 - Released: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:45:00 GMT Episode #39 - Duration: 01:08:43 - Released: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:01:00 GMT Episode #38 - Duration: 00:37:38 - Released: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 05:49:00 GMT Episode #37 - Duration: - Released: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:26:00 GMT Episode #36 - Duration: 01:10:59 - Released: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 03:03:00 GMT Episode #35 - Duration: 00:49:08 - Released: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:54:00 GMT Episode #34 - Duration: 01:08:50 - Released: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 19:38:00 GMT Episode #33 - Duration: 00:58:54 - Released: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 01:42:00 GMT Episode #32 - Duration: 01:03:27 - Released: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:01:00 GMT Episode #31 - Duration: 01:05:03 - Released: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 20:13:00 GMT Episode #30 - Duration: 00:59:20 - Released: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:44:00 GMT Episode #29 - Duration: 00:28:31 - Released: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:48:00 GMT Episode #28 - Duration: 01:09:13 - Released: Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:31:00 GMT Episode #27 - Duration: 01:14:25 - Released: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 02:42:00 GMT Episode #26 - Duration: 01:06:47 - Released: Mon, 19 May 2008 03:10:00 GMT Episode #25 - Duration: 01:01:48 - Released: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:46:00 GMT Episode #24 - Duration: 00:57:48 - Released: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Episode #23 - Duration: 00:47:54 - Released: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:05:00 GMT Episode #22 - Duration: 01:12:16 - Released: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:54:00 GMT Episode #21 - Duration: 01:56:55 - Released: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 05:01:00 GMT Episode #20 - Duration: 00:49:01 - Released: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:08:00 GMT Episode #19 - Duration: 01:01:05 - Released: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 05:08:00 GMT Episode #18 - Duration: 01:08:01 - Released: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:35:00 GMT Episode #17 - Duration: 01:36:26 - Released: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 04:07:00 GMT Episode #16 - Duration: 01:06:39 - Released: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:58:00 GMT Episode #15 - Duration: 01:33:23 - Released: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:24:00 GMT Episode #14 - Duration: 01:24:15 - Released: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:47:00 GMT Episode #13 - Duration: 01:22:18 - Released: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:30:00 GMT Episode #12 - Duration: 01:17:38 - Released: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:55:00 GMT Episode #11 - Duration: 01:17:01 - Released: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:30:00 GMT Episode #10 - Duration: 01:00:37 - Released: Mon, 1 Oct 2007 03:33:00 GMT Episode #9 - Duration: 01:12:13 - Released: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:47:00 GMT Episode #8 - Duration: 01:24:35 - Released: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 02:44:00 GMT Episode #7 - Duration: 01:11:21 - Released: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:05:00 GMT Episode #6 - Duration: 01:10:07 - Released: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 01:13:00 GMT Episode #5 - Duration: 00:58:57 - Released: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:50:00 GMT Episode #4 - Duration: 01:13:04 - Released: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 03:52:00 GMT Episode #3 - Duration: 01:10:25 - Released: Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:20:00 GMT Episode #2 - Duration: 01:09:48 - Released: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 05:20:00 GMT Episode #1 - Duration: 01:08:21 - Released: Mon, 28 May 2007 02:12:00 GMT
Episode #77 - Duration: 2925 - Released: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 06:16:01 +0000 Episode #76 - Duration: 7730 - Released: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:34:01 +0000 Episode #75 - Duration: 4659 - Released: Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:57:48 +0000 Episode #74 - Duration: 4071 - Released: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:22:45 +0000 Episode #73 - Duration: 4943 - Released: Sun, 07 Nov 2010 19:41:07 +0000 Episode #72 - Duration: 4707 - Released: Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:28:52 +0000 Episode #71 - Duration: 3820 - Released: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 16:39:28 +0000 Episode #70 - Duration: 4623 - Released: Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:51:32 +0000 Episode #69 - Duration: 4837 - Released: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:07:07 +0000 Episode #68 - Duration: 01:13:32 - Released: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 15:34:00 GMT Episode #67 - Duration: 01:12:09 - Released: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:24:00 GMT Episode #66 - Duration: 00:59:30 - Released: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 23:26:00 GMT Episode #65 - Duration: 01:23:43 - Released: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:03:00 GMT Episode #64 - Duration: - Released: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 15:51:00 GMT Episode #63 - Duration: 01:13:26 - Released: Sun, 16 May 2010 17:52:00 GMT Episode #62 - Duration: 01:12:04 - Released: Thu, 6 May 2010 23:28:00 GMT Episode #61 - Duration: 01:26:12 - Released: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:26:00 GMT Episode #60 - Duration: 01:57:27 - Released: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:34:00 GMT Episode #59 - Duration: 01:37:24 - Released: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 03:48:00 GMT Episode #58 - Duration: 01:21:01 - Released: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:45:00 GMT Episode #57 - Duration: 01:47:46 - Released: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:01:00 GMT Episode #56.5 - Duration: 00:02:21 - Released: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:26:00 GMT Episode #56 - Duration: 01:01:53 - Released: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:41:00 GMT Episode #55 - Duration: 01:16:27 - Released: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:31:00 GMT Episode #54 - Duration: 01:14:25 - Released: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:51:00 GMT Episode #53 - Duration: 01:31:47 - Released: Tue, 8 Sep 2009 04:12:00 GMT Episode #52.5 - Duration: 00:04:12 - Released: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 19:43:00 GMT Episode #52 - Duration: 01:04:24 - Released: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:35:00 GMT Episode #51 - Duration: 01:17:30 - Released: Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:49:00 GMT Episode #50 - Duration: 01:35:33 - Released: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:15:00 GMT Episode #49 - Duration: 01:03:31 - Released: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:27:00 GMT Episode #48 - Duration: 01:13:44 - Released: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 15:25:00 GMT Episode #47 - Duration: 01:10:07 - Released: Sun, 10 May 2009 21:21:00 GMT Episode #46 - Duration: 01:27:11 - Released: Mon, 4 May 2009 02:05:00 GMT Episode #45 - Duration: 01:04:36 - Released: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:01:00 GMT Episode #44 - Duration: 00:56:47 - Released: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:15:00 GMT Episode #43.1 - Duration: 00:18:59 - Released: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 20:11:00 GMT Episode #43 - Duration: 00:59:34 - Released: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:24:00 GMT Episode #42 - Duration: 01:11:28 - Released: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 15:14:00 GMT Episode #41 - Duration: 01:06:59 - Released: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:55:00 GMT Episode #40.5 - Duration: 00:02:50 - Released: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:48:00 GMT Episode #40 - Duration: 01:16:52 - Released: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:45:00 GMT Episode #39 - Duration: 01:08:43 - Released: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:01:00 GMT Episode #38 - Duration: 00:37:38 - Released: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 05:49:00 GMT Episode #37 - Duration: - Released: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:26:00 GMT Episode #36 - Duration: 01:10:59 - Released: Mon, 3 Nov 2008 03:03:00 GMT Episode #35 - Duration: 00:49:08 - Released: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:54:00 GMT Episode #34 - Duration: 01:08:50 - Released: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 19:38:00 GMT Episode #33 - Duration: 00:58:54 - Released: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 01:42:00 GMT Episode #32 - Duration: 01:03:27 - Released: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:01:00 GMT Episode #31 - Duration: 01:05:03 - Released: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 20:13:00 GMT Episode #30 - Duration: 00:59:20 - Released: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:44:00 GMT Episode #29 - Duration: 00:28:31 - Released: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:48:00 GMT Episode #28 - Duration: 01:09:13 - Released: Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:31:00 GMT Episode #27 - Duration: 01:14:25 - Released: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 02:42:00 GMT Episode #26 - Duration: 01:06:47 - Released: Mon, 19 May 2008 03:10:00 GMT Episode #25 - Duration: 01:01:48 - Released: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:46:00 GMT Episode #24 - Duration: 00:57:48 - Released: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Episode #23 - Duration: 00:47:54 - Released: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:05:00 GMT Episode #22 - Duration: 01:12:16 - Released: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:54:00 GMT Episode #21 - Duration: 01:56:55 - Released: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 05:01:00 GMT Episode #20 - Duration: 00:49:01 - Released: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:08:00 GMT Episode #19 - Duration: 01:01:05 - Released: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 05:08:00 GMT Episode #18 - Duration: 01:08:01 - Released: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:35:00 GMT Episode #17 - Duration: 01:36:26 - Released: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 04:07:00 GMT Episode #16 - Duration: 01:06:39 - Released: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:58:00 GMT Episode #15 - Duration: 01:33:23 - Released: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:24:00 GMT Episode #14 - Duration: 01:24:15 - Released: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:47:00 GMT Episode #13 - Duration: 01:22:18 - Released: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:30:00 GMT Episode #12 - Duration: 01:17:38 - Released: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:55:00 GMT Episode #11 - Duration: 01:17:01 - Released: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:30:00 GMT Episode #10 - Duration: 01:00:37 - Released: Mon, 1 Oct 2007 03:33:00 GMT Episode #9 - Duration: 01:12:13 - Released: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:47:00 GMT Episode #8 - Duration: 01:24:35 - Released: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 02:44:00 GMT Episode #7 - Duration: 01:11:21 - Released: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:05:00 GMT Episode #6 - Duration: 01:10:07 - Released: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 01:13:00 GMT Episode #5 - Duration: 00:58:57 - Released: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:50:00 GMT Episode #4 - Duration: 01:13:04 - Released: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 03:52:00 GMT Episode #3 - Duration: 01:10:25 - Released: Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:20:00 GMT Episode #2 - Duration: 01:09:48 - Released: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 05:20:00 GMT Episode #1 - Duration: 01:08:21 - Released: Mon, 28 May 2007 02:12:00 GMT
'number scores///' by rocknerd
Submitted on 2010-05-17 09:20:52 CST
i don't mean to come across aggressively, so please don't take this as such, because this is one of the few podcasts i listen to anymore...
but, speaking on the review score debate, i think that it seems popular to denounce numeric scoring anymore. i understand the lack of existential merit within a plain ole numerical score, but i also believe that the score itself can be a very telling trait when included with the reviewers literature.
i actually really like review scores, but the thing it seems i always miss, 80% of the time, from what i want out of reviews is comparisons. it feels like the first half of the review explains the story and the second half explains how much the reviewer enjoyed the game.
i would love to know how the game 'feels' in comparison to other games. i im not concerned with story as much as its talked about in gaming anymore. im only playing the game for one reason, to have fun playing a game. and if the game is fun, no matter HOW BAD the story is, if the game is fun i will enjoy it. if the story is good thats a bonus.
and as far as defending numerical scores, i think that it represents the reviewers palpable joy with a game. it doesn't mean that if its a 10 out of 10 i will love it for sure. it either means that this particular reviewer loved it which means if i find similar qualities in this person with my self, i will probably like the game as well, OR he belongs to that 40% of the one company that runs everything and was bought out.
i do think review scores serve a purpose WITHIN CONTEXT. but like i said, i want comparisons to other games like when a game comes out similar to (my fave all time game now) dragon age, i don't what to know how the story/gameplay starts, i want to know that when the person got behind the controls he instantly felt like he was playing dragon age again. the fun he was having, the controls working smoothly and the general atmosphere sucking him in. i find those kind of reviews more helpful, (and for the most part, nonexistent anymore).
great cast BTW guys.
sorry so sloppy.
circle yes if i'm crazy and no if i'm craziest- rocknerd.
'Metacritic is great!' by Miffy
Submitted on 2010-05-20 20:36:42 CST
I love it because it gives me a list of all the major review sites and tbh when you look at the average score it is a better score than each individual site. Some people complain about it not translating well like a 3/5 = a 60 but tbh that is what it should be. 3 out of 5 is average and like you guys said people have made 70 the new average and it shouldn't be. So for me Metacritic is great and reflects on the game better than any one review on it's own. Also user reviews are not to be trusted, most reviews come from the disgruntled fanbase or haters.
I just don't get why you're hating because you aren't idiots, you can make your own mind up about a game. Most reviews are crap anyways because everyone has their own opinion, I've liked lots of games that got pretty average scores like EVE Online on Gamespot. Yet I've thought games that got amazing scores were crap like Halo.
All Metacritic does for me is gives me an idea of what to expect. Like if I see 10 reviews all stating there are hundreds of bugs, then I know I should probably wait for a few patches because they can't all be wrong.
So in that it is a powerful and useful tool.
'Also on MMO reviews.' by Miffy
Submitted on 2010-05-20 20:48:42 CST
I think after 5 mins I know if I want to play the MMO or not. In that time I've seen the basic combat mechanics, UI, animations, movement, graphics, sound design etc etc.
I logged into EQ2 and even before I got into the game I was put off by the horrible character models and the bland generic graphics. I thought I'd give it a chance anyways but it had a horrible UI and as soon as I tried the horrible combat I left.
Final Fantasy 11 Play Online put me off going any further
Aion I didn't like the Art style so I haven't even bothered with that game.
I think you know if you're going to enjoy an MMO within the first 5 mins of playing, just like any game. Also just like any game you know if you'll like it judged by the screenshots because you can't play a game that you can't stand looking at.
Since WoW I can't play an MMO again because that game got the combat so right that noone else has been able to come anywhere close. The sad thing is I can't even play WoW anymore because they killed off world PVP in 2005 so I've been looking for a new MMO ever since.
I loved my fave MMOs back in the day but WoW has come and gone and I just can't return to them because they all feel so dated compared.
My point is you can right a pretty meaningful review within 3 hours because you've experienced what makes or breaks a game for people. What you can't right a review about is what keeps people playing.
'Hmm' by Shawn
Submitted on 2010-05-29 00:21:43 CST
Giving a numerical score to any game these days is just stupid. Even console games... you can't play Red Dead Redemption for 10 hours and see the whole game. And most of the time these reviewers have 3 or 4 other games in a queue ready for them to play and review that same day. If they're having a bad day, the score will be lower than if they're having a good day. It's all so relative and absolutely worthless, in my opinion.
Now about the paying for reviews. I've never ever been approached by any company asking us to talk positively about their games in exchange for money. In fact, I've only had 1 company (in hundreds) that has told us that a previously negative comment about their company will make sure they don't give us any more exclusives. My response? We have an obligation to the readers, not any company's agenda. They haven't stopped giving us exclusives, but they take their time now. It makes me wonder about the sites that get faster and more meaningful exclusives from that company. It's a stupid game I'm not willing to play.
I'm also amused that every blogger with a Wordpress site and 5 posts thinks they know everything there is to know about gaming journalism and how it works behind the scenes. Not everything's a conspiracy, guys. It really is a boring process and we really do just write about games we like to play. Sorry.
'Don't change a winning team' by jumberlack
Submitted on 2010-06-10 09:12:22 CST
Your Podcast is one of the most professional and interesting out there for people interested in online gaming and gaming in general but...
What were you thinking with the latest show?
1. Please never ever separate people via left and right channel ever again. This drove me nuts and made it so hard to focus on the show (I listen on my iphone). Just stick to stereo, it works fine.
2. What's with the background zen music? forget it, you guys sound great and while I'm fine with some subtle background music, the tunes you chose for this show just didn't fit and completely distracted from what you were talking about.
Rant over.
Thanks for your hard work in putting together a great show.
Jumberlack (Gaming since the ZX81 days)