Friday, May 22, 2009

The missing link discovered!

That's right folks, I've found it: the link to our Facebook group! Rejoice one and all! And when you're done rejoicing, join the group! C'mon now, even giant robots, inanimate objects and states of mind have their own Facebook page these days. What's your excuse?

Monday, May 18, 2009

Episode 23 - ANIMATION-APOCALYPSE!

Topic: Evolution of Game Animation Guest: Jay Hosfelt, Lead Animator at Epic Games

Super Animation Dance Party Time!

We get back to our roots hardcore this time with an animation centered podcast, joined by Epic Lead Animator Jay Hosfelt, from Gears of War fame. We also ponder the important things in life, such as, "Is it possible to have a favorite game?", "Has Sixaxis ever worked?", and "What type of cereal does Cole Train eat?"

Then, to top it off, we do an animation critique of Paul Brown's Demo Reel.

OH, and don't miss out on the EPIC ANNOUNCEMENT at the end of the show.


Show Notes:

Today's Kids playing Yesterday's Games
Part 1
Part 2

Keith Lango talking about Sid the Science Kid

Recoil Games Earth No More

Scrubs FPS



Animation APOCALYPSE!
(right click the above to download)

Monday, April 20, 2009

Episode 22 - Start Me Up

Topic: Starting up a game studio GuestS: Bryan Jury and Scott Fabianek of Epicenter Games

The gang's all here for Episode 22, overcompensating with not one but TWO guests: Scott Fabianek, Art Director and Bryan Jury, co-founder, both of Epicenter Studios. We pick their brains about something that so many game developers dream of; starting your own studio and making your own IP!

We had some technical difficulties when recording so please don't mind there's a few cuts that couldn't be easily cleaned up.

Show Notes:

What game would you show to someone who's never seen one?


"How create a game" on CGTalk

Hot new video game...


Episode 22 - Start Me Up
(right click the above to download)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Episode 21 - Tight Rope of Life

With Ryan away on his beer eating assignment, it was up to Mike and me to record Episode 21 with guest Christian Sheppard, animator at Disney/Junction Point Studios.

Our main topic this week was balancing family and work. Our esteemed guest tells a tale of his first animation job and having to live in a barn away from his wife and kids. But before that I talk about an affair I've been having with Eliss. Mike talks about game critics ranting about the industry at GDC and Christian is tired of the normal mapification of the gaming world.

Show notes:

Touch Eliss, cuz she's very touchable

Realistic Toon characters

Game Critics Rant at the Industry
“You aren’t men. You are stunted adolescents.” - Heather Chaplin, reporter, to game developers everywhere.
Leigh Alexander's Reponse



Episode 21 - Tight Rope of Life
(right click the above to download)

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sheep-a-mation

Animating with... sheep?

Friday, March 27, 2009

Cat Shit One

With subtitles.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Episode 20 - Geek Freak OUT!

Topic: Whatcha been up to fool?!

To celebrate episode 20 and approximately 1 year of doing the show, we decided to kick it old school, and record with just the three of us. It is a trail of broken dreams that leads us to many questions. Is ending your series a good thing? Should we really be recording the things we say? Are there games you won't play because of your own prejudice? Are we really here? Is anyone reading this?

Then we just geek out over games we have been playing, shows we've been watching, and what boys we have crushes on.

Show notes:

How to Tweet Away your Fatty Cisco Check
League of Super Evil
Terry Dodson's Coraline




Episode 20 - Geek Freak OUT!
(right click the above to download)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Disney re-used footage and animation cliches

I'm sure all us animation nuts have seen the side-by-side Disney cells but here are a lot of the sequences side by side. Some are just re-used cliches but others are clearly re-used footage.

Purists may balk but remember commercial animation needs to be great and efficient. Don't work hard; work smart!


Sunday, March 8, 2009

Episode 19 - The Race is On!

Topic: Race and Ethnicity in Games Guest: Manveer Heir, Game Designer at Raven Software

Neither Daylight Savings Time or a case of the common cold keep us from recording this show on time. Though after listening to me sniffle and cough throughout, I'm thinking you might wish it had.

On this show we talk about the always touchy issue of race and ethnicity, specifically in games, with Manveer Heir. But before we get into that, we talk about demo reels, Guitar Hero, Valkyria Chronicles, the 13 Basic Principles of Game Design, and layoffs.

Show notes:

Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive by David Levy

The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell

Imagination Is The Only Escape


Episode 19 - The RACE is ON!
(right click the above to download)

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Episode 18 - Artsy Fartsy

Topic: Art Styles or Art Gimmicks Guest: Shane Corn, animator/artist of Neopets, Cartoon Network, and a founder of DrawingBoard.org

Like your valentine's day date, we might be a little late, but we are bearing lots of flowers and chocolates. I know, we broke our promise to be on time, but baby I still love you.

This show we get back in touch with our animation roots with Shane Corn and talk about art styles in games, but only after we talk about digital wangs, Lara Croft, and good old fashion side-scrollers. So, you know the types of things we would have been talking about in our adolescence... which, in all honesty, is about how we treated the subjects still to this day.

Show notes:

I tried finding the GTA IV e-peen video, but it seems to be taken down from any reputable internetz sites. So if you really want to see it that badly, you gotta get the DLC and play the game. Just check with your parents first kay?

Paul Robertson's Pirate Babys Cabana Battle Street Fight 2006

Behemoth Game's Dad N Me


Episode 18 - Artsy Fartsy
(right click the above to download)