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Penny Arcade Expo Vidcast Coverage

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the rain-slicked-darkness dept.

Jfarro writes "The vidcast Downstairs Theater has posted their coverage of the Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) which just recently passed. Inside, the crew has several interviews with developers there on such games as Guitar Hero 2, Neverwinter Nights 2, Castle Crashers, Warhammer Online: Age of reckoning and Brooktown High. Also included are outtakes from the "Pitch your game idea" panel, cosplay interviews, and a few skits to round out their coverage of the event."

9 comments

  1. More Video Coverage. by ghaltmann · · Score: 5, Informative

    Way more interviews and video coverage at this site: http://www.gamehelper.com/pax06/index.html

    1. Re:More Video Coverage. by bartyboy · · Score: 4, Informative

      YouTube makes my eyes bleed. How about some coverage in HD.

    2. Re:More Video Coverage. by Jfarro · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Episode 8 links in the upper left contain a higher quality xvid version, as well as an ipod version. The videos over 500 megs (50 mins long), so youtube helps out a bit for those without broadband, or that prefer streaming versions. WMV encode is in the works

    3. Re:More Video Coverage. by Jfarro · · Score: 1

      In further thinking about this, and because we could use the feedback, I'm wondering..does HD matter much for content such as this?

      Our xvid is an encode of a DV-AVI which starts out as higher than DVD quality (740x480, lower compression than mpeg2 off our panasonic camcorders). We encode it down heavily balancing quality with file size, trying to make each episode a reasonable download. When shopping for camcorders for the show, I looked at HD camcorders, and rejected them because we're a free, non profit vidcast, but also because I wasn't sure that HD interviews or skits made sense. Sure..HD is great for sports events, travel channel style stuff, blockbuster movies with special effects...but when we interview some gamer from PAX, do you REALLY want that much detail?

      I ask mostly for video quality feedback...I noticed from the last post that many people have started to get the xvid, yet we're not seeing much feedback either way....

      SO, in conclusion....How much does video quality matter for interviews?

      And...what feedback does the slashdot audience have? We value it...the shows free, done for the community...we're interested in what you have to say.

      Thanks for checking out the episode, hope it was informative and entertaining,

      Joe
      Downstairstheater.com

  2. Mmm... cosplay.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'll be sure to check out the cosplay interviews. Sounds like something very informative and interesting....

    *puts on robe and wizard hat*

    1. Re:Mmm... cosplay.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There actually was a guy in a robe and wizard hat there. It was quite possibly the best thing I have ever seen. (Well, other than the guy in the mech costume)

    2. Re:Mmm... cosplay.... by Jfarro · · Score: 1

      That guy was actually fun to talk to..we had to cut his interview due to technical issues with our mic, but we may be able to repair it and get it posted back up. His costume was pretty amazing.

      The one regret I have is missing the quake 4 guy, who had an excellent costume. We were glad to catch the lemmings, as well as link and zelda (8 months to work on a single costume...that's some dedication!)

      The main thing that I enjoyed is PAX is part gaming expo, part convention, part concert series, part tournament, and all fun. If I had a choice between E3 and PAX I'd choose PAX...though it's not the place companies choose to reveal blockbuster info, there is still some solid new announcments, some great games that were being shown off which hadn't come out yet, and overall it's more of a gaming friendly atmosphere (which makes sense, since E3 was designed around business intentions).

      I encourage those that don't know about it to check out not only the coverage linked, but the others being mentioned as well. PAX never seems to be well covered by the huge Media, though I have a feeling it'll gain some respect in the years to come. I've been there since year one, and the overall experience has grown exponentially. With the Seattle Convention center scheduled for next year's expo, I'm sure it'll be one of the more important gaming events to look forward to.

  3. Podcast at the Expo by Game+Addict+Hotline · · Score: 1

    I did a 1:45:00 interview podcast where I interviewed a few of the game makers at PAX such as Red Octane, Microsoft, Rockstar Games, and even the Penny Arcade guys. I also interviewed some of the attendees to find out their opinion on the show and gaming. I thought I'd throw in my site so you can get a better feel about the event from a podcasters eye.

    http://www.gameaddicthotline.com/?p=120

    Luke
    Game Addict Hotline Podcast