DDO podcast rankings

[rdasca]

Ok so I have been doing quite a bit of work lately and my playlist has gotten stale, so I have been listening to the various DDO podcast out there.
After spending hours listening to these shows, I got to thinking of how each show’s differences and their similarities, and then thought what if I rated these shows? Or better yet made a post on the forums and get as many people here to rate them.

So here is the format, on a 1 to 10 scale with 10 being “this is the best DDO podcast ever” and 1 being “saying this sucks is too nice” how would you rate the following podcast and if you want say why.

BTY, to the producers of these podcast, this in no way is either a personal attack or an attempt to suck up, it is simple my opinion and the opinion of whom ever else post in this thread.

DDOCast: 8

The first DDO podcast that I am aware of with 174 episodes at the time of this post. DDOCast is at its heart a news style show with attempts at some humor, which sometimes are very funny at others no so much. My only real complaint about this show is that at times it tends toward giving Turbine more credit than they deserve and at times, whether they mean to be or not, it seems that DDOCast comes across as the glass is always ¾ the way full whenever Turbine does something that is questionable. Since past history shows that DDOCast has the ability to talk one on one with Turbine employees I personally would like to hear a few harder hitting questions during those interviews, granted I am not involved in the show so maybe it is stated up front that if they where to ask those types of questions then they would lose that access.

All in all DDOCast is a good show and I look forward to listening to each episode and hopefully one day soon my schedule will let me join in the show chat stream. If you have not listened check it out: http://www.ddocast.com/

Cocktail Hour: 8

Cocktail Hour is the lighter side of DDO and beyond, with 19 podcast, this show is a bit silly; however, it is a fun listen though at times it borders on absurd. The interviews are funny yet most of them are insightful. I really cannot say much more about this show as it is what it is.

A good show and one of my guilty pleasures. Check it out here: http://ddococktailhour.com/

Yak Cast: 7

Yak Cast is a show that covers quite a bit more than just DDO, it has 26 episodes to date, this show tends towards the serious side of DDO and other games, its host gives his opinions and does not pull any punches. The only real problem, is this show does not really pull me in, I find the host to be rather well informed and his opinions more often than not mirror my own. I guess it is the fact that the host covers more than what I am interested is my problem. As for a show that has good sound, great guest, and is informative about the world of MMOs, Yak Cast is hard to beat.

Check it out and see what you think: http://www.yak.mmosmacktalk.com/

DDO Source: 5

DDO Source is a new show with only 2 episodes, so its rating may go up as time goes on. My complaints about this show are three things, one is the digs at other DDO podcast, is really necessary to say how you are different (better) than the other shows out there? It is one thing to state your opinion, it is after all the host’s show, it is another to state incorrect information. Finally, with three people on the show it would be nice to hear from the other two, one has mic problems and the other barely speaks.
Now the good things about this show, they call things as they see them, the host does admit when he is wrong, when it is pointed out to him, and the attitude they bring is very different and frankly refreshing in many ways (though it would be nice if they directed more of that attitude a bit more).

I am going to give this show a few more episodes before casting it in stone of what they are, but for now I rate them as I hear them. I invite you to hear them for yourself: http://ddosource.com/

PsYcho The Da' Angry Drow & The Rant Squad: 4

Another new show, The Rant Squad has 2 episodes and a few standalone skits. This show focuses on everything and anything wrong with DDO, it is informative and at times insightful; however, the host of this show are rough, it is definitely a NC17 and above style show, with cursing at times just for the sake of cursing. The reason for the lower than average ranking here is not the language (though they should tone it down a bit if they want a larger audience) rather it is the sound issues the show has, show one is very difficult to listen to, and while better, show two has mic problems as well as having issues with some people on the show are too loud while others you can barely hear. If the technical issues are addressed this show may evolve into a darker version of the Cocktail Hour, funny, informative, with more of a rant style.
I like this show and will listen to more episodes, I just have to remember my headphones and, for now at least, have a quick finger on the volume control. Check them out, but remember your headphones if you have anyone around you that gets offended by four letter words: http://www.rashonx.com/psycho/

Looking over the list you may notice that the older shows for the most part got higher ranking from me than the newer ones, this was not intentional, and as I said I will continue to listen to the newer shows and revisit the ranking for them after they get seven or eight episodes under their belts. Also, there are other podcast out there but I did not include them because they are not primarily DDO related, if anyone knows of one I missed please let me know I would love to hear it.
One last thing, to everyone that is involved in any one of these podcast, thank you for taking the time to do them and I look forward to listening to you guys for a long time.
And remember, those that can, do, those that can’t, teach, and those that can’t teach, write reviews.

[Mockduck]

Interesting! I'll be curious to read this thread as it progresses. Feel free to be critical (but don't necessarily expect a response from me personally), I can take it. I am often told that I'm too easy on Turbine, but there's just as many out there who think the show skews too negative as well. Personally I am an optimist, glass-half-full kind of guy. I wouldn't bother doing a show about something I didn't like. I also wouldn't do a show to "air my grievances" against a video game maker. Just not in my nature. I'd just do something else instead.

I've been meaning to do a "survey" of sorts about the show, this seems as good a time as any. Feel free to include any things you'd like to see added to the show or things you would prefer I no longer include.

Finally, I'll say this: I'm really, really glad I wasn't ranked after doing my first dozen or so shows....it's tough to do and generally improves over time as you get used to doing it.

Jerry out (enters listen-only mode.)

[Goldeneye]

Jerry is too nice to hurt Turbine's feelings
It's cause he's vegetarian!

[Goldeneye]

Nice rating guide though! I hope you didn't pull a muscle in your "research" :P

[Lessah]

I love being a guilty pleasure-cast!

I think of CTH as more of an extension of the DDO Cast than anything. I don't mind rants, but in my mind, either you are having fun and you are playing through or you are NOT having fun and you are playing well... something else! (There are plenty of virtual fish in the sea after all.)
Thanks very much for recognizing that we don't take ourselves too seriously!



One comment, The Angry Drow Show has some Absolute Comic GOLD in the way of adverts and skits on the show! "Harry of the Shroud Calls the Show" and "Ziatia Interviews Gov. Arnold" are must listens! I laughed and cried! If I get to have a guilty pleasure, this show is certainly it as even the rants are done with a silvery hint of affection for the game we all play!
I hope they keep it up!

[Borror0]

Personally I am an optimist, glass-half-full kind of guy. I wouldn't bother doing a show about something I didn't like. I also wouldn't do a show to "air my grievances" against a video game maker. Just not in my nature. I'd just do something else instead.

The point that rdasca makes - that DDOcast gives Turbine more credit than they often deserve - has been my main issue with DDOcast since its inception. I think that there is a difference between loving something and being overly forgiving.

What makes a good review of something - of a movie, a book, a game, etc. - is that it highlights the weak and the strong points. It feels, to me, that DDOcast always highlights the good points of any news but barely touches its more negative aspects; if any criticism is made, it is often followed by a "I'm sure Turbine will address very quickly" even if there nothing to justify that belief other than faith in Turbine.

As you admit yourself, you're a "glass-half-full kind of guy." Coincidentally, most of your guests generally are also glass-half-full kind of people - SteinerDavion being a notable exception. The end result is that your show ends up being extremely forgiving to Turbine, when there is actually ground for criticism.

I think it would be interesting to see you operate with a glass-half empty kind of guy (or gal). It would offer a great range of views, and possibly make a more interesting show. It'd make it more informative, too, as both the positive sides and the negative sides would be represented.

[rdasca]

Interesting! I'll be curious to read this thread as it progresses. Feel free to be critical (but don't necessarily expect a response from me personally), I can take it. I am often told that I'm too easy on Turbine, but there's just as many out there who think the show skews too negative as well. Personally I am an optimist, glass-half-full kind of guy. I wouldn't bother doing a show about something I didn't like. I also wouldn't do a show to "air my grievances" against a video game maker. Just not in my nature. I'd just do something else instead.

I've been meaning to do a "survey" of sorts about the show, this seems as good a time as any. Feel free to include any things you'd like to see added to the show or things you would prefer I no longer include.

Finally, I'll say this: I'm really, really glad I wasn't ranked after doing my first dozen or so shows....it's tough to do and generally improves over time as you get used to doing it.

Jerry out (enters listen-only mode.)

It is your show and such you are more than free to do it however you like, and given the popularity of your show I would say you must be doing something right. As I said the only thing I would like to see is when you do have Turbine employees on the show ask them some tough questions about decisions the company has made. Asking tough questions does not have to equate to "in your face" confrontational approach, rather your normal laid-back style would work just fine.
I did listen to the earliest episodes as well.

Nice rating guide though! I hope you didn't pull a muscle in your "research" :P

No pulled muscles, though I did pop an eardrum once or twice

<snip>
One comment, The Angry Drow Show has some Absolute Comic GOLD in the way of adverts and skits on the show! "Harry of the Shroud Calls the Show" and "Ziatia Interviews Gov. Arnold" are must listens! I laughed and cried! If I get to have a guilty pleasure, this show is certainly it as even the rants are done with a silvery hint of affection for the game we all play!
I hope they keep it up!

Just make it clear, IMO, The Angry Drow Show is very funny, "tap-tap". I do hope the keep up the good work as is I can't wait for their next show, if they fixed their technical difficulties they are going to need more bandwidth.

The point that rdasca makes - that DDOcast gives Turbine more credit than they often deserve - has been my main issue with DDOcast since its inception. I think that there is a difference between loving something and being overly forgiving.
<snip>

This is mostly my point, I love playing this game, I like most of the people I meet here, yet at times it feels like Turbine would rather I take my money elsewhere. I am not saying DDOCast has a responsibility or duty to air every grievance every player has, in fact if they did so the show would drop off the radar very quickly; however, DDOCast at times has had the ability to bring a "voice" from Turbine and a person’s voice is much more powerful than their written word. So when given that chance I would like to hear the questions I would ask, even if they have been answered in the forums.

For example, the dice changes, to many this is a big no-no, and the devs have answered in the forums, "oops, that was supposed to be an option". Ok so the questions are, Why was it changed? Turbine can write and program a tutorial on how to use the DDO store but not one on how dice work? When is it going to get changed back? ect...


Again I am not attacking anyone's show, if I thought I could do better I would make my own show, obviously since I have not announced the creation of "The totally insane and wrong info" DDO podcast, it must mean these guys are doing something that most of us cannot or will not do.