(As an FYI, I still listen to Buzz Out Load, Extralife Radio, Orange Lounge Radio, and Video Game Outsiders regularly, while the others have fallen by the wayside, either from lack of interest or time.)
My Favorite Podcasts (Maine Tech Geeks)
One of the reasons that Craig (yes, he really does exist, even if he doesn't ever post here) and I decided to start this project is the fact that we both really enjoyed listening to podcasts. I first started listening to them at work, through iTunes and a cheap set of earbuds out of my notebook. Because I spend large amounts of time at my desk, working at the computer on whatever Office application requires my attention, it was a great way for me to distract the ADD side of my brain. One of the interests that's spanned my entire life, surviving the ADD affliction as well as professional responsibilities, is the love of video games cultivated at an early age. Naturally, when I started listening to podcasts, I gravitated toward those casts that dealt with all aspects of video games, from news and rumors, game-specific programs, and podcasts loosely based on gaming. Now that I've spent a solid 8 months listening to podcasts for several hours nearly every day, I've diversified the library of podcasts I listen to, and I'd like to share some of my favorites. So, without further ado (and in no particular order), here are some of my favorites, podcasts that I look forward to every week...
CNET.com's Buzz Out Loud - This is a podcast that I truly enjoy. The three hosts have great chemistry, and all seem to come from different angles as they discuss the latest news on the technology and gadget front. It's a great snippet (usually less than 30 minutes) to start the day, because they have an energy which I find useful to kickstart my day. If you're at all interested in technology and the latest gadgets, I recommend this as an entry-level podcast. Probably my most-listened to (and most looked-forward-to) podcast.
Extralife Radio - The podcast for the My Extra Life web comic. It's an amalgamation of four very different personalities, talking about sci-fi, video games, comics, web comics, movies...a really fun time. I've been listening for a while now, and I love the interaction between the hosts. The show wouldn't work if the guys didn't trash on each other (Obsidian is merciless toward Scott), crack bad jokes (that's Andrew's specialty), doing unique voice impersonations (Brian's great for this), and general chaos. I can't truly describe this podcast, so if you like sci-fi and video games, I'm sure you'll find something you like about this one. Again, a podcast I look forward to every week...
Orange Lounge Radio - A weekly podcast about video games, filled with news, reviews, and interesting guests. I enjoy this podcast a lot because it keeps alive the spirit of independent radio, and they live by their own rules. All of the hosts are true to themselves, and it is their personalities and interaction, both with each other and with their frequent guests, which keep me coming back for more. When I listen to this podcast, it's easy to imagine that I'm in the room with them, and it's just a group of friends having a conversation about video games. It's well worth the time invested.
Infendo Radio - A podcast (including the stylings of Scott Johnson of Extralife Radio) about everything Nintendo. News, reviews and the stories from the hosts make this a fun experience. One of the main reasons I enjoy this podcast is Scott Johnson, who (in my opinion) just makes me laugh, and sounds like a person I would hang out with in person. If you like Nintendo, you should enjoy this podcast.
The Instance - Another podcast (and the last, by the way) that includes Scott Johnson, this one about all things World of Warcraft (WoW). This podcast also features Andrew from Extralife Radio, and I listen to it religiously, even though I don't play WoW. Once again, I think this is a testament to the unique personality and ability of the hosts to keep me listening and entertained. There's lots of latest news and tidbits about the game, and features regular contributions from outside sources. Very specialized in its content, but fun to listen to nonetheless.
Analog Hole Gaming - This is what I would classify as a 'guilty pleasure.' This is a podcast concerning all things gaming, with a focus on WoW, which all three of the hosts play. They are rude, crude and generally not-PC, and that's their charm. Once again, the podcast feels as if you're sitting in a room, listening to a group of friends shoot the breeze about games and WoW. Not for everyone, but an enjoyable experience.
Massively Online Gamer - Another 'guilty pleasure' podcast. Two guys (Ryan and Gary) burping, swearing, and sometimes singing their way through random gaming news. Ryan does a semi-regular feature that involves a continuous story whose plot twists and turns are decided on by the listener. It's clear that Ryan is a very talented individual, and Gary provides the perfect foil for him. They are somewhat Eve Online-centric, but they discuss other games as well. Not a lot of structure, and the episodes often degenerate into one off-topic rant after another, but it works. I listen to and enjoy each episode, and recommend it to anyone not faint-of-heart or easily offended.
Virgin Worlds - The polar opposite of Massively Online Gamer, and ironically the host of Virgin Worlds (Brent) and the hosts of MOG (Ryan and Gary) sometimes release cooperative podcasts. I would liken this relationship to 'The Odd Couple.' Brent is a soft-spoken, very organized person who releases an information-packed episode each week, covering the latest news and rumors about massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. He has very structured segments with a high production value. It's very clear that Brent puts a large amount of effort into his productions, and the news and reviews are well-thought out and pertinent. If you're at all interested in the MMO genre, this is your one-stop location to get the best info.
Video Game Outsiders - An XBox 360-centric podcast, covering the latest games, with opinions and commentary given by relatively casual fans of video games. They recently won an award for their podcast, and seem to have a very dedicated following. The hosts are entertaining, and each one has their own distinct style, but all lean toward the multiplayer aspect of games. A podcast a bit on the long side (often pushing 2 hours), but an enjoyable listen.
Next Generation Podcast - An interesting podcast about the business and industry of video games. The podcast often features interviews with important members of the video game community (developers, executives of game companies, etc.) and contains a wealth of information for anyone interested in what it takes to bring the games we play to market.
Boston Geek - Definitely an interesting podcast, from two guys in the Boston area. They cover a tech, science and gaming story every week, and then talk about an upcoming event of interest in the Boston area. The two guys really do come off as traditional 'geeks', but do a great job with the podcast, one I listen to every week.
I listen to other podcasts, with some dropping out and others being added on a regular basis, but these tend to form the core of my listening week. As you can tell, I have a lot of time at my desk and driving to get through all of these regularly, but they get me through the day, and I never get bored of them. If anyone who reads this has recommendations for any podcasts you feel I'd enjoy, feel free to post them in the comments, as I'm always looking for something new to try.
Next time, I'll try to come up with a list of sites and blogs I visit often...
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