Week-End Podcast Roundup -- Not At Gamer's Day Edition

It's raining...still. We're still not in San Francisco, furiously running from one developer's Gamer's Day to another, trying desperately to cover everything we can -- and that's a damn shame. We're still whining! Many apologies -- alas, we can present you with your weekly bevy of humor, romance, drama and videogame news, all wrapped up in nice little linked bows awaiting your eardrums. As you may imagine, Garnett Lee is happy to inform you the weekend is without a doubt, entirely confirmed. (seriously not a rumor)

GFW Radio (feat. Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott, Robert Ashley, Sean Malloy, and Ryan Scott)
The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, David Ellis, and Brad Shoemaker)

Though we're not normally prone to doing this kind of thing, we're taking the opportunity to point out a couple of interesting items on the web we found during the week. Maybe you've seen them, maybe you haven't -- either way, they're certainly worth noting. [get on with it!] Alright alright, here they are:

1.) With the release of Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain Slick Precipice of Darkness this coming week, Jerry "Tycho" Holkins and Mike "Gabe" Krahulik have been posting a pre-game comic on their digital distribution site, The Greenhouse. It's meant to reveal a bit of backstory on the characters, but honestly only serves to get us more excited about this sure to be hilarious game. If you're a fan of the Penny Arcade guys, you'll undoubtedly enjoy this like we did.

2.) Surfer Girl has finished reviewing Star Wars! In her/his last post evar, elusive rumor blog Surfer Girl Reviews Star Wars leaves us with no text -- simply an amazing piece on women's yogurt advertising. And with that, she/he is out. It's been fun.

3.) Apparently (breaking news!), LucasArts has just joined the fracas of developers choosing not to renew their membership with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). They will still be present (at very least) at this year's E3, but according to Margaret Grohne, Director of LucasArts Public Relations, "We can confirm that LucasArts is no longer a member of the ESA. As a company we are still committed to bringing consumers the best interactive experience possible and support the ESA's mission in the industry." Big things are shaking down with the ESA, just not sure what's causing it all yet.

And now, try and enjoy your weekend with all this on your plate.

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- Everyone's On Time(!) Edition

It's been more than a few weeks since we've been able to say that all the weekly podcasts came in before midnight on Friday night but hallelujah, this week we're in under the wire. Admittedly, it's hard to pay attention to writing this with Uwe Boll making an ass of himself (is that possible? isn't that like an oxymoron?) on G4's Attack of the Show...right this minute. You're already missing it! Here's some stuff to occupy yourself with for, ummmm, the rest of the weekend -- and yeah, it's sorta kinda confirmed.

GFW Radio (feat. Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott, Sean Malloy, and Ryan Scott)
The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen John Davison and Shawn Elliott)

We've barely begun digging into this week's podcasts as Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars may or may not have just arrived, pausing the full work week experience that is Grand Theft Auto 4. We'll have more to say on the former a little later in the week, though a full-blown review would be a little much at this juncture, no? In the meantime, we've got a party to attend in Philadelphia. Maybe we'll see you there!

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- GTA4 (and Not Much More) Edition

Yes, yes, we're playing it. We heart it too. A review is coming -- it's long! And you know this. That doesn't mean nothing else is goin' on! Noted by Joystiq's Justin McElroy in this week's Joystiq Podcast (the same podcast that held up production of this very podcast roundup, thank you very much), output in the games journalism field this entire week has taken a significant downturn, with every single podcast weighing in notoriously lighter than usual (including their own.)

GiantBomb pulls an all-nighter and Jeff Gerstmann is nearly zombified, 1UP Yours gets philosophical (shocking!), Cheapy and Wombat talk about poop (less shocking) and GFW Radio has disappeared (let's hope not permanently.) All this and more, [tips hat] as your weekend is (nearly?) confirmed.

The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, Nick Suttner and Shawn Elliott)

And finally, Quarterplay would like to give a shoutout to everyone at the Cottman Avenue GameStop in Northeast Philadelphia for handling such a massive turnout with relative ease and professionalism, as well as the free pizza (thanks Papa John's, you pseudo-pizzeria, you.) Though I, (me, personally, Benjamin Gilbert), do not necessarily agree with many practices of the GameStop corporation on the whole, individual branches are often full of nice individuals who play games actively and are (usually) friendly -- this specific location especially. Don't hate the player, hate the game, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to return to Liberty City...

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- Harder Than Ikari Warriors Edition

As the BigBoss around QP, it is my privilege to choose what we do and do not present on this fine website. By that same extension, it is also my responsibility to deliver interesting content for you fine folks, soaring through these large, interconnected tubes, on a daily basis -- and on that level, I have failed you this week.

Lucky for you, we have additional writers, filling in while I slack, and producing not only an excellent review of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption but also bringing you an additional (free) casual game (though it's the hardest game we've ever played -- yes, harder than Ikari Warriors.) Either way, we've brought you the weekly podcasts with some addendums to the norm, fitting accordingly -- 'weekend confirmed?' Yeah, totally confirmed.

GFW Radio (feat. Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott, Sean Malloy, and Ryan Scott)
The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, ???, and Shawn Elliott)

As always, try not and go directly to your metaphorical creamy center of podcast listening goodness (it's hard not to put on GFW Radio immediately when it downloads, even though I'm already listening to Game Theory.) Seeya over the weekend, posts and all.

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- The Wait Until GTAIV Edition

Today is April the 18th and hot damn if we're not getting psyched for the impending release of Grand Theft Auto IV. The unfortunate downside: the huge padding surrounding it's April 29th release date, filled with nothing but air. Lucky for us, the space is allowing catchup time on all those games we never got around to (expect a Mass Effect postmortem in the next few days, among other things.) In the meantime, well, here you've got a bevy of entertainment choices. In the sake of full disclosure, we're partial to Jeff Green's antics, but we can't help but suggest GFW Radio time and time again. Not only are the cast well educated and well spoken but they discuss a wide variety of interesting topics (from comic books to Lost.) Either way, your weekend is officially on.

GFW Radio (feat. Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott, Sean Malloy, and Ryan Scott)
The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, ???, and Shawn Elliott)

Hopefully Quartermann isn't dropping any bombshells in this week's 1UP Yours podcast, as last week's surprise was a bit too much for our fragile hearts. As per usual, you'll be kept solidly updated throughout the weekend, as our schedule permits. It's the f'ing weekend! We have to play videogames sometimes!

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- The Future is Now Edition

Well if it ain't been a busy week here on these giant interconnected tubes! Between the public stoning firing of Josh Larson and the veritable crucifixion of Games for Windows Magazine in the context of PC gaming journalism (we'll miss you GFW and furthermore, we'll keep reading you all on 1UP.com), our heads are spinning! Or maybe it's just the goddamn typhoon in the water from Phantom Hourglass that keeps picking up our hearty vessel and tossing her back into the cold, unforgiving waters. Either way, as Mr. Lee of 1UP Yours! is so inclined to remind us, weekend confirmed...

GFW Radio (feat. Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott, Sean Malloy, and Ryan Scott)
The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, ???, and Shawn Elliott)

And you know what? To hell with it. Just because we're upset at what CNet did months ago doesn't mean we can't show love to a podcast we've been listening to forever and, regardless of it's losses over the past year, is still hilarious. Of course we're talking about...

The HotSpot (feat. Vinnie Caravella, Brian Ekberg, assorted GameSpotters)

Enjoy this bounty of listening goodness. Forget about that 'nice spring weather' people keep talking about. Don't you prefer the warm glow of this monitor anyway? Seeya on the weekend folks!

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- Won't Get Fooled Again Edition

April Fool's Day means nothing but bad news bears for suckers like me, a sucker who would allow himself to get fooled by a website he had never heard of none the less, and frankly, I'm glad it's over. The Spring rain has begun in a big way and with it, we've been relishing the opportunity to enjoy the indoors -- penning a review or two, analyzing Quarterman's latest rumors, and of course, listening to podcasts. Additionally this week, we're adding another Ziff Davis product, GFW Radio, not only to round out podcast coverage but also because it's damn hilarious. With respect and honor, we bring you this week's podcasts. "Weekend confirmed!"

GFW Radio (feat. Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott, Sean Malloy, and Ryan Scott)
The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, ???, and Shawn Elliott)

The boys at GiantBomb aren't exactly shining in their latest bombcast and maybe it's the fatigue of building their site from the ground up on a daily basis, but it's also possible that they need a week off (and some more Alex Navarro) to liven things up a bit. Wombat (of UGO and CAGcast fame) goes as far as to call them out on ripping the CAGcast's style, though I think we'd all beg to differ on that one a bit. See y'all over the weekend! It's happy hour!

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- A Day Late, A Dollar Short Edition

And yes, it's Saturday. Officially the weekend but also roughly one day late on the podcast roundup train schedule. Sorry about that folks, things were a little hectic around QPHQ yesterday and thus the unexpected delay. Regardless of our tardiness, we come bearing promises of games reviews very shortly (No More Heroes and The Legend of the Zelda: Phantom Hourglass to name a few) as well as a full on site revamp in the coming days. Though a few new features will be added, the biggest update will be basic functionality. But enough about us, we're here to tell you about this week in podcasting, so let's get to it...

The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, ???, and Shawn Elliott)

The 1UP Show was especially good this week, just so you know, with a hilarious Lost Odyssey shoutout near the end -- that's all we're sayin'. In 1UP related news, we were cruising the most popular gaming stories on News4Gamers and stumbled upon this. Now, first of all, we know that NeoGAF is, "the preeminent video game industry discussion community." That's fantastic, and by those standards (I suppose?), they don't moderate when people post info straight out of print magazines (though they really should.) This seems kind of...embarrassing? Ridiculous? Fucking rude? This is the magazine journalism equivalent of going to a movie line and reading the script out loud. What a bunch of louts.

Anyways, the boys at the 'Stiq have clearly caught their stride, as their podcast has become better and better. Also, Vinnie Caravella and Brian Ekberg are jointly saving GameSpot's ailing Hotspot podcast, as the vast majority of talent at GameSpot has left for better other things, or, ya know, been sacked. Enjoy your weekend, we'll seeya Monday!

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- On the Road Edition

If we're bringing you this week's podcast roundup, that means it's Friday and you're about to head directly into the week's end. As Mr. Garnett Lee says, "Weekend Confirmed!" We're all running around like crazy at QPHQ, frantically spring cleaning and trying desperately to complete Crackdown (and maybe even enjoy some Call of Duty 4 multiplayer) before GTA4 releases on April 29th. Do you ever get the feeling that you're hyping up a game too much and that doing so will sour the experience when it does finally release? That happened to me a bit with Halo 3, finding myself not even having finished the Legendary campaign months after it's release. Shocking, considering I've read all the books and the graphic novel (maybe I shouldn't announce that on the internet.) Anyways, here's this week's podcast roundup, starting with newcomer Giant Bomb's "GiantBombcast", and finishing up with the ever dependable 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast.

The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, ???, and Shawn Elliott)

Though I usually take a long, warm bath, put on my smoking jacket, relax in the Barcalounger
and start a fire, for roughly four hours of podcast listening, this week it'll be nothing but my iPod and the Northeast Corridor of Amtrak. We'll see you later this weekend! (maybe...)

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- Out of O.J. Edition

The weekend is nearly here and that means two things here at QPHQ: no more orange juice and lots of podcasts. Though we're all quite sad about the lack of o.j. around these parts, the plethora of videogame listening goodness podcastiness bestowed upon us weekly helps to quell the "werewolf rage" building inside of me. Thirst for citrus drink rising...

(Making it's debut this week, from Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis [of GameSpot fame]):
The GiantBombcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat Cheapy D and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, ???, and Shawn Elliott)

The guys over at GiantBomb have yet to establish a real schedule for weekly releases of their podcast, though they certainly come out once a week, often earlier than later. If you're like us, you'll just set up all these on your iTunes and enjoy them when they come through -- no skin off our backs. Now have a good weekend, all you folks out there in the middle of these huge, crazy tubes. We'll see you bright and early Monday morning with a casual piece of enjoyment that will also benefit some folks who aren't as lucky as you or I. For now, good night, and good luck. (OH! We almost forgot! Send us orange juice! Not from concentrate please, thanks.)

Week-End Podcast Roundup -- Exploding News Edition

Hello everyone out there in the middle of the tubes (yes, those large, interconnected ones) and welcome to our weekly podcast roundup, featuring some new faces this week. The industry side of things saw some interesting developments with Blu-ray while the arts side of things witnessed a very serious GiantBomb, though the explosion has yet to come (or so they say.)

The podcast roundup is fired up this week with newcomer Arrow Pointing Down, which is quickly becoming one of our favorites, often because of their off-the-cuff drink reviews (including an addendum to the most recent podcast in order to try Carl Jr's', "Cap'n' Crunch Milkshake" on the air) as well as Jeff Gerstmann/Ryan Davis' unique combination of banter -- see their new site here. And so, the list goes...

Arrow Pointing Down Podcast (feat. Jeff Gerstmann, Ryan Davis, and Alex Navarro)
Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat. CheapyD and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, Bryan Intihar, and Shawn Elliott)

Unfortunately, though we had it on good information that one Phil Harrison would be guesting on the weekly Game Theory podcast this past Wednesday, as is often the case with life, things didn't work out. Oh well chaps, maybe next week. We'll see you bright and early Monday morning to bring you your weekly dose of casual enjoyment. Hasta entonces, jugadores...

Happy Podcast Day! -- Game Theory FTW Edition

Gadzooks! This has been a week full of crazy news (albeit, the week after GDC) and things are certainly looking up for our favorite, though still too expensive, console -- except for that whole Phil Harrison quitting thing. The folks over at Game Theory are hinting at the possibility of Mr. Harrison being a special guest on this week's podcast, which could certainly be...revealing. Anyways, big ups go to them for actually making an effort to practice journalism. The usuals are as follows...listen for a special announcement from Wombat on the CAGcast this week (though not gaming related.)

Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat. CheapyD and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, Bryan Intihar, and Shawn Elliott)

Oh, and seriously, Jeff Gerstmann, Ryan Davis and Alex Navarro (all ex-GameSpot'ers) have started a podcast called, "Arrow Pointing Down" and you should be listening to it. Who says readers don't follow writers? And, again, Viva La Revolucion!

Happy Podcast Day! -- GDC Edition

It's been a busy week folks, we're not gonna lie. There's just a hell of a lot going on and not a lot of it is actual news, at least for our purposes. If you get into the whole big business, commerce vs. art, games journalism kinda thing (and believe you me, we really do), then you will probably appreciate the glut of recorded audio flowing through the large set of interconnected tubes this week.

The list is the usual, but the formats have changed for some. The CAGcast stays its regular, once-a-week format, while the folks at Joystiq and 1UP have eschewed tradition for daily GDC podcasts. We especially suggest the 1UP Yours! with Amy Hennig and Lorne Lanning -- wait for the amazing debate at the end, worth every second.

Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat. CheapyD and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. Garnett Lee, Shane Bettenhausen, Bryan Intihar, and Shawn Elliott)


With all this good stuff, we haven't even had time to check out this week's Bonus Round or Game Theory, assuredly both excellent as well. Any suggestions for the weekly podcast roundup can drop be left in the comments!

The GameSpot Coup Begins!

As you may have read somewhere, since the controversial firing of Jeff Gerstmann, just a few other GameSpot staffers have decided to call it quits. Well, if you're like us here at QP, you might be jonesin' for some post-GameSpot, ex-HotSpot, podcast love.

Your prayers have been answered, friend, in the form of Ryan Davis', "Arrow Pointing Down" podcast (beta.) It's a little rough, mind you, and maybe a little looser than what you're used to, but we're betting they strike gold sooner than you'd think. Jeff's recent blog posts also allude to a larger project in the works. If you're in for some more hilarity, check out Jeff's show, "Points!," where he discusses, erm, points! -- like, you know, nerd achievement points. Good fun is had by all. Viva la Revolucion!

Feliz Dia del Podcast! (Edicion Dos)

Hola and welcome to the second edition of HPD (Happy Podcast Day folks), celebrating the once a week release of not one, not two, but four excellent podcasts in one day. True enough, the CAGcast often comes through iTunes on Thursday night sometime, but that's perfectly ok. Half the show is in Japan anyway so it's really Friday -- we swear.

ANYWAYS, this week we also got dropped a little nugget of audio enjoyment from everybody's favorite "vagina clown" (his words, not mine), Microsoft's own Larry Hryb (AKA Major Nelson.) Though his regular podcast hits iTunes on Sunday nights, he had a little interview go up mid-week with their new Senior VP of the Interactive Entertainment division, Don Mattrick. Certainly worth checking out (though you should take what Mattrick says about GTA:4 with a massive grain of salt.) Without further adieu, I present to you our weekly choices (until podcasts in general get better, we will stand fast with these -- suggestions welcome folks.)

Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat. CheapyD and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. too many people to mention in this small space)

Still waitin' on that podcast N'gai.......

Designing the Presidential Candidates

Holy interesting facts, Batman! As if the 1UP Network wasn't already doing enough for you, what with their free EGM subscriptions and dare we say plethora of podcasts, they've gathered up info on all your favorite game developers (as well as publishers) and found out exactly who they're placing their financial backing behind in this upcoming election -- and the results might....disappoint the hell out of you.

Luckily, only $500 was spent in total towards Mike Huckabee, though clearly Huckabee has God on his side sooooo, I guess it's still anyone's race. But seriously, did anyone expect to see so much money go towards Republicans? Us here at QPHQ make no religious or political affiliations, but really, $2300 for Fred Thompson? Let's just hope you can write off that whole donation when you file your taxes, Ian Schmidt of Electronic Arts. That's all I'm sayin'.

Happy Podcast Day!

Once a week, unfortunately all at once, the best gaming podcasts are released. Sure, we'll admit it, there are other excellent gaming podcasts out there (I'm looking at you, Game Theory), but this writer must be an advocate: the opinions expressed by Garnett Lee and the rest of the (sometimes rotating) 1UP Yours crew are gold. Anyways, the list for Friday is as follows:

Joystiq Podcast (feat. Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann and Justic McElroy)
The CAGcast (feat. CheapyD and Wombat)
The 1UP Show and 1UP Yours Podcast (feat. too many people to mention in this small space)


Now the real question is this: When will N'Gai Croal (of Newsweek fame) and Stephen Totilo (of MTV fame) team up and create their own podcast?