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Fri, 24 August 2007 After a short delay and many technical problems, The Metagamers are proud to present the Boardgame Podcaster's Award for Best Game of the Year.
Hosts Comments[21] |
I've just listened to this last episode and I must say I've been a little bit disappointed. I didn't learn much, It didn't really give me any appeal to try any game.
Regarding the Award, I didn't feel it brings much... An award of podcasters doesn't mean much to me as I don't consider all podcasts equally.
In fact, I really like the Metagamers because it feels different and address a certain type of audience (a niche) with a requirement to learn more about game they play and like.
I felt like you weren't doing "your stuff" by giving this award and discussing games that you may not really believe in... It just doesn't look like what you've done before, IMHO.
Instead of hearing you talk about Battlelore, which you don't really love, I'm looking forward to hearing you talk about games you like and play... And especially Notre-Dame which you announced... As I believe such an "in-depth" episode would much more please me.
Of course, this is just my personal opinion and "feel" (and I may be wrong about your feeling regarding Battlelore). Others may disagree. It's just my two cents regarding the show (and especially this episode). Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing the next one... (and I know it's a lot of effort to put together any episode)
Regarding the Award, I didn't feel it brings much... An award of podcasters doesn't mean much to me as I don't consider all podcasts equally.
In fact, I really like the Metagamers because it feels different and address a certain type of audience (a niche) with a requirement to learn more about game they play and like.
I felt like you weren't doing "your stuff" by giving this award and discussing games that you may not really believe in... It just doesn't look like what you've done before, IMHO.
Instead of hearing you talk about Battlelore, which you don't really love, I'm looking forward to hearing you talk about games you like and play... And especially Notre-Dame which you announced... As I believe such an "in-depth" episode would much more please me.
Of course, this is just my personal opinion and "feel" (and I may be wrong about your feeling regarding Battlelore). Others may disagree. It's just my two cents regarding the show (and especially this episode). Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing the next one... (and I know it's a lot of effort to put together any episode)
Your insight is impressive. Before and after recording this episode, we discussed this issue with each other. It was very hard to have much to say about games we weren't really into, and awards that we didn't have much of a hand in shaping. This isn't to take anything away from the awards, or the work Tom and the other podcasters have put into them.
We probably shouldn't have posted this as a full episode, but we've been trying to shy away from "special" episode, simply because it makes referring to specific episodes hard.
I only hope that new listeners won't be turned off from the show because of this episode.
To make up for the sub-par cast, I'll give you something to look forward to. We are currently preparing to record an Age of Steam episode, so stay tuned for that!
We probably shouldn't have posted this as a full episode, but we've been trying to shy away from "special" episode, simply because it makes referring to specific episodes hard.
I only hope that new listeners won't be turned off from the show because of this episode.
To make up for the sub-par cast, I'll give you something to look forward to. We are currently preparing to record an Age of Steam episode, so stay tuned for that!
That's very good to hear and I'm glad you're looking more into your specific area of expertise because I do believe the Metagamers as an "speciality" podcast is really filling a need for some people. I know it's tough to talk about games you really know because you probably can't go on for ever and ever (it takes long to learn about a game) and it gets even harder to discuss new stuff (for the very same reason). But, I think that is really the "juice" of the podcast, what gives it its flavour and taste. (Still, I'm only 1% of your Audience... others may think differently).
I am not down on any game--meaning I don't think any game should not have been published--but I certainly have my preferences. People should play whatever games they enjoy regardless of what anyone else says. However, I get my energy from my passion for the games I like. Even when not in front of a microphone, I am talking endlessly about games. If a game just doesn't interest me, it will show (as you could tell).
I mentioned this very thing to the other podcasters. They said I should feel free to say what I think, even if it's very negative. I think it's fine (and correct) to be blunt and even negative when reviewing a game or making comments in a thread. But if I'm going to spend the kind of time it takes to make a podcast complaining (eg Episode 12: The Games We Hate), then I should really be doing something else.
Thanks for the feedback!
I mentioned this very thing to the other podcasters. They said I should feel free to say what I think, even if it's very negative. I think it's fine (and correct) to be blunt and even negative when reviewing a game or making comments in a thread. But if I'm going to spend the kind of time it takes to make a podcast complaining (eg Episode 12: The Games We Hate), then I should really be doing something else.
Thanks for the feedback!
posted by: ekted on Tue, 8/28 01:56 AM EDT
I enjoyed this episode. I\'ve just started listening to your podcast (which is very well-produced, by the way) recently, and I\'ve liked what I\'ve heard so far. I\'ve only listened to this podcast and the one on Ra, so I might not have enough of a knowledge base on your show yet, but I certainly want to see it continue.
As for this particular show, I own and have played both Pillars of the Earth and Battlelore, and I\'m glad to see both have made it to the top two games. I also agree that Battlelore is the better game of the two, but Pillars is definitely a close second. Not my picks for best game ever (Illuminati takes that one, followed by Ra, Shadows over Camelot and Memoir \'44) but both of those games are up there.
I have not played the other games, which seems to be a common thread between most of the podcasters. I think that next time the awards come up, the people picking between them should have enough time to play all of them in order to give a better idea of why one was chosen over another, but good job anyway!
As for this particular show, I own and have played both Pillars of the Earth and Battlelore, and I\'m glad to see both have made it to the top two games. I also agree that Battlelore is the better game of the two, but Pillars is definitely a close second. Not my picks for best game ever (Illuminati takes that one, followed by Ra, Shadows over Camelot and Memoir \'44) but both of those games are up there.
I have not played the other games, which seems to be a common thread between most of the podcasters. I think that next time the awards come up, the people picking between them should have enough time to play all of them in order to give a better idea of why one was chosen over another, but good job anyway!
Even given enough time and a free copy of the game, I would not have played Battlelore.
posted by: ekted on Wed, 8/29 02:17 PM EDT
I'm in the opposite boat from Jim on this one - I'll generally give any game a chance... I may volunteer to end it early, but I love the variety in the hobby... Hell, I've put up with plenty of stinkers, just to see - Fast Food Franchise, Outdoor Survival, Time Control, Assassin, Age of the Renaissance, Fossil, LotR: the Search, Chariot Lords, Fiji, Fluxx...
Variety is the spice of life. I'd certainly put Battlelore in a tier far above these other games - components, rules clarity, fun potential, strategy, etc.
Variety is the spice of life. I'd certainly put Battlelore in a tier far above these other games - components, rules clarity, fun potential, strategy, etc.
You paint a poor image of me, Jay. Generally I will try any game as well, even a second time if the first was lackluster. However, if I've played a related game, or read the rules, and I know beyond all doubt that I dislike it, then I don't want to waste my time.
posted by: ekted on Thu, 8/30 08:56 PM EDT
Well, how can BGG have a top 10 when every single user hasn't played all the games? The one difference, of course, is that the BGPA didn't have a statistically critical mass. Anyways, it's all in fun. All awards should be taken with a huge grain of salt. I hope that the meat of the podcasts is what helps you make informed decisions about your purchases, rather than the awards.
posted by: ekted on Fri, 8/31 05:28 AM EDT
Well, BGG is different, because it is an open-ended user ranking. On the other hand, you act as a board of experts which give a specialist award. You mentioned that you had received a list of nominated games and had to choose from those - it is entirely different than voting for your own best-ranked games of the year. This type of award reminds me of giving Oscars and I would be really surprised if the judges placed their judgment (hm... i heard that phrase somewhere) without watching all the movies first. Anyway, these are just my thoughts.
Your in-depth episodes are great and I really appreciate all the efforts you put into presenting them to the public.
Your in-depth episodes are great and I really appreciate all the efforts you put into presenting them to the public.
"On the other hand, you act as a board of experts which give a specialist award."
A valid point, but I don't think any of the podcasters feel that they are "experts". Consider these awards just the favorites as judged by this small group of people. Unlike the SdJ, we are not trying to pick games that we are recommending to everyone.
A valid point, but I don't think any of the podcasters feel that they are "experts". Consider these awards just the favorites as judged by this small group of people. Unlike the SdJ, we are not trying to pick games that we are recommending to everyone.
posted by: ekted on Fri, 8/31 11:13 AM EDT
hobb3,
First off, thanks for the compliment, and for listening.
You make a good point, and perhaps I was being a bit facetious with my earlier comment. Jim is right though, we aren't experts. We love the hobby as much as anyone, and we have the outlet to present the awards through our podcast, but calling us experts is a bit of a stretch. In comparison to the general public, sure, but in comparison to the rabid fans on BGG, we aren't anything special.
It would have been nice to have had time to play all the nominees , but as I said, we got into it late and there wasn't much time in-between.
If it was like the Oscars, all of us would be sent copies of the games so we could play them, but it's not. Also games require other people to play, and movies do not.
I for one don't have the money or time to play all of the nominees in all of the categories, so we vote the best we can.
Am I the only one who has to type the lousy verification numbers twice every time to post???
First off, thanks for the compliment, and for listening.
You make a good point, and perhaps I was being a bit facetious with my earlier comment. Jim is right though, we aren't experts. We love the hobby as much as anyone, and we have the outlet to present the awards through our podcast, but calling us experts is a bit of a stretch. In comparison to the general public, sure, but in comparison to the rabid fans on BGG, we aren't anything special.
It would have been nice to have had time to play all the nominees , but as I said, we got into it late and there wasn't much time in-between.
If it was like the Oscars, all of us would be sent copies of the games so we could play them, but it's not. Also games require other people to play, and movies do not.
I for one don't have the money or time to play all of the nominees in all of the categories, so we vote the best we can.
Am I the only one who has to type the lousy verification numbers twice every time to post???
Everybody just needs to take a step back and chill out a little about these awards. I mean, whether podcasters are "experts" or not (personally, I think they qualify as well or better than anyone else), these awards are simply a set of opinions by a particular group of people. Podcasting is not their "job" or anything, and most of them don't get tons of free games to review and play.
"So what" if they didn't play every game. People nominate their favorite and then vote for their favorite that makes the final list. The ideal situation would, of course, be to provide copies of all the finalist games to every podcast, give them time to play, and then have them vote. But if you wait for the ideal situation to always happen, you'd never actually do much of anything.
I'm sure that the awards will improve over time, and I just applaud all the podcasters that participated. It can never hurt for people who know what they're talking about to give another opinion about what they like. Does that make it a mandate from God or anything? Of course not! But to help all of us make better buying and playing decisions, as well as to recognize game designers and producers out there that are doing a great job, I think you guys did a great job!
"So what" if they didn't play every game. People nominate their favorite and then vote for their favorite that makes the final list. The ideal situation would, of course, be to provide copies of all the finalist games to every podcast, give them time to play, and then have them vote. But if you wait for the ideal situation to always happen, you'd never actually do much of anything.
I'm sure that the awards will improve over time, and I just applaud all the podcasters that participated. It can never hurt for people who know what they're talking about to give another opinion about what they like. Does that make it a mandate from God or anything? Of course not! But to help all of us make better buying and playing decisions, as well as to recognize game designers and producers out there that are doing a great job, I think you guys did a great job!
posted by: Chris Norwood on Tue, 9/4 09:30 AM EDT
yeah, i'd argue against the point of podcasters as experts (at least, in my case)... i'm barely even an expert of my own tastes, let alone the subtleties and breadth of this hobby. i'd feel sorry for whatever defendant had his lawyer call me as an expert witness for boardgames! :P
You mentioned that you had received a list of nominated games and had to choose from those - it is entirely different than voting for your own best-ranked games of the year, totally true
posted by: charente property on Mon, 3/3 01:47 PM EST
xbb
posted by: http://www.getablog.net/unkong/ on Tue, 6/10 11:40 PM EDT
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