SCivCast Episode 01: "You Have Notifications"

[DanQ]

Check your inbox. Regular co-hosts Dustin "Methos" and Scott "AlphaShard" Dirk launch the first episode of SCivCast (SC) entitled "You Have Notifications"; now netcasting, it has a runtime of 17m00s. The summary of topics is as follows:

- 00m31s | Topic #1
On claims that Civilization: World is already on the decline, and possible factors why.
- 04m23s | Topic #2
The contentious element of the game that is CivBucks.
- 06m56s | Topic #3
The co-hosts share their recent gameplay experiences with and efforts within the title.
- 09m11s | Topic #4
Finding a silver lining in CivWorld that leads back to an inherent concern.
- 12m31s | Topic #5
Proposing an avenue to find a solution to that concern by drawing from the existing online Civ community.
- 15m01s | Topic #6
The crux that is the inactive player realized over-and-over again.

SCivCast is the fourth spin-off of the Civ strategy-centric PolyCast; listeners are encouraged to rate the show on iTunes and follow on Twitter. Fellow sibling ModCast focuses on Civ modding, RevCast on Civilization: Revolution and TurnCast on Civ multiplay.

[wwjdfakb]

I listened, and I'm not really sure what the point was. 2 guys talking about a game they admittedly don't understand and haven't played in months?

[Methos.CFC]

I listened, and I'm not really sure what the point was. 2 guys talking about a game they admittedly don't understand and haven't played in months?

Then help us understand. Part of the reason for me doing this was to help gain more understanding of the game. To learn. For instance, what would you like us to discuss? What in your opinion would make this a better podcast? I'm very open to suggestions. Feel free to PM me.

[ShuShu62]

You should probably reach out to some folks who know a lot about the game.

The forum has a number of potential candidates for you to reach out to. Folks you encounter in the games you play would be another pool of people to try and enlist. If you could actually get somebody from the developement side just to indicate they know people are still playing the game, it would be of great interest to many folks I feel.

One topic, I am sure you guys ARE experts on... SCivCast? I don't get the name?

WorldCast --- admittedly pretentious
DeadCast --- too descriptive of the game's future
PleasePlayCast --- too desparate
FaceCast --- Too much trash talking in CivWorld already
WCivCast, CivWCast --- Too many syllables?

[DanQ]

You should probably reach out to some folks who know a lot about the game.

The forum has a number of potential candidates for you to reach out to. Folks you encounter in the games you play would be another pool of people to try and enlist. If you could actually get somebody from the developement side just to indicate they know people are still playing the game, it would be of great interest to many folks I feel.

This podcast is open to CivWorld players of all experiences. The intent is for future episodes to include one or two guests co-hosts. The primary focus will be on other CW players in the community, with the hope of being able to bring in an 'official' voice (developer and/or publisher) or two on occasion.

One topic, I am sure you guys ARE experts on... SCivCast? I don't get the name?

"SCiv" as in "Social Civ". As pronounced it's "CivCast", so it's also an allusion to the fact that there had been no Civ podcast with that name one way or another.

[wwjdfakb]

Sorry so late to respond. I really wasn't trying to come off so negative, because I think it's a great idea. Thanks for making the effort, seriously.

My main suggestion would to be to do something like ShuShu does here in the forums (maybe talk him into being a regular guest?). Tell stories about the games you've played and what you've learned, and talk about various strategies and opponents. I'd listen to that for sure, and not just because it hurts my eyes to read ShuShu's walls of text in white on a black background. :P

[ShuShu62]

Well, just let me know what color you would prefer my walls of text on black background to be, and I will change them just for you.

Gosh, you mean it might actually be easier to talk about games than it is to type about them? That will need to be seen to be believed.... errr, heard?

Personally, I would rather hear Robin and Random_User talk, I have heard more than enough from that ShuShu guy already.

[wwjdfakb]

Thanks ShuShu, in the future could you make it pink on purple? Maybe add some sparkly ponies? Oh, and kittens. :P

And btw, I was not kidding about that part. Your game stories would be perfect for something like this.

[DanQ]

Sorry so late to respond. I really wasn't trying to come off so negative, because I think it's a great idea. Thanks for making the effort, seriously.

No worries re: delayed reply. I appreciate your follow-up as it demonstrates to me your wanting to provide constructive criticism, and not criticism for criticism's sake. Cheers to that.

My main suggestion would to be...Tell stories about the games you've played and what you've learned, and talk about various strategies and opponents. I'd listen to that for sure...

I know that both Dustin (Methos) and Scott (AlphaShard) are intending on getting into a game of CivWorld together as alluded to at the end of this episode. As with them, I'm hopeful that they will be able to realize this effort and follow-up when recording again (and subsequently also for release) next month.

[Xinhuan]

How often are you expecting to release an episode?

[DanQ]

How often are you expecting to release an episode?

Every other month throughout 2012, for a total of 6 episodes. As such, Episode 2 is to 'go live' in late March.

[jlyons264]

Sorry, but horrible podcast... Listened to it twice... How can you put a podcast about something you don't do? It is like saying, hi I am going to do a podcast about flying to the moon... Heck you even admit that you didn't think the game was fun...

[DanQ]

Sorry, but horrible podcast... Listened to it twice... How can you put a podcast about something you don't do? It is like saying, hi I am going to do a podcast about flying to the moon... Heck you even admit that you didn't think the game was fun...

The co-hosts admitted that they hadn't played CivWorld recently, at the time of recording, but explained why based on that experience. They also included not only suggestions for how they feel those issues could be addressed, but also stated their intent to start or otherwise be apart of a game together taking what they could of what they discussed into account (e.g. a model based on Democracy Games for other Civ titles).

As noted above, the hope is also to have one or more guests on the next episode to provide more and varied perspectives on CW play. There is room for marked improvement on this show, something which has and is still being acknowledged. This includes issues and concerns that not only the regular co-hosts and myself raised amongst ourselves, but also those that have been generated as a result of community discussions such as this one here. To further an earlier point of mine in this thread, criticism that is constructive is criticism that is productive and therefore better to be received.

[jlyons264]

The co-hosts admitted that they hadn't played CivWorld recently, at the time of recording, but explained why based on that experience. They also included not only suggestions for how they feel those issues could be addressed, but also stated their intent to start or otherwise be apart of a game together taking what they could of what they discussed into account (e.g. a model based on Democracy Games for other Civ titles).

As noted above, the hope is also to have one or more guests on the next episode to provide more and varied perspectives on CW play. There is room for marked improvement on this show, something which has and is still being acknowledged. This includes issues and concerns that not only the regular co-hosts and myself raised amongst ourselves, but also those that have been generated as a result of community discussions such as this one here. To further an earlier point of mine in this thread, criticism that is constructive is criticism that is productive and therefore better to be received.

ok maybe I will try it this way. It isn't something I am going to listen to for many reasons...

1. Admitting don't like the game or play the game in the podcast about the game. That is a turn off...

2. Once every other month is not going to keep anyone listening... I listen to many podcast in a week.... That is too long to wait for a new one....

I was going to post more but those are my main two things....

[DanQ]

Having addressed the first of your two reasons before, on the second: the reasoning for the limited recording schedule is varied but very much at the core of it is attempting to gauge the interest, input and support of the CivWorld community for a podcast for the game. The recording schedule is giving us time to respond to feedback as this show is still in its infancy as it works to find its footing. If there is enough momentum between community reaction, panelist engagement and production values combined, increasing the frequency at which episodes are produced would be considered.

[DanQ]

In update, the next episode of SCivCast is being delayed until April as a result of the decision to replace the show's regular panel. For more information, including on how to apply to become one of those individuals if so interested, visit this thread.

[joedaman55]

Listened to the podcast and didn't think it was that bad. It gives a basic introduction to the game and brought some interesting information regarding users over a period of time that I wasn't aware of. I'm relatively new to CivWorld and this game doesn't have a feel like a civilization game. Thus trying to compare it to other civilization games is just something that can't be done.

Anyway like the revcast's you do on Civilization Revolution always looking foward to the next one.

Regards,
Boy Genius 69

[DanQ]

Listened to the podcast and didn't think it was that bad. It gives a basic introduction to the game and brought some interesting information regarding users over a period of time that I wasn't aware of. I'm relatively new to CivWorld and this game doesn't have a feel like a civilization game. Thus trying to compare it to other civilization games is just something that can't be done.

Thank you for the words of support and encouragement for the show, including its premiere episode. I'm glad that it was able to bring of measure of information to you, as well as entertainment.

Anyway like the revcast's you do on Civilization Revolution always looking foward to the next one.

Cheers for the cross-promotion.

[DanQ]

For those who were, and were not, satisfied with this episode alike, note that the show has been re-launched today with a completely new regular panel as well as its first guest co-host.

[dhighdrated]

Sorry, but horrible podcast... Listened to it twice... .

wat
listened to it twice. after it was horrible

[ShuShu62]

wat
listened to it twice. after it was horrible

does seem like an oxymoron, but I admit to the same behavior myself. I tend to retry things I don't like to see if a change in expectations or mindset makes a differrence. Sometimes it does.... e.g. Fifth Element

[DanQ]

wat
listened to it twice. after it was horrible

Try the second episode as I noted earlier in reply in this thread, just above your post.

[jlyons264]

wat
listened to it twice. after it was horrible

Yes I listened to it twice, you know just incase I missed something... but yes the second one is better... well as good as it can be for a dieing game.... I relize that you don't need to play the game in the last 6 months because the game hasn't changed in 6 months...

[Ken Poirier]

I listened to it and thought there was way too much bad mouthing about the game. I have my issues with it too and gave up on playing for about six months, just came back to it. The new improvements are good.

Just remember if you bad mouth the game too much people won't play it, and then they will have no reason to listen to your podcast!

[DanQ]

I listened to it and thought there was way too much bad mouthing about the game. I have my issues with it too and gave up on playing for about six months, just came back to it. The new improvements are good.

Just remember if you bad mouth the game too much people won't play it, and then they will have no reason to listen to your podcast!

I hope that you will listen to the second episode which features a completely new panel, taking into account a number of the concerns raised earlier by listeners such as yourself. See this post of mine above to access.

[DanQ]

At this point in time still, SCivCast Episode 03's progress cannot get underway as panelists are needed to record it.

If anyone reading this is interested and available to do so, send me a private message here on the 2K forums. You will need a microphone (with headphones), Broadband Internet access and Skype.