IRISH GAMING: GMRFM Posted by Padr on Feb 4, 2010 16:32 (44 days ago) |
In what is hopefully the first of many interviews with Irish sites /gamers/ developers/ whoever, we talk to Lee from GMRFM about what is probably Ireland’s first gaming podcast, their live tournaments and (following on from our podcast recommendations), his own personal favourites. I’ve added as many links as I can find below.
Also, well done to the guys for organising the ‘Game for Haiti’ charity event which should be taking place on Sunday 21 February in association with Xtreme Gaming Centre and Unicef. You can read all about it here:
1. Can you introduce the GMRFM cast and tell us a little about how you all met?
The core cast would be Steven, Alan, Grahame and myself (Lee). We mostly all met through work. I say mostly, because Steven and Alan have been mates a long time before that.
2. Why did you decide to start podcasting? I assume it’s a time consuming and expensive undertaking.
Well it was just an idea I had floating around in my head after having countless conversations with the lads in work about games. We were working in a game shop after all. Alan would generally have us in stitches and we’d constantly be bouncing jokes off each other. It made for great conversation and I’d always be thinking why aren’t we recording this?
So I pitched the idea to the lads, having known them for approximately three months, and surprisingly they said they would be up for it.
To answer your second question, the overall cost isn’t too high, well it wasn’t for us as I had a lot of what we needed already, but you are right it’s very time consuming. But if you believe you are putting out a quality show and are getting some great feedback from the listeners, it’s worth the time and effort you put into it.
3. You’ve averaged out at just over one podcast per month so far. How difficult has it been to get these episodes out and what are the plans for the future?
It’s been quite difficult simply because we have no specific place to record the show. If we did, we’d have one out every week! But unfortunately as we’re all broke students, that won’t change any time soon.
Video podcasts are on the agenda however, and we have a few other ideas floating about.
4. At the end of your first year, what sort of feedback have you been getting from listeners?
We got some really positive feedback from our listeners, most of whom are students. We always get emails saying they love the show and they listen to us on the way to or from college/school. It’s that type of stuff that makes you want to keep going with the show. Being #1 on iTunes helps a bit as well!
5. What can you tell us about the Splitscreen episodes on YouTube? The animation is great.
Well that’s all down to Brian Burke, a friend of Stevens. We pitched the idea to him and he delivered what you see today. He has a great eye for comedy timing with his animation and his attention to detail is amazing. There’s so much more in the show than you realise at first.
On average every show takes around 25 hours to produce. Brian does all the animation, editing and production himself, and I think it’s an amazing achievement.
6. GMRFM are also involved in organising live gaming tournaments. Did that grow out of the podcast or were you doing that before.
No, Steven actually had a business called Clan Clashers organising tournaments before our website even existed. He was also a member of the Irish Contingent, an Irish gaming clan, and was always involved with tournaments somehow. In the end it was only natural for us to move to hosting tournaments as we’re a very community focused site.
7. Any tournaments in the works?
Nothing we can talk about at the moment, no. We’ll make an announcement very soon though.
We do host a number of college nights in the Xtreme Gaming Centre in Dublin (Liffey Street, Dublin 1). From 10PM to 10AM the following morning. But we generally do it with our own colleges. We’d be more than happy to cater for other colleges or groups if they are interested.
8. Finally what other podcasts would you recommend to our readers?
Any of the 1Up podcasts are excellent. If you can get your hands on the classic EGM shows or the CGW shows with Shawn Elliot they are great. Also, keep an eye out for what Garnett Lee does with Game Shack.
Co-Op is a great video podcast by the folks behind the old 1Up Show and definitely watch the Totally Rad Show, you can thank me later.
Citizen Game produces a great show (starring Irish guys based in the UK) if you want something a little closer to home.
Thanks to Lee for his time.
Padr
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Feb 5, 2010 08:26:03 (43 days ago)
