What I've Been Listening To: June 28 - July 4, 2009

The evil influence of the Through the Aftermath podcast finally took effect as I have not only started playing Fallout 3 but watch the 1984 British docu-drama Threads this weekend. I'll call it an evil influence because I forgot to search out a new podcast to listen to. But in truth, I can't lay the blame solely at Shawn & Jonathan's feet. Despite listening to ten (!) podcasts this week, I didn't get a chance to listen to some of my favorites, like No Prisoners, No Mercy, Epic Dolls, or Massively Speaking. So many podcasts, so little time!

Here is what I listened to last week.

Old Friends

Virgin Worlds #146 (Host: Brent Darren) - Darren once again fills in for Brent to give us the week's MMO news. The topics included "The Great Firewall of Australia" (not Darren's words, btw), Dungeons & Dragons Online changes (and not just the fact the title is going to become free-to-play), Age of Conan's 1.5 update, Mark Jacob leaving Mythic and the joining of EA's studios Bioware and Mythic, patch notes for Eve Online's update 1.3, Fallen Earth & Runes of Magic. Length: 26 minutes.

Van Hemlock #58 (Hosts: Tim Dale & Jon Shute) - In addition to the usual look at the news, Tim & Jon took a stroll down memory lane with the Twitter question "What old and busted gaming classics would you want to see revived and playable?" The hosts also announced a format change. The topic show format will be scrapped and in its place Tim & Jon will bring Van Hemlock's Operation Cheapseats to the podcast every other week. For Van Hemlock's take on the show, click here. Length: 72 minutes.

Shut Up We're Talking #50 (Hosts: Darren & Karen) - The guest hosts for show 50 were Brent from Virgin Worlds, Michael Zenke from SOE's DC Universe Online, Jonathan Morris from Through the Aftermath and John the Ancient Gaming Noob. The all-star cast produced a great show talking about Brad McQuaid, Mark Jacobs and the whole EA/Mythic/Bioware restructuring, and the effect of micro-transactions on real money transaction services. The show also featured a world-class rant by Jonathan and poetry from Karen. Length: 95 minutes.

The Instance #151 (Hosts: Scott Johnson and Randy Jordan) - In this Randy tested, Scott approved show, the hosts took a long look at the release of patch 3.2 on the Public Test Realms as well as Ghostcrawler's post on death knights, PvP during the Midsummer Fire Festival and Gamer MusiCON 09. Length: 106 minutes.

Through The Aftermath #13 (Hosts: Shawn Schuester & Jonathan Morris) - In episode 13 Shawn and Jonathan discuss the news about Left 4 Dead 2, Fallout 3 and Fallen Earth as well as look at the 1984 British docu-drama Threads. Before listening to this episode, I suggest you go to the YouTube link in the show notes and watch Threads before listening to this podcast. Just a warning; the movie is a bit disturbing, but then again, so is the thought of living through a nuclear war. Length: 64 minutes.

Channel Massive #93 (Hosts: Noah, Jason & Mark) - While Jason touts this episode in the show notes as being about Champions Online, console rumors and dirty old men, that's not the most memorable content for me. No, it's the reaction of the M Team in the Blog-O-Steria segment to the return of Brad McQuaid and how they have honored his near return to the world of MMORPGs. Length: 86 minutes.

Channel Massive #94 (Hosts: Noah, Jason & Mark) - Mark took a performance enhancing substance called Game Fuel at the beginning of the podcast and it had a most amusing affect on him. The Blog-O-Steria segment concentrated on the departure of Mark Jacobs from Mythic and why Paul Barnett is still around. Length: 93 minutes.

Star Wars Galaxies With Yivvits and MrBubble #114 (Hosts: Yivvits & MrBubble) - The hosts talk about their plans for SOE's Fan Faire 2009 as well as more thoughts on how the server transfers were handled and a couple of other ideas for the game. I think Yivvits and MrBubble have some good points on the server transfers and hopefully SOE and other game studios will learn from the mistakes SOE made in SW:G. Length: 86 minutes.

PODDED Podcast Season 2 Episode 9 (Hosts: Dillon Arklight and War Childe) - In this episode the hosts touch on some of the 0.0 warfare that Kirith's corp is involved in as well as player reaction to the first Council of Stellar Management Q&A session and how War Childe managed to aggro a whole alliance into spending the money for a war dec. Length: 73 minutes.

EQ2's-day Broadcast on June 16, 2009 (Hosts: Dellmon and Zanadi) - I'm almost caught up with listening to all the shows I miss because I'm still on the train home when the show is broadcast live. In this episode Dellmon is almost over his addiction to Free Realms and he and Zan talk about GU 52, shinies, and the new books that turn players into authors. Length: 84 minutes.