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Episodes

The Adult Check Episode

To find out if you’re an adult, click here.

We’ve got a full house plus one for this episode with our special guest Ryan, also known as Suave Peanut on the forums, rounding out the 6 of us. We go over all of what we played since the last episode and for one us in particular, they got a slightly used Wii console to try out, putting it to good use to give us his impressions of The Conduit. We’ve also got more impressions of Prototype from Jeremy. And we continue our discussion of adventure gaming in its prime.

We’re directed in our conversation once again by both Twitter and emails and the discussion is lead into Starcraft 2’s lack of LAN play and what that may mean for future Blizzard releases. And finally we go over our impressions of seeing Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen coming to a conclusion on it that you might not expect.

Enjoy the show. And thanks for listening.

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Interviews

The Space Invaders Extreme Interview

Space Invaders Extreme invading your space….extremely. Yeah, just click here.

In this interview episode, we talk with Sandra Lew from Foundation 9, parent company of Backbone Entertainment, developers of “Space Invaders Extreme” for Xbox Live Arcade.

If you’re curious how an idea comes about to take a classic game like “Space Invaders” and do to it what Backbone did, you’ll want to take a listen. From the idea to integrate music into the attacks to what it takes when making the transition into High Definition. Not only that, but we find out how those collectible prints came about and what games we’d like to see get a revision (Hint: @!#?@!).

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Episodes Interviews

The Maw Episode

Your weekend dose of gaming conversation begins now.

It isn’t often that we interview many game developers without having played their game, much less without their game even being released yet.  But that’s just what we do with a couple of guys from Twisted Pixel, developers of next week’s Xbox Live Arcade release, The Maw.

Due to their schedules (flying out to LA for a G4 taping) and our schedules (Jeremy having a previous engagement and James having to work), I was the only one available to talk to Mike Wilford, producer of The Maw, and Josh Bear, creative director of The Maw. And while we talk about the game itself, we also bring up the subjects of how The Maw came to be, the importance of the PAX 10, working with Microsoft, and what’s next for the Twisted Pixel team.

It’s not a particularly long episode, not that it needs to be, but we hope it tides you over for the weekend and as always…thanks for listening.

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Episodes Interviews

The 1UP Episode

The first episode of 2009 is now available.

There wasn’t supposed to be an episode for you this week. Scheduling conflicts and sickness among the group just caused too many problems.  Then Tuesday evening happened.  And we really wish it hadn’t.

The news of UGO buying 1UP had been rumored for some time and along with that the end of EGM. There were, however, no proceeding rumors of the massive cuts that ended up being made that night. One of those cuts happens to be a very good friend of ours. Philip Kollar, the former news editor for 1UP, joins us tonight and gives us some insight into just what exactly happened, how it happened, why, and what’s next.

It’s safe to say that after our talk with Philip we’ve got no worries about his future and we’re equally confident  with everyone else involved as well. It’s never good when things like this happen, but when they happen to a group of people like this, there can be nothing but good things for them in the near future.

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Episodes

EAR 9.25.08: “Red Eye Mountain”

Some of you may be familiar with the title of this episode. Those who aren’t will find out when they listen. Those who are…well, just keep in mind it isn’t all MMO/Warhammer talk that we do here. In fact, we discuss very little of that title. Why? Well, turns out a lot of things happened since Monday night. Actually, a lot of things happened the day we recorded this and you can bet we talk about them.

First up is the Spore DRM issue. We don’t really discuss it as much as we just recap the situation. After that….well, you didn’t really think we wouldn’t mention Jack Thompson’s disbarment, did you? And let’s not forget what Bungie did today.

We also touch on the Max Payne film’s rating, special editions and how publishers are doing it wrong, and Duke Nukem 3D on XBLA. Plus, we begin our Mailbag segment of the show, answering the emails sent to us each week (we don’t get much, actually, so send them in!), and we tell you who will be on Monday’s show (hint: he really likes Co-Op gaming).

Thanks for listening.

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Episodes

EAR 9.22.08: “It Was Kicked In The Junk Hard”

As slow as news can be sometimes in the gaming world, it never leaves us without anything to talk about. There’s proof of that in this episode of Evil Avatar Radio. James wrapped up his time with The Force Unleashed and lets us know that sometimes a story can hold a game together better than the actual gameplay itself. That and the fact that the tutorial level of the game is simply the most fun. Not only that, he has ideas on how to improve a title like this with just the addition of Ewoks. I know…Ewoks, right?

Also in this episode we talk about Mega Man 9, Duke Nukem 3D, and we go over the releases due out in October. We hear from TrackZero about his time spent with FarCry 2, and Ravenlock calls in to tell us just how hard Mega Man 9 is and what he’s looking forward to on the Wii/DS side of things to come.

That’s all followed by uncensored discussion of our Demigod Beta contest, duel wielding GameFly accounts, November’s release schedule, Warhammer talk, more (well deserved) praise for Uncharted, and what we’ll all be playing this week.

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Episodes Interviews

EAR 9.15.08: “Like Highlights For Children…But Violent”

A lot of the times with our guests, we like to be timely. And the timing with having Josh Drescher from Mythic on the show to talk to us about Warhammer Online couldn’t have been better. We have to thank him again for taking time out of working on the game (and playing it) and speaking with us. He was great to talk to and actually quite funny. Of course, as usual, it’s where the show gets the title from.

Also in this episode, although later than we wanted, we again mention our Demigod beta key contest. We’ll be giving away a key during the live show next week, but we also have two more keys to give out. To win those, you’ll need to email us (everyone@ingamechat.net) with the best god-power you can think of (in terms of a balanced strategy game).

The rest of the show is spent on talking about Too Human, taking stock in Take-Two (or losing it), Peter Molyneux’s sanity or genius, losing your job in an attempt to be an “internet hero”, all of us being on a beta “black list” it seems, and I explain the reasons (yes, there’s more than one) I added the new Deer Hunter game to my Gamefly queue.

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Episodes

EAR 9/11/08: “Sporehammer”

I’m not sure if these are considered a pre-show, or a post-show. Regardless, it’s a show, and one we hope you’ll enjoy. It’s a bit more free flowing than our regular Monday show, but that’s the reason we do it, honestly.  In this episode we talk a little bit on Warhammer and Spore, my frustrating time spent with Facebreaker, Jeremy’s time with the Force Unleashed demo, a bit on GameStop and digital distribution, and we also talk about GOG. It’s a discussion that leads us into talk of Mega Man 9 and how we’d all like to see a demographic breakdown of people who’ll buy that game.

Also in this episode we give you a head’s up on a contest for a beta key to an upcoming PC title. You’ll have two chances to win and it’s something we won’t officially announce until Monday’s show, but you can get a head start early by catching this episode of Evil Avatar Radio.

Thanks for listening.

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Episodes Interviews

EAR Episode 122: “It’s Not How Many Inches. It’s How Close Your Face Is To It”

You know, we could almost do a completely separate show focused only on MMO’s it would seem. What with all the information that keeps coming our way in both the form of Lich King, and now Warhammer Online. You’ll hear quite a bit about both in this episode of Evil Avatar Radio.

Also in this episode, we talk with Tarn Adams of Dwarf Fortress. We find out how DF came to be and where it’ll be headed into the future. Not only that, we look, yet again, to the next few months of gaming and how time management of those months are going to be so important. Plus, James has a pretty good idea of where the next big gaming convention should be held. If PAX needs more room, this is where they should go.

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Episodes

EAR Episode 121: Extra Content

Just so we’re clear, this isn’t extra content from the massive-cast. Trust me, we’ve used every bit of that audio we had. Nope. This is just Strax, Daniel, Dennis, and myself (get well soon James) going over more memories of PAX, but sticking a bit closer to the games. Dana drops by in the beginning of the show to let us know a challenge was made to us by the guys over at the Moofcast. We’re not sure of the stipulations of the challenge or what the stakes are but we’ll take it, regardless.

The rest of the show is devoted (mainly) to the games of PAX. This includes Dragon Age, Jumpgate, Champions Online, Little Big Planet, Legendary, Demigod, Dead Space, Gears Of War 2, The New Xbox Experience (has that name really stuck?), Mirror’s Edge (we’re worried a bit), Fallout 3, The PAX 10, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC, and, of course, LEFT 4 DEAD!!!

Of course, we couldn’t talk about PAX without mentioning, again, Strax’s performance with Rock Band 2, pillow walls for Dainel & Dave, and the deliciousness that is Maple Bacon Doughnuts. Plus, you’ll find out who we’re having on the show for Monday night.

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Episodes

EAR Episode 121: The PAX-Cast 2008

I’m on a plane right now over (let me check)….Kansas, at the moment listening to the current episode of Evil Avatar Radio. While it sounds like the recording of a panel, it’s actually a group of near 30 people crammed into a hotel room all talking. And, while this might sound scary to listen to, it’s actually the most organized conversation I have ever heard with this many people. Before we switched on the mics, there was sound everywhere from these people, but all it took were the mics to be turned on and the show to begin and we had 30 professional podcasters all doing their thing.

I hope I’m not missing anyone in the roll call here, but the cast is: Gambit, Ghostbear, Sandman, xoanon, UnknownName(?), mister_slim, Rogue_hunter, OrigamiPanther, Alias Unknown, Jackel, TrackZero, mightbe, Sl1pstream, BAPenguin, Bone, Psykoboy2, Straximus, UWCrash, BackseatKiller, AniAko, pheriannath, Kielaran, prenetic, Gaz, Skwish, Rinichanraar, Deadend, Thrak, and Dave.

There is plenty we talk about in the show. Tons of things really, but that’s to be expected when you have 30 opinions in the room. Everything from our “Best Of PAX”, to panels, to meeting each other, to experiences outside of PAX, it’s all covered in this show along with a lot more conversation, too much, actually, to cover in the write-up.  It might be hard to put some voices to the names, but it’s still an amazing thing to hear.

We end the show by going around the room with “final thoughts & thanks” from everyone and while it may be repeating what I said in the show, I’d like to say it again……This is the best group of people to have on a show, period. We have always said from the beginning of taking over the mantel of Evil Avatar Radio that it’s the community’s podcast. We do what we do, not for the developers or special guests, but for the listeners of Evil Avatar Radio. It’s your show, and the highest honor, for me, was being a part of it with all of you in this episode.

Thank you all for, not only just listening, but being on the show. Let’s do it again next year.

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Episodes Interviews

EAR Episode 120: A Conversation With Denis Dyack & Robert Khoo

None of us on the show really know how any episode will ever turn out beforehand. Sometimes we go into the studio ready for a great show and come away realizing we never touched on near half of what we wanted to. Sometimes we aren’t happy with our interviews (no fault at all of our guests) because we’ll either forget to ask certain questions or, of course, I’ll screw it up and hang up on our guests.

Tonight, however, wasn’t one of those episode. Talking with Denis Dyack for me, personally, was a thrill. He’s been involved in some of my favorite (seriously, I’m a fan) games and, honestly, the man really likes to talk about his games and the industry in general. We cover a lot of ground with him regarding Too Human, DLC, 4-Player Co-Op, and sequels. Plus, Denis tells us what he thinks of Evil Avatar.

After that, it’s the further continuation of our celebration of PAX as we talk to Robert Khoo, where we find out that, not only does he enjoy Evil Avatar Radio, he actually listens to each episode. Thank you, Robert. Also during our chat with Mr. Khoo, we ask him more about the PAX split in 2010 (he drops a hint or two during the show), and how he got involved with Penny Arcade along with how PAX actually came to be.

It’s a fun and very informative episode of Evil Avatar Radio. Hope you like it. And we’ll see you at PAX.

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Episodes

EAR Episode 119: Extra Content

This will start to become the norm for us. Doing an extra show in the week gives us an opportunity to catch up on news we missed during the regular show, talk about newly released games, and hit the bigger stories that may have happened just one day after the main show.

Obviously with having a release like Too Human out there right after the main show, we had to use this time to talk about our time with the game. Plus, you know, we’ve got Denis Dyack on the show Monday along with Robert Khoo – we aren’t going to have much time for anything else.  We also talk about WAR & WoW, and the battle of the opening cinematics between the two, plus we go into the jam-packed fall release schedule, and we don’t even touch November. There’s a brief touch back on Monday’s show as we go back into talking about food – of the fried kind, the new PS3 bundle announced along with it’s odd little friend, the chatpad-thingy, and Microsoft’s desire to “rock the vote”.

It’s a short show, only about 65 minutes, and we hope you enjoy it.

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Episodes Interviews

EAR Episode 119: A Conversation With Jonathan Coulton

We really enjoyed this episode of Evil Avatar Radio and we hope you will too. Although, it’s always fun getting to talk to Jonathan Coulton. Turns out, like me, he’s a fan of pinball. So much so that we’ve actually invited him out to Shorty’s one night during PAX for some pinball & beer. He seems pretty open to the idea. Oh, that and letting me introduce him on stage at PAX as well. Here’s hoping anyway.

Seriously, it’s a fun interview and Jonathan does confirm that he will be the final performance at PAX on Friday night. He also tells us about what he’s currently working on, his involvement with Portal 2, and one of the most amazing things he’s ever eaten.

Also in this episode, we hit a few news notes of the week and talk about game demos (Force Unleashed & FFXIII), Castle Crashers, Everquest, Mega Man, Warhammer, & the issue of DRM.

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Episodes Interviews

EAR Episode 118: A Conversation With Jonathan Blow

It happens every so often for us. We’ll get a developer (and on the rarest occasions, a PR person) who doesn’t hide from us. They have something to say and they can say it without feeling like their hands are tied. The creator of Braid, Jonathan Blow, has no reason to hide during this episode of Evil Avatar Radio. In fact, with how well the game is doing, he has every reason to be pretty proud of what he’s done. Not to mention that the game itself is pretty awesome. And well…it’s also pretty.

We spend about an hour talking to Jonathan who tells us quite a bit about himself and how Braid came to be. Everything from pricing to inspiration to conception and rejection of the game, it’s almost everything you ever wanted to know – all without spoilers.

After our chat with Jonathan we then move our focus once again to this year’s PAX and talk with Moe Fwacky, the Cross Country Super Trip organizer. We catch up with him since we spoke with him last year and find out what it’s like and what it takes to travel across the country to the gamers mecca that is the Penny Arcade Expo.

As a show note, you can expect another episode of Evil Avatar Radio to come out by the end of the week.