Game On! Salutes 360 Nation Podcast
After discovering PlayStation Nation on iTunes I decided to do search for a 360 Nation Podcast and sure enough there was one. Hosted by Justin and Josh (and new addition Jason) they only had a few shows under their belt but they had a great show – non-biased, fanboy free and a wealth of knowledge of the Xbox 360 and its competitors.
As part of our salute we like to speak to the men behind the show and we were lucky enough to get a response from the show’s main man Justin.
What made you decide to get into podcasting?
I first started listening to podcasts when I discovered the Zune player actually. I stumbled upon the PSNation Podcast, and then branched out to whatever gaming casts I could find. It was pretty rare to find an unbiased show, and when PSnation joked about having an opposite ‘Xbox 360 show’ on their network, I thought I would give it a shot.
What have been some of the challenges getting your show up and running?
Coordinating our week and editing time. Having a normal day job really puts a damper on things! Sometimes you have to choose to release an episode over waiting, and sometimes you have to put in the extra edit time so it sounds right. And sometimes if the sound quality is bad…you have to just drop it completely and not release it.
What do you think sets you apart from the other Xbox 360 Podcasts out there?
We consider ourselves all multi-platform gamers, and we aren’t employed (yet) by any gaming company. Basically we try to really push the fact we are not biased and we are giving fair reviews and evaluations of what the Xbox console has to offer, but compared to the alternative.
What do you think is the best way to produce a podcast that solely focuses on the 360 without sounding like a fanboy?
Always acknowledge what Nintendo and Sony have to bring to the table in a neutral light. Every time we mention Sony we cannot just point out every single negative aspect of their system. There is a reason the ps3 is a competitor to the Xbox 360!
What’s been some of the highlights for you since doing the show?
The positive responses we have been receiving from our listeners and the VGevo podcast network. When we were accepted as an official member of VGevo’s podcast (VGevo.com), we instantly clicked with the other shows, and hosts. We have had the opportunity to attend events, and get to know some really cool gamers! In short, the podcast let us extend a simple hobby into second job that we love to do!
Was there any podcasts that influenced your style or your segments?
Most definitely. I will point out a few casts in general. I have listened to many, many shows, and some are definitely stronger than others. To name a few, as I mentioned before, I enjoyed the PSnation show for the simple fact, the hosts are gamers first, and they are extremely knowledgeable, and funny. They speak to gamers. The other show is also a VGevo network show, Gamers Only Older. This is a show that talks any platform, any generation. Very casual, easy listen. The two hosts have their likes and dislikes, but always can look at a game and explain why it is a “good” or “bad” game. In other words, if they are a fanboy, they will generally let it be known before they talk about a game. Their way of reviewing games, is something we strive for as well. The other show is probably the best produced show due to the amount of hosts, and just sound quality and organization of their segments; Drunken Gamers Radio. Personally, this is a professional sounding show. The hosts keep the conversation going, its very funny. and they have a great way of never having any dead air. Definitely try to keep this upbeat vibe in 360 Nation. Another show which has a very upbeat, multi-platform feel, is Interactive Distractions, also a part of VGevo. This show has three hosts, and has a great balance of each host’s likes and dislikes. This show is a great example how we try to work with three people talking on mics. Not as easy as one would think!
You guys seem to have a wealth of knowledge of previous gaming systems – how do you think this generation stacks up to previous generations?
Personally, and I can’t speak for Josh and Jason, I think this generation right now, is the best I have been through. It may also be that I can finally afford the stuff now that I am finished at school. I just think every since online play was introduced, the ps3 and 360 have brought this full circle. It creates endless replayability with certain games, as well as developers the ability to tweak games. Burnout Paradise is a great example. Would Halo 3 be played so much if it had no online play? Unlikely. I just have not been nearly as in tune with a generation as much as the current. PC gaming for me will always hold a special place, but lately just isn’t stacking up.
You all have discussed other systems on the show – was there any reason you chose against doing a multiformat podcast?
Over saturated market. Just too many multiplatform shows out there to compete against! I felt that choosing one console would allow us to really focus on content, and refine our ideas a bit more. Possibly get noticed more easily. I felt most 360 casts I listened to were extremely biased, and didn’t really do much other than trash on the other systems and hype the already over-hyped games. I am not opposed to exploring a multi-console cast, but not yet!
Finally – why should people listen to your show?
Multi-console gamers, talking about the Xbox and everything you need to know! If you enjoy gaming and you are slightly interested in what the 360 has to offer, give it a listen!
You can find 360 Nation on their website www.360nationpodcast.com, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Furious Gamer, iTunes and of course the Zune Marketplace. Check them out – you won’t regret it.