Considering - Recording a Skype game and uploading as AP

[Rob Lang]

I'm a massive egomaniac. I know it's not a good thing but that's the way I'm built. I am currently considering putting together a Skype game were we actually play some of the games I've reviewed. Each session would be about 3 hours and I would edit the tape down to about a 2 hour actual play (AP) podcast. One game might go over a few sessions. Of course, all you need is Skype (free), a headset (ah, not free) and a copy of the game (free). It's not a review, of course, it's a thank you to the game designer by actually playing the game.

My biggest problem is time. It would probably be an evening (UK time) event and not every week. I am sure I can get over that, if it is every other week.

What do you think? Do you think people would like this?

[Onix]

I've tried gaming over skype before, it's not bad but rolls are kind of wonkey. Are you thinking just audio or video skype?

[Rob Lang]

Audio, tbh. I want to be able to GM in my underpants.

[Onix]

Wow, that makes me look at your avatar in a new way "Am I wearing pants?"

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

I would guess "NO" - but he does have a young child in the house, so that probably isn't right.

I've helped my sister with college papers via Skype a few times this year, and it occasionally lead to some confusion. Managing multiple people and die rolls sounds like a bit of a chore, and recording it too might eat up hard disk space pretty quickly. The results of this attempt sound very intriguing though. Best of luck to you.

[misterecho]

I have used Fantasy Grounds 2. I imagine this would work well with skype.

[Groffa]

There's also MapTools (free).
I would absolutely listen. Fun concept with a new game every new podcast!

[NoobHealer]

I actually think it's a fantastic idea.

Over the past few year's I've grown to realize that I love watching other people play games. Whether it's board game's or video game's I am overjoyed to sit and watch it. I'm actually slightly giddy at the thought of listening to people playing these RPGs.

As for the actual playing of it, I have yet to find a smooth way to run game's online. Between the differences in time zones and difficulty with simple tasks such as rolling dice, I've never been able to run them successfully. If you can discover a way to do such a thing well... you will be my hero for life, or at least a few hours.

The only other issue I can possibly see is that Skype conversations aren't exactly clear sounding. Depending on their location and equipment, they all sound completely different. It could be fairly difficult to listen to long periods of different volumes and levels of static. It may need a decent amount of editing and cleaning up to make it easy on the ears.

But hell, I'm still excited about the idea. I've listened to plenty of other RPG sessions and I'm alway's glad to have more unique options.

[koipond]

I think this is a great idea actually. Hell, I'd like to join in once in a while for this because I think it would be a grand old time.

[kumakami]

If I was using my own comp. I would so bug to get in on this....