The Joystiq Show - 007: Digitally Augmented Edition

by Jonathan Downin on Sep 9th 2011 7:00PM

Deus Ex: Human Revolution kicked-off the season of big releases a couple of weeks ago, and along with it came no shortage of controversy. GameStop pulled PC copies and ended up giving purchasers a $50 voucher after removing the included OnLive codes. An interview with Shawn Freeman provides a look at one side of that story, and some insight into GameStop's future digital plans.

The retail situation was not the only source of controversy though. While Human Revolution was widely praised for the many elements it got right, there were a few divisive ones that couldn't be overlooked. Plenty of frustrations are shared in this week's roundtable, but remember, it comes from a place of love -- mostly.

Part 1 (3:02) - Interview: Shawn Freeman, SVP and General Manager, Digital Business - GameStop

Part 2 (20:39) - Roundtable: Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Get the podcast:
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Host: Richard Mitchell (@S enseiRAM)
Guests: Shawn Freeman, Xav de Matos (@xav), Ben Kuchera (@BenKuchera) and Tom Chick

Producer: Jonathan Downin (@jonathandownin - Game Thing Daily)
Production Coordinator: Richard Mitchell
Music: Trash80 and Broke For Free.

See the full guest list, and stream the show, after the break.

Host
Richard Mitchell - Contributing Editor, Joystiq.com

Interviewee
Shawn Freeman - SVP and General Manager, Digital Business, GameStop

Roundtable
Richard Mitchell - Contributing Editor, Joystiq.com
Ludwig Kietzmann - Senior Editor, Joystiq.com
Xav de Matos - Senior Editor, Shacknews (Shacknews.com)
Ben Kuchera - Gaming Editor, Ars Technica (ArsTechnica.com)
Tom Chick - Senior Editor/"Intern" (QuartertoThree.com)

Tags: deus-ex-human-revolution, gamestop, joystiq-podcast, joystiq-show, OnLive, podcasts

Reader Comments (21)

Wow has the joystiq show fallen. First comment was a bot who hasn't even been down voted yet nearly 40 minutes after its post.

@The Aquacharger Yeah, it's a shame. The podcast comments section used to be so lively =(

I wish the staff the best of luck as far as this show taking off, but the new format just ain't for me personally. Such an incredibly dull listen.

Why bother down voting/commenting? They don't listen to critiques, if they do it's just interpreted as a personal assault (as I'm sure this will be). Everybody wants the old show back except the people who made it so I'm pretty sure all of us who were loyal listeners have moved on. I've listened to and enjoyed both "with a q" shows, but I'm not even bothering with the others anymore gave them through gamescom to do something interesting and it never came. Sorry everyone who made this show, I appreciate the work put into it, but if I wanted NPR I'd listen to NPR.

@(Unverified)
what's the other podcast?

@(Unverified) @The Aquacharger A separate feed solution is on the docket. As always, we are open to any and all constructive criticism. If you simply don't want a more serious take on games coverage, that's what With a Q is all about. It's not weekly, but we still got your back.

Also, look forward to some TGS specials!

@jondowningmailcom Fair enough, but I do want to ask something (comments section probably isn't the forum but as long as I have your attention...) and Let me preface this with saying that I don't mean for this to be snarky/sarcastic, but have you guys looked at the most recent reviews on iTunes? Since the format change it's filled with people unsubscribing/low ratings...don't get me wrong, I can appreciate that you guys wanted to try something different/more serious but it seems to have been met with overwhelming negativity. So how long does this experiment last before somebody asks if it's really working or not? Don't get me wrong, I am glad for the bone you guys are throwing us by putting out "with a q". But really, when will you guys really step back and ask is this just fanboy rage or does this format really not work? Sorry for the rant, I'd just hate to see one of my favorite podcasts fall of the map.

Found the other pod cast. Also can I get them under different pod feed or whatever? I really only want to listen to With a Q? and not the Joystiq show. I also don't want to inflate The Joystiq show's numbers when I don't listen to it at all.
I'm reffering to the Zune marketplace version.

@The Aquacharger I dont think you can, I just download the mp3 or iTunes version when with a q comes out (I still read the site daily so I just keep an eye out for them at the end of the month

@(Unverified) We definitely look at that stuff, and there are certainly audiences for different kinds of content. The Joystiq Podcast was great, and there was a lot of fun stuff in there, but while I can't speak for all involved, there are more stories to be told.

As news deliverers/pundits/reporters/whatever, there is a limit to what we can provide without the input from those on the many other sides of gaming.

On the flip-side, With a Q is still around. It's not really about throwing a bone to an audience who wants only zany content, we just realize that there is merit in both the fun and serious sides of gaming.

I can't justify the new format in any way that will change minds of those who don't like it, but that doesn't diminish its merit. There is no intention to talk down to anyone or alienate a given audience. If you don't like The Joystiq Show, we will have other content for you too.

If you want to talk further, Richard and I are both VERY accessible via twitter or email. That goes for anyone. :)

I love these more serious discussions. I'm 26, so maybe that has something to do with it.

In regards to this episode:

I understand giving both sides a voice and I was disappointed that OnLive didn't respond to the requests for an interview but I really, really disliked hearing Shawn Freeman speak.

All I heard was "Consumers, consumers, investors, immersive, immersive, deep relationships."

Corporate drivel. Ugh. I am not a consumer, I am a person and your company does not have a deep relationship with me. Does he not hear what he is saying? Deep relationship? Have we been dating for 7 years and you know my parents and hang out with my friends?

You sell boxes in a store. That's all you are to me.

Sorry for the rant but corporate people fire me up when they talk like this.

Great roundtable discussion this week, best yet.

The interview with Freeman was rough to listen to though (no fault of Richard's). Freeman sounded like such a sleazy double-talking corporate snake. It would have been awesome to have heard Richard hold his feet to the fire a bit and ask some tough questions, or call him out on his BS (their success will lie with the "uncomfortable with credit card" demographic? do you mean babies? well, good luck.)

I generally have liked the way you have been editing the interviews, but I feel like this one could have benefitted from a more Q&A approach. Too bad OnLive wasn't able to be part of the discussion, it could have been a spirited debate.

Here's my issue. I look at the topics for this show, and I get pretty excited. Looks like it could be VERY interesting. However, I'm not going to spend an hour+ listening to it. I appreciate the serious approach, but you have a BLOG you can do that on. I'd rather be reading these interviews on any given day than listening to it. The point of the podcast was that it was something that you couldn't just "write" on your blog.

And I know you all think "other" gaming sites' podcasts are junk (don't lie to me, I've seen public statements about this)....well get off of your high horse. I'm sure they're numbers are probably crushing yours at this point.

@BuddyleeR

their*

dammit

But I like the new show.

I've been listening to the new format of the podcast since the change, and while I was sorry not to hear Justin, Chris and Ludwig weekly, I can understand and appreciate the potential for the new "more serious" format. I actually think it has legs and has been improving. I've gotta say though after the interview with Gamestop I have my doubts. I didn't expect a barrage of tough probing questions, but to not even ask for an explanation of why they removed the onlive coupons from Deus Ex? People don't stay loyal to podcasts if they become purely a platform for companies to conduct infomercials.

Without being too negative, I agree with most people that the NPR approach isn't working for me. I like the informal silliness. The business and technical logistics and P.R. flubs not important enough to me to fill a podcast... and I work in games. I think the audience for that stuff is very small.

However, that's not to say there is no place for serious journalism about games. You might try to fill the void left by A Life Well Wasted -- an attempt at This American Life for games. Something with a more personal editorial voice, and more personal topics like why games matter to us... or if that's too hard, just turn up the Hinkle.

Sigh... Does anybody remember when this podcast use to be fun? now it sounds so rehearsed... reeks of effort, interviews are really lacking personality... lots of interesting content, but you sound awful while reading your questions off a piece of paper.... Why did you guys have to go so formal on us ? you sound like homework :(

However i am still a fan of you guys, and i will suffer through the changes, no matter how rehearsed you sound :)

There is a severe lack of Ludwig. There. I said it.

I get enough of the what have you been playing/news/emails format from other podcasts. Maybe that makes me biased, but it also makes me seriously love this thing. Keep it up joystiq - even if you bring the old show back or make With a Q more regular, please keep this one. It's great.

i download this podcast every week, still, hoping it'll be a podcast instead of sleepy public radio bullcrap. i'm not sure why you killed one of the best video game podcasts on the internet for this... thing. chris/ludwig/justin talking nonsense was one of the highlights of my week. now the joystiq podcast is something i download and almost immediately delete. chris/ludwig/justin question and answer doesn't count. you're a video game blog, for christ's sake. quit taking yourselves seriously. video games are fun. the podcasts about them should be as well.

I feel like I've lost my connection to Joystiq's editors...

The Joystiq Show - 007: Digitally Augmented Edition

Reader Comments (21)

Posted: Sep 9th 2011 10:43PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 7:07AM Starkey Love said

Posted: Sep 9th 2011 11:29PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 9th 2011 11:56PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 1:26AM jondowningmailcom said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 1:54AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 12:01AM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 12:14AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 7:00AM jondowningmailcom said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 1:07PM KillTheApex said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 3:00AM LoveYouSomeEric said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 3:19PM BuddyleeR said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 3:20PM BuddyleeR said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 4:09PM BlackEyedMonkey said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 8:13PM krank20 said

Posted: Sep 12th 2011 1:02AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 12th 2011 10:50AM SynAttAcK said

Posted: Sep 13th 2011 12:17AM Misfit Toy said

Posted: Sep 13th 2011 3:39AM nivi said

Posted: Sep 13th 2011 7:16AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 14th 2011 7:54PM Heston said

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