Gamers On Tap

Episode 30: Titanfall Drops

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:16:00 +0000

Titanfall speculation, Xbox One sales, and Youtube Millionaires

On the show today, I'm giving my feedback to the chatter surrounding early Titanfall reviews. I'll also talk about whether this game, or any other, can save the Xbox One. Will Respawn ever shake the references to Call of Duty? Is this a precursor to Destiny being referred to as "like a Halo game"? What will it take to make this next generation console truly a "must have" system. And finally, what this means for youtubers like PewDiePie who make millions off Lets Play videos. It can't be a Gamers On Tap podcast without a mention of copyright and fair use. Enjoy!

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Episode 29: Don't be an Idiot

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:28:00 +0000

Don't be an Idiot - As much as I know you want be one.

On the show today, I wanted to tell everyone to stop being an idiot. Don't get upset. Yes, I'm talking about you, but I'm also talking about myself. In fact, I'm entirely talking about myself. Sounds easy, but it might be impossible to not be an idiot. Have a listen.

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Episode 28: Too Much Sex

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 17:49:00 +0000

Can you have too much Sex?

On the show today, I'm asking the question, "Can you have too much sex?" People will be happy to give each other advice on how to avoid "burn out", but does that apply to sex as well? Can you get burnt out on sex the same way you can burn out on video games? Listen to my take, you might be surprised.

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Episode 27: Watching eSports

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:11:00 +0000

Where should eSports improve if it ever hopes to compete?

On the show today, I wanted to talk about the Call of Duty Championships that aired this past weekend on MLG.TV. The broadcast was great and I enjoyed watching all the teams involved. It got me thinking about what makes traditional sports more popular. It seems like an obvious answer and that's why you might be surprised at my take.

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Episode 26: Community Managers

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:16:00 +0000

Either do a better job, or watch your jobs go away

On the show today, I'm giving you my take on the current state of video game managers. On one hand, video game companies are aware of the importance of social media influencers, and yet they give little respect to the role of community managers. I'd like the community take a more active role in engaging those bottom rung community managers and let them know they have an important job.

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PubTalk ep 1: Ashen Rift creator Barry Collins

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 15:36:00 +0000

The first episode of the new podcast series, Pub Talk

On each episode of Pub Talk, I will interview interesting and transformative people involved in the gaming industry. These conversations will explore what's happening to day and tomorrow in the world of gaming. I'm excited about this first episode because I spoke to Barry Collins, the creator of the upcoming FPS horror game Ashen Rift. We discuss his game and the process of realizing his vision.

Ashen Rift on Kickstarter >>Click Here<<

AshenRift.com

On Twitter @ashenrift

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Episode 25: Passion for Gaming

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 18:12:00 +0000

Why is it important to find your passion?

On today's show, I wanted to continue my rant from yesterday (why the video game media angers me sometimes) and share with you my motivation for blogging, writing, and podcasting. I also wanted to give mention and thank Barry Collins, the creator Ashen Rift, the upcoming indie game for PC, for a wonderful interview and helping me realize what's great about video games. The interview will air during the weekend podcast.

Ashen Rift on Kickstarter >>Click Here<<

AshenRift.com

On Twitter @ashenrift

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Episode 24: More DLC and Camo Packs

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 16:59:00 +0000

Gamers think that video games grow on trees

On today's show I take issue with some entitled people out there. The youtubers that habitually complain about DLC, microtransactions and monetization in general have my ire today. I'm also shocked at a post on Gamasutra.com from a self-described "talented" developer that is having trouble finding a job. Where does this sense of entitlement come from and how do we get back to normalcy?

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Episode 23: Online Dating & Xbox

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:56:00 +0000

Why don't we have a dating app for the next-gen console?

On the show today, I give out some tips, statistics, and general useful knowledge about online dating. I'm also asking the question, why don't we have dating applications on our gaming consoles?

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Episode 22: Troll Vids on Youtube

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:25:00 +0000

Popular Game Maker nearly takes down Youtuber for "Trolling"

On the show today, I recap what happened to ZexyZek and his Minecarft series. Should other youtubers be worried? Should publishers and game makers just "not care" about how their games are portrayed in youtube videoes? I agree with Mojang's decision to revise their no trolling policy. But should be worried about a different kind of trolling?

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Youtube http://youtu.be/APYNdKzxn1A

How a Minecraft video series changed Mojang's trolling policy By Dave Tach on Mar 03, 2014 at 1:30p @dptach

Episode 21: Improving eSports as a Business

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:08:00 +0000

A Suggestion for a New eSports Company

starcraft3 gamescon

On the show today, I'm discussing the collapse of the eSports company, Arena Gaming League, rumors that Titanfall won't be tournament friendly, and finally a pitch for a new kind of eSports company. And I might give you some predictions and analysis for the struggling Xbox One.

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Youtube http://youtu.be/FAM9hAgy8ME

Just how "expert" are video game players.

US National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health

Episode 20: Drinking Beer and Playing Video Games

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:06:00 +0000

Going out to the Pub vs. Playing online with Friends

Marcus Metropolis Flickr

Today's show is about the upsides and downsides of staying home, drinking a few beers, and playing video games online versus going out to the bar or pub. Also, I tell you how to bond with new coworkers. It involves a rental car, strippers, and a designated driver.

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Youtube link: http://youtu.be/nDtS4tXU5xs

Violent Video Games under Attack again

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 13:48:00 +0000

Studios that make video games deemed too violent will pay more taxes

Has anyone in Washington played a video game lately? Lawmakers are now again making violent video games the scapegoat for society's ills. Or at least that's the impression I get from this latest bill proposal. It's basically a sin tax on video game makers. Instead of getting the tax break, or credit, for making video games here in the US, those studios will will now pay more.

From Ashe Schow, in an online article from the Washington Examiner:

One of the plan's provisions: “Preventing makers of violent video games from qualifying for the R&D tax credit."
This is funny, given the fact that on the very next page the summary says the bill “stops the practice of using the tax code to pick winners and losers based on political power rather than economic merit.”
How is letting every industry except the violent video game industry keep the R&D tax credit not picking winners and losers? continue reading at WashingtonExaminer.com

It doesn't matter to me whether you paint yourself in red or blue. This kind of political pandering only causes more problems. It seems to me that someone on the hill thinks this is a pelt they can put on the wall. If these politicians are so concerned about violence in mainstream culture, why does the National Football League receive tax exemption. Most of the NFL stadium costs are offset by state funding i.e. your tax dollars.

It's obvious to me that no one in Washington plays video games. If they did, they would understand using punitive taxes to single out "violent" video games would set a precedence for artistic censorship. Consider the impact on the Oscars best picture category for example. Movies like American Beauty, Gladiator, The Departed, No Country for Old Men, and The Wolf of Wall Street (my prediction for this year's winner) would all have been deemed too violent and should pay punitive taxes.

Why do "tax credits" matter?

Let me put this in terms a gamer would understand. It costs a lot of money to make big games like Call of Duty, Battlefield, Halo, and Grand Theft Auto. Having to pay more money in taxes is a cost that doesn't help pay for the game's production. Since these companies are in business to make money, that extra cost will be passed on to you, the gamer - the consumer. In the end, a tax on violent video games is a tax on gamers.

And for what? Violent video games are bad for you? Oh like whiskey, cigars, skydiving, fast cars, knives, and wet floors.

I've already talked about the misplaced targeting of violent video games in the Gamers On Tap podcast. There is an abundance of benefits to video games even the violent ones. Whether it's sports psychologists recognizing similar skill sets in eSports and traditional sports or the prosocial aspects to online gaming, video games are being recognized for their health benefits.

Dr Mark Griffiths, Psychology Division,
Nottingham Trent University.
The educational benefits of videogames

The Huffington Post
9 Ways Video Games Can Actually Be Good For You

American Psychology Association

Video Games Play May Provide Learning, Health, Social Benefits, Review Finds

Finally, I wanted to suggest that games like Gone Home, The Last of US, and The Walking Dead are games that contain violence. But its just part of the game. It's an ingredient. Just because some old people in Washington don't understand video games doesn't make it alright to punish gamers.

Wed. Feb 26, 2014: Sex, Relationships, and Video Games

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 17:29:00 +0000

Sex, Relationships, and Video Games

On today's show I'm discussing the red flags to look for in a relationship. I'm talking about the signs that the relationship isn't healthy. If you compare your time spent playing a video game to a relationship, those same red flags can be spotted. I'll give you my advice on how to spot them and how to find the game that's right for you.

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on Youtube

Tues., Feb 25, 2014: Creativity, Console Wars, and Youtubers

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 17:05:00 +0000

Creativity, Console Wars, and Youtubers

On today's show i let you behind the scenes to understand where I get some of most creative ideas. I also weigh in on the current state of the consoles wars and why it does matter. Finally, I give my thoughts on internet celebrities versus artists.

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Video: http://youtu.be/_cQtIPbXc1Y

Monday, Feb 24, 2014

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:51:00 +0000

How can things be so Good and Bad at the same time?

On today's show I want to discuss the conundrum that seems to be the Xbox One. How can this great piece of video game hardware have trouble selling? New around business circles is the Playstation 4 is outselling the Xbox on 2 : 1. Should this concern anyone? Or is it like Microsoft has been at a really fun party and maybe forget when it was time to leave?

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On Youtube user/gunnernerf

USA Today article sees growing online audiences for MLG and Twitch

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 20:33:00 +0000

In USA Today's online tech column: Cutting the cord, Mike Snider writes about two entertainment options for people interested in video games. It's a great, well-written article and I encourage you to head over to USA Today and check it out >>

In case you'd like the Gamers On Tap version, I'll summarize for you. If you didn't already know MLG.tv and Twitch are things.

from USA Today:

ESports and video game community drives viewers to growing online video game destinations

Not as well-known is that video games are so popular that they've become spectator sports drawing millions of viewers to online sites. Cord cutters interested in diversifying their viewing portfolio can check out two services leading the way: Twitch and MLG.tv.
Each deploys a different programming strategy. MLG aims to be the ESPN of video games and eSports, as organized video competitions are called. Twitch broadcasts eSports competitions, too, but has also evolved into an all-purpose video game network with professionally created and user-generated content.

This is great for people that are interested in video games. I think it speaks to the larger truth that gaming communities have their own media content whether it's entertainment, news, commentary, educational, competitive, or even life hacks.

Watching a tournament on MLG.tv is great. They've been broadcasting and hosting tournaments for more than 10 years. But I'm only interested in watching a tournament if I've played the game that's being broadcast. Twitch doesn't just broadcast tournaments, there's an abundance of users that live stream ordinary gameplay. I think that offers a lot more for the audience.

I've been a fan of Twitch for a few years. Compared to MLG, I personally use Twitch more often. I wouldn't have purchased Grand Theft Auto V if I hadn't watched the guys at The Streamer House on Twitch. Streamer House is a 24/7 live stream of popular games. I was curious what GTA V was going to look like, so I began watching the live stream. The next week, I bought the game.

I don't think MLG and Twitch are media alternates to traditional entertainment like movies or television. I think they can be disruptors. You may be able to find the same game play on youtube videos, but twitch allows you the viewer to interact with the streamers. The same can be said for MLG.tv, and that makes these sites different.

In the USA Today article, MLG is described as wanting to be the ESPN of video games. I hope that doesn't happen. I hope that whatever they end up becoming, it's better than that.

FPS Friday - Don't call me cheater Bad Kid

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 16:33:00 +0000

FPS Friday - Don't call me cheater Bad Kid

Bardo Rodeo 1997

On the show today I take issue with my wife, reminisce about my favorite bar, compare Titanfall to Land Shark Lager and oh yeah, discover a new name for my blog/youtube channel/Titanfall clan. Go ahead, Listen.

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Fair Use can't Protect you Against Defamation

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 22:11:00 +0000

The issue of copy right claims against youtubers surfaced again recently. The video game website Front Towards Gamer has an interesting article about the popular youtuber and video game critic, TotalBiscuit.

TotalBiscuit recently uploaded a video criticizing FUN Creators’ new game Guise of the Wolf, titled “Let’s NOT Play Guise of the Wolf”. As has happened before with a TotalBiscuit video, namely the critical commentary of Day One: Garry’s Incident, the developers have seemingly filed a complaint ticket with YouTube against the video, enforcing copy-right claims. Full article here

Fair use is the primary legal reason why so many youtubers upload video game gameplay, use images, and sometimes music to accompany their commentaries, walkthrough, how-to's, and do-it-yourself's. Keep in mind this only protects the uploader from copy right infringement...in some cases.

According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation , there are no hard and fast rules for fair use (and anyone who tells you that a set number of words or percentage of a work is "fair" is talking about guidelines, not the law). The Copyright Act sets out four factors for courts to look at (17 U.S.C. § 107):

The four factors of fair use, according to Youtube

I don't know all the details surrounding the TotalBiscuit issue. But if you like youtube videos, have your own channel, or are thinking about creating a channel, this incident should interest you. It's less likely that you will run afoul of copy right infringement while doing a video game review. It's more likely that you can subject yourself to a defamation lawsuit and that's probably what is going to happen as a result of the incident covered by Front Towards Gamer.

When you're reviewing and/or critiquing a product, company, or service you must stick to the facts and make a clear distinction when something is your opinion. This is especially important if you are using humor in your video. If the audience takes your jokes seriously, and you've made assumptions about the product that you can't prove well that's defamation.

Check out the Blog Herald article here to read about how a blogger was sued for defamation when he published a negative review for a restaurant.

You're probably wondering how companies can cherry pick how they use copy right claims. It's just my humble opinion that when you create content that supports, advertises, or in any way assists the company in making money...well, they look the other way. That reminds me - It's also important to disclose to your audience if you've received compensation for the review, previous reviews, or from a competing company.

I'm not a lawyer - this is not legal advice

The ProSocial Aspects of Gaming

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:44:00 +0000

The ProSocial Aspects of Gaming

On the show today I wanted to provide some information about how playing video games actually improves real-life teamwork, communication, and can make you a a better surgeon. Don't believe me, just listen.

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Murphy, S.M. (2009). Video Games, Competition and Exercise: A New Opportunity for Sport Psychologists? The Sport Psychologist, 23, 487-503.

Rosser JC Jr1, Lynch PJ, Cuddihy L, Gentile DA, Klonsky J, Merrell R. The impact of video games on training surgeons in the 21st century.

http://sorceresseconomics.wordpress.com/2014/02/09/facebook-video-games/

Facebook before bed, wake up depressed. Online video games before bed, wake up refreshed

Georgetown University Law Center Robin West. Book

"Teaching Law: Justice, Politics, and the Demands of Professionalism" video on booktv.org

Let's Cosplay and have Sex

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:08:00 +0000

I'm Too Sexy for Cosplay

On today's show I wanted to dig into the Cosplay world and discuss some of the sexier aspects of dressing up. Are the people who cosplay crazy? Is it unhealthy? Are they having more sex than average, normal people?

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Youtube Tues - Titanfall reviews make me mad

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:39:00 +0000

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly aspects of Youtube for gamers

Today I wanted to thank Goon on Fire for mentioning me in his latest video (watch here). And then I wanted to fire away at the issues that make Youtube a great community hub for gamers and also a big slick marketing tool.

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Tips for a Healthy Gamer

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:33:00 +0000

Tips for a Healthy Gamer and Gaming Set-Up

On the show today I wanted to fight back against the stereotype that gamers are all lazy, basement dwellers. Actually, I don't care as much about that stereotype, but I do think that gaming can be healthy. In fact, there are a lot of health benefits to gaming. Listen for yourself.

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FPS Friday: The Schism in the Halo Community

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:11:00 +0000

FPS Friday: The Schism in the Halo Community

On today's show I'm discussing the schism that still exists within the gaming community of Halo. The battle between competitive gamers versus casual gamers still rages online. As we slowly begin to say goodbye to Halo 4 and start looking forward to Halo 5, can we, as a fan-base, move beyond our differences and enjoy the game for what it "is".

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Valentine's Day and Snow Days

gunn3r11@gmail.com (Eric McLeroy) — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 19:59:00 +0000

Gunner talks Valentine's Day and Snow Days

Today's show is my candid point of view on snow days and Valentine's Day. I hope you enjoy.

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