ReAnimators Podcast

Over-promise, under deliver!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:38:46 PST

Yeah, so how'd you guys like episode 26? Oh wait...

Just to give an update, we're not dead. I've been busy as hell with the last stretch of "Alan Wake", Rick is still on hiatus of indeterminate length and Mike's schedule is overflowing with animation work on "Singularity" and completing his adult-themed My Little Pony fan fiction. Amidst this busyness, we need to find a new host for our episodes before the 100% completed episode 26 gets uploaded. Hopefully that will happen very soon.

We dropped the ball. But since this is something we do with our own time and money for no reward other then the occasional "thank you", it's going to sometimes take back seat (or in this case the third row jump seat, like some old station wagons had) to busting ass, making our games look awesome.

In other news, both Mike and I as well as a number of people who've been our guests will be attending GDC in San Francisco next month, all the way from Wisconsin and Finland. It's going to be a busy week with lots of introductions and reunions but if you see us around, say hi! And feel free to buy us a beer.

-Ryan

Episode 25 - Breaking In Part One

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:55:33 PST

TOPIC: Breaking In Stories GUESTS: More than you can shake a stick at

We are BACK! After a 4 month break, we have lived up to our name and returned with a new season.

And as promised, we have a cavalcade of guests!

But, before that, we give a quick update to what we have been up to and of course give our first words. For Ryan that is higher PC game prices and for Mike its calling out gamers hating on bad movies.

But, the meat of the episode are the breaking in stories by:
Noah Falstein
Jon Jones
Brenda Brathwaite
Nicholas Bolden
Dave Taylor
James Everett
Ray Almaden
Logan DeMelt
Tristan Williams

So sit back, enjoy, and be on the look out for episode 26 next week, which features even MORE breaking in stories.

Episode 25, Breaking In Part One
(right click the above to download)

Coming soon...

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:26:36 PDT

Look for Episode 25 in the next few weeks, which as promised will feature developers from all walks of life telling, in their own words how they "broke in" to the industry and what they used to do back in "civilian life". We've already got some pretty awesome ones so I hope you'll enjoy listening to them as much as we have!

We'll also be giving our annual ReAnimators update as we enter season 3. As with last summer, things have changed a bit for Mike, Rick and myself.

Stay tuned and be sure to email us with any topics you'd like to hear us cover or guests you want to hear us shoot the breeze with!

Season 2 Finale

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:10:03 PDT

Listen as season 2 comes to a close!

Much as was the case last summer, this summer has been a rather eventful one for us ReAnimators. Be it vacations, new work, games being released, what have you, getting together is never easy from June through September. So, to wrap us up, we recorded this little diddy. We actually recorded this the same day Ryan had his World Tour shindig, so forgive us if our knowledge/puns sound dated.

And come September, we should be back to our "normal" bi-weekly schedule. We even have our episode 25 extravaganza planned!

That's right, if you work in games, film, comics or television tell us your break in story. You can either call our skype account (reanimatorspodcast) or send us an audio file at reanimatorspodcast@gmail.com.

Just tell us:
- How did you break into the industry?
- What work did you do before that happened?

And when we come back, we will edit them all together and have one heck of an inspiring show!

See you in a couple months!

Show Notes:
Wrist Exercises

ErgoRest Arm Supports

Sallie Saddle Chair

Dr.Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog

King of Fighters Creation Process

Season 2 Finale
(right click the above to download)

Ryan on the Pelaaja Magazine Podcast!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 07:14:53 PDT

Look at me, running off my big dumb mouth again! Check out my interview with Thomas Puha on the Pelaaja Magazine podcast!

If you speak Finnish, check out the whole thing and buy lots of their magazines too.

If you don't speak Finnish and the regret eats at your insides like an ulcer as it does to me, hang your head in shame. Then skip to 50:47 for the English part.

Episode 24b - Reanimators World Tour, part 2

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:11:51 PDT

Topic: Living and working abroad (cont'd) Guests: Espen Sogn (Ninja Theory), Neil Alphonso (Splash Damage), Aaron Butler (Yager Development)

The epic expat get-together continues!

Episode 24 - Reanimators World Tour, part 2
(right click the above to download)

Episode 24a - Reanimators World Tour, part 1

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:11:39 PDT

Topic: Living and working abroad Guests: Espen Sogn (Ninja Theory), Neil Alphonso (Splash Damage), Aaron Butler (Yager Development)

Listener Will du Toit pointed out that as awesome as the ReAnimators Podcast is (paraphrasing), it's been mostly Amero-centric and I have to agree with him. It's a big world out there and there are opportunities to work in games and animation across state and country lines, even across oceans. And I've yet to meet anyone who's done just that and regretted it. So this week, we're talking about living and working abroad!

Since this is something I both have experience with and am passionate about, I was really excited to do this episode and I grabbed three of my good friends from the expat scene to join me in the discussion.

Guests this episode are:
Swedish: Espen Sogn, Senior Cutscene Coordinator at Ninja Theory in Cambridge, UK. Also lived in the US, Scotland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

American: Aaron Butler, Senior Multiplayer Designer at Yager Development in Berlin. Also lived in the Netherlands.

Canadian: Neil Alphonso, Lead Level Designer at Splash Damage in London. Also lived in the US and the Netherlands.

Combining a topic we all love with old friends and a few drinks, we ran a whopping three hours on this episode so it's been split in two to make it a little bit easier for you all to digest.

Episode 24 - Reanimators World Tour, part 1
(right click the above to download)

What's the Finnish word for "Douchebag"?

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:41:31 PDT

I don't know but it's probably in here somewhere. Since we're going to be a week late on Episode 24 (but our guest is going to be awesome), I offer as a consolation prize, a scan from Finland's Pelaaja (translation: "Player") magazine article on expats working in Finland's games industry, including yours truly eating truly horrible food in the truly horrible cold (this picture was taken in February). The schtick was to get non-Finns posing in traditional Finnish activities. While I'm jealous of the nVida guy who's pic was taken in a cozy pub, I am relieved they didn't insist on getting me naked in the sauna. Somewhere in between was some serious ingestion.

The text is five interview questions. I'd translate but I think it's more fun if the only public record of my answers is in Finnish.

The missing link discovered!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:18:00 PDT

That's right folks, I've found it: the link to our Facebook group! Rejoice one and all! And when you're done rejoicing, join the group! C'mon now, even giant robots, inanimate objects and states of mind have their own Facebook page these days. What's your excuse?

Episode 23 - ANIMATION-APOCALYPSE!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:42:58 PDT

Topic: Evolution of Game Animation Guest: Jay Hosfelt, Lead Animator at Epic Games

Super Animation Dance Party Time!

We get back to our roots hardcore this time with an animation centered podcast, joined by Epic Lead Animator Jay Hosfelt, from Gears of War fame. We also ponder the important things in life, such as, "Is it possible to have a favorite game?", "Has Sixaxis ever worked?", and "What type of cereal does Cole Train eat?"

Then, to top it off, we do an animation critique of Paul Brown's Demo Reel.

OH, and don't miss out on the EPIC ANNOUNCEMENT at the end of the show.

Show Notes:

Today's Kids playing Yesterday's Games
Part 1
Part 2

Keith Lango talking about Sid the Science Kid

Recoil Games Earth No More

Scrubs FPS

Animation APOCALYPSE!
(right click the above to download)

Episode 22 - Start Me Up

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:41:30 PDT

Topic: Starting up a game studio GuestS: Bryan Jury and Scott Fabianek of Epicenter Games

The gang's all here for Episode 22, overcompensating with not one but TWO guests: Scott Fabianek, Art Director and Bryan Jury, co-founder, both of Epicenter Studios. We pick their brains about something that so many game developers dream of; starting your own studio and making your own IP!

We had some technical difficulties when recording so please don't mind there's a few cuts that couldn't be easily cleaned up.

Show Notes:

What game would you show to someone who's never seen one?

"How create a game" on CGTalk

Hot new video game...

Episode 22 - Start Me Up
(right click the above to download)

Episode 21 - Tight Rope of Life

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:17:13 PDT

With Ryan away on his beer eating assignment, it was up to Mike and me to record Episode 21 with guest Christian Sheppard, animator at Disney/Junction Point Studios.

Our main topic this week was balancing family and work. Our esteemed guest tells a tale of his first animation job and having to live in a barn away from his wife and kids. But before that I talk about an affair I've been having with Eliss. Mike talks about game critics ranting about the industry at GDC and Christian is tired of the normal mapification of the gaming world.

Show notes:

Touch Eliss, cuz she's very touchable

Realistic Toon characters

Game Critics Rant at the Industry
“You aren’t men. You are stunted adolescents.” - Heather Chaplin, reporter, to game developers everywhere.
Leigh Alexander's Reponse

Episode 21 - Tight Rope of Life
(right click the above to download)

Sheep-a-mation

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:55:48 PDT

Animating with... sheep?

Cat Shit One

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:55:31 PDT

With subtitles.

Episode 20 - Geek Freak OUT!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:03:57 PDT

Topic: Whatcha been up to fool?!

To celebrate episode 20 and approximately 1 year of doing the show, we decided to kick it old school, and record with just the three of us. It is a trail of broken dreams that leads us to many questions. Is ending your series a good thing? Should we really be recording the things we say? Are there games you won't play because of your own prejudice? Are we really here? Is anyone reading this?

Then we just geek out over games we have been playing, shows we've been watching, and what boys we have crushes on.

Show notes:

How to Tweet Away your Fatty Cisco Check
League of Super Evil
Terry Dodson's Coraline

Episode 20 - Geek Freak OUT!
(right click the above to download)

Disney re-used footage and animation cliches

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:32:07 PDT

I'm sure all us animation nuts have seen the side-by-side Disney cells but here are a lot of the sequences side by side. Some are just re-used cliches but others are clearly re-used footage.

Purists may balk but remember commercial animation needs to be great and efficient. Don't work hard; work smart!

Episode 19 - The Race is On!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:09:38 PDT

Topic: Race and Ethnicity in Games Guest: Manveer Heir, Game Designer at Raven Software

Neither Daylight Savings Time or a case of the common cold keep us from recording this show on time. Though after listening to me sniffle and cough throughout, I'm thinking you might wish it had.

On this show we talk about the always touchy issue of race and ethnicity, specifically in games, with Manveer Heir. But before we get into that, we talk about demo reels, Guitar Hero, Valkyria Chronicles, the 13 Basic Principles of Game Design, and layoffs.

Show notes:

Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive by David Levy

The Art of Game Design by Jesse Schell

Imagination Is The Only Escape

Episode 19 - The RACE is ON!
(right click the above to download)

Episode 18 - Artsy Fartsy

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:26:00 PST

Topic: Art Styles or Art Gimmicks Guest: Shane Corn, animator/artist of Neopets, Cartoon Network, and a founder of DrawingBoard.org

Like your valentine's day date, we might be a little late, but we are bearing lots of flowers and chocolates. I know, we broke our promise to be on time, but baby I still love you.

This show we get back in touch with our animation roots with Shane Corn and talk about art styles in games, but only after we talk about digital wangs, Lara Croft, and good old fashion side-scrollers. So, you know the types of things we would have been talking about in our adolescence... which, in all honesty, is about how we treated the subjects still to this day.

Show notes:

I tried finding the GTA IV e-peen video, but it seems to be taken down from any reputable internetz sites. So if you really want to see it that badly, you gotta get the DLC and play the game. Just check with your parents first kay?

Paul Robertson's Pirate Babys Cabana Battle Street Fight 2006

Behemoth Game's Dad N Me

Episode 18 - Artsy Fartsy
(right click the above to download)

Bubblicious

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:40:15 PST

I don't want to bog down the blog with everything cool I find because the internet is such a gold mine of cool things but it would be a shame not to share this amazing stop-motion, paper cutout animation. Also courtesy of Damien, I would like to introduce you all to Rex the Dog in "Bubblicious".

Bubblicious from Rex The Dog on Vimeo.

Un café, s'il vous plait!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:36:45 PST

To pass the time between our sometimes delayed episodes (like Episode 18, being recorded this weekend) I thought it would be fun for us to occasionally share some exceptionally awesome and/or inspirational animation we've found. After all, we are at the core an animation podcast/blog. So here we go with the first one, courtesy of Finland's favorite Frenchman, Damien. I've never made any secret about French animation being my favorite.

-Ryan

le Café - Oldelaf (english subtitles)
Uploaded by Boebis

Episode 17 - The Narrative Imperative

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:09:03 PST

Topic: Narrative in Games Guest: David Goldfarb, Lead Designer at DICE

Presenting episode 17, where we talk with David Goldfarb of DICE about narrative and story in games, Rick schools Ryan in Tom & Jerry history and we discuss every gamer's favorite subject: Lara Croft's boobs and whether or not they're responsible for the "disappointing" sales of Tomb Raider: Underworld. Personally, I think Lara embodies female indepedence from a male-dominated society because she doesn't seem to want to jump where I tell her to...

We had some minor audio hiccups that required some hasty editing thanks to David's crappy Swedish internet but we switched him to a telephone for the second half. My Finnish connection is just fine. Just saying...

Sorry. Finland made me do it.

Show notes:

I mentioned the Versus Clu Clu Land blog and highly recommend it for deeper thoughts on game narrative.

Jonathan Blow's Article on Game Narrative at odds with challenge

We couldn't find any info on the "sketch" mod for Half-Life so if you know about this, please send us a link and we'll post it here!

Episode 17 - The Narrative Imperative
(right click the above to download)

Commenting without BloggerID now enabled!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:45:32 PST

Bring on the secret crushes and anonymous snipes!

Episode 16 - The PRESSures of Games

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:14:32 PST

Guest: Leigh Alexander. Gamasutra/Kotaku/Sexy VideoGameLand Topic: Games Journalism

Happy Birthday 2009! Our gift to you is a new episode of the podcast. I know, we really shouldn't have.

This show's guest is Leigh Alexander who is the news editor for Gamasutra, contributor to Variety and Kotaku, and blogs at Sexy Video Game Land. Can you guess what our topic is going to be? You got it, the role of press in games and how they interact with developers and consumers. And since we knew the topic was going to be a good one, we decided to skip first words this time and get right into the meat of it all.

So give it a listen and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

This weeks show notes:

Game Press Symposium

Metal Gear Solid Voice Actors Improv

Episode 16 - The PRESSures of Games
(right click the above to download)

Episode 15 - Stark, Raving Mod

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:17:40 PST

Guest: Erik Guilefoyle, ModsOnLine.com, "HL2 Modding for Dummies" Topic: Modding

Back on schedule but like a fat kid on a diet, we've got us a fridge full of Slim Fast and the complete "Sweatin' To the Oldies" collection. This week our topic is modding games with the author of "Quake 4 Modding for Dummies" and "Half Life 2 Modding for Dummies" with Erik "Foyleman" Guilfoyle of Modosnline.com. Erik also does a weekly, live podcast called ModsOnAir and is currently working on a commercial but top-secret game project.

On top of modding, we ponder the news that EA's quest for originality and fostering new IP doesn't seem to be as profitable as sequels and rehashes. What does this mean for the kinder, gentler, new EA? And speaking of originality, we also discuss Nintendo fans and the 'betrayal' of them to Nintendo's new beau; the casual market.

This weeks show notes:

Chaser, the video game

Haloid short by Monty Oum

Episode 15 - Stark, Raving Mod
(right click the above to download)

Lost Episode - The Winter Summer Special

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:43:32 PST

I know, you have questions.

What have we here?!

I will tell you. This is a recording from this summer, before Ryan moved, but after I moved. And it is our first skype experience. Not a lot of in depth topics being covered, but it is a chance to peer into the deep recesses of our minds.

Why are you just now uploading this?

Ryan was on recording duty and used the laptop he was about to pack. And from there it sat in customs until just last week when Ryan finally got his stuff. So blame Finnish customs.

So is this a real episode?

Sort of. This is just Rick, Ryan and myself shooting the breeze and having fun with some first words. We cover super-powers, game characters, and zombies. So you know, the normal topics of conversation between game devs.

We figured since the last episode had some rough spots, and we can't do much to fix that, we would give everyone something else to chew on, until our next episode. Which WILL be recorded this weekend. SCORE!

So enjoy the fun, and a peer back to simpler days.

Here's a chainsaw rocket:

And here's Rick and his wife after the apocalypse:

Lost Episode - The Winter Summer Special
(right click the above to download)

Episode 14 - Market Schmarket

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:19:01 PST

Guest: Henry Frew, Animator at Fleetwood Gaming Topic: The Market

Wow, this is probably our worst audio yet. Sorry. Henry's mic was coming in soft, and our lovely levelator couldn't even bring it all together. We will see what we can do to fix it, but that might take some time. UGH.

--------------------------

Hahaha, well the on schedule recordings sure didn't last. But schedules be damned, we were able to get 2/3rds of the team together to record up a little diddy for ya. Joining Ryan and Mike this week is Henry Frew, animator at Fleetwood Gaming, and we talk about everything from modding, 3d movies, and addictions to our main topic which is the affect of the market on games, and how games can affect the market. Yes, after two shows of being entirely qualified to talk about the topics at hand, we decided to talk about something this week that we know far less about.

And, we drink some beers while we do it.

This weeks show notes:

- 3d-ish Wii Head Tracking craziness

- Compulsive gaming is not an addiction

- Gamestop's debates against complaints

- Gamestop's secret weapon against download services

- And finally, here is an awesome article Ryan found about game endings only for new versions of the game.

Episode Fourteen - Market Schmarket
(right click the above to download)

Episode 13 - Comics2Games2Comics

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:44:58 PST

That's right son, we made our bi-weekly goal. Yes, I know. We rock.

You know who else rocks? Jeff "Chamba" Cruz, the artist on the new Street Fighter II Turbo Comic.

Our first words cover what we have been playing, co-op in games, more 2D talk and why American entertainment studios hate the rest of the world and why Australia has lost its mind.

Our main topic is then the translations of comic properties to games, and game properties to comics. I know, a topic we are qualified to talk about. Wild eh? We call out ones we like, and where a lot of them go wrong. We also talk about how comics are probably doing it better than games, at least as far as the art goes. Let us know what games we missed, and what properties you think could work and why?

Then we finish up the show doing a critique of listener Derek Kent's animation. You can watch the animation to follow along with our crit HERE.

This weeks show notes:

- A bear with wings, courtesy of Kyle Evans

- My face plastered on it courtesy of episode 7 guest Jeremy Pantoja

Episode Thirteen - Comics2Games2Comics
(right click the above to download)

Episode 12 - Politically In-Correct

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:45:09 PST

Alright, so we didn't make the bi-weekly time line we set up. But a new episode is gracing your face now so you can't be TOO disappointed. We have the next couple already tentatively planned out, so we should be sticking to schedule.

In this episode we are all over the map, both topically and geographically, coming to you from 3 different countries. Rick was out playing Johnny Pumpkin Seed, so we are sadly one man short, but our guest this week is Dan Schoening who is an animator/artist at Inlight Entertainment, character designer on the PS2/Wii GhostBusters game, and animator on DC Online's Shorts. He is also the artist and co-creator of Benjamin Franklinstein. PLUG!

Our first words hit on some political themes as part of the October Podcast Theme "Politics in Comics"... er games in our case. Find out more about the other podcasts taking part in the fun at Comic Related, Superheroes-R-Us, and Weekly Comic Book Review.

Our main discussion topic is the age old debate of 2D vs 3D animation and how the experience of each translates to the other in the world of game animation.

This weeks show notes:

- Ummm, I think I added them all into the description. Awesome.

Episode Twelve - Politically In-Correct
(right click the above to download)

Episode 11 - ReANIMATED!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:45:15 PST

Season 2 starts NOW!

In this episode we transcend timezones, skype, and technical difficulties to finally catch up with each other after the all moves. Find out just how much Rick would pay a minute for some cooler weather, how Mike can rationalize working on an FPS game, and what Ryan's dream car is. Hint, it doesn't have fins...

After a slew of emails thanks to Ryan's shameless promotion on The Animation Podcast, our topic this week is answering some animation specific questions and letting people in on our animation processes. Or is that processie? Proceseese?

And finally to bring in the new season with style, we announce that we will be doing animation critiques on the show. So if you have some animation you would like to receive some crits on email them to reanimatorspodcast@gmail.com.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind though:

- The shorter the better. If you give us 10 minutes we will only have time to say "keep this, cut that" in a broad manner without any chance to get specific. If you give us 10 seconds, we can really get into the nitty gritty of it much easier.
- Tell us when you send it how far along it is and what you know you have left to complete. If you specifically have a question about something you are trying to accomplish but can't seem to get, let us know and we can give you some pointers.
- Links only, no files. We will post your work here and can't host files ourselves.
- Quicktimes prefered so that we can scrub your animation frame by frame.
- We are going to be honest, so no taking offense. We don't say this to be pricks, but honesty is how the professional process works, and animators have to be used to this.

This weeks show notes:

Levelator thanks to listener Warner McGee for the tip.

Ryan's TF2 Demo Girl

Attack of the Monstrology

And here is a ReAnimator's EXCLUSIVE LOOK at the cover I did for Benjamin Franklinstein. Dapper Dan Schoening did the interiors and knocked it out of the park!

Episode Eleven - ReANIMATED!
(right click the above to download)

Oceans between us...

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:06:24 PDT

I know what you are thinking.

"Why in the name of Shigeru Miyamoto/God are you guys taking such a long break over just one of ya moving a couple of states away. Seriously, is it THAT hard to use skype like the rest of the podcasting world to make some new frickin episodes? Is Wisconsin unable to connect to the internetz?!"

First off, eff you. We ain't charging you for this stuff, so you will take what we give you when you get it, and you will like it! And second, the long break isn't because of just one move. It is for two.

It is with a heavy heart that Rick and I bid Ryan adios as he travels across the Atlantic. He too was bit by the bug of a new studio, and has accepted a job in Finland. So to him, MAJOR congrats. Europe suits the man quite well.

So there you have it. The summer break will go on a bit longer, but once he is settled in we will be back to a weekly format that will be a bit different than the last but just as entertaining. In fact, maybe more so.

Thanks for your patience, and don't be too surprised to see a few more goodies pop up over the rss feed before we come back for season 2 starts in September.

Kisses and Misses
Mike

Episode 10 - The ReAniMuse Podcast

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:45:22 PST

Through the combined powers of the Reanimators Podcast and the 10th Muse Podcast, we bring you episode 10 of the Reanimators podcast (and episode 32 of the 10th Muse Podcast).

As chance would have it, yours truly was in San Francisco for a wedding a couple weeks ago and while I was in town, I had the opportunity to meet with the esteemed Stephen Sherman and Mike Henry of Slipgate Ironworks and the 10th Muse Podcast. We co-recorded for our respective shows with the unfortunate lack of Patrick Lister, Mike Jungbluth and Rick Blankenship; the rest of our podcasting teams.

In this episode, we follow the Muse's formula (since we pretty much copied it anyway) and discuss what's on our minds about the big E3 announcements, handheld gaming and whether games are going to get more expensive and complicated or cheaper and easier to develop. Then we move on to our discussion topic of challenge versus experience in games.

This doesn't really mark the beginning of Season 2; think of it as a special episode. We'll have more news on Season 2 soon. In the meantime, please enjoy Episode 10!

Episode Ten - The ReAniMuse Podcast!
(right click the above to download)

Episode 09.1 - Hot Lunch Extra

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:11:20 PDT

Some guy named Mike Jungbluth sent us a message. He thinks we have forgotten about him. Haha, how could we forget about him? Well, I guess I kind of did forget about him because I forgot to add this message to the show last night. So I'm uploading it as an extra so listeners don't have to download the entire episode again. And I'm sure Ryan remembers who this Mike guy is, so I guess it's safe to post this... here's Mike's Message.

Episode Nine - Hot Lunch Extra
(right click to download)

Episode 09 - Hot Lunch

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:28 PDT

After the tragic loss of our own Mike Jungbluth to the state of Wisconsin, we took a couple of weeks off to figure out what we're going to do with the show. But we're back now with Episode NINE, where Rick and I are joined with THREE special guests: Edge of Reality animators Trent Kollodge, Xavier Blackwell and senior animator Jared Rudiak. In this episode, we venture into the great outdoors and record over beers and burgers by Lake Austin (so forgive the occasional motorboat going by).

The five of us (well, 3 of us) present our first words about the recent trend in ultra-low game scores, Phil Harrison's statement about the 'death of single player', acting in animation, monogamy in game-playing, Team Fortress 2's lack of grenades and the importance of story in games. We also briefly discuss the differences in doing animation in games versus animation for commercials, of which Jared and Xavier are both veterans of before all three of them answer the Muse questions.

Episode Nine - Hot Lunch!
(right click the above to download)

Episode 08 - Specular Spectacular

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:31 PDT

Yeah, specular. In this episode we talk about normal maps... and our topic is Next Gen, or as we like to call it - G6. What is G6? Why is G6? What comes after G6? Does your G6 wear 3D glasses?

Joining us was 2 time reanimators podcast guest Angel Arca.

Be sure to listen to our last words this week for a special announcement from Mike.

Topics discussed:

Old School Activision Infomercial

Sadness

Episode Eight - Specular Spectacular
(right click the above to download)

Episode 07 - Furry Friends Podcast

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:18 PDT

It's a wonderful fur filled day here at the ReAnimators plush studio hallway. This week Jeremy Pantoja (Animator - Vigil Games) joined us in the chamber to talk about the various stages of job Burnout. We talk about what causes Burnout, how to avoid Burnout and how to remedy a bad case of Burnout.

We also discussed the lives and times of Furry Lifestylers:

If you were a ReAnimator's Furry Friend, what kind of animal would you be?

On average, an adult moose stands 1.8–2.1 m (6–7 ft) high at the shoulder. Males weigh 380–720 kg (850–1180 pounds) and females weigh 270–360 kg (600–800 pounds).

In reference to Aunt May, some gif animation from Jeremy:

Episode Seven - Furry Friends Podcast
(right click the above to download)

Episode 06 - It's a Small World After All...

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:17 PDT

A day late but definitely not a buck short, we semi-proudly present Episode 6 of the Reanimators Podcast with special guest, comic book illustrator and senior concept artist at Edge of Reality Kelly Goodine.

This week we fire off our usual barrage of first words before we discuss with Kelly "what makes a good character", as suggested by Super Munkyboy on Deviant Art. In retrospect, we should've prepped for this discussion a bit better so if there are points you'd like to see us hit that we missed (and there are hundreds), please let us know and we can get further in depth on the topic.

Show Notes:
Kelly's Deviant Art Page

First words:
10 (bullshit) reasons why games were better in the 90s

Crazy gamemaker game Lab 14

Space Chimps by Vanguard Animation

The Whackness

Character Design:
Why Mario has a mustache

Tim Schafer's GDC Talk on Character Design

To clear up any confusion about Kelly's and my own mention of "Ghost" right after "Starcraft", we should it clear we're talking about the King of Cheesecake, Adam Hughes' run on the comic "Ghost" about a hot dame who comes back from the dead to shoot a lot of people with a pair of colts; not the completely unrelated, tragically ill-fated "Starcraft: Ghost".

Episode Six - It's a Small World After All
(right click the above to download)

Ryan on the 10th Muse!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:53:23 PDT

Our very own Ryan Duffin is a guest on the 10th Muse Podcast, episode 23!

Another great episode, take a listen.

10th Muse Podcast

Episode 05 - Rodeo Riders

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:09 PDT

Cinco de ReAnimatoras es here Pedro! And we brought the tequila... or at least some beer. This could be considered our longest episode yet, but the last 10 mins is more of a bonus than actual content. We decided to try a little roleplaying, and well, you can be the judge on how THAT turned out.

This week we are joined by Designer and ReAnimators Announcer Jessica Spence as well as Senior Designer Rich Bisso. Thats right, five people on our fifth episode. I'm pretty sure that was marked as something special on the Mayan calendar.

The topic we covered is Why Good People Make Bad Games, inspired by THIS gamasutra article.

Here are some links to other things we discussed while recording:

Johnny Cash Intro to Dawn of the Dead

Trilogy of Terror Doll

Activision, and now LucasArts, leave the ESA

The Bomb the Terrorists Game is eluding us. If you know it or can find it, comment here with it and we will shout your name out hardcore on the next episode.

Smart Walking Robots:
Take 1
Take 2
Take 3

Geekologie

Episode Five - ReAnimators Rodeo Riders
(right click the above to download)

Episode 04 - Pirates of the Booty

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:05 PDT

Episode 4 has arrived! If you could only hear the outtakes... you would come at us with torches and burn down our snowball.

This week we talk about suppressing your inner fanboy while working on a licensed video game.

We were joined by Environment artist Angel Arca and we really had a blast, as you will hear.

Here are some links to the what is discussed in the Podcast:

Retreads:
Modern Ford Model T

The deviantART Discussion:
Inflation oMg

Piracy Discussion:
Piracy and idiots

PC piracy levels are "astounding" says COD4 dev

Sports Interactive shuts down Eastside Hockey Manager due to high piracy numbers

Spore, Mass Effect PC to Require Online Validation Every Ten Days to Function (Update: Bioware has backed down on this somewhat since the news broke; not sure about Spore)

What the Spartans really wore:
King Leonidas Statue in Thermopylae
(Sorry Mike, you lose! -Ryan)

(Sorry Ryan, Wiki can be used to prove anything)
Painting
State in Thermopyle
And Another

Episode Four - Pirates of the Booty
(right click the above to download)

Episode 03 - Crunchberries

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:10:03 PDT

I promised a regular schedule on these and when a Reanimator makes a promise, he keeps 'em! Presenting Episode Three of the Reanimators Podcast on it's new regular, Tuesday night time.

In this episode, we discuss quality of life and crunch time in the games industry, with Creative Director Mark Nau and Lead FX Artist Jamey Moulton. We're getting the hang of things and still ironing out bugs. Next time we won't sit the quietest guy the furthest from the microphone.

Here are some links to the what is discussed in the Podcast:

The game that's as indy as indy gets:
Dwarf Fortress

The Crunch Discussion:
The original EA Spouse blog (2004)

The IGDA White Paper on Quality of Life (2004)
(Unfortunately I couldn't find one that's more current, if a more current one exists)
Gamewatch: Quality of Life watchdog site

Wicked problems

Relentless Software

Episode Three - Crunchberries
(right click the above to download)

Episode 02 - Sound Check

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:09:57 PDT

In this episode, we discuss sound design with Senior Sound Designer Scott Snyder.

Here are links to some of the topics we covered:

Frank and Ollie

Orphan Works was not a bill when we recorded this episode. It has since been introduced in both houses of Congress.
Another Orphan Works resource

Namco owns the patent on minigames during loading screens-
Wikipedia entry on Loading Screens

Arnold Schwarzenegger Soundboard

So, we had a slight problem with the volume in this episode. We are sorting out all of these problems and will hopefully have some great sounding files from now on. Thanks for listening!

Episode Two - Sound Check
(right click the above to download)

Episode 01 - Haircut of the Year

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:09:34 PDT

Finally! We've battled all kinds of adversity, slayed mighty dragons and untangled ferocious microphone cords to bring you the first TRUE episode of the Reanimators Podcast! It's taken longer then we expected to get the ball rolling but we think we've streamlined our recording process and figured out what the hell we're doing. Now we just need to learn how to keep it a little bit shorter...

In this episode, we discuss game animation. What it entails, what it is, what it's not and hopefully clearing up some of the popular misconceptions about our field.

Here are links to some of the topics we covered:

Podcasts:
10th Muse
WYNC's RadioLab
SModcast
Left, Right and Center
Spline Doctors
The Animation Podcast

Game censorship in Australia:
Wikipedia entry on Australian censorship
(A new 18+ rating is pending legislation)

Animation:
The 12 (+12) Principles of Animation at Jeremy Cantor's site

Unfortunately I wasn't able to dig up the Game Informer article about naked Lara Croft that Mike mentioned, nor could I find the IMDB entry for "Backstretch 5: Attack of the Anus." I did however confirm that "Stand by Me" was rated R in the US.

Since we're getting backlogged (we've recorded up to episode 3!), we'll be releasing Episode 2 very soon, as well as re-uploading Episode o with the volume fixed. Episode 3 should be up next Tuesday with a new episode every week after.

Episode One - Haircut of the Year
(right click the above to download)

Mike on the 10th Muse Podcast

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:01:38 PDT

Our very own Mike Jungbluth is a guest on the 10th Muse Podcast, episode 19!

Damn good episode, take a listen.

10th Muse Podcast

Episode 00 - Who We Are

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:09:13 PDT

So, we got together to record a "who the hell are these guys?!" show.

Highlights include Ryan telling us why we are called the ReAnimators, Mike calling out all video game animators and Rick bustin' out with an animator rap, yes rap. And yes, I wrote bustin'. word em up...

Thanks for listening!

Episode 0 - Who We Are
(right click the above to download)

FIRST POST!!!!

reanimators.net (Reanimators Podcast) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:27:47 PDT

Thanks for stopping by the ReAnimators Podcast blog. Here is where you can find info about the show and the voices behind it.

The ReAnimators Podcast is where three guys working as animators in the video games industry discuss (or as Mike would say "Nerd-slap") topics surrounding the creation of and the business behind games, film, animation and comic books.

We'll be pulling favors to drag fellow game developers, animators and artists into the roundtable (or at least to their Skype headset) with us for interviews and/or the discussion of the week.

We'll also try to post relevant links here to the topics being discussed on the weekly shows so you can make up your own minds on the source material that inspires our topics. Feedback on the show and what you'd like to see more of (or less of) is more than welcome, as long as we can keep it constructive and semi-mature.

Thanks again and please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-a94ba5f59688f1de9926061bc05ce350}

-Ryan