Actual Play podcasts

[Ristamar]

If a gaming session could have a third edited out, one wonders if that time is being used wisely.

It's certainly a valid question, though what is fun for a group may not translate well to another medium as non-interactive entertainment.

 

[wedgeski]

I wonder how my sessions would be edited. Except for occasional 3-5 minute breaks for nature, it's go-go-go from start to finish. If a gaming session could have a third edited out, one wonders if that time is being used wisely.

RPG's for many people are as much a social event as a gaming event. Whether that's a "wise" use of time isn't really anyone else's call, but it certainly doesn't make for good entertainment.

 

[SkidAce]

One addendum: personally, I can only make time for audio APs. I've actually stripped the audio out of Critical Role episodes so I can listen to it in the car. I do not have the time in my life to sit down at my computer and watch a stream for an hour or more. I like podcasts because I can listen to them while I'm doing something else. I recognize that I may be in the minority here, but I'm only interested in audio productions.

I'm in the same boat (car) as you.

Critical Role is fantastic, but I can only find the time to listen in the car while driving, or while running a couple of miles.

 

[iserith]

RPG's for many people are as much a social event as a gaming event. Whether that's a "wise" use of time isn't really anyone else's call, but it certainly doesn't make for good entertainment.

That's my point though - if you're making a podcast, doing something that isn't potentially entertaining to an audience isn't a wise use of time in my view. My objection to many podcasts is that they play like they don't have an audience when in fact they do. The good podcasts in my view have participants that are aware of it and change their habits accordingly.

 

[timmy2383]

That's my point though - if you're making a podcast, doing something that isn't potentially entertaining to an audience isn't a wise use of time in my view. My objection to many podcasts is that they play like they don't have an audience when in fact they do. The good podcasts in my view have participants that are aware of it and change their habits accordingly.

This is interesting. From your experience with the various APPs, can you give some examples of how they failed to do this and what you think they could have done differently? I don't have a lot of experience either way, expect as a player, so I'm having a hard time thinking of how this would work out.

Thanks!

 

[wedgeski]

That's my point though - if you're making a podcast, doing something that isn't potentially entertaining to an audience isn't a wise use of time in my view. My objection to many podcasts is that they play like they don't have an audience when in fact they do. The good podcasts in my view have participants that are aware of it and change their habits accordingly.

Yup, I agree. You have to be aware of your audience.

 

[iserith]

This is interesting. From your experience with the various APPs, can you give some examples of how they failed to do this and what you think they could have done differently? I don't have a lot of experience either way, expect as a player, so I'm having a hard time thinking of how this would work out.

Thanks!

I've seen lots of podcasts where they get into the weeds with rules discussions, off-topic conversations, or engaging in boring activities that don't move the game forward (shopping comes to mind, ugh). However much time they spend on these things leaves me frustrated and asking:

"When are they going to get to the fireworks factory?!"

 

[timmy2383]

I've seen lots of podcasts where they get into the weeds with rules discussions, off-topic conversations, or engaging in boring activities that don't move the game forward (shopping comes to mind, ugh). However much time they spend on these things leaves me frustrated and asking:

"When are they going to get to the fireworks factory?!"

Ok, I see what you mean now. I guess some of that could just be dependent upon the audience, though. Like if we went off on a tangent discussing video games some people would tune out because that's not their thing but then others might find it really interesting. WHY CAN'T WE PLEASE EVERYONE?

 

[iserith]

Ok, I see what you mean now. I guess some of that could just be dependent upon the audience, though. Like if we went off on a tangent discussing video games some people would tune out because that's not their thing but then others might find it really interesting. WHY CAN'T WE PLEASE EVERYONE?

Well, let's think about that last question you asked... if someone is tuning into an actual play podcast, then it stands to reason that they want to hear actual play. I do consider side conversations to be part of a typical D&D game, but when I tune into a podcast, I don't want to hear about that other stuff. I want to hear about adventurers confronting deadly perils or otherwise trying to overcome interesting challenges.

 

[timmy2383]

Well, let's think about that last question you asked... if someone is tuning into an actual play podcast, then it stands to reason that they want to hear actual play. I do consider side conversations to be part of a typical D&D game, but when I tune into a podcast, I don't want to hear about that other stuff. I want to hear about adventurers confronting deadly perils or otherwise trying to overcome interesting challenges.

Good point. So either keep it to AP as much as possible or categorize it as something else (I.E. Friends Hanging Out and Mostly Play D&D)