New gaming website and TV show dedicated to everything video game related!

[digitpress Jim]

Hello everyone,

Some of you may know me or have met me at past Classic Gaming Expo Shows, my name is Jim Combs (Digitpress Jim here on the forums) and I'm a organizer of CGE along side my good buddies Joe Santulli, John Hardy, Sean Kelly and all the CGE team. It is my honor working for them and I'm super excited for this year's CGE, I can't wait to see you all their =) In the mean time, I'll be talking about the show on the forums.

So the reason I am writing today is to tell you all about a new venture of mine called Video Game Saga. Video Game Saga is a new gaming web site dedicated to anything and everything video game related; past, present and future. We also produce original shows, articles and content on a weekly basis and we strongly encourage a gaming community on our forums and blog.

Please stop by our web site at www.videogamesaga.com and let us know what you think. Good or bad we wanna hear it =) Thanks everyone, below is the press release and we hope to hear from you soon:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jim Combs
Email: vgsaga@gmail.com

January 14, 2009-Denver, CO- My name is Jim Combs, as creator of Video Game Saga, it has always been my dream to have a one stop shop so to speak for anything and everything video game related; from the history of the first video game Tennis for Two, to Earthworm Jim figures to the highly anticipated Mass Effect 2. If it is video game related we are going to cover it! Paying homage and respect to classic and modern gaming, our motto is this: “We honor the past of gaming and respect its future”

With my good buddies who I am blessed to have as my team: TonyB, Lifeless and Rachael West (they are the back bone of Video Game Saga), it is our promise to you to deliver up to date original content including videos, articles, podcasts, webcasts, coverage of gaming events and even our very own half-hour TV show "Video Game Saga" hosted by Rachael West and yours truly. You can also come to Video Game Saga.com for all the latest news in the gaming industry.

Currently we have two new web video segments to Video Game Saga that are updated weekly: "Retry?" with TonyB and "Spotlight" with me, Jim Combs. In Retry? TonyB takes a look back on games that are under the radar or that have interesting stories behind them delivering us trivia, development and more behind the game. In Spotlight, I talk about all the newest classic and modern gaming. Stay tuned for tons of new content to follow.

At heart, we here at Video Game Saga are all hard-core passionate gamers from different walks of life who share one dream, preserving and honoring classic video games while respecting and understanding current gen gaming. We love it all and we are very enthusiastic and passionate about sharing our love of gaming with the world. Also, living in the current gen world of gaming, we are super excited for the future and to see where video games take us next.

We encourage you visit us at www.videogamesaga.com and to send us your thoughts about the web site and our content. Your input will prove most vital and only help us to grow; so fire away and please get involved, we would love to chat with you all. Also, while your there, feel free to join our forums. As always you can reach us at VGSAGA@gmail.com

Here is a little history behind Video Game Saga:

This dream started back when G4TV launched in 2002, I wrote a spec script for my vision of a video game TV show that I submitted to G4TV to be considered for production, they loved the concept of the show and where getting ready to send me out for meetings but as the script made its way up the ladder to get green lit, it came to Tom Russo (founder of G4) who decided that G4 was not producing any more shows at the time.

So years later in 2008, I was still sitting on my show concept and with my experience in independent film making, I decided to make my dream come true and bring my video game TV show to life. With a partnership through Video Game Trader Magazine, a classic gaming magazine I write for, I took my content that I submitted to G4 and combined it with elements from Video Game Trader magazine to make my TV show a reality. The show is also a companion to each issue of Video Game Trader Magazine. Season 1 of Video Game Trader TV has been filmed and will be available soon on DVD. Also, Season 1 can be viewed on Youtube.

Enter Video Game Saga… Going forth I have decided to take my original content that was incorporated in Video Game Trader TV to produce a new TV show and venture called Video Game Saga. Video Game Trader TV will still be filmed but will feature content exclusive from the magazine while my original content will be split off and incorporated into Video Game Saga.

Stay tuned for more exciting content from Video Game Saga!

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[Tupin]

Sounds like an awesome website and show, is the show going to be on G4?

[digitpress Jim]

Hey Tupin,

Thanks for the reply! And the comment, we greatly appreciate it! It has always been my goal to get back involved with G4TV, currently their signature gaming show is X-Play and in Canada the Electric Playground. Once I get more episodes filmed and edited, I will get back in touch with G4 and try to strike up some kind of deal again. Should it not go through with G4, you can count on Video Game Saga working hard to please fans and make it happen on our own.

Please check back regularly at www.videogamesaga.com as the site is always being updated with new content. Also, our forums are up and we strongly encourage you stop by and voice your opinion on anything and everything video game related or heck even tell us about a crappy movie you just seen at the theaters =) We would love to hear from you all! Thanks again and have a great day!

Digitpress Jim

[vandy160890]

The site looks really good & I have enjoyed the content on this site.
It must be promoted more & more as video game lovers would enjoy it.

[digitpress Jim]

Hey Vandy160890,

Thank you for the compliment, we greatly appreciate it! We started developing the Video Game Saga web site two weeks ago and we are very excited to have officialy launched on 1-14-10. It is our main goal to bring awarness to Video Game Saga and what we are all about.

There will always be something new to see at VGS and we update our shows weekly. Join me next week in my Spotlight episode as I take a look at Sega's Bayonetta for the Xbox 360 as well as interview girl gamers to get their take on the main female heroine. Stay tuned and thank you again for the comments. Keep'em coming every one =)

Digitpress Jim

P.S. Question for ya vandy160890, what video games are you playing at the moment? Currently I'm playing Tekken 6 for the PS3, MadWorld and Punchout for the Wii. Awesome games! =)

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[EColeman24]

WOW I have to say this info brightened my day. had no idea this was in the works!! Thanks for the info share ^_^

[digitpress Jim]

How are you doing EColeman24,

Thank you for the post! Glad we could make a fellow gamer happy =) Please check back regularly, we have a lot of exciting gaming goodness coming your way. Also, feel free to join our site and become a member: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/auth/login?why=pw&next=apps%2Fmembers%2F

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[tubeway]

Well, I am very much interested in this show, but I think what we all really want to know is how your website can keep our beef min calm.

[digitpress Jim]

We here at Video Game Saga are crazy people lol, we will do our best to calm the beef min ;)

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[RCM]

Not to be a negative nancy or anything, but it's fairly obvious that G4 has put in a lot of effort to distance themselves from their game roots. As a matter of fact, I'm absolutely certain they're doing so.

But that doesn't mean there isn't a place for this sort of thing, so good luck!

[digitpress Jim]

RCM,

I 110% agree with you that G4 over the years has broke off from it's gaming roots, which really does sadden me because I would rather watch an episode of Portal than Ninja Warrior or reruns of cops. My mind set now with G4 and when I say possibly partner with them would be to get Video Game Saga on their web site linked under "Shows" then "Web Shows". As you mentioned, chances of getting it on air with G4 may be slim but we are gonna try anyway and if not then we have a great web show! =) Thanks RCM and have a great day =)

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[digitpress Jim]

Hey stonic,

Thank you for adding us to your links on the site, we greatly appreciate it and have done the same for Digitpress on our site. Info was scarce on my end for Mystique and Playaround information, I was unaware they where not actual 8k games, interesting; thank you for pointing that out. Lol, unfortunitly there was a mess up in episode order since we decided to do a Video Game Trader TV Special of E3 2009 Episode 5 so we went full focus on the special and had to finish editing Epsiode 4 at a later date. Going forth with Video Game Saga, all videos will be out in a timely and orderly fashion. Once again, I thank you for adding us to the site links and for the corrected information. Have a great day =)

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[Platinum]

Honestly this seems pretty good actually, sure there have been a few errors, but I think if this really done correctly, given serious effort, this could become the only good show on G4, besides attack of the show. Because G4 is nothing but COPS 2.0 and unbeatable Banzuke/Ninja Warrior anymore......

I'll keep my eye out for this my man, good luck!

[digitpress Jim]

Hey Platinum,

Thank you for the encouraging words! We greatly appreciate it. I have always felt G4 could bring back more video game tv shows, every since they merged with TechTV, things started changing. But I do love Xplay and Attack of Show. When I turn to G4 I wanna watch video game programs, not Ninjas or Cops. We are working very hard and putting in long hours into the night to make Video Game Saga as kick ass as possible. Stay tuned for more exciting content!

Digitpress Jim

P.S. I love your profile pic, it is totally awesome! See ya on the site =)

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[tubeway]

Eh. When you have a show that's covering poorly documented, niche items from the past, you're bound to run into a few factual errors. You take it for granted that Digital Press is host to some of the most neurotically obsessive collectors and historians alive when it comes to video games, and if you state 300 facts in an episode, they're going to spot the two or three mistakes. I have friends majoring in law that rage while watching crime dramas, and science buff friends that find all the factual errors in sci fi flicks.

Granted those shows are usually works of fiction, but you get what I'm saying.

[Landon]

Like the site; video content production is rapidly becoming king.

The only vid I watched was the first "Video Game Trader TV" episode towards the bottom. The only suggestion I'd make (other than you need some on-page SEO help pretty badly) is personal and stylistic- I don't think the vid content needs a 30+ second intro and I personally prefer a more authentic, casual, less scripted delivery style. It came off as a bit game-show-host'y, but not in a particularly "bad" way.

Good stuff, tho.

[Platinum]

Don't sweat it Digitpress Jim, and thanks for your compliment. See you around your site and Digital Press my man.

[digitpress Jim]

Tubeway,

I agree with you on your comment, the more obscure topics out there, the more few and far in between it becomes in finding reliable information but as a video game historian myself that makes the challenge fun =) Plus, I often like to cover topics that aren't seen all the time or that every classic gamer knows the story behind already.

Digitpress is a very knowledgeable group of gamers and it’s good to know the mistakes being made, truth be told though sometimes mistakes are just gonna happen. Great analogy by the way, I totally agree with you on that. Thanks for the post! Keep the comments coming everyone =)

To Landon,

Thanks man, glad you are liking the site! I agree, video production and podcasts are an amazing out let to express ones creativity and passion for something. Thanks for pointing that out about the SEO, we are looking into Google Ad words and other services to take care of this issue. I see your point, Video Game Trader TV is scripted but that is to go for a more professional TV show vibe and it's also intentional to be some what of a throw back to video game tv shows of yesteryear such as GamePro TV (I miss that show, I wonder where JD Roth is today lol, he was so 90's) The intro's probably could be shortened a little, thank you for the observations, we are taking every ones suggestions into consideration to apply to Video Game Saga TV.

Platinum,

You da man! We'll catch up on the site and on here. Take it easy man!


Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[Landon]

Thanks for pointing that out about the SEO, we are looking into Google Ad words and other services to take care of this issue.

[kinda off topic]

Adwords is search engine "marketing", or SEM.
SEO (search engine optimization) is arranging the infrastructural components of your site (and enriching the content with certain keywords) in such a way that you're ranked better by the organic indexes in search engines. SEO is both art and a science and a field totally unto itself, to the point that most large corporations with a meaningful web presence have full time teams that take care of nothing but SEO.

There's a decent book out there called, strangely enough, "Search Engine Optimization" by Kris Jones of Pepperjam. I'd suggest you pick up a copy and implement some of those strategies. SEM is important for real-time activity that should yield an immediate return (depending on your monetization model) over whatever costs you've invested in the adwords campaign, however, SEM cannot build a meaningful search engine presence (unless you're really rich and willing to take massive upfront losses) which is what you're trying to do when you launch a site.

Content driven SEO takes time as your content and site builds trustrank, but once the "trust" baloon goes up in the search engines and you start ranking big for solid terms, that's when you approach the needed critical mass, as far as user activity, registrations and interest... so, yeah, definitely emphasize SEO early on and get the "trustrank clock" started on certain phrases. It pays big dividends as time goes by. It can take months- even years- to get it hitting big (especially in this space, which is hyper-competitive) but if you're patient, quality SEO is basically planting a crop of users to eventually harvest down the line.

[/kinda off topic]

[digitpress Jim]

Hey Landon,

Wow, I was completely unaware that SEO can do so much for the site and its presence! I thank you for the information, I'm gonna head to my local Barnes & Noble and see if I can't find that book by Kris Jones. Thanks for the recommendation. The goal is totally to put SEO in affect as soon as possible especially since it can take time to be really effective. The info has proved most valuable, we appreciate it. Thanks!

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[digitpress Jim]

Hello fellow digitpressers,

This is Jim Combs here with Video Game Saga. I just wanted to let you all know that we have some exciting new videos posted on our website www.videogamesaga.com In our newest video in our Spolight episodes, I take a look at Dark Void for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC released earlier this week as well as the previously unreleased Dark Void Zero for DSi Ware. Also, there is a preview of my exciting Interview with Mr. Tommy Tallarico of Virgin Interactive and Video Games Live Fame.

Plus Video Game Saga's TonyB examines the differences between the Japanese and American versions of Bionic Commando, you might be surprised by some of the Japanese content. All of this and more going down at videogamesaga.com

Have a great evening!

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[digitpress Jim]

Jim Combs here again. TonyB and I have been slaving away at Video Game Saga, in fact I don't even remember the last time we have seen the light of day lol. Anyway, just wanted to let you all know that we are excited to announce the new Video Game Saga site design. Feel free to stop by and check it out: www.videogamesaga.com

While you are there we would love to hear your thoughts on our forums about the web site and the new design, you can voice your opinions here: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/forums/topics/show/2126786-changes-to-the-site Let us have it every one, good or bad we wanna hear your thoughts.

Also, we have an exclusive interview with Tommy Tallarico uploaded on the web site and stay tuned because Video Game Saga landed an interview with Mr. Eugene Jarvis. Have a good one!

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[Nophix]

Hey Jim, just checked out the new site. So far so good! Btw, I was going through the videos, which are fantastic, and hit the one for Vectorman. Wow, did that bring back memories! I soaked up a lot of hours playing that game when I was a kid. One of my all-time favorite Genesis games, actually!

Thanks for the hard work, and trip down memory lane!

[digitpress Jim]

Thanks Nophix,

We are excited to hear you are enjoying our site and the vids! TonyB is a huge fan of Vectorman as well. The "Vector Piece" animation as Sega called it was really state of the art graphics at the time and looked awesome! Hey remember that "Play to Win" contest they had for Vectorman on select packages of the game? Where gamers could play the game throughout the US and win 160,000 in cash and prices. That was cool! Thanks again! Keep it coming everyone.

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[digitpress Jim]

Hello all you fellow gamers,

This is Jim Combs here once again saying if you still have a Box of Nintendo Cereal from the 80's with the original cereal still in it, you truly are a hard core gamer... your even more hard core if you eat it! lol j/k.

So I hope everyone has been well, I am super excited as hell for the Classic Gaming Expo next month, the CGE team and I are gonna be bringing you all one kick ass show this year... but I'm sure you all already knew that =D

There has been a lot of exciting stuff happening over on the Video Game Saga web site, so I wanted to catch you all up to speed! Most recently I went out to LA to cover E3 2010 which was an absolutely astonishing show, please click here to check out our event coverage as we are adding new E3 Content, even as we speak: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/blog/show/3743216-video-game-saga-e3-2010-coverage

Our three original video series: Retry?, Spotlight and Profiles have all had some exciting episodes posted over the weeks. For those of you who may have missed it, be sure to check out our latest episode of Profiles for our awesome interview with Mr. Baer: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/channels/show/1356562-profiles

Also, below are links to my most recent Spotlight Episodes:

Pirates Plundarrr for Nintendo Wii: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/channels/show/1356561-spotlight

E3 2010 Preview: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/channels/show/1356561-spotlight

Alpha Protocol PS3 Xbox 360 PC Spotlight 19: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/videos/show/8972678-alpha-protocol-ps3-xbox-360-pc-spotlight-19-

3D Dot Game Heroes PS3 Spotlight 18: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/videos/show/8852324-3d-dot-game-heroes-ps3-spotlight-18-

Red Dead Redemption Xbox 360 PS3 Spotlight 17: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/videos/show/8768062-red-dead-redemption-xbox-360-ps3-spotlight-17-

Retry? with TonyB has some awesome retro video games that TonyB talks to us about:

Gun Smoke for the NES, Episode 24 of RETRY?: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/videos/show/9326109-gun-smoke-for-the-original-nintendo-episode-24-of-retry-

Splatterhouse 3 for Sega Genesis, Episode 23 of RETRY?: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/videos/show/9097917-splatterhouse-3-for-the-sega-genesis-episode-23-of-retry-

Space Dungeon for the ATARI 5200, Episode 22 of RETRY?: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/videos/show/8975108-space-dungeon-for-the-atari-5200-episode-22-of-retry-

Super Mario Bros. Crossover for the PC, Episode 21 of RETRY? http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/videos/show/8853787-super-mario-bros-crossover-for-the-pc-episode-21-of-retry-

There is tons more gaming goodness to be had, we have a little of something for everyone =D so make a Sonic dash over to www.videogamesaga.com to check it all out. Also, in between working the CGE show, I will be going around getting some coverage of the show which will be posted to VGS site.

So I have a question for everyone, who here has played Pirates Plundarrr for the Nintendo Wii? I would love to hear your thoughts. I love this game!

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[MarioMania]

Does G4 even care anymore??

Someone need to get the Tapes or Backlog of the Icons/Game Makers..I'm piseed G4 isn't releasing them on DVD

[digitpress Jim]

Truth be told MarioMania, they probably do not. There was a time when they totally cared about gaming tv shows and gaming content but I am saddened by the current state of G4 as are many. Showing re-runs of Cops and Cheaters is not cool especially for a channel that used to be dedicated to hard core gamers. X-Play is the only true gaming show left on G4 and the next best gaming tv show is The Electric Playground which is under their Web Shows on the G4 web site. But I guess like they say, never say never.

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Creator, writer, director, producer
www.videogamesaga.com

[digitpress Jim]

Hello everyone,

Jim Combs here again with another Video Game Saga update. I hope everyone had an awesome New Years and a very Merry Christmas. Hopefully everyone got all the video games they wanted hehe =D

My Co-founder and I are very excited to be celebrating the one year anniversary of Video Game Saga, it was a tremendously successful year! There was a lot of trial and error and we still continue to learn and grow but our number one vision which is to deliver a historical website dedicated to all who love classic and modern gaming, has never strayed us and if anything it has intensified.

Now, here we are back in 2011 ready to deliver more interviews, more exclusive videos, more articles, more content, heck more of everything! =D We listened to our fans and thus gave the website a nice make over www.videogamesaga.com (please let us know what you think, everyone's opinion is valued). In addition to the make over, we would like to share with you all some of the gaming goodness we have been cranking out on the site:

-We are excited to introduce a new addition to the website called the Video Game Character Database. It is a work in progress but you will be able to read character bios in addition to hundreds of character photos and artwork: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/photos/

-Spotlight has always been the highlight of modern games such as in Episode 40 Assassins Creed II Brotherhood: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/channels/show/1356561-spotlight

-I'm proud to announce a new retro video segment called VintagePlay where I take a look at classic games sharing the history, trivia and more behind the game. VintagePlay episode 2 features the Arcade maze chase classic Amidar: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/channels/show/2536123-vintageplay

-And if the classic gaming goodness wasn't cool enough, my Co-Founder TonyB, continues to crank out awesome episodes of Retry where he shares his personal stories and the historical relevance of classic games. His episode on Ninja Gaiden for the Sega Master System is not to be missed: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/videos/channels/show/1356547-retry-

-With Tron Legacy taking the world by storm last month, I wanted to celebrate by writing an article on the History of Tron video games: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/blog/entries/show/5662320-the-history-of-tron-video-games

-And last but not least to round out just a few of several updates, TonyB landed an exclusive interview with Edmund Mcmillen and Tommy Refenes of Team Meat, the creators of the highly successful PC and Xbox Live Arcade game Super Meat Boy: http://www.videogamesaga.com/apps/blog/entries/show/5607109-super-meat-boy-exculsive-interview

Whew! That is a lot of epic gaming goodness =D I encourage you all to stop by and check it out. As always, good or bad, we love to hear you feedback! And feel free to join the Saga while your there ;) Thanks everyone and have a fantastic night!

Digitpress Jim

Sincerely,
Jim Combs- Video Game Saga
Founder
www.videogamesaga.com

[Polygon]

Awesome!

I used to like G4 when they had actual shows about video games rather than the douchebag mecca it has become. Don't even get me started on what happened with Tech TV. I will be checking this out for sure!

[digitpress Jim]

Hey Polygon,

I couldn't agree more with you, so sad to see the channel stray so far away from what it originally was. Anyway, thanks for checking out the site, greatly appreciated =D

[Polygon]

Sure, no problem.

After a quick look I just bookmarked it. It looks like a great site and I'm going through watching some videos right now. Thanks for the great site!

[digitpress Jim]

Right on! Thanks for the bookmark and compliments. We hope you have been enjoying our videos. Stay tuned, VintagePlay episode 3 will be on The Legend of the Mystical Ninja for the Super Nintendo and Spotlight Episode 41 will be on Epic Mickey. And when the Bulletstorm demo drops on the 25th, we are gonna feature some exclusive gameplay on the site =D