Game Scan TV - [Contra 3: The Alien Wars] - NOW ONLINE!

[ShinobiMan]

UPDATE 3/24/11: NEW EPISODE ONLINE NOW! CONTRA 3: THE ALIEN WARS! (http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/03/game-scan-tv-contra3/)

EPISODE ONE "Nights Into Dreams" IS NOW ONLINE! CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT ON BLISTERED THUMBS!!! (http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/02/gamescan-tv-ep1/)

Hey DP'ers! I've been MIA the last couple of months, but for GOOD reason.

I'm very excited to tell you about my latest project, GAME SCAN TV.

You see, I work for a video production company in Houston, TX, and being in such a business has gotten me connected with some like minded talent.

A month or so ago, it became clear that a few employees and myself share an undeniable love of retro gaming (and gaming in general). On an inspired night after office hours, we decided it was time we made a web series dedicated to old school gaming. The result is GAME SCAN TV.

EPISODE 1 - Nights Into Dreams - http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/02/gamescan-tv-ep1/
EPISODE 2 - Contra 3 The Alien Wars - http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/03/game-scan-tv-contra3/

Game Scan TV, (or gamescan.tv (http://gamescan.tv)) is a professional style web series made by gamers for gamers. When we originally came up with the concept, we wanted to do a "G4 Icons style" show (back when G4 was still about video games), but made from the gamers perspective.

Each episode provides in depth analysis on individual games. We've combined narration with roundtable discussion and on location interviews with gamers at arcades (yes, they still exist!).

As always guys, I'd love to hear what you have to say. The DP community has been so good to me over the years, and I couldn't think of a more fitting group of people to provide feedback on something like this.

EDIT: Also, if you live in the Houston area, PM me if you are interested in appearing on the show. Thanks!

[ryborg]

needs more guys with sideburns

Seriously, it's honestly hard to judge anything only by a 50-second trailer, but everything looks and sounds professional. Good name, good logo. I'll be watching on the 9th.

[Cornelius]

Games Can't V - They couldn't the first four times, and still can't on try #5! Join the excitement as games don't... again!

Sorry for being a smartass, but that is how your logo reads to me. I'll check out your show though. If you think of it, throw up another reminder here when it is out so I don't forget.

[Retronick]

So far so good. It looks like-in respect to the content (at least from what I"ve seen), you've definitely done your research! It's funny, I was actually just getting on someone else for forgetting to do just that on my blog just this past weekend.

I think if I had one comment on the trailer (and perhaps you've remedied this already), it's that at some point you will need original music for your show intro. Otherwise it looks very well shot, written and executed so far. I'm looking forward to catching episode 1 :D.

[Retronick]

Do you mind if I ask what you're shooting on?

[ShinobiMan]

Do you mind if I ask what you're shooting on?

We're using a Cannon Rebel T2i, Panasonic GH1, and a Sony NXCAM.

Thanks for your comments guys! Looking forward to showing you the finished product on the 9th.

[Nz17]

Games Can't V - They couldn't the first four times, and still can't on try #5! Join the excitement as games don't... again! Sorry for being a smartass, but that is how your logo reads to me.

I had to re-read that one a few times, but once I got it I laughed pretty loud!

[tubeway]

being in such a business allows me hands on time with some very high end equipment.


We're using a Cannon Rebel T2i

*sprays keyboard with soda*

That aside, I could care less about production values. Hopefully you guys are interesting to listen to and watch. The trailer looks promising.

Also, as someone with sideburns himself, I have this to say: spend some time actually trimming and shaping those things properly, sheesh. All of you. Or shave them off. Or grow a proper beard. Something.

[NaturalChemical]

Hm, I'm not sure what to think yet. It certainly has promise, but it'll come down to how in-depth you go. Either way, I'm curious to see the first episode.

[ryborg]

Games Can't V - They couldn't the first four times, and still can't on try #5! Join the excitement as games don't... again!

now that i've seen it, i can't un-see it, like the fed-ex arrow

[ShinobiMan]

now that i've seen it, i can't un-see it, like the fed-ex arrow

I've spread the "TV" in the logo out a little further and may do so even more if we get more comments on this.

Thanks for your comments guys! I hope you return to watch episode 1 on the 9th.

[ShinobiMan]

UPDATE: EPISODE ONE - Nights Into Dreams - Is NOW ONLINE!!!

EPISODE ONE - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DIuLPKM6l0

Would love to hear some comments! Hope you enjoy it.

http://gamescan.tv

[Oobgarm]

Enjoyed it quite a bit. Well done.

[frogofdeath]

Not too shabby. Will keep an eye out for future episodes.

Just one minor suggestion: on the scripted voice-over parts you use past tense to describe the story of Nights. You should should use present tense while describing game plots, even with retro games. In other words, "Nights is the story of..." as opposed to "Nights was the story of..."

[ShinobiMan]

Not too shabby. Will keep an eye out for future episodes.

Just one minor suggestion: on the scripted voice-over parts you use past tense to describe the story of Nights. You should should use present tense while describing game plots, even with retro games. In other words, "Nights is the story of..." as opposed to "Nights was the story of..."

Thanks guys! Glad you liked it.

And frogofdeath, I understand what you are saying and I think we'll take that advice. Thanks again!

[ShinobiMan]

I'll go ahead and give this a BUMP. Some others maybe be interested in seeing our retrospective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DIuLPKM6l0

[Retronick]

Nice work! I caught this on Wednesday and haven't had a chance to comment til now. I like it when Nights gets its due :D. I am surprised however at the "hardcore" gamers you interviewed that didn't know Sonic was playable in Christmas Nights. That aside, well produced video, eagerly awaiting your next installment.

[Gavica]

The video is great, but you guys could improve the sound, it sounds really weak and alot of echo

[Ace Comics]

The video is great, but you guys could improve the sound, it sounds really weak and alot of echo

Agreed with this.

Content was fantastic though! Looking forward to future installments.

[SpaceHarrier]

I really liked the overall quality of this, as well as listening to all your memories of the initial release of Nights. Hope to see more episodes like this up soon!

2 things: While the scoring sprite (at the end) was a clever idea, listening to the sound effect 3 times consecutively was kind of annoying, so maybe just an average of your three scores would suffice; and secondly, make that girl grow sideburns so you all match :)

[ShinobiMan]

Thanks for all of your feedback and comments. Everything will be taken into account for our next episode, which is Contra 3 on SNES.

We want to do this thing for the next episode where gamers write in or post a video blog to youtube describing their memories of the game. If anyone hear would like to do that for Contra 3, please let me know.

Thanks again!

[Retronick]

Thanks for all of your feedback and comments. Everything will be taken into account for our next episode, which is Contra 3 on SNES.

We want to do this thing for the next episode where gamers write in or post a video blog to youtube describing their memories of the game. If anyone hear would like to do that for Contra 3, please let me know.

Thanks again!

Shoulda hit me up for Nights. Never played Contra 3 (blasphemy I know) :-/. I'll most likely hit you up on the next game you do.

[ShinobiMan]

Shoulda hit me up for Nights. Never played Contra 3 (blasphemy I know) :-/. I'll most likely hit you up on the next game you do.

Just a heads up... the game we do after Contra 3 (currently in production) is going to be Snatcher for the Sega CD.

Also BIG NEWS for Game Scan TV. We've been added to That Guy With The Glasses (http://thatguywiththeglasses.com) and Blistered Thumbs (http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/02/gamescan-tv-ep1/)!

Today we're on the front page (http://thatguywiththeglasses.com).

Thanks for all of your comments and feedback guys! We're hoping to grow this thing with each new episode.

[NaturalChemical]

Huh, I'd almost forgotten about this. Just watched through Episode 1, and it's good. My biggest criticism would be that certain parts are really forced - the "Did You Know" bits, for example, or the Christmas NiGHTS unveiling. The scoring at the end was a bit unnecessary, too.

One other thing: could you put some more variety into the background music next time? The games you've got lined up have great soundtracks, and it'd be a shame to only hear one song again.

[ShinobiMan]

Huh, I'd almost forgotten about this. Just watched through Episode 1, and it's good. My biggest criticism would be that certain parts are really forced - the "Did You Know" bits, for example, or the Christmas NiGHTS unveiling. The scoring at the end was a bit unnecessary, too.

One other thing: could you put some more variety into the background music next time? The games you've got lined up have great soundtracks, and it'd be a shame to only hear one song again.

Thanks for the feedback man. Glad you liked it.

Our second episode, Contra 3: The Alien Wars, just went online.

EPISODE 2: Contra 3 - The Alien Wars http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/03/game-scan-tv-contra3/

Again, we'd love your feedback! Hope you enjoy.

[Darko]

Good job on the Contra 3 episode. It seems improved over the Nights show for sure. Keep up the good work!

Personally, I would have liked to hear a little more concerning how well (with arguments as to why) Contra III stands up against the more recent additions to the franchise. You mentioned that the PSX installment sucked without really going into detail and then showed the Genesis, PS2 and DS games without any comparison whatsoever. It would make the video longer which is a consideration for sure, but it would have added to the episode IMO.

[ShinobiMan]

Good job on the Contra 3 episode. It seems improved over the Nights show for sure. Keep up the good work!

Personally, I would have liked to hear a little more concerning how well (with arguments as to why) Contra III stands up against the more recent additions to the franchise. You mentioned that the PSX installment sucked without really going into detail and then showed the Genesis, PS2 and DS games without any comparison whatsoever. It would make the video longer which is a consideration for sure, but it would have added to the episode IMO.

Thank you! Yes, as you may have guessed, we were trying to keep the show from running too long, so rather than talk about other games in the series at length, we decided to focus on Contra 3.

Our next episode is Snatcher. Anything you guys think we should highlight?