PolyCast Episode 35: "By Popular Request"

[DanQ]

The second shiny season of PolyCast (PC) begins with its thirty-fifth episode "By Popular Request" co-hosted by Daniel "DanQ" Quick and Kelly "KMadeleine" with guest co-host Wouter "Locutus" Snijders. Yes, you read that right. The official podcast of Apolyton Civilization Site (ACS) is undergoing some considerable changes... including expansion.

Kelly is joining the returning Dan, Makahlua and Imran Siddiqui as the show's fourth regular co-host. Wouter is moving aside to lead Kenneth "Impaler[WrG]" Ferland, Tony "GarretSidzaka" Kiehl and Oscar "Elhoim" Velzi as the four regular co-hosts on the new sibling show ModCast (MC) which will focus on Civ modding. PC's focus in design as well as practice will be on Civ strategy. All new regular co-hosts previously appeared on one or more episodes or specials during PC's first season. Here's a rundown on other key points:

A bi-weekly, alternating schedule under the greater PolyCast banner.
This means there is to be a new Civ podcast episode every week, not just the occasional two-parter. PC starts this pattern with MC to follow with its first episode next week.

Episodes 40-45 minutes in length.
Based on consultations with ACS staff and the community, episodes of both PC and MC will be ~2/3 the duration of most first-season PC episodes. Topics are to be as if not more in-depth as before -- just fewer of them.

Segment splitting, sharing, renaming and removal.
The 'Workshop' segment has been removed from PC line-up as it's now the (extended) domain of MC. Both shows will share the 'Mailbag' and 'Time Machine' segments and 'Interview' insofar as their respective coverage goes. PC's 'Modcast' segment has been renamed 'Forum Talk' to minimize confusion and better reflect the segment's purpose besides; 'Theatre' is being discarded.

Changes in extra productions.
'Bloopers' where applicable will be placed at the end of individual episodes as opposed to separate compilations and 'Promos' will comprise snippets of ten as opposed to five-episodes. The 'Cut!' side series has been canceled; installments produced during PC's first season that have not yet been released will be so over the coming months. The third and final 'Pilot' has not yet been scheduled for release.

One editor per show.
Quick will continue to edit PC while Kiehl will edit MC. Quick will produce stock clips for both shows.

Cross-promotion and co-hosting.
There will be cross-promotion of one show on the other, including co-hosting as already seen at the outset with PC's thirty-fifth episode.

The PolyCast website has been redesigned to reflect these changes with some modifications expected in the coming weeks and months.

[DanQ]

06m05s: NEWS
"Wreaking Havoc" on our Children's Education; Roman History "The Civilized Way"

14m51s: FORUM TALK
Favourite Traits and Leaders; Criticizing Alternate Traits as Requested

35m54s: MAILBAG
Feedback on 2007 Christmas Special

[AAHZ]

well do you want honest criticism or just a pat on the back?

i will give you a pat on the back, because you worked hard on this, but i do not think you want the criticism.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by AAHZ
well do you want honest criticism or just a pat on the back?

i will give you a pat on the back, because you worked hard on this, but i do not think you want the criticism.

If the criticism is constructive, by all means Ian...

[AAHZ]

sure.

Record date January 5th. You chose a topic regarding Leader Traits. You then chose a thread on CFC of all places, which is fine, on the matter... HOWEVER ignoring the then 2 page going on 3 page thread on YOUR OWN board about Protective Trait and the Archer Rush Strategy, now one of the largest threads in Civ 4 General, is a huge mistake... especially since Protective is one of your "Favs." I guess it has really bugged me that most of your topics come from CFC. You have a wealth of info on your OWN board to choose from. I am not trying to be biased that it was my thread that was not mentioned, but it is the hottest active thread on your board right now, it was at least worth a mention. Lots of other goodies too like the "If you could bring one thing over from earlier Civ's thread"

ALSO not to make enemies, because this is constructive, but KMAD's bubbly ignorance on almost every topic bothered me. The last show was "Girls Playing Civ" and you spent the majority of this show covering the past show. I seriously could not finish listening to this because it was like listening my goofy coworkers gossiping about their silly night out on the town.

Wouter was extremely valuable to this episode and this show will suffer bad without him. He tried very hard to help this about Civ in a serious manner to the serious people out there who are seriously struggling to win on even Noble. Im sure they did not listen to hear bubbly giggly goofyness. Not that I do not think that KMAD is a bad Civ player, just the manner in which the show was delivered was unlistenable to my standards.

I deeply apologize as PolyCast is extremely important to you, i know this, but i am trying to help by showing my frustration.

thanks in advance,

Ian

[DanQ]

[QUOTE] Originally posted by AAHZ
sure.

You chose a topic regarding Leader Traits. You then chose a thread on CFC of all places, which is fine, on the matter... HOWEVER ignoring the then 2 page going on 3 page thread on YOUR OWN board about Protective Trait and the Archer Rush Strategy, now one of the largest threads in Civ 4 General, is a huge mistake... especially since Protective is one of your "Favs." I guess it has really bugged me that most of your topics come from CFC. You have a wealth of info on your OWN board to choose from. I am not trying to be biased that it was my thread that was not mentioned, but it is the hottest active thread on your board right now, it was at least worth a mention. Lots of other goodies too like the "If you could bring one thing over from earlier Civ's thread"

The thread that is referenced for this on CFC (the comments thread on the Christmas Special there) because that is where the listener's request for the topic was made. The thread you mention here on Poly does apply to my favourite list specifically and I may have mentioned it on the show but all but the News topics had been finalized just before you started that thread. (IIRC, the topic selection circumstance was similar to when you guested.)

That said then, it's worth my linking to it here as a related topic and to make note to myself to mention it in some capacity in an upcoming episode too. I appreciate all the arguments I can find promoting the Protective trait in CivIV.

The last show was "Girls Playing Civ" and you spent the majority of this show covering the past show.

'Erm no: out of a 45 minute show, we spent just under 3 1/2 minutes talking about the Christmas Special -- that's less than 10% of its runtime.

Wouter was extremely valuable to this episode and this show will suffer bad without him. He tried very hard to help this about Civ in a serious manner to the serious people out there who are seriously struggling to win on even Noble.

PC will be different without Wouter being on it regularly certainly. To say that it will "suffer" is an opinion I disagree with but to which you are well entitled -- we are never going to be able to meet everyone's expectations. On a semi-related point, note that this episode unexpectedly had only three guest co-hosts... a circumstance which hasn't been seen since Episode 15.

I deeply apologize as PolyCast is extremely important to you, i know this, but i am trying to help by showing my frustration.

I feel it's important to remind that PolyCast is important to a number of people in addition to myself. The changes made were anything but unilateral on my or anyone's part and the work involved in implementing those changes has not only been my effort.

[Jaybe]

I liked this episode, though my first reflex was to compare it to "Girls Playing Civ" to which it doesn't compare at all (GPC's novelty had a role in that, for sure). In a couple of weeks I get to hear if there's any difference with Maki + Kelly in the same episode.

I'm glad this episode finally arrived, because I was starting to suffer withdrawals.

Next week's episode (Modcast #1) eagerly awaited, because 45' was TOO SHORT, dangit! I was obviously NOT one of those who wanted shorter episodes.
... Will Modcast be in with the iTunes Polycasts ('cause that's how I get mine)?

I like the bloopers at the end of the episode. A popular way to do it (e.g., Geekbrief.tv (nudge, nudge) ), and effective.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by Jaybe
I liked this episode,

though my first reflex was to compare it to "Girls Playing Civ" to which it doesn't compare at all (GPC's novelty had a role in that, for sure).

Fair comment all around.

In a couple of weeks I get to hear if there's any difference with Maki + Kelly in the same episode.

I'm glad this episode finally arrived, because I was starting to suffer withdrawals.

(We know the extra productions are just not the same...)

Next week's episode (Modcast #1) eagerly awaited, because 45' was TOO SHORT, dangit! I was obviously NOT one of those who wanted shorter episodes.

I believe I speak for all of us PC and MC regular co-hosts that we're still adjusting to the shorter length episodes as well.

... Will Modcast be in with the iTunes Polycasts ('cause that's how I get mine)?

Good question. We're investigating having an individual RSS feed for each show and a combined one as well.

I like the bloopers at the end of the episode. A popular way to do it (e.g., Geekbrief.tv (nudge, nudge) ), and effective.

[Heraclitus]

I’m going to miss Wouter Snijders, His voice is clearly recognizable and he is fairly intelligent. Not to mention the contrast with all the raging American barbarians… that came out wrong. Ehh, no come to think of it It didn’t. Anyhow try inviting some Australians, Brits and even a few non-native speaker Euros. Heck I’d pay good money to hear Serb!

BTW Giving him his own show is a great idea, yes I know it’s not “his” show, but I can help but think about it that way. Kudos on adding an Argentinean guy to that show! Can’t wait to check out the Modcast.


Overall it was an ok episode.


Note: I missed Mackie.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by Heraclitus
Not to mention the contrast with all the raging American barbarians… that came out wrong. Ehh, no come to think of it It didn’t.

I'm Canadian -- not American.

Anyhow try inviting some Australians, Brits and even a few non-native speaker Euros.

PolyCast has and will continue to invite hosts to appear other than those based in North America.

BTW Giving him his own show is a great idea, yes I know it’s not “his” show, but I can help but think about it that way.

If ModCast is "his" show, than PolyCast is "my" show especially given I edit it... but I don't think about either that way.

Can’t wait to check out the Modcast.

Overall it was an ok episode.

Note: I missed Mackie.

Yes, the dimension of the episode was atypical with only three guest co-hosts (and only half of the regulars 'to date').

[Krill]

1 hour of silence?

[DanQ]

Originally posted by Krill
1 hour of silence?

-- to what are you referring?

[Dale]

Not the usual standard, but then only half the people on and a lack of news to talk about.

[MontyLaremane]

Firstly, I'm looking forward ModCast muchly. The idea and line-up sound great; with the exception of Wouter's evil twin who sounds particularly worrying

Wouter (the non-evil one) will be missed on PolyCast of course. To my ears there was a certain wisdom and breadth of experience he brought that will be hard to replace. Nevertheless, I agree with the decision to have Wouter head up ModCast; for me, there's no better person at the moment

I did enjoy the fresh perspective on things from KMadeleine. Being honest, I didn't expect to, but I'm now optimistic about the new balance of the PolyCast co-hosts. I think this show did suffer a little without at least one more of the them around though.

I don't want to sound negative however, because I am excited about these changes

Good luck all round!

PS Is it me, or does the link KMadeleine's profile in the first post go to someone completely different?!

[jkp1187]

Originally posted by Heraclitus
I’m going to miss Wouter Snijders, His voice is clearly recognizable and he is fairly intelligent. Not to mention the contrast with all the raging American barbarians… that came out wrong. Ehh, no come to think of it It didn’t. Anyhow try inviting some Australians, Brits and even a few non-native speaker Euros. Heck I’d pay good money to hear Serb!

Bah. The Barbarians begin with the Landstrasse.

[Lancer]

First PolyCast I've ever listened to I'm ashamed to say and it has been very entertaining! Now that I know what I've been missing I'll be tuning in. I'm very impressed how much work must have gone in to just a single broadcast.

Btw, that any group of students would choose writing an essay over playing Civ is a sad commentary on the state of education.

All of your understanding is far beyond mine so it does me good too hear all your gaming advise. I had no idea the financial deal was so important for example.

You've had some discussion of which are the best, but I have a question, what in you guys (everyone's) opinion is the very worst Civ and which leader of that civ makes it the absolute worst situation? I'd like to try a game or two to see how bad it can get.

"If the next M&M is green..."

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by DanQ

I'm Canadian -- not American.

I know that. Sorry, I should have said people from barbarian lands and their vassal states.


Your accent is much less distinct than let's say a British or Australian one or that of a non-native speaker. Getting people from different parts of the US might be a nice touch too, since I seem to recall someone with a southern accent in one of the early episodes.

BTW The new mesh of host personalities seems promising for now.

[Lancer]

Ok, you're doing the worst leaders now. How did you know?

[Heraclitus]

Originally posted by jkp1187


Bah. The Barbarians begin with the Landstrasse.

We'll those of us living in what was the Austrian part of the Habsburg monarchy have been mostly civilized for the last few hundred year's.


BTW If you look at the original civ4 intro, you will clearly see that civilization comes to most of Europe. But do you see it coming to the Americas? Nope.

[Methos]

Originally posted by AAHZ

Not that I do not think that KMAD is a bad Civ player,

As HOF Staff over at CFC I've seen a lot of KMad's games cross my desk and read many of her discussions in the HOF forums and IMO she's a very good player, but tends to make it appear that she isn't.

Originally posted by DanQ

Originally posted by Jaybe

... Will Modcast be in with the iTunes Polycasts ('cause that's how I get mine)?

Good question. We're investigating having an individual RSS feed for each show and a combined one as well.

What about iTunes though? Will it require a second subscription, or will MC be included in our PC subscription? I'm guessing it'll be included, as I also get the promo, bloopers, cut, and special editions, but it might still be good to look into it.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by Dale
Not the usual standard, but then only half the people on and a lack of news to talk about.

Originally posted by MontyLaremane
Firstly, I'm looking forward ModCast muchly. The idea and line-up sound great; with the exception of Wouter's evil twin who sounds particularly worrying

I did enjoy the fresh perspective on things from KMadeleine. Being honest, I didn't expect to, but I'm now optimistic about the new balance of the PolyCast co-hosts.

I think this show did suffer a little without at least one more of the them around though.

No argument there -- shouldn't be a regular occurrence though.

I don't want to sound negative however, because I am excited about these changes

You don't come across as sounding negative at all.

PS Is it me, or does the link KMadeleine's profile in the first post go to someone completely different?!

-- fixed.

Originally posted by Lancer
First PolyCast I've ever listened to I'm ashamed to say and it has been very entertaining! Now that I know what I've been missing I'll be tuning in. I'm very impressed how much work must have gone in to just a single broadcast.

Thank you kindly. For this final product, there was ~6-10 hours of post-production on my part (can't remember more specifically than that at the moment ).

Though some are more dated than others (recording-wise and/or content-wise), hope you'll also consider listening to some of our earlier episodes too.

Btw, that any group of students would choose writing an essay over playing Civ is a sad commentary on the state of education.

All of your understanding is far beyond mine so it does me good too hear all your gaming advise. I had no idea the financial deal was so important for example.

We aim to inform as well as entertain.

You've had some discussion of which are the best, but I have a question, what in you guys (everyone's) opinion is the very worst Civ and which leader of that civ makes it the absolute worst situation? I'd like to try a game or two to see how bad it can get.

Hmmmm ... we'll get back to you on that.

Originally posted by Heraclitus
Sorry, I should have said people from barbarian lands and their vassal states.

Your accent is much less distinct than let's say a British or Australian one or that of a non-native speaker.

I agree.

Getting people from different parts of the US might be a nice touch too, since I seem to recall someone with a southern accent in one of the early episodes.

Hmmmm... southern US accent from an early episode. Not sure who you mean at the moment myself...

BTW The new mesh of host personalities seems promising for now.

Originally posted by Lancer
Ok, you're doing the worst leaders now. How did you know?

Originally posted by Methos from CFC
What about iTunes though? Will it require a second subscription, or will MC be included in our PC subscription? I'm guessing it'll be included, as I also get the promo, bloopers, cut, and special editions, but it might still be good to look into it.

It's the RSS feed that iTunes grabs -- pardon any confusion.

[Lancer]

I did listen to a a portion of the Christmas one and all of the one prior yesterday too. I was amazed to find that you guys had answered my question regarding the wisdom of founding multiple religions when the the second would compete with the first. An interesting tangent on the show was that one bad effect of Theology was in keeping out other religions! Geeez, that's why I like it! Not for gaming reasons though, but for religious reasons. Thanks for focusing on the question.

Much fun. Those were the only two episodes I could find.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by Lancer
I did listen to a a portion of the Christmas one and all of the one prior yesterday too. I was amazed to find that you guys had answered my question regarding the wisdom of founding multiple religions when the the second would compete with the first. An interesting tangent on the show was that one bad effect of Theology was in keeping out other religions! Geeez, that's why I like it! Not for gaming reasons though, but for religious reasons. Thanks for focusing on the question.

Welcome.

Much fun.

Those were the only two episodes I could find.

Click the "PolyCast Classic -- The First Season" graphic from the series homepage or the "PolyCast -- First Season" button from any of the (current) PolyCast or ModCast pages.

That said, to make older PC episodes easier to find on the redesigned site I've added another text link from the series homepage and the PC show homepage.

[Solver]

Ah, Lancer hadn't heard me on the show. That explains his pleasantness towards me

[Lancer]

Nah, we got good history.

I'll follow that link DQ, thanks. Right now the Poly House stuff is hopping but I'll get to it tonight, can't wait!

[jkp1187]

Originally posted by Heraclitus



We'll those of us living in what was the Austrian part of the Habsburg monarchy have been mostly civilized for the last few hundred year's.

Not if you don't call it Laibach anymore....

[DanQ]

Website re-design updated to improve functionality.

Originally posted by Solver
Ah, Lancer hadn't heard me on the show. That explains his pleasantness towards me

[Lancer]

"Thank you kindly. For this final product, there was ~6-10 hours of post-production on my part (can't remember more specifically than that at the moment )."

No I mean w o r k. The construction of the buildings you were all in, the paving of the roads you drove on to get there, the hanging of the power lines that carried the electrons that your show really consisted of...you know .... w o r k.

[jkp1187]

And, in a rare treat, an actual ON-topic post from me... Thank you, KMad for pointing out the perplexing Poly pronunciation problem. I've always called it "A-POLY-ton", not "A-Poll-ton", too.

(Of course, I don't know if I ever actually SAID it to anyone, since 99.9% of my civilization discussions are online, so this was just how I pronounced it when I was talking to myself....)

[Lancer]

What does it matter if you're not playing with a full deck as long as you like the cards you're dealt? -Lancer

I'm going to feel all good about myself for weeks now, having come up with that.