News Archive
2x15 - We'll meet again...
Submitted by Perrin on Thu, 24/06/2010 - 18:48
We recorded this episode over a month ago but editing a near 4 hour recording down to a reasonable length show was a task I've been dreading and mostly avoiding. Anyway here it is, the final episode of the Stage Clear podcast featuring the two wonderful gentlemen from GameWank our first and final guests.
It's been a long journey getting here, been a lot of fun and weird times that have come out of making this show and it is definitely with some sadness that I think for now the Stage Clear podcast is on indefinite hiatus. We may come back at some point in the future but it will be at least 18 months away at minimum. Even the summer special we've talked about is now off the cards. Hope you've enjoyed listening to us ramble on about video games for these past couple of years.
If you want a replacement my top 3 recommendations right now are GameWank, Rebel FM and Giant Bombcast. All exceptional shows by people who really love and get gaming. They're linked over on the right hand side.
In the immediate future there will be a Stage Clear video show as a sort of an experiment, one episode is nearly edited and another is recorded. So if people like those that might turn into a 6 episode series. However my main focus right now is making games so please follow my work on my site, Locked Door Puzzle and Rob will continue to do his whole journalism thing for Eurogamer and The Times so you can still stalk us if you like.
Enhanced iTunes M4A version (72MB)
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2x14 - In the flesh, ALL OF IT!
Submitted by Perrin on Sun, 02/05/2010 - 03:19
For our penultimate episode we return in style for our second live episode. After failing to troll our audience last time around we stick more closely to our normal show structure. For our BIG ISSUE we take a chance to do a quick round up of some big recent games we've not had chance to talk about, including God of War 3, Heavy Rain, Final Fantasy XIII and Just Cause 2.
As an extra treat we've even got a video version of this show available here:
- Stream Online
- Download (AVI 879MB)
Normal MP3 Version (74.5MB)
2x13 - This is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down...
Submitted by Perrin on Fri, 02/04/2010 - 13:59
Been wanting to do an episode on video game storytelling since we started the show and this is it. We go through the history of storytelling in games from Planetfall to Heavy Rain looking at the effectiveness of different techniques along the way. If you're one of those people who says "If I wanted story I'd go watch a movie" then pay attention as we set you right.
Only two more episodes to go this season and they're both going to be special. A live show in 2 weeks and a grand finale a month later that if all goes well should feature two awesome special guests.
Enhanced iTunes M4A version (54MB)
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2x12 - How medical students saved the galaxy
Submitted by Perrin on Tue, 02/03/2010 - 17:36
Nearly a month since our last episode we found we had a lot to talk about and after an hour and forty minute recording sessions, I then dragged Rob back over for an additional 20 minutes of material today so we could talk about all the craziness that went down yesterday in a special Shite of the Week EXTRA section.
With the entire gaming world taking part in a huge bukkake session over Mass Effect 2 we decide not to join in completely, but certainly give BioWare some credit by making their history as a company our main discussion topic.
And as the end of the series looms ahead of us things get a bit emotional as me and Rob have a massive row over DRM.
So all that along with a whole host of other less exciting things to hear inside. Did I mention it's 2 FUCKING HOURS long! You better be sat comfortably for this.
BTW, no Jim segment this week. He's having a baby. Well his wife is probably doing most of the work but we'll give him a pass anyways. Congrats Jim!
Enhanced iTunes M4A version (60.8MB)
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Reader's Question "What are you favourite and most hated stories in video gaming?"
2x11 - Silent Hill 2 is better than most of your favourite games!
Submitted by Perrin on Fri, 05/02/2010 - 15:59
Silent Hill Shattered Memories hits UK stores next month and as big fans of the series Rob and I took this as chance to get all emotional about our fanboy love for the series. The start of the year proves slow for our news segment, and I finally start touching on some adventure games I love in 60 seconds of fame. You'll also be very glad to hear Jim's segment is now a regular feature.
Enhanced iTunes M4A version (40.3MB)
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Reader's Question "What franchise reinvention/remake/revival have you liked the most?"
2x10 - Rob Fahey's Stage Clear (with some Perrin)
Submitted by Perrin on Fri, 15/01/2010 - 00:02
This week a procrastinating Rob steps up to the plate to act as show runner for the week, while still leaving me with the editing. We talk through the history and games of the wonderful Clover Studios, later to become Platinum games. This means we get all teary eyed over everything from Viewtiful Joe up to Bayonetta.
Also we close out the episode with a special cameo that somehow upstage the rest of our entire show. Last time we do that!
If you're intersted in playing the short game Perrin made over xmas and talked about in the show you can check it out here: Seasons of Change
Also be sure to check out Terry Cavanagh's VVVVV.
Enhanced iTunes M4A version (33.5MB)
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Reader's Question "Which of the many defunct gaming studios of history to you miss the most?"
p.s. Here's the Heavy Rain cover we talked about on the show: Heavy SHITE More Like!
2x09 - Getting your trance vibrator on!
Submitted by Perrin on Sun, 10/01/2010 - 00:34
With PS3's wands and 360's Natal on the way 2010 could potenitally be the year of console accessories so we take a look back at the history of gaming peripherals. From the experimental early days of the NES through to modern day motion control, looking at many weird and wacky plugins along the way. Of course this comes nicely packaged with our usual news, hall of fame, indie gaming and reader's feedback.
Normal MP3 Version (58.8MB)
Reader's Question: "What piece of DLC have you enjoyed the most?"
2x08 - The party is over, now let's get back to some opinions!
Submitted by Perrin on Sat, 02/01/2010 - 18:48
We here at Stage Clear Studios wish both of our listeners a happy new years. With 2009 now almost literally "in the bag" we figured it was worth 90 minutes of our and your time to look both back and forward.
So this special includes an extended preview of all the games of 2010 we're looking forward to. Oh man it's going to be a cracking year. Then once that's done we bring you the most prestigious set of gaming awards for 2009: The Clearies!
Normal MP3 Version (63.5MB)
Our New Years bash in London resulted in at least one "stunning" image that might be of interest to Stage Clear listeners:
SonicsClearWank 2 - All your Christmases at once!
Submitted by Perrin on Fri, 25/12/2009 - 21:06
Merry Christmas everyone, all I can offer you on this wonderous day is this year's most immature gaming podcast. If you missed it last time around SonicsClearWank forgoes Stage Clear typical hour of pseudo-intellectual game discussion and replaces it with over two hours of senseless toilet humour.
I can't take all the credit for this, our cast of 7 consisted of:
Stage Clear's Perrin and Rob. (THAT'S US!)
GameWank's Jim and Richie
SonicsRing's Dave, Iain and Ross
One apology, we recorded this a couple of weeks back and I hadn't fully appreciated how long it would take me to edit this cluster fuck into something usable. So the news section might seem a little out of date.
Enhanced iTunes M4A version (67.0MB)
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Here's some additional bonus artwork that will make sense as you listen to the show:
2x07 - The Ghost of Christmas Bastards!
Submitted by Perrin on Sun, 20/12/2009 - 23:49
Quite possibly the second best gaming podcast to come out today, clearly beaten by Game Wank's season finale full of lots of Rob love. In our own show we do the usual news roundup and then talk about the life and death of Sony's Playstation 2. As this once great console falls into the realms of retro we find we have a lot to say about it. There's all the usual features too, you know the drill.
In a few days time we'll also be putting out the amazing SonicsClearWank 2. Then we also have another episode already lined up for new years. You're in for a real festive treat.
Enhanced iTunes M4A version (29.8MB)
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