I listen to every episode. I think the Mobcast is great!

1. Favorite aspect is how each person brings their own topic to discuss.

2. Least favorite is that there is no consistent group.

3. One hour podcasts seem to be the sweet spot for me.

4. I like a more consistent group with one special guest each week.

5. I love the format. Nothing I would change.

6. I would at least have the host of the show consistent.

7. Doing good, thanks. As a matter of fact, I finally had that third nipple removed. Didn't think you would remember. :)  Same ol', same ol' with the family. You know how it is *nugde, nudge* *wink, wink*

1. It's much more digestable, coming in under an hour compared to a of other podcasts I subscribe to.

2. I guess in a biased sense, I listen to TalkRadar and they have funny sound effects. That's just funny though. The more or less serious tone is better for this.

3. Well, I just mentioned how I liked yours, so 45 minutes I guess.

4. Variety, so it's nice having Shoe as a usual constant or host.

5. It's so far the only podcast in this kind of format, so it's easy to wrap my head around considering time issues like morning classes and walks.

6. Maybe more than one community topic?

7. Oh man, I'm glad to finally get that story on Gamestop out of the way. I just didn't want to post it during E3 though!

1.  The topics, discussions and professionalism that usually permeate through most episodes make this feel like the harvard business review of video game podcasts. There are others, but nothing really touches this when all the cylinders are running at full capacity. 

2.  the intro music is extremely poppy and avril lavigne-ish, it sounds like kidz bop on acid.

3. long enough for everyone to say what they needed to say to flesh out each topic

4. variety is nice, i like hearing lots of different opinions on topics, its what I appreciated about the review system at egm.

5. nothing to tweak really, maybe mix up the numbers once every so often, like for reunion episodes or ones where everyone has really varied opinions on topics to warrant it, ie - 5 gamers 3 topics, 6 gamers 1 topic,  etc etc. 

6. like I said, change the intro song to something cooler, also, get more developers for episodes, sometimes they offer really interesting perspectives on topics. or people from other podcasts or places, or maybe even people who dont have normal backgrounds in games, itd be interesting. 

7. I made my first glass of iced coffee and its delicious. goodbye starbucks, goodbye to your insane prices and incredulous sizing system, i am no longer your slave. im a free man. 

1. My favorite aspect is the ever changing cast. This makes every episode feel very different

2. My least favorite aspect is that transitions between topics are sometimes forced and one topic is cut short for the sake of time

3. 2 hours seems like the right amount of time for each topic to end naturally

4. variety is fine as long as there is a consistent host.

5. The format should stay the same but  just give each topic more time to conclude.

6. If I were in charge of the Mobcast I might do a, "fan topics only" episode

7. Pretty good, school's out and all that.

1. My favorite aspect is the ever changing cast. This makes every episode feel very different

2. My least favorite aspect is that transitions between topics are sometimes forced and one topic is cut short for the sake of time

3. 2 hours seems like the right amount of time for each topic to end naturally

4. variety is fine as long as there is a consistent host.

5. The format should stay the same but  just give each topic more time to conclude.

6. If I were in charge of the Mobcast I might do a, "fan topics only" episode

7. Pretty good, school's out and all that.

1) The laid back approach to topic discussion. Audio quality has improved . . . for the most part.

2) Least favorite would have to be the inconsistent hosting duties. Topic questions get lost easily throughout the interview. (bouncing from topic to topic.)

3) 1 hour is an ideal podcast length.

4) I do enjoy the variety of guests but it would be more interesting with familiar guests. Gives a chance for the listener to become attached to certain personalities. More frequent ex EGMers would be nice too.

5) 4 Topic format is good, just figure out a better/more consistent intro to make it clear. Lookin' at you Shoe. Should be like a corporate slogan that in ingrained in the listener's brain.

6) I would have a clear host (possibly female to break up the sausage-fest) and he/she pose the questions rather than the guests themselves. Like a radio host. However she would have to be able to go tête-à-tête with everyone on the show.

7) Doing alright . . . finally beat Ninja Gaiden NES last week. So much time lost . . . and for what? The years . . .  the years I lost, never to get them back. *sigh* So many friends lost, grown up and moved away. The world got crazier. Technology has progressed beyond my wildest dreams. Have you heard about this Virtual Boy thing? Sounds exciting! 3D! Can you imagine it!?

I think the Mobcast can learn a lot from Pixel Revolt. For a website that is so community-focused, I feel like the Mobcast doesn't live up to the same focus. Here are a couple ways that might make it fit better with the site's concept:

- Ditch the communtity email question. Yes, this sounds counter-productive to my overall suggestion, but hear me out. Instead, develop a topic from a Bitmob community story. This not only cuts out the middleman of writing an email, but it encourages people to write more on the site. And that's what you want, right? More people writing stories. Hell, even the editors' topics should be more in tune with the stories on the site. I'm not saying they all have to be for every show, but at least seem like you're drawing inspiration from this amazing community you've developed.

- Have community members as guests. Screw just having locals, we all have (or can easily get) Skype. If you can share your front page with us, why not your podcast too? Maybe tie it into the above suggestion. If someone writes a thought provoking piece, invite them on the podcast that week (or the next if it'd be too short of notice,) to discuss it with the editors.

Don't get me wrong, you guys put together a strong podcast. It's at a decent length and it's obvious the people running it are experienced and at least somewhat professional. But seriously, from a concept point of view, Pixel Revolt should be what you guys are aiming for.

A community-driven podcast for a community-driven site. That's all I'm asking.

1. The diversity of topics and the lack of pressure to discuss current news. I also like that you manage to keep it short and still have detailed discussions.

2. Beyond Shoe's love of Splinter Cell and achievements, I don't feel like I've got to know the hosts like I have with other podcasters.

3. Depends. Unless you drastically change the format, then the Mobcast is fine at about an hour. I could probably listen to it for a little longer though.

4. I like getting to know a group of hosts and then have a guest or two slot into that dynamic. That's why the Bombcast and Rebel FM are my favourite podcasts at the moment. I I don't feel like I've got to know the Mobcasters very well, although the length might restrict that dynamic a bit. Hmmm... You figure it out!

5. I agree with Chase: the Mobcast feels like its the press in a bubble, which goes against the motto at the top of the page there. Love the idea that topics don't have to be apropos of anything recent.

6. Keep a core group of 3 and substitute the fourth chair every week for different staff members, community members, or special guests. Maybe livestream it and allow comments in real time -- that works well for Tested.com.

Another idea -- once a month "One Topic, Many Gamers". Like Lance's community video thing, invite the audience to share thoughts on a very broad topic. Collect letters and discuss the topic from a point of view you may not have thought of. Invite one or two people who said something particularly clever to join in by Skype. And by "very broad", I mean "historical events in games" or "children in games" -- things that could provoke unpredictable responses and could be interpreted loosely.

7. I just graduated and have recently been filled with a sense of dread and lack of optimism for the future. You? The family is doing fine, thanks, but what was that thing? I'm worried that I forgot something now.

Thank you for responding. I think it would surprise all of you to learn how much work and coordination goes into making each episode of The Mobcast. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. 

Jason - I have one request: I want another epic RPG episode of the Mobcast. That's still one of my favorites.

Put Aaron Thomas and Brett Bates in a room together. Turn off the AC. Whisper in each of their ears that the other called them stupid. Hit record.

@Alex - that sounds like something that would be in saw 6

WHAT? Brett called me stupid?! Oh man, wait until we're on another Mobcast together...just you wait!

@Alex, Omar: That's how we already spend our Friday nights. Guess we should start recording that!

@Everyone else: Thanks for much for these suggestions. We really want this to feel like your podcast, too. And if you guys are hankering for more community participation RIGHT NOW, be sure to check out Pixel Revolt. We've got a community member on there every episode, and all of our topics are drawn from the community.

[quote]My only suggestion- Force feed Demian a four pack of Red Bull at least an hour before you record every episode![/quote]

Haha, joking aside, I agree with this.  As much as I like Demian, enjoy his writing, and respect his point of view, he's pretty easily the least interesting person that semi-regularly graces the Mobcast (Sorry, that's a bit harsh, but I stand by it).

As far as podcast length is concerned, I don't believe that you should ever be shooting for a specific cap.  Seeing as the Mobcast almost always entirely features those in the games industry, I have a high respect for everyone's opinion, and could listen to you guys talk for 24 hours straight.  As such, I strongly feel that you should only move on to the next topic only if you feel that you've completely exhausted all there is to say on the current topic.  Don't cut anything short.  And, yes, I realize I'm in the minority here, as everyone else seems to favor the standard one hour length...

I don't know if I agree with the others who suggest bringing community members into the podcast.  While I would certainly be honored to have the opportunity to appear on the Mobcast, I also enjoy listening to the veterans of the industry discuss the topics.  I will suggest, however, trying to get more special industry guests in like some of the 1up guys, or the awesome Area5 guys (especially the Area5 guys, as they are currently in a hiatus, and we rarely hear from them).

Something I'm glad the Mobcast hasn't done in a while is the detached interview commentary with developers/publishers, etc.  If the person/people isn't available to participate in discussion with everyone else during recording, I don't see the point of including it in the show (unless their comments are the basis of the topic you're bringing to the table).

Lastly, is it just me or does it seem like some topics get continually re-hashed, leading to all too familiar discussions?  This, of course, would seem to be inevitable when you've had nearly 60 weeks of four topics each, so find some way spice it up.  Chase makes some good points:  Perhaps have someone choose a topic inspired from a community member's notable piece.  

I also agree with Jay:  While I wouldn't want every episode to revolve around a certain genre or series, the occasional special-themed episode is a welcome respite from the monotonousness (< that is an awesome word) of seemingly arbitrary topic-choosing.

In conclusion, I love the Mobcast.  I greatly respect that you guys promptly pump out an episode every Monday afternoon.  A few tweaks here and there, though, may make big difference, and I appreciate your consideration of this wall of text.

1. What's your favorite aspect of the Mobcast? Quality opinions, encyclopedic gaming knowledge.

2.What's your least-favorite aspect of the Mobcast? I can't always differentiate Brett and Damien’s voices. I would like the group to add more humor. An oddball contributor would be great.

3.How long should the ideal podcast be? Roughly 1.5 hrs.

4.Do you enjoy a more-consistent group of guests, or do you like variety? A more consistent group would be better. 3 regulars minimum. Guest are OK but usually don’t have chemistry.

5.Do you enjoy the "Four gamers, four topics" format?  Would you tweak that at all? 4 gamers 4 topics is good but I would do a letters segment involve the community.

6. If you were in charge of the Mobcast, what changes (if any), would you make? 

• The show could use a smart, oddball, funny guy (Anthony Gallegos type). The site as a whole is missing quality gaming humor.  They don’t need to be lowbrow. I would not put the community on air with very few exceptions.
• Topics always seem to come back to retro-games. I would try to avoid it in all but one topic.
• I would add a woman with an engaging sense of humor and can be one of the guys. Like Tina Sanchez, Karen Chu, Jessica Chobot, Jasmine. I don’t think Raychul was a very good fit. (I like her but not on the mobcast)
• Try new elements/segments. See what sticks. Shows should evolve, don’t let the Mobcast stagnate.
• Give a theme for the show and ask the community for related question/topic.