In a couple weeks, we try an experiment.

About two weeks from now, we’re going to shoot the pilot for a new show, which we will release sometime after that. Spinning off the discussions from the What We’re Playing Now section of the podcast, it’s going to be a gaming commentary sort of program featuring the crew of LRR, and possibly guests from elsewhere as well. Its focus will be on talking about games IN THEIR ENTIRITY, covering the important bits that are often skimmed over by the mainstream gaming press. We will embrace spoilers, ignore embargoes, and generally do whatever we can to help contextualize the games we play within a broader landscape. I don’t want to be CO-OP, and I don’t want to be Play Value, Game Damage or any other related product: I think we have a pretty unique vision in mind, and we’re all quite excited about it.

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t tell you all this–things are still very shaky insofar as details are concerned; however, I feel we need your help to make this show a success. I’d like to have some commentary from viewers built into the format of the show, so if any of you would care to “play along” with us and share your own insightful comments about our topics of choice, I’d really appreciate it. I can’t promise to use all (or any) of what we receive, but the type of material that shows up could–at this point–effect the final product we create.

Once the pilot is in the bag, we will attempt to market it to various web TV portals and other interested licesencors. Their reactions and our experiences with the show’s creation will determine whether or not it receives subsequent episodes.

Do I have your interest? I hope so. Here’s the topic for our pilot:

“The Resident Evil series is now 13 years old and has seen a dramatic shift in play style over its last several iterations. Comparing RE CODE: Veronica–the last entry to adopt the series classic play style–and RE 5–which embraces some entirely different modes of play–how has Resident Evil changed as an experience.”

We are waiting two weeks before recording to give us time to play (or re-play) CODE: Veronica, so if you are interested in joining the discussion, please play along yourself. I found my copy for $10 at a local mall store, and it’s been reprinted over the years as part of a couple different bundles. RE 5 could be more expensive, but a one week rental is more than enough time to play through the whole thing.

I’ve prepared some questions to consider as food for thought, though you don’t need to talk about either of these topics. They are the sorts of things I’ve been mulling over:

* MOOD – Some commenters have remarked that RE5 is not scary, and makes no pretense to be, unlike previous REs, which reveled in their atmosphere. How does the MOOD in C:V compare to that of 5, and how does this specifically affect the player’s experience?

* STORY – While RE 4 appears to distance itself from the story of the series up to that point, 5 returns to this plot-line with a vengence. C:V and 5 both focus greatly on the activities of anti-hero Albert Wesker, and their stories are linked across (arguably) games of widely different genres. Compare how the two stories are told, adn meditate on how this changes the ways in which the player interacts with the narrative.

As a point of note, this is not a review show, and we are not interested in what’s better than what, and what’s doomed to fail, etc. We’re interested in ideas here–not so much opinions.

I’ll try to have a better place to send this stuff for the future, but until then, hit me up at [email protected] with your feedback. I’ll also be watching the forums, so post your input there as well.

Excited? I hope so. I certianly am.

Peace!

–Jer