Good Game (TV program)
Created by Janet Carr, Jeremy Ray and Michael Makowski, included a mix of gaming news, reviews, and features.The original hosts were Jeremy "Junglist" Ray and Michael "Kapowski" Makowski; the latter was replaced by Steven "Bajo" O'Donnell in 2007, and the former by Stephanie "Hex" Bendixsen in 2009.Wednesday and Thursday are our review days, and during this time we also write and capture footage and check and tweak the previous week's edits.[6] Bajo explained: "Mondays we finish of reviews, log footage, swap games, read scripts and sub everything after a production meeting, Tuesdays we make GG and GG: Pocket, Wednesdays are GGSP and any green screen stuff, then Hex and I are off to review for the rest of the week, while the gang shoot field stories and finish off the rest of the show.[16] When asked about taking on Good Game: Spawn Point as well as the original show, Bajo responded: "we're busier than ever, but we've got things down to a pretty tight production schedule now"."[17] In fact, the show has explained via their Facebook page that the cast and crew have sometimes had all-nighters in order to wrap up episodes in time for their broadcast dates.Hex explained that by observing her and Bajo's passion for games they enjoy and fanboy/girl over, viewers can build an attachment to them as people and know what new releases will excite them."[16] He had been trying to get a job in film and TV for about 7 or 8 years, and had seen the show before, so accepted the open call-out which involved "writing a review and doing a DVD presentation.""[16] He described the progression from unemployed actor to host of an award winning show in 2 years as "rewarding, fantastic, exciting and relieving.[27] However, fellow co-creator Janet Carr of the show replied back on that statement saying, "Regardless of what Jung might say GG will NOT be dumbed down and I state again, the decision was nothing to do with bringing in a girl..."[15] Michael "Kapowski" Makowski was the inaugural co-host of the show, and left the role at the end of series 1 after announcing his resignation via Good Game's online forum on 14 February 2007; he returned for an interview for the 100th episode on 24 August 2009.[34][35][36] P_Nutz was a yellow puppet introduced during the pilot episode in May 2006; this supporting host of season 1 drew a lot of criticism and debate from viewers over its antics, seemingly aimed at a younger demographic.He has still remained on the show as a running gag, such as in the reviews of Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, Killing Floor and Ghostbusters: The Video Game.He left the show to pursue his studies at university and because he felt that his segment was no longer hardware-oriented, and returned for an interview for the 100th episode on 24 August 2009.They try to time reviews so they occur before or in the week the game is released, however, being a television show with a longer production period than most online content, this is not always possible.The games that have received a perfect score (10 out of 10 rubber chickens from season 1–10; 5 out of 5 stars from season 11 onward) from both hosts include: Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Portal 2,[42] Batman: Arkham City,[43] Mass Effect 3,[44] Black Mesa,[45] Halo 4,[46] Tomb Raider,[47] The Last of Us,[48] Grand Theft Auto V,[49] Dragon Age: Inquisition,[50] The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,[51] Batman: Arkham Knight,[52] The Beginner's Guide,[53] Rise of the Tomb Raider,[54] and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End."[61] Upon learning of the show's 2008 Lizzie award wins, Amanda Duthie, Head of Arts, Entertainment and Comedy at ABC TV said, "The success of this breakout ABC2 program needs to be shared with our die-hard user-audience who are a significant part of the creative and editorial process – active on posting boards, contributors of video segments and accepting of experimental programming styles such as machinima – the audience is a true collaborator and unsung hero"."[62] Janet Carr told News.com.au, "When we first started [Good Game] we knew there was nothing out there in mainstream media that satisfied us as gamers, and so we made the show from within the community...'"[63] After spontaneously deciding to attend the EB Games Gold Coast conference, thinking the experience would be lonely and awkward, Hex and Bajo were overwhelmed by the response; the hundreds of people in queues to go see them.[63] The game "involve[d] the player trying to manage a series of basic office tasks whilst fighting against the clock, their co-workers and many other hazards.You want to make it to the top and will do anything to get there, no matter how sneaky, underhanded and deceitful that may be (even go as far as to actually WORK HARD if need be, but only as a last resort).The notice continued by explaining that the game was still in beta version, but encourages viewers to "play adventurously and send us your comments...feedback and bug finds".Conversational in tone, jovial in presentation, it felt more like a casual trivia night between friends than a serious competition, and for an audience with such variety I consider that a success.There were a few organisational hiccups – contestants talking over DARREN as he asked a question, then making him repeat it because they didn't hear it, and a charades-esque round was cut short due to some confusion – but they were forgivable for a first time effort, and somehow they added to the charm of the show.It was co-written by hosts Steven O'Donnell and Jeremy Ray and show producers Janet Carr and Maurice Branscombe, and was published by ABC Books.[69] Jasonb, when interviewing Bajo, noted that in his opinion "A lot of the success of Good Game is from your own style, sense of humour and presentation".[93] Interviewer SteveMolk said, "not only are Bajo & Hex becoming great story tellers in their own right, but Janet has drawn to the show a wider crew who are all gamers and skilled producers, editors, and special-effects wizards in their own right."[14] Bajo notes that in the show's early days, there were some intense forum flames over things like missing a detail out, or not agreeing with the general consensus among viewers.[99][100] Amanda Duthie, Head Arts, Entertainment and Comedy, ABC TV said "We are thrilled that Good Game has been recognised for both editorial coverage and technological innovation at the Lizzie Awards"."[113] It acts as an "accessory" to both parent shows, Good Game and Spawn Point, and as such often takes bits of reviews from them, but sometimes has original content as well.
Good Game (2017 TV series)Jeremy RaySteven O'DonnellStephanie BendixsenNew South WalesAustralian Broadcasting CorporationSteven "Bajo" O'DonnellStephanie "Hex" BendixsenDave CallanABC MEABC iviewYouTubeeSportsMichael "Hingers" HingChannel 7screenPLAYBetacamMachinimagamertagsPerth Writers FestivalUniversity of Western AustraliaMs. Pac-ManJeremy "Junglist" Raypilot episodeAgro's Cartoon ConnectionCounter StrikeRoss O'DonovanKilling FloorMiles "Dr. Daneel" Tulettcyber bullyinggirls in gamingCologneThe RoastAndrew "Bindi" HansenElectronic Entertainment ExpoHeroes of RuinJust Dance 4Dance Central 3The Elder ScrollsResident EvilAssassin's CreedDark Souls IIFract OSCSuper Mario Bros.Portal 2Mass Effect 3Black MesaHalo 4Tomb RaiderThe Last of UsGrand Theft Auto VThe Beginner's GuideRise of the Tomb RaiderThe Stanley ParableNaughty BearMuscle MarchRobot Unicorn AttackDear EstherARMA 2At the MoviesTiny TowerCounter-StrikeAge of EmpiresWii BowlingSHOUTcastGamestahA Current Affair2012 Summer ParalympicsAmanda DuthieCheeseTVMargaret and DavidZero PunctuationCharlie Brooker's GameswipeMinecraftSeries premiereSeries finaleDead Space 3AntichamberCrysis 3Euro Truck Simulator 2Persona 4 GoldenProteusReal Racing 3Temple Run 2HackycatSkulls of the ShogunSerious Sam Double D XXLPath of Exile (beta)SimCitySonic DashBioShock InfiniteNeverwinter (beta)Year WalkLego City UndercoverMonster Hunter 3 UltimateRidiculous Fishing: A Tale of RedemptionIncredipedeDefianceBattleBlock TheaterAge of Empires II: HD EditionGuacamelee!ShootMania StormGuild Wars 2Star TrekMortal KombatMotocross MadnessRobot Unicorn Attack 2Zeno Clash IIDon't StarveDust 514Grid 2Sanctum 2Remember MeGame Dev TycoonFire Emblem AwakeningDeadpoolDonkey Kong Country Returns 3DCompany of Heroes 2The SwapperTowerFallWonderbook: Diggs NightcrawlerNeverwinterUnepicGame & WarioDota 2Oculus Rift