VideoGaiden

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videoGaiden is a Scottish computer games television show broadcast by BBC Scotland. Its creators and presenters, Robert Florence ("Rab") and Ryan Macleod, are responsible for the internet-distributed videogaming show Consolevania, upon which the show is based.

The show began as six ten minute episodes on BBC 2 Scotland, broadcast at around midnight on Fridays starting in December 2005. The episodes could also be viewed online from the BBC's web site. A second series, consisting of six half-hour episodes, was commissioned by popular demand[1] and began broadcast on BBC2 Scotland on Sunday November 5, 2006 at 11:10pm, with episodes once again available on the BBC's website.

Contents 1 Format 1.1 Series One (2005) 1.2 Series Two (2006) 2 Episode Guide 2.1 Series One 2.1.1 Episode One - 5th November 2005 2.1.2 Episode Two - 12th November 2005 2.1.3 Episode Three - 19th November 2005 2.1.4 Episode Four - 26th November 2005 2.1.5 Episode Five - 3rd December 2005 2.1.6 Episode Six - 10th December 2005 2.2 Series Two 2.2.1 Episode One - 5th November 2006 2.2.2 Episode Two - 12th November 2006 2.2.3 Episode Three - 19th November 2006 2.2.4 Episode Four - 26th November 2006 2.2.5 Episode Five - 3rd December 2006 2.2.6 Episode Six - 10th December 2006 3 videoGaiden's 100 best games of all time 4 videoGaiden Awards 2006 5 External links

[edit] Format

[edit] Series One (2005)

Each episode opened with a brief satirical mention of the show's status within the BBC and the feedback it has received. This was typically followed by the first of many discursive game reviews. These featured one of the two lead presenters walking around an indoor or outdoor setting discussing the game in question. Footage from the game was superimposed on background objects and occasionally cut to directly during the discussion.

Somewhat in keeping with the way in which Consolevania was shot on MiniDV, the majority of series was filmed on a Sony HVR-Z1U[2]. This small scale camera made in possible to shoot series in 16:9, but without an expensive DigiBeta kit and crew; something that the small production budget would not allow.

Recurring features unique to the first series are sketches about terrible videogames pitches (for example "Black and White Minstrel Show 2006"), Glasgow hard-man Barry Anoki reporting on videogames news, and "Devco", a soap about videogames development. The "Gaiden Top 100" was ostensibly a series of talking-head interviews on the best games of all time, but in fact provided thinly veiled mockery or game-inspired jokes.

Each episode in this series ended with a brief sketch featuring world-famous videogamer Legend (a carry-over from Consolevania) discussing his childhood, which ran over the end credits.

[edit] Series Two (2006)

The second series has less of a sketch basis. While the opening comments and the style of reviews are the same, and the Top 100 returned, most of the comedy was changed. This series also included a wide range of special guests, such as journalist Charlie Brooker and actor Colin Baker appearing in character as the Sixth Doctor.

Non-game reviews were featured in the style of a new games journalism panel discussion called "Eternal Pixel" (compare to Newsnight Review). More episodes of Eternal Pixel were filmed than aired, with plans to release these additional episodes online, however these did not come to fruition.[3]In the first three episodes there was a "funeral" for a now-deceased console, followed by recommendations of notable games. Each episode included "A Warning From History", showcasing appalling old gaming action, followed by a game recommendation from Socrates, a "games criticism robot" made from cardboard. Of particular note was the "Gaiden Guide to..." series by Robert Florence, sternly calling for change in a particular aspect of gaming culture (for example standards of journalism). Each episode of the second series signed off with a song about the series' far-from-universal appeal.

The show also ran an (apparently BBC-sanctioned) campaign to have the Shenmue series either continued or permanently consigned to history. Rab and Ryan called on gamers to produce Shenmue tributes or outright mockery, respectively.[4] Updates on the progress of the campaign including notable comments on the internet were included in each episode. Rab won overall, with the public favouring the return of Shenmue, however an official statement from Sega warned them not to expect a new installment for some time.

The series ended with "The videoGaiden Awards 2006" in which Rab and Ryan chose the best game of 2006. The winner of this award was Hitman: Blood Money. It was also in this episode that Rab fell on Socrates, crushing him beyond repair in the process.

[edit] Episode Guide

[edit] Series One

[edit] Episode One - 5th November 2005

Reviews: Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, The Suffering: Ties That Bind
Quick Reviews: Resident Evil 4 (PS2)
Sketches: DevCo, Games Pitch: Black and White Minstrel Show 2007, Mr. Pyramid Head: Pizza, Legend: Interview

[edit] Episode Two - 12th November 2005

Reviews: Psychonauts, WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006
Quick Reviews: WRC: Rally Evolved (PS2), The Warriors
Sketches: Games Pitch: Firehelmet Bloodarms, DevCo, Agent 765 (Splinter Cell Spoof)

[edit] Episode Three - 19th November 2005

Reviews: City of Villains (PC), GUN
Quick Reviews: Half Life 2 (Xbox), Star Wars: Battlefront II
Sketches: Legend: Photography, Mr. Pyramid Head: First Kiss, Games Pitch: UK Gurning Championships 2006

[edit] Episode Four - 26th November 2005

Reviews: True Crime: New York City, Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
Quick Reviews: From Russia with Love, Mario Smash Football (GC)
Sketches: Barry Inoki in Japan on the Wii (previously known as "Revolution"), DevCo, Legend: Makeup

[edit] Episode Five - 3rd December 2005

Reviews: Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
Quick Reviews: Battlefield 2: Special Forces (PC), Genji (PS2)
Sketches: Barry Inoki in Glasgow for Xbox 360 Launch, Legend: Rap Album

[edit] Episode Six - 10th December 2005

Reviews: Kameo (Xbox 360), Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Quick Reviews: Naked War, Call of Duty 2
Sketches: Barry Inoki in America on J Allard, Legend: Back in Milwaukee

[edit] Series Two

[edit] Episode One - 5th November 2006

Reviews: Dead Rising (XBox360), Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories (PS2)
Quick Reviews: Armored Core: Last Raven (PS2), Gitaroo Man Lives! (PSP)
Regular Sketches: Gaiden Man: Out the Box, Shenmue 3 Campaign (hijacked by paperboy), Death of a Console: Gamecube
One off Sketches: Influences of Animal Crossing
Gaiden Guide to: 'You'
The Eternal Pixel: Xbox Live Vision
Warnings from History: Godai (3DO)
Socrates the Games Critisism Robot Recommends: Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 (N64)

[edit] Episode Two - 12th November 2006

Reviews: NHL 07 vs. NHL 2k7, Just Cause
Quick Reviews: Lumines 2 (PSP), Pathologic
Regular Sketches: Gaiden Man: Space Raiders, Death of a Console: Xbox, Shenmue 3 Campaign (hijacked by Gordon Bennett from Hovver Bovver)
One off Sketches: Postman - Bomb of Sausages, Looking back at Brain Training - DVD Commentary with Nigel Buckland
Gaiden Guide to: 'Games Journalism'
The Eternal Pixel: Game On!
Warnings from History: Jurassic Park Interactive (3DO)
Socrates the Games Critisism Robot Recommends: Clock Tower 3 (PS2)

[edit] Episode Three - 19th November 2006

Reviews: Sam & Max (PC), Defcon (PC)
Quick Reviews: Europa Universalis III (PC), Albatross 18: Season 2 (PC)
Regular Sketches: Gaiden Man: Bath, Death of a Console: Playstation 2, Shenmue 3 Campaign (hijacked by 'Lara Croft')
One off Sketches: Rab and Ryan make music with Music 3000 (PS2) - reviewed by John McLaughlin
Gaiden Guide to: 'Games Violence'
Warnings from History: Virtual Hydlide (Saturn)
Socrates the Games Critisism Robot Recommends: Culdcept (DC, PS2)

[edit] Episode Four - 26th November 2006

Reviews: Okami (PS2), Rule of Rose (PS2)
Quick Reviews: Desparate Housewives (PC), Canis Canem Edit (PS2)
Regular Sketches: Gaiden Man: Guardian Heroes, Shenmue 3 Campaign (hijacked by a Consolevania fan)
One off Sketches: Real Life Katamari Damacy, Rab vs. The View at Guitar Hero 2
Gaiden Guide to: 'Games TV'
Warnings from History: FightBox
Socrates the Games Critisism Robot Recommends: Hovver Bovver (C64)

[edit] Episode Five - 3rd December 2006

Reviews: Gears of War (Xbox 360), Need for Speed: Carbon
Quick Reviews: Call of Duty 3, PDC World Darts
Regular Sketches: Gaiden Man: First Word, Shenmue 3 Campaign
One off Sketches: Charlie Brooker reviews games made by Rob and Ryan, Rob and Ryan do Cosplay
Gaiden Guide to: 'Collecting Games'
The Eternal Pixel: Wii
Warnings from History: Deep Fear
Socrates the Games Critisism Robot Recommends: Elite (C64)

[edit] Episode Six - 10th December 2006

Reviews: Viva Pinata (Xbox360), God Hand (PS2)
Quick Reviews: World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions (Xbox360), Kudos (PC)
Regular Sketches: Gaiden Man: Goodbyeden, The end of the Shenmue 3 Campaign, The Death of Socrates
One off Sketches: The videoGaiden awards 2006, Rab and Ryan hijack the Edge awards, Colin Baker inducts games into the videoGaiden Time Capsule
Warnings from History: Ninja Commando

[edit] videoGaiden's 100 best games of all time

1. Rez (DC/PS2)
2. Chuckie Egg
3. Final Fantasy VII (PSOne/PC)
4. Hired Guns (Amiga)
5. Ico (PS2)
6. Moonstone (Amiga)
7. Mortal Kombat
8. Street Fighter Zero 3
9. Half Life (PC)
10. M.U.L.E. (C64)
11. Star Control 2 (PC)
12. Hovver Bovver
13. Jimmy White's Snooker
14. Another World
15. Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)
16. Civilization 2 (PC)
17. Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2
18. Operation Flashpoint (PC)
19. Duke Nukem
20. Loco Roco (PSP)
21. Burger Time
22. Twisted (3DO)
23. World of Warcraft (PC)
24. Serious Sam
25. PN03 (GC)
26. Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball (Xbox)

[edit] videoGaiden Awards 2006

David Gardner - EA (Most Enormous Company)
Ian Livingstone - Eidos (Best Game that hasn't been released yet for City of Thieves)
Margret Robertson - Edge Magazine (Magazine that's least likely to cover videoGaiden)
Chris Deering - Sony Computer Entertainment (Most Famous Person at the Edge Awards 2006)
Gears of War (Game of the Year Nominee)
Company of Heroes (Game of the Year Nominee)
Shadow of the Colossus (Game of the Year Nominee)
Dragon Quest VIII (Game of the Year Nominee)
Hitman: Blood Money (Game of the Year)
Chuckie Egg (Time Capsule)
M.U.L.E. (Time Capsule)
Digitiser (Time Capsule)
Nintendo DS (Time Capsule)
God Hand ("One of the Best Games Ever Made")

[edit] External links

• videoGaiden homepage