ANNOUNCEMENT: Hyper + Byteside + You = Awesome!

[Darren]

http://byteside.com/wp-content/themes/ondemand/images/byteside_top_logo.gif
www.byteside.com (http://byteside.com)

Contrary to popular belief, Daniel Wilks and Darren Wells (ie: me) are two different people. We share the same initials and name syllables, but we inhabit separate bodies. Some people don't believe this. "I've never seen them in the same room at the same time," they'll mutter. "I reckon they're the same person."

Okay. Time to prove you wrong.

Hyper has teamed up with industry veterans Seamus Byrne and Ben Mansill to bring you Byteside, a fortnightly live event where an invited panel of journos, editors and experts will talk about the big news of the day, as well as some bigger themed discussions. Two shows take place at each event -- a tech show and a games show -- and each will be filmed and put online the following day as a podcast. Daniel and myself are among the names and faces that you can expect to see on Byteside over the coming weeks, and it all kicks off on September 15.

Now, here's where you come in. Byteside welcomes a live audience to be a part of each show, and we'd love for Hyper fans in the Sydney area to come along for the premiere. To sweeten the deal, Byteside is giving away two VIP passes to Hyper members, which gives you $30 worth of free drinks (so over 18s only, please). And of course, you'll get to meet us as well.

All you need to do to enter is register at www.byteside.com (http://byteside.com) and select "Hyper" under "Who told you we exist?". From there, you'll be kept up to date on where and when each show will be filmed, as well as be in the running for all sorts of giveaways.

Now, let's feel the love in a strictly platonic way!


UPDATE: Due to the venue offering alcohol, only those aged 18 and over will be permitted to be in Byteside's audience.

UPDATE 2: The VIP pass now gives you $30 worth of free drinks. Gadzooks!

[Jay]

I was totally in until the 'strictly platonic' bit.

Oh, that and I live in Melbourne.

Sounds like a cool initiative though. :)

[Jickle]

So who do I need to butter up to if I want to flown over and invited onto the show?

>_>

[AranchineD]

Registered and waiting!

[BB2K]

Sometimes I wish I don't live in SA. And by sometimes I mean all the time besides the two days of AVCon.

[Citizen Erased]

You think thats bad, try living in Perth.

[Daniel]

Nobody really lives in Perth.

http://instantrimshot.com/

[BB2K]

Nobody really lives in Perth.

http://instantrimshot.com/

Zing!

[Second]

Registered and waiting!

You and me, Kiddo. Let's go and show them how an audience behaves!

[Space_Monkey]

What must I live in this backwater gutterhole known as Melbourne!? :(

[AranchineD]

You and me, Kiddo. Let's go and show them how an audience behaves!

Daniel Wilks, your magazine has the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why is it so popular?

[Second]

What must I live in this backwater gutterhole known as Melbourne!? :(

Because you're awesome?

[Jay]

Well, that's why I live in Melbourne. That, and to be closer to TAT, of course.

[Darren]

All you non-Sydney types will still be able to check the show out online, though. Hurrah for the interwebs!

[Citizen Erased]

http://www.theteebank.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/internet.jpg

[Cake]

I will be there, sitting in the audience, waving a little DW flag. But what will the DW stand for? Daniel Wilks? Darren Wells? David Wildgoose? Dirty Whore? You'll never know.

[AranchineD]

Dual Whiteboys?


Anyway, RSVP done. To next Tuesday!

[Australian Ninja]

Okay, so if the video part gets added to the internet part, will it be on the bytesize website or where?

I thought DW stood for Death Wish, as in that series of ill-conceived movies from the 80s where Wilks and Wells teamed up to kill terrorists abroad.

[Darren]

Okay, so if the video part gets added to the internet part, will it be on the bytesize website or where?
You'll be able to watch it at www.byteside.com, and via the forthcoming iTunes podcast channel.

[Starscream]

So which Hyperians are lucky enough to be attending this event?

[AranchineD]

AranchineD = +1 attending

[Darren]

Just a heads-up to those keen on partaking in the Byteside shenanigans: the games show starts at 8:30 tonight, where you'll get to see Hyper's own Daniel Wilks flapping his gums as one of the four guest panellists.

And remember: you'll be able to catch the show online from tomorrow via the Byteside website and iTunes.

[AranchineD]

Well that was fun.

Although it seems everybody except me was there with at least one other person. :(

[Starscream]

At least you'll be famous on iTunes.

[AranchineD]

I already have half of the most popular book in the world dedicated to me, why would iTunes even register on my radar!

[Ashmaran]

Well that was fun.

Although it seems everybody except me was there with at least one other person. :(

That makes two of us haha.

[Starscream]

You missed out on the free drinks vouchers? Score any freebies?

[Ashmaran]

Nah I just RSVP'd instead of signing up for the mailing list so I missed the drinks voucher opportunity. On the night they gave away a set of sennheiser headphones but I'm not sure what you had to do to be in the running.

[Darren]

Nah I just RSVP'd instead of signing up for the mailing list so I missed the drinks voucher opportunity. On the night they gave away a set of sennheiser headphones but I'm not sure what you had to do to be in the running.
I believe you had to listen to a song and try to guess what codec was used to encode it.

[AranchineD]

You missed out on the free drinks vouchers? Score any freebies?

The whole time I was there I was thinking about sneaking past THE VELVET ROPE and carrying as much food as I could from what was on the platters there. I chickened out though!

[Darren]

The first episode is up on the Byteside website (http://byteside.com). Check out Mr Wilks in all his rant-filled glory!

[JC Henderson]

Warning though on the vid. Don't try and listen through laptop speakers. The ausio is really quiet.

[Starscream]

Warning though on the vid. Don't try and listen through laptop speakers. The ausio is really quiet.
I was thinking, "Are my speakers broken?" when I was watching the video. Winamp proved otherwise.

[Stevorooni]

Just watched it, was pretty good.

Although I was disappointed that there was no AranchineD streaking across the stage shouting "Hello Wisconsin!"

[Barefooted Hobo]

Watching the video for the game one, and some guy in the crowd interupts around the 10:20 mark. Anyone who was at byteside remember what that guy looked like? That voice is very similar to someone that was in my TAFE class. =/

[BB2K]

Wilk's beard was glourious.
Also, if I was there, I would have gone up to Nic Healy and said 'sort the Official Nintendo Magazine out!'

[Watchers]

Wilks doesn't sound like I would have expected him to... not that I really know what I expect him to sound like. That, and his facial hair is out of control, and he likes gesticulating. Quite good - though the audio needs to be sorted out.

I'd like to see (hear?) a weekly Hyper podcast or something. Darren and Daniel (though they are the same person, so it might get confusing) and whoever else is in the office at the time talking about news/games they're playing etc for an hour or so.

[Stevorooni]

I'd like to see (hear?) a weekly Hyper podcast or something. Darren and Daniel (though they are the same person, so it might get confusing)


Wilks: "Hello, I'm Daniel Wilks"
Wilks (with high pitched voice): "and I'm Darren Wells"
Wilks (with French accent): "oh ho ho, and I'm Frenchy! Oh Lieutenant Wilks"
Wilks: "Oh Frenchy!"
Wilks (with high pitched voice): "Get a room you two"

[Daniel]

Wilks doesn't sound like I would have expected him to... not that I really know what I expect him to sound like. That, and his facial hair is out of control, and he likes gesticulating. Quite good - though the audio needs to be sorted out.


In my head I sound awesome - recorded I sound like a walrus humping a megaphone. I'm mourning the facial hair at the moment - it's going before I head off to Japan on Monday.

[Watchers]

In my head I sound awesome - recorded I sound like a walrus humping a megaphone. I'm mourning the facial hair at the moment - it's going before I head off to Japan on Monday.

Better bust out the lawnmower then.... ;)

[Surgeon.]

I didn't hate it!

Kinda like an audio podcast, but we get to see the ugly face of gaming journalism. :p

As mentioned, audio needs improvement and I thought you guys kind looked uncomfortable sitting on bar stools the whole time but overall I enjoyed it. I look forward to more nasal questions about Intel's graphics cards in future.

[Watchers]

I look forward to more nasal questions about Intel's graphics cards in future.

Oh man, that guy. *shudder*

SkjQr-yqCU8&NR

[JubeiSaotome]

This is amazing guys (Wilks & co), this is what the Australian games press industry has needed in a long time. I love the idea of game discussion / forum without being gimmicky in order to attract hits. I would tune into this weekly on free/pay TV. It also bridges the gap between press and the reader. Great work so far.

[REQUIEM]

I give gaming magazines 10 years max. The genre is moving at too faster a pace for paper media to keep up. This idea is good as if it takes hold and continues it gives you hyper guys a job after you are made redundant. Besides GOOD GAME sucks . Rubber chicken my arse.

[Afrogamer]

Rubber chicken my arse.

ok cool so i'll call you? :D

[Watchers]

Good Game is fine.

[JubeiSaotome]

Bajo puts me off Good Game.

[Watchers]

I like Bajo. Both of the guys click well and actually have personalities, while still being entertaining and appearing unforced. Though the 'sketches' on the show are horrible and always fall flat.

[REQUIEM]

The tacky effects that all of a sudden are being spammed on every episode. The quality of their videos are pathetic and its like a B grade attempt. Anything that pushes me to Adam fkwit sessler is a problem.

Edit: There is such a gap in the market place for a Good Australian games show that it isnt funny. I should look into that oppertunity. Now where is my trust fund?

[JubeiSaotome]

The Sess is a champ, though. King of games [video] journalism!

[ThePhotoshop]

I thought Good Game was aimed at the slightly younger audience - not the 20 - 35 year olds?

[Jickle]

Any idea who is on schedule to appear in later eps? There's a few writers I'd love to see on there - Daniel Staines in particular would be pretty cool.

Sort of wish I was in Sydney/much, much more prominent and successful so I could come on. >_>

[Gameboffin]

I found it hard to watch in one sitting as it was quite long. So I watched it over a few days. As cool as it is to have the heads of magazines up there chatting about things, I think the format could be much more interesting if it were split between some more prominent Aussie bloggers and employed journos.

And yeah, maybe not the bar stools. Lounges? Or a couple of tables?

Some more structure could definitely help - perhaps have people ask their questions before the show so that you've all had a chance to think about them - and then maybe a short 'hand-up' Q&A at the end.

As someone else mentioned, Wilks has a much deeper voice than I expected (not that I have tried to imagine his voice at any stage). Something I did like, which came through from most of the guests (Does Nick actually like any games?), was genuine passion for the industry, which made it quite compelling.

[Stevorooni]

I think that Nic dropped the F-Bomb too often. Probably played too much HotD:O.

[AranchineD]

I like Bajo. Both of the guys click well and actually have personalities, while still being entertaining and appearing unforced. Though the 'sketches' on the show are horrible and always fall flat.

Eh, I think the point is to celebrate their lameness as I think it's completely intentional!

[ScToTeE]

I enjoyed watching this episode of Byteside. There were some interesting discussions had and the humour wasn't forced / lame. So, thumbs up. I'll try and be a regular viewer.

[Starscream]

I got another RSVP for the second show next week. Still undecided.

... - it's going before I head off to Japan on Monday.

Hyper covers TGS 2009!

[REQUIEM]

I should get an invite.. That would be a great discussion and to meet you guys from in here face to face to see if you are as you are in here would be interesting. With enough notice I would fly from Adelaide for such an oppertunity.

Edit: It is in melbourne? I could play some hold em in the crown afterwards.

[AranchineD]

I''m so anticipating some moron, during the R18+ discussion, to yell out LET'S KILL MICHAEL ATKINSON.

I plan to throw a shoe at this guy.

[AranchineD]

Well for anyone looking to get the next episode, it's basically an hour long discussion about the R18+ rating and such in Australia, but I found most of it quite interesting still.

Also stayed around and played Guitar Hero on a big screen projector with no lag. Awesome. :D

[Watchers]

Watched the latest ep, was pretty interesting. Surprise Wilks cameo.

[Darren]

So, umm, I've been asked to fill a freshly vacated seat at tonight's Byteside episode. The topic of discussion is game communities, and although it's short notice, we'd love to see some Hyper faces in the crowd.

Head on over to the Byteside site to RSVP (http://byteside.com/byteside-live-audience-rsvp/). Remember: you need to be over 18, but it's free!

[AranchineD]

I'm already there like I am every week!

[Stevorooni]

I'm setting Darren a challenge

You must use the words 'turnip', 'fireflower' and 'codex' in the discussion tonight.

[Second]

I'm setting Darren a challenge

You must use the words 'turnip', 'fireflower' and 'codex' in the discussion tonight.

First two can be done by discussing Mario games, last can be done by mentioning the Guild. That's way too easy.

[Stevorooni]

Well I didn't want to make him look like a fool!

Also he must wear the scribblenauts hat. Backwards.

[Watchers]

I'm betting there won't be a surprise Wilks cameo this week then. Darren and Daniel couldn't be in the same room at the same time, considering they're the same guy and all...

[Stevorooni]

Audience: Where's Daniel?
Darren: Hold on I'll just go get him
...
Daniel: Here I am!
Audience: But where's Darren?
Daniel: Hold on I'll just go get him
...
Darren: Here I am!

[buckstwits]

Audience: Where's Daniel?
Darren: Hold on I'll just go get him
...
...
...
...
...
Darren: Here I am! Oh shi--

[Australian Ninja]

I don't have itunes or whatever. Is there any other way to watch the episodes?

As in a way that does NOT involve downloading itunes.

[Darren]

I don't have itunes or whatever. Is there any other way to watch the episodes?

As in a way that does NOT involve downloading itunes.
There is. You can watch them on the Byteside website (http://byteside.com/).

[Xanafalgue]

Did that guy with the tattoo's get pissed? hahaha.

[Australian Ninja]

There is. You can watch them on the Byteside website (http://byteside.com/).

Thank you, O oracle of wisdom and information type stuff.

[Darren]

Heads up! Daniel is appearing on next week's Byteside games show! The topic of discussion: horror games.

http://byteside.com/blog/2009/10/14/episode-4-safe-and-scary/

[AranchineD]

Crap, the one time I can't go, and I'll miss my opportunity to yell DEAD SPACE WAS AWESOME YOU FOOL from the crowd.

[Watchers]

Just watched the previous one. Surprised to see Darren actually go through with the rooster hat thing :p Not surprised to see no Wilks cameo, further confirming what we know to be true.

In the spirit of challenges, I challenge Wilks to refer to someone as 'homes' (or 'homeslice') during the show.

[AranchineD]

I actually saw Wilks in the crowd while Darren was on stage. The only explanation I can come to was that this DW person was able to split their genetic strands in half, using some kind of teleportation contraption and/or magic hammock, and each half took on particular major characteristics and personality traits that comprosed this 'DW' being.

[Daniel]

Close - we use a hammock made by Tesla. One of us is drowned at the end of every appearance.

[Stevorooni]

Finally got around to watching the last one, haha Darren did the things that I challenged him to!!


Daniel, I challenge you to use the words 'lamington' and 'palm tree' and randomly stroke your moustache even if you don't have one.

[Jickle]

Daniel, I challenge you to use the words 'lamington' and 'palm tree' and randomly stroke your moustache even if you don't have one.

Stevo, you possess amazing powers of persuasion.

Also, Ep 4 is probably the best one yet.

[Stevorooni]

Stevo, you possess amazing powers of persuasion.



Oh really? I should step it up a notch

Next challenge: Make out with everyone else on the panel, urinate on the host then decapitate someone in the audience



too far?


EDIT: haha! Just watched it. Thanks Daniel, you rock!

[AranchineD]

I want that Death Star pumpkin!

[Watchers]

Oh really? I should step it up a notch

Next challenge: Make out with everyone else on the panel, urinate on the host then decapitate someone in the audience



too far?


EDIT: haha! Just watched it. Thanks Daniel, you rock!

Oh man, he did both yours and mine. We need every single forumer to contribute a word each for Wilks to say on his next appearance.

[Stevorooni]

That would be awesome, especially if he had so many words to say that he had no time to discuss anything

Host: So Daniel, what is your opinion on MMOs?

Daniel: Shishkibob

Host: ... I'm sorry?

Daniel: Delorean

Host: would you care to elaborate?

Daniel: Remington Steele, TARDIS, beach ball and vagina

[BB2K]

I think the next logical step is a bad British accent. With words like poppycock.

[Stevorooni]

or starting every sentence with ACTUNG!

[BB2K]

and ending them with ZIEG HEIL!

[Lazlow]

SIEG HEIL! CORNELIUS DREBBEL!


stupidcapzfilter

[fishfishmonkeyhat]

Well now I've watched the podcasts and know what a byteside is I might have to come to one. I was thinking December but the chance to buy Junglist a consolatory beer is tempting.

EDIT: What Sydney siders do we have attending theses? Any of the cool ones?

[Stevorooni]

Hey Daniel, I read on Kotaku that you'll be on Byteside tonight.

Challenge: I want you to start a sentence with the word "meow" :D

[Daniel]

Someone has watched a little too much Super Troopers.

[Stevorooni]

Meow someone has watched a little too much Super Troopers.

fixed

[AranchineD]

Stevo, you should stop these shenanigans, this is getting ridiculous meow

[Daniel]

I think I was talked over so it was subtle, but the sentence was something along the lines of, "meow that's something I can get behind"

[Lazlow]

Sensational!

[AranchineD]

Oh man I totally missed it, although at times tonight you guys were like an all-male version of The View so that's probably why. >_>