The HotSpot - Episode 370

Over the years, I've come to realize what I really love about the old Gamespot days: that the Hotspot and On The Spot (and whatever shenanigans they did) was a peek into the personalities that ran one of the tightest, most stringent video game review cadres. It was a crack in the professional facade of Gamespot Editorial, the realization that: "Oh! there're humans writing these comprehensive opinions!"

That's exactly it: I miss the days of reading and hearing the crystallized and honed opinions about games from these people, when they were still editors. When they still wrote a lot about the deconstruction of the minutiae about games. The peek behind the curtain, the stories of videogame culture behind-the-scenes (the inside-baseball talk) was a treat.

Sadly, I saw Giantbomb transition away from that, towards more personality-based streaming. Over time, I saw that there was less and less money to be made writing about videogames and that their videos became their largest asset, for which I don't blame them for the change. I don't bear any ill will towards the current crowd who enjoy them as they are now. One day, I simply realized that it's not what I wanted from them, anymore. When I realized that a thing I've loved for nearly 14 years, a constant group of people in the background of my life (and always in my ears), was no longer the same.

I suppose, that very specific window of the Gamespot Editorial crew pushing back against corporate professionalism and letting their personalities shine through was the time I'll always treasure. Perhaps it was that struggle that polished the rough diamonds for me. Whatever it was, it helped me become a more articulate and critical person. For that, and for making me aware that there are actual people working within video games, I'll always be grateful.

The bar has been raised on Quarantine hair!!

I think I originally got with this whole crew because the HotSpot was #1 on iTunes when I was cruising for more vidya podcast material to consume back in 2005-2006. Crazy to think that 15 years later, I've still stuck with them.

Always great to hear from Rich again! And a wonderful mane, to boot.

Can RIch be on every week?

This is my first Hotspot. It's fun to listen to all the nostalgia and the old stories. I also want to express that I miss all the Quick Looks and shows where multiple members are interacting with one another. I feel less excited about solo streams.

Great podcast! Great intro! Love every minute of it!

Been listening since the early days of the Hotspot. Y'all are as nostalgic and fun as playing Vice City after a tough day of avoiding classes in high school. Very very fun.

I remember if you wanted gaming podcasts you only had like two or three choices, and for a while all I had in my iTunes podcast subscription was The Hotspot and the PC Gamer podcast. That is until 1up started their podcast stuff and got me hooked with GFW Radio Podcast.

Tales of hamburger eating contests are remembered fondly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPzXWZRWbak

That sure was something

Great episode!

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Glad to hear Rich! Hope he does more!

great input from brad here