WoW.com running an instance live on Vocalo.org tomorrow at 4pm central
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 28th 2009 at 8:00PM
I've been working in coordination with a group called Vocalo.org here in Chicago for the past few weeks -- they're a community-oriented division of the public radio station WBEZ (the same station that produces NPR shows like "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" and "This American Life"), and I've been doing some interviews with their in-studio host. A few weeks ago, we talked to a psychologist friend of mine about video game violence and addiction, last week we chatted with da_bears, a professional gamer here in Chicago (who recently got into World of Warcraft), and this week, we're doing something extra special: I'll be running an instance together with a five-man group live on the air. It'll start up at 4pm central both live on Vocalo.org (and live on the air in Chicago at 89.5FM). As I run through the instance live on the air (I haven't decided which one yet, though I'm thinking Heroic Utgarde Pinnacle or maybe Heroic Old Kingdom), we'll be talking about WoW and other MMOs, why these games are so fascinating, and what it's like to run with a group of five different people, all playing different roles with different abilities.It should be interesting to say the least -- while the segment will likely be directed at people not as familiar with World of Warcraft as you guys, I'll be sure to keep it interesting even for veteran WoW players (and if we wipe, you can at least laugh at me for being a noob Hunter). I believe we'll also be taking phone calls in the middle of all of this, so if you want, you can probably call up and talk some WoW with me as well.
This all begins tomorrow, Wednesday afternoon at 4pm central time, both online at Vocalo.org and live on the air in Chicago, so if you're available to tune in and give us a listen, please do. I have no idea what will happen (has anyone ever tried to run an instance live on the radio before?), but it should be a lot of fun.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Podcasting, Events, Fan stuff, Blizzard, Instances, Raiding
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Azurogg Jul 28th 2009 8:14PM
I'm not sure what to expect. Are you going to give us a play-by-play of the instance (or parts of it) or are you just going to discuss WoW while you're playing?
Mike Schramm Jul 29th 2009 12:03AM
It's going to be me talking to the host about what's going on, so he'll lead the discussion a little bit, I'm sure. But I'd imagine as we go through the instance, I'll be explaining what happens, and how even though we're all playing characters on our own computers, we're working together to take down a dragon or a big viking or whatever we decide to do.
yugiohcan34 Jul 28th 2009 8:16PM
I live in chicago, I'll be sure to tune in and maybe call in!
yokumgang Jul 28th 2009 8:17PM
Heroic OK?
Oh lord.
Taladan Jul 28th 2009 8:28PM
Sounds like a wipe ;)
I'd suggest doing OS10, though. More people to talk, more coordination required (so people that never played will get some idea about that) and it's not long enough like, say, Naxx (although Spider would also be fast -- and not to mention the funny "Shade!" screams when someone is explaining something.)
On a second note, would the talk be available after it, like the podcasts?
Otome Jul 28th 2009 8:29PM
I remember my first Heroic OK run. We got the group together, downed all the bosses for the achievements, then promised never to speak of it again.
Good times.
Daniel Jul 28th 2009 8:46PM
H OK is boring right up until the final boss when every PUG I have ever been on wipes at least once because people stand in the dirt.
H UP is much more interesting because Skadi the Ruthless actually requires a minimal amount of coordination from the team and you can't tank n spank it.
Having said that I wonder if H UK is not better. The more complicated the instance the more difficult I think it will be for people listening to figure out what's going on. H UK is a straight forward mash and dash.
You know what. H VH. It has dragons. Everybody wants to hear the hero slay the dragon.
Aurilia Jul 28th 2009 9:05PM
I suspect you have the bosses (or entire instances) of Old Kingdom and Azjol Nerub mixed up. The traditional "last boss" of Old Kingdom is Herald Volazj, whose notable ability is Insanity (fighting copies of your party members).
That said, I've had PuGs fall apart due to Insanity, after wipes from either from members not being able to kill the Healer clone, or the healer unable to keep themselves alive during Insanity.
Daniel Jul 28th 2009 9:34PM
Ack. You are correct. The entrances are right next to each other and I simply confused them.
Isendre Jul 28th 2009 8:50PM
Don't run HOk. The FCC Doesn't like swearing on the radio.
RetadinMan Jul 28th 2009 8:56PM
I'd like a post on here along the lines of the WoW.com podcast, so I can listen to it after the fact please.
Sean Jul 28th 2009 9:23PM
Mike, are the segments you participated in hosted somewhere? Will this one be hosted? I'm in South Bend so a bit out of range of the broadcast I think, but I'd still love to listen.
jbodar Jul 28th 2009 11:15PM
It'd be nice if it was recorded as a podcast for later, but just in case they don't, he did mention that you can listen to a live stream at http://vocalo.org/
Mike Schramm Jul 29th 2009 12:02AM
The first one is linked in the post, I haven't been able to find the da_bears interview yet. If we have a clear archive of that, I'll probably twitter about it on (via @WoWInsider), as I'm not sure how much interest there is among most of our readers. Plus, the blog is about WoW stuff, not really me. The only reason I posted this is because it's specifically related to WoW, where the other interviews weren't necessarily.
Jason Jul 28th 2009 10:36PM
It would be great if you got "Additional Instances cannot be launched. Please try again later." for 40 minutes.
johnbernhard Jul 28th 2009 11:18PM
Schramm,
Sounds fascinating. Kudos on a great job. I recommend Old Kingdom.
The different boss fights and trash pulls are pretty unique and definitely some of the trickier for a 5-man group in the game.
Grats on your 100th podcast the other day.
Cheers,
Campiona, Eitrigg realm
Meg Jul 29th 2009 12:18AM
Will this be available in podcast form later?
ash Jul 29th 2009 2:20AM
Yeah, don't run old kingdom, all those caster pulls are a pain in the tuckus.
Velleekwitay Jul 29th 2009 2:23AM
I'd like to see you do UP. Always fun to see how people do the Skadi encounter. Either that, or a CoT timed run. That silly Bronze dragon is always getting himself in trouble!
Catiya of Feathermoon Jul 29th 2009 6:44AM
Please don't do OK. It won't be fun for the listeners or you guys-- it's not the sort of heroic you waltz into and just chat your way through. Go for Nexus, in my opinion. It's pretty comfortable, it's got some usual WoW gimmics, a lot of bosses and also a pinch of uniqueness in the form of design and Telestra.