As a huge fan of the Neverwinter Nights Podcast, we at NWN 2 WarCry wanted to know more about the people behind the podcast. With that in mind, we sent a series of questions to Jay Smith, Ashercon and Liso. They're a fascinating bunch of people and the read is fun and informative:

Which of you initiated the idea of starting a podcast for Neverwinter Nights? How long did it take to flesh out the idea?

Trey and I kind of hit on it together, we both had been researching podcasting for our churches. We both do media for the churches we attend. We have enjoyed several podcast with each other, some of our favorite gaming podcast include the PC Gamer Podcast, GuildCast, and at one point we listened to the Battlefield Podcast a lot. We started looking for podcast for NWN, assuming with it huge community that there was already one. What we discovered really surprised us, there wasn't one. So, we started joking about starting one. It wasn't until about a month before the release of NWN 2 that we Trey and I looked at each other and said "Let's do it", and with that we decided to launch the podcast the same week that NWN 2 released. We spent several weeks thinking about what we liked in other podcast and discussing the show format. We borrowed very heavily from the PC Gamer Podcast, thanks guys . The show has evolved over time and keeps getting better.

What was your involvement in the community before NWN Podcast started?

The involvement from the community has been AWESOME! We have received tons of support and idea from our listeners and other members of the community. We couldn't haven gotten this far with out them.

How is the podcast "agenda" set each week?

Our format used for the show up to episode 25 has been put together pretty much the same way. We try to keep with the community news, watch for patch and module releases, try to find an interesting site to let everyone know about and the most difficult pick a topic. This usually takes all week.

Do you take community input for podcast ideas?

Yes, we try very hard to listen to what the listeners request. The recent series on Character Creation was something we wanted to do for a while, but it was because of a listener question about more beginner content that we just put it in motion and worked it out. We get valuable input and suggestions for our listeners all the time, and love it that way.

When and how do you record the podcast? How do you manage to have two personalities on one podcast (if you live in different places---otherwise skip that part)?

We record the shows on Tuesday night, it usually takes about an hour. Trey and I both live about 25 miles apart, and Michele is about 4 hours away. We all join a conference call hosted with Skype and record the session. Then the show is edited over the next two nights and released on Friday morning.

What special software and/or recording equipment is needed to record a podcast? Any recommendations for fledgling podcasters?

We use HotRecorder to record our Skype calls and it works pretty well. We then use Audacity to edit the raw audio files into the segments of the show, and put the final show format together using Sony ACID Studio. We recommend anyone wanting to get into podasting just do it, there is a ton of information and books available about podcasting. Podcasting breaks audio and video distribution to the common person. If anyone wants suggestions on equipment or books feel free to contact us.

Have you received any feedback from developers on any of the past podcasts?

Well, of course we have had feedback from Annie Carlson, who we have interviews twice. But other than than we have had some difficulty breaking the Bioware/Obsidian barriers and getting other devs to interview. But we are working on them, *wink*.

How has the community responded to the NWN Podcasts?

So far it has been very well received. We think the convenience of listening to news and info about your favorite game saves people time of searching all of the numerous NWN dedicated sites to find what you are looking for. We bring the information to them in a new way that is fun and entertaining. At least we like to think so .

Right now a lot of topics are covered in any one podcast. Are there any plans to make topic-specific podcasts such as one covering modding and custom content, persistent worlds, etc?

Actually, yes. Your timing is perfect. We have just announced this week that we are going to begin producing the podcast on a bi-weekly basis instead of every week like we have been. We are also going to change the format of the show, tightening the focus of the show to giving more quick shot type news and more interviews with people in the community. Instead of a mod spotlight we will interview the mod team, instead of a long discussions about something we are not an expert on, we will interview some one who is. We feel this new format will accomplish several things for us, a couple the big one are improve the quality of the show, and reduce the amount of production time required to get the show out. We think the new format will be refreshing and allow us to focus more on the people in the community.

[i]Thanks to the NWN Podcast staff for their time and effort. Keep listening, everyone!