Episode Three Is Out... What To Expect?

Now you can expect Episode Four! We would've cranked this out earlier, so we're probably going to have to wait a week or so, but after cranking out Episode Three so fast, I decided it might be best to take a break. Well, fast is a relative term, seeing as how the actual Magic Ink Review Process consists of several actual steps:

Step 1: Decide on game to review. We tend to have some conflicting ideas/interests when it comes to this.

Step 2: Record game footage. This requires, obviously, most of what's going to be talked about, and extra filler footage to fill in the gaps. Usually we get enough with just one or two plays.

Step 3: Dump the footage onto the computer and convert it to a format that can be read by the video editor. Chris does this, so I'm not totally sure how this works exactly.

Step 4: Develop the script! As much as Billy and Chris think I'm great at coming up with stuff on a whim, putting it all into words can be a fairly difficult process. So, I write up a script and follow that when I...

Step 5: Record the narrative. I have the most fun with this, since Chris and Billy are almost always around to listen and give pointers. Actual editing of the script can happen pre, during, or post-recording. Maybe sometime I'll throw up a video of the actual work area(s) if there's actual interest.

Step 6: Video editing! This tends to take as long, if not longer, than the actual gameplay recording. There's a lot of actual content to sift through, and making it all relevant can be a bit discouraging at times. Sometimes there's just nothing there for what I want. Ah, well. For example, in the original version of the Battle Stadium D.O.N. script, there was a whole two paragraphs cut describing the bonus level for the slot machine, because we didn't actually HAVE the footage, and Billy was too lazy to play and get some. We're sure you'll get the idea of what we meant when you play, anyway.

Step 7: Convert the final product into a playable format and shrink it according to size restrictions on the few websites we throw the actual movie onto. This is, again, what Chris does. I do the describing and try to think up tags for the post.

So, there's a little look into the actual Magic Ink Gaming Process.

As for the next review, you'll probably be pleased to know that it's got some hilariously bad voice acting, but that's all I'm giving away. Look forward to it.. eventually!