THE FREELANCERS

We've moved to a new site!

Wed, 05 May 2010 00:22:09 -0400

Bookmarked us, have you?

We’ve dug through enough couches and picked up enough pennies to be able to bring you a brand new site and a domain name.

VISIT OUR NEW SITE WWW.FREELANCERSPODCAST.COM

TFL BONUS! - April 21, 2010 (Throwback Edition)

Sun, 02 May 2010 11:54:00 -0400

It’s the first (but perhaps not last) “Throwback Edition” of TFL BONUS! In this special installment Xav and Kyle jump into their Way-back Machine to bring you an episode recorded two weeks ago. Sadly, due to some busy schedules the editing of this episode was lost in the shuffle, but the discussion of the impending Halo: Reach beta and Deadly Premonition was entertaining enough to warrant this episode’s late release.

What is TFL BONUS!, you ask? In an effort to keep your feed refreshed weekly — and since you’ve unanimously said you wanted it — “off” weeks will feature Xav and Kyle discussing what they’re working on and what they have been playing.

[iTunes] Subscribe to The Freelancers on iTunes (MP3).
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[PodBean Hub] Archive of previous shows at the PodBeam Hub.

Hosts: Xav de Matos (@Xav) and Kyle Horner (@KyleHorner)
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Am I Awake” by They Might Be Giants

The Freelancers Ep.109 - with Danny 'Godfree' Pena

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:34:24 -0400

Danny “Godfree” Pena from GamerTagRadio.com joins Xav and Kyle to discuss building an empire of your own, the trials and tribulations as a small website operator and the Miami gaming scene. The hosts also discuss the ongoing “contest” to have a listener guest-host a segment of the final episode of the season, playing Splinter Cell: Conviction cooperatively and the some of the work they’ve produced over the last few weeks.

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

Links Mentioned in this Episode
Danny ‘Godfree’ Pena on Twitter
GamerTagRadio.com
GamePro: ‘Killing More Efficiently’
Joystiq: Halo Reach Pre-Beta Video Explosion
GamePro: Downloadable Games Round-Up (April 26th Edition)
Kyle Horner’s Personal Blog
Xav de Matos’ Personal Blog

The Freelancers Ep.108 - with Ludwig Kietzmann

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:07:14 -0400

Ludwig Kietzmann (Joystiq.com) joins Xav and Kyle to explain, how after three majors in completely unrelated fields, he became the senior editor of one of the industry’s biggest editorial brands. In this episode— also known as, the “ocho” — the crew discuss working remotely, the harsh realities of being a writer, things to avoid in your work, and sandwiches. Yes, sandwiches. It’s a complete show, rounded out by a slew of user submitted questions and a big announcement about the last episode of the season.

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

Links Mentioned in this Episode
Ludwig Kietzmann on Twitter
Ludwig Kietzmann’s work at Joystiq.com
The Joystiq Podcast Archive
Joystiq Podcast Appreciation Group (Facebook)

TFL BONUS! - April 9, 2010

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:44:28 -0400

It’s the latest installment of TFL BONUS! This week, Xav and Kyle discuss the trials and tribulations of Alan Wake (including info from a recent hands-on event in Toronto) and the well-documented griefing of the StarCraft II beta. It’s short, sweet and energetic this week!

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Am I Awake” by They Might Be Giants

The Freelancers Ep.107 - with Kevin Kelly

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:36:00 -0400

Freelancer of film and gaming industry fame Kevin Kelly drops by in an episode of The Freelancers recorded just prior to PAX East 2010. A lot of work kept this one from finding a home in your favorite podcast listening device, but it’s well worth the wait. The trio discuss pitching to different outlets, breaking down feature ideas and Kevin’s unhealthy love of board games, all while attempting to ignore the somewhat shoddy audio quality infecting the episode.

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

Links Mentioned in this Episode
Kevin Kelly on Twitter
Cinematical (Kevin Kelly Byline)
The Easy Mode Podcast (with guest Xav de Matos)

TFL BONUS! - March 23, 2010

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:58:00 -0400

This week’s bonus episode features Xav and Kyle discussing reviews they’ve written for Just Cause 2 and Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising, respectively. Xav swoons over Super Street Fighter IV and Kyle dishes dirt on his memorable StarCraft II Beta moments. In WRUP, Kyle talks up the Dragon Age: Origins expansion Awakening while Xav discusses why he likes the changes made to Splinter Cell: Conviction after playing the demo.

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Am I Awake” by They Might Be Giants

Links to Things we Mention in this Episode

Just Cause 2 (Review - GamePro.com)
Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising (Review - GamePro.com)
Super Street Fighter IV (Preview - Joystiq.com)

The Freelancers ep.106 with Mike Schramm

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:55:53 -0400

Freelancer for The Unofficial Apple Weblog and Joystiq (and co-host of The Incredible Podcast of Amazing Awesomeness) Mike Schramm regales Xav and Kyle with his epic tale of working in radio, public relations and — the medium we all love — video game journalism. The guys also discuss how moving around in the industry can drastically change the way you do your work. Also, Mike may or may not be responsible for a slew of restaurant fires throughout the Chicagoland area. We’re still trying to figure that one out. Can you blame us? We’re not detectives… we’re The Freelancers!

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

Links Mentioned in this Episode
Mike Schramm on Twitter
The Unofficial Apple Weblog
Mike Schramm: The Official Website!
Xav: The Ultra Official Website!

TFL BONUS! - March 13, 2010

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:35:52 -0500

WARNING: This episode contains Heavy Rain spoilers (Beginning at the 1:07:50 mark until the end of the episode!)

What is TFL BONUS!, you ask? It’s the first bonus episode of THE FREELANCERS! In an effort to keep your feed refreshed weekly — and since you’ve unanimously said you wanted it — “off” weeks will feature Xav and Kyle discussing what they’re working on and what they have been playing.

This week’s (way too long episode, which we will tighten up in the future) features Xav discussing the GamePro article “Designing The Meta-Game” and Kyle talks about his Supreme Commander 2 (PC) review. In “What Are You Playing?” (WRUP), the guys talk about Bad Company 2, Final Fantasy XIII, God of War and get into a few spoilers for Heavy Rain. (Stop listening at 1:07:50 to avoid them!)

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Am I Awake” by They Might Be Giants

Links Mentioned in this Episode

Designing the Meta-Game (GamePro)
Anatomy of an Article: ‘The Meta-game’ (XavdeMatos.com)
Supreme Commander 2 Review (GamePro)
Copious Precipitation: Thoughts on PS3’s Heavy Rain (XavdeMatos.com)

The Freelancers ep.105 with Nick Chester

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:16:00 -0500

Destructoid Editor-in-Chief Nick Chester joins Xav and Kyle to discuss event coverage, insane fanboys/girls and building a brand. The hosts also pitch an idea to listeners: A bonus episode between “guest host” shows to discuss game’s we’re playing and what we’re currently writing. Like the idea? Hate it? Tell us on facebook.com/thefreelancers

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

The Freelancers Facebook Community
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Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

Links Mentioned in this Episode
Nick Chester on Twitter
Destructoid.com
Jim Sterling: Video Game “Fans” Need to Shut Up
Xav’s Rant on Fanboyism

NICK CHESTER NEXT WEEK

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:25:42 -0500

Destructoid Editor-in-chief Nick Chester joins Xav and Kyle for The Freelancers: Season One, Episode Five!

Following the usual “How’d You Get in the Biz?” questions, the plan is to discuss event coverage and coordination, perceived problems within the editorial side of the industry, and how to build a brand.

Questions for Dtoid’s Nick? Submit them in the comments!

The Freelancers: Season One, Episode Five releases March 3, 2010.

THE FREELANCERS - EPISODE 104

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:07:00 -0500

Note: We’ve added comments to the site! Let us know what you think of this episode.

Game Informer editor and 1UP alum Philip Kollar joins Xav and Kyle to discuss having the “will” and “faith” to continue being a freelancer, continue the never-ending “death of print” debate, and how to deal with negative response to articles you write.

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

Links Mentioned in this Episode
Philip Kollar on Twitter
Game Informer Online
AllRPG.com
The Stupid “Smear Job” Argument of AvP

Before the blogs and Twitter lit up in a war of “Is...

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:23:00 -0500

Before the blogs and Twitter lit up in a war of “Is freelancing worth it?” we recorded season one, episode four of THE FREELANCERS.

Although this conversation took place before the discussion, it echos the arguments made for the side of “sticking it out.”

Don’t lose faith in yourself, or your work.

THE FREELANCERS: SEASON ONE, EPISODE FOUR HITS THE AFTERNOON OF FEB. 17

PHILIP KOLLAR NEXT WEEK

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:44:00 -0500

Next episode, THE FREELANCERS welcome 1UP alum and current Game Informer editor Philip Kollar. Have a question for the show or the guest? Jump to our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and comment on the announcement post.

THE FREELANCERS: Season One, Episode Four lands online February 17.

Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes or Zune Marketplace and rate us!

THE FREELANCERS - EPISODE 103

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:23:00 -0500

GamePro Magazine and GamePro.com previews editor Andy Burt joins Xav and Kyle to discuss print versus online, stepping outside comfort zones, and how YOU can get your byline in GamePro.

Episode Stream by Podbean.com

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Links Mentioned in this Episode
Andy Burt on Twitter
GamePro Online
The Videogame Style Guide
GamePro and BitMob Join Forces to get Your Work in Print
BitMob Community
Article: PAX 2008 - Appealing to an MMO newbie

Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

The Freelancers News Flash: January 27, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:26:35 -0500

Season One, Episode Three of The Freelancers is in the can with special guest Andy Burt, Previews Editor of GamePro Magazine and GamePro.com.

Xav, Kyle and Andy discuss print versus online, stepping outside comfort zones, and how YOU can get your byline in GamePro.

The Freelancers: Season One, Episode Three will release on February 3, 2010.

We’re also proud to announce that The Freelancers is only a handful of subscribers away from reaching the 1,000 mark. While this number is dwarfed by other podcasts in the gaming world, we couldn’t be happier considering we’re only two episodes deep.

Aspiring writers will want to check out our Facebook Fan Page, where users are already sharing samples and looking or input. We want to grow this community to a legion of dedicated future games press all-stars, so join up if it’s something you dream about doing. You can also follow us on Twitter - one of the best networking sites to get in touch with other members of the games media.

And of course, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes and the Zune Marketplace!

The Freelancers - Episode 102

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:55:28 -0500

Joystiq.com reviews editor Justin McElroy joins Xav and Kyle, bringing with him a big, sweet sea of industry knowledge. Learn how a lost email address almost led Justin down a different (and most likely dark) path, Xav’s recent ordeal with a confused PR practitioner, and what the pair will do if Kyle even mentions the phrase “MMO.”

Episode Stream by Podbean.com

Hosts: Xav de Matos and Kyle Horner
Email: thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

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Music: Intro/Outro: “Can’t Say No” by The Helio Sequence

The Freelancers now available on Zune

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:52:00 -0500

Good news Zune users, The Freelancers is now available on the Zune Marketplace!

Click the link below to jump to the show. Make sure to subscribe and rate us! Season One, Episode Two with Justin McElroy will release later this week.

The Freelancers on Zune Marketplace

Join the Freelancers community

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:34:12 -0500

In only a few days, we’ve crushed the PodBean servers with hundreds of downloads of our first episode, forcing us to purchase additional bandwidth! Emails rushing in are excited for the future and so are we!

We’d love to hear from everyone, so we invite you to join the Freelancers Community.

Follow The Freelancers on Twitter

Become a ‘fan’ of the show on Facebook

Episode 102 Guest Revealed, Ask Your Questions, and Rate Us!

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:39:00 -0500

We’re happy to announce that the first guest episode of The Freelancers will star Internet-famous writer/podcaster Justin McElroy from Joystiq.com. The episode is scheduled to release at the end of this week.

As it stands, The Freelancers now has over 25 confirmed guests scheduled for future episodes, from more than a dozen outlets within the games industry.

Some people have asked what we mean by “Season One” for the current run of The Freelancers. Each season will be comprised of 12 episodes — the first 11 with a special guest and the last as a recap episode with Xav and Kyle. After a short hiatus, the next season will begin. In order to keep ideas and stories fresh, we think this is the best route to take.

If you have a question for The Freelancers you can send them to us using FormSpring or via email at thefreelancerspodcast [at] gmail [dot] com

Also, please help spread the word! Rate the show on iTunes and Follow us on Twitter!