Over at Game Set Watch, we see news that NPR has decided to officially sanctioned the random mumblings of three gaming mouthbreathers into a cheap microphone and released via RSS and MP3. A podcast, in other words. At least you won't have to listen to Xeni Jardin's shrill, nightmarish wail, though:

Thought that the GameSetWatch readers might be interested that National Public Radio is getting behind gaming in a big way with a new podcast, Press Start. It's not the usual NPR style, rather three gamers (myself included) talking informally about gaming culture and issues for 15 minutes every other week. The first episode — about games as art — just launched yesterday.

I didn't bother listening, because as you can see, the first episode is about games as art. Yawn. Is anyone except execrable pseudointellectual wank mags like The Escapist not sick of that subject? Like pottery and excrement sculptures, games are certainly art. The more interesting subject is whether or not they are fine art, with far reaching and sophisticated emotional resonance. The answer to that question, right now, is 'no'.... although certain parts of games like Planescape: Torment have gotten pretty damn close. Florian Y DOES FLORAN EKHART H4TE GAMES Eckhardt

NPR Presses Start on Alt.Gaming Podcast

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