The RealGMat talks YouTube careers and musical adventures

I’m not gonna lie—I’ve been looking forward to this all week.

In this episode, YouTuber The RealGMat joins us to talk about his many years on the platform and how it all got started. With over 30,000 subscribers, GMat goes into the community that he’s built and the interactions he has via his videos and Twitch streams. He talks about some of the different videos he’s done and his first videos.

Along with his own channel, he’s worked with companies like Gameology and Watch Mojo and shares the various memories made along the way.

Last December, seeking a new creative outlet, GMat released the EP “Little Fish” under the name Brotherband. He goes into the creative process, including the stories behind the songs, working with Charlie McCosh and Jesse Kluytmans, and how it felt sharing it with the world.

Closing out the episode, we’ve got “Half Star Bay,” from the “Little Fish” EP.

“Let’s Play” jumps into the videogame world with “Everdate”

I’ve been a longtime fan of the webcomic “Let’s Play,” so when I heard that it was being adapted into a dating game called “Everdate,” I had to learn more. 

Series creator Mongie (Leeanne Krecic) and I talk about how the goal of getting into gaming and working with Always Imagine to make it happen. We dive into how the game will be played and the creative approach they’ve taken.

Players will be able to play as one of 12 canonical characters and interact with other characters throughout the world. 

This game mode will be handled like most popular dating simulation games, with information shared between characters that may be vital in contributing to a successful date. Fans of the series will love getting to spend more time with their favorite characters, and we look at how their different personalities come through.

There’s a Kickstarter going on until March 16, and Mongie shares the different tiers, how it feels to well exceed the original goal and how this success will impact the final product.

  

PAX East, Part 3

Kelsey Choi

Ben Chou's Pax East coverage wraps up with three great interviews. Kelsey Choi—a cosplayer and League of Legends Pro-Am player—opens the podcast with an in-depth look at how the games work and how she became an ambassador. She also talks about the games she grew up on and how it helped her overcome her shyness. She's been cosplaying for years and has been making her own costumes as well, and talks about what she's learned through doing this. 

Angelica Marie as Skull Kid

Angelica Marie is also a cosplayer and talks about her Skull Kid costume from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. She's been cosplaying for six years and takes it back to the beginning to what got her into it and the different costumes she's done. She talks about the good parts of the Pax community and how the people help each other. Angelica also highlights some of the games she's enjoyed at Pax and some of her favorite games. 

Zeen Rachidi is a Pax Enforcer and walks us through his time with Pax East and West. He's definitely a Pax East fan and talks about what has made the event such a success. He shares his origin story on how he became a Pax Enforcer and what the role entails. Though not security for the event, they have a lot to do, including helping with booths, providing information to attendees, and making sure everyone has what they need.


Playlist (In order of airing)
Cat Beach—Get After It

DDK-Margarita Mix

Pax East, Part 1

In Part 1 of our coverage of Pax East, Convention Correspondent Ben Chou chats with Daniel Beardo, co-founder of the Pax East Unofficial Community group, and the official Beachball Guy, Ted Morang.

Blackout Bootlegs: Pax East two-part interview

Ben Chou with Green Chylde

I'm very happy to present our two-part Pax East interviews, done and edited by Citywide's Convention Corespondent Ben Chou.

In part one, Ben hangs out with Green Chylde, co-founder of the Pax East Facebook group. She shares the origin of the group, how it's grown, and working with Daniel Beardo, the other co-founder. She also talks about her favorite Pax memories and the people she's met, and Ben shares the stories of the new friends he's met and the old faces he's seen year to year. The two also go back and forth about the indie games they've had the chance to play and what's on their must-buy list.

In the second part, Ben talks to John of Fidget Creative, a Salem-based game producer for their card game Red Scare Redux, and Clubhouse Defense Squad, a strategic tower defense game. We get a solid outline of both games and how they play. John talks about how his children helped to inspire Clubhouse, and the characters that you can be. The company has a Kickstarter running for their games, and more info can be found on the company site. We learn about John's perspective on gaming and how most start off as kids, and how Fidget's games try to capture that. John also shares the future plans for the game and the company's long-term projects.

Nov. 2, 2017: Copperfrog Games/D.R. Perry/Johnny I Band

Michael Epstein of Copperfrog Games

On this show, I welcome back Michael Epstein, game designer with Copperfrog Games. He's working on a new game, Pigment, where players take on the role of Renaissance painters to create their masterpieces. Michael talks about the work that into creating the game, the Kickstarter campaign now nearing completion, and his upcoming convention appearances to promote Pigment.

Author D.R. Perry has written a number of fantasy-themed books set here in New England, and will be among those at the annual Rhode Author Island Expo. She's released two books in her ongoing Wiser Guys and Nine Lives series, and talks about those and the other titles she's working on.

John Ingrassia of the Johnny I Band closes the show with look at his new album, the "Johnny I All Star Blues Revival, Vol. 1." This album is a massive collaboration effort with musicians such as Billy Cox, Bruce Katz, Tommy Shannon, and many more. John talks about the process of writing the songs working with so many great artists, how they helped shape the songs, and the upcoming second volume.

Jan. 12, 2017: L.L. Craft/Joe Rich/Chris Moreno/Zephyr Workshop

Michael Epstein, Breeze Grigas, and Emily Hancock

Author L.L. Craft is on first to talk about his two erotic horror novels, "Abigail" and "Every Dog Has Its Day." These books combine the best of both genres, and L.L. keeps the pace quick, intense, and very entertaining. 

Joe Rich is a singer-songwriter who's using his music to benefit a very worthy cause. He's written two songs, and the proceeds from the sales will benefit the Peter Frates #3 fund to end ALS. Along with telling us what led to him choosing this charity, we talk about the stories behind the songs and enjoy some great live music.

Musician Chris Moreno has a lot to be excited about-his 2017 starts with the release of a new album, "Into The Sun" and music video for his hit single, "Try." This is Chris' debut full-length album, which includes both recent music, and others written years ago. Chris also brings some great live music to the show.

The crew from Zephyr Games-Michael Epstein, Breeze Grigas, and Emily Hancock-have a stellar new game to showcase, all about combining robots! A.E.G.I.S. brings you warring nations, 90 different 'bots, and the kind of game that's easy to pick up and play. We give you a full demo, and a look at the projects to come.

May 12, 2016: Dorothea Jensen/Manni Festo/Copperfrog Games

[L-R] Max, Michael Epstein, and Gina holding the boards from "Tattoo"

We're opening the show with author Dorothea Jensen's book, "A Buss From Lafayette." This book, which is set in the 19th century, is centered on 14-year-old Clara Hargraves and her life on a farm in Hopkinton, a small New Hampshire town. Things have taken a drastic turn for the worse, but in hearing the stories from her friends and neighbors--and the legendary General Lafayette--she gains a new perspective on her troubles.

Hip-hop artist Manni Festo is next, for his recent album release, "Skeletones." Manni's been very busy of late, with shows and new music videos, and he tells us what went into this album, his time growing up in Montclair, N.J., and the many, many people who contributed to his recent release.

Michael Epstein brings the gaming world to Citywide for his new tabletop game, "Tattoo! The Game of Ink." He debuted this project at Pax East in April, and lays out the origin of the game, the tattoo artists who offered their art, and how to play.