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In the vast ocean of gaming based web shows a few are able to stand out and create something different from the redundant normalcy we’re subjected to. Lately I’ve felt the need to search out the people that take an extra step towards diversifying our medium and giving us a unique perspective on gaming. Substance TV is a web show centered around reviewing the best of video games old and new. The host, Brian Castleberry, has created something different that caters to present interests as well as those retro games that helped get the industry where it is today. I had a chance to ask Brian some questions about his show, the website, and gaming culture in general.
Tell us a little about yourself and where your interest in gaming comes from?
Well, I’m a 27 year old graphic designer with a wife and son, who’s turning one this week. My gaming interests started as many children of the 80’s did, with the Nintendo Entertainment System. I remember going to the now defunct Children’s Palace over on East Kellogg and seeing my first visions of Super Mario Bros. I had not played a video game before that time but once I did, I knew I had to have an NES. The next Christmas, I was the proud owner of one. Once the 16-bit era came, I was a die hard Sega Genesis owner who, even though I didn’t own one at the time, had a soft spot for the SNES. After that, my zest for gaming died off. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was because of the transfer to 3-D with systems like the Playstation and the craziness of high school. It wasn’t until my first year of college that I got back into video games thanks to my good friend, and co-creator of Substance TV, Erik Neal. We went to hang out at his house and he showed me Soul Calibur on the Dreamcast. It was then my love for video games was re-ignited and I bought a Dreamcast. From there, the rest is history.
What is Substance TV and who is it for?
Substance TV is for everyone. At least that’s what I hope it to be. Whether or not you’re a “hardcore” gamer who knows a lot about video games, or a “casual” gamer you should garner some information and knowledge from the show. We see the show as a bit of an education spiked with fun every now and again. We want to show people the goodness of video games they might not have heard of.
Where did the inspiration for this show come from?
Funny you should ask that. The inspiration for the show came from an odd source. A few years ago I was browsing Youtube and somehow I stumbled upon a video game review show. The show had a ton of subscribers, views, and comments. I figured there must be something to this so I watched an episode. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I could go into details but it was just bad. I mean really bad. It was almost one of those so bad it’s good situations. You always hear about someone saying, “Show ‘X’ sucks”, but doing nothing about it. I figured the best way to combat the drivel was to make a show myself. I wanted to do a show that covered only the best in video games. At the time I was unemployed so there was no shortage of spare time. I did the first episode in about a week on my old Mac. From there I just kept putting them out.
Why do you feel it’s important for gamers to remember these games?
As was once said, to understand our future we must study the past. Just as in music, you can tie a band’s style by their musical influences. The Beatles influenced an entire generation of musicians just as Super Mario Bros. inspired an entire generation of gamers. Without either of those influences, their respective forms would be extremely different. I think if a game is good, it should stand the test of time. Take a game like Contra for instance. Sure, it’s an old game on an old system but I can put it in today and still enjoy it. It’s got a timeless factor of gameplay and too many gamers these days don’t care about games of the past. At the same time we want to cover games of today that may have been poorly reviewed or not reviewed at all. We don't review Madden 2XXX as there’s an endless supply of websites that already have that covered.
There’s been a great rejuvenation of classic games through digital marketplaces on consoles. Do you think this will continue?
I think it will not only continue but grow in the years to come. We are a society of instant gratification. Digital distribution has a lot of pros. You can take out the cost of making and marketing a physical copy of a game. It also gives gamers the instant gratification and convenience of downloading a game at the press of a button. Add to that things like add-ons (ed: Downloadable content) and upgraded software is easy to distribute. Programs like Microsoft’s XNA give the average joe the outlet to have their gaming creations seen, downloaded by the public, and maybe make a few bucks. In the past, something like that would have been near impossible. Though I hope it won’t take over the video game market. I would hate not having physical copies of a game. Call me old fashioned but I enjoy having a tangible thing in my hands when I put my $60 down. Something about spending that much money on a digital file feels a bit empty to me.
Looking back, we’ve seen some of the greatest games in history help our favorite hobby grow into what it is now. Are you happy with what video games have evolved into?
I'm content with where we are at. To be honest, I'm surprised to see video games are still around. With the crash of arcades and the volatile home console market of my time, it's good to see it didn't end it all. It's amazing to see staples such as Mario and others producing great games after all this time. Though franchises such as Sonic have lost their luster since the heyday of the Genesis. As the years go on, it will become increasingly difficult for mainstay franchises to top their last endeavor. With video game creators such as Hideo Kojima, franchises like Metal Gear can supersede previous efforts by pushing the boundaries of what can be done. A small bit of me is that old salty dog who wishes for things to be the way they were. One of the aspects we've lost as a generation of gamers is arcades. Not just seeing the newest and coolest technology but the social aspect. If I could bring back arcades of the late eighties to the late nineties, I'm almost certain all war and poverty in the world would cease.
Do you think we have as iconic of gaming figures as we did in the 80’s? How important is that to gamers?
That's a toughie, but I'd have to say no. Case and point, when I was growing up Nintendo was the king of new IP's. From Mario, Donkey Kong, Kid Icarus, Metroid, Link, and a boatload of other franchises, Nintendo had them in spades. Now name the last new IP Nintendo has created in the last decade. Sure, theirs a handful of titles such as Pikmin but the list is quite small. I'll be the first to say I love seeing an old franchise pumping out games year after year, but where's the new stuff? Why was the original Super Mario Bros. such a great game? It was new and innovative. It introduced us to new worlds and challenges. Plus it gave us memorable characters and we wanted to see more. I understand they want to stick with what works but without innovation, we'd still be stuck with Nintendo playing cards. As far as other iconic gaming figures outside of Nintendo, there haven't been too many. Twenty years from now I don't see people putting a character such as Kratos from God of War on the same level as Mario. I think gaming figures are very important to gamers. Why did Sega brand their new collection of Sega Genesis games as "Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection" instead of just "The Ultimate Sega Genesis Collection"? Because the name sells like hotcakes, that’s why. People instantly associate Sonic with those childhood memories; therefore they buy what they remember. There's a certain level of computability within the confines of a well known gaming figure, and I don't think that will ever go away.
With video games recently being reported as the major media above music and movies, do you feel it will affect gaming as a culture?
I think so. With so many eyes focused on the gaming world, there will be much more scrutiny over how the gaming landscape evolves and changes. The Wii is the perfect example of video games becoming socially acceptable for any and all ages to play. When I was growing up, video games were just for kids and it's only been in the last few years we've seen a shift in the public's viewpoint. I also hope video games will garner some respect from the public. Entertainment such as movies and music are held in high esteem while video games are still trying to gain some ground. Video games are far too big to be ignored, it's just a question of will they become shunned or accepted by the world at large. As far as the affect on gaming culture itself, I think there will have to be a change. Video games can no longer be this exclusive club that only the well to do hipsters can be a part of. As I said before, the social aspect has already made an impression on the gaming culture and I think this trend will continue. With video games holding such a major piece of the entertainment pie, there comes a certain level of responsibility.
What’s the current state of video game culture here in Wichita and what can we do to help it grow?
From what I've seen the gaming culture in Wichita is a bit feeble. I see tournaments for PC first person shooters and the occasional fighting game but that's about it. As far as a major tournament like Evo or a video game convention of sorts it's all but non existent. Wichita loves video games as is seen by the numerous Gamestops and used games stores littered across the city, but I don't see any cohesion. There's no driving force bringing it all together. Even as progressive as Wichita is for a Midwest town, there is still the misconception video games are either evil, will rot your brains out, or are a general waste of time. As far as what we can do to help it grow, I'd say we treat video games as people treat other forms of entertainment such as movies and music: FUN! Get out there and expose people to games they may not have played. Change their perception of what they think a video game is. Hold events at the Coliseum to show Wichita what games are truly about. Let them know why we enjoy video games so much. And don't nerd it up or treat it as some "l33t" thing, just show the goodness and it'll go a long way to enriching the video game culture here in Wichita.
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