Official episode poster by artist Olly Moss.
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Episode Two: Gotta Catch ‘em All
Robert Ashley explores the world of collectors and archivists, visiting a massive underground collection of videogames, a vintage pinball museum, and a program at Stanford University that hopes to save the history of online gaming.
Comments
Thank you so much
Posted by Benedict March 3, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Now listening =)
Posted by Jason March 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Couldn’t get it through the XML or itunes
Found it:
http://cdn2.libsyn.com/alifewellwasted/alww-ep2_gotta-catch-em-all.mp3
Posted by Jason March 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Robert, you are easily my favorite gaming podcaster. You probably need a permanent chair on ListenUp or another such excellent podcast. Everyone loves a cynic.
Posted by ScottG13 March 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
AMAZING START.
Robert, Get a ‘Contribute’ Button.
I’d give you a buck for all your efforts!
Posted by Mike Meat March 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Saikyo!
Posted by Dan March 3, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I understand not having a direct download link up. But at least have a little streaming player.
RSS worked for me on Zune though.
Posted by Gus Lanzetta March 3, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Fucking awesome. You’re so going to get picked up by NPR.
Posted by chris March 3, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Another excellent episode!
Posted by dude March 3, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Amazing. I’m an anthropologist and gamer, and you are opening up windows for me. Bra-vo yo. Also, I like it when you are “mean drunk”. -KingHippp0
Posted by Jonpaulk@gmail.com March 3, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Really enjoyed the first episode, looking forward to listening to the latest episode.
Posted by Patrick March 3, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Hi Robert – KingHippp0 Again.
I just wanted to say that if you’re ever in Portland, OR I would highly suggest Ground Kontrol. http://groundkontrol.com/
I show up about once a week to try to get my 50 cent replay on Addams Family pinball table. They’ve got about 30 pinball tables, and probably 100 classic arcade cabs.
And yes, they serve after 5 PM.
Posted by Jonpaulk@gmail.com March 3, 2009 at 2:20 PM
That was an hour well wasted. Thank you!
Posted by monkeystick March 3, 2009 at 2:35 PM
A donation button should be nestled somewhere up top.
Posted by Aaron March 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM
David S. Carter, a librarian at the University of Michigan, started the Computer and Video Game Archive. Being in Pittsburgh, I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but as a game-playing library science student, I think I’m going to have to check it out at some point.
Posted by Brian March 3, 2009 at 3:08 PM
I’m constantly surprised and delighted at the respect and care given to the topics covered on the podcast. The format is great and the examinations insightful. Keep up the great work Dr.
Posted by Jonathan Downin March 3, 2009 at 3:38 PM
This is an awesome podcast. I hope you can keep this going.
Posted by Lestaticon March 3, 2009 at 4:00 PM
I think you’ve found the next podcasting format that I most enjoy listening too, out of all the podcasts, and I listen to a lot, your podcast’s editing, topics and information are enough to keep me interested above the rest of the junk on iTunes. If anybody is having problems, a mirror is available here: http://ghos.info/upload/alww-ep2_gotta-catch-em-all-mirror.mp3
Posted by Olly Newport March 3, 2009 at 4:04 PM
@Jonpaulk: That place looks amazing! I’ve still never been out to Portland, and I’m so close. Well, relatively…
Posted by Robert Ashley March 3, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Great show sir. Thanks.
Posted by J.R. March 3, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Absolutely astonishing episode Mr. Ashley!! I can’t wait to see what else you’ve got in store.
Posted by Ryan Taylor March 3, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Another awesome podcast Mr. Ashley. The quality bar is right up there with “This American Life.” Please keep them coming!
Posted by Andrew Munro March 3, 2009 at 5:01 PM
With only two episodes you have created what has quickly become my all time favorite podcast. Please continue to keep producing such wonderful art. As with previous commenters, if the donate button appears I will give.
Also, anytime you can stop by the Rebel FM podcast please do so. That was the funniest podcast I have heard in quite a while.
Posted by Will Krebs March 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Long time listener from the brodeo days – just wanted to say from one ex-Texan (moved out to Chicago from SA about 4 years ago) to another ex-Texan, that you are a god damn genius, sir.
It’s refreshing (compelling? what’s another review cliche I can put in here) to have a podcast that’s not round-table.
A question:
Will we see a return of the Merchants of Cool?
I’ll be waiting with my finger on a very worn out f5 key waiting for the next episode from the Ira Glass of the gaming world. On the real.
Posted by David March 3, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Excellent podcast Robert. I really like the approach you have taken with this podcast and look forward to hearing more in the future.
Posted by Christopher Johnson March 3, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Listened to the show this morning (via iTunes subscription) and loved every minute. This is the only video game podcast that makes me wish it were longer. I also commend you on making a show about video games that I believe has truly broad appeal – you don’t need to love video games to love A Life Well Wasted (but it helps).
Thank you very much. I look forward to your next episode and whatever you decide to write on your blog.
Posted by feitclub March 3, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Wonderful, wonderful! Top notch editing really holds these together. Lovely flow; the ending to these sneak up on me. I reach the end wanting to listen to what you have in store next right away. Thank you.
Posted by Steven Cardoso March 3, 2009 at 6:47 PM
“You don’t need to love video games to love A Life Well Wasted (but it helps).” That’s a good back of the box quote.
Posted by Robert Ashley March 3, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Just another “awesome job” post here. Truly terrific.
Posted by Graeme Stewart March 3, 2009 at 8:17 PM
That’s a good point – with the box quote. Take your own advice bobito! Drop the pretense, talk about games occasionally. Or less. Or more.
Just keep on keepin on.
Posted by David March 3, 2009 at 9:04 PM
It’s wonderful to have our own culture of “This American Life”
Posted by Don Edgecomb March 3, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Been listening to you since the GFW days, and this by FAR the best gaming podcast ever.
Keep up the excellent work!
Posted by Gaute Moen March 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
My god, the end was just haunting.
What you’re doing is brilliant. Never stop.
Posted by cosmontcl March 3, 2009 at 10:58 PM
My only complaint is episode 2 didn’t come out soon enough. Awesome podcast, should replace “This American Life” on NPR.
Posted by Harry March 4, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Robert Ashley, this should be a magazine.
Black and white, no fancy shit, just the most awesome articles and quality writing. I’d pay for that.
Posted by Gert March 4, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Great show Robert I am really enjoying these podcasts so far. Its really nice to get something new and fresh in the podcasting space.
Posted by Matthew March 4, 2009 at 1:26 AM
Excellent. Looking forward to listening in.
Posted by John March 4, 2009 at 2:45 AM
yes, soon to bo on Febel FM again Robert Ashley is back
Posted by jon March 4, 2009 at 3:49 AM
A great episode Robert, a really interesting look at what makes people tick. I love the way you edit and present these podcasts by the way, they’re so different to the others I listen to, very documentary-esque.
Please keep up the great work, I look forward to more. And I also hope to see your TM sense of humour emerge more in later episodes.
Posted by Ben March 4, 2009 at 3:49 AM
SUPERBROTHERS & THE 1 CONSOLE salutes Dr. Max Chill’s internet radio adventures!
Posted by superbrothers March 4, 2009 at 5:37 AM
Always a pleasure Mr Ashley.
Best 44 minutes I’ve spent in front of the computer in a long time.
Posted by Chris Awjian March 4, 2009 at 6:09 AM
I’ve downloaded the podcast, but I think I’m going to save it for a drive down to Richmond this friday. Loved the first episode, can’t wait to listen to this one. If you offer any tshirts or shwag I’ll be all over it.
Posted by Kyle March 4, 2009 at 6:56 AM
Again an incredible effort of auditory brilliance!
Posted by Ben Grundy March 4, 2009 at 7:08 AM
Wow, great show. Subscribed! Check out http://www.casuallyhardcore.net for some awesome video game clothing.
Posted by Adam March 4, 2009 at 7:40 AM
“…get high as a kite… high as a kite…. high as a kite and make electronic music…. hahahahahahaha”
Awesome – it’s like if Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad were set free from ol’ papa Krulwich.
Posted by superbrothers March 4, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Another fantastic podcast! If I had endless supplies of money I would make sure you had all the free time to pursue this project for as long as you wanted. Keep up the good work!
Posted by Aaron B March 4, 2009 at 8:05 AM
I would pay for this podcast. The quality is comparable to that of This American Life, much better than all the other “4 guys sitting in a room rambling” podcasts.
I hope Robert finds a way to keep doing his podcast his way and make a decent living off it.
@Brian, I work for Univ of Michigan and I had no idea that Video Game Archive existed. Thanks for the tip.
Posted by Scott March 4, 2009 at 8:23 AM
This is the gaming podcast I’ve always wanted. A gaming lifestyle podcast.
Thanks for the greatest gaming podcast out there.
Posted by Pancho_Villasan March 4, 2009 at 8:26 AM
congrats robert! i loved the first episode and was worrying the second one would never see the light of the day. all the wait was justified: nothing replaces good craft.
i hope you can keep this thing going, don’t get a job!!! i know you won’t.
Posted by pappo March 4, 2009 at 8:35 AM
This fills a hole I didn’t know existed.
Posted by Paul March 4, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Speak Up and Be Judged!