Reading with interest.

I’ll make a few points just to give some context to why the format is like this currently.

1) The no 1 reason is it makes a massive difference to Bens ability to input into the show. Ben is the key man when it comes to developing each episode as he will draft the running orders etc. When we moved to this format, Ben was able to participate so much more on the show he effectively writes. So for me to have ben stuck on a screen, out of sync with the rest of us again would be a massive loss.

2) We are re jigging the studios etc over the next months as we move our warehousing and centralise it into the larger warehouse. So as you can imagine we are very tight on space in the Visitors centre and the small team of us are currently… 1) Keeping the website going with news and articles 2) All the usual community and social stuff on discord and facebook etc 3) Recording themed weeks and letsplays, unboxings and weekenders etc 4) Maintaining the development and servers of the OTT media site (this one) 5) Maintaining the OTT online Store 6) Picking and packing and shipping the orders from that store 7) Running the visitors centre and running the store and members suite for local gamers – and other stuff like developing the next online campaigns etc…

In a nut shell that’s a fair chunk of work for everyone (Me, Lloyd, Gerr, Ben, Justin, John, Tom, Shay) to be involved in and still allow a bit of time to actually embrace some hobby ourselves so we have some context and experiences to share. (And we also have lives and families and dependants we try to share time with.)

So as it stands the way we work facilitates all of this, while we gradually move some of these functions of the operation off our plates.

3) We have invested pretty steadily in the equipment folk have to record the weekenders on to keep audio etc up to spec, but I’ll have a sit down with the guys to see what further upgrades may make a positive difference. While I’m at it I’ll pick there brains about formats and running orders etc as there is always room for improvements – given time and kit etc)

4) I’m really happy with the team we have at the moment and like the general dynamic we all share so I’m not really in any hurry to expand that etc – as what we have works well and as we get to offload some elements we will be freed up to bolster other areas.

So yeah, if Ben lived here, I would be much more inclined to push the studio thing, but he’s settled where he is and in todays world we should absolutely be able to make these formats work where people are happy and content.

But as always I’m all ears and keeping an eye on your thoughts as a community 🙂