''This Spartan Life'' is a

talk show A talk show is a television programming, radio programming or podcast genre structured around the act of spontaneous conversation.Bernard M. Timberg, Robert J. Erler'' (2010Television Talk: A History of the TV Talk Show', pp.3-4Erler, Robert (201 ...

created by Bong + Dern Productions and produced and directed by Chris Burke, who hosts the show under the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...

Damian Lacedaemion . Premiering in 2005 and distributed over the

Internet The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...

, the show is created using the

machinima Machinima () is the use of Real-time computing, real-time computer graphics engines to create a cinematic production. The word "Machinima" is a portmanteau of the words ''machine'' and ''Film, cinema''. According to Guinness World Records, ma ...

technique of recording the video and audio from a

multiplayer A multiplayer video game is a video game in which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time, either locally on the same computing system (couch co-op), on different computing systems via a local area network, or ...

Xbox Live The Xbox network, formerly known and commonly referred to as Xbox Live, is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Gaming for the Xbox brand. It was first made available to the origina ...

session of

Bungie Bungie, Inc. is an American video game company based in Bellevue, Washington, and a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment. The company was established in May 1991 by Alex Seropian, who later brought in programmer Jason Jones (programme ...

first-person shooter A first-person shooter (FPS) is a video game genre, video game centered on gun fighting and other weapon-based combat seen from a First person (video games), first-person perspective, with the player experiencing the action directly through t ...

video game A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...

Halo 2 ''Halo 2'' is a 2004 first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox console. ''Halo 2'' is the second installment in the ''Halo'' franchise and the sequel to 2001's critically acclai ...

''. The half-hour episodes are released in six smaller parts, called modules. Guests, such as Bungie's audio director

Martin O'Donnell Martin O'Donnell (born May 1, 1955) is an American composer, audio director, and sound designer best known for his work on video game developer Bungie's titles, such as the ''Myth'' series, ''Oni'', the ''Halo'' series, and ''Destiny''. O'Don ...

are interviewed via

within the online multiplayer worlds of ''Halo 2'', and most recently ''Halo 3''. In addition to regular shows, special content has been created for Spiketv.com and the 2006 Machinima Festival. A premium edition of ''

Halo 3 ''Halo 3'' is a 2007 first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie for the Xbox 360 console. The third installment in the ''Halo'' franchise following '' Halo: Combat Evolved'' (2001) and ''Halo 2'' (2004), the game's story centers on th ...

'' includes ''This Spartan Life'' content. The show was later distributed on Xbox Live's central hub for Halo, Halo Waypoint. The new episodes on Halo Waypoint included interviews with members of the band

OK Go OK Go is an American Rock music, rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, now based in Los Angeles, California. The band is composed of Damian Kulash (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, guitar), Tim Nordwind (bass guitar, bass, backing vocalist, v ...

and an interview with Ultima Online creator Richard Garriott.

Development

In 2000, Chris Burke, a Brooklyn

sound designer In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by the br ...

, was playing ''

''. Burke liked exploring the scenery of the game's maps as if they were real places, and considered the

multiplayer service as a social space. However, before episode one was released the name was changed to ''This Spartan Life'', and all releases have been under that name. The show, while fairly popular, saw a spike in popularity with the release of its fifth blog, which centered on

network neutrality Net neutrality, sometimes referred to as network neutrality, is the principle that Internet service providers (ISPs) must treat all Internet communications equally, offering users and online content providers consistent transfer rates regard ...

. That episode became widespread and was shown to the United States Congress. ''This Spartan Life'' experienced a surge in media attention, as shown by ''This Spartan Life''s press page. In October 2009, episode 6 was released after a long hiatus. this was explained in-show that they were 'working out kinks'. The guests are either interviewed on

, or in Bong + Dern's sound booth. Most shows are made, at least in part, on Xbox Live; however, not all of the show segments can be filmed exclusively on Xbox Live, due to issues of in-game latency ("lag"), which would otherwise prevent the coordination seen in the Solid Gold Elite Dancers. The cameras are created using the "gun-drop glitch", which causes them to lose their weapons, thus providing a less obstructed screen. The guests for the show are usually interviewed in Bong + Dern's sound booth. As of the most recent release of media (Episode 5, Module 4) the cast has moved to ''Halo 3'', utilizing the Saved Film feature for capturing. ''This Spartan Life'' straddles the real and virtual world. It is filmed in and intentionally incorporates the unpredictability of the open environment of Xbox Live. During a filming session, others engage earnestly in a multiplayer game in the same area, and may sometimes attack the host or his interviewee. Occasionally, Burke and his guest devolve into firing at each other's avatars.

Format

''This Spartan Life'' features interviews by Burkein character as Damian Lacedaemion, hosting a talk show in ''Halo''s multiplayer levels. Episodes feature skits, tours of the levels, and a dancing troupe ("The Solid Gold Elite Dancers".) Early episodes were often interrupted by other, uninvolved players; the show would stop while the enemies were dispatched. The virtual camera used for recording was in fact another player, with a technique used to drop the character's gun from the frame.

Recognition

''This Spartan Life'' was highlighted as showing the breadth of the medium of machining. has been mentioned by Attack of the Show!,

Electronic Gaming Monthly ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' (''EGM'') is a monthly American video game magazine. It offers video game news, coverage of industry events, interviews with gaming figures, editorial content and product reviews. History The magazine was fou ...

, and ''

Wired Magazine ''Wired'' is a bi-monthly American magazine that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. It is published in both print and Online magazine, online editions by Condé Nast. The magazine has been in public ...

''. Burke created special videos for Spiketv.com and the 2006 Machinima Festival. ''This Spartan Life'' won the award for Best Machinima Series at the 2005 Machinima Film Festival and 2008 Machinima Film Festival. and was nominated for the same award in 2006.2006 Machinima Film Festival: WINNERS & Nominees. The show was featured at Festival Nemo in France.

References

External links

Official siteOfficial site (archived)
{{Halo series Machinima works Works based on Halo (franchise)