[quote name='Kosh']Have you been to cheapassgamer.com? Not the forums, but the front page of this website. If so, you realize that this is a business, that's right CAG including the CAGcast is a business ran by CheapyD. Take a look at that front page again, see the ads, not just the normal ads, but all the links to buying different games at different sites. Cheapy makes a small commission everytime someone clicks one of those links and buys a game. I'm sure it's not a lot, and I'm sure most of it goes back into the site, but I'm also sure he makes some kind of profit off of them.
I'd like to think he produces the CAGcast out of the bottom of his heart, and for the most part he probably does. However, the CAGcast is part of cheapassgamer.com, therefore a part of Cheapy's business. Is it too much to think that he might put some advertisements in the show. I understand he's giving the money from the ads to a charity, but hey, that's still a possible tax write off so he still could benefit from the ads.
So Cheapy puts time and money into making the CAGcast, now he and Wombat are getting something out of it. I say, good for them. Therefore, I find absolutely no problem with him putting ads into his show. No problem at all. That's my stance on this whole thing. Of course, nothing I've said hasn't been said before, so it's nothing new. You just have a problem listening.
As for why podcasting is so popular, I'm sure less advertising is one of the reasons why. Along with the fact that this particular podcast covers a topic that you can't find very often in other forms of media, ie. TV and Radio. There's also the fact that it's portable and the user can listen at his or her convenience. The last two are my reasons, I could care less about ads.
As far as your crusade against these ads and the supposed "deterioration" of the CAGcast, I have this to say. I think you are pretty naive to think that eventually advertisements wouldn't start coming to this relatively new form of media. Especially a podcast that is part of a business, like the CAGcast is as a part of the cheapassgamer.com business.
So, good luck with your crusade. Why stop at the CAGcast though. 1up has been putting ads in their podcasts as well. Outside of video game podcasts, Ricky Gervais has had ads in his podcasts since the beginning. In fact, when they first came out his podcasts were free, now you have to pay for them. Yes, pay for podcasts, heaven forbid anyone try to make a buck for taking the time and effort to produce entertainment for other people.[/quote]
That's a little more like it, thanks for laying down your position instead of just taking potshots at mine. Here's why I don't agree with you:
You say CheapAssGamer is primarily a business. I say CheapAssGamer is primarily a community, whose webmaster happens to make some money though affiliate links and banner ads. CAG would be nothing without the CAGs, so that begs the question; If CAG is a business, who does Cheapy consider to be his customers?
This is somewhat of a tangent, but lets find out the answer anyways. The CAGs? Not really, they're just here to support each other. Aside from occasional donations or whatnot, they are, as the site so boldy proclaims, cheap asses. So who else? Oh, right, the advertisers! They're the ones actually paying Cheapy for the CAG eyeballs/ears. That makes us CAGs, what, commodities? You don't find that mildly insulting?
Now, it's one thing for a website to mildly annoy its readers, it's understandably necessary to recoup bandwith and other costs. It's understandable for a TV or radio show to do that. It's quite another thing altogether to do it for its own sake, while blowing off the money saying you don't even need it. No one hears an ad and thinks "now they've got integrity," not even industry insiders. When I hear an ad, I hear the production saying "we are desperate enough to sully our creation with this obnoxious endorsement." What I hear Cheapy saying is more along the lines of "I don't need to do this or anything, I'm just going to rub these all over the shiny CAGcast 'cause I think it needs to look uglier." That is insulting enough to the listener to warrant boycott, and I can't believe I am the only one who feels that way.
How am I naive to feel that sort of insult is unnecessary?
As for 1up or any of those other crapcasts, I'm generally of the opinion that they're not worth listening to even despite the ads. The CAGcast is something good enough that it doesn't need to go that route, and I believe it is worth the effort it's taking to save. Cheapy should be offended that you don't.
[quote name='Mookyjooky']I just dont understand how having ads in your cast makes you lack "Class"
Insulting stuff you didnt even have to pay for is retarded.[/quote]
Insulting one's listeners is retarded.
The "class" thing was wrapped up the instant Cheapy replied to this thread. It had nothing to do with the ads in the first place.
[quote name='SirMikael']I don't think CAGs are exactly "standing in your way", but instead are perhaps "standing up" for the decision to place short ads in the CAGCast.[/quote]
Other than semantics, what's the difference there? They are hands still feeding the dog that bit them. They are actively siding with an obligation they feel towards defending the word of Cheapy, no matter what the words say. They are putting up with tripe that does not need putting up with.
There are many ways to analogically describe what they are doing. That's all beside the point that they are doing it.
[quote name='SirMikael']Having revenue involved keeps CheapyD and Wombat hungry, and that keeps the podcasts coming, which in the end - is all I care about.[/quote]
If only Cheapy agreed with that. 'Cause, you know, he did say something about "not even needing the money...." This is kind of the issue here.
[quote name='SirMikael']I don't know your age, but it just seems like you haven't fully grasped the concept of "Choose your battles wisely". Just my opinion...[/quote]
You mean, only play games you'll win? Maybe one day you'll grasp the concept of a conscience. Cheapy may bring the CAGcast down into whatever ad infested hellhole he likes, but at least I'll be able to sleep soundly knowing that I did everything in my ability to save him.
[quote name='sp00ge']Yvan eht nioj!

This whole "crusade" absolute reeks of Cindy Sheehan.
I say Cheapy should run some birth control ads next and see how much more whining comes of it. Maybe he can get 2 complaints this time.[/quote]
Yeah, and most of these replies reek of redneck hillbillies with sawed-off shotguns, saying "we don't like yer kind in these parts."
Now, see how ridiculous that was? Making comparisons to rival Godwin is not helping. I am trying to help Cheapy and the CAGcast, not impeach him.
As for birth control ads, I would be surprised if he could pull that off given the audience represented in this thread, and the unlikelyhood that a significant amount of them are in any danger of procreating. Then again, maybe it would be a good idea to run them just to make sure.