On July 27th, 2004 my brother Brian and I started Video Game News Radio on a Shoutcast stream.  We didn't think to record our broadcasts the first few times we did the show, but we quickly found that we enjoyed it and wanted to continue doing it.

We invited Don Anderson to join us (At the time, he was the only other person who we knew would be home on a Sunday night) and the show was recorded for distribution on the website, and then as a Podcast.  Podcasting was very new at the time, and there were no gaming talk shows.  In fact, I was asked to head-up the gaming section of the Podcast directory, which at the time, was the only way one could find Podcasts online. 

We had a small audience of people, and a lot of support from the Podcast community.  We interviewed a lot of people on our show over the first year, and a lot of other folks heard what we had done and started their own gaming talk shows.  No, I'm not saying we were the first radio show to talk about video games.  But we were the most popular until the larger outfits got involved.  At one point, when iTunes had turned on their Podcast feeds.  VGNR had ranked to #13 of ALL Podcasts available at the time, and was the #1 gaming show on the rankings.  But again, there weren't very many.

Over the years, that has certainly changed.  Many more professional shows have come and gone, with budgets, staffs, and connections to the gaming community that we couldn't dream of having.  But as their parent companies go belly up, or fire the staff, or people move on.  VGNR has remained.  For five years now, the show has been extremely consistent in delivering new episodes about once a week.  And the hosts, while adding new members like Larry and Donn, has taken you with us through the travels of our lives as well as gaming.

When the show started, Halo 2 and Half Life 2 hadn't even come out yet.  There was no DS, no PS3, no 360, and certainly no Wii.  Sony was the largest console company, Nintendo barely had a presence in the home console market (Sticking with the Game Boy Advance as their money maker), and Microsoft was floundering with the original Xbox.  And yes...  There was a console coming called The Gizmondo.  Ever heard of it?

We cannot thank you enough for listening to our show week after week, and year after year.  The support the community gives this show is unprecedented.  Considering the small size of our listening base, it often seems like everyone has had some hand in helping the show.  Be it monetary, artwork, advertising, hosting, or just joining us on a Sunday to spout off.  There would be no VGN today without your involvement.  Over the years, I've recieved many kind emails from listeners who love the show, and ask us to keep doing it.  Folks who never write in to shows, or post on forums, stop to take a moment out of their day to just tell us that they laughed their ass off during a segment, and wanted to take a moment to reassure us that people were listening.  (And believe me, it helps me to get these emails and know that I'm not just doing this show because I'm a retard, which often is what I think.)  All of your efforts have made the show carry-on, and become better year after year.

  I can't thank everyone.  I wanted to list names here and thank everyone individually for what they've done, but I know I'd forget some people, and so I'll just take the easy way out and thank you all for your help over the years.  It's been extraordinary. 

  Looking forward, it's difficult to say where technology will take us, and if Podcasting will still be relevant as the months click by.  If our audience numbers won't continue to dwindle from the highs they once were at, as people find different avenues of entertainment.  And as the rest of the VGN crew (Besides Brian, and who knows with Larry?) move into the years beyond 40, will we wonder if doing the show will still entertain, and will it be worth it?  We simply can't predict the future.

  But from 2004 until the day the show does end, I think we've created a massive amount of entertainment and moments that people can reflect back on and recall not just the things we said or did, but the time in their own lives when they first heard the broadcast.  Where they were working, or what classroom they were in, or what game they hoped they'd be getting at Christmas time.  And that through all the years, we've all been friends together, riding a wave of video gaming as it continues to be strange and wonderful and filled with the kinds of things that only we, the VGN crew, know how to mock properly.

  So here's to 5 more years of that kind of entertainment.  With the new Video Game News Radio shows, we'll be putting a focus on gaming only talk for now on.  (No more movies, fast food reviews, or musical interludes.)  We'll be bringing back the press junket, and editorials by each host.  And we'll be putting forth a new effort to bring original content to each show.  It's our way of refocusing the show back on what made it popular to begin with, and to give you all a little bit more substance in the show.  And if you loved just the stories, and crazy talk, and gaming didn't matter.  You can always get our sister show, "Midwest Wasteland" on opposite weeks.

  As always, all the shows can be found, subscribed, and downloaded via our new home on Libsyn.  http://vgn.libsyn.com

  Thank you all again.  It's been an absolute pleasure (And sometimes it's painful) to bring you the show.  We hope you keep listening...

Kevin on behalf of the original VGN Crew
(Kevin, Brian, Larry, Don, and Donn.)

Hear Hear!

Yeah, thanks everybody. And thanks to Kevin, Brian and the Don(n)s for letting me ride their coattails for the last few years.

Gaming is over! Here's to 5 more!

Right on man. Can't wait to see what the future holds. Who knows? Maybe I'll get to do a 10 year anniversery Tribute show. That'd be crazy. Keep up the great work everyone!

Give me VGN or give me death!

Great show, guys. Keep 'em coming.

Brian

Thanks for the years of enjoyment. Was July 2004 really the starting point? I thought there were shows before that....I don't know I was 15 at that point and confused. ;)

All the best guys.

5 more years of the end of gaming are for us!

As a listener to the show for a solid 4 years, i want to say thank you kevin and everyone else for all the good memories and moments from the show.
The way I see it, the solid user base, longevity, and support serve as a testament to the quality and entertainment of the show.
I know you guys are always joking saying how this show is crap, how its unprofessional, and you always go off topic, but I think thats part of the magic. There are no boundaries and you guys always keep it real, which I see as as a breath of fresh air in todays world.
As long as you keep recording, I'll keep listening.

Five more years would be awesome.

I started listening to VGN in the late spring/summer of 2005. It doesn't seem that it has been 4 years since I've been listening (and 5 since the show has started) but I guess it has.
Time moves on, and I (for one) and thankful for all the time and effort you all have put in (and continue to put in) on the show. Thanks Kevin.

4 more years! 4 more years!

Er...5 more years! Hopefully Brian isn't eaten by a giant spider before then.

The show has remained in my podcast rotation over the years, many shows I have been removed from it but VGN has remained. I can't thank the hosts enough for the laughs and good times. Keep up the good work, and heres to another five years.

Some of the funniest and best things I've ever heard have come from this show, listening every week since Summer of 2005 has become part of my life! I can't imagine not having my weekly dose of Kevin, Brian, Larry and the Don(n)'s. Fingers crossed to the magic carrying on for 5 more years!

iPod's may come and go (4 of them, in my case), but the magic heard on them will last forever.

Everybody Drink !!

I've enjoyed the show for 4 years now and can't imagine driving around without the shenanigans of the crew to entertain me. If it wasn't for the show I would have never had the pleasure of freaking out my wife and friends with "Cannibal Holocaust" and "I Spit on your grave." Congrats on 5 years and thanks for all the good times.

I don't think I've ever written in before. (shame on me) but you guys do a fantastic job and VGN is easily the funniest and most entertaining podcast on my weekly playlist. I haven't missed a beat since I started listen about 2 years ago.

I have no doubt the show will grow strong and evolve into new and uncharted territories. Have a drink on me guys and long live VGN. Happy Anniversary!!!!

I have been listening to you guys for about 3 years and it's easily one of the most entertaining podcasts out there. I hope you guys keep it up and keep all of us entertained for more years to come!

I've only been listening for a year now, but I feel like one of the VGN freaky family! You guys are amazing. I used to look forward to all my gaming podcasts, but now I have a sense of apathy towards them because they are nothing compared to your show. Like I said back in October, don't quit guys, don't ever quit. Something inside of me would die.

Nothing can compare to VGN and it's unique cast and flow. Happy anniversary!!!

No, thank you guys for putting on the best shows on the internet.

I think I started listening around October of 2004. I found out from some random post on some other forums asking what video game podcast people listen to. Someone mentioned yours so I checked it out. I remeber posting in the comments for a given show and Kevin was also posting, talking with people. The host was actually talking to the listeners and getting in arguments and stuff. I was blown away. I remeber some lengthy arugments about the new systems (360, ps3 , wii). They would get out of hand sometimes but there were always different viewpoints. The show just feels like you are sitting aoruns listening to your friends talk. Its a fun distraction from work. If you guys keep talking, I'll keep listening!

Wow I've spent my preteen/teen years listening to this bullshit? Man, no wonder I'm so fucked up.

Keep on trucking VGN.

I've been listening to this podcast for about 2 years, and it's my favorite one. If you put out a show, I'll listen to it, congratulations and here's to 5 more years!

Although they don't know it, my coworkers should thank VGN for the fact that they're not horribly maimed. If not for listening at work, I would've been bored enough to do some dangerous and HR-unapproved stunt about 4.75 years ago. So Thanks VGN, I'm still employed!

You guys have made me realize that all Americans are all not living in Beverly Hills, Rap stars with Bling and Ultra good looking starlets.....! You are real people like the rest of the planet. I love this show and enjoy the banter week in week out...keep up the good work.
Can't wait for Dons solo show...PEACE

Congratulations! For a hundred more years!