Today I got a chance to talk with Rocco Botte of Mega64. You’ve probably seen their skits on YouTube, or might even be a fan like me and own all their DVDs. Right now, they have a new series called Marcus’ Corner in which the character of Marcus the puppet interviews people in the industry in a humorous manner. Also be sure to check out their weekly podcast, which consists of the same randomness you know and love from the Mega64 crew.

What was the first console you ever owned, and what was your most played game on that platform?

First console I ever owned was the NES - oddly enough, even though the first game I connected with was the original Super Mario Bros, I ended up playing Super Mario Bros. 2 more than any other game.

What game is your most hated?

My parents bought me essentially my first doorstop at age 5, when they brought home Dino Riki for the NES.

Are there any skits you’ve wanted to do that you couldn’t simply due to budget or time?

Honestly, not really. We’re pretty good at staying grounded, and anything we really want to do is within our means. I guess you could say we aim pretty low.

How is working with larger companies like Wizards Of The Coast, IGN, and Ubisoft? Does making these videos interfere with work for Version 3?

Usually it’s a lot of fun working with companies like that. Aside from a couple lame experiences, somehow we typically end up working with companies who actually get what we’re really all about and give us the freedom to do whatever. We’ve been pretty lucky in that regard (aside from occasionally having to make little bizarre, minuscule changes the legal people throw out).

Would you like to do non-gaming related videos any time soon, or are you set on what you having going now?

I can’t really speak for the other guys, but personally - I just kinda like filming random stuff. But I’m pretty set with Mega64, it encompasses all of my interests so it’s not hard to just be content with that.

On your commentaries for the Version 1 DVD, you said that Mega64 was originally going to be a more generic gaming show with reviews and such, and it changed completely from what it was intended to be. Do you still have any interest in doing a show or videos like this in the future?

Eh, not really. Now that we do a supplementary podcast every week, I get my fill of that. I think the show is where we pretty much want it right now.

In episode 44 of your podcast you talk about how you being recognized isn’t an issue (nor do you think it will be), but in the case it ever did get to a point where it ruined most of your skits, would you just move on or try thinking of a different approach to filming?

Well, over the past year or two we’ve done a better job of establishing our written/improv sketches too, so I guess we’d just lean more in that direction. But I really don’t see that being a problem, honestly, ever.

The podcast is very entertaining, and a great way to keep interest high for Mega64. Is it outlined at all, or do you just go in and wing it?

There isn’t even anything remotely close to an outline. We literally turn on the camera and start talking. That’s how a lot of our commercials we’ve produced have been made too! Man, we’re really unprofessional.

What do you think of shows that target gamers on G4 or other networks?

I think they focus too much on trying to be edgy or cool instead of just bringing fun content. Video games are fun. They’re games. We play them and they’re fun. Let’s have shows that celebrate this and be fun too, instead of trying to be shocking and make fun of their own fanbase. Ha ha, nerds are lonely and smell bad, that’s really funny, right, yeah.

Is there anything else you want to say to fans or newcomers to Mega64?

We’re sorry.

I’d like to thank Rocco for answering my questions.