The Bert Show: "Vault: She Won't Rest Until She's In A Video Game, And She's So Close"

Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and the Bert Show Cast
Main Guest/Focus: Melissa and her quest to be featured in a video game

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of The Bert Show, the team revisits their “superficial goals” for the year, with a special focus on Melissa’s pursuit to voice a character in a video game. The story unfolds as Melissa details her surprising opportunity with an Atlanta-based game studio, High Res Studios, to become a character in their upcoming game, “Global Agenda.” With the full cast chiming in, the episode mixes behind-the-scenes insights, on-air banter, and invitations for listener participation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Revisiting Superficial Goals

(Starting at 01:00)

• The show opens with the cast sharing their superficial (non-serious) personal goals for the year.
  • Bert wants to catch a blue marlin, despite many failed attempts.
    • “Every time I go deep sea fishing, I mean I've probably spent over $1,000 now... and they laugh at me. They point with their little long noses. Not today, buddy.” — Bert (01:11)
  • Jen aims to play a decent round of golf, tapping into her childhood muscle memory.
  • Wendy desires to have a personal connection to an NFL player and snag a ticket to the season opener, even joking about accepting distant relations.
  • Jeff aspires to appear on a game show.
  • Melissa sets her sights on voicing a character in a cartoon or video game, celebrating her love of “geek” culture.

2. Melissa’s Game-Changing Opportunity

(04:27 – 10:57)

• Melissa reveals her dream came closer to reality when High Res Studios, creators of “Global Agenda,” invited her to tour their Alpharetta studio and offered her a role as a “shopkeeper” character in their much-anticipated game.
  • “They are Bert Show listeners. And they actually almost immediately offered and came in studio, actually, and offered me the chance to voice a character in this game, Global Agenda.” — Melissa (04:53)
• Discussion on the making of modern video games:
  • The cast expresses amazement at how much effort and time go into game development, with teams dedicated to programming, digital art, and in-game cinematic sequences.
  • “Even the smallest detail, like the shadows that follow the characters, have to be perfect, you know?” — Bert (06:02)
• The team jokes about how far technology has come and riff on the immersive process of motion capture used at the studio.
  • “So this is the room where you go in and you put the suit on and... the little golf ball things are actually little sensors... So in the game, your character moves exactly like you do.” — Melissa (07:40)

3. Interactive Video Game Roles & Listener Suggestions

(08:52 – 11:19)

• Melissa’s in-game shopkeeper will not be a warrior but a key NPC (non-player character) that players interact with to buy items.
  • She’s open to listener ideas for special “trigger codes” that could make her character perform fun or silly actions.
    • Examples from the cast: dancing, handstands, or eyebrow tricks.
  • “Their assignment for me was to figure out what things I wanted to do with these codes. Like, you know, what crazy things would I allow my character to do that somebody playing the game could actually make me do?” — Melissa (09:44)
  • “I'm happy to take suggestions on what you think my character should do because I have opened myself up and I told them that I will incorporate suggestions from listeners in this game.” — Melissa (10:38)
• She provides her email (melissa100atlanta.com) for fans to send in their ideas.

4. Reflections & Behind-the-Scenes Insights

(Throughout)

• The show gives listeners a rare behind-the-scenes peek into the melding of entertainment media (radio) and the gaming industry.
• The cast’s comic banter keeps the topic light and engaging, with multiple jokes about roles, motion capture technology, and the unusual fun of being immortalized in digital form.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bert:
  “Every time I go deep sea fishing, I mean I've probably spent over $1,000 now... and they laugh at me. They point with their little long noses. Not today, buddy.” (01:11)

• Melissa:
  “They are Bert Show listeners. And they actually almost immediately offered... me the chance to voice a character in this game, Global Agenda.” (04:53)
  “So in the game, your character moves exactly like you do. Or they have to base every character on an actual person. Because if you play a game now, it's pretty realistic.” (07:40)
  “Their assignment for me was to figure out what things I wanted to do with these codes... what crazy things would I allow my character to do that somebody playing the game could actually make me do?” (09:44)

• Bert (on video game detail):
  “Even the smallest detail, like the shadows that follow the characters, have to be perfect, you know?” (06:02)

• The Cast

  • Joking about Melissa’s character being able to perform unusual actions suggested by listeners.

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:00 – Superficial goals of the cast
• 04:27 – Melissa introduces her video game voice acting goal
• 04:53 – How High Res Studios offered Melissa the opportunity
• 06:02 – Discussion of game development detail and realism
• 07:19 – Behind-the-scenes: motion capture explained
• 08:52 – Melissa’s shopkeeper character and listener involvement
• 10:38 – Melissa invites listeners to submit ideas for her character

Tone & Style

The show’s tone is casual, playful, and accessible — filled with self-deprecating humor and banter between friends. The cast is welcoming, enthusiastic, and invites their listeners to become part of Melissa’s quirky quest.

Summary

This episode showcases the fun and fellowship of The Bert Show team, as personal ambitions take center stage. Melissa’s ongoing journey to bridge her love of gaming with her radio career resonates as a story of curiosity, serendipity, and geeky joy — all with the support of an engaged and participatory audience. The behind-the-scenes world of video game development is illuminated, inviting listeners to help make radio and gaming history together.

For those wanting to join in:
You can submit your ideas for Melissa’s in-game actions by emailing her at melissa100atlanta.com.