Patreon Q&A #10

Holy Shift Asks
Thoughts on the idea of a long take in cinema and it's implementation in gaming a la God Of War reboot? Do camera tricks like this in have a place in gaming or is it unnecessary? This is a loaded question, feel free to ignore parts of it or split into 2 sessions

I believe it absolutely has a place, but like anything in gaming creatively, it'll only show its true colors with the proper intent and execution. Recently, I watched 1917 that echoes the technique of Birdman, using multiple long-takes to form one continuous looking shot, and it worked brilliantly for that particular film.

But obviously, it doesn't mean that other war movies that use traditional film editing are any more dated, or less impressive. It's the same for games. I'm not one who bemoans the use of Cutscene in-games for instance. I think they can be a very powerful tool, and for certain genres and stories, cutscenes are what drive people forward. The most fun I had in Mass Effect was sitting down and talking to people.

What I am personally for is making games, specifically campaign experiences, more seamless. For instance, in a design doc I wrote years ago, I'm picturing a game where the player is transitioning between two large, open-ended levels. But rather than simply adding a loading screen, between levels, I want the character to be moving one way, with rapid transitions synced to an in-game calendar, to communicate how far the character has traveled in their world.

When thinking about the best long-take scenes, the thing they have in-common is how effectively they put into the character's world, that's why they're so powerful. Thing is, that's not the only way, to get into someone's head, and I'm sure we'll prove that more with time.

Alfred Fan Asks
What is your favorite Call of Duty single-player campaign?

It really is a toss-up between 2 & 4, though I can't deny that 4 has the better pacing, which is a big contributor to my enjoyment. I think of it in this manner. 2's Album I go to replay favorite songs. 4's the Album to listen back to front.

The Great Leveler Asks
If you could collaborate with any youtuber, who and why/about what?

Linus Tech Tips, so he could sort out my cable management.

For real though, I've had a mega-collab idea for some time now about Russian Bootleg Expansions, with the concept being that 10+ People each review one. Obviously, I'd have to get Mandalore in there again.

Brennen Nichols Asks
Do you plan on ever reviewing the Halo Anthology whenever all games are playable on PC? Also What do you think of the current state of the MCC as compared to when it first launched many years ago on Xbox? Thanks :)

At the moment, definitely not thinking about reviewing the complete Halo collection, not unless I feel I can bring something new to the table after exploring them over the course of 7 videos. I definitely want to revisit Reach at some point though, as that's the video that caused a stir, and deservedly so. It's not so much what I said, but how I said it that I'm not pleased with.

As for the current-state of MCC, it's pretty damn sweet. The UI is still awful, to the point where it may inspire a future video, but having so many classic games in one-place, not just in campaign, but co-op, matchmaking, customs, and forge (one day, on PC)? It's evolved into easily one of the most valuable collections you can get.

DaCody Asks
You are tasked with making a new killer app for Xbox. The only requirement is that the game has to become a brand and has the potential to at least release every generation. What game do you make?

Think XCOM meets BF2: Modern Combat.

Starting as the citizen of a lawless planet shortly after each of the Earth's Superpowers have left our doomed home, you form a vigilante gang that builds enough new-recruits for a police force, eventually equaling the might of armies.

So much easier said than done, but if Sony's going to nail exclusives focused on story, narrative, and setpieces, than as someone involved with Xbox, I'd wanna offer something the competition doesn't have an answer for. Something that appeals to people's power-fantasy of running an operation, from the big-scale battles, to the tiniest micro-details on a certain recruit's uniform.

Deathblow (Working Title).

Ethan McArthur Asks
What's your opinion on PlanetSide 2? Would you be disposed to make a video on it?

With it recently gaining in popularity again, I might just give the game another shot. It's been years since I last played, but have a few fond memories of specific epic battles and encounters. I wouldn't be opposed to a video, I'm just not sure I'd have anything new to say in relation to the game's mechanics, as it's quite complex, and I haven't played nearly enough to delve into its full depths.

Were I to comment anything, it's that I'm glad Planetside 2 outright destroyed the Playercount fad, at least until Battle Royale's popularity. It made MAG look like a joke, and developers finally stopped just making Battlefield but then demanding "its better, because MAOR." It brought in the age of games like Siege, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Apex. Games that, say what you want about them, can't be denied that they emphasize design rather than scale.

Henry Asks
Do you feel like it is more difficult to get into games or feel satisfied with short play sessions as you grow older? If so, any insights on why this is the case or how you counteract these changes in perception?

I actually appreciate short play sessions as I get older. I just don't have the time to play one-game the amount so many want you to these days. I'd say that if you're not finding a game that's hooking you like you used to? I say go one of two extremes. Find something that'll hit in the nostalgia fields, or branch out into something completely new.

OzarkTempses Asks
What kind of one-hit wonder would you like a sequel to be made of?
It's not technically a one-hit wonder as Square Enix merely bought and retooled the game from Activision, but Sleeping Dogs is one I wish got to flesh itself out in a sequel. It's one of those games that I could spend criticizing for eons, but ultimately enjoyed.
And just imagine Daikatana with DOOM's quality...

MrDoubleyew Asks
As a writer/content creator, do you ever feel pressure to avoid the pitfalls of interests in certain games, genres, subjects, etc, that can open rabbit holes that cause you to develop an obsession?

So far, I can't say that I have. Typically, when by the time I've completed a video, I'm rather done with that particular topic, game, and/or franchise, and are ready to move onto something else. That, and I can relate to viewers. You ever like a channel but then, after while, despite quality being maintained, you stop watching? Because you get the sense of "oh, I know exactly what to expect. I know what that person does."

That's definitely something I try to avoid. It's why even something as basic as chapters in my Years Later videos, I'll change the font in accordance to the game.

No one likes a one trick pony.

Submit your questions in the comments below, for future Patreon Q&A's.