Patreon Q&A #4

Matt Koster Asks
With The Master Chief Collection finally coming out in a usable state, would you ever consider a "Years Later..." on some of the earlier Halo games, or perhaps discuss arcade shooters more generally?

Despite not being able to go back to those earlier videos without listing various flaws, I'm still quite pleased and proud of them considering what I made before. So redoing them would be unlikely. I feel like those videos cover pretty much everything I had to say.

Although, part of me does want to make a return to Halo Reach.

That video is my most disliked, and controversial. I've known instances of people distancing themselves from me completely because of it, and that's deserved. Back then, I was still finding my voice, and trying writing styles like Hats. So my biggest gripe with that video in particular, is that how one responded to the video seemed to be based on their opinion of the game. Those who liked the video, seem to really dislike Reach, and vice-versa.

That's not my goal with my content. I'm not here to confirm everyone's biases. The point of Years Later is not to discount a game's controversy or criticism, but to view it under a lens that's separated from hype-cycles, tabloid journalism, and clickbait culture. I actually agree to this day with a lot of what I say in Reach Years Later, and don't believe my claims are anymore controversial than future works. There's a lot more people who take issue with Reach, than defend aspects of Andromeda. The problem is in how everything's said. Dismissive and snarky. Something else I've distanced myself from.

Not only would redoing that video address those problems, I think it'd also just be a good learning experience. A direct way to see and show how much I've grown.

And not to pad this out, but I'm kinda grateful for the backlash. It really shook me awake that these weren't just random videos I made to be forgotten within a day, but something potentially Millions could view at any time. It's why I took my work immediately after that, much more seriously, and I think the best videos of my Halo Analysis are the one's on H4 & H5 because of that.

This conversation was also a big inspiration. I don't follow either of these Speakers closely, but this one back and forth really woke me to being a host, and treating viewers as guests. It's not their job to reach out, it's mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkjxVTeQp-I

Rune Fugleberg Asks
How important do you consider aesthetics, cinematics, and general presentation to be in games?

Very.

There's a common attitude in online-criticism circles that top-notch presentation isn't worth discussing when a movie/show/game has too many issues at the core, and I understand where they're coming from. The best special-effects in the world doesn't mean that stories can't have problems.

However, in that pursuit of highlighting plot-holes, game-balancing, whatever the issue might be, I find that presentation is often discredited. Imagine Mario in regular clothing. Imagine Halo without its music. Imagine DOOM without its demon's design.

Presentation absolutely matters. Its what sells the story you're telling, game your playing, and atmosphere you're in.

You know what's the purest form to experience this?

Stand-Up.

There's so much material out there that is best when spoken by a particular comic. Great jokes that fail due to poor delivery, and bad jokes that succeed due to a nailed punchline.

Yes, the best of jokes will be funny regardless of whose saying 'em. But there will always be a person who tells the joke best. 

It's the same for everything else.

The_Surviv0r Asks
Since I know off your videos that you enjoy a lot Remedy's content, what did you think of Control (Assuming you played it already, else I suppose what's your impression of the game from what you've heard about it)?

Haven't gotten around to it yet, but I was so, so happy to see those guys capitalizing off of their first truly Middle Market title in years. That game might just be exactly what I'm looking and hoping for. Using our advanced AAA Technology, with lower budgets and staff making something that speaks to them, rather than a group of Investors.

Dakota DaCody Asks
What will be the new fad of the next generation? (like battle royal)

I expect to see more grindfest co-op games that don't understand Destiny, Warframe, and Monster Hunter are exceptions. Perhaps Anthem might scare 'em off to doing something else, but it's the gaming industry. It often takes a lot for them to stop trying when there's someone whose consistently at the top.

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