Patreon Q&A #2

Vectoid Asks
Would you consider looking at Dark Souls games and the Soulslike games that have been popping up over the years? I’m interested in what your thoughts on the subject.

Well, due to the Orange Box Years Later, there's a Southern Owl keeping tabs on me at all times to assure that franchise is never spoken about due to overexposure, or else I'll be cut for being a coward.

But seriously, never say never, especially as my relation to Dark Souls is probably different than most fans. You can actually find COG Articles I wrote complaining about the first two games. Their cumbersome weight and low speed didn't click with me. It wasn't until I gave Dark Souls III a chance that I fell in love. Bloodbourne's next on the From Software playlist, especially as a Patron very kindly gifted it to me. I haven't forgotten your gesture Literally Polio!

Without turning this Q&A post into a novel, what I appreciate most about Dark Souls trends are an emphasis on player agency and failure. Games are so often focused on making sure the player doesn't screw up, that it's refreshing for a modern game with all of its gorgeous art and assets, to let me walk off a cliff with consequence.

Alfredo Olvera Asks
Have you read Tom Bissell's book Extra Lives: Why Videogames Matter? If you did, what do you think of it? Would you ever consider releasing a compendium of your essays as a book as Bissell did? Thanks for reading. I love your work.

I have not, but I'm familiar with Tom Bissell's name. Mainly in his tours being interviewed as a writer for various games, like Gears of War Judgement, and Battlefield Hardline.

As for releasing a collection of my own essays, if I ever did, it would be for free rather than a paid-book. These snippets I write for Patreon, as I feel their best suited for Patreon. Not Twitter, Credits, etc. I've had aspirations for years however to expand beyond Youtube videos. The dream is to write something for the mediums that fascinate made. Books, Games, Movies, Shows, and Comics. I've even thought about doing audio work, as I often am complimented/joked for accidental ASMR. Though, while rewriting Years Later videos for Spotify would be the easy road, I'm not a fan of said road, and would prefer to take a more challenging junction, should that opportunity present itself.

And no, thank you for asking! Appreciate your support!

Ehhggs Asks
What’s your two-cents on the relationship between difficulty and “the intent of the developer”? 

I think it should be respected, but respect doesn't ascend criticism or suggestion. For instance, I choose to believe that From Software have thought long and hard about difficulty in their games, and have decided that they're better off allocating resources to other areas, rather than spending days on end balancing the game for multiple skill-levels.

However, I'm sure they know their sacrificing the potential of bringing in people who'd otherwise enjoy their game. I've spoken with friends that couldn't get into Souls but really enjoyed Jedi Fallen Order, in part because that game takes DS's core, but has different difficulties. Frankly it was only a matter of time before someone answered that call, and that itself might've lead to From Software's decisions. Knowing that with their influence, it would only be a matter of time before someone addressed what a portion of players wanted them to do.

What I do think is needed more often, is a game to inform players which difficulty the game is designed for, or where all of the game's mechanics shine. "Normal" doesn't really mean shite these days. It's just as likely to mean "Normal" for the game's design, as it is to mean the difficulty for what it approximates as a "Normal" player, so rarely is there consistency. Alien: Isolation has difficulty modes, but says plainly that the game is built for the hardest mode, and I think more games should do that.

As long as games are in the unique position of Art which you pay for, but potentially are literally incapable of completing, difficulty will always be a discussion.

Dara O'Briain has a great bit about this: https://youtu.be/fomJPtQQhFE

Norbert Bajko
What's your game that you could play (from the beginning to the end) every year for the rest of your life with joy? 

I've replayed DOOM 2016 nearly every year since its release. I could probably play the Master Chief Collection forever as long as Multiplayer's populated. It might be Mass Effect 1, although I have exhausted quite a bit of that games Campaign... it's really hard to pick one. You know what?

Coin flip between DOOM (2016) & DOOM (OG)!

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