Update: Pauses and Partnerships

Greetings everybody

It’s hardly a secret as I showed an iconic scene during my last video, but I am currently working on a Years Later for COD4 and naturally, the ambition has leap frogged Metro. I’m not covering two entirely separate games this time, but with the amount of versions, mods, and history behind the game’s development, it might as well be two games worth of coverage.

Which is fine, I enjoy a challenge, but I’m simultaneously not trying to overly push myself as I’m juggling multiple aspects to life, and spending it stressing over a video every day and every hour isn’t healthy, nor good for the project. I’ve found all that results when I force myself at the screen is content I end up deleting.

But to wrap this topic up, the Patreon is paused to uphold my promise of only accepting people’s money after I feel they’ve gotten the content they’re supporting. Your support is extremely valuable, to put it likely, and in-fact, your support is what’s made a recent opportunity possible.

Those who’ve followed this Patreon and my videos for a while know that my favorite music artists are Klayton and Comaduster, even using the former’s music in my biggest Years Later video on Mass Effect Andromeda with a license. I also ended the video with a track by Voicians, an artist under FiXT, Klayton’s Independent Label that I’ve witnessed grow since its inception in ’06. And when Youtube’s infamous detection bot flagged the video for both songs, not only did FiXT clear the Celldweller track quickly, but Voicians personally contacted me to assist; he ended up going as far as releasing the entire album I used a song from for free.

And from this experience, the seeds were planted that eventually led to what I’m pleased to announce…

Yours truly has a partnership with FiXT.

But what does that entail?

Firstly, this is a partnership, not a sponsorship.

No money has been exchanged, no restrictions on content have been imposed, and no ad-spots will be forced. FiXT have simply given me access to their library (which I’m already very familiar with, as I’ve recommended artists like The Anix on this page) and I in return organically use their music in my content when suitable, along with leaving a link to FiXT’s website in the description. (Oh, and they wanted to read this post, Hi Kevin!)

I’m no Linus Tech Tips, but I have received multiple sponsorship offers and turned all of them down almost immediately, and none certainly held the intrigue of pimping someone’s PC or building a 16k display. Quite typical stuff. Mobile games, energy drinks, applications, etc. The closest thing I’ve done to a sponsorship was tweet Laced Record thanking them for gifting DOOM on Vinyl. While I’ve never minded sponsored content in other people’s videos, I find they make people less receptive to one’s content for fear of tampering authenticity, and rightfully so. Youtube has no shortage of shills. Plus, I just don’t envision someone watching one of my videos going “Hmm, the story point he brought up is interesting but… I really need a Gamer Drink right n- oh good! He just advertised one to me. Thanks Ray!”

This FiXT deal is completely different. Not only is there no financial exchange, it’s something I pushed for. I sent emails and DMs doubting that my hopes would lead to results, but having learned a long time ago, there’s no harm in asking.

And most importantly, I firmly believe this is will only improve the content. Honestly, I wished I had been able to an Anix track in the F1 video, but from here on out, I will have more options while editing in regards to music, and without spending hours scavenging the Free Music Archive.

Of course, I’ll still use them. Not every minute of a video is going to consist of FiXT’s electronic emphasis, but when called for, I’m really happy to be able to make those opportunities happen.

And while I don’t discount my work, those of you who donate are vital in making said work possible.

Thank you.

(Oh, though the Patreon’s paused, I wanna talk about Modern Warfare (2019), so expect a post this week.)