Patreon Q&A #20

The Great Leveler Asks
What's your favorite console and why?

It's tough to pick one, because some consoles that I used religiously now irritate me when working. Recording on the PS2 natively is generally a last resort because it's the weakest 6th generation console in performance, the Xbox 360 Controller makes my hands cramp, and Wii's motion controls just pale in-comparison to VR.

But in-terms of a complete experience, probably the Xbox 360. Preferably, before they added the 2nd UI update and performance slowed to a crawl. It does nearly everything. Xbox Live, Racing, FPS, RPGs, Streaming, Apps, Digital, even RTS's & Indie games! I've never been one to only utilize one console, but if I had to, the Xbox 360 would cover virtually everything I'd want in a games console.

Sandraincloud90 Asks
What's your overall opinion of CoD: Black Ops 2? Since you've mentioned it a few times in past videos but never fully elaborated on  it.

Good question! It's true, I haven't really delved into Black Ops 2 much. Probably because only it's Multiplayer is something I'm all that familiar with. I played the Campaign, and remember parts of it, but it was the first Call of Duty campaign I played and didn't enjoy. The OST's brilliant! And it's easily one of the most ambitious in the series, but I felt it was the first time COD fell underneath it's own weight.

Far too many set-pieces that are dated or show the dated technology of the engine. Writing that's overly referential and edgy. And juggling way too many threads at once.

It's got a great multiplayer component and is often called a favorite of the series which I can see. It just doesn't stand out to me as very memorable however, and I honestly can't really put a finger on why that is considering the amount I played it.

OzarkTempses Asks
I watched the recent Unreal 5 tech demo and rather than the resource possibly demanded for a render of this quality, what struck me was how dense in details the scene was. Do you think that as we become closer to reality games might lose in readability and intuitiveness for want of "more precision and immersion"?

No.

And I say that because of what are currently the most popular games on the market. League of Legends. DOTA 2. Fortnite. Counter Strike. Siege. Etc. Games that all share a commonality in readability to varying degrees, because it's one of the primary ways to make games more accessible.

Were this technology coming out during the 7th Console Generation, I would be concerned, but I think that generation taught many that spending all your resources to make the most realistic image possible doesn't immediately translate to copies sold.

All I hope for is that this technology not only looks as good as it does, but is easier to achieve by more developers. Engine optimization I think needs to be at the priority now, because games have become too expensive, time consuming, and resource intensive. If Unreal 5 can further streamline the process of making a game look as gorgeous as that demo, it's a win for everybody. Players, developers, and even publishers.

Corat McRed Asks
What series do you feel needs or deserves the BOTW treatment when it comes to changing up the formula/style of a series?

I haven't played BOTW yet, but I view it the way NakeyJakey does. The Nintendo "Come to Jesus Moment." That moment when a developer resurrects the feeling of an old game via new design. DOOM '16 did something similar. As did Resident Evil 2 Remake.

Virtually anything to do with Rockstar's Open Worlds. Grand Theft Auto has so much potential in its subject matter, reputation, and technology, and yet it's been using the same mission structure for nearly 20 years. 

I really wanted this for Need for Speed but Heat came surprisingly close, to the point where I'm genuinely hopeful for the next installment. Halo would be nice option too, and whether Infinite achieves that, we'll have to wait and see.

Holy Shift Asks
What would be the best realization of the Gun Kata concept in games? 

Honestly, I had to Google this term, as I've always heard "Gun Fu." Hmm... Max Payne & FEAR are the obvious picks. DOOM Eternal's gameplay evokes the feeling of Gun Kata, juggling all those weapons, leaping from monkey bars, dashing everywhere. And there's the Equilibrium mod for Max Payne 2, though I couldn't get into it.

There certainly aren't as many options as one would think.

Finn Clarke Asks
What's the biggest tragedy in the gaming industry, be it a game with so much potential and promise failing to fulfill it or a cancelled game? Mine would be what became of Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness in the end with it's awfully troubled development.

There's no shortage of sad stories. Halo 2's development. Obsidian's layoffs. Ensemble's closure. And what happened to CORE after releasing Angel of Darkness.

I wouldn't call this definitively the biggest tragedy, but Bioware's state is quite worrisome. They're essentially in the place ID Software were after releasing RAGE. A development studio that's not without talent, but utterly lacking the uncompromising focus and goals it once pursued.

That ID managed to make a return is about my only hope.

Thank you all so much for the support this month! I wasn't at all expecting so many new donations after the last video. Four years in, and I still find myself overwhelmed. It's quite humbling, and I value your generosity!

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