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[FStop7]

also this thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1w3tMfdtT0

 

[Schopenhauerian]

Steven Poole is a pretty interesting writer... Incidentally, he had an interesting perspective on MGSV & Kojima. Curious what folks here might think: https://thepointmag.com/2015/criticism/metal-gear-solid-v

Hey, just wanted to say that I've read the piece...

Thanks! Was interested to hear feedback on it.

But the whole selling point of MGS being the antithesis of everything else in the medium is weak... I think he's too focused on a few military shooters, when he should be comparing the gameplay to other stealth games like Splinter Cell, Thief or Dishonored and its tone to Japanese games in general...

I would just note that in this piece, Poole is concerned to a large extent with "sheer cultural reach" and thus what he calls the “blockbuster end” of the videogames medium (as well as blockbuster film and television), within which he claims that Kojima's work stands out, by virtue of the fact that it contains a specific kind of “bitter pill” that is actually not one of its selling points, and is actually not so readily identifiable within those other games (once one accounts for both “scripted rhetoric” as well as “dynamic procedure&#8221:

...Such joyous bathos has long distinguished the work of the Japanese video-game director Hideo Kojima, whose games have sold upwards of 36 million copies to date... In their dynamic procedure as well as their scripted rhetoric, Kojima’s games are stealthily anti-war war games. In contrast to the fairground bullet-shower of the billion-grossing Call of Duty series (the equivalent in war-themed video games of Michael Bay movies).... On the other hand, it may help to lure some of the video-game audience into a critical engagement with issues that most games take unthinkingly for granted. Come for the breasts and guns; stay for the deconstruction of the global struggle against extremism. That is, at least, one way to sweeten the bitter pill of philosophy... MGSV reportedly cost $80 million to develop, and such investments need to pay. (The game grossed more than twice that on its first day.) As any artist must be who works at the blockbuster end of his medium, Kojima is loyal to the perceived commercial and demographic requirements of the form, while reserving the right to extend its parameters in surprising ways...  It is, first and foremost, a hugely enjoyable video game, and many players might not even notice the ambient satirical allusions. That might be a shame; but if the game were no fun to play, its politics would reach no one at all because no one would play it... The Phantom Pain’s dusty, shrubby Afghanistan is so gorgeous and hyper-cinematic in its visual presentation... marks the point at which a dissident video game can in many respects match the visual fidelity of TV and cinema filmmaking that is essentially propagandistic in its narrative endorsement of national-security ideology... Not only are video games setting the agenda of military fiction’s mise-en-scène, however; they are also where, increasingly, the voices questioning national-security ideology are to be found. Kojima may cut a lonely figure at the blockbuster end of video games, but a modern movement of serious, critical indie games is in full bloom... In a still-young medium whose most successful products are deeply conservative, he insists that video games can and should convey critical arguments about international relations and jus in bello. In this sense—in terms of his sheer cultural reach, and the ability of his gleefully odd games to sweeten the bitter pill of philosophy—Hideo Kojima is not just one of the great video-game designers of our times, he is arguably one of our most important political artists...

Where Kojima usually falls flat for me is the consequences of his setups. Ok, the Cuban base is basically Guantanamo and the Red Army in Afghanistan is used to show parallels to current conflicts. But then what? The conclusions to his games are based on personal relationships, intrigues and power plots, not those events. He doesn't actually say all that much about it.... So all in all it does a good job of highlighting that video games can have something to say on topics like that and more people should know, but i think "we" have always known that....

Poole does highlight certain ways in which what MGS 'says' (what it contains) can be considered more sophisticated, accurate, and/or trenchant (even "electrifying", as Poole puts it in one section, or simply more inviting of "critical engagement" in another) when compared with specific, widely known, widely viewed, widely respected 'blockbuster' products within film and television (he cites examples that he claims are either “deeply conservative” or “essentially propagandistic in [their] narrative endorsement of national-security ideology” but certainly, YMMV.

 

[Twin Tails]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN2fTHRhKGJ/

 

[Data West]

OH NO MORE LOGS I BET I WOULD CRACKLE UP AND BURN REAL NICE

 

[SomberOwl]

2 and brotherhood are great but have not aged well. How have you played Rogue and not Black Flag?

Didn't get into the AC series until after Black Flag. Rogue came out the year after BF and the same year as Unity so I just haven't gone back and played any of the ones before I got into the series.

 

[Piston Hyundai]

 

[ThanksVision]

if gb jumped to patreon how much do you think they would they make a month jw

 

[Data West]

I think Maxis in the 90s had the best styyyle regarding pc boxes

Shit looks professional

 

[OdysseusVA]

i dont think i can get through all this content before the end of the year

 

[Basileus777]

if gb jumped to patreon how much do you think they would they make a month jw

If a trending gamer can get 20k a month, old news like Giant Bomb should be able to do maybe 1/3 of that.

 

[Tubobutts]

I wonder what kind of tier bonuses a Giant Bomb patreon would have. A members shirt and an exclusive discord where you can be a jerk to Brad?

 

[Archaix]

if gb jumped to patreon how much do you think they would they make a month jw

A lot of patreons only charge when a video is released. Seems like a poor business decision.

 

[Jintor]

did that new sim tower-esque game end up being any good

i think it was maybe called highrise or something? i don't even remember.

 

[Piston Hyundai]

I wonder what kind of tier bonuses a Giant Bomb patreon would have. A members shirt and an exclusive discord where you can be a jerk to Brad?

you don't need a discord to do that

on an entirely unrelated note if you came across a carnival-style dunk tank, who would you want most to be in it

 

[oti]

if gb jumped to patreon how much do you think they would they make a month jw

Sounds like a bad decision to me. People would start to be really nitpicky about their pledge. I also don't like the idea of people telling them "do more [insert #content format here] or else I'll lower my pledge". Sounds like a fast pass to burnout to me.

The current model is good enough to pay for a month and to get through all of the #content in half a day while the yearly subscription is a leap of faith but also a way to just pay them and help them to stay afloat.

I wish there was a way to give them more feedback though. If they were on Patreon I'm sure they'd be more responsive.

 

[Human Trashcan]

you don't need a discord to do that

on an entirely unrelated note if you came across a carnival-style dunk tank, who would you want most to be in it

I'd say Dan but he might actually enjoy it.

still, Dan

 

[oti]

you don't need a discord to do that

on an entirely unrelated note if you came across a carnival-style dunk tank, who would you want most to be in it

Bradan.

 

[KorrZ]

A lot of patreons only charge when a video is released. Seems like a poor business decision.

They might put out more videos then

 

[ThanksVision]

I wasnt suggesting that the bombing boys should actually switch to patron, more curious as to how many premium subscribers they have or how successful they would be on a platform like patron relative to the others on that site in which I'm familiar. I feel like I have no perspective on how big or small of an entity GB is

 

[oti]

I wasnt suggesting that the bombing boys should actually switch to patron, more curious as to how many premium subscribers they have or how successful they would be on a platform like patron relative to the others on that site in which I'm familiar. I feel like I have no perspective on how big or small of an entity GB is

That's actually a very interesting question. But I'm sure being compared to other outlets that easily isn't something they'd actually want. And they are part of a huge corporation after all.

 

[EdReedFan20]

I'm very happy for Gary Whitta right now. I know he was just one of many to write Rogue One, but still, to be at a premiere for a Star Wars film he co-write must be like a dream come true for him.

Here's a link to the livestream of the premiere red carpet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=198ijL6HnLA

 

[Stairouais]

The last mailbag made me think: I've been binging these youtube videos where people eat military rations (don't ask, I don't know why I'm doing this).

One of the chanel I've been binging is this guy that eats sometimes really old and sometimes new rations. It's hypnotic as fuck and it puts me to sleep almost instantly.
I've watched almost all of his videos, without ever seeing the guy. He never shows his face. Why would it matter anyway?

Well, because of course he kinda looks like Drew.

 

[Basileus777]

The last mailbag made me think: I've been binging this youtube videos where people eat military rations (don't ask, I don't know why I'm doing this).

One of the chanel I've been binging is this guy that eats sometimes really old and sometimes new rations. It's hypnotic as fuck and it puts me to sleep almost instantly.
I've watched almost all of his videos, without ever seeing the guy. He never shows his face. Why would it matter anyway?

Well, because of course he kinda looks like Drew.

I believe they call this ASMR.

 

[oti]

I've been binging this youtube videos where people eat military rations (don't ask, I don't know why I'm doing this).

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[stump sock]

The last mailbag made me think: I've been binging this youtube videos where people eat military rations (don't ask, I don't know why I'm doing this).

One of the chanel I've been binging is this guy that eats sometimes really old and sometimes new rations. It's hypnotic as fuck and it puts me to sleep almost instantly.
I've watched almost all of his videos, without ever seeing the guy. He never shows his face. Why would it matter anyway?

Well, because of course he kinda looks like Drew.

i've been following him since he had like 4 videos on the channel. it's one of my favorite things in the world.

 

[popo]

Didn't get into the AC series until after Black Flag. Rogue came out the year after BF and the same year as Unity so I just haven't gone back and played any of the ones before I got into the series.

nah it is just that Rogue is considered very similar to Black Flag - only inferior in every way. A shameless cash in to reuse the engine and an awful lot of the assets.

 

[Piston Hyundai]

I'd say Dan but he might actually enjoy it.

still, Dan

Bradan.

Dan would probably be the only one to actually be a true carny in playing up his shitheel bit to encourage people to pay the money to dunk him, but Brad would probably be the one to find the least fun in the idea which is in turn fun to me, so I think I'd go Brad

 

[neshcom]

did that new sim tower-esque game end up being any good

i think it was maybe called highrise or something? i don't even remember.

Yeah, Project Highrise came out. It's fine, though it kind of has that Cities: Skylines thing where progression is pretty linear. With the spatial challenge of the tower and time for construction, it makes the early game tough if you're trying to plan for long-term design.

 

[Fried Food]

I heard there is a bunch g content nor'easter on the way, nbd

 

[Salarians]

prompto

no

 

[Data West]

If a trending gamer can get 20k a month, old news like Giant Bomb should be able to do maybe 1/3 of that.

Trending gamer?

Oh that old thing. Second wave is pretty good, Danny.

 

[nckillthegrimace]

prompto

no

I was going to ask if that's gender-swapped Noctis, but I think that's him out of focus.

 

[BreezyLimbo]

The last mailbag made me think: I've been binging these youtube videos where people eat military rations (don't ask, I don't know why I'm doing this).

One of the chanel I've been binging is this guy that eats sometimes really old and sometimes new rations. It's hypnotic as fuck and it puts me to sleep almost instantly.
I've watched almost all of his videos, without ever seeing the guy. He never shows his face. Why would it matter anyway?

Well, because of course he kinda looks like Drew.

Holy shit drew with a mustache(he even has the same mannerisms as drew)

He gets so excited to find out the thing has 6 tablets

him and drew should collaborate

 

[The Technomancer]

I wasnt suggesting that the bombing boys should actually switch to patron, more curious as to how many premium subscribers they have or how successful they would be on a platform like patron relative to the others on that site in which I'm familiar. I feel like I have no perspective on how big or small of an entity GB is

If they are a profitable company 90% on the backs of premium subscriptions that's at minimum what, $40,000 a month to just cover everyone's salaries if the guys are only making $50k a year, which I can't imagine

They have to be doing pretty well

 

[Piston Hyundai]

Holy shit drew with a mustache(he even has the same mannerisms as drew)

He gets so excited to find out the thing has 6 tablets

him and drew should collaborate

looks like DrewDiePie

 

[Human Trashcan]

If they are a profitable company 90% on the backs of premium subscriptions that's at minimum what, $40,000 a month to just cover everyone's salaries if the guys are only making $50k a year, which I can't imagine

They have to be doing pretty well

Is that 90% figure legit? I can't imagine subs account for 90% of all the duders' salaries and the other operating costs, or even 50%.

 

[The Technomancer]

Is that 90% figure legit? I can't imagine subs account for 90% of all the duders' salaries and the other operating costs, or even 50%.

No I pulled it out of my ass but where else would they get revenue? Store merchandise? Their YouTube vids don't tend to get more than a few tens of thousands of views, I doubt they make any money off of those.

EDIT: Podcast ads right, okay no idea how much those make. 60%, 80%, some figure that would indicate a lot of subscribers

 

[Antiwhippy]

I had to laugh when I saw the thumbnail for WatchMojo's latest video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kUM3RRW8H4

Kinda off topic, but when did watchmojo become a thing?

Like people keep linking me to their shit and i keep wondering who are these people? Why should i care about their top 10 stuff?

 

[avengers23]

I wonder what kind of tier bonuses a Giant Bomb patreon would have. A members shirt and an exclusive discord where you can jerk to Brad?

Imagine if they brought back TNT with Patrons

 

[Human Trashcan]

Kinda off topic, but when did watchmojo become a thing?

Like people keep linking me to their shit and i keep wondering who are these people? Why should i care about their top 10 stuff?

I think it's been around for a long time, it's just the kind of list-generating content farm that youtube's algorithm really likes. The actual content of the lists is about as lowest common denominator type stuff as possible, never going very deeply into anything. The youtube version of buzzfeed, but blander.

 

[BreezyLimbo]

No I pulled it out of my ass but where else would they get revenue? Store merchandise? Their YouTube vids don't tend to get more than a few tens of thousands of views, I doubt they make any money off of those.

EDIT: Podcast ads right, okay no idea how much those make. 60%, 80%, some figure that would indicate a lot of subscribers

Don't they also get paid by CBS and are technically under their umbrella?

 

[The Technomancer]

Don't they also get paid by CBS and are technically under their umbrella?

Sure but if they're not bringing in more money then they cost CBS would only keep them around as what, some kind of brand portfolio asset?

 

[BreezyLimbo]

Sure but if they're not bringing in more money then they cost CBS would only keep them around as what, some kind of brand portfolio asset?

I don't think they've ever spoken about their deal with CBS.

They definitely are one of a kind, in that they're a video gaming site with a consistent revenue through subscriptions. I figure CBS will find them valuable even if they DIDN'T do subs because they have ad deals through the podcast and on the website, and I imagine the traffic they get isn't anything to scoff at.

 

[EdReedFan20]

I think it's been around for a long time, it's just the kind of list-generating content farm that youtube's algorithm really likes. The actual content of the lists is about as lowest common denominator type stuff as possible, never going very deeply into anything. The youtube version of buzzfeed, but blander.

I really like Facts. It's like an Irish version of Buzzfeed. My favorite ones are when they check out American stuff (especially foods) for the first time. It's always so fun to see their reactions. I also love the videos where they watch and try to decode American sports. The baseball video they had them watch happened to be the 2014 World Series (SF Giants/KC Royals). Ironically enough, that was the same World Series match-up that helped Danny O'Dwyer (who we all know is Irish) "get" baseball (according to a Tweet of his after one of the games in the series).

 

[broncobuster]

Kinda off topic, but when did watchmojo become a thing?

Like people keep linking me to their shit and i keep wondering who are these people? Why should i care about their top 10 stuff?

97% certain they're part of the illuminati.

 

[Incandenza]

I believe they call this ASMR.

No that's where they eat Taco Bell

(look at how many fucking pages there are)

 

[Twin Tails]

weekend content

 

[broncobuster]

While I'm glad GBWest gets Demo Derby, we almost had Vinny on them. Not that we get regular Demo Derby episodes or anything.

Brad or Jason sitting in as the third seat? Or the new hire

 

[The Technomancer]

Remember how I was having trouble getting into Enter the Gungeon?

I'm really badly addicted to Enter the Gungeon now

 

[BreezyLimbo]

Remember how I was having trouble getting into Enter the Gungeon?

I'm really badly addicted to Enter the Gungeon now

Enter the Gungeon is really really good

Like really really good

Like so damn good