I would accept that, but they have already proven that with that limitation they can produce tons of great content. Its why its noticeable that its bit pretty thin lately.
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Giant Bomb #7 | Hey There, Small Business Owner!
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I would accept that, but they have already proven that with that limitation they can produce tons of great content. Its why its noticeable that its bit pretty thin lately.
Jimmyfenix
Member
This is only Tuesday you guys.
Still a valid conversation to have generally speaking, I echo the concerns and sentiments of subscriber value and possibly not renewing when my subscription runs out later this year (hoping the new hire makes all the difference, if that happens in time).
I think Jeff mentioned recently that he's spending time on finding new people to hire. Considering how difficult it could be to find someone that fits exactly within the current GiantBomb team, it's reasonable to assume that takes a lot of time.
I'd like more premium conten too, but they have a preeetty small crew still. Jeff was out of the office towards the end of the week last week, Vinny was gone the entire week before that (and Jeff was sick then too), and the week before that was PAX. You can't really expect them to roll out a suite of new premium features when there's only two or three people in the office. Plus, E3 is only a month away guys.
I'd like more premium conten too, but they have a preeetty small crew still. Jeff was out of the office towards the end of the week last week, Vinny was gone the entire week before that (and Jeff was sick then too), and the week before that was PAX. You can't really expect them to roll out a suite of new premium features when there's only two or three people in the office. Plus, E3 is only a month away guys.
Jimmyfenix
Member
I would just ask them on tumblr if there is no snark in the question they are pretty open about these concerns.
It's simple guys, in the end it's like any other business, we have to talk with our wallets. As long as the sub numbers stay up, they won't do shit to fix things.
If they continue to do lackluster amounts of premium content like they are doing right now the sub numbers will eventually go down and they won't have a choice to react.
If they continue to do lackluster amounts of premium content like they are doing right now the sub numbers will eventually go down and they won't have a choice to react.
TheMaidenInBlack
Banned
In the ideal world they'd ship Brad over to Gamespot and transfer Danny in.
Danny, Vinny + Drew would create the best content!
It's a shame Patrick moved to Chicago because he was such a great new personality and really added a lot to the content.
The pessimism/attitude that Brad and Jeff also have at times can be tiring. Danny, Vinny, Drew and Patrick are always fun to watch.
A lack of Dave really hurts too.
Danny, Vinny + Drew would create the best content!
It's a shame Patrick moved to Chicago because he was such a great new personality and really added a lot to the content.
The pessimism/attitude that Brad and Jeff also have at times can be tiring. Danny, Vinny, Drew and Patrick are always fun to watch.
A lack of Dave really hurts too.
Brewster's Wallet
Member
Fuck both of those and do more random old PC games!
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Brad more pessimistic than Patrick?
Really?
Also Jeff is the soul of giantbomb.
TheMaidenInBlack
Banned
Brad just looks bored too often. Patrick at least has high energy levels!
Jeff is great and when he's on form (like PAX) you can see why he's the main guy, but in terms of the content they put it out? He's behind nearly everyone for me personally!
I'm totally up for new guys because for me, everyone they've brought in has been an improvement. Jeff, Brad and Ryan (RIP) were always outclassed by Vinny, and with Drew, Dave, Patrick etc they slipped even further down for me.
I'm not saying I don't like them, just that if I had a choice I'd swap Brad for Danny and have Patrick back in the office with them with Dave still there. Perfect world and all, never going to happen...
Brewster's Wallet
Member
You say fix. If the numbers are up, why do they need to "fix" anything. I agree that we (us in this thread) may need more subscriber content, but there has been an increase in subscribers, not a decrease, so I assume we're in the minority here.
I only subscribe because of the option to download the videos. I want most of the stuff on the tube during my commute or in bed the day after on the weekend for UPF.
Part of me appreciates that they don't always just do what the audience wants. Otherwise they'd be Pew D Pie (whatever his name is). Also, the loudest complainers aren't always what the majority want. It's hard to judge that stuff I suppose.
Personally, I'm a bigger fan of when they delve into older or more obscure games.
Fantastapotamus
Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
What? You are crazy.
TheMaidenInBlack
Banned
Danny is utterly brilliant. He's so funny! Love the accent too.
TheLegendOfMart
Banned
I would subscribe for life if they transferred Brad away.
Been a subscriber and member of the site since Day 1, but I'm awfully glad that genuine criticism can finally be brought up here without an immediate defense force to shoot it down.
While I wouldn't ever want to force the duders into content that they don't personally want to do, I think that it's still very necessary to listen to your audience and tailor some content to their wants. There is literally no site without an audience.
Especially as of late, it just seems like many of them are doing their jobs out of obligation and necessity, rather than passion. It shows when some people are literally falling asleep during livestreams.
I owe a lot of laughter and entertainment to the site over the years, but I've found myself skipping/fast-forwarding through a lot of the content, especially when it comes off as jaded. Much of it feels like snark that's not necessarily in jest, but from pure indifference.
They need new blood - somebody that actually appears excited to contribute.
Now, as much as I'm not down for a lot of the GB Chicago content, I commend Patrick for displaying the most excitement out of all the crew.
While I wouldn't ever want to force the duders into content that they don't personally want to do, I think that it's still very necessary to listen to your audience and tailor some content to their wants. There is literally no site without an audience.
Especially as of late, it just seems like many of them are doing their jobs out of obligation and necessity, rather than passion. It shows when some people are literally falling asleep during livestreams.
I owe a lot of laughter and entertainment to the site over the years, but I've found myself skipping/fast-forwarding through a lot of the content, especially when it comes off as jaded. Much of it feels like snark that's not necessarily in jest, but from pure indifference.
They need new blood - somebody that actually appears excited to contribute.
Now, as much as I'm not down for a lot of the GB Chicago content, I commend Patrick for displaying the most excitement out of all the crew.
Danny's great, but they'd probably exhaust the Euro humour at some point
Fantastapotamus
Wrong about commas, wrong about everything
What's "euro humor"?
"You say this in America, but we say this in Europe! Ahahaha foreigners are weird"
Gets old after a bit
Yeah Patrick definitely has the most enthusiasm. Brad appears to be in a malaise. Really the only feature that was interesting of his was Breaking Brad. To be fair even on the earlier live shows (I recently watched both of the console reveal live streams, RIP Ryan, and he was on his computer for a large portion of the time).
Vinny is Vinny, he could play a game where when pigs fart it gives the main character special powers and I'd enjoy watching it. (Speaking of which, we need Castlevinnia 3). Really when the devs of Sleeping Dogs reach out to someone because they love how you're featuring/playing their game you're doing something right.
Drew's an interesting case, he's so introverted that I find it hard to understand where he feels on a lot of things, but I know it's not really his job to be on the podcasts and live shows and it's just a matter of lack of people. (Same with Rorie, who while asks some really inane questions, does pay attention to the audience, even if they're batshit insane in that chat).
I really don't know how I feel about Jeff. His Jars will always be the highlight to me. A dedicated hour where he genuinely answers questions without the sarcasm and snark that can be present in the live shows. It sounds stupid but whenever he does one of those Jars I feel like Luke Skywalker getting lessons from Obi Wan. We just need more sincere Jeff, more Windjammers Jeff, more Skylanders Jeff and less Killzone Jeff (man that game kinda blows) and less Halo Jeff (rewatching some of the Extra Life stuff has taught me how much he is completely disinterested about Halo).
Witchfinder General
punched Wheelchair Mike
I think Alex might be my favourite duder.
- Likes Heavy Metal
- Funny,sarcastic sense of humour
- Animal lover (and now volunteers at an animal shelter)
- In the latest Bombin' referenced classic Simpsons when his voice broke for a moment
This man needs more love.
- Likes Heavy Metal
- Funny,sarcastic sense of humour
- Animal lover (and now volunteers at an animal shelter)
- In the latest Bombin' referenced classic Simpsons when his voice broke for a moment
This man needs more love.
I don't think they got a review code, becaust Child of Light seems like a game they would review or atleast talk about.
His Bombasticas are quite enjoyable, too. And I never really liked him in Quick Looks.
he's a great person, as far as I can tell
but I dunno why but he can kinda go into these really snarky run-on things that I don't find terribly entertaining.
no Jeff??
VibratingDonkey
Member
Generally hit and miss whether the various premium streams is something I care for. But irregardless, I feel like given the amount of GB stuff I do watch and enjoy, it's worth it.
I couldn't care less about Souls and DOTA, so that whole period was pretty drab. Another one of those double whammys of indifference is probably the only thing that'd make me consider switching to monthly. That and if that Greg asshole doesn't get his act together.
I couldn't care less about Souls and DOTA, so that whole period was pretty drab. Another one of those double whammys of indifference is probably the only thing that'd make me consider switching to monthly. That and if that Greg asshole doesn't get his act together.
He's on vacation
People sure seem to be in a good mood today.
Anyway, I think their (premium) output will increase and stabilise once the hiring process is over. Not that I personally need tons more videos. One or two regular features for subs (e.g. VinnyVania + new Breaking Brad) and maybe a couple more one-offs (looking at you, GB NY) would be a terrific foundation to build from.
Anyway, I think their (premium) output will increase and stabilise once the hiring process is over. Not that I personally need tons more videos. One or two regular features for subs (e.g. VinnyVania + new Breaking Brad) and maybe a couple more one-offs (looking at you, GB NY) would be a terrific foundation to build from.
Yup. I know some posters like to make fun of the whole "they just need to settle in to their new office" thing, but I think we need to take a step back and look at the enthusiast press industry as a whole.
We have lay-offs across the board, sites absolutely gutting their staff (even Gamespot...), publications closing/merging, output being 'realigned' to fit in with the Youtube generation. Even the heavyweights (Gametrailers, IGN) have uncertain futures.
The fact Jeff has been able to maintain as much autonomy as he has (and continue to produce a significant amount of long-form content while navigating all the bullshit time-wasting that comes with corporate life) is fucking impressive.
The growing membership base helps protect them, but that doesn't mean Giant Bomb exists in a vacuum. People should stop expecting enough content to occupy all their free time for $5/month and appreciate the fact they still exist at all.
TheLegendOfMart
Banned
More excuses. You are talking like I should bow down at Jeffs feet and I should be grateful for what I do get for $5 a month.
A podcast that has a free version and a live stream a week, wow much content.
I have been vocal about the lack of compelling content recently. Some of that can be blamed on them and some not. Unprofessional Fridays definitely needs to be evaluated and changed. That said...
You really are being quite disingenuous and bitter. It's not pleasant conversing with you. You are going to wonder why people are going to be defensive, it's because you're acting like an entitled brat.
LMAO the ending
Nobody's asking you to worship Jeff.
You simply look at the average weekly output, ask yourself "is this worth $1 to me?" and act accordingly.
It's really not hard. If you want a subscription service to occupy yourself with on a daily basis, try Netflix.
Sorry, we didn't know someone was holding a gun to your head forcing you to keep subscribing. That must suck, especially since GB cares little about your entitlement. You should work out a deal to let the money go towards porn or something.
Then stop subscribing.
My criticisms are less so in the form of "I need more content" and more in the form of "I wish it didn't seems as much of a job to them." MANY things have changed since their start, but a lot of the magic that enraptured me at the beginning was their enthusiasm and overall ridiculousness. It's also certainly not due to just PAX. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with just how hard they have to work with such a small amount of staff. This all may just be my own opinion and in no way am I saying "my way or else" because I still genuinely enjoy listening to the dudes talk about anything that they are invested in.
TheLegendOfMart
Banned
My yearly subscription auto renewed and GB don't do refunds. So technically they are holding a gun to my head.
No it's not worth it, a podcast that has ad supported free version and a live stream that gets phoned in every week.
I think you should quit subscribing if your not happy because you sound really unhappy and bitter.
So you didn't tell it to not auto renew and than whine when it does.
Did you e-mail Rorie? I seem to recall reading in the past that when people had auto-renews happen and they e-mailed, they got refunds. But that may have been before CBSi.
Either way, I suggest you cancel your subscription and let it ride out while it's still active. And I'm not saying that in a malicious sense of "GET OUT OF HERE!" or anything of that sort. I mean that in the genuine, it appears that you are not enjoying their content and you shouldn't support it sense.
Do what another poster suggested: Vote with your dollars. Perhaps if enough people feel the same as you, things'll change in ways that you approve of.
Personally, I'm still happy with my subscription, but I know that mine is not the only opinion.
TheMaidenInBlack
Banned
The weekly shows are definitely bad for them. TNT became a rut, Happy Hour became a rut, now UF is one too.
Give me 3/4 shows a week rather than one dedicated one that they (and we) get bored of after a few months.
Give me 3/4 shows a week rather than one dedicated one that they (and we) get bored of after a few months.
TheLegendOfMart
Banned
I'm not whining that it auto renewed, I am whining because they take peoples money and then phone it in every week and everyone gives them a pass because they are just settling into the new office or they lack the staff or they have to do lots of meetings or excuse xxx, yyy or zzz.
It's been a few months since it auto renewed, I don't think they will refund me after so much time, but thanks for not being an asshole.
If its of such little value to you why do you keep watching it then? I enjoy their content and for 50 bucks a year I get more entertainment then most games I have bought lately.
Also lack of staff is a legitimate problem for them that they are trying to solve. Currently they are to short staffed to do more premium video content because it is a lot more work and time intensive then everything else they do. Maybe you should expand a bit and listen to some of the other features like altf1 or power bombcast they are pretty interesting.
LurkerPrime
Member
Hell, every month Giant Bomb holds a gun to my head. I've been a hostage for years.
Even though this happens, I still find time to live out my life.
Life sucks sometimes, but you just need to roll with the punches.
Please let it go.
Man, I didn't realise people harboured such hatred for their captors.
Everyone I've ever seen at Giant Bomb has only ever been enjoyable to see, in spite of the current situation.
You can't really say why people are happy subscribing. Personally, I'm very happy with the content they're putting out. I'm not excusing them or anything, because they put out more than I can currently consume. Sure I'd be happy if they put out more, but as it is I'm content.
I also disagree with the "phoning it in" comment.
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