Cup of Jones - December 13, 2018
Added 2018-12-13 17:51:38 +0000 UTCIt's the last live Cup of Jones of 2018! And I have double the personal questions after saving them from the previous episode. Lots of curious comments about the studio following last week's announcement, along with plans for shows/events coming up next year. It's a weird time at EZA. On one hand, I feel things winding down because the year is coming to a close. On the other hand, we're moving into a whole new phase for the company, and I want to get as much done as we can before 2018 is over. Thank you for letting me know what you're scared of and excited about in regards to the big move, and keep those comments coming.
- Brandon
Comments
Thanks @ BeatenDownBrian re: figuring out why this question keeps getting deleted. Putting this para here to avoid the spam filter. vvvv Hi Jones! I've got a business question, and wasn't sure to post it since the latest episode was pre-recorded. Background to the question: I find myself at a cross-roads due to the recent string of censorship on Patreon, and am honestly not sure if I want to support this platform any further. However, I love EZA, and think you guys are a positive force for the industry, so I definitely want to keep backing you all. I don't want to shove you into talking politics, and think it's one of your strengths that you keep EZA about video games, so I'll keep this question a-political. Question: Is there any possibility of you setting up an alternative funding source such as a direct paypal subscription on your website? It could be a low-overhead option for people like myself who want to back you directly without involving Patreon. For example, you could set something like that up on the website's sidebar, and perhaps give any paypal subscribers an RSS feed to early-access shows, etc, like you do on Patreon. As it stands, I'm strongly considering either outright ending my subscription here and perhaps donating some large amount during your next fundraiser, OR, dropping my subscription to $5 as to give Patreon as little funding as possible, while retaining access to your early access shows. Cheers, and sorry for the relatively somber nature of this question.
selfconfessedcynic
2018-12-22 01:33:46 +0000 UTCIt's most likely getting deleted because something triggered the spam filter (can sometimes be caused by the over-editing of a comment for example). Try posting it again but this time add a new line of text to the start of it, even if it's just saying "this is to avoid the spam filter".
BeatenDownBrian
2018-12-22 01:02:28 +0000 UTCThanks to BeatenDownBrian below, I think we've solved why my question wasn't getting posted. Cheers, and see the post below.
selfconfessedcynic
2018-12-21 15:33:49 +0000 UTCDear Mr.Jones you better be fighting hard for RDR2 for the game of the year, here is some material that will aid you, from a passionate fan. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_v9y_26ukk&t=99s" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_v9y_26ukk&t=99s</a>
nabs
2018-12-20 18:46:23 +0000 UTCSo we have Fiasconauts and we have Tabletop escapades (D&D), both are amazing, obviously. My question is have you guys considered either a short series or a one off long episode of another tabletop game? I kinda want to see a couple of you guys throw down on Vampire: The Masquerade or something similar.
I hope you're doing well today
2018-12-20 00:03:51 +0000 UTCHey Jones, on the last episode you mentioned that there will naturally be a dark period during the move and how that might even extend to the podcast. While this would be understandable given that there will be a period where both the garage and studio are not fully setup, but I was just wondering if an audio only episode during that time would be a viable solution? That way you could still get an episode out without having to worry about the background. This is presuming the lack of a set is the issue of course, and not just a lack of time. I guess I just worry that skipping a week might upset some people.
BeatenDownBrian
2018-12-19 13:52:37 +0000 UTCHey Jones Just an idea for an Easy Allies Top 10. "THE Easy Allies Top 10" where you write a nebulous statement about each number and what that number means / feels like in the context of a review. That way we kill two birds with one stone. You guys get to convey what a '1' review might "feel like" and you get a relatively controversy free top 10. e.g "A 9 is like a dip in the pool on a hot summer's day. It's refreshing, it's fun, it's exactly what you wanted, but at the end of the day you still have to towel off and you end up a little pruney.
Daniel Rona
2018-12-19 04:22:46 +0000 UTCHi Brandon. It’s more a feedback than a question. When reviewing games you and Damiani often write a script that doesn’t quite match with the score. For example, Just Cause 4 sounded like a 5, since you’ve expressed your appreciation only for creative mayhem as was disappointed with pretty much everything else. And Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sounded like a 7.5, since Damiani had significant problems with online and some issues with single-player. Maybe it’s just me, but when there’s a difference between the text and the score, I judge the game based on the text. So, for example, my takeaway from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate review is that it’s a game that is enjoyable only for local multiplayer. You seem to be trying to make the best reviews possible, so I’ve decided that this feedback might be useful for you.
Alexander Zyryanov
2018-12-18 10:44:58 +0000 UTCMr. Jones, You (just you) are cryogenically frozen for 100 years. What are your first questions when you wake up? What game series do you follow up on, and what do you expect them to be like at this point? Respectfully, Morgan Mohalla
Morgan Mohalla
2018-12-17 23:56:53 +0000 UTCI don't remember if you'd be answering questions from here due to there not being a future episode of CoJ for the rest of 2018 but something just came to mind so I thought I would ask. **QUESTION** I'm currently enjoying Fancy Fifteen and during the intro to the Ian episode I realised that you are locking a show in which you play games that have been sent to you by fans behind a pay wall. It may be possible that whoever sent you the games would not be able to view the video. I personally have no problem with this, but I was wondering if this was considered at all beforehand. I understand why it's likely a non-issue but I just thought it would be nice to have addressed at some point, especially if other Patreon exclusive shows have a similar situation in the future. **QUESTION END** Thanks for everything Jones. I love Easy Allies so much, and I hope you and everyone else is having a Happy Holiday. :)
Yui
2018-12-17 19:44:06 +0000 UTCJones, Greetings from New Zealand. Personal question, what do you know about my small country and would you and Amanda ever like to visit? Have a great Xmas and safe New Year!
Jordan Buitendyk
2018-12-17 18:55:50 +0000 UTCThe reviews that matter usually come from the reviewers and outlets we trust, and this trust is built on the reviewer taste, principles & other factors. I was watching a pre-order trailer for the upcoming EA game “Anthem” promoting a special edition that comes with in-game stuff and something new called “VIP DEMO” which made me start to get irritated and less hyped. So, I’m wandering if EZA will talk about how it’s going to approach these topics like microtransactions and the legitimacy and satisfaction of the progress rewards and requirements in the designs of the upcoming video games? This year we saw black ops 4 changing the progression system balance for a more aggressive one after the reviews phase, while Assassin's Creed Odyssey used level gates that slowly force you to grind in side quests regardless of your enjoyment in order to pass the level requirements. Is the side quests really optional content when you must use it to grind exp for the main quests? While placing these gates they added an expansive in-game store that provide you permanent 50% exp boost for 10$, So if you want to play less of the game (playing main quests only like many players do).. you need to pay more?! It doesn’t make sense. It’s slowly becoming trend, adding RPG elements in all games to “increase the game value” in a cheap way but in reality it’s just expanding profitability chances. It’s cool to see what Studio Santa Monica did this year with God of war having no microtransactions even though it was under the pressure of the studio reboot and the costs of Sci-fi new IP cancellation. Congrats on the studio, L&R.
Mr_Cid
2018-12-17 05:08:31 +0000 UTCAny appetite to do a weekly review of comics?
Christopher Peterson
2018-12-17 04:09:07 +0000 UTCJones, I read between the lines of your comments in this Cup of Jones, you will get a second to chance to explain to the world why Red Dead 2 is so good when you submit it as your entry into the Hall of Greats. I'll give a preemptive critique of your submission to get you warmed up. Is Red Dead 2 actually fun to play? :P
David Curtis
2018-12-16 13:30:50 +0000 UTCHey, why not mark the audio only posts as hidden, and then add them as links to the description of the video versions. This would eliminate the annoying Patreon email and notification problem.
Robert A Iglehart
2018-12-15 19:07:37 +0000 UTCHello Jones. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Thoughts?
DaleBastion
2018-12-15 09:46:10 +0000 UTCWhat if you treat Easy Allies like a brand new thing when the studio opens? Like how game and movie reboots just call themselves the original title. Treating your studio like a reboot would allow you to treat your ads like they're targeting nobody/everybody, and may be more catching. Also this could be quite a silly idea.
Mac
2018-12-15 02:32:44 +0000 UTCI think it'd be fun if the Allies took turns doing daily vlogs during the moving process! It'd be fun if Kyle had a camera for a day and recorded people moving and setting up. Then the next day have Jones doing the same thing. Then the next have Huber... etc etc. I realize the Allies are usually pretty dispersed but this sounds like it's going to be all hands on deck when the moving process begins... It'd fun to let the Patrons in on some of that!
DjDeathCool
2018-12-15 01:11:37 +0000 UTCBrandon, your patrons would love to watch a video montage of the moving out / moving in process. Shots of things getting packed, shots of the empty office, shots of things getting placed in their new spots, shots of Allies reacting to the setup. This is a big moment and we want the inside scoop!
iconmaster
2018-12-14 21:34:15 +0000 UTCThere was backlash but perhaps a vocal minority. At the same time that fundraiser was wildly successful
VGJunky
2018-12-14 19:37:32 +0000 UTCWill we be getting a before/after of the studio or a video similar to the one you and Ian did for setting up the new stuff you got for E3?
Minamik
2018-12-14 17:06:06 +0000 UTCHi Jones, hearing you talking about fundraising for the new studio gear reminded me of the small backlash you got from asking for money for "better stuff" during the pre-e3 weeks. It sure improved the quality of your audio and video and in retrospect I think it was the right choice. However, I'm thinking about your video on the new studio goal and how you were hoping to reach 50k, pushing viewers (a little more than usual) to come to patreon. This seems to have worked and I'm glad about that, but I worry about EZA doing another fundraiser after getting the studio. That would sound like "We need more support to get the studio, ok, now give us even more to fill up the studio". I don't think the problem is that simple, but I just wanted to voice my opinion on the matter. As a long-time Patreon, I wouldn't want EZA to start being viewed as "that channel with the 50k subs asking for even more money". Maybe changing the sponsorship prices/system would be a good thing once you get into a studio would help ? All I'm saying is I think you'd be better make what you already did better than going out on new ideas that will cost you new gear, equipement and such soon as you arrive. Just my opinion ! Thank you and have a great Holiday.
Térence Caron
2018-12-14 13:16:12 +0000 UTCBritish TV shows: Check out 'The IT crowd'. My favorite British show. About standard nerds in an IT department.
Matt Brookbank
2018-12-14 12:46:25 +0000 UTCRegarding review scores - there's also the added factor that generally everybody is trying to make a good game. Combine that with people wanting to play good games, you will end with scores on the favorable side of the scale. I would also not apply the word "average" to 5. I would call that mediocre. On average, the games people review are pretty good, so the actual mathematical average will end up around the 7 range
VGJunky
2018-12-14 11:06:54 +0000 UTCThanks for answering my question this time around! Something that drew me into becoming a patron is the supportive and inclusive community that's been created around you guys. Is this something you actively worked to create, or just something that formed because of you? If it's the former, what steps did you take. If it's the latter, was this something you expected or was it a surprise?
Matthew Weinstein
2018-12-14 07:02:29 +0000 UTCAny chance we can get an audio only version of this x
Matthew Schornig
2018-12-14 06:44:58 +0000 UTCHe answered this you missed it
Soul
2018-12-14 01:08:31 +0000 UTCHappy New Years Jones! I was just curious about the lessons learned from the big Better Stuff for E3 purchases. The increase in quality the new cams/mics brought is obvious, are you happy with all the equipment purchased, now that you've had the time to test and dial them in? Are there any other big ticket things you think you might need for the studio?
Cash
2018-12-13 22:59:34 +0000 UTCHi Jones! Amanda stole my spotlight T_T so here's my question again: what's on your smoothie? is it always the same?
Daniel Garza Andrade
2018-12-13 20:50:53 +0000 UTCHey Mr. Jones! While watching Cup of Jones since the beginning, I find it a little funny when you get repeat questions from new patrons, not because of the questions, but it makes me realize you get so many unique questions, week in and week out. So, I’m curious: Does it surprise you the sheer variety of questions submitted every week? Speaking as someone who tries very hard to always think of something new and never repeating not only myself, but my fellow Patrons as well, I thought it would be fun to gauge your evaluation of this most casual of business meetings (if you still call it that). Thanks again for reading, have a wonderful day, and Happy New Year! Cheers!
Brandon K Gann
2018-12-13 20:15:47 +0000 UTC
