Cup of Jones - January 19, 2019

Hi Brandon, Stealth-ally here, long term listener/viewer but very infrequent poster. If memory serves I created my Gametrailers forum account (still troglodytes'r'us) back in 2004 and have been following ever since. Needless to say, long term attachment to you all, huge fan of what you do, keep it up, yada yada... I work in retail procurement (ie. purchasing, negotiating, finalising contracts) and had a random thought whilst watching your last CoJ and hearing you talk about your studio move. I assume you suddenly had to buy a lot of new gear and wanted to know a bit about how you went about that, and also which of the allies do you think would be the best negotiator? Thanks for picking the question, and all the best for 2019.

I posted this on YouTube in the comments of the latest Easy Update, but I want to put it here to maybe open up the discussion more: I really appreciated the openness on the latest Easy Update with regards to the presence of politics at EZA. It retroactively explains how you folks have handled events in the past, and adds context to how you wade through political discourse on the channel. If I may, however, levy some criticism against the Allies: I think prioritizing placation of an audience over speaking your truths is a bad look. I think, too, for a company that centers around the games industry, actual talk about the more negative goings-on of the industry is almost non-existent. A big part of me wishes that would change. Workers wanting fair wages for their work; the inclusion of other perspectives in gaming; women being wrongfully fired to placate harassment mobs: these topics are NOT POLITICAL. And aside from that podcast dedicated to unionization in the games industry in response to RDR2's discourse, and the recent segment about HBomberguy's charity stream, it's rare that the group at large talks about the more sociopolitical issues facing the games industry as budgets get larger, workers are laboring longer for less pay, and prominent female figures are booted from the industry as companies give in to the demands of hate mobs. I think EZA could tactfully combine that political presence with actual discussions involving the growing labor movement in gaming, and could do a way better job at holding the feet to the flames of massive companies when they act unethically (I'm specifically looking at you for that one, Rockstar Jones). Being in the industry for so long, dealing with Viacom and Defy and the rise and fall of GameTrailers, I'm willing to bet every single Ally has incredible perspective on these issues and for it to go without being talked about feels like a disservice to the thousands of people who watch your content and could benefit from knowing the importance of workers' rights, inclusion of other voices, and the "who" behind the "how" games are made. Thanks for making it this far through my super heady comment lol, and you don't have to address this if you don't want to. The recent EZUP video just got my mind thinking, is all. Thanks for all that you and the other Allies do, Jones. L&R <3 <3 <3

Hey Brandon! Last week you mentioned that having a list of shows EZA needs to produce to honor Patreon, can sometimes be limiting towards trying new ideas. I can't speak for everyone, but as a fan since the GT days, I would definitely be open towards being sold on new ideas. While I love the old shows, I've learned to get by without the Final Bosman for example, and never even knew I wanted Box Peek. Maybe doing pilot episodes of things like you did with Mysterious Monsters, along side a rundown of what it would take to accomplish and what could need to be sacrificed to make it happen. Then have a Patreon vote to judge interest. We probably have no idea what you guys are really capable of, and personally I wouldn't mind letting go of certain things if it meant giving you guys more creative freedom.

Eric Mitchell

Dear Jones, im confused. First the jokes with your lovely wife about a new project called Toilet Time. It was really funny, we all laughted but then, the first clip i see from the studio is a shot from the actual toilet. I think to myself, did sh*t just got real? Am i just seeing things? Also you planning to make shirts with "Research Break" written all over them? Is this some sneaky foreshadowing for a real upcoming toilet based show? At first i found this idea was revolting, but then again this is a strange niche market. I mean everyone uses the toilet, but nobody really talks about what goes on behind closed doors, and you guys were always big on transparency so this makes suddenly a lot of sense. You know what? This could work. And for that reason, Im in !!

Hello, Brandon and Blood. I have two questions about Ace Combat 7 review: 1. Why a game with a VR component was reviewed by Damiani who can’t play VR? 2. Why you had to blur usernames of other players (5:10 in video for example)? I don’t recall you doing this before.

Alexander Zyryanov

Hey Jones, Not a question, but I just wanted to take the opportunity to commend you guys for an excellent Game of the Year production package. I watched the 6 hour deliberations and I’m blown away at how well that was executed. This may seem like an odd thing to hone in on since it was quite raw, but I think expectations were gauged really well and you communicated things expertly from the outset. This made the final GOTY video even better as I really felt like a fly on the wall while you guys had another one of your “Top 10” meetings, except this was for GOTYs with 16 categories. Even though some of my picks weren’t the final winners for certain categories, just hearing someone in the group defend them and give them their due honor felt good. I honestly can’t remember what all you guys changed from 2017 to 2018 GOTYs in terms of format (besides streaming deliberations vs pre-recorded), but I know that this felt really smooth. I know GOTY stuff gets a lot of hate and negativity, so I wanted to throw this your way to let you guys know that you all are doing a great job. Thanks for all you do.

FatherCashew

Hi Brandon, I was wondering about the importance of game reviews for EZA in perspective of a new studio. Speaking for me personal I have to say that a discussion about a game on FrameTrap or any other EZA show has much more value for me than watching a 7 +/- minute review of a game. That’s mainly due to the fact that reviews in general do not really form my overall opinion of a game but I’m generally interested about the different views and perspectives of the Allies. I do very much enjoy the quality and effort that goes into every Review you produce and I know that many people like reviews and want reviews of the latest game. But with EZA moving into a real Studio now I was wondering if the time of the Allies is not better spent in exploring other avenues of discussing games that actually use the Studio space. I would like to see 1 or more Allies site together for a few minutes and go over the game they “reviewed” and talk about the good and also bad things. I’m probably in the minority here but I wanted to share my opinion. In any case I’m super exited with whatever comes next with EZA! L&R Daniel

Daniel Fuchs

Just wanted to thank you all. Been watching GT/EZA for almost 5 years now, through some ups and a lot of downs in that time for me, you have given me so much entertainment and given me so much joy that I am eternally grateful. Congratulations on the studio, you've earned it and beyond.

DodoEgg

Mr. Jones, Will you or the allies have anything planned for the final season of Game of Thrones this year? Are any of the Allies known fans or haters? Love it or Hate it, it has had a big impact on the entertainment world and it would be nice to get an EZA spoiler mode, don't skip or reaction shots about it. L&R Morgan Mohalla

Morgan Mohalla

In lieu of a question this week, I just wanted to speak to you for a moment real quick, and I'm gonna try to keep it from rambling. I know many people thank you all frequently, but I wanted to take my turn on the eve of the studio. I don't remember exactly when it was, but I first found GT in either '06 or '07. I do remember that the first video I watched from GT was a trailer for Super Paper Mario (TTYD is my favorite game ever made and I was super hyped, story for a different day). Since the day I found your site, I have loved everything you guys do. I was in middle school when I found GT, and now I have a bachelors in music education. At the moment, I'm feeling brave enough to admit that on the night of GT's final stream, I was in tears. But now, with all of the wonderful things that you have all done since as Easy Allies, I feel nothing but warmth and happiness to be a part of this wonderful community that's been together for the highs and the lows. I've never met any of you in person, but you have all had such a positive impact on my life for 13 years. Thank you for so many great years and here is to many more. Thank you!

Jeremy Ferris

Have you seen the Pitch Meeting series of videos on YouTube? It’s like the best version of Honest Trailers or Cinema-Sins made to date. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL--PgETgAz5FGoatB9KQzbnpv0bgZqU2l" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL--PgETgAz5FGoatB9KQzbnpv0bgZqU2l</a> Love and Respect!!

Christopher Peterson

YEAH! 200.000 Youtube Subscribers 🎉 🥂 What do you think is a realistic highpoint in subscriber-numbers you want to achieve?

Stefan Bien

Happy belated Birthday, Jones! We all know how you feel about leaks, at least for the announcement of a new game. But what about the cancellation of a game (if you can even call this one that)? Of course we all know I'm referring to the "Open-World Star Wars Game"®. What are your thoughts on this not with the news itself but as a leak? Did people really need to know this game with barely even a concept was scrapped? Do you think this "new" game they are creating deserves this stigma it was something else even though we never really saw it? Do you think Respawn's game will be tainted by this news even if the game itself turns out to be amazing? And lastly, do you think EA was ever going to officially announce this cancellation? (EDIT for Metroid news) And would it have been better if they did? Simple yes or no's would suffice. PS Please do a stream series of the Mass Effect series or Dragon Age: Inquisition. Or just play them. Although, let's hope for a remaster of ME and hell, even DA.

Rappy

Hi Jones, I was going to ask you a timely and profound question about the new studio. But then I found out about the one night only Skittles Broadway musical starring Michael C. Hall and decided I needed to hear your thoughts about that first. Cheers and hope you had a happy birthday!

Asbo Zappruder

never mind i found it on the stream

Patrick Hulman

Is Lightning going to the new studio?

Patrick Hulman

Hi Brandon, someone asked a question about doing the community showcase with the lottery ball that you used for the 2019 predictions stream. An idea to make that practically work every month would be to cut out numbers (1-100) or however many questions you typically get and simply read the question that corresponds to the number i.e #2 is the second question on the patreon posting. Sorry if this is redundant because someone else suggested it. Came to me as I was driving listening to cup of Jones.

Anthony Russo

Hi Brandon, how do you get the game soundtracks? does the publishers sends you a copy along with the review copy? do you or the other allies buys it or download it or use youtube?

Daniel Garza Andrade

Hey Jones! I hit credits in RDR2 on Sunday, finally! So I'm just going to take you up on the Spoiler mode offer and put this here: One of the things that I was continuously impressed with is the cinematography and framing, and how Rockstar seems to improve in leaps and bounds with every game they make. In Red Dead 2, not only is it often beautifully directed, wavering on shots for just the right amount of time to let the actors and actresses really shine through on their performance, but in some cases, it almost feels like the game-world has been altered in really subtle ways, specifically so they can get that one, relatively-insignificant shot. Some of those cutscenes are damn near artpieces all on their own. As a question, were there any cutscenes that really stood out to you in terms of direction, like they did me, and what were they? I'd list mine, but don't want to spoil any Patrons casually scrolling through their feed! Cheers!

Harrison Holt-McHale

At one point lat week you said the phrase "There are no easy answers for this." It's funny to me that every time someone says the word "easy" I see it as "EZ" in my head. This being said, I think it would be cool/funny if there was a show or a rebranding of the Q&amp;A called "EZ Answers." Just a suggestion, as I am always down for more puns.

Evan Charles Teague

Hey just meaning to ask, I know how much you like detailed open worlds I’m just wondering why you haven’t really played Yakuza yet? I actually find Yakuza to have one of the best open worlds to date. In such a small space there is some of the best and varied side missions in any open world game I’ve really played. It seems like your type of game, just curious.

Megan Linart

Jones by this time Hall of Greats happened on Tuesday, but since this technically before that time for me I went to your website to refresh my memory on what games are in the Hall of Greats. I know you talked about when you get in the studio that you want to build a physical Hall of Greats which I think is a great idea. Is there anything else you planned on doing with the Hall of Greats games? I know at the beginning Kyle mentioned about streaming these games, but I thought maybe you could do a video about each of the games explaining why they got into the Hall of Greats. It could be something short like 5 minutes each, but I realize it is a lot of work to make videos for an ever growing list. I just thought it would be a cool thing for new Allies 10 years from now looking back at the Hall of Greats and seeing a quick video about why it made it.

strawhatninja

Before the big transition to The Studio, I wanted to post this still of you in The Garage wearing your Disney Land shirt while taking a sip outside the mic and possibly even reading chat. L&amp;R <a href="https://i.imgur.com/poqm0Fq.png" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://i.imgur.com/poqm0Fq.png</a> And have a Happy Birthday! :D

Mac

Hey Jones, some cup feedback: I've noticed that when people uses slashes in their comments you tend to omit the slash when speaking and not only does it seem to trip you up but it also makes it hard to follow while listening (e.g "If/When x occurs, things are good"). I don't know if this is an American thing or a Jones thing, or maybe I'm the weird one for always articulating the slashes in sentences but it would certainly make things easier to follow for me and, with any luck, help your reading of the questions as well. If Amanda shows up: Jim Dale or Stephen Fry for the HP audiobooks?

Daniel Rona

(Chair question... :)) Probably has been asked before but just looking to get a quick take. What's that Brandon's leather office chair? Any good? Durable? Comfy? Looking to buy one for myself. Suggestions welcome. Thanks :)

Lauri Laivo

Hey Jones I know my last Cup of Jones comment was about RDR 2 but it seems like you, much like myself, can talk about that game for hours, so here I go. Listening to the audio of the GOTY Deliberations I thought I could hear the faintest break in your heart, but that could’ve also been mine. Hearing RDR 2 get past up for best score and nobody making a case for best game of the year was heart breaking. Some of the musical cues especially one that hits twice in the epilogues sent chills down my spine and put a big dumb grin across my face. And although I can hear that GOW is the better all around game I played both very close together towards the end of the year and after beating GOW I started a second play through of RDR 2 because I could not stop thinking about the game. I’m on my third play through of RDR 2 now because I simply love experiencing that game over and over again. So while GOW was a great game and I loved a lot about it I think my brain naturally gave me my choice for game of the year because I simply couldn’t stop thinking about it and wanted to dive right back in. Was your situation similar? Did you think Smash Bros was an unfair win because it has so much amazing music from other games?

Andrew Burt

I think I need someone to explain Disneyland to me? My mind's eye only has Alton Towers as a reference. You park, get on a carpark monorail, go through the ticket bit and you're in. Free to make your way around the park by foot, or on the internal monorail. Sometimes you describe Disneyland like that; sometimes it's described like it's a town where you don't even necessarily go into a theme park. Also, happy birthday :)

Kif

The Deliberations VOD is right here: <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/videos/363977467" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.twitch.tv/videos/363977467</a> -Bloodworth

Easy Allies

Hey Jones! (Attempt #2, hope patreon doesn't eat this comment again...) 1) I enjoyed the deliberations a lot. I know that you wanted to give us a raw and unfiltered look, but for me at least, it was a bit too raw. A small overlay that tells us what the current category + games for that category are would improve the viewing experience. Do you agree or do you think that this would be too much effort? 2) (Edit: Bloodworth got me covered, ignore this one) The Patreon premiere of the GOTY deliberations was exciting. As a result of using that feature (I think), there is no VOD on twitch. Youtube is fine for just watching the VOD but watching the deliberations alongside twitch chat was sorely missed (by me, at least). What advantages does using that premiere feature give you over normally streaming the recorded video? Do those advantages outweigh the lack of a twitch VOD? Thanks for reading this, L&amp;R! PS: I’m a developer and I think I could build a site that would make the Patreon GOTY poll much less of a hassle (and more reliable of course) both for Kyle and the people that want to vote. Would people be interested in something like that?

I have another Star Wars question/dream, this time about episode 8. To preface I did enjoy the movie, for reasons that I'll save for a later date. Among the many issues found in The Last Jedi, one of my least favorite parts of the whole film, and among the most disappointing was the whole weird horse racing thing. It could have been so much more! My favorite idea about how it could have been comes from Tim Gettys from KF; pod racing. Imagine if there had been a pod racing scene (not as long as phantom menace), followed by breaking out slaves from the racing facilities, taking them to meetup with the rebellion only to be betrayed by Benicio DelToros character and losing what would have been much needed personnel for the rebels. I feel it would have given greater meaning to Rose and Finn's...arc(?), Especially with her having grown up in slavery. If it sounds too brutal, remember the fate of the main cast in Rogue One? Comments? Questions? Concerns? Criticisms? Grats on getting the garage back, and good luck with the new digs!!

Spencer from Canada

Hey Jones, (You don't have to read everything out loud) Continuing the Red Dead Online conversation and my idea of how it should work. To keep it simple, just don't lock the weapons, or anything that gives a competitive advantage, behind level progression or in game currency. Or have two separate match matching playlist. One where players can play with their stats, and another where stats do not matter. I'm a fighting game player. I love fighting games and fighting games are the only games I play online years later. It doesn't matter if someone is a higher rank than me in Smash Brothers, or their character level is high in Street Fighter 5. It's only our skills that will be the deciding factor. The only shooter I keep going back to is Overwatch simply because even if someone is a Gold Rank, they still have no competitive advantage over me. Maybe they are better, maybe they are worse. But their, let's say soldier 76 is, is the same as mine. They may just have a different skin. (I tried going back to Battlefront 2, but it's a grind. And I still don't have the weapons with the highest stats after 70 hours of play. But if I spent an additional $10 at launch, I would have them. It's just frustrating) Injustice 2 had level based gear, but when you played ranked match, stats were disabled. If you played a player match, you had the option to play with stats on or off. Why can't Red Dead, or other online shooters do this? I know some people like progression, but for there should at least be options to play with stats on or off. What if in Red Dead Online, your levels, guns, etc. only mattered in Co-Op missions. The moment you enter a competitive match, your stats match everyone else's. And Rockstar would make more money if they let everyone buy gun's, outfits, etc outright. I would have spent all my gold and cash on guns and outfits if they weren't locked behind levels. Then rockstar releases a new update, adds more weapons that costs Gold. I don't have enough gold. I just spent $10 on gold to buy that weapon. But if that weapon is locked behind level 70, I'm just going to turn the game off. Sorry for the long post

NotYourMom

Gta6 discussion

Paul smith

Hey Jones, this is just an intermission comment. No question. Thank you for talking about what's going on with EZA and being upfront with the community. Keep doing what you're doing. Love and Respect and cheers!

gamerjerome

Hey Jones, will the Studio have a name? EZAHQ? Garage 2.0? Mother Base?

Cash

Hey Mr. Jones! Now that EZA has made the move, imagine you've been inexplicably transported to March 21, 2016 and you're standing in front of your past self and the rest of the Allies. What would tell them about their next three years? Say how long it will be before getting the studio? How large the Patreon will become? What advice would you give? Thanks again for taking my question and have a great day! Cheers! P.S. Sic Parvis Magna is indeed from Uncharted and translates as, "Greatness from small beginnings."

Brandon K Gann

I second this intensely. I tweeted Kyle about this recently, but he thought that there'd propably be just the normal four this year. :/ Brandon, please. Bring us the lost one if you could.

Ville Ranto

Hey Jones! I was just wondering if you or the other Allies have ideas for Patreon goals beyond 58k? 60k is obviously a big deal, so I was just curious how much you’ve thought about it. :)

Kyle Armstrong

Hey Brandon, Hall of Greats is probably my favorite thing that you guys do. While they were all spectacular, last year we only got 3 HOGs. With the upcoming HOG being so early in the year is there any possibility that a 5th HOG could be squeezed into 2019 to make up for the one that we "lost?" Thanks so much for what you guys do and can't wait to see the new studio! Charlie

Hey Jones, on the last group stream you mentioned that new pieces of equipment you guys want down the road are in some cases a couple hundred bucks. Is there some way to possible communicate the needs of the studio, whatever they may be so people (thinking myself) can buy one or two of them for you guys to help you guys out more directly? I happily give on patreon at the $50 tier but would like to give the allies a gift for the studio that you guys need. Love and respect, Joe

Joe Frantik

Hi there Brandon! Here's a suggestion for the new studio: somekind of Big Book of Bets. Or a folder, notebook, etc. Something you could all keep in some central-ish position in the studio and write down all your bets in. In addition, Kyle suggested recently that there could be a three-month time limit with all the future bets, so this kind of bet collection book would help to check and follow everything. Any thoughts? P.S. Congrats for the 40-year-old man and his voice!

Ville Ranto

Hi Brandon, First if all, congratulations on the studio! What is the biggest improvement / change that we, as viewers, can expect once everything is set up and done at the studio? Keep up the good work lads! It is great to see you guys getting a well deserved upgrade. The garage will never be forgotten!

Wesley de Waart