Cup of Jones - November 8th, 2018

Why don't you try playing Lo-Fi Jazz songs on shuffle instead of the same old jazz loop?

First time posting in CoJ, but just a correction from the one a couple weeks ago: Huber said he would go to the optometrist (while also lumping Ben in) during the Better Stuff for E3 stream due to the overwhelming support of reaching your initial goal shortly after the first hour of being live.

Rappy

How was mega 64 game days? Please tell all.

umryan

Hello Jones! Also posted this for Damiani for Friend Code, but especially wanted you to hear this since I wish you had brought it up on the latest episode of Traiiler Jones. "Wanted to ask you if you feel that there's any truth to the idea that Kirby was choosen as sole surviviour in the Smash World of Light Trailer to honor Iwata since he was at HAL when Kirby was made and even helped design the game apparently. I hope it's true and it brings the whole trailer and game-mode to a whole new level for me at least. L&R from Sweden"

Hey Jones , I've noticed that on the main home page for YouTube, Box Peek doesn't have its own playlist/series at the moment. The first season is coming to a end do you think there should be one so people can find the episodes together?

Have you considered telling your audio-podcast-listeners to give you a good rating on their podcast directory like iTunes? I think this could help you a lot to find some Allies outside of the Youtube- or Twitch-Crowd :) #business

Stefan Bien

Hey Jones I just thought I would say thankyou for your brilliant Table Read of Blink 182's "I Miss You" with Kyle. I couldn't have asked you to emote or pace that better. I can only hope you continue your amazing work the next time a meme song ally is on. *Standing ovation for jones*

Steven Beaumont

Hey Jones, now that i've finished RDR2 ... when can we expect a Spoiler Mode, do you want to wait till multiple Allies have finished it and ya'll have enough time to do one? PS: The game really grew on me, at chapter 1 i would've given it at most a 7.5, but now that i've seen the full story and "lived" in the world a bit more, i'd give it a 9. Your review convinced me to give it a try and stick with it. So i'm thankful for that.

Lymus

Jones: jazz please!

Joseph La Russa

After just watching the Detective Pikachu trailer I immediately thought of Trailer Jones. Just throwing that thought out into the universe.

Owen

I'm totally with you when it comes to being more interested in the conversations, and deliberations rather than the results themselves. Outside of the games that get covered in a Spoiler Mode, it's the only time we get to hear the Allies really dig into what the did and didn't like about certain games in detail. As for your question, it's only my two cents, but I can't see why any improvements to the format would affect that.

BeatenDownBrian

Change can be hard to adapt to, jazz or no jazz hearing your genuine and thoughtful responses is what defines this show.

WarmFeelings

Hi Brandon, I heard in a past Cup of Jones, that you said one of your guilty pleasures was it to play Leisure Suit Larry. I also love these games and am 36 years old and father of 2 children, however everytime I say that I like those games, people react like I am some kind of pervert. I think this reaction is mostly only coming from the younger gaming community, who probably have never played any of these games and just heard about it. So I think these games gathered over the time some undeserved bad reputation. However, I consider these games as very tame in comparison to even some comedy movies from Hollywood. Personally, I completed all main series games and especially 6 and 7 I have played numerous times and want to revisit, because of their good vibes and the humor, which I can still laugh about. I think Leisure Suit Larry 7 still holds up today with it's art style and I think more younger gamers should try it before judging it. These games are also great adventure games, so it could be that part of the reason of their bad reputation is that younger gamers don't have much of an interest in this genre. I also hear sometimes people saying that these games are sexist, but I don't think so, I think Larry respects women, but sometimes he cannot help to make a not appropriate remark, but even then I cannot recall him that he said anything which is nearly as bad what a certain president said in the past. So my questions for you are: 1. Do you have any idea why these games have such a bad reputation, is this perhaps a result from the very bad games, which were not made by Al Lowe? 2. Which of the Leisure Suit Larry Games is your favorite one and why? 3. Do you ever plan to revisit one of these games? 4. Did you ever met during your career Al Lowe? By the way, I also saw the trailer for the new Leisure Suit Larry games, but I hated it, since the main character is nothing like a lovable loser, but just a jerk and the jokes in the trailer are so overused, that they are not funny anymore. So I think this game, which I will avoid at any cost, will just further damage the reputation of one of my favorite gaming series. Love and respect, Karsten

Karsten Koller

Hey I thought up an idea for a special group stream. Bring in 9 kids and partner them up with the allies for a 2v2 tournament of some kind. I imagine it will be similar to the scene in Kindergarten Cop where Arnold yells at the kids to "SHUT UP!" At some point Huber will probably say "chaos". Be sure to have just one edgy teen in the group. Only joking with the description (mostly), but the suggestion still stands. What do you think? Will you add it to your takeaways?

Master Pantz

Hi Jones. I badly miss the Jazz Music. But I've got a bit of a rant coming up regarding what you said on reviews about the Podcast #137. I understand that as reviewers you commit a level of respect regarding the work that you and other people do. Steam allows players to Recommend or Not Recommend a title given it's current state. Just recently CoD: Black Ops 4 reintroduced Lootboxes and premium currencies to their game where on release it had none. Due to the nature of games having constant updates, and Games media often quick to move on from game to game. Isn't there a big disconnect on how players and games media consume content? Would you ever consider letting any of the allies do a 'Don't Skip' on any of the games that have recently been updated(e.g. Destiny 2) but you have reviewed? Or do you think there's a better way, if yes what might that be?

Drey Oroceo

Having now finished RDR2, I think they did a great job linking it to RDR1. If I were recommending the series to a new person, I think I'd tell them to start with RDR2 before playing RDR1, as it fills in so many of the gaps of John Martson's past that is alluded to in the original, but never fully fleshed out. What do you think?

Steve S

Mr. Jones, I imagine there won't be a Cup of Jones on Thanksgiving day. Completely understandable. Will you share some Thanksgiving stories with the community? How would you explain what Thanksgiving means originally and now-a-days to the world audience? What were your best and worst Thanksgiving memories? What are you most Thankful for this year? Respectfully, Morgan Mohalla Sorry for so many questions, I won't make it a habit. Feel free to pick just one.

Morgan Mohalla

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Matt Brookbank

I was not expecting my comment last week to make the show since I was careful not to use a question mark and specifically added that it was a comment and not a question. Previously you said you skipped non-question comments. I was just trying to voice constructive criticism in the hope to make EZA better and more welcoming to random viewers of EZA reviews. Having said that, since you did read my comment and proposed some questions in your response, here we go! As some people in the chat last week pointed out, just don’t watch reviews if you're sensitive to spoilers... Well that’s kind of exactly what I said I started doing. Since you asked: for other outlets (which are not videos), I normally just scroll to the score and/or read only the first and last paragraph to get the gist of the reviewers feelings. That’s harder to do with a video. You wondered if I thought anything mentioned in a reviews were spoilers, but I don’t. That’s imaging my point of view on spoilers stretched to the extreme. My specific concern is with story and plot spoilers. Is a compendium a spoiler? Yes. Do I care about that spoiler? No. Which brings up that this is just my point of view, and if it's only me and random YouTube commenter form last week that feel this way - then you’re probably safe to keep on keeping on with how you’re doing this now. If you feel that way, please skip the rest of this comment. --- Would you like to know more? (GoW + RDR2 opening spoilers below, duh) It seems to me some examples might help, so I’ve transcribed the following examples from the GoW and RDR2 reviews. I can only guess at what part of the review the YouTube commenter was offended with, but since I’m far enough into RDR2 now I watched it and I’d guess it’s the following. RDR2: “You start in the snow packed mountains after barely surviving a botched robbery, dutch and family take shelter from the harsh weather while plotting to regain their fortune and seek revenge on their enemies.” In the RDR2 example (since I didn’t watch your review), I was very surprised I started the game in snow and not on the desert like I had expected. The gang was already together and I was joining them after a big job - that was an interesting and exciting opening that I was glad I got to experience for myself. Please note that I’m not a professional writer like you guys are, but for example you could pair down the RDR2 opening description to avoid plot to something like this: “You start Red Dead 2 with a tutorial chapter where Arthur’s gang is already together and in a desperate situation, leaving the gang to plot to regain their fortune and seek revenge on their enemies.” GoW: “As the game opens we discover he's living with his son Atreus in a magically protected forest. Unfortunately his wife has died and her final wish is for her ashes to be scattered from the peak of the tallest mountain, but before they set out on their journey they're attacked by an immensely powerful visitor setting the stage for a grand adventure.” In the GoW example, all the marketing for the game managed to keep the mother/reason for Kratos and Atreus’ quest pretty mum - and while it is only the first 10-15 minutes of the game, I would have prefered to experience that on my big screen PS4 instead of your review. Again, not a professional, but an example could paired down to: “As the game opens we discover Kratos must now travel with a boy named Atreus on a dangerous journey to the peak of the tallest mountain, but before they can even set out on their adventure they're attacked by an immensely powerful visitor.” --- So by your definition, “A spoiler is something that having know it existed detract from my enjoyment of that game considerably and was unnecessary to tell me to make me understand that product.” Take out the word considerably and I would say these qualify. GoW is a large game and I still greatly enjoyed it even though I had the opening explained to me by you. Games is an interactive media, and with things like combat systems and environments to explore, it would be possible to enjoy GoW even with the entire plot given to me before I played the game. You talked about wanting to convey the beginning of a game to give the viewer a starting to explain where you go from there. I understand that, but the problem I have in that is when you just verbatim explain the beginning plot. Hopefully my examples helped, and again, only one guys point of view. I love all the work you guys do, even if my overly sensitive spoiler radar makes me avoid some of it. This is a lot, so please just take it again as constructive criticism and no need to read all that on the next CoJ. Lastly, I miss the jazz.

Matt Brookbank

Have you picked which song from Red Dead 2 you'll be performing at the 3rd Anniversary concert?

DaleBastion

Hey Mr. Jones. I desperately try to consume all the EZA content that I can, but as hard as I try, I know I've missed things, so I apologize if I missed this question/comment. #1. How does someone know if something is a spoiler until after they have seen the content? I suppose the exact moment an event is happening they could recall the flash of a screen in a review and that may dampen the moment. I guess I'm just confused why someone would be agitated at a spoiler that at the time they did not know that it was a "spoiler?" #2. Why did you stop saying, "you're a subscriber now?" I miss it. Would you then ever consider doing a "You're a subscriber now" event/stream to encourage memberships? I look so forward to all the content that EZA produces. Thank you. Rudy Michael

In regards to the studio search, have you given your real estate agent any sort of estimated minimum measurements. Like, we need at least this much space to do these things in, so don't waste my time showing me properties that at least don't meet those requirements.

Minamik

Please don't censor Huber. He's a living example of how violence in games does not equate to being a violent person in real life.

Minamik

Probably because reviews need to be as timely as possible. Even a small delay lowers the relevance of any particular review to reach potential audiences.

Minamik

Always get Atlantis and Treasure Planet mixed up too for some reason

Mac

Hi Jones, I was wondering (about one of the first questions of this past week's cup of jones). Why wouldn't you say "we wanna keep the 50k goal because it's the comfortable number for us to pay for rent and pay everyone for their work". It should make people realize once you get the studio, nothing guarantees you can keep it if the patreon audience shrinks (or donations lessen). Saying it's a symbol of what we've done is fine, but there's still a reality behind that goal. It's not like buying a camera, it's a needed steady stream of money. That doesn't prevent you from creating exciting goals above that but that should stay as a warning of what it takes to get that studio-level quality. Also : I'd like to keep the jazz but hey, it's your show. Find it relaxing, even if it loops for 2 hrs.

Térence Caron

Jones, I'm down to up my monthly contributions as soon as you guys get that studio. I'm sure others feel the same.

Nick Geurtsen

Ahoy Mr. Jones, I appreciate your candor in addressing my question regarding voting on last week's Cup of Jones. Thank you. If memory serves (which it often does not), you mentioned a few weeks ago how ugly and messy you felt the GotY deliberation stream was last year and it seemed as though you had fans share that same sentiment. I rather enjoyed the stream! Of course there is always room for improvement, but the deliberation and discussion is the main reason I tuned in; not so much to see what was declared as the EZA GotY, but more to hear the passionate takes from each Ally regarding their choice for GotY. <b>Will your desire for a more polished GotY stream result in less of the deliberations being included?</b> I can understand having the event more planned out (pre-determined categories &amp; nominees for said categories for example), but I do hope the main deliberations are still a bit cacophonous. L&amp;R, Matt B

Matt Bollenbach

Hey Mr. Jones! While you were giving your answer to the GOTY question last week, it occurred to me the Hall of Greats stream is kind of like a very condensed, much more structured (that I’ve seen) oratory practice for GOTY deliberations, so I have a two-part question: 1.) DO you see that stream as a quarterly practice for the GOTY stream to keep the debate skills in shape? And 2.) Are there other instances you can think of where this concept of a stream/game/video/show etc. can also serve as a means to improve another avenue? Thanks as always for taking my question and have a great day! Cheers!

Brandon K Gann

I am watching 30mins in the past :P lol... --- i second that you should take some time to play subnautica... that game was absolutely amazing! :) -- I also really recommend playing on PC and having a few mods they can really improve the experience to your personal preferences.

Hugo D Hawk X

Jones, I would very much like EZA to put out a more balanced schedule of reviews. What I mean by this is don't drop two or three reviews in the same day and then nothing for weeks. Is there any reason why there hasn't been more of a balance and why you wouldn't want to spread them out more? L&amp;R TravelingSnowman

TravelingSnowman

I second this! I became a fan of GameTrailers purely because of Final Bosman. Don't know if it would bring you above 50k or not, but I sure would love some Final Bosman.

Hey Jones! In last weeks Cup of Jones you mentioned how you guys aren’t actively doing stuff to keep you above the 50k goal, primarily because it’s review season at the moment. I’m sure you’ve talked about it plenty of times before (Kyle even mentioned it on one of his post-Box Peek streams), but how much have you considered bringing back The Final Bosman (maybe as a Patron exclusive)? I’m sure that if you did - for example, as the 60k goal - you’d reach the 50k goal that you need for the studio far more easily.

Kyle Armstrong

Hey Jones! I know you've talked about bringing on more allies in the past but I was just wondering if you guys are looking at expanding or has anyone reached out to you asking to join? I know with you guys getting a studio and possibly getting more shows it would probably help to have more staff but obviously that means more money is needed as well.

strawhatninja

Hello, Jones. No question. just saying Hi! from up north in canada

Hello, Jones. During first year of Easy Allies, you’ve edited almost every review. Then you’ve shifted your editing attention to the Souls Retrospective, but once it was done, you haven’t returned to editing reviews besides rare exceptions. Why are you not interested in editing now as much as you were before? P.S. I hope you and your friends are not hurt by the fire.

Alexander Zyryanov

Flame shield on.

César Villa

What? Defy media closed? Holy shit! I had a question in mind around your time there, it could have been quite fitting this week. I'll try to remember to edit this to include it for next show. And edit: First of all, thanks for picking my late update for the Showcase. I knew it was a long shot editing the morning the show is done, but it was nice to see your reactions while we still don't know what Pokemon Switch is. Now the question, and please do let me know if this is way out of line. As editor in chief of Gametrailers in the defy era. how responsible do you feel about the closing? I'm not trying to say it's your fault. For what I've gather it was something pretty much bound to happen at some point, but still, you being the one at charge at the time, what was your feeling? And most importantly, has it changed from that moment to now? Love &amp; Respect, César.

César Villa