The Official Game Dude Discussion Thread

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

There's no way that guy even heard of a Neo-Geo in 1990, let alone owned one.

Considering that the system launched in 1990 and was target-marketed in the US through VERY specific retailers and press ads (not to mention a ridiculously prohibitive price), it really shouldn't be a mark against anybody to have NOT owned one in 1990.

That aside, I have no idea where your assumption that James wouldn't have HEARD of a Neo-Geo back then. Even without the internet ... I think most gamers had HEARD of a or played with a Neo-Geo - if not the home system, the arcade unit at their local arcade.

I'll have to ask him if that's the case next time I see him.

[alexander4488]

How old are you, Game Dude? I always get hammered for my opinionated views (sometimes rightly so I guess), but I'm gonna state something else that might get me flamed:

I don't think any classic video game reviewer should be under the age of 33, 32 at minimum. I myself am 35, a hardcore classic gamer and former editor of Zap!, and didn't even play video games until 1979. Even at my age, I missed the entire Pong Age. Consider that Break Out was out a full three years before I even played a game. How in the world is someone born in (let's say) 1981 or 1982 *cough*AVGN*cough*IrateGamer*cough* supposed to know their stuff? Simple answer? They don't. What we really need to see is a serious gamer that's 33-40 start making videoes, and I am seriously considering it myself. So far my favorite is The Happy Console Gamer. You can tell he actually played the games in their time.

There, I said it, flame away.

I am 20. You don't have to be born at the time of the games to know everything about them. AVGN and iRate Gamer know their stuff. If you consider making video game reviews yourself, than definitely go for it, and try your best, but it's a lot harder than it looks.

By the way, I know The Happy Console Gamer. He lives very close to me. Oh, and Mega Man Rob. He's awesome, too.

[alexander4488]

Don't forget, The Happy Console Gamer is a completely different type of video game reviewer. Comparing him to I, iRate Gamer, and AVGN, is like comparing apples to oranges. There are many types of reviewers out there, that fall into different categories. HCG is more of an improvising, nostalgic, kind of guy, that reviews good games, and what it was like, back in the days. He doesn't really rip into shitty games, like other reviewers, and that's why he's so different. All reviewers are different, but you can only really compare those with similar styles. Never-the-less, I like all video game reviewers, except those that mock others.

I, myself, have been doing this for 3 months. Once I'm done school, I'll be famous.

[HYB]

/Critique warning/

Just like an art school doesn't make an artist, film school can't guarantee you'll become good at film making. You just have to have that something or work your ass off to become something. I can say that this isn't working for you right now. I find everything you say in your videos go in from the other ear and go out the other one. At times I can hear a bad remark, and I instantly facepalm. You've gotten better, but not very much so.

As honest advice I'd stay stop making videos for youtube for a while. Start filming little clips focusing on one subject at a time (or course variable, if you can explain about bananas seriously so that people like it, you could be improving). Study all kinds of reviewers and filmmakers, try to recognize their style and figure out what makes them awesome. Study filmmaking and all kinds of aspects of it (not just video game reviews, to make it you have to know a wide range of styles, even the nerd does other things). Find your own style, ask for honest opinions and don't throw a shitstorm whenever someone critiques you. Bawwing your eyes out while asking for so called critique (asspats) isnt going to help you one bit. You can always question critique of course, asking why and so on, but do it politely. Remember critique is meant to point out things that by fixing you can become better, so don't mistake it for insults like a 16 year old girl who draws anime.

Also saying you've been doing this for 3 months, and that you've been in film school for only a month is one of the the lamest excuses I've ever heard. Deviantart is full of whiny people like that and they're never going to make it, so stop making useless excuses and focus on making yourself better. Don't get a swelled head thinking you're the shit. Because there's always going to be someone better than you.

Just in my defense I'll say I deal with much more harsh critique on a weekly/daily basis. I'm aspiring to become a concept artist and that's why I don't fuck around making excuses, if there's something that sucks about my art I try to make it better. I deal with professionals at conceptart.org, you should try finding a community where you have peers from the same industry. Focus at school, do extra assignments and stuff like that, it's going to pay off in the long run.

/Critique end/

[alexander4488]

Thank you for the advice HYB. You are one of the only ones that actually gives very good constructive criticism. I always apply good advice to my work.

By the way, I just revised my Crash of the Titans review. It still needs one more touch up, though. Let me know if you think it's better than the older one. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJkwMTFODU

[TheDomesticInstitution]

School is always better. How can it be the opposite?

Sticking feathers[film school] up your butt does not make you a chicken[filmmaker].

I've graduated from film school and have yet to be famous. Fame and education do not go hand in hand.

Thank you for the advice HYB. You are one of the only ones that actually gives very good constructive criticism. I always apply good advice to my work.

That's pretty much what I was saying. But I'm way more of a dick.

[HYB]

Thank you for the advice HYB. You are one of the only ones that actually gives very good constructive criticism. I always apply good advice to my work.

By the way, I just revised my Crash of the Titans review. It still needs one more touch up, though. Let me know if you think it's better than the older one. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJkwMTFODU

Honestly, aside from your voice and a few other things, I actually kind of liked it. You threw in some pretty good jokes (fox mccloud=fuck the cloud, oh man that was hilarious, the ballet reference etc). You had some valid points too. I'd suggest you'd try to steer clear from the avgn esque stuff, like trying to come up with long winded insults because that isn't working for you. Tone it down, it was funny enough in the beginning at some points. From a filmmaking point I'm not much help though, I'd still suggest a peer community, like a forum or something. Editing skills and such do come with practice and hard work. Also nice to know my critique IS appriciated because most people throw a huge shitstorm because I'm so angry and negative.

At least I could sit through the whole video this time. Keep it up.

That's pretty much what I was saying. But I'm way more of a dick.

Yeah, I tried to tone my critique down to a civil level. At least I succeeded, usually I'm called mean and a horrible person because my comments are omg so meen my art is perfect etc.

[Zap!]

Considering that the system launched in 1990 and was target-marketed in the US through VERY specific retailers and press ads (not to mention a ridiculously prohibitive price), it really shouldn't be a mark against anybody to have NOT owned one in 1990.

That aside, I have no idea where your assumption that James wouldn't have HEARD of a Neo-Geo back then. Even without the internet ... I think most gamers had HEARD of a or played with a Neo-Geo - if not the home system, the arcade unit at their local arcade.

I'll have to ask him if that's the case next time I see him.

I donn't hold it against him if he didn't own one in 1990 or 1991. But the hardcore, older gamers, even the broke ones, heard about it through EGM before it was released and watched the story. Did James get 3-6 gaming mags a month in 1990? I did.

Not holding anything against him at all. I love all his videoes and he cracks me up unlike any of the others. I can also clearly see he studied video editing, as he's a master at that.

[Zap!]

I am 20. You don't have to be born at the time of the games to know everything about them. AVGN and iRate Gamer know their stuff. If you consider making video game reviews yourself, than definitely go for it, and try your best, but it's a lot harder than it looks.

By the way, I know The Happy Console Gamer. He lives very close to me. Oh, and Mega Man Rob. He's awesome, too.

AVGN knows his Nintendo NES mainstream stuff. But even on the NES, did he know what Color Dreams was in 1990? Did he know about the Nintendo/Tengen lawsuit when it happened? When he reviewes older 2600 games, I doubt he pulls them out of his basement. Didn't he also do an episode about the Vectrex? I find it extremely unlikely someone born in 1981 would own such a uique system like that in 1984.

Like I said, there are exceptions. You can be 20 and know the Odyssey II, Fairchild Channel F, and Commodore Vic 20 like the back of your hand. I hope you do.

All in all, you wanna know someone who knows their stuff? I can think of several people here who would be extremely qualified, especially the owner of this board. How about it, Joe?

[Zap!]

Don't forget, The Happy Console Gamer is a completely different type of video game reviewer. Comparing him to I, iRate Gamer, and AVGN, is like comparing apples to oranges. There are many types of reviewers out there, that fall into different categories. HCG is more of an improvising, nostalgic, kind of guy, that reviews good games, and what it was like, back in the days. He doesn't really rip into shitty games, like other reviewers, and that's why he's so different. All reviewers are different, but you can only really compare those with similar styles. Never-the-less, I like all video game reviewers, except those that mock others.

I, myself, have been doing this for 3 months. Once I'm done school, I'll be famous.

When HCG reviews a classic, like Phantasy Star 1, he talks about how he played it for the first time in 1988, and I really like that.

I would like to see him review some crappy games, that might be fun with his knowledge.

I too like most of them, for different reasons. So far, AVGN is the funniest, and has the most professional videos. Irate Gamer is ok, the same type of reviewer. HVGN is pretty funny, decent reviews. HCG is great because he actually played the classics when they were new, which I look for the most. As for you, I will subscribe to your YouTube and check out more videoes. Best of luck.

[theChad]

cC-C-C-COMBO BREAKER

[Lady Jaye]

All those AVGN vloggers are unoriginal. They are all trying to be the Seanbaby of the youtube era, and his schtick got old quick. (And if you're too young to know who Seanbaby is, Google his name.)

As for SpooneyOne being unscripted, well, he still usually gives a good thought to what he will do before making his video (ok, maybe not in his latest "Let's Play Phantasmagoria 2" series, but usually, it's obvious that he does have a generally good idea where he's headed to). Otherwise, the length of his videos would vary a lot more than they do.

The Happy Console Gamer has great potential. He's less prepared than Spooney when he makes his videos, though, but you can still tell that he knows what he's talking about.

[alexander4488]

Honestly, aside from your voice and a few other things, I actually kind of liked it. You threw in some pretty good jokes (fox mccloud=fuck the cloud, oh man that was hilarious, the ballet reference etc). You had some valid points too. I'd suggest you'd try to steer clear from the avgn esque stuff, like trying to come up with long winded insults because that isn't working for you. Tone it down, it was funny enough in the beginning at some points. From a filmmaking point I'm not much help though, I'd still suggest a peer community, like a forum or something. Editing skills and such do come with practice and hard work. Also nice to know my critique IS appriciated because most people throw a huge shitstorm because I'm so angry and negative.

At least I could sit through the whole video this time. Keep it up.



Yeah, I tried to tone my critique down to a civil level. At least I succeeded, usually I'm called mean and a horrible person because my comments are omg so meen my art is perfect etc.

Did you like it better than my old version? Also, what is wrong with my voice? Should I go back to the TMNT voice? Should I go back to the Sonic the Hedgehog voice? Was I too dull? Too angry? And what other things aside, should I fix? Thanks. Tell me as much as you can.

[Rob2600]

I like the Happy Video Game Nerd's videos. Here's an example:

The Happy Video Game Nerd - Nightshade review (NES)

He's silly at times, but he isn't just trying to be over-the-top funny. His comments are insightful and he genuinely cares about the games he reviews.

Intelligent, in-depth game reviews like his will stand the test of time because they're interesting and helpful. Shallow, gimmicky, vulgar game reviews probably won't (other than the AVGN). Keep that in mind.

[alexander4488]

Well, I adjusted my revised Crash of the Titans review, because the timing of the mojo scene needed major adjustments. Please check it out once it's finished uploading. I would also like to know if my newer version is better than my older one, and why, so I know how I'm improving. Thanks.

[HYB]

Did you like it better than my old version? Also, what is wrong with my voice? Should I go back to the TMNT voice? Should I go back to the Sonic the Hedgehog voice? Was I too dull? Too angry? And what other things aside, should I fix? Thanks. Tell me as much as you can.

Your voice echoes when you cut to yourself. Also the rhytmn of your speech is really weird, I think someone else can clarify this better (I think it has been mentioned before) because I'm not a native english speaker and can't explain it. Also I think your voice is a little too angry, like you were shouting half the time. Also try to take your time to speak, you speak a little too fast. Clips of you playing the games would also be nice. Also which version is better, well, the others can give more feedback I guess, some insults were better in the revised version, nice touches like the ballet music, but I liked the simplicity of the old one (like the tinkerbell joke, I liked it better on the old one). I also liked the long explainations of things in the old one, like how crash is strong enough to break a chain blah blah. Anyway, my two cents, now I gotta focus on my art finals instead of hanging out here.

[SegaAges]

Hmm, so I am at work and can't see these videos, but I started reading the posts, and have to say, whoever thinks that only people of age 30+ should review games is fooling themselves.

I first started playing games when I was around 5 or 6, and I am 26 now. Let's round that up to I started playing when I was 6, which means 20 years of gaming.

Apparently that makes me not qualified. Do I review games? Actually yes. I just don't blog about it.

Pretty much daily I have friends that ask me about games they should or shouldn't play, so I will e-mail them my own review or just give them a review off of the top of my head. Maybe I should find a 30 or 40 year old now so that they can write up a review everytime I need to send one out.

Age means nothing. How you present the information is what counts.

As for the people that just sit there and cuss for their reviews: maybe you should stop reviewing crappy games and review games you like. AVGN does crappy game reviews. Happy Nerd guy reviews games he likes to play.

We don't all like the same games, so reviewing games you love that maybe not everybody else does could help them see why it is such a fun game (I wrote a review of kabuki warriors on x-box for 1 of my friends because it is super fun).

We should either bump and old thread, or start a new one about reviewing games you love (no f'ing avgn stuff).

time for me to search, hurray!

[alexander4488]

I revised my atrocious Mario Kart review. Tell me if you like it better. I changed the tone of my voice. Better or worse? I also removed the bullshit and untruths.

NEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qElhBE7B9Wk

OLD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8u1f...eature=related

[walrusmonger]

The voice in your new one was better for the intro, but you cut from topic point to topic point so quickly after that, and it's so short, that it's all over the place.


I rate the original mario kart review a C and the new one a D+.

[alexander4488]

My Kirby review is nearing completion and will be released shortly.

[Oobgarm]

oh noooooooooooooooo

[alexander4488]

Oh yes!!!

[Octopod]

"Inspired by the nerd" was all I needed to see. AVGN sucked bad enough. I'm not going to watch his imitators.

[bangtango]

"Inspired by the nerd" was all I needed to see. AVGN sucked bad enough. I'm not going to watch his imitators.

Agree 100%.

If you have genuine directing or acting talent, you can find some other means to make yourself famous outside of YouTube.

It is just as bad as scum who live in their parents basement who throw up a sports blog on the internet, post complete rumors and have their garbage posts be referred to as genuine "news" by ESPN, SI, Fox Sports, etc.

I'm not as old as k8track but I have literally zero respect for people who have achieved a modicum of fame as the direct result of YouTube, reality tv and other venues which are little more than a sham.

[alexander4488]

Depends if they deserve it like the AVGN but unlike Fred.