POLL: Should Noclip Start Documenting Games Coverage? (Magazines, Websites, YouTubers, Streamers)
Added 2025-01-16 15:00:12 +0000 UTCHey Noclip Community,
This will be a familiar topic for those of you who watch the Patron Show, but I want to open the question up to our community before I make any firm decisions on this.
So, the games media has suffered an alarming decline in the years since Noclip began. The major websites have shrunk in headcount and influence, the death of Game Informer was the nail in the coffin on the magazine era, and even popular YouTubers and Twitch streamers are starting to struggle.
Just two months ago Mega64 just had a hail mary funding campaign to help keep their lights on.
So much of my love of video games came from these sources. From Amiga and PlayStation magazines, to websites like GameSpot, 1UP and Giant Bomb. And today YouTube and Twitch streamers dominate much of my entertainment time - and the gaming discourse. The world of games coverage - be it journalists, streamers, writers or video editors - has long been part of the fabric of video games.
Personally I feel like there is a history worth preserving here. Be it to understand the lessons that these people/organizations learned about their craft, to inspire new generations and ways of talking about games, or simply to celebrate the people who made our enjoyment of games all the more richer.
I also think there is a lot to be learned from talking to new contemporary names in games coverage. Streamers and YouTubers who produce videos highlighting various aspects of game design, game history and fandom. It would also give us a good excuse to cover organizations attempting to preserve this stuff themselves (VGHF). Not to mention our own project to digitize thousands of old game tapes.
That said, we run Noclip with your money. You pay us every month to document the people who "play and make video games" as I originally put it. Granted, we mostly cover the making, not so much the playing. Games coverage was never part of the original pitch or any one since. So I don't want to make a decision on this unless I have a good understanding of what you all think of it.
So the question is simple enough. Do you think we should spend some of Noclip's production time / budget on documenting these stories?
I know some of you get mad at me for having weird answers on these polls - but I think most people will fall into one the following buckets. Please pick one and leave a comment if you have any more insight into this.
Thanks so much everyone!
Danny
Comments
Apologies for not joining the poll, I guess I noticed it too late. FWIW (if you are still interested in feedback), I don't think that this is the best idea when it comes to magazines and especially websites, at least from my perspective. Of course the main question here is you demographic; if vast majority is from North America then it may be ok, but from those of us from the outside (eg. I'm from Eastern Europe) talking in detail about publications in the US, has no nostalgia value, and is hardly relatable in any way. This is more true the earlier you go, especially before the mass adoption of Internet, and less globalization in general. That said, you could maybe just do say one documentary about it, but I don't think you should make into a series. Talking about video creators has more potential, because this is more of a modern era, where I feel this kind of content hit more of a globalized ground and is relatable to most. However, I would advise sticking to maybe older creators, perhaps even ones that are not active anymore, if you want to avoid potential drama (which seems to happen fairly often in that space). I would also have preferred to see those that actually bring some interesting value (though then you may and up effectively boosting your "competition") and/or there are some interesting stories to be told about them, rather than just doing a piece on "somebody popular". Streamers I have *personally* 0 interest in. Kind of an off-topic: While considering the idea about old magazines, it occurred to me that you could try to capture the differences about gaming market (not limited to just journalism) across the world. I feel like most what is covered in English-speaking Internet (not just in gaming btw) is North America and Western Europe, and maybe you could tackle how does it compare (in broad terms) to what was going on in the rest of the world. For example, AFAIK Ninetendo wasn't that much of a thing in the 90's Europe, not to mention East of it was mostly piracy-fueled reality of PC + some bootleg consoles (as it took couple of years after Soviet Union fell, to even define the concept of copyright laws). I would also be interested to know about eg. ban on consoles in China (and how the market was looking in that period), E-Sport scene in Korea, games censorship in Germany/Australia etc.; plus, I have literally 0 idea how this market functions (or ever functioned) eg. in South America or Africa and it might be interesting there as well. To be clear, I'm not talking about anything exhaustive, just the general idea + maybe there are some interesting region-specific stories to be told.
Szynek
2025-01-25 15:22:03 +0000 UTCI'm not exactly sure what the question entails.. Do you mean making videos about other outlets in game media currently? Or documenting magazines/websites/other outlets that have 'come and gone' as it were? I'd definitely be interested in something touching on the history of some print media which is unfortunately no longer present, as a long-term subscriber of PSM2/3 I spent countless hours engorging on magazines in decades past, and certainly miss the heyday of an excellent, and competitive print media scene. So yeah, would be happy to see that type of doc at least once in a while, or perhaps podcast interviews, given your extensive contacts within that scene (GB, old Gamespot, KF etc..) I'm sure you guys could do some truly stellar retrospectives on the scene!
Darri Skúlason
2025-01-20 23:07:07 +0000 UTCYeah, the same for the Netherlands. We had Power Unlimited and Gamekings, both big brands that still exist today. They could be very interesting subjects for a doc but not sure if there's an audience outside of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Mathijs
2025-01-20 10:48:14 +0000 UTCI'd say yes to all of the above for the reasons you outlined, but I'm not sure if there are more than a couple interesting stories to tell with streamers. It feels like so few have a meaningful impact on games and the vast majority of what they do is entirely ephemeral. That said, I trust you to find the right stories wherever this may lead.
Matt K
2025-01-19 16:14:57 +0000 UTCHumanity is notoriously bad at deciding what is worth preserving, I'm all for preserving as much as possible, especially with todays possibilities. Not sure if it fits the Noclip brand though, but that is better decided by someone else ;)
Sokar
2025-01-19 10:49:55 +0000 UTCBut speaking of I would really appreciate a format or perspective that someone that has no nostalgia for it and no prior knowledge can still enjoy
Max
2025-01-18 20:33:30 +0000 UTCHonestly I have never consumed classic games coverage a lot. Every now and then… but somehow even though I’ve been around for a while I didn’t seek out that aspect and then skipped straight to Total Biscuit and YouTube. Seems interesting to me to explore that aspect of it as well in the bigger picture of games
Max
2025-01-18 20:28:02 +0000 UTCYou’ve got this! ❤️💪
IRIDYSCENZIA
2025-01-17 21:27:41 +0000 UTCI'm all for anything that shows that games are neither developed nor sold and played in a vacuum. The intersection of development, publishing and critical reception seems both messy and interesting to me, and the more people that can share their experiences to how things play out in the period after a game hits the shelves (virtual or otherwise), the more complete a picture we'll likely have on the effects that criticism had and continues to have in its varying forms. This ought not to be purely print media-focussed nostalgia bait either I feel, speaking to streamers and the like may seem a bit new compared to a lot of game documentaries, but one day the streamers too will be overtaken by even newer media, so why not get their thoughts on the systems that (currently) enable their success as well as the potential downsides? Obviously this isn't Noclip's primary purpose, and as such I wouldn't expect it to have a regular segment in the Crewcast covering news and criticism for example, or to dominate the release schedule of the usual documentaries. As has been noted elsewhere, there is a risk of ill-health in the team if spread too thin, especially if covering less immediately popular subjects at the same time as the main focus ones. I'm also aware that less-enlightened online discourse increasingly likes to paint game journalism as some corrosive force to be resisted, so any sort of championing or profiling could lead to a backlash. Sadly this is just how things seem to be now. Ultimately though I think the story of games will have something missing if it doesn't allow some room for their reception and continuing feedback loop between these industries. So if you want to do it and think you can make it work, I'll be happy to continue supporting you all.
Paul Davies
2025-01-17 17:48:09 +0000 UTCI would definitely enjoy a series on the gaming industry's print media and early web/digital media. I remember having subscriptions for a time and/or going to the library to read Nintendo Power and PSM, as they were the first chance I could learn about what was coming out or what was considered good to buy/rent.
Ryan Lindeman
2025-01-17 14:49:52 +0000 UTCI’d be interested in these stories, yet I realize that this means more time and money invested. This means it’s a personal business decision and the final say is up to you. The rift between ‘games journalism’ and audience means your historical knowledge would fill a niche. I do believe that there is opportunity here if you want to explore it. I do not know which is better - to split patreons and channels or expand this one. You’re better off asking other creators and testing algorithms with a few uploads first. If this interferes with your other digitizing efforts you could try vetting some volunteers in your area? I’m sure there are some game nerds who’d love to help out sometime or students who’d enjoy an interesting volunteer project. You can also try reaching out to your current community as well if there’s small low-risk online tasks you can hand off. We like your content and would enjoy seeing it continue.
Kipper
2025-01-17 13:47:43 +0000 UTCI'd love to see coverage of media - magazines, websites, and so on - but I've no interest in seeing anything about streamers.
Keith O'Conor
2025-01-17 11:56:24 +0000 UTCMy vote was "I'm happy for you to decide". If there's an interesting story related to gaming (be it games themselves or the media/culture around them), then I want NoClip to be the team to cover it. I'd don't know if I'd be interested in a feature length "NoClip presents: History of XYZ Magazine" if it was just a really well produced timeline. But if there was a big rivalry between two magazines, or mergers/buy-outs, magazine/sites that changed the media landscape, or things like that - yeah, I'd like to hear those stories. Are there any interesting streamer/youtuber stories to tell? Maybe, but there's already too many creators talking about streamer dramas and the like, and I don't know if that fits NoClip's vibe anyway. I think it's worth taking a shot and trying one to see how it goes.
John Frazer
2025-01-17 10:30:56 +0000 UTCInterested in magazines and some sites, less so in Streamers 🤷♂️… They come and go, no real nostalgia vibe for any. That’s just me though!
James Bowman
2025-01-17 08:52:23 +0000 UTCI'm all for it. No notes.
RayceARoni
2025-01-17 06:29:09 +0000 UTCGames media influences culture and culture creates games. It's indirect, but worth some attention. Just keep the big docs rolling too, they're so good!
Ian Houghton
2025-01-17 04:56:23 +0000 UTCThis topic feels pretty tangential to the things I got excited about NoClip for, and the primary reason I'm a subscriber. I'm open to being wrong!, But I would not really want the team to commit a lot of bandwidth to this, for fear of it not-really-landing (who is tue audience for this, exactly?). That said, if you do go down this route, yall better chat with MinnMaxx lol
Veltis
2025-01-17 04:32:28 +0000 UTCBeing an extra professional voice in games coverage is always welcomed in this era. But I'd be lying if I said I'm not worried if this doesn't squarely fit your team's budget and overall wellbeing. Perhaps it's worth a shot under the existing Noclip banner?
Keegan Zykowski
2025-01-17 02:39:23 +0000 UTCI've been following games coverage paying more attention to the people behind it since 2014 (Kotaku, Polygon, Giant Bomb, GI.biz) and it's been harrowing seeing what's been happening to these people. It'd be very interesting knowing more about the history of these outlets and people, even more considering some of the events in the last few years.
Mikail Freitas
2025-01-17 02:22:14 +0000 UTCI think a thing with newer games people is that there’s plenty of examples of people who got a lot of attention only to do something stupid or say something offensive. This isn’t a problem with streamers; it’s a problem with people. With more established people who have been around for 10+ years, it’s “probably” a safer bet. Or covering something like Giant Bomb has 10-20 people to pull from. On the other hand, if y’all spent a lot of time and money to create a documentary on the hottest new Twitch stream Skibidi McRivals only for them to be cancelled, that would just be a waste. Honestly, it will be more interesting to tell older stories. Like what it was like to work at Game Informer and what it was like to as print media started to decline? What is it like when a website shuts down? What is it like to see new systems/games/whatever before everybody else? Why do people leave games media? Recent stuff (like popular streamer who has been doing this for 0 to 5 years) isn’t as interesting to me.
Michael
2025-01-17 01:15:18 +0000 UTCYou do you, skipper. I'm just along for the ride. I can't say I would for sure be interested, but there's only one way to find out. It'd be interesting to hear from the folks at https://www.thegamesmachine.it/
Gabe
2025-01-17 01:02:27 +0000 UTCI think this is a great idea. Danny, if it's game related and excites you, go for it. You have proven yourself sound of character and judgement and I trust your inclinations. Personally, I support NoClip because I think your voice, care, and quality of reporting in the games industry is important and worth doing. But how you go about doing that is up to you. I don't consider myself so much buying a product as I do supporting a process and an idea. Your interest and excitement in your work is more important to me than the specific content or structure.
August Rulewich
2025-01-17 00:24:27 +0000 UTCI like the idea but think a separate channel might be best for hosting that kind of content similar to the archive.
A. Lee
2025-01-16 23:23:59 +0000 UTCTo me, a person born in the 80's, video game coverage and media is an integral part of the world of video games. So I answered that I would like to see this types of content on NoClip. But only if it does not stretch you guys or any available resources too thin.
Hrafn
2025-01-16 21:25:02 +0000 UTCSimilar thoughts here, I'm not sure if I was just young and ignored the makers of magazines but I don't really have a connection to any specific publications. In Australia we definitely had a version of game informer and other publications but I mostly got my parents to buy them based on the cover/contents at the time. I didn't have an affinity to anything. I'm not saying I'm not interested but it may result in a US centric topic.
Aaron Nielsen
2025-01-16 20:57:24 +0000 UTCPersonally I would prefer if Noclip would stick to the games themselves. Reporting on games media is to meta for my taste and I would hate if that means you wouldn’t have the capacity to report on a games development instead. I assume your time and resources are limited and there are just so many interesting games out there that I’d love to learn more about in a Noclip doc.
AluinKali
2025-01-16 20:52:39 +0000 UTCAs a former videogame journalist whose website shut down years ago (3dgn), seeing coverage of all the terrific writers out there would be fantastic.
Ilya Popov
2025-01-16 20:42:45 +0000 UTCI would be interested in everything except the YouTubers/streamers stuff. It seems really easy to fall into the nonsense streamer drama because there's so much of it surrounding that particular field.
GiantPurplePen15
2025-01-16 20:20:39 +0000 UTCI would love to see noclip covering games journalism going indie more and more, with Aftermath, Game File, Second Wind, Crossplay, other substack writers, and more. Nintendo Force magazine rising from the ashes of Nintendo Power. I think maybe doing one big doc on the indiefication of games journaism would be "in scope" for noclip, games journalism is definitely a critical part of the "games industry". Maybe another doc on game perservation, emulation, VGHF, TCRF, I dunno. However instead of an edited doc it could also totally be its own podcast series just talking to the people of these stories, Schreier, Totilo, Nathan Grayson, Yathzee, Lucas M. Thomas, Frank CIfaldi, and this podcast series ideas could also talk to essayists/long-form youtubers like Jacob Geller, Liam Robertson, Noah Caldwall-Gervais, Chris Bratt, etc. about their work
Ben Salvidrim
2025-01-16 19:43:31 +0000 UTCOverall, I support the idea but I'm definitely way more interested in games themselves, not games journalism. I believe you could make interesting docs/content about this topic and I'd probably watch them, but I think I'd value the game docs way more. Another note - I do value the preservation aspect of it as well so I guess I'd be ok with it, if you decide to go ahead with the plan but it would be a bit sad to see less frequent game docs as a result.
Silver Spitsõn
2025-01-16 19:39:52 +0000 UTCI‘d love to see these stories but worry that it will sort of dilute what NoClip is doing. I would love to hear, or even just read, these stories! I would like them to be split off into a separate project, but I understand that giving up this kind of critical mass NoClip has gained would make the road that much harder, just for the sake of making a clearer divide between the topics. I think the story of traditional games media is worth telling and preserving and to get the best shot at it, it needs to be on the mainchannel. I’m sorry for rambling, but I think that a number of people will have slightly complicated feelings on this that a multiple choice poll can’t capture. Have a nice day and continue doing great work!
Lucas
2025-01-16 18:37:12 +0000 UTCGreat idea, I still enjoy edge magazine, as far as I can tell one of the last independent games magazines. The history and current picture would be great to explore
Henry Gann
2025-01-16 18:31:38 +0000 UTC100% agree. German games media played a huge part in developing interest, but it's local. Still: I'm sure GI journos have a lot of stories to tell I'm probably interested in hearing, even if I have no history with the publication as such. 👍
Björn Vahle
2025-01-16 18:20:06 +0000 UTCI'm still subscribed to a videogame print magazine for the passionate journalism, tactile experience, and nostalgia. There is a lot of trust I have in whatever subject Noclip is burning for, so please go where your instincts take you. As an emphasis I'd want to add, like others here have already mentioned: docs on interesting stories in games media should not gain priority in your work. And an adamant no from me to YouTubers/streamers, I do not think the shallow realm these individuals operate in matches the depth and substance Noclip is known for. Above all, please take good care of your energy budget.
chevkoch
2025-01-16 18:18:09 +0000 UTCThe games themselves are most interesting to me personally. Games media, like players or any other topic related to the games, could definitely be interesting but I would always think of it as an interesting aside - adding some variety, if you like. There isn’t a bucket for “I’d love some of this, but not too much” - that would be the bucket for me.
Henry Kenyon
2025-01-16 18:14:40 +0000 UTCI’d be interested in documentaries about the magazines, media. As someone in the uk I grew up reading magazines like Computer and video games and Edge and would love some history on those and likewise with tv media. I’d be less interested in modern YouTube channels
OishiiSaru
2025-01-16 18:08:42 +0000 UTCI think the idea of taking on the games press and everything surrounding it is great and important. Especially as this is where an important part of older and more recent gaming history has been lost in recent years. And yet I fear (and unfortunately there are already examples of this) that the Noclip team is in danger of overreaching itself with yet another project. In view of the documentaries already in production, Secret Tape and the creation of the video archive, it's clear that life and working time are limited... So you definitely need more support! I'm thinking about such videos as 'Dream Daddy' by Alanah Pearce or 'Creative Assembly' by Chris Bratt. Especially in view of the current situation, I'm sure some people would be grateful for a contract like this to which Noclip can then add the finishing touches...
Björn Blankenheim
2025-01-16 17:54:24 +0000 UTCThe way NoClip has told the stories of game developers, quirky game fandoms, and one off tales of game collections gives me confidence. I fully believe if you all were to document a GameInformer, Giant Bomb, etc. that it would be thorough, engaging, and entertaining.
Skyler Manley
2025-01-16 17:40:17 +0000 UTCI'm interested - but realistically only for the sites/organizations I have followed. As you somewhat alluded in your post above with the picture, I would be VERY interested in a history of Giant Bomb. However, if there was a doc produced on a website/magazine that I have no connection to or history with (let alone streamers), it is extremely unlikely that I will watch it. You know the numbers much better than I, but millions of people have played Half Life and would watch a documentary on it. Other than perhaps Game Informer, I don't know what website/publication would have that much of a reach, so it seems like the audience would likely be quite a bit smaller. I have watched Noclip docs on games I have never played because learning how mechanics develop and are iterated can be incredibly interesting. I'm not sure there is an analog to this with websites or with streamers, where I think having a connection to the people involved is almost a prerequisite.
Michael Heim
2025-01-16 17:34:46 +0000 UTCYou’ll find a shape for it, but the bigger more major sites, physical media lends itself well to stories told in documentary form. Streamers and YouTube may be better covered in podcasts imo (for example the other long form documentarians like Jacob Geller or Noah Caldwell-Gervais are fascinating but a video on a video creator is a bit too meta imo
Will Bryceson
2025-01-16 17:33:57 +0000 UTCMagazines and publications, yes, streamers and Youtubers, no. I feel like magazines have more depth, and more history to explore.
Ellis
2025-01-16 17:27:24 +0000 UTCI certainly like the idea of expanding to cover physical media or media websites or organisations, but I'm warey of including streamers and youtubers. I consume a lot of that kind of content, so it's not that I have a problem with them, but I feel like a documentary would inevitably feel like a doc on the person and not on what they do. But I could be wrong.
Kes
2025-01-16 17:22:05 +0000 UTCWhat’s important to me is that you guys make docs for topics *you* find interesting and important. I fully trust you on this stuff! If this is one of those topics obviously run with it. My only fear is that you stretch yourself too thin.
Everdred
2025-01-16 17:00:27 +0000 UTCAbsolutely! I feel it's an important part of games history; it certainly was an important part of mine growing up. Press this enthusiastic deserves to be remembered.
Alex Zandra
2025-01-16 16:54:12 +0000 UTCI feel it's important but should never start to overshadow the videogame development documentary side. I think it's good to periodically dip into adjacent topics because it can provide more context for how the whole industry works. I do think I'm less interested in the history of a specific games media outlet and more interested in how the games media works. (although I would probably like anything you would make anyway). parts of this subject I'm most interested in: - how the economic model of videogame reporting (doesn't) work (anymore), and alternative ways of organising it. - how videogame reporting interacts with the videogame marketing, seen from both sides - the weird secrecy part of games industry in comparison to the film industry, how does it impact reporting on it? - something about marketing focussed on streamers, how to get your Roguelite in the hands of Northernlion
Mark van Dijken
2025-01-16 16:46:01 +0000 UTCI feel like, in the 90s and early 00s, games publications were as much a part of gaming as gaming itself. It’s fantastic to hear stories from journalists who worked in those spaces and what it was like during that time. Today’s games journalists seem to look quite a bit different than those of older days, but are still important. Still plenty of outlets doing good work on reporting on games. I throughly enjoyed the pieces MinnMax did on GameInformer. Celebrating their long history and letting them tell about their experiences. I think whatever NoClip ventures into in the future, I’m interested in watching it.
Turfyman (Tom B)
2025-01-16 16:25:16 +0000 UTCI’m much more interested in more historical figures/outlets in the space rather than contemporary streamers, but if that’s what it takes to get a deep dive into VGHF, I’ll make that trade
Thomas Lynch
2025-01-16 16:17:36 +0000 UTCI grew up subscribed to PC Gamer and for a time Games for Windows and would love to know more about what was going on behind the scenes and the people that helped shaped my early interest in gaming. I vividly remember the PC Gamer review of Half Life 2 that received 98, at the time not knowing anything about the game or even being aware of HL1. I found a copy at a mom and pop electronics store, bought it only to have it run poorly on my family's PC. I would eventually get to play it after selling some Magic cards on eBay to pay for a new GPU. Were it not for PC Gamer I would still have an Arabian Nights copy of Library of Alexandria. Fond memories <3
myrcat
2025-01-16 16:17:33 +0000 UTCAbsolutely! Unequivocally! As someone who used to work for Machinima, I feel like it’s ripe with stories that would be fascinating.
Landon Robinson
2025-01-16 16:14:21 +0000 UTCDefinitely interested! There wasn’t an option for this so to clarify on my “I’d like to see these stories on No Clip” vote: Yes, but YouTubers and streamers don’t really seem to fit the “historical documentation” perspective that so much of No Clip goes for. Those topics seem, I don’t know, too new, I guess? With YouTubers and streamers being so current and actively evolving, there’s a non-zero chance that after something is released on them we will find out some problematic thing about them. The Completionist comes to mind, as an example. Regardless of truth and accuracy of claims, bad attention like that can suck the whole point of documentary work out of a project.
Justin Lincoln
2025-01-16 16:09:33 +0000 UTCThe shifting landscape and how it has shaped not only perspective, but also the lens through which we see and analyze new or past games is important, and highly relevant.
Robert Homb
2025-01-16 16:04:08 +0000 UTCI'm in favour, but it's not a 'YOU MUST DO THIS NOW', more a 'this would be cool if the opportunity presents itself to you'.
Kieran Lister
2025-01-16 15:59:03 +0000 UTCNot something I'm interested in and seeing as resources are already spread thin I'd think it would be a bad decision. Plenty interesting games out there to create stories around that deserve it way more. I'm sure even if you decide to do it though the documentaries would be worth the watch. I'd just personally rather stick to games.
David Smith
2025-01-16 15:56:09 +0000 UTCWould love to see games coverage, it's part of the industry as e3, interviews, trailers or any other gaming content.
Yakov Verch
2025-01-16 15:55:39 +0000 UTCI'd watch a Noclip documentary on pretty much anything you decide to make, but I'm hesitant about taking away resources (time, money) from what seems like already somewhat limited resources. If push comes to shove, I prefer if Noclip stays on game creators, but if you find a story on the media side that you feel you absolutely have to tell, I'd be down for that. Make projects on what you're passionate about.
Christopher
2025-01-16 15:48:22 +0000 UTC100% Yes from me! Jaz Rignall is about to release a really cool book on his time in the games media and I can't wait to read that! Would love to see my favourite creators create a series on this subject. Would you cover UK magazines too? Mean Machines, Super Play, CVG etc?
Games Freezer
2025-01-16 15:46:06 +0000 UTCI would be interested in this. In the 80s and 90s, game magazines were a big part of learning about games. Then you have the major website era. Now we've moved more toward small and individual YouTube channels and other creators. I would be interested in Some of these topics, but would still love to see you concentrate on the type of documentaries you have been doing. I'm actually wondering what's next, because I'm getting tired of everybody chasing clicks, views, and the algorithm for monetization, rather than making good content. It's all about drama and sensationalism to get views, and I hope it doesn't last much longer. Everything is a controversy now. I think it would be interesting to tackle some of these issues as it relates to content creation and media. I would also love to see a return to some of the positive things in gaming, like how Accessibility is really starting to catch on.
Jesse Anderson
2025-01-16 15:44:55 +0000 UTCI feel like you guys already have so many balls in the air that I am hesitant about adding anything more to your mission. Of course I am not familiar with your process but it feels like the bottleneck often comes from talking to people and editing. I also care about games journalism and the broader culture of games, but there are many other creators covering it. Noclip's video game documentaries are unmatched by anything else and I would regret having fewer of them so that other subjects can be covered as well. That said, I trust you guys to make the right decisions on what to cover. I am certain that whatever you are going to document is going to be great, and I will continue to support it.
lamora
2025-01-16 15:40:25 +0000 UTCI think documenting the rise and fall of coverage outlets (G4, Attack of the Show, PC Gamer, Maximum PC, Nintendo Power) and their staff (writers, producers, reviewers) would be interesting, and maybe a bigger "history of games journalism", but less so a series of it. However, I trust you guys to make a balanced decision on it if you do.
AJP
2025-01-16 15:36:17 +0000 UTCI would like to see you document history stories from "games journalism," but I have no interest in YouTubers or Influencers.
Matt Nolan
2025-01-16 15:32:23 +0000 UTCI trust ya!
Jens Nikolaus
2025-01-16 15:31:58 +0000 UTCIf you find stories about games journalism/media you feel are compelling enough to make a doc about i absolutely would be interested to watch
Grant Henry
2025-01-16 15:31:07 +0000 UTCThe issue I have with pre-Internet video games covering is that it's not global. I'm French and we had our own media, with its own (interesting) history. US Media never crossed the Atlantic and therefore, as a doc topic, is not as interesting to me as it would be for a US consumer.
Arseur
2025-01-16 15:27:53 +0000 UTCAs long as NoClip's primary focus is to continue making video game documentaries (which I'm sure it will be) I don't see the harm in branching out once in a while to other areas of the industry like games coverage.
Jazz Jackrabbit
2025-01-16 15:25:58 +0000 UTCWould love to see you get Gerstmann for an interview, whether as coverage for Giant Bomb as a whole, or just to highlight his industry bonafides
Boy Cowboy
2025-01-16 15:25:03 +0000 UTCI think game magazines are an important part of games culture. I think it would work if you focus on the writers/talent rather than the corporations themselves. Similar to covering the developers of games rather than the business suite. For example, covering the history of EGM or Nintendo magazine from the lens of the writers. How they view the importance of writing quality content, and how they (like developers) battle the demands of corporate entities. Edit: if you do modern coverage, I would only focus on actual games reporting and its relation to the past magazine era, and less on content creators that just use gameplay as entertainment to make a living like streamers.
Anthony D'Onofrio
2025-01-16 15:20:37 +0000 UTC100% yes, these go hand in hand with the current documentary format. Remap Radio has been doing something like this, with a bit more texture in their reporting and stories than other sites / programs that run shows daily. The Noclip crew can most certainly add a voice and perspective in that space!
Itzami Ferrario
2025-01-16 15:20:20 +0000 UTCI wouldn’t go out my way to watch a doc on game informer (I never read their mags and have no attachment) - but I still think these docs should be made. The idea that journalism is totally outside video game culture or wasn’t a part of the zeitgeist of the time isn’t true. Games journalism is games history and telling stories from games and games history is what you guys do better than anyone else imo. It’s a big fat do what you like from me 👍
Jamie Ogle
2025-01-16 15:20:06 +0000 UTCI would love to see you guys do something about games coverage!
takeshikitano3
2025-01-16 15:20:02 +0000 UTCI think just talking to them on "Dear Dwyery" would help keep that series alive without spreading things out to the point of obscurity. After all, there's a reason you merged it into the main feed.
Andrew O.
2025-01-16 15:19:42 +0000 UTCI would love to see this. I think the 1UP Network/EGM/CGW/GFW is a story that should be told preserved for the future. They had a really high standard to their coverage. They where also really the first to go all in on games podcasts long before there was a way to make any real money on it.
Matt Nelson
2025-01-16 15:19:39 +0000 UTCI answered "I'd love to see these stories but on a separate YouTube channel & Patreon", mostly because there's a concern of scope creep and spreading yourselves too thin. The main caveat there is 'can you cut back on the crunch while using the slack from that to achieve meaningful goals in this new space?' If the answer is 100% yes, then big thumbs up. But I don't want y'all to hate yourselves and put the weight of the world's gaming dystopia on your shoulders. Noclip should be sustainable and enduring first and foremost even at the cost of producing less content. Because gaming culture and companies are fleeting if nothing else.
FrenziedManbeast
2025-01-16 15:17:21 +0000 UTCI'd watch a no clip documentary about the history of crown molding. I say make whatever you all want
Zion Klinger
2025-01-16 15:17:03 +0000 UTCBeing a 90's kid, I would adore to be able to know more about the magazines and sites that were such an integral part of my youth: from Amiga Power to SuperPlay to GamesMaster to Edge and so many more. I fell in love with the guys from Gamespot, and to this day I follow them as much as life allows it. I still have on some CD every episode of The Hotspot—I loved the banter in that proto-pod/videocast format, and for a while it was my way of ending each and every day, just listening to those guys go back and forth about videogames and about life in general (it was one of the things I loved about the E3 coverege on GiantBomb back in the day, when everyone got together for the most batshit awesome few hours where we had industry veterans just being people like the rest of us, talking shit and having fun.
Folrac
2025-01-16 15:16:33 +0000 UTCWhile I am all for covering the history of games media, I am a bit pessimistic that these videos will only show them in a positive light. It is easy to say "what a tragedy that gameinformer is gone" but in reality there is a reason for that. This big divide between what players think and what the media says has gotten bigger over the last years and that is, while not the only one, at least one major part in it's downfall. If you can tell that story authentically then I am all for this type of content. If you only show it from their perspective then I would rather hear the story how an actual developer created a game, not some gaslighting that everything the media did was good but no one supported them.
Oliver56001
2025-01-16 15:15:55 +0000 UTCI look forward to the Gerstmann doc
Michael Middleton
2025-01-16 15:15:32 +0000 UTCArchive.org already has a lot of video game magazines
Marc Burrage
2025-01-16 15:12:51 +0000 UTCPersonally I'm perfectly fine with you doing it for all the reasons you list: Preserving, highlighting, the nostalgia... But I also heard you talking about being burnt out because there's so much stuff to do already. And I don't want you or your work to suffer from even more stuff that you would have to do. So... I find this a really hard thing to decide. If you feel like you have the energy and resources to do it, go for it. Or maybe limit the scope: Focus on the fall of GameInformer, favorite stories of journalists covering games... Idk man. This is too long to be helpful. 😜
Björn Vahle
2025-01-16 15:11:40 +0000 UTCI'd find this interesting but from what I've seen on Youtube this kind of content isn't necessarily that popular. Of course it all depends on how well it's presented incorporating Youtubers/Streamers would maybe make it more relatable to many. Anything you find interesting to cover is likely to be interesting to watch so carry on.
Shapey Fiend
2025-01-16 15:10:07 +0000 UTCIf you are passionate about it, I am sure it will turn out well.
N.R. Jenzen-Jones
2025-01-16 15:09:51 +0000 UTCGreat question, and it's nice to see you guys consider it. I will probably be in the minority, but here's my two pennies - magazines and websites - absolutely, they have had so much value and provided so much insight over the years, and the readers have formed really fond relationships with certain outlets (for me it was primarily PC Gamer between 2003 and 2008 and GAME.EXE in my home country, issues of which my school friends and I would chip in to buy). However, my attitude towards streamers/youtubers is a bit more complicated. I would be somewhat interested in docs on maybe those who make some form of educational/explanatory videos - how certain games are made, the video games history etc. However, what I am absolutely not interested in are youtubers/streamers who make their living off of lets-plays. I can understand folding them into the narrative about fandoms and popularisation of games in general, but making entire documentaries about specific game streamers is definitely not up my alley.
Mikhail Kupriyanov
2025-01-16 15:09:50 +0000 UTCBasically I like anything you guys make. Game creation? Great. Games media? Great. Any doc you make is going to be engrossing and wonderful so I'm just here for the ride (just for the love of god please never kill the podcast)
Ross
2025-01-16 15:09:45 +0000 UTCA chat with your mates at Kinda Funny about this exact thing could be an interesting watch. They have managed to go against the odds and grow..
Scott Drury
2025-01-16 15:08:31 +0000 UTCI think it would be a great addition to Noclip, but with less priority than your current focus on game development.
Bruno Machado
2025-01-16 15:07:32 +0000 UTCPersonally I think VG media is an integral part of the “story” of gaming, it being (historically speaking) one of the routes for some to get into games development and an important tool in convincing the wider world that “those damn video games” aren’t just toys for children (despite that never really being true anyway because some of the earlier games available for people are arcade machines initially sold to bars!) Although people like Jeff Gerstmann have been good at talking about the transition from magazine to website to (principle) video and podcast it would be good to get more on the record stories to contrast this. Especially from folks who dedicated a lot of their professional career to work at Official magazines. Peeling back the editorial picture of ‘Official’ media could be very interesting
Simon Johnson
2025-01-16 15:07:11 +0000 UTCI think Noclip should exsists to preserve what is or will be lost when it comes to gaming. There's plenty of loss in games media, so I think that's a place in desperate need for preservation of some kind. Games media is changing on a fundamental level, but I think it'll serve the next generation well to have documented how it was done "back then" so those lessons can be brought forward.
Emmett Watkins Jr.
2025-01-16 15:06:56 +0000 UTCThe industry as a whole has an issue where so much of its history only exists because of fanatics. We really should have learned from the lost movies and lost tv that new media to a degree needs documenting. I’d love to see this stuff on here. If it weren’t for the fall of one media outlet giant bomb wouldn’t exist, if it weren’t for the collapse of 1up and bunch of smaller media would have never spawned. We shouldn’t loose these stories.
Conor Hughes
2025-01-16 15:06:13 +0000 UTCYou tried to cover all the bases with those answers Danny fair play! But I have an 'other' response 😂 I would prefer if the resources for covering videogames media was put into making videogames media. I really love the noclip crew material, there is definitely something in that. Although I know the seperate Patreon trial to expand noclip crew didn't work out.
Eamonn Slattery
2025-01-16 15:06:03 +0000 UTCPersonally, I don't think you should. But if you do, I reccomend you make it a distinct segment on the podcast. I think if you start chasing gaming news on the daily you will burn out very quick, and there are some channels that are already doing a good job at it (e.g. Bellular)
Spongeguy
2025-01-16 15:05:35 +0000 UTC
