Q&A Session #10 -- ANSWERS October 2017

Hello. So as you can see this set of answers has a different format.

I explain this in more detail in the linked video below, but essentially even reducing the amount of questions from 3 to 2 wasn't enough for this feature to still be possible. I'm losing way too much time to it. I don't want to cancel it completely, so Lili and I tried something different. We streamed something that I ended up paying little attention to while she read me the questions, and I answered them.

We took some questions from chat during this so the stream wasn't a stale disaster, so the patron questions became a way to get guaranteed answers. I tried to be more in-depth with them as well when I could.

I have time stamps below that match everyone's questions. You can watch the whole if you like, or skip to when I get to your set. These time stamps were thoughtfully provided by a patron who was there during the stream.

If this format is unacceptable then please say so. If most people are upset with it then I will try something else instead. If most people are cool with--or even prefer it this way, since I'll have more time for video production--then also let me know. I will schedule a day so you can know ahead of time and decide whether you want to be a part of the stream when I answer your questions.

I hope this is acceptable. It's my fault for setting the standard of super long answers early on in the Q&As.

Edit: 5th of November - YouTube link added

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1fQN2Gu9Q

Reiku J asked:

Hey man, I've only been aware of your content for the last few months, but you're already one of my favourite content creators. I went back and finished the Fallout 4 dlc just to watch the rest of your video! Anyway, the question. 

1. Do you feel like you've become part of the larger YouTube Gamer community after making it to the cooptional podcast? And has it changed anything for you.
2. Would you consider collaborating with any youtubers in the future?

Video timestamp: 8:21   

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=08m21s  

Nasigil asked:

You seem to really enjoy streaming. I like them a lot too, you are a great streamer, thoughtful, knowledgeable and actually quite funny. 

1. Do you plan to make this a long term thing? Like streaming the games that you are playing for review without Q&A?
2. How's your buffer videos plan for Witcher series going? Do you have an estimate about when can you actually start the Witcher project now?

Video timestamp:  19:43

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=19m43s  

Conor E asked:

Have you played Westerado? If you have, what'd you think? If not, I think you'd enjoy it a lot

Video timestamp:  35:08   

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=35m08s  

Randy G asked:

Hello there. Been following you on YouTube for a while now (since your bloodborne critiques) and enjoy how you dissect games in your videos. My question may be a bit basic but I wonder what's your method for dissecting a game where the narrative is what the game showcases and is remembered for but the gameplay is considered less than stellar and there is quite a bit of it? (Say anything from the early Silent Hill series for instance) 

Video timestamp:   44:20

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=44m20s  

Holden R asked:

1. How did you enjoy being on the co-optional podcast?
2. Would you consider doing a best games of 2017 feature towards the end of the year?

Video timestamp:   55:57

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=55m57s 

Noyan asked:

Hey again Joseph! I don't know if you've seen MrBTongue's excellent video on New Vegas and "Shandification" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvwlt4FqmS0) where he talks about how the world of the game feels real, because the NPCs feel like they have lives outside of your interaction with the world. He frames it as "What do they eat?" They have crops, they have jobs, they have personal things going on. Towns are constructed near natural resources, etc. As such, the world-building is part of the story, it's all integral. The world isn't nonsensical. So, given that preamble, I'm wondering:

1. If this is a factor that you notice and care about when analyzing games?
2. What are some games that you think do such a thing particularly well, if you do care?

Video timestamp:   01:02:46

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=01h02m46s  

Max L asked:

Hey Joseph! Just wanted to thank you for introducing me to Hollow Knight real quick. I would have never bought that game without your video, as I generally dislike platformers (meaning I'm real bad at them), abhor backtracking and am really rather lukewarm about exploration. Says a lot about how excellent that game is that I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. That Trial of the Fool though... don't know if I can ever complete that. 

1. How did you feel about the "openness" in Hollow Knights general design? I felt that even in late game boss fights and the White Palace there were always more than one way to do things (dodge an attack, complete a platforming section, etc.). Simply learning to pogo off spikes led to me completing sections I was convinced required some later upgrade. Do you enjoy that or prefer a more focused "one way to do something" approach?
2. You are madman for suggesting to not get all the nail upgrades, how are you so good at games? :D Not but for real: What were your favorite enemies to fight in Hollow Knight (not bosses, regular enemies)?

Video timestamp:   01:15:29

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=01h15m29s  

Matthew O asked:

1. Hey-o! How do you know if your feedback is critical commentary versus just a personal opinion? I am interested in the divide between subjective and objective opinions and how you determine which are appropriate to give.
2. I don't know if you even play mobile games but if you do it would be awesome to hear what you think of NoStranger.

Video timestamp:   01:31:07

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=01h31m07s  

Lucas H asked:

Hi joseph first off i just wanna say thank you so much for inspiring me to start writing and trying to create stories myself, im a 16 year old guy with a huge interest fantasy and passion about writing but i always needed something to help me get started which your videos have done, and really sparked my interest in writing, so thank you. And i really hope you will do some content about creating stories for example explaining how you write your books. now to my question: 

1) What is in your opinion the best and most complete game ever created? Like the most well rounded game without too much filler content or not enough content, good graphics, gameplay etc. But hits the perfect sweet spot for all "categories". for me personally it's the Witcher 3 as it's as close to a 10/10 that a game has ever been IMO.

Video timestamp:   01:42:22

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=01h42m22s  

Vincent F asked:

Hey Joseph, I thought you brought up some interesting points in your Little Nightmares video about how some games try to be an experience. 

1. I would say that a great experience is influenced by 3 major factors: A story with a fascinating world and interesting characters, gameplay that inovates with something new and imerses you into that world, and music that when used correctly can elevate a great moment to something youll never forget. Would you agree with this way to measure how great an experience is or do you have your own way to look at it?
2. Have you ever cried or gotten an emotional chill from a game, film, or show? I think its a great achievement when something can do that to me, and always look forward to the next thing that does it.

Video timestamp: 01:54:38  

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=01h54m38s  

Korey B asked:

Has any video game made you cry? If not, feel free to just say 'no'. You have enough questions to answer already. =) 

This was already asked and answered above. Sorry about that. I say as much in the video.

Video timestamp:   02:01:42

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=02h01m42s  

Kiefer O asked:

Thank you for the response last month! This month I'm cheating and giving you 3, but 2 are pretty simple. 

1. Have you ever play either of the Dark Cloud games? I'd absolutely love to hear your thoughts on them, they're both in my top 5 games of all time. I think they'd be super interesting to see you do a video on, especially seeing as there's almost no content related to them on Youtube.
2. What is you favorite Band/Musician? 
3. How old are you? I've always imagined you as being in your early 20's based off of your voice, but you mentioned living on your own in 2006 in my last question, which throws that off. Thanks again! 

Video timestamp:  02:07:05

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=02h07m05s  

Stuart H asked:

1. Not sure if you have considered this yet, but after asking viewers if they wanted to see Mass Effect or Witcher videos I was really curious as to how you plan to approach character choice in those games? What I mean is that there are so many things in both Mass Effect and Witcher that you will never see on 1,2 or even 3 playthroughs due to the game adapting based on your decisions. When you are trying to talk about the game, how will you approach this issue?
2. During one of your livestreams I asked if/how you will manage expectations going into Witcher 3, I personally went into the game completely blind with no expectations and got my favourite gaming experience ever. I also know people that went into the game after hearing the insane praise for the game on the internet and they were super critical, like going in with the mindset to prove others wrong. When I asked you on stream about your expectations you said you want it to be better than Skyrim, so my question to you is, how good is Skyrim? I know answering this question in detail is better left to a potential future video, im just asking for your general thoughts.

Video timestamp:   02:16:49

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=02h16m49s  

David S asked:

1. I saw you streaming nier automata and it was great hearing you talk while playing it and giving it your thoughts and such, but I couldn't help but wonder if your impression of the game has been influenced by streaming yourself playing it, would you say it has or not?
2. Will you be playing Super Mario Odyssey? will you be doing an analysis on it?
3. since you like Science fiction, has you or your wife ever heard of Philip K dick? it's the author for "do androids dream of electric sheep?" and it's what inspired ridley Scott to make Blade runner, the pinnacle of science fiction. Not much of a question but really a really strong reccomandation for anyone who like sciencefiction. 

Video timestamp:   02:29:24

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=02h29m24s  

Baris M asked:

Hi Joseph. I've been a fan of your videos for a long time and finally decided to support the content I love financially. Even at this price, it feels like a steal for the enjoyment and knowledge I receive from your videos, keep up the great work. 

1) I've been reading your initial QA sessions and basing my own process on them a little bit. It made me wonder, how has your script writing and general video creation process evolved over the many months? Are there things you used to do that you now see as clear mistakes? I know you're unhappy with some of the more aggressive videos you've made in the past, but apart from that. Thanks a lot! Hope life goes well for you.

Video timestamp:   02:38:46

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=02h38m46s  

Errol M asked:

Hello Anderson, been a viewer for 4-5 months, i believe. Keep up the good work! 

1. I recall reading that you found The Lord of the Rings boring because it focused too much on worldbuilding. Can you name any examples of games/movies/books that handled worldbuilding the right way and why?
2. Have you played Divinity: Original Sin, and if so, what did you think of the combat system?

Video timestamp:   03:02:14

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=03h02m14s  

Micah W asked:

Hey Joe! First time poster here, massive fan. I’ll start my very first question off with a doozy, I pray it doesn’t violate the “too personal” rule! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these! I apologize for including “questions within questions” but they’re all sort of about the same thing, so I hope you don’t mind. 

1. What are your general thoughts on religion? Has religion had much of an impact in your life? Do you identify with any established, organized religions and their belief structures? Since you seem so analytical and skeptical in your videos, I feel like atheism or at least agnosticism would be most logically matched with your personality type, but people have often surprised me! Have you ever had any experiences that you would call spiritually enlightening, or even divine? “Bizarre coincidences” would count here, I suppose, but that’s more relating to synchronicity, and I’m not quite sure if that is its own religion. Now for a simpler question!
2. I saw you answered this in your very first Q&A, but I wanted to ask about more specific details; I’m a die-hard Game of Thrones TV show fanboy, and I’m just getting into the books now, loving the first 200 pages of book 1 that I’m currently at. Can you identify what aspects of the book you found poorly handled? You used the word “bloated” about them; is that because of having too many characters, you think? I found that the sheer number of them adds to the realism of the story’s universe, like this is a world that doesn’t just exist in a vacuum but is actively unfolding somewhere. Did you think the book was badly paced at all? I’d just love to hear your official review of Book 1 overall. You think you’ll ever give the series another chance? (Side note: you think Martin will ever release Winds of Winter or has he secretly given up? Unless Book 6 is 4000 pages, he probably only averages like half a page per day, right?)

Video timestamp:   03:13:45

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=03h13m45s 

Edward T asked:

Only have the one question this month, what’s your opinion on Davey wreden’s(Stanley parable, the beginners guide) work?

Video timestamp:   03:31:55

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/187435148?t=03h31m55s  

Let me know what you think of the new format below. Voice vs Written. Length. Formality. Do you like the stream idea but want to see some changes? Post below, please.