Patreon Podcast - Doc Epilogue | Beyond Parasocial | Staying Interesting - Electric After Dark
Added 2024-02-19 10:24:20 +0000 UTCElectric After Dark is Back! On today's podcast ep I discuss my thoughts on the Shmup Documentary, post release. I also talk about my experience writing and acting in the film, which I found really engaging and got me interested in practicing acting more generally. I also talk about this idea of Para social relationships, and how I find that description of following a youtuber as demeaning to the audience and how art needs to have a receiver for it to have meaning. I also discuss my thoughts on what makes a youtube channel interesting over time, and how threading the needle of speaking to both a new and hardcore audience (inner / outer audience) is key. I also discuss my love of the Sopranos a bit ha.
Overall I think you all will really dig this episode and I want to thank you all again for supporting the channel, the content would not be possible without you.
Sincerely,
Mark
Comments
1:04:06. As you were discussing the issue of losing interest, I was thinking of Redlettermedia. I used to ravenously consume their videos, but now I don’t think I have watched them for several years, even though they are still on my subscriber feed. I’m not sure why I lost interest. They are quite good at balancing old and new films. I think I simply became bored of their views and humour…I promise I’ll never become bored of your views and humour 😉
Kuma_Wamu
2024-07-24 04:26:33 +0000 UTCI'd buy you a whopper at burger king :-)
Vrenna
2024-03-25 02:17:52 +0000 UTCOh, I'm so on board with spending the day (or night) commenting beat'em up runs. Just warn me well in advance so I can free up my schedule.
Kriegor
2024-03-12 10:53:06 +0000 UTCThere may well be Sega Saturn code out there for internetization. It was planned. Who knows maybe AI will be able to patch it in. I wonder if there are some grandchilderen of ex-SEGA employess who may access some archives of code and can implement it into an LLM? We are right at the cutting edge of the emergence of this technology now. From what I heard there is an exponential explosion of exposition on the horizon. I'm sure the hackers out there are not going to be too long in getting to grips with it. Just everything computer based is going to go interstellar. I just found out my PC is just good enought o run Brighteon.AI's 'Neo' LLM its going to need 16GB RAM, over 6GB GPU and a Haswell processor. Luckily I built my rig just when those were released. Fuck Yea!!
Taze Roiu
2024-03-03 12:56:44 +0000 UTCLooking forward to Galloping Ghost!
Viewtifu1
2024-02-28 05:00:12 +0000 UTCI’ve seen a few of the hacked versions that let you play as Elliot, oddeye and such. Also the VS mode.. I dreamed of all that stuff as a kid. Even made up my own games using action figures , chess board, rulers etc. I’ve always thought a VS mode or co-op on FF Tactics would be great as well. Just load up your squad off a memory card and battle each other. The Co-op mode can be achieved by assigning characters and passing the controller around in single player mode. But online version of this would be cool.
Masamune7772
2024-02-27 17:02:01 +0000 UTCNow that's a game that was treated unfairly by the public. Team Ninja can't catch a break
Steve-Fiction
2024-02-26 20:57:09 +0000 UTCFantastic comment Ushi. And it's def not in your head, there is a sub section of the shmup fanbase the very much want the genre to remain their exclusive club, and are not big on the idea of new comers with new perspectives coming in and changing things too much ha. What they don't like to recognize though, is the economic realities of if the genre is going to continue and grow, there needs to be new blood and their needs to be more crossover with other fanbases. I can absolutely respect the purity of the genre's design, and I talk about that all the time, but if the niche just continues to shrink it will eventually dry up, outside of sporadic works of passion that pop out once a decade or so (like crimzon clover).
The Electric Underground
2024-02-26 20:28:38 +0000 UTCOh yea those are great too... I&II are true classics. Alot of attention from rom hackers too. Verging on rehash level with script adjustments, sprite swaps and even upgrades. I think people tried newmaps but failed there as that begins to really throw the coding off. With SFIII though things begin to get difficult even on the sprite level. With an LLM converse in relevant coding any in discrepancies will be easily fixed. To begin with. In so far as creative input goes alot of groundwork will be needed to get a whole new game in the same format, still. If it wants to be truly custom, and fullfilling. Once such an AI knowledge base is set up though, random generation may prove interesting. A few key provisos may be a good idea. Say, insert Ur photo and become main character. Story is an ideal thing for an LLM to fill in. Maps too.
Taze Roiu
2024-02-23 08:47:23 +0000 UTCMan, Dragon Ball Super really just feels like an entire show that is 100% anime filler. Which is a shame because Dragon Ball is so good and influential. Since you bring up the topic, though - I have kind of noticed after being around STG spaces is that there is a minor, albeit noticeable enough subset, that are very adverse to 'new blood', whether it's intentional or not. They can also be very quick to dismiss any opinions, perspectives, or accomplishments if they don't play how and to the level the 'vet' requires. And I find it a little strange, because you would think that would be more exciting when someone new takes interest in your niche hobby. With how accessible and easy it is to develop Shmups these days, that new blood could even create some awesome doujins. IDK a minor rant, just sometimes feel shmup fans can be self sabotaging with their own genre by trying to keep up this wall between them and the outside. Could just be in my head, but sounds like you have a similar perspective there.
Ushi Mushi
2024-02-23 01:46:35 +0000 UTCI love shining force 2 … and 1
Masamune7772
2024-02-22 20:33:47 +0000 UTCHa yes very much so Spiders! I've noticed this a lot, even among talented writers. And I think one way to make writing feel more authentic and engaging is to have an ear, as a writer, for how it can be performed and flow for an actor. Even if the writing is meant to just be read, I think that flow is really important to keep clear and engaging :-)
The Electric Underground
2024-02-21 17:34:00 +0000 UTCAhaha "another genre I play as a generalist gamer to quasi-religion". So true! Shmups are good for the soul. 😛 It's the element of practice. They can condition you for better. Thank you for the warm condolences.
Arcade Hell
2024-02-20 23:47:11 +0000 UTCI agree! ElectricUnderground among others definitely brough my interest in shmups from just another genre I play as a generalist gamer to my quasi-religion. I'm not sure how to crack the code to bring the mainstream into genre and the arcade mindset, but if anyone could... might be Mark! The time is right... such a malaise in the mainstream. Sorry to hear about your loss brother.
Spiders_STG
2024-02-20 23:10:31 +0000 UTCEnjoying it so far... just had to comment on the "Acting for Writers"... I think the best example of the opposite is Metroid: Other M. A lot of people say it's bad writing. It's really not! It's writing meant to be read, not acted. Learned that lesson the hard way in a writer's workshop... people reading their writing aloud is cringe AF!
Spiders_STG
2024-02-20 23:04:22 +0000 UTCJust finished listening, so I've got another comment. You have been building the bridge from hardcore arcade games to the mainstream mindset for a long time, building various appeals and such. I think you are very well situated to now approach this from the other way. A consistent integration of these dichotomies--the niche and the mainstrean, the inside and outside audiences--is very important. I'm excited to see how you pull that off and if it brings new blood into arcade genres, or at the very least your channel. Shmup players retire to RPGs??! Oh no... I just started my first RPG. Shmups, arcade games, and action games are kind of overwhelming with the recent passing of my mom. I just want something to decompress, and I like games. I sure do want to return to playing and clearing more shmups though! I'm really hoping to make it out for the Galloping Ghost meetup!
Arcade Hell
2024-02-20 22:32:38 +0000 UTCYea right NPCs becoming forces to be reckoned with (to say the least) is a very cool angle. Full spectrum of capabilities and adaptive difficulties to always keep the player on their toes. Whatever the command line dictates. Command lines being the key. With proper prompting, the AI can carry out the legwork in the programming of the code, as long as it knows the language. This is what holds rom hackers back. They can rearrange things and do superficial stuff. But without teams dedicating thousands upon thousands of hours to writing code, new games are far beyond even the most dedicated hobbyists - ENTER AI LLMs!!! They are good at writing common tongues and sounding like they understand, but it is hit and miss and depends upon inputs. Computer programming language has no variables. Once an LLM learns, say Sega Saturn coding, and it's teachers set it up to correctly respond to prompts, it will be able to reproduce something like SFIII in whatever variation one desires. As in Team Sonic at Ur fingertips ✨
Taze Roiu
2024-02-20 16:54:58 +0000 UTCStreamer stories sounds like a fun podcast ha! Also yeah DB Super is an abomination, it's basically fanfiction. Dragon ball isn't exactly the most deep or insightful writing, but the drop in the quality of the writing from the series up to the end of the Cell arc to Dragon Ball super is heartbreaking. I think Toriyama just stopped caring or maybe just lost that creative spark. It's a bummer really, and I do think we are seeing something similar with the Harry Potter franchise, which also breaks my heart.
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:33:04 +0000 UTCThanks so much arcade! And yes, with young kids, it's so hard to find the time to record and edit and capture footage and all of the crazy stuff that is involved with making vids. I totally understand that for sure. I also end up usually having to work like a madman during night time or during the weekends. And then I try to offload some talks, like writing outlines and researching, into my workday a bit at the office lol.
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:29:52 +0000 UTCVery glad we're back on track because the Patreon Podcast is legitimately my favourite content, I really feel immersed in the topic each episode and it gets me very invested :) Yeah Beat 'Em Ups definitely need a spotlight, and I think having a fun gimmick for the event is a great idea.
Steve-Fiction
2024-02-20 16:29:09 +0000 UTCThat's a really cool idea Fisken. Yeah, I'll try to do that because I think giving people more context into the games would be really helpful. That way they are not watching the runs totally blind if they don't want to ha.
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:28:09 +0000 UTCOh AI is such an interesting topic. I'm personally not a fan of AI and what hell it could potentially unleash in the creative space ha, but I do think if it is properly contained it could lead to extremely interesting innovations in game design (like enemy ai in fighting games).
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:26:55 +0000 UTCOh I really like this point Anon, and I think your right. I think if I ever got large enough as a youtuber, I would do something like that where I'd try to move into potentially game publishing or something like that in the future. Or maybe establish the electric underground as a Nintendo Life type of competitor, as like a review site, but I would have a small salaried staff rather than do this churn method that Nintendo Life uses.
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:25:08 +0000 UTCYour right ha! I forgot that I didn't record in December. i think it was the december episode that I deleted because I wasn't happy with how it turned out, and then in Jan i got all wrapped up in making the doc. We should be back on track now though, we got the beast that is the doc conquered ha. Also I'm really looking forward to trying beat em up cup as well. Not only do I think it will be fun to highlight the genre, but I think the format could be really interesting lol.
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:19:32 +0000 UTCOh what an interesting comment Ryan! Yes Aris has a very interesting relationship with his audience that is like a honey trap lol. Where he's constantly pulling his audience towards him and then smacking them when they get too close. I have a funny story about that where I was a sub to his Twitch in his early days of streaming, before he was really big (cuz I loved the ATP podcast). And I asked him a question about a match he had been commentating and oh yeah I got massively clobbered by him and his chat ha. To be honest it took me a while to decide to continue watching his content, because it did seem like a honeytrap like you mention. It was a good learning lesson for myself as a youtuber though, that's for sure.
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:17:21 +0000 UTCThank you very much Yaz! Yeah being a father definitely adds a different perspective to making videos and content, because my sons do watch my channel from time to time and I don't want to leave something online that would be embarrassing to them in the future. It does make you reconsider your behavior a lot more I think ha.
The Electric Underground
2024-02-20 16:14:12 +0000 UTCMany notes have been taken from this for when I get pulled up for a friends ''streamer stories'' podcast one day - very insightful. You're not wrong about DBSuper, the ''we brought back the OG animators for some episodes'' - Yes....because you need better animators.
Shazzy
2024-02-20 10:32:51 +0000 UTCIf you want to check out some older episodes, try "communities abuse their creators", that's a great one and Avoiding the Puddle is a topic on that as well.
Steve-Fiction
2024-02-20 08:01:03 +0000 UTCYeah, I agree! Can't really see what's so special and skilled about the gameplay if you have no prior experience.
Steve-Fiction
2024-02-20 07:57:34 +0000 UTCBig respect laying out some of the creative process and for running such a good channel. I've been trying to make my YouTube channel, and man, it is so hard with a toddler to find time. After dark is the only way. Anyway, looking forward to another Patreon podcast! These are always a treat.
Arcade Hell
2024-02-19 22:07:46 +0000 UTCGreat episode and looking forward to the new projects! Would be great if at least some of the selected Beat’em up cup games where announced a month before the event so that the viewers have a chance to test them out before the event. Maybe that could add to the enjoyment , to get to know the games a bit before the event where the pros play.
Fisken
2024-02-19 20:18:30 +0000 UTCOne thing on my mind alot these days is the use of AI to produce on demand rehashes of retro games. My great love is for Shining Force III. Opening up a thread on SFCentral has yielded no fruits as of yet.... It may be cool to discuss AI origenative content. Spark some interest in the ROMhackers. Bring forward some expertise.
Taze Roiu
2024-02-19 16:33:14 +0000 UTCWhen you speak on YT channels ending, I think of athletes who use their legacy as leverage to more private ventures. I have fnatic mouse, so that team went from sweaty esports gaming into hardware manufacturing. I think that is a good ending in a different way, as a beginning to a new story.
Vullgarity
2024-02-19 16:25:39 +0000 UTCI'm so glad the Patreon Podcast is back! You mentioned missing a month, but unless I'm a dumbass right now there was no episode for December either, so I was really eagerly awaiting this :) Great topics this time! I love the idea of Beat 'em Up Cup. I don't really know how to analyze Beat 'em Up gameplay, but I'd try and put some hours into the genre beforehand to get the most out of an event like that.
Steve-Fiction
2024-02-19 14:32:25 +0000 UTCThanks for this. Much needed whilst I've been out of action due to illness. First patreon pod I've caught since I signed up and really enjoyed it. I also follow Avoiding the Puddle and think the dichotomy in how he treats individuals in the chat (singles them out) compared to how he seemly has mastered the art of the parasocial relationship when addressing them collectively serves as a bit of a honey trap. He leads you into thinking he's your "friend" but as soon as you try to test that hypothesis... BLAM. Not sure if that's intentional but I quite enjoy watching the repercussions, kinda in the same way you rubber neck when passing a car crash. Anyway. Keep it real and congrats on the documentary. Deffo something to be proud of.
Ryan Bartlett
2024-02-19 14:22:51 +0000 UTCYou get my support because you are an insightful and genuine person, not because you are boombastic youtube personality or "youtuber". Also bonus points for being a father, I think that's always good to mention, as it sets a good example, to balance life with our hobbies.
Yaz
2024-02-19 10:29:35 +0000 UTC
