A hateful industry + better stuff

That's a tough one. I'm not against wording things better, it's just not how I naturally speak. So it's tough to change without just scripting it, which isn't the answer. Yall know that if I'm harping on something, it's because I want something better not because I hate it, but not everyone knows that. Perhaps I just need to disclaim that IDK. Food for thought for sure!

The King of Average

I remember when you were looking at the models from Gatefall by Jack Dire & you weren't impressed. The Gatefall community was disappointed that you took that stance. I know Jack himself wasn't happy, but if there are some things that can be better, they should be called out. Maybe figure out a way to soften criticism. You're always going to piss someone off, so there's that. :)

I watch you because I appreciate your honesty. If you are being attacked, it's because you are doing something right. The trick is to not back down, it will never be enough for them. Let's face it, you are the best in the business when it comes to mini analysis.

I really appreciate the stance you take on covering the board game industry and empathize how you are treated by others in the industry. Perhaps if/when you decide to return to making content with other industry creators, maybe start with smaller creators? They might be more interested in a more positive and genuine interaction. Just an idea from a complete amateur : )

He's since apologized, I don't hate Alex or anything. TBH what he said was the lightest, yet hurt the most since I've interacted with him more and felt he above all the rest "gets me" a bit more. :) So no worries there! It's a messy situation, and one I don't care to get into publicly too much, at least right now. What I can DEFINITELY say is a heartfelt thank you. I'm beyond lucky to have such a great community that understands the intent and believes in it and stands with me, so I don't have to stand alone when I speak up, or even make mistakes. Thanks for helping make that community so great, yall really do help, far, far, far more than any monetary help anyone pledges. :)

The King of Average

Thanks a ton Pat! I've always desired to be a net positive in people's lives when they deal with the channel. It might be a negative thing to a company, but should be a positive thing for you guys. It means you can avoid a bad situation, or have better expectations, or know more what to look out for, whatever. But me venting to you guys? That's a net positive for me not you all so I'm not super comfortable with it :) HOWEVER, yall are rockstars and I meant it when I say it. I'm just some dude and yet you guys are here, and overly kind to me and I'm incredibly lucky to have a community like that with me. Makes standing up for things so much easier! All that to say, thank you :)

The King of Average

I just got a chance to listen to this, so I apologize that I'm late to the table, but I have to say, you are totally in the right on this one! The whole point of critiques is to show us, the consumers, what to watch out for! And the fact that content creators didn't have your back, well that just makes them look bad. Just remember that you have brought a community together that believes in what you do and appreciates your honest opinion! Also, don't hesitate to vent to us, because that's part of what we are here for, to give support to the community! Thanks again for all you do, not just for us, but for the industry as a whole!

Dang man, I’m sorry to hear what you’ve been going through! Content creators should all be on your side on this issue, with the goal of honestly critiquing games (which definitely includes the quality of the product!) and advocating what’s best for BOTH the consumers and the industry. And ultimately those two things go hand in hand: if consumers are satisfied the industry will thrive, and if the industry is held to a high (or at least modest) standard then consumers will be more satisfied. In that video you again went to bat for the us, the consumers, and I so appreciate that. You’ve built a community which knows that you’re honest and are 100% FOR them, and that’s how we know we can trust you! I wish more were like that, but when money is involved peoples’ priorities and morals tend to get skewed. That leads to railroading others instead of supporting them. I can’t speak for the other creators, but as someone else said above, I follow Alex too and even in his Patreon posts he has only said positive things about you and your content. I’m disappointed to hear he was a part of all this. All I can say is that we all know you’re a Rockstar and we so appreciate you man. Keep up the great work- we’re behind you all the way!

Smooth Rivera

Thanks Enrico and I hear you loud and clear :) Just need to focus on what I'm doing and avoid the backlash as best I can :)

The King of Average

Hah, you're probably not very wrong :)

The King of Average

This was a very well spoken post about this topic. I agree with most of your points. I haven’t seen the Facebook posts yet so can’t comment on those, however I would say that the orange nebula people taking it personally is understandable whereas content creators taking it personally seems way out of line. They should have no vested interest in the statements re: ON or Unsettled. One can disagree with an opinion without feeling attacked or defensive. They shouldn’t have any skin in the game , though. And I would hope content creators are acutely aware of confirmation bias and actively fight against it.

I had to go back and watch that Unsettled part of the video, I skipped it before because it looked like you were talking about a bendy army man in the time track thumbnail and I knew it wouldn't apply to me. I read the counterpoints people made on this comment section, and I would say, I don't find them very compelling. It wasn't strictly speaking a personal attack, nor were you being childish. You are VERY strong spoken though, as a person and in this segment, and your comments there were definitely harsh. That being said, that artwork vs. that mini is like every "how it looks on the internet vs. reality" meme I've ever seen, and have been very disappointed with situations like that in the past with products I've purchased, and can imagine the consumers of this game feeling likewise. That being said, I can very much understand them taking the criticism personally, and I'd say that's more human nature, and in every industry, more than it's something broken about the board game industry (which has many breaks, to be sure). Any business where you're actively involved in the making of something, the majority of people are going to take harsh criticism personally and defend themselves personally. Now if you tell the CEO of Coca Cola that Coke sucks, he won't care, but if you tell a guy who owns a sandwich shop down the street that his sandwiches suck, he'll probably say "**** you!" Even if his sandwiches do suck. And I ramble through all that to say, you're both right to criticize a business and stick up for consumers, and they're only being human to stick up for themselves and find the critiques to sound more like attacks. It speaks to the inevitability of conflict in human life, even when all parties involved feel like they're being reasonable and fair.

Frank Lee

What you said about the industry is exactly my impression on the current American culture.

Keep up the good work ! It is no wonder how things are at the moment. Look at BGG ... TBH I am starting to loose interest in the board game hobby as a whole. Cancel culture everywhere, wokeness is more important than a good product. Only one opinion ist allowed and you have to watch out who and what you are criticizing (doesn't matter if it is constructive or not).

HenDai

Hi Michael, Don‘t get it to close to your heart. The youtube game doesn‘t like clear and straight talk. There‘s the same behavior going on in the german speaking board game youtube game. It‘s just ridiculous. The big thing is that you don‘t play the game as the industrie wants. In my opinion that‘s exactly whats needed! Just keep on your superior game. At the end quality will prevail

Thanks Jon :) I'll keep doing what I do as always, and just try to avoid seeing when they react immaturely. TBH I wish I didn't care so much, but at the same time I think that care is a good thing too. I just really enjoy the community and hate having to drop so many of them is all :)

The King of Average

As always, you are quite welcome :)

The King of Average

Hmm I had not! I'll take a look at the comment section to see what I can make of it. Some companies really suck with communication and it's something I hope to make a video on sometime in the future - actually have had it planned for some time! Just from the consumer perspective how important it is to be responsive :)

The King of Average

That's what my wife said too pretty much. When I told her how Tom Vasel has spoken out against me in two separate videos and how other channels and creators were here she said pretty much "of course they are. You're commenting on the industry and when people participate at that level they'll get defensive and push out against you". I gotta just do what I do and not worry about their immaturity and rudeness when I do. :) Thanks Stan :)

The King of Average

I can see your point of view, but disagree to an extent (which is fine). Calling a miniature from a product any name makes it kind of hard to be rude, because I feel rudeness is a feeling meaning it has to be directed at someone, not something. I can't hurt the mini's feeling, or the feeling of the game itself. To me that's like saying it's rude if I say a cloud is a certain shape -> how can I offend or be rude to a cloud? But I get what you mean. It was indeed a joke, one meant to be lighthearted and certainly not meant to be "childlike" :)

The King of Average

if they didn't want their minis to be called Cheetos, they could've just printed them in a resin that isn't the grossest orange possible. Like c'mon, I get that resin is expensive, but even the most finely-detailed, gorgeous mini in the world would look terrible like that. They also could've primed it and/or done the Stormsunder drybrushing thing. Presentation is super important if you want ppl to buy something from you.

Alayna

Yikes, that's awful! I've seen this kind of behavior in other industries, namely indie games and the professional writing community, but only when it comes to openly neurodivergent ppl. Sadly unsurprising. But speaking of this industry being crappy, have you heard about Dark Gate Games just completely ignoring ppl who backed their two campaigns to sell the rest of their stock for Dark Rituals and The Order of Vampire Hunters? Ppl have been trying to get them to respond to requests for refunds, replacements, the link to the pledge manager they had paid for but never received, and just any word whatsoever. It's one thing for shipping even premade games to take longer during COVID, everyone gets that, but they won't even answer direct messages about things that have nothing to do with the wait. Maybe I've been spoiled after the CoD team was so great, but I sure hope this isn't something I should come to expect from game companies…

Alayna

Keep up with good work, don't be discouraged by the incessant toxic cancel culture that's plaguing this world, not just the board game industry. Someone once said, "if you have enemies then you've stood up for something in your life."

Katsusa

While I know where you were coming from, I did feel the Cheeto comments were overdone. I know that minis not corresponding to the render is a hot button, but picking a name for it seemed over the top. I would have pointed out the minis shortcomings, but not acting like a small child and calling it a name. I think that is where you deviated from good manners in calling out a problem. I also watch Alex’s channel and I have heard him come out in support of you a number of times. As I don’t have access to the comments he made to you, I can’t comment on what he said, but I just don’t see him saying he hates you. Direct attacks and name calling are indeed bad manners. Pointing out shortcomings politely is not. Keep up the good work but try to rein in your passion and don’t let them drive you into acting childlike.

You just keep doing what you do, those of us who watch your video's appreciate your candor with your videos. Internet allows people to be horrible combined with people thinking your attacking something they love will always bring out the worse. I know it sucks having people being negative on you but once again those of us who want a open voice appreciate you all the more.

Jonathan Wisner

Maybe disillusioned. Thanks for a great channel.

I can't make it through the beginning. Were people mean, yes. It's unfair, just like comparing artwork that isn't even a render to a poorly lit image of a light colored mini when you know lightly colored minis typically don't look good without perfect lighting or at least shading added. I for one don't hate you and I joked about it in that thread too. But setting expectations is what your video has done for some people about Unsettled too. And I personally think picking on a company is a cop out because the people at some of these companies pour years of their life into creating something and then someone calls their hard work a Cheeto. The company itself definitely won't feel any feelings about that, but the people who worked hard on it certainly will.

SuccessfulGeek