Actualol

Actualol Answers your questions - November 2019

Happy Friday Patrons!

Thank you to everyone who asked me questions on here last week - here is my first Q&A video in which I answer some of them.

I'd be interested in your feedback on this format. The intention was for it to be more interesting (better questions, better answers, more enthusiasm) than my previous live Q&As - so let me know what you think!

Have a great weekend,

Jon

The Future of Actualol

I want to thank you, all of you patrons for your support over the last two years. You are 100% responsible for me being able to still be making videos. And I am so grateful for your support. And a huge welcome to the new patrons - thank you for stepping up to keep the channel going.

As some of you will have seen, I have launched a new pledge drive to try and secure a future for Actualol. My Patreon pledges have slowly dwindled since I started it two years ago, and it le...

Ask me your questions

I'm planning to do a Q & A session soon in a different format where I get the questions ahead of time, rather than doing a live video.

Please can you send me any questions you would love to hear me answer (would be great to get a wide range) and I will pick my favourites. 

All the best,

Jon.

Actualol Newsletter - October 2019

Hello Octobernauts, and a big welcome to the new Patrons that have arrived recently!

Actual Life

It’s been a quiet month for me, as I was so laser-focused on getting my Essen video finished I didn’t do much else. But, something did happen to me that was noteworthy, which was a TV show called Halt and Catch Fire. Over October, we ravenously tore through the last three seasons of it, and I feel changed by it - like I’ve had a religious experience.

2019-10-28 17:51:20 +0000 UTC View Post

I was a guest on a Dice Tower podcast!

This week, I was a guest on The Dice Tower's podcast "Spaces Between" hosted by Roy Cannaday: @epicgamingnight

We chat about favourite games, making videos and thoughts on the hobby.   

Podcast link here:  spacesbetween.libsyn.com/rss 

Thank you to Roy for having me on! 

The Hottest Games at Essen 2019

Here is my big Essen video, I've researched and played many Essen games before the convention, and these are the ten that I want to tell you about. A quick overview for each so you can decide if they're right for you.

I won't be going to Essen this year, but I hope that any of you that do have an amazing time!

Thank you so much for your support,

Actually yours,

Jon

The Best Board Games of September 2019

As promised earlier in the week, here's my best games of the month video. And it's quite the month, because I give out Actualove twice!

Coming up next will be my big Essen video, and I'll have an early look at some really exciting titles!

See you soon,

Jon

Your very first pledge...

What was your primary reason for first deciding to support me on Patreon?

Complete the poll and let me know more feedback in the comments. Thank you!

Actualol Newsletter - September 2019

(The Best of the Month video to accompany this newsletter will be online later this week).

Welcome to the 2nd Actualol newsletter. It's been another month of weddings for me, we went to the wedding of Edd who loves a game of Spartacus, and the wedding of Emily who is partial to a party game.

And we had our second celebration of our own, an evening bash in London with our family and friends. Including a wonderful collection of gaming friends we’ve made over the last few years, mo...

Live Q&A Today at 15:00 BST, 10:00 ET

Hello patrons!

I've been experimenting with a new way to do Q&As, and today is my first, rather impromptu test. So if you're free, please come along and ask me questions about anything.

If you can't make it, please ask me some questions in the comments below and I'll answer them at the start of the stream. 

I promise I'll have another one soon (with a little more notice) once I've ironed out any kinks I find.

Cheers,

Jon

I would love to know...

How did you first hear about Actualol?

Actualol Newsletter - August 2019

Welcome to the first Actualol newsletter. A way for me to give you even more opinions about even more board games! To ward you off the games not worth your time. And give a mention to some that didn't quite make the cut for me, but might be for you.

If you haven't already, make sure to watch my Best Games of the Month video, that accompanies this newsletter.

August has been a pretty big month for me, because I go...

New video and Newsletter!

Hello, I'm back! With a new video series and a new Actualol newsletter which is exclusive to Patrons at the Actual Hero level and above

I've just published that too, so if you're an Actual Hero make sure to check it out. I talk about six other games that I've played this month and what I thought of them, plus a little personal update and chat. I hope you like it!

I've been wanting to find the right bala...

Popularity contest

I would love to know, who is your favourite character from my latest newbie video?

Top 10 Board Games for Newbies

This is a video I've been wanting to make for 4 years. The one I've always wanted to have to show people if they are new to board games. I've rewritten the list and the script many times over the years, got scared off by the prospect and came back many times. This time I finished it!

Timmy, Barry and Mum are back for it. If you enjoy it, please share it with your friends.

In other news, I'm off to Edinburgh to get married next week! So forgive me if I go quiet for a bit - I don't ...

Actualol dedications - your name in a video.

 Hi everyone, 

I have an update to share with you all!

I want to start thanking a backer personally in each video. I will select randomly from anyone donating at $5 and above (Actual Heroes). So you never know, it could be you!  If you would prefer not to be chosen, send me a private message through Patreon or comment on the post. 

I won't mention the names of p...

Top 10 Party Games of 2018

Finally, here is my Top 10 Party Games of last year. What a great year for them it was. Any of those Top 5 could have been number one.

And since playing Don't Get Got again on my Stag weekend, I would probably move it up the Top 10 a couple of spaces.

Up next for Actualol, I'll be working on bringing the characters back for a video, because it's been too long!

Actually yours,

Jon

New Games from UK Games Expo - Impressions

Hello Actual Patrons!

I'm sorry for going quiet for a bit, I've been ill lately. I'm back with my post UK Games Expo video, in which I talk about the games I played there, some upcoming games I got an early look at, and the games I've brought home. Giving my first impressions on the ones I've had a chance to play.

I'm off on my stag weekend (bachelor party) tomorrow, so I'll be playing party games! And next week I will be finally releasing my Top 10 Party Games of 2018 video.

UK Games Expo Preview 2019

It's UK Games Expo time! In this video, I give an overview of eight games that will be available at UKGE this year. And talk about the eight other games I'm most excited to play there.

Really it's just an excuse to recommend some games, so even if you're not going, this video is worth a watch :)

Up next for Actualol, I'm going to work on my "Games to take on holiday" video.

Make sure to say hi if you're going to be at expo!

Actually yours,

Jon

I've Been Playing - May 2019

This month, I have a surprise bit of Actualove to give out to a game. And I give my take on some classics - Blue Moon City, Isle of Skye and Stone Age.

Elsewhere this week, I've been writing my UK Games Expo preview video, which includes a proper look at some games I've been able to play ahead of the con, like my Essen video last year. And tonight I'm off to London on Board to play some of those games so that I can get the video done in time!

Actually yours,

Jon

Pimp Yo Game - Board Game Inserts

J-LOL is back to rap about board game organisation. And I'm back to go through all the options of how best to store your board game bits, and review the different types of custom inserts you can buy.

I've tried to step up my B-roll with this video, filming shots of the inserts using background paper to make it look better. Let me know what you think!

Next on the horizon, I've been gearing up to film my first ever let's play of a game. And I've got the script finished for my Games ...

8 Board Games I've Been Playing - April 2019

I'm experimenting with a new opening to this video that gives you a quick taste of the games coming up. But since you're lovely Patrons, I'll tell you the games anyway!

Fuji - A innovative co-operative game from The Mind designer, Wolfgang Warsch

Herbaceous Sprouts - The dicey follow up to Herbaceous

Vollpfosten - A speed reaction game (think Ghost Blitz) from Zoch

Cerberus - A semi-cooperative game, where players can become the bad guys

The Grizzled: Armisti...

I've Been Playing April 2019

Here's what I think of the family co-op Adventure Island, the abstract Element, the storytelling Farben, the roll and write Ganz Schon Clever, the dancing Funky Chicken, the wand-waving Abra Kazam and the egg-holding Crazy Eggz.

This week, I've been bringing J-Lol back to record some raps for another Pimp Yo Game accessories video.

My Top 15 Games of 2018

The important things in this video are:

1. New backdrop!

2. Jokes!

3. My 15 favourite board games from last year! 

I've Been Playing - March 2019

There's some really good games in this one!

The Estates, a cutthroat auction game from Capstone Games

The Quacks of Quedlinburg, the Kennerspiel winning push your luck game from "The Mind" designer.

The Martian Investigations - A sci-fi take on Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

Lhotse expansion for K2 - A mountain climbing game

Heroes and Hexes expansion for Quest for El Dorado. A deckbuilding race game from Reiner Knizia

Tokyo Highway - An attractive de...

I've Been Playing - February 2019 (Part 2)

I've snuck a book into this video, which I think is worth checking out if you'd like to learn the history behind board games. 

I talk about the difference between Through The Desert and Blue Lagoon - and which one I've decided to keep. Plus my thoughts on Kick-Ass, Escape Tales: The Awakening and Tag City.

This week I'm working on my Best Board Games of 2018 video, which I hope to have finished in the coming weeks.

Actually yours,

Jon

Board Games Are Not Just for Geeks Anymore - Song

This is all thanks to you. Without your support, I could never have dreamed of making this music video that celebrates our wonderful hobby.

I first dreamt of making this video, over two years ago. It's based on the Neil Patrick Harris Tony Awards song "It's Not Just for Gays". I tried to make it happen multiple times by asking musicians I know whether they could recreate the backing track for it. But it was an insurmountable task. Until one fortuitous day when superstar musical theatre ...

I've Been Playing - February 2019

Sadly, my music video has been pushed back until next week. But for now, I'm here to talk about Hail Hydra, Men At Work, Reykholt, Bad Bones, God Hates Charades, Incoherent and Santa Maria.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jon

Narcos: The Board Game Overview and Impressions

Narcos: The Board Game is a hidden movement game from CMON based on the Netflix TV series about Colombian drug dealer Pablo Escobar.

In this video, I'll show you how it plays, the inspiration it takes from the TV show, and tell you what I think of it.

BTW, the music video shoot on Saturday went superbly well. There's still a few bits to bring together for it, but I CAN'T WAIT to share it with you.

Actually yours,

Jon

Music video incoming...

This Saturday, I've hired a venue to shoot my third board game music video. It's my most ambitious yet and I'll have help from a professional videography team, extras, costumes, and a backing track arranged by a musical theatre director.

I could never dream of doing something like this without your support. Thank you. I can't wait to share it with you.