Gaming Forums => General Gaming => Topic started by: NWR_pap64 on March 03, 2009, 07:38:55 PM
Title: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on March 03, 2009, 07:38:55 PM
Since we have made threads for Yahtzee and Sean Malstrom I figure I would make a thread for yet another videogame ranter and philosopher; The Game Overthinker (aka moviebob).
Since I subscribe to this videos I get updates as soon as he posts them, so I shall start with this latest video: An open letter to Nintendo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz42bfzWkWg&feature=subscription)
I was surprised at how somewhat tame this video was considering he is very harsh on topics he heavily disagrees on. He mainly talks about the value of the Nintendo Seal of Quality, the storage solution and the need to re-invent their franchises more often (mainly Mario and Zelda).
I do agree that franchises need to be restarted and re-invented. But the problem I see here is that...
1. When you have a franchise as big as Mario and Zelda would you gamble to experiment with the main entries?
2. No matter what Nintendo does, they will get bashed and criticized for it. Wind Waker was too cartoony. Twilight Princess was too familiar and convoluted. It seems that no matter what Nintendo tries to do they will get bashed for it because we are a generation of games who don't seem to be please with whatever they make.
Also, the video will make Kairon cry (he lists "We Cheer" as an example of shovelware [I think the term shovelware needs to be re-defined]).
Bitch the night away!
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: D_Average on March 03, 2009, 07:48:45 PM
huh, not a bad vid, i subscribed
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on March 03, 2009, 07:50:53 PM
I agree about shovelware needing to be redefined. It seems to be a term the so called "hardcore" gamers like tossing around for genres or games they do not like. Take for example Carnival Games. It is far from shovelware if you go by the ratings, and people DO enjoy the game. When I think of shovelware I think of games like Ninja Bread man, or the other quick cash ins that usually get a 3 or less rating overall from most. They are the broken or cloned junk.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Mop it up on March 03, 2009, 08:00:23 PM
What exactly is shovelware?
I've always thought that shovelware was a (usually poor) port of a game from another platform, possibly originally released a while before it was ported. Therefore I've always thought it weird when a Wii-exclusive like Carnival Games is dubbed as shovelware; it's unique to Wii and despite its review scores it delivers what it promises.
This logic would also suggest that a shovelware game isn't inherently bad. I've enjoyed some ports of older games on Wii, such as Mercury Meltdown Revolution and ThrilleVille: Off The Rails. Am I... a part of the problem? :o
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on March 03, 2009, 08:03:14 PM
I agree about shovelware needing to be redefined. It seems to be a term the so called "hardcore" gamers like tossing around for genres or games they do not like. Take for example Carnival Games. It is far from shovelware if you go by the ratings, and people DO enjoy the game. When I think of shovelware I think of games like Ninja Bread man, or the other quick cash ins that usually get a 3 or less rating overall from most. They are the broken or cloned junk.
Exactly.
The GO uses "We Cheer" as an example of shovelware, and I think he uses it because he doesn't like the game or doesn't like what it stands for. I say its far from shovelware because from what I read and saw the game has enough polish and debt. It just isn't for everyone.
Mop it up: It seems that the new term for "shovelware" is a game made as a cash in thanks to the success of bigger, better games on the system.
So for example, when Wii Sports and Wii Play became massive hits for Nintendo third parties tried to make their own version of the formula, like Hudson's "Deca Sports" and "Carnival Games". Even if they are polished enough that people like it hardcore gamers bash it on the sole fact that it got mediocre reviews and label it "shovelware".
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on March 03, 2009, 08:03:25 PM
I always thought it meant you were shoveling your crap onto a system.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Mop it up on March 03, 2009, 08:48:31 PM
What does shovelware actually mean then?
When it comes to Wii games, I think I'm going to go with Wikipedia's definition, especially the bolded part:
Quote from: Wikipedia
Shovelware is a derogatory computer jargon term that refers to software noted more for the quantity of what is included than for the quality or usefulness. The term is also used to refer to software that is ported from one computer platform or storage medium to another with little thought given to adapting it for use on the destination platform or medium.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on March 04, 2009, 12:02:52 AM
The term has become one of the 'hot topic' terms.
'Epic', 'built from the ground up for Wii' and waggle are a couple of other ones.
He does realize that there has always been crap released on Nintendo consoles, right? Superman 64? BMX XXX I think the only time Nintendo has actually refused to release a game is when it was one of theirs and they told the devs to spend more time on it. They did that with Rare and Banjo-Kazooie.
The Overthinker guy does some interesting videos. I'll have to keep an eye on him.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Djunknown on March 04, 2009, 12:36:22 AM
At first I thought he was from Brooklyn or something, than he just talked normal...
Concerning Earthbound, I think he needs to check gaming news. (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=27414.0) more often.
Interesting thoughts, I'll have to watch more of his videos.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on March 04, 2009, 02:32:08 AM
Yeah, I was going to mention that maybe the episode was recorded after the news came out.
If you guys liked this episode you should watch some of his older ones. They are much better than this one.
And DJunknown, the GO is from Boston. I know because S_B's mother is from there and she has a heavy Boston accent, so I recognized it when the GO drops it on ocassion.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on March 04, 2009, 05:03:51 AM
I've always thought that shovelware was a (usually poor) port of a game from another platform, possibly originally released a while before it was ported. Therefore I've always thought it weird when a Wii-exclusive like Carnival Games is dubbed as shovelware; it's unique to Wii and despite its review scores it delivers what it promises.
This logic would also suggest that a shovelware game isn't inherently bad. I've enjoyed some ports of older games on Wii, such as Mercury Meltdown Revolution and ThrilleVille: Off The Rails. Am I... a part of the problem? :o
Shovelware means minimum effort mass production games (they often end up at a budget price too). Ninjabreadman is a prime example: The developer has released about a dozen games all using the same game engine and mechnanics with very little content each only hoping to cash in on the premise (ninja baked goods, playing as Elvis, a Harry Potter clone that might confuse parents, etc). The Simple 2000 series on the PS2 might be another example, 150 or so games in the series and almost all suck (the only notable titles are the EDF and Oneechanbara series with EDF being actually great and Oneechanbara being merely acceptable but having a premise that people care about). Or how about this list (http://www.midasinteractive.com/tindex.php?cPath=49_22)...
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on March 04, 2009, 11:58:51 AM
Don't forget "Phoenix Games"! :O
Now regarding his rant about the "Nintendo Seal of Quality". Its funny how he rambles about the seal meaning that the game was great, then admits that it was all a legal term saying that the game was approved by Nintendo.
I am surprised that shovelware is now a problem on the Wii when this has been around for far longer, even during the Atari days!
This is a common side effect to being the most affordable console to develop for. The PSone and PS2 had a lot of shovelware titles because at the time they were the best selling consoles, and the logic with these games is that if they are released on the most popular console more people will buy them. Now that the Wii is the biggest console in the worldwide the focus shifted and now the Wii is getting these titles.
Now, what he said about these shovelware titles overshadowing Nintendo's own efforts is silly. I've always been Gamestop and I've only seen "Chicken Shoot" on the racks once while "Mario Galaxy" is still there, selling. The point is that Nintendo titles will always be there and will always sell, no matter what games is released and at what store it is displayed.
He should have mentioned instead that this affects THIRD PARTY DEVELOPERS ON WII.
This is why I think its his weakest episode yet since he usually makes great theories that make sense.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: DAaaMan64 on March 04, 2009, 12:14:31 PM
"... even during the Atari days!"
LOL any retard could develop and produce for any given console in those days. There was probably a higher concentration of crap then than anytime. The industry CRASHED in 83' as a result of an over abundance of shovel and no demand for it.
LOL any retard could develop and produce for any given console in those days. There was probably a higher concentration of crap then than anytime. The industry CRASHED in 83' as a result of an over abundance of shovel and no demand for it.
Now, what he said about these shovelware titles overshadowing Nintendo's own efforts is silly. I've always been Gamestop and I've only seen "Chicken Shoot" on the racks once while "Mario Galaxy" is still there, selling. The point is that Nintendo titles will always be there and will always sell, no matter what games is released and at what store it is displayed.
Yeah and the game he mentions as losing shelf space is one of the games that got the most shelf space of any Wii game, I've seen stores allocate like 1/6th of their total Wii shelf to SSBB.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on March 04, 2009, 05:00:55 PM
I think he would have been more correct if he had said that the ones losing shelf space are good third party developers, which affects Nintendo in the long run.
Nintendo doesn't have problem with shelf space. Third parties, specially smaller third parties, however do have that problem because stores (specially stores like Wal-mart) place emphasis on titles they think will sell or need to get rid off, while the better ones are sent to the back.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on March 04, 2009, 05:15:18 PM
The Wal-Mart I constantly report on has THREE shelves for Wii games as opposed to two for each the HD systems. One shelf is full of budget titles $20 and below, and the other two are mostly filled with new-release shovelware.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Djunknown on March 05, 2009, 01:00:48 AM
After to listening 1-10 (couldn't find 2), I can say I dig his style. Malstrom is the business guy, Yahtzee is the cynic, this guy is...a philosopher. He's more than a voice of reason. Aside from borrowing Yahtzee's use of well timed frames, he's got his own clever memes.
The two that stick out for me are the ones where he's talking about patriotism in video games, and the objectification of women in games. Its a shame he has to stick to youtube's time limit...
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on March 05, 2009, 01:36:51 AM
After to listening 1-10 (couldn't find 2), I can say I dig his style. Malstrom is the business guy, Yahtzee is the cynic, this guy is...a philosopher. He's more than a voice of reason. Aside from borrowing Yahtzee's use of well timed frames, he's got his own clever memes.
The two that stick out for me are the ones where he's talking about patriotism in video games, and the objectification of women in games. Its a shame he has to stick to youtube's time limit...
Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iNs5iG2h34&feature=channel_page
A fantastic episode about how sometimes some female characters in gaming (mainly the princesses in Nintendo's game) are not worth the anger they get from feminist.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on March 11, 2009, 01:26:02 PM
Oh, one more thing...
I see the GO as a critical thinker, thinking beyond ideas, criticizing reality and telling the gritty nitty truth about things. Not to mention that he has a bit of a smart ass attitude, something somewhat common among critical thinkers.
Philosophers tend to be a bit more romantic and idealistic in their thoughts.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on April 01, 2009, 07:06:20 PM
Well, as promised he posted his "Sonic in Crisis" video, except it will be a two parter and what we got was part two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hik-TeGQIn0
(Note: If the site appears upside down and gibberish, its an April Fool's prank).
While he mentions some the typical complains about Sonic (Not having his creators work on his games, the supporting cast sucks etc.) I was surprised to see him go back to the Genesis games and analyze them, ending with the conclusion that maybe the problem started way back during the "Golde age" of Sonic, a time many say was FLAWLESS for the character when discussing "Sonic sucks now".
I agree with him that his problems may have started when there was no set storyline for the series and that his appeal may have been a gimmick, a product of the rivalry between Sega and Nintendo.
This is a great episode, and its the moviebob I love and respect (and his accent doesn't slip at all in this one!).
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on April 01, 2009, 08:00:23 PM
Good thoughts. I'm interested in seeing how and why Sonic should be saved.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on April 01, 2009, 08:10:02 PM
One thing that surprised me about his analysis is that he mentioned something very few people realize; that Sonic was created with the mentality of being cooler, better and faster than Mario and how that affected his status.
I'll also agree that the main reason he is still around is because of nostalgia.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on April 01, 2009, 08:31:36 PM
One thing that surprised me about his analysis is that he mentioned something very few people realize; that Sonic was created with the mentality of being cooler, better and faster than Mario and how that affected his status.
I'll also agree that the main reason he is still around is because of nostalgia.
Yes, that was an excellent point he made. I agree that much of the Sonic cast is uninspiring. Plus the Sonic-human thing on the 360 was odd.
It makes me wonder what currently hot mascots will be like ten years from now. Will Master Chief age as well as Mario? A lot of other, non-Nintendo mascots have not aged very well. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro and Lara Croft are not very well off now.
Nintendo characters seems to have a Classic Disney caliber in remaining charming through the ages.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on April 01, 2009, 09:40:40 PM
I think Nintendo characters fall under two categories: - The charismatic type: These characters are cute, colorful, funny and very memorable. Even if they don't say much they shine thanks to their happy attitude, colorful dispositions and cartoony attributes. Examples: The entire Mario cast, Pokemon, Kirby
- The enigmatic type: These characters shine thanks to their mysterious, dark stories. They don't say much and keep a lot of things secret, making the player yearn to learn more about them, seek out their past and guide them through their quest. Examples: Link, Samus
Nintendo is the type of company that doesn't care for trends, what's popular and fads. They aim to create fun games everyone can enjoy, they love going against a train of thought and their characters reflect that mentality.
While many characters have either gone dark (Jak and Daxter) or gotten cooler (Sonic) Mario is still Mario. Yes, he now speaks, laughs, hoots and screams in a high voice, but he is still the charismatic, timeless plumber we met in the 80s. Link may have gotten several makeovers but he is still the quiet hero that has skills and courage. And finally, Kirby is still cute after all these years.
Like the GO mentions, it also helps that their original creators are still working at Nintendo and are still supervising the latest games, even the spin offs. Sonic' creators are everywhere now, and none of the best designers stayed behind.
I think I can guess what the GO will suggest on the next episode; For Sega to try and make nice with the original Sonic Team members, to focus more on basic gameplay and less gimmicks and give Sonic a solid personality rather than just making him the cool, "Poochy" like hero he's been since the 90s. Create a timeless personality so to speak.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on April 01, 2009, 09:46:57 PM
It makes me wonder how Kirby will get along without Sakurai. Though Nintendo did bring him back into the fold by basically making Project Sora a second party so that may be Nintendo realizing this and getting back Sakurai to work on the ill fated Kirby N64/GC game.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Mop it up on April 01, 2009, 10:35:30 PM
I think Nintendo characters fall under two categories: - The charismatic type: These characters are cute, colorful, funny and very memorable. Even if they don't say much they shine thanks to their happy attitude, colorful dispositions and cartoony attributes. Examples: The entire Mario cast, Pokemon, Kirby
- The enigmatic type: These characters shine thanks to their mysterious, dark stories. They don't say much and keep a lot of things secret, making the player yearn to learn more about them, seek out their past and guide them through their quest. Examples: Link, Samus
I'd say Birdo qualifies for both of these.
They couldn't have chosen a better voice for Mario. Recently I've seen some of the old Mario cartoons of the late 80's/early 90's, and it just seemed so weird to hear him with such flat voice acting. Mario is one of the few Nintendo characters who has had the same voice actor throughout; because they got it right the first time.
I don't recall any Kirby N64 game not being released. Kirby 64 saw a late release, and while Kirby Air Ride started as an N64 game, it was eventually released on the GameCube. There was a canceled Kirby game on GameCube though, is that the one you were referring to?
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on April 01, 2009, 10:51:47 PM
I think characters can cross over into the categories.
Capt. Falcon, for example. He's very charismatic, cool and strong. But his past is shrouded in mystery, and many details are left unanswered.
I think the Mother series characters fall under both categories as well. I haven't played any of the games, but from what I heard and seen the characters look and act cute, but there's a level of complexity in them, especially in Mother 3.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Mop it up on April 01, 2009, 11:17:29 PM
Capt. Falcon, for example. He's very charismatic, cool and strong. But his past is shrouded in mystery, and many details are left unanswered.
With how many Nintendo characters have vague back stories, I can't help but wonder if some of them are just because of laziness of the writers. That said, I think I prefer the vagueness over anything detailed and in-depth. What is great about Nintendo characters is that they spark the imagination, as I like to create my own theories behind their actions and motivations. Such things also ignite more conversation about a game. If every little detail of a character's story and personality is laid out, then there's nothing to wonder about, no intrigue, no nothing. It's all there for you.
In Earthbound, toward the end there are a few details of Ness's past which are revealed in subtle ways. They could even be interpreted in more than one way. Just another reason why that game is brilliant.
If there were only one Super NES game I'd say everyone needs to play, it's Earthbound. Unfortunately its high price and low availability make that impossible, but even so, you need to play it no matter the cost. You can always sell it after you are finished to give someone else the joy of experiencing it.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on April 02, 2009, 04:06:05 AM
Thats why Miyamoto doesn't like to give back stories Mop it up. He likes to leave it up to the players imagination. He didn't even want the plumber stuff to be considered cannon because he wanted Mario to be left up to the imagination. It was gamers who type cast him as a plumber.
And the Gamecube Kirby was originally planned as an N64 game that was going the RE0, Dinosaur Planet Eternal Darkness route. I remember seeing a screen shot of it in Nintendo Power back in the day. Though I will grant that the N64 one could have been scrapped and the GC one was a different project but I'm pretty sure they were connected.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on April 02, 2009, 04:21:01 AM
Isn't one point of Sonic's game design that the levels have many routes that you can indeed explore? Not just a linear race to the goal? Yes, all pathes lead to the goal eventually but there's still a lot of variety in the pathes you can take and thats something that only works if you keep replaying the levels instead of playing them once and then forgetting about them.
The storybook games may actually have counteracted the problems Adventure brought: - Less secondary characters, especially in roles that directly affect the gameplay - A change in game design that turns it into a racing platformer of sorts which means the speed makes sense now - A story that has no continuity with the main story and that's not fixed to the US or Japanese backstory for Sonic.
While the concept of Sonic inserted into various stories is stupid at least it turns the effective backstory into a blank slate that can be filled with whatever is necessary for the game.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on April 02, 2009, 04:28:09 AM
As the GO mentions, Sonic didn't have much story either, but then when Sonic Adventure they had to create a story so it made and that's when the problems began.
Sega now had to create a reason of being for Sonic and thus why we have a convoluted storyline and too many characters.
Nintendo doesn't seem to have this problem because they like to have things vague enough to be enjoyed by everyone.
Super Mario Galaxy had a story. But even then, it was about Bowser kidnapping Peach and Mario saving her.
And yes, I too thought that the Sonic storybook games did many things right and I am stunned that no one has seen this.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on April 02, 2009, 04:35:32 AM
Nintendo simply never bothers with keeping the story consistent (except for Metroid which is why it's turned into a trainwreck), they just rewrite anything they feel like in the new installment, other devs think that what they turn into canon remains canon.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on April 02, 2009, 04:37:58 AM
How is the Metroid story line a train wreck?
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on April 02, 2009, 04:51:40 AM
It's heading into Castlevania territory.
Mother Brain needs the services of THE DARK PRIEST 'SHAFT' to have any chance of being revived for Super Metroid!
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Mop it up on April 02, 2009, 06:11:21 PM
And the Gamecube Kirby was originally planned as an N64 game that was going the RE0, Dinosaur Planet Eternal Darkness route. I remember seeing a screen shot of it in Nintendo Power back in the day. Though I will grant that the N64 one could have been scrapped and the GC one was a different project but I'm pretty sure they were connected.
I have never heard anything of it before. I'll have to look it up and see if it is true.
Isn't one point of Sonic's game design that the levels have many routes that you can indeed explore? Not just a linear race to the goal?
Some paths lead backwards. I always end up getting lost. Did you know there's a ten-minute time limit to complete a stage? Apparently I need more time.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on April 03, 2009, 04:49:19 AM
Yeah, I read about the 10 minute limit in the manual, I don't think I've actually hit it myself.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on April 12, 2009, 12:27:56 AM
Part two of the GO's "Sonic in Crisis" episodes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YDrVRqmrLY
Funny enough, some of the suggestions he mentioned have been implemented in Sonic Unleashed. And I like his idea of a better, more refined storyline.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: BeautifulShy on May 07, 2009, 03:26:07 AM
Well The Game Overthinker has a new video and it is about the RE5 race situation after the release.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on May 07, 2009, 04:49:19 AM
His racism video was pretty good. I agree, we need more diversity in game characters, but not forced diversity. It needs to flow naturally or else you end up with 'token' race characters.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Peachylala on May 07, 2009, 11:58:45 AM
While Unleashed implanted some of the suggestions GO made, it was still a bad game. The speed stages suffered from the "it plays itself" flaw that many a recent Sonic game suffered. Also, the Warehog. That FUCKING Warehog. I have to stop being speedy Sonic in order to play some beat em up that was needed to pad the game length? No, just no.
SatBK did what most of us wanted it to be: fix the flaws of the first game in the storybook series, aka Secret Rings, but keep the core mechanics intact. Imagine, the one part of Sonic Team gets it right.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on May 07, 2009, 03:25:58 PM
I think his "manga characters are caucasian" rant is wrong, they barely qualify as human and it's been noticed that their artists tend to add lines to the corners of the eyes that look like they're supposed to be eye lashes but don't match properly, instead appearing to be a subconscious way of adding a skin fold only found on asians.
Also if you want a serious example of America-centrism, look at how he pretty much treats it as black and white, there are tons of other races on this planet. I don't see anyone complaining about all the war games set in the middle east where all the evil guys are arabs and all the good guys are white or black. It's seen as perfectly normal that arabs are the evil guys, it's only when blacks get that role that people complain. Hell, even for America, how many games include native American characters? I can think of Turok and Prey, both are FPSes so you don't have to see who you're playing as and Turok went badly downhill. Do they even bother with the token sidekicks for native Americans? Do they bother with it for arabs? There are a few set races that Americans see as mandatory in at least a token role for every story (hence there's ALWAYS a black guy in a story) but outside of those noone cares.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on May 07, 2009, 04:04:10 PM
I think Yahtzee ridicules games for using Arabs as enemies.
A lot of people are getting sick of the typical American Jingoism in a lot of those war games.
Even though Mr. G.O. did have a slant, at least he is aware of and sensitive to the problem. Realizing there is a problem is the first step out of racism.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on June 16, 2009, 02:19:12 AM
The GO did a new video. This time it has been posted over at Screwattack.com for some contest he's participating in.
Its about how realistic graphics are troublesome in a way: http://www.screwattack.com/myvidsdontsuck/Semi1/OverThinker
To be honest, this is his worst episode yet. Even weaker than his Nintendo rant video he rambles on and on and sounds more like an angry, angsty gamer than the intellectual seen in videos like the examination of Peach as a female character. His theory is a good one, but he rambles on and on and I lost interest halfway through the video.
I also got pretty damn annoyed at his movie ramblings. I mean I KNOW he hates the Transformers movie with a goddamn passion but do we need to be reminded of it in EVERY VIDEO HE MAKES?? His rant about "Reality Bites" was pretty damn stupid, and the squirrel bit is very retarded. If I tried to make a review in which I paused to discuss something unrelated to the game I would so get a speaking from my editor.
When you are lecturing about something you have to be consistent. If you are talking about racism, stick with racism. If you are talking about Nintendo, stick with Nintendo. If you try to persuade people's attention to another subject simply because you prefer people to hear you talk about that it says to me that you are very egotistical to the point where you would rather ramble about something that pleases you or annoys you rather than committing to your cause.
This annoys me because while the GO is great with games with movie he seems like a snob, and he makes his opinion states on his GO videos which gets tiresome after a while.
I honestly hope he loses because he has done better than this, and I hate for his ego to be rewarded for stupid crap.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Deguello on June 16, 2009, 06:39:39 AM
Did you mean his "Open Letter to Nintendo" Nintendo rant?
I think it was obvious that he was doing it tongue-in-cheek because everybody kept accusing him of being a big fanboy of Nintendo. Notice how it's only 6 minutes long, and talks about things like "What about the Nintendo seal?" and "Gee Mario Galaxy sure is like Super Mario 64." (WTF?) And a whole minute on the "Storage issue" which has since been resolved in spades.
But yeah, this one kinda rambled, probably because of the contest he had to generalize it a bit. But I agree with his comment about how we have the graphics to make just about any environment and scenario possible and most of the time we're still doing some kind of gun-shooty war thing.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on June 16, 2009, 10:25:21 AM
And we've got 24 bit color depth on the screen AND high dynamic range and all we do with it is brown, gray and bloom.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on June 16, 2009, 11:34:02 AM
Plus shiny variants.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on June 16, 2009, 01:26:57 PM
Pap, do you think he felt pressured to sensationalize this one more because it was going on Screwattack.com? He might have felt people wouldn't have cared for it there without all that stuff.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on June 16, 2009, 03:34:55 PM
Pap, do you think he felt pressured to sensationalize this one more because it was going on Screwattack.com? He might have felt people wouldn't have cared for it there without all that stuff.
Maybe, this episode was very different from the others. But if you read the comments the Screw Attack users didn't like it either and support the other guy more.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on June 26, 2009, 01:51:02 PM
New video about videogame violence is up on Screw Attack: http://www.screwattack.com/myvidsdontsuck/Final/TheGameOverThinker
Now THIS is the Game Overthinker I know and love. He goes deeper into the videogame violence issue and suggests to gamers to fight with facts rather than just be angry about it and says something that I've been saying for a while now: people should stop bitching about the Wii and casual gaming because its CLEANING up the stereotypical image of videogames.
Plus we get to see the man himself, and has a cool Bowser shirt on.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on June 26, 2009, 03:23:39 PM
I'll letting the video buffer. But on the matter of videogame stereotypes, I know this is something Miyamoto has wanted to dispell since the 90's. He hates the image of the kid alone in the dark staring at a TV/computer screen. WiiSpeak is actually one of many direct attempts to change it because it isn't just one person alone and isolated but it can be a group thing with the whole family talking to other people. Also Wii getting people up off the coutch and playing together breaks up the preconceived notions.
Videos loaded, now to watch it.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on June 26, 2009, 03:52:45 PM
I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I honestly don't have an issue with censorship to a point. There are things that should only be sold or distributed to adults. GTA should not be played by children. Where is this magic age of 'maturety'? It varies from person to person and that is why parents have to be the one to make a judgment call there. The problem is that many parents do not know how to make that call or will not be active enough to make it.
I have a theory that most of the people who whine about videogame laws that would enforce the ESRB ratings are actually minors who do not want to lose their access to mature content.
A good thing to note, though, is that of all the different forms of media (games, movies, music, etc.) videogames are the most stricktly enforced in stores.
I do also have an issue with his catagorizing of people as 'believers' in a dreogative way and stating that there is no evidence to violence being harmful to kids. There have been studies that show kids can be influenced by violence they see. Many children struggle to differentiate between fact and fiction in their minds. Many child-psychologists agree that there are things children should not be exposed to until they are older. I read a really enlightening article about how our culture is constantly pushing for children to 'grow up' and adults are pushing children to be exposed more and more to mature themes and ideas. Adults seem to think kids can process matters in the same way adults do when they really do not and most likley cannot.
I'm not saying watching violence directly causes kids to do violence, but it does impact them.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Rize on July 06, 2009, 02:54:11 PM
Not the greatest, but I still watched all his vids anyway. Thanks for the link.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 12, 2009, 05:07:59 PM
BUMP!
Since he won the Screw Attack contest the Game Overthinker will now host his videos on Screw Attack. His newest video is about how game developers are over complicating controls and uses the Bionic Command game to explain it: http://www.screwattack.com/TGO/Ep26
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 12, 2009, 07:43:26 PM
So will he still be posting vids on youtube or is it something like the AVGN where you have to wait ages for the newest one to hit youtube?
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on August 12, 2009, 07:51:53 PM
Just click the link Pap posts and watch it there. Doesn't change anything that I can see.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: BeautifulShy on August 12, 2009, 08:08:43 PM
There is a reason why I am asking this Stratos.
My CPU doesn't have speakers at the moment. And my Wii can't play the Screwattack video.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on August 12, 2009, 08:21:10 PM
No headphones?
I might have a spare set of phones lying around if you want them.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: broodwars on August 12, 2009, 09:21:54 PM
I find it rather ridiculous that with all his bluster he never points out that the developers of Bionic Commando were stupid enough to map movement to the right analog stick and movement to the left analog stick, which is contrary to just about every game ever made on a dual-stick console. I like the Overthinker and I think he made some valid points (like why should there be an "evade" button when you can simply just get out of the way with movement?), but this video just felt like a lot of nostalgic whining about "how much better we all were back in the good ol' days." The problem isn't that there are a lot of functions now mapped to a lot of buttons, but that they can be mapped in such a way that it's not intuitive to use them. Clearly Bionic Commando doesn't do that. As for the "jump" button in Bionic Commando, it's there because people mocked the original game for you not being able to jump. Maybe it could have worked with auto-jumping, maybe not.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 12, 2009, 09:58:44 PM
I find it rather ridiculous that with all his bluster he never points out that the developers of Bionic Commando were stupid enough to map movement to the right analog stick and movement to the left analog stick, which is contrary to just about every game ever made on a dual-stick console. I like the Overthinker and I think he made some valid points (like why should there be an "evade" button when you can simply just get out of the way with movement?), but this video just felt like a lot of nostalgic whining about "how much better we all were back in the good ol' days." The problem isn't that there are a lot of functions now mapped to a lot of buttons, but that they can be mapped in such a way that it's not intuitive to use them. Clearly Bionic Commando doesn't do that. As for the "jump" button in Bionic Commando, it's there because people mocked the original game for you not being able to jump. Maybe it could have worked with auto-jumping, maybe not.
I think you missed the point. He wasn't whining about games being better back then, he was stating that some of the games the industry have claimed to be the best ever are those that have easy to learn controls that added more depth and playability than games that had messy control layouts (as evidence by Bionic Commando).
He's pretty much telling game designers to not be afraid of making games with simple controls and to not try and create a messy configuration that will in the end limit your audience.
I don't see anything remotely nostalgic about that.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: broodwars on August 12, 2009, 10:39:20 PM
I find it rather ridiculous that with all his bluster he never points out that the developers of Bionic Commando were stupid enough to map movement to the right analog stick and movement to the left analog stick, which is contrary to just about every game ever made on a dual-stick console. I like the Overthinker and I think he made some valid points (like why should there be an "evade" button when you can simply just get out of the way with movement?), but this video just felt like a lot of nostalgic whining about "how much better we all were back in the good ol' days." The problem isn't that there are a lot of functions now mapped to a lot of buttons, but that they can be mapped in such a way that it's not intuitive to use them. Clearly Bionic Commando doesn't do that. As for the "jump" button in Bionic Commando, it's there because people mocked the original game for you not being able to jump. Maybe it could have worked with auto-jumping, maybe not.
I think you missed the point. He wasn't whining about games being better back then, he was stating that some of the games the industry have claimed to be the best ever are those that have easy to learn controls that added more depth and playability than games that had messy control layouts (as evidence by Bionic Commando).
He's pretty much telling game designers to not be afraid of making games with simple controls and to not try and create a messy configuration that will in the end limit your audience.
I don't see anything remotely nostalgic about that.
No, I got his point about how gamers shouldn't have to fight the control scheme but the challenges in the game itself. He also points out that developers should use controls as they need them rather than just using commands for the sake of it. That's fine. I just think he could have used more modern games to illustrate his point, like Smash Bros. Brawl compared to Street Fighter or whatnot. The problem with using classic NES-era games as examples is that those games didn't use simple controls because that's what the developers wanted. They used simple controls because that's all they had, since the NES only had 2 action buttons. When given the option of using more buttons with later consoles, the developers have clearly preferred to use more buttons to better incorporate their design. So why not use a modern game with a streamlined control scheme to illustrate your point, like say...Batman: Arkham Asylum?
Why he chooses to devote a video to such a generally-awful game as Bionic Commando (which sold so poorly the studio that made it has shut down) instead of something that got a better public reception like Splinter Cell or Devil May Cry, is beyond me. People didn't buy Bionic Commando, so why use it as an example of how the industry is going in the wrong direction? And by the way, Overthinker, the original NES Bionic Commando wasn't well-known for being spectacularly easy to control, either.
He's also completely wrong when he says the Ocarina of Time, one of the greatest games of all time, "only uses two action buttons." No, it does not. It uses one context-sensitive button for general commands (A), one button for sword attacks (B), 1 trigger/shoulder button for camera lock-on (Z/L), 1 button for manual blocking (R), 1 button for a help button (C Up), and 3 buttons for additional weapon usage (the 3 remaining C buttons). That's a lot of buttons for your typical gamer to remember, but it works because the controls are logically laid-out and intuitive with images of the buttons at the top of the screen so you always know what they do.
We don't need more "simple games". We already have an entire console dedicated to nothing but them (the Wii, although it is getting better in this regard), along with two robust online services on the PS3 (PSN) and Xbox 360 (Xbox LIVE). I don't mind a game with complicated controls if I'm not spending more time fighting them than I am the game itself (especially Quick-Time Events, one of the worst things our industry has ever come up with).
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 12, 2009, 10:53:49 PM
Yeah, his comment on Ocarina of Time having only two main action buttons is weird. I think what he should have said was that if the game design calls for multiple buttons to configure them in a way that its easy to learn and doesn't compromise neither accessibility or depth.
You know something we all have to watch out for? The Game Overthinker being too self aware of his "angsty smart gamer" persona. In this video he spent a good chunk of the intro saying how he is an obnoxiously intelligent gamer guy who hates everything. I know it was a joke, but if he keeps pushing that in every video he makes he will become annoying in the same way that Malstrom became annoying for me; too much ego, not enough information.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: broodwars on August 12, 2009, 11:01:54 PM
You know something we all have to watch out for? The Game Overthinker being too self aware of his "angsty smart gamer" persona. In this video he spent a good chunk of the intro saying how he is an obnoxiously intelligent gamer guy who hates everything. I know it was a joke, but if he keeps pushing that in every video he makes he will become annoying in the same way that Malstrom became annoying for me; too much ego, not enough information.
Indeed, but I guess that's what we have to expect from all these people trying so hard to follow in Yahtzee's footsteps. Yahtzee gets away with it because for all his banter, he's generally right and quite humorous as well as somewhat self-depricating. The Game Overthinker, though, tends to get rather preachy and obnoxious even when he's talking about something I generally agree on.
Actually, of all the Yahtzee copycats we've gotten probably my favorite is Daniel Floyd here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlOXAtPvMDk&feature=channel His stuff are actual lectures that are interesting, intelligent, and don't come off as ego-trips.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 12, 2009, 11:13:20 PM
Funny enough, I stopped listening to Yahtzee ages ago as well.
But yeah, I still think the GO has some good ideas and I think he might be a decent guy. But he has the risk of turning himself into a big stereotype (the ranty, obnoxiously intelligent gamer), losing credibility despite his good ideas (now that he is on Screwattack I hope he doesn't go overboard).
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 13, 2009, 01:33:18 AM
We have all the overthinkers you could ask for in this forum (different genres too). He's not special. Enjoy.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 13, 2009, 05:04:08 AM
Wait, did BC REALLY use the right stick for movement? WTF??? I figured that was just a mistake.
The Wiimote isn't some perfect solution for this either as evidenced by the mess made by High Voltage Software with The Conduit having so many functions you have trouble mapping them all to something you can reach and most likely end up tossing at least one or two on buttons you never touch just so the ones you use can be more reachable. I honestly don't even know what I've got crouch mapped to currently.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: broodwars on August 13, 2009, 05:07:44 AM
Wait, did BC REALLY use the right stick for movement? WTF??? I figured that was just a mistake.
Yeah, that was bugging me as well so I just looked it up in an FAQ. It was just a mis-print by the OT, as the FAQ has movement labeled as left stick and camera control on the right. I thought it was more than little wierd that he'd have that in his control diagram but not even mention it.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Deguello on August 13, 2009, 04:42:20 PM
Quote
The problem with using classic NES-era games as examples is that those games didn't use simple controls because that's what the developers wanted. They used simple controls because that's all they had, since the NES only had 2 action buttons.
That's wrong. Several systems before the NES had like 12 or 13 buttons, like the Atari 5200 and both the Coleco and Intellivisions Using less buttons was a conscious choice.
Quote
Why he chooses to devote a video to such a generally-awful game as Bionic Commando (which sold so poorly the studio that made it has shut down) instead of something that got a better public reception like Splinter Cell or Devil May Cry, is beyond me.
Bionic Commando is a beloved classic of both his and mine. To see it get destroyed by piss poor controls, an awful, overbearing storyline, and a general raping of the old franchise by forcing its "grown-upness" probably stuck in his craw a little bit more than usual. It also represents Capcom's willingness to waste their time and ours by making or approving this garbage and not, say, 3 high quality games for the market leader. Also, the only reason this game is called a "flop" was because it was contrariwisely hyped.
Quote
We don't need more "simple games". We already have an entire console dedicated to nothing but them (the Wii, although it is getting better in this regard), along with two robust online services on the PS3 (PSN) and Xbox 360 (Xbox LIVE).
Did he even say that? Where did he call for simpler games? Where was that? And the Wii is not dedicated to "simpler games" just because the controls are more intuitive for some. Complex, hard to understand controls =\= complex games.
Quote
You know something we all have to watch out for? The Game Overthinker being too self aware of his "angsty smart gamer" persona.
Actually what WE have to watch out for is this inkling of hatred for the guy now that he's "made it" and has an influx of new listeners. We'll end up being that guy in the cornet of a concert venue grumbling about how "he used to be good until he SOLD OUT." Seems to be a lot of that going around these days. Something gets popular, time to hate it and go for things marketed as "underground, rebel, gamer lifestyle" products, because that fits our focus-tested demographic.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on August 13, 2009, 04:53:02 PM
I tend to not take people seriously who's whole purpose is to be insulting of games for entertainment purposes. It is like taking offense to the Angry Video Game Nerd, then again even that character can be more serious then this blowhard.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 13, 2009, 07:08:14 PM
He isn't ragging on games for the hell of it. He is simply commenting on some of the things that go on in the industry and provide an alternate train of thought. He made some really, REALLY good and insightful episodes that I believe are quite true. My concern is that he is going to abandon that in favor of more "humor" and abuse of his overthinker persona and please the fans (which ironically enough he didn't seem to care about that).
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Rize on August 13, 2009, 09:27:03 PM
I find it rather ridiculous that with all his bluster he never points out that the developers of Bionic Commando were stupid enough to map movement to the right analog stick and movement to the left analog stick, which is contrary to just about every game ever made on a dual-stick console. I like the Overthinker and I think he made some valid points (like why should there be an "evade" button when you can simply just get out of the way with movement?), but this video just felt like a lot of nostalgic whining about "how much better we all were back in the good ol' days." The problem isn't that there are a lot of functions now mapped to a lot of buttons, but that they can be mapped in such a way that it's not intuitive to use them. Clearly Bionic Commando doesn't do that. As for the "jump" button in Bionic Commando, it's there because people mocked the original game for you not being able to jump. Maybe it could have worked with auto-jumping, maybe not.
Maybe that's because he screwed up the labeling. In Bionic Commando just like any other first or third person action game with shooting, you control aiming with the right analog stick and movement with the left.
Also, this was his worst video period. I actually enjoyed the previous 25, but I found this bad. He spends too much time ripping on a game he obviously knows very little about.
I also hate his idea that anyone who enjoys complex controls wants to shut out simpletons who can't adjust. I like complex controls because they give me more freedom and control over the game. There is a time and place for simplifying controls (such as Zelda's auto-jump and Prime's single analog control with lock on targeting), but overall I prefer the freedom afforded by complex control schemes (within reason).
Bionic Commando was great as is. You really only used the L trigger and two face buttons (dodging, looking and weak punches were used .... almost never... and it would be easy to beat the game without touching them) along with the standard looking, moving and shooting controls.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 14, 2009, 02:30:35 AM
Dunno, I thought 25 was worse because of all the hyperbole.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 14, 2009, 02:50:43 AM
I think the Open Letter to Nintendo one was the worst. I know it might be tongue in cheek, but he had a gold mine when it came to Nintendo criticism, but stuck to the lame guns.
I think his Sonic in Crisis episodes are the best since instead of going down the "WAAAAAH OLD SONIC WAS BETTER" route he actually did an elaborate explanation of why the franchise has issues and how it could be changed.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Rize on August 14, 2009, 10:11:22 AM
I agree, the Sonic Episodes were probably the best.
Overall though, I think I prefer yahzee by a great margin if only because Yahtzee shares my general hatred toward Nintendo's new strategy whereas Mr. Overthinker is an apologetic for it.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 14, 2009, 11:08:07 AM
I like Yahtzee's reviews because I usually think the same way about the games.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: vudu on August 14, 2009, 02:10:23 PM
The problem with using classic NES-era games as examples is that those games didn't use simple controls because that's what the developers wanted. They used simple controls because that's all they had, since the NES only had 2 action buttons.
That's wrong. Several systems before the NES had like 12 or 13 buttons, like the Atari 5200 and both the Coleco and Intellivisions Using less buttons was a conscious choice.
It was a conscious choice by Nintendo. I doubt third parties had any say in it.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 14, 2009, 03:28:24 PM
Some systems before the NES had 102 buttons or thereabouts.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: vudu on August 14, 2009, 04:03:14 PM
I see what you did there.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 14, 2009, 05:16:23 PM
Calculators have many buttons and only induce the feeling of "work."
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 15, 2009, 02:59:29 AM
Computers WERE the primary gaming systems during the gaming crash since only console gaming crashed. Computer games could have some awfully complex controls even without involving the keyboard (if you don't believe me grab Last Ninja from the VC). They were direct competitors of the NES when it came out.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: vudu on August 15, 2009, 11:26:54 AM
And they got squashed. And console gaming still outweighs PC gaming by several factors (not counting Peggle, Minesweeper, etc.)
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 15, 2009, 11:54:41 AM
Disrupted. Like the Wii is currently doing to the HD consoles. Nintendo researched what exactly went on back in those days to utilize the mechanics involved to regain the console market. The Wii is the result.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Deguello on August 15, 2009, 02:01:18 PM
I agree, the Sonic Episodes were probably the best.
Overall though, I think I prefer yahzee by a great margin if only because Yahtzee shares my general hatred toward Nintendo's new strategy whereas Mr. Overthinker is an apologetic for it.
Yahztee is the Zero Punctuation person right? I watched a few of those and they weren't very intellectually stimulating, mainly because it's all too easy to make a 4 minute long video that's like "you all suck and everything sucks, look how jaded I am" and stand back because saying so is somehow "impartial." It takes courage to side with somebody.
I think it's funny how we have three smug assholes like Malstrom, Gameoverthinker, and Yahtzee, and it's not really the smugly assholishness part that bothers us, but where the smug asshole falls on the "hardcore/casual," Nintendo/Non-Nintendo divide.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 15, 2009, 03:31:27 PM
Yahtzee does like some things, watch e.g. the Saints Row 2 review. He's mostly about making jokes though.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 16, 2009, 03:30:42 AM
I agree, the Sonic Episodes were probably the best.
Overall though, I think I prefer yahzee by a great margin if only because Yahtzee shares my general hatred toward Nintendo's new strategy whereas Mr. Overthinker is an apologetic for it.
Yahztee is the Zero Punctuation person right? I watched a few of those and they weren't very intellectually stimulating, mainly because it's all too easy to make a 4 minute long video that's like "you all suck and everything sucks, look how jaded I am" and stand back because saying so is somehow "impartial." It takes courage to side with somebody.
I think it's funny how we have three smug assholes like Malstrom, Gameoverthinker, and Yahtzee, and it's not really the smugly assholishness part that bothers us, but where the smug asshole falls on the "hardcore/casual," Nintendo/Non-Nintendo divide.
That's partially true, although in my case I just get tired of the smug attitude. After a few episodes I realized that Yahtzee would just be dissing games for the hell of it and got tired of it. I got tired of Malstrom because he became more ranty and more self aware of his attitude, even when he made some good points.
I honestly believe that the GO is not that bad of an asshole. In the earlier episodes while he was abrasive he was rather honest and knew his stuff. His video on Nintendo Fanboyism, I thought, was pretty damn honest and sincere. Now that he is on ScrewAttack I noticed that his persona was raised higher, which I believe was caused because he is catering to an audience now, a big issue I've noticed in many commentators.
Funny Golden mentioned the Angry Videogame Nerd. He's the only one that I've been watching since his debut. I believe that James is very consistent. True, some episodes are bad and border on blatant fan service (his recent Crazy Castle video was pretty stupid), but at the very least he is working with a good concept and knows how to work it. When he disses a bad game he shows us WHY. And doesn't say it in a "I am right" manner.
Not to mention that James doesn't let his AVGN persona overtake his personality. He is a filmmaker and has done some very solid and honest movie reviews.
The GO, however, has the issue in that he is a smug asshole as a game commentator and a smug asshole when he is reviewing movies.
So at the very least James balances out his various personas and manages to be likable.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on August 16, 2009, 05:56:40 AM
On Gametrailers there is a guy who parodies the AVGN and calls himself the 'Happy Video Game Nerd'. He likes to look at the underrated classics of old. I thought he did a pretty good job overall as both a parody and as his own unique personality. It's kinda nice to hear someone recall games without going into conniptions. Plus some of the ones he did were pretty neat.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_pap64 on August 16, 2009, 04:07:19 PM
Yeah he's also on YouTube. I DEFINITELY appreciate his persona. I thought it was a nice change of pace. There's too much ANGER in the videogame world as is, so having someone with a nice, charismatic personality is definitely welcome.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: NWR_Neal on August 16, 2009, 07:34:36 PM
I came across the Game Overthinker recently. I think his videos are kind of terrible in comparison to Zero Punctuation and AVGN, and I don't really like his arguments. At least with Yahtzee I usually can see what small part of a game he lambasts, and AVGN usually just tackles **** games anyway.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on August 17, 2009, 03:07:00 AM
I watched the GO before ZP because my ability to understand spoken English was too low to follow ZP, after going through the GO archive I was able to understand ZP.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: rbtr on August 18, 2009, 01:16:48 AM
OT: KDR, your written English is excellent, sometimes I forget you're German(right?)
Overthinker is pretty good, I think his recent work isn't as good. I try not to take him too seriously, he is overthinking things past any sane level. His argument for realism was insane, but he brought up some decent points. I don't know if his quality has gone down, as it never seemed great. I certainly don't get a big "smug asshole" vibe from him. I mean, he makes sane arguments, he just OVER THINKS them....if only he would warn you ;)
And I don't find malstrom overly smug either, he knows what he's talking about, he seems confident.
Yahtzee is just a picky whiny baby, I can't stand his videos.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: Stratos on August 18, 2009, 06:00:27 AM
Rbtr! I haven't heard from you in forever! Glad your still here :)
I think you stated it really well. GO really does 'over think' his topics sometimes. I do hate his preachy parts. Like when he called gamers to 'rise up and save gaming' during the censorship one. Also this recent one was really annoying when he went on about himself at the beginning. It made me roll my eyes and want to exit the video. I'll agree that his 'Saving Sonic' set of videos was his best from the ones I've seen.
I love Yahtzee and his reviews even if I feel a number of them are off-base. They are funny and I agree on some of his points.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: rbtr on August 18, 2009, 10:43:46 AM
I still exist. I just never post on any forum a lot.
He preaches but I think that's just part of his format. A call to arms. I feel his videos are overly serious on purpose.
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: BeautifulShy on September 11, 2009, 06:56:41 AM
I'm sure this one is on Screwattack already but GO put up episodes 24 and 25 on youtube. Here is number 25.
Http://youtube.com/watch?v=hoht0Xy5nQs
Title: Re: The "Game Overthinker" Thread
Post by: KDR_11k on September 12, 2009, 04:24:38 AM
