April Update!
Hey pals! I've got some updates on upcoming videos and the state of the Patreon for you.
First off, I've decided to change the $10 tier. I discussed this a while back and people seemed receptive to it, but the short of it is, being able to vote on my next video doesn't seem as rewarding considering the types of video I make. It takes a long time to make most of my videos, so voting only comes around every few months at best (at worst, every five years). It also isn't great for me, because it means I can't plan ahead as much - I've put off researching some videos I'd like to make because I wasn't sure it would make it through a poll. I think it's necessary to give people something more frequent to vote on.
I also want to make more frequent patron-only content since I find it really energizing to make and people seem to like it. So obviously I've decided to combine these two things. From now on, I'll have a poll for $10 patrons on what the next piece of patron-only content will be, and plan to get a piece out every month and a half.
So, a few days from now I'll post the first poll for 'Absolute Unit' Patrons. Some ideas we’re throwing around are commentated playthroughs, more retrospectives on older videos, behind the scenes material, more casual reviews/analyses of media (I've thought of doing videos reviewing 'And Here's Why' videos other people have made), and short analysis videos like ‘Graphs’ or ‘Mirrors’.
Secondly, the next video is a measured response about GB News, an attempt to start a new right-wing news channel in Britain, and what lessons we can learn from its choices and overall colossal failure. I have various other videos partially done already, one about how media reporting accidentally spreads health misinformation, one about the Director's Cut of DX:HR (I wasn't joking) and about four videos about Star Wars which you'll have to forgive me for.
Oh, thirdly! The Brainmind Residency finished its run and we need to showcase the work our residents did! I'll try to get that done ASAP.
Thanks again for your continued support! Leave a comment here to tell us what kind of Patreon content you’d be interested in so I know what to put in the poll!
- H.B.
Comments (58)
I'm stoked to hear about right-wing conservatism in the UK. I get the feel that's its around the same as in the US, but I'm curious where the parties differ. Also, Borris Johnson trapped in a harness, dangling over a crowd.
I just became a patron and just want to say I’ve really enjoyed the hick out of your game reviews and I find your socio-political content very insightful and informative. Thank you to HB and whoever else contributes to the finished product. I would love to see some HB Let’s Play content
A measured response were what got me into your channel and I love them. The Iv reached them more times than I would like to admit XD
Does this mean 5$ patrons aren't gonna get new vids like mirrors/graphs or what
i think it means that we'll get those videos, but the 10 dollar patrons will vote on the next one we get?
I really love the retrospectives.
Suggestion: $10 (or whichever) tier should vote on which game should you casually play and stream. Then you'd play or stream that game, once a week, just for an hour or two, and donate any tips to a charity. (Maybe those patrons could also choose which charity.)
The problem with letting Patreons vote on video topics is it biases your output to what a small set of strong supporters want to see versus what will potentially have broader appeal. It's always a tricky balance. You want your biggest supporters to feel heard, but you don't want to bias your output to a smaller number of people who have a louder voice. To be clear, not a dig to the bigger supporters. It's awesome to support content like HB's, and I don't think y'all's opinion on stuff is wrong or bad. It's just a reality that anyone who produces content has to really consider feedback carefully.
Fortunately, the choices will be from a selections of content we already want to do, so I don't think it'll be that big of an issue. That's also why we shifted what $10 backers are voting on in the first place!
As someone who struggles to finish long projects, I think it'd be a win-win situation if you posted shorter/easier to produce videos to patreon to get those "I finished a thing" juices flowing
I’m both excited and terrified for what the GB News video has to offer
All the ideas for the patron-only content sound good. Some more casual things may be nice, especially if it allows you to be a bit more reactive to current events ;) Also when can we expect the GB news video?
Wait, aren't you obligated to make a video defending the prequels?
I am, and they're coming, and I'm ruined
I've really enjoyed the pseudoscience debunking videos. I still share the vaccines video with my students because it's a good reference for how to communicate with non-healthcare professionals and, believe it or not, a lot of doctors really don't know the extent of Wakefield's fraud.
Honestly, what makes your Patreon so worth it is the early versions of videos and cut content. Big Joel has a damn good Patreon as well that consists mostly of "this is stuff I find interesting but isn't substantial enough for my main channel"
Looking forward to a measured response on GB News. I suspect it will be more balanced than the GB News output.
GB News sounds like it's gonna be a fun watch! :D
I'll watch whatever you put out, I vote for whatever you personally feel like making a video about.
Honestly a video on GB news seems really interesting and I can't wait to see it. I also hope to see some more retrospectives, especially on your Dark Souls 2 video since that seems to be one of your more controversial ones.
Absolutely love casual media analyses but happy with whatever ✌🏼 excited to see what you do next!
I'll happily vote in polls but I'm just here to support. I don't require any extra content.
Any chance of a video about The Witcher fantasy series?
I'm glad. I miss the measured responce, and GB news is such a good one to cover.
Very excited for GB News video, especially with Piers Morgans launch of TalkTV which looks like round 2 of the same thing.
Yikes. That guy is such a douche.
More retrospectives please! I loved those first two so much
I'm guessing that if I'm hoping for a Night In The Woods video, I might be here for the duration?
I really enjoy the retrospectives and behind the scenes material, but ultimately I'm happy about every video you make, so I'm curious what the poll is gonna decide :)
All of this sounds brilliant- in all honesty the mirrors video was one of my favourite things you've done!
Meh, take my few measly U.S. dollars and do what you will, no strings attached. Any payment I render is a "thank you" and I want literally nothing in return.
Since you brought it up as an option, personally I'd be really interested in commentated playthroughs. Feels like it'd be a fairly fun and casual thing, which can be great fun, and good to re-watch later down the road.
Are you ever going to make fallout 3 or 4 wasn't that bad actually? I remeber you joked about it years ago and I still think about it 😂
thank you for the update, i'm really excited to see the new stuff you're planning! i'd also like to second what others have said - i feel that uploading some patreon-exclusive videos for everyone would be nice. i'm primarily here to support you, not to receive bonus content.
also i'm wondering - you made a video about night in the woods and ended up not wanting to upload it at the time. will you ever release that video or is that too sensitive after what happened still?
the Chernobyl: Clear Sky rant
I just wanted to give you my money bud. Great content and I am finally in a good position myself to thank you for all the enlightening content. Do what ever makes your life easier bro. Stay well.
The wording makes it a little unclear to me, is the Patreon-only stuff itself also only gonna be available to $10+ members, or did you just mean the polls? Oh and also looking at other "And Here's Why" videos seems interesting.
The $10 tier allows you to vote on the Patreon content, but all Patrons can watch the voted-upon content!
I am very much looking forward to a much needed take down of GoBshite News, which seems to have turned into a refuge for Tory/DUP rejects and wannabe media figures which didn't quite make the cut for the Daily Express/Telegraph intake of Hacks. Make it happen HB!
I think a good $10 reward would be patron Q&As, where 10 dollar or more patrons get to ask questions that you answer in non-scripted and quickly put together videos. But I'm excited to see new bonus content. Keep up the good work!
also sorry, 4 VIDEOS ABOUT STAR WARS? Holy shit, I can't wait, and this is coming from someone who doesn't even like the prequels.
I feel like hiding such brilliant videos behind a pay wall is a shame, especially those on mirrors and graphs because they're very high quality. Have you considered making them public? Or at least, idk, making them early access on patreon and then posting them a year later, like with the Christmas video? It would also quell the meme that you only post once a year. I think more people deserve to see those extra videos but in the end it's your choice and I will still support 😊
I would have to 2nd this comment. They actuality are amazing videos and I think it would be great to make them public at some point. :)
I’m very interested in retrospectives! I love your backlog and would enjoy revisiting more of it.
The retrospectives on your old stuff are always a really good time, so I personally wouldnt mind seeing more of those. Also, you should review Haydee. You did finish the whole thing after all. jk. unless...
Sir where is the sonic video pls sir I am starving (jk this sounds great)
Is the $10 Poll just for voting on the patreon content or is the voted content also in the $10 package? Sorry it wasn't really clear to me in the text.
If you're in the $10 tier you get to vote on the patron exclusive stuff
The videos you make are amazing, can't wait to see more
I would like a patron only segment where you cover yourself in marmite and roll around on some sand. Keep up the good work!!
I vote for this. Whenever people ask me why everyone likes hbomb so much I would show them this
Excuse you, I have been anxiously waiting for the star wars videos and am THRILLED to hear that there's four of them. That's like being told "here's four pints of ice cream, which you'll have to forgive me for".
Glad to hear the news! Ultimately, no matter what the content is, as long as we get new stuff I'm okay with it. Super excited to see what's in store!
Thanks so much for the update!! The new $10 poll for Patreon-only content seems like a smart move. I would personally love to see some more Pathologic content! Maybe your thoughts on the second game.
I can already picture the essay on why the prequels were actually the better than the originals. Good thing YouTube removed the dislike button
A podcast where you just chat, or live streams like the charity one you did!
Cheers! 🍻