Noclip in 2023 - Adapting & Changing
YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0orRej5GZ8
Hey patrons - and non patrons!
It's the start of a new year and time to make some changes at Noclip. Over the past six years and change we've made over 100 documentaries on wide variety of games. But in those years we've changed, and the world of games development has changed too. People know who we are, studios are largely working from home, and most importantly - games development has become a lot more transparent than it was in 2016.
Our work here is done *walks into sunset*
No I'm not arrogant enough to take credit for the fact that gamers know more about development than they used to (well, if they want to) but the reality is that they demand more depth than ever before. More interesting stories, on different types of games, with more authenticity than ever before. The Noclip formula has become somewhat predictable, and the times when we've messed around with it (Black Mesa, Greatest Hits, Hades) have proven our most enjoyable and interesting work. So we want to do more of that.
We've also changed - we've learned so much about games development over the past six years. We've covered a broad range of franchises and studios and aspects of development. Largely we've followed the desires of our fans and patrons to to do that. I often talk to our patrons about painting the canvas - that each new doc and studio we cover is a new color and shape. After six years I feel like we've covered a lot of that canvas, and now I want to start a new painting. One that's a bit more selfish and a produces more interesting work.
So what does that look like? Well the video goes into a lot of the details but some of the main takeaways are;
Noclip Documentary Channel - youtube.com/noclipvideo
Less large scale (dozen interview) studio profiles
Focusing on stories we are interested in
More frequency on the main Noclip Channel
Longer Videos (> 2 Hours) and Shorter Videos (< 20 minutes)
More work put into script writing & filming
Investigations unearthing cancelled games
More retrospectives on beloved classics
More esoteric & interesting Indie games
In-person for docs for stories that require it.
More post-production on both remote & in person docs.
Motion graphics refresh
Noclip Crew - youtube.com/noclipcrewvideo
Continue to build this into an independent editorial channel
Video essays from Danny & Jeremy
Collaborations with other creators
More Let's Plays but with better production & scripts.
The Movie Review show we've been talking about for years
No more developer interviews (moving Breakdown concept to main channel)
Noclip Podcast - youtube.com/noclipcrewpodcast
Bonus developer interviews & spoiler-casts.
In short we're going to fuck around and find out a lot more this year.
We're still going to hit a wide variety of games from AAA studios, indies and retrospectives. But we're going to take a lot less pitches and focus on projects we are personally interested in. To get in front of camera more and hit the road on meaningful projects.
To give you an idea right now we are working on:
Dwarf Fortress Documentary (in person)
Recent AAA Game (in person, 4 interviews)
Unreal / UT99 Retrospectives (remote)
Wipeout Retrospective (remote)
Gloomwood Developer Breakdown (< 20 minute, remote)
Hyper Light Breaker Series- Episode 2 (in person)
Recently Released 1-Person Indie Game (in person)
We're currently pitching docs on a bunch of our favorite 2022 Games
The video goes into the details and motivations a bit more but I hope this write-up helps explain it too. Noclip is our home and will be as long as we can keep the lights on and we have so much more work to do.
We're excited to show you what we're all about in 2023.
Danny
Noclip in 2023 - Adapting to a Changing Game Dev World (YouTube)
Comments (17)
All the best to you and the team Danny. Sounds like a lot of very sensible changes ahead. Looking forward to seeing it all come together.
I support the new approach (especially the developer interviews!), appreciate the transparency, and wish you a balanced and meaningful new year.
Thanks for the update, wishing all the best in 2023 and can’t wait for new docs and videos! Btw have you turned on ads on YouTube videos?
Keep it going. Looking forward to 2032 with No Clip
You have my support through 2023. And I wouldn't mind if you even made 5 minutes videos about something obscure here and there, just don't turn into a YT Shorts channel like almost all the channels I'm subscribed to. To a happy to new year with Noclip!
Thank you for the update, Danny! I’m putting this out in the universe with no expectation of result, but I’m applying today for a future video essayist position with Noclip. Here is my resume: VideoEssayistResume.doc And here is my headshot: NickRavenProfessionalHeadshot.jpg And my phone number so I can get updates in my application status: PhoneNumber.contact Happy New Year, guys!
Honesty and openness are some of the qualities I value most so really appreciate this video and yes do whatever you feel works best as change and evolving with the times is part of the journey and experience. As you clearly put your mind and heart into it I think it will work out in the end. Good luck! Btw I went through covid at the end of 2021 and while it was devastating to put it mildly, in the end no issue afterwards so my advice is to everyone getting it or passing it is: no matter how bad it seems, stay strong and have hope as there is a good chance you can make it even if you have a permanent medical condition greatly increasing the risk, most likely you still can make it. Keep up the good work, Happy New Year from Europe! 🥳
Sounds amazing can't wait i only got into u guys cause of stunt derby but the amazing back catalog of docs and new stuff makes y'all probably one of the best channels rn
What about more docs focused on indie studios or indie games? The Hades series was my favorite one (I wouldn't say Supergiant is a small indie, but they still seem to have the indie vibe)... I think that kind of content would be cool and feel more relatable, that's probably why there are lots of these gamedev channels... And also those kind of studios/games usually are made by small teams, so not so many people need to be interviewed. Just my 2 cents, that kind of content on how small teams achieve the kind of games that usually are outside of the more mainstream approach would be really cool to watch.
Yea absolutely - I'd be interested in what you think we're missing exactly because we produce a lot of documentaries on indie games currently. I guess a lot of them aren't in person. I think maybe the Dwarf Fortress and other indie stuff we're filming in late January might be of interest to you. Hopefully anyway! Thanks your the support!
A shame we won't be having as many big AAA Docs or studio videos. They are the bread and butter of what I liked about NoClip - At least as a young dev who didn't play as many of the classics. I watch some of the other stuff, but not as often. I'll keep supporting you because we need more of this in the industry. Looking forwards to 2023 either way.
Thanks so much! Just so we're clear we'll still have AAA game docs but the 12+ interview big docs are taking a back seat unless it's something incredibly special. We're actually filming four interviews at a AAA studio next week - it's more working smart so we maximize our time.
I love this! I’m here for the journey, and I support your dream. Keep at it.
6 years? Time flies! I feel like Noclip is entering a “young adult” stage of our life. We’ve tried on different “tshirts,” we’ve discovered things we like and don’t like. And now we’re stepping into the next chapter with a clear had and renewed focus. I’m all about it! I think all the changes you’ve outlined make sense. The major one, the pivot away from chasing big studios is timely. Noclip set the high bar for what the studios need to do to in marketing themselves. Now that their internal marketing teams take on this challenge - Noclip can focus finding new ways to highlight the games we all love! Danny, you’ve proved that you have a strong sense what the best future looks like for Noclip. I know you’re not always confident, but you and the team figured it out every single time. This year won’t be any different. Do what you guys love, engage with your community, keep doing cool $&@t and let’s have a banging 2023! Proud to be here since day 1, and look forward to some massive in-person delectation when we pass 10yr mark 🤣
Is it bad that I can ID most of the games on your bookshelf over your left shoulder from blurry spines?
no that means you're in the right place
Cheers. Here's to 2023!