PATRON UPDATE: Post-Dark Cloud Plans
Howdy Patrons,
Mere moments ago I made a Dark Cloud video public. Sorry for not being communicative about it up until this point, but the video was meant to be a surprise for my buddy! I didn't really want to write out an update and have emails/notifications sent to everyone just for me to ambiguously say "I'm working on a video right now". If you've read any other updates or are familiar at all with my schedule, y'all know that (unless I'm sick or travelling) I'm ALWAYS working. It's a given! That said, I actually did get sick while producing this video hee hee. Between that and my genius idea to play two games that take a bazillion hours to complete, this video took a little longer than I expected. The goal here was to make a fun, light, silly, comfy video that felt like something I would've produced back in the earlier days of my channel. I hope that comes through!
Here's what's up next. First of all, Ultima VII: The Black Gate. It's gonna be another big'un following Ultima Underworld. An extraordinarily dense game, both mechanically and historically, so I need to be on my best behavior when it comes to writing. Ultima VII is another one of those videos that I've wanted to do since I started my channel. I find this game endlessly fascinating. I'm glad I waited until now so I could have the benefit of talking about it in context of the entire series rather than just on its own.
For the foreseeable future, I think I'll be sticking with the "one-on, one-off" formula for videos when it comes to Ultima. So after Ultima VII I'll be doing YET ANOTHER video that I've been very excited about for a while: William Shatner's TekWar. Not just the insane video game, but the entire sordid franchise. I'm going to be looking at books, comics, film, television, and of course, the video game. This is me stepping outside of my wheelhouse in a big way, but I've been looking for something new and challenging for a while, and I can hardly wait to get started on this one. If you like some of my weirder "variety-pack" videos, and being shocked by games so weird that it seems like they probably shouldn't exist, then I think you'll get a kick out of this one.
Me and my cohorts recorded another episode of Sonic Boomers, so I'll try to have that out for you guys at some point this next week. I've also got the narration for a Patreon bonus video fully recorded, so at this point it's just a matter of collecting footage. No ETA on that yet, but it shouldn't be too long. It's sort of a wistful nostalgic video, so you may enjoy it if you're a masochist who actually enjoys reflecting on the passage of time and the unstoppable march through adulthood.
And there's the update folks. The next few months are looking very packed, which is just the way I like it. I hope life is treating you all well, and I thank you as always for your ongoing support. Cheers everyone!
Comments (22)
I was always curious about Dark Cloud growing up, but never really tried it being a bit of a snob about JRPGs in my younger years so that video definitely scratched a 25 year itch. I'm intrigued to see more on the TekWar franchise, I'm only familiar with the game (via Civvie 11) and one of the books which I tried to read, got bored, and "gifted" to my then girlfriend's jerkass bother 'cause fuck 'em. I've really been enjoying the Ultima retrospective, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts on how it all culminates when you get to that point. I wonder if you'll be covering Ultima Online as well? I always thought UO used elements of Ultima VIII's engine but according to Raph Koster the prototype for the game apparently was based on Ultima VI's engine of all things.
After being exposed to Tekwar (the game) at no point did I think "man, I sure could use more of this but without the William Shatner FMVs where he yells at me". You are a brave soul.
I love everything you said in this post.
This all sounds lovely. :)
well, the kids have to learn about tek war sooner or later
Hope you're having a fantastic valentine's day ❤️
A video for a buddy. On valentine day ?!? Now that's some bromance. Hope Jess doesn't take it to hard /s Thanks for the update Maj!
Thanks for the update big man. Take care and make sure to take enough rest.
Legit stoked that my wife is as stoked as I am to watch this. I'm watching as a Majuular fan, she's watching as a Dark Cloud superfan.
Keeping it secret to surprise a friend is so adorable. I love it.
Having known Tristan for a long time, it was super cool of you to make this video as a long form gesture to him. Hopefully he loved it! And hey who knows maybe they'll make another Dark Cloud fame in the future. Weirder things have happened.
I'm so stoked. Some of my favorite games that felt like they really experimented. I wouldn't be mad if they got fully remade today. Still unique as all hell. I look forward to binging this whole video later while playing Wurm, you son of a bitch. 💜
Man's a legend. Whilst it didn't seem one of your favourite franchises to cover, I loved the cover of both Dark's. Apparantly for a lot of people too. They were straight up childhood bangers. I remember sitting in Chapter 3's Starlight Temple for hours, playing the song on repeat in the background as I did other stuff in my room. Being fostered, music was a strong escape for me and Chronicle's soundtrack without fail takes me back to that place where I felt safe in all the chaos of life. I think that's what the Dark series is all about, finding the light in comfort to push the dark back to a mere shadow, always behind you and never in front. At least to me, pure 100% comfort food. Tribute to Comfy Video Games *cough*
The TekWar movies were a strange and delightful bit of television. Glad to hear I was not the only one who saw them.
One hell of a surprise for your buddy! Bet they were stoked. I think your "one on one off" schedule is basically perfect- Heavy, weighty, impactful script (Ultima) followed by goofy shit (fucking Dark Cloud) is perfect for viewing, and, hopefully, keeps you from too much burnout. Thanks as always dude!
That's exactly how I see it too, keep a nice balance for me and the viewers. Hope you enjoy the video!
Dark Cloud -> Ultima VII -> TekWar is a blunt rotation unhinged enough to kill a lesser man
I almost spit out my water
As the great Civvie 11 once said: ""In the times of great suffering that lay ahead of me in my life, when all hope has left me. When my body, my mind, and my senses fail. I will as an old and desecrated wretch, knowing only pain I once thought unknowable will look back upon my pitiful existence and say, 'AT LEAST I'M NOT PLAYING THE MATRIX LEVEL FROM FUCKING TEKWAR!'"" You are a brave man indeed sir, and I can't wait! Both for that and Ultima VII.
brother, Dark Cloud 2 was my favorite game growing up. I'm sure it hasnt aged perfectly but i am swinging my hat around in circles and letting out some yips and yahoos rn
A surprise for your friend as well as for us! Thx, big man.
You betcha, hope you enjoy =)