An update that doesn't contain a ton of new information, but sometimes you just gotta drop an update!
Hey everyone,
I don't have a ton of new stuff to update you on, but I just wanted to touch base and let you know that I'm still chugging away on the next video. I initially thought Serpent Isle would be a fairly simple project, since I covered most of the engine nuances in the Ultima VII video. WOW I was wrong. It's looking like this is going to be my longest video ever, and that's after some pretty extensive script editing. It's turned out to be a true emotional rollercoaster.
That said, I'm well into the video editing stage at this point. If you enjoy the historical bookends of these videos, I think you're really going to like this one. All in all there's about 45-50 minutes discussing history and context, which is always the most challenging part to edit. Suffice to say the involvement of a certain evil corporation has made things more complicated and more interesting in the story of Origin Systems. As we move through the 90s, more of the company history is preserved in documents, photographs & videos, which doesn't necessarily make writing & editing faster (especially considering the volume of research to comb through), but it makes the work more straightforward and the final product more fascinating IMO.
While this has been going on, the Majuular clan has been house hunting. It's tough out there but the basement exodus is happening one way or another, hopefully before winter. These days I feel like I'm spending just as much time driving around looking at places and talking to agents, brokers, and advisors as I am working. But I've been trying to make up for lost time editing in the evenings too. I know most of you understand that life happens, but I try to avoid taking this long between videos unless I have to for several reasons. YouTube being the way it is these days, I really appreciate having you guys here to help the channel. Frankly I would be completely screwed without the support. That or I'd just have to start compromising on my videos to get them out faster, which is also something I like to avoid when I can help it. You can't always live and die by your principles when your hustle is making youtube videos about video games. But the more you CAN, the better the videos are... I think anyway.
After sitting on the idea for a while, I've decided I'll probably shelve the idea of a System Shock video for the foreseeable future. I was already concerned that the games had been covered to death, and shortly after my post talking about it, SS2 remastered was released which led to a new wave of System Shock video essays. I got a good variety of feedback on the idea in the last update post, which gave me some perspective as well. It's definitely a concept worth revisiting, but I like to dig into things that haven't been sufficiently dug-into already... or at the very least armed with something unique to offer the subject. I know some people really liked the idea, but I hope you get where I'm coming from with the sober second thought. The good news is there's no shortage of people talking about System Shock on YouTube and there's probably some that are even cooler and more handsome than me. But probably not though... yeah definitely not I would say.
On the docket we've got Two Worlds (undecided whether I'm doing both in one video or splitting them... a megavideo might be a bit ambitious, but we'll see), then Ultima VIII which should be a fun one even if you don't particularly care about Ultima, and finally we're going back to Golden Sun. Remember Golden Sun? I remember Golden Sun. It's time to finish what I started with Golden Sun. Also have some short bonus videos written/recorded but not edited yet. Sometimes it's kind of cathartic to do those, but much like the history of power rangers, Patreon content has no set schedule. For those of you who enjoy the game music podcast, I'll in all likelihood be MUCH closer to my cohosts (and with a room that I can actually record in), so it'll be considerably easier to just casually have a conversation with them on air. But like I said, all of that stuff is secondary to the main channel videos, which are presumably the reason that you're here.
I won't venture a guess as to when any of the videos will be out, but I wanted to give you an idea of the channel's immediate future. Of course as I start chipping away at those projects I'll keep you all apprised of the details.
Anyway, just wanted to give an update to end the radio silence. Thank you again sincerely. Especially in light of what's going on with YouTube views and age restrictions these days, the baseline security of Patreon is a boon which I am very grateful to have. I hope you've all had a great summer, and I'm looking forward to sharing the next video with you! It's a doozy!
Comments (36)
I'll be fully honest dude - I'm okay with waiting as much as necessary for your videos. Do them entirely at your own pace - I've just finished watching the Serpent Isle vid last night and it was another easy home run. So from my POV when you do stuff at your own pace magic happens. Btw, I adore the Majulaar Extended Universe™ with Darkseed showing up all the time. All that I need from life is the "Do you have the flask of Tefnut?" dude also being a recurring character, mostly because he lives in my rent head free ever since the 3DO video. Interestingly enough, even though I'm old enough to have been able to play Ultima's from around the early 90s it was never a series that interested me. I remember being thrown off by the graphics of the mainline series - something about the view just wasn't appealing to my young brain [plus I was playing on the Amiga until like '94, and Ultima wasn't that big on that platform from my memory]. I still adore your Ultima series videos as it teaches me about a part of the videogame history that I was not participating in, but I have vague memories of articles and walkthroughs in my favourite magazines. So it's a very neat experience for me Plus, as someone who's working in the gamedev industry for years now I also _really_ appreciate you going into more nuance when discussing business matters around EA and Origin, and the issues with the projects. While the default position on the internet seems to be to always go after the big publishers guns blazing, you managed to not only pinpoint exactly the dirty work that EA did, you also weaved in the cold realities of the business, of mismanaged projects from the developer's side, and show that the truth isn't always so black and white with the blame being squarely on one side of the equation - my sincere thanks for that! On a private note I _just_ finished my own apartment hunt, took me and my fiancee 1.5 years to find a proper place so I fully sympathize with how much it sucks. I'll keep my fingers crossed you can also find a nice place for yourselves
Great to get the update Majuular, take your time good videos are worth waiting for. I'm very keen on seeing you return to the Golden Sun series because it's a personal favourite of mine. Have a good one. Do you have any plans to ever look at the Xenosaga games?
Hey Maj! Would you ever consider doing a behind the scenes on how you plan out and organize your videos? Besides writing the script out, I can't imagine the process of organizing all of that captured video. I'd imagine your process has improved as you do each one, I think some of us would be interested to hear about it
Yes I would definitely consider doing that!
Hello good sir, I always thought you got your videos out so quickly given their quality and length, please don’t sweat taking your time! Quick question if I may, was wondering if you’d ever end up doing a Rebirth review? Just listened to your remake one and enjoyed it. Thanks!
Thank you! I might do a similarly lazy review of Rebirth someday, but I'd have to replay it. It's been too long but I did have quite a few thoughts on it when I played.
Please take all the time you need; the quality of your work is worth it. I enjoy your work so much that I eagerly check your feeds and refresh just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I've also been house hunting before and know how time consuming that whole process is! When you find the right place, you'll know. Good luck!
Just finished moving myself. Moving sucks, good luck Maj!!
Also, not sure if this is a great spot for it, but have you considered looking into Westwood Studios library of games? The company seems like it has an interesting history, they made great games, and it doesn't seem like they have a lot of coverage (at least in-depth coverage like you provide). Bonus - a lot of the music is dynamite. Probably not your exact cup of tea, but it might be something to consider.
Wishing you the best on the house hunt and the subsequent move, it's time consuming as hell but you gotta do what you gotta do. Take all the time you need!
Just my two cents but you'll get no complaints about long videos from me! Looking forward to it!
this has been the moment I've been fearing since the series began. The EA Chapter.
Excited you're going to be in a much better place when you get everything settled. Take as long as you need brother. Also thank you so much in advance for the golden sun video. I'll be waiting patiently.
As a greybeard who bought the floppy version of Ultima VIII at launch… I can’t wait to hear what you think about it.
I'm so pumped for all these videos. They're worth waiting for. Also, looking for a place is miserable and absolutely eats up so much time and mental energy >..< good luck!!
I do indeed understand that life goes on, but your stuff is worth waiting for. Love the ultima retrospective and really excited for Two worlds and Golden Sun. Keep up the good work.
I've been boycotting youtube, but I'm looking forward to seeing what you post here
I respect the principle!
Thanks for the update big man. I hope you’re taking care of yourself. Best wishes
Impressed so much is planned out! It sounds like a solid 6-8 month future schedule. At your own pace good sir
Congrats on the house hunting dude, living the dream! Genuinely so stoked you're acually doing a Two Worlds video (or two!) lol. Has me looking forward to something again.
my god... i haven't thought about history of power rangers in a long damn time. Also don't worry about how long this stuff takes, quality videos are more rewatchable.
The upswing of doing System Shock eventually is that I think you're in the lucky position of having already done the most comprehensive video on both UUs, and by consequence, whenever you do make such a video, you'll have a much more robust history and context going in than most. If you ever do do it, I'm sure it'll be great! Also, great to hear Golden Sun is back on the table, I was wondering where that was at! ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵐᵃⁿ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵒˡᵈ ᵛᶦᵈᵉᵒ ᵉˢˢᵃʸ ᵈᵒᵍʷʰᶦˢᵗˡᵉ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ ᶦˢ ᵒⁿ ᵖᵒᶦⁿᵗ
Hey Maj, thanks for the update. I unfortunately just had to turn my Patreon sub off as i'm between jobs at the moment. Hearing about your ambitions and life news makes me feel bad about that though. Your Patreon will be No.1 on my list of resubs when i'm back on my feet. Might even jump up a level to make up for lost time. Love your vids, but take your time.
Hey don't even worry about it! It's like a digital tip jar, there if you have the funds and got exemplary service but not an expectation in the least. Keep yourself fed and sheltered!
Historical bookend(s) hive rise!
Really hype for Golden Sun (and perhaps unexpectedly) Two Worlds. I didn't even know you were considering covering the latter, but it is such an irrational and unexpected choice that it feels like a perfect fit. Really curious what you have to say about them. And of course, as always, I know just how much and how hard life can hit. Take care of yourself, don't overwork, follow your passions, and best of luck finding a house that's both satisfying to live in and fits your budget/other criteria!
Good to hear man and congrats on getting to the house hunting phase of life! Having done it before, I don't envy you, especially in this trainwreck market but it's exciting to be moving up on that front too. I was looking forward to your perspective on System Shock, but your reasons for backburnering it make total sense. Ultima VIII and IX, boy those are going to be something else. I tend to mostly support creators who put stuff out on a reliable cadence but you are an exception because your stuff is always worth the wait and given the depth you go into, I'd definitely prefer you not rush it. Cheers!
I was just thinking to myself “Where’s the next Majuular video? I need to vicariously live through another Ultima game!” Don’t let me pressure you, though, I’m happy to wait as long as needed. I’m already extremely psyched about a deep dive into The Lost Age in the future, too!
You have this zohar's approval
Can't wait to see it, Brother. I hope you'll also consider FFXI for a future video. It is unique among all games in many ways. Many emotions evoked that are rarely duplicated. The fear of the open world. The near impossible leveling experience in its early years. It was not a game but a humbling and devastating grind. Played for pride and not for fun! Lots to discuss with it!
MMOs are always a tough one to approach, but I have no doubt it would be a very interesting deep dive. Channel friend Andrew Bluett is crazy enough to attempt it, I think he's been working on an FFXI video for many months now. He's a really insightful guy so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled for his video on it.
Good luck with house hunting! Can't wait to hear some more wild video game history, I do love those parts
Love the Ultima retrospectives, but understand that you probably need a break in between them. When you finish off Ultima IX and Ultima Online you should do an April Fools video on Ultima X and AI generate the images. Replaying Ultima V right now now now on the Apple II the way Richard intended it to be played!
Don't sweat the schedule! House hunting is such an ordeal that it's impressive you're finding time to edit at all. Hope you land a good one 🙏🏻 Hyped for all the upcoming vids and especially for another music podcast!! I loved the first one
Love your videos Majuular, can't wait for Two Worlds!