Patron Update: Looking at 2024
Hey everybody, figured it'd be a good time for an update what with the new Patrons and all.
First of all, thanks for all the support. Akalabeth/Ultima I I wasn't the best performing video, so I didn't really know what to expect but UItima II has had some good viewership and really positive feedback! To be clear, I do not care about performance (within reason). I've never gamed the algorithm with clickbait, tiddy-laden thumbnails or HOT video topics and I never will. A lot of people tell me to not burn myself out, but as long as I don't turn YouTube into a pure numbers game, I'm at no imminent risk of that happening. Having a nice Patreon cushion certainly helps with that mindset, so thank you.
Anyway, just letting you know what's coming next. I'm actually jumping straight into Ultima III and that'll likely be the next video that comes out. Already started writing/researching, so expect the usual turnaround time if not a little sooner. I've been doing some beginner online editing courses since I really never established my fundamentals back when I started the channel. It's amazing how many simple, time-saving things I've been overlooking. I've always been more of a "let me figure it out on my own" type of guy, but there's definitely a point where I'm just working hard-but-not-smart, and I think that point has passed. The Ultima videos are the ones where I like to test what I've learned about editing a little bit more, so you can still expect the calculated lack of professionalism when I make a video on a goofier topic.
After Ultima III is finished, I'll take a break from the franchise to do a video on the Shadow Tower games before returning for Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (that's a big one). I've spent so much time playing Ultima that I'm looking forward to being impressed by rudimentary 3D graphics again.
My general, poorly thought out goal was to perhaps do ALL of the Ultima games by the end of this year, but I'm not sure that'd be possible even if I DIDN'T also review other games (which I'm going to). I mean, it might be possible, but not while maintaining the quality of the videos where I want it to be. So, it's gone from a long-term project to like... a REAL long-term project. For those of you who aren't really familiar with Ultima, I think it'll become more and more clear as to why this is considered such a formative series as we move through the games.
I haven't thought too far ahead of Shadow Tower/Ultima IV yet, but I know I want to cover more weird 90s point & click games, some Sega Saturn JRPGs, and whatever else comes up (including one of the suggestions made on my Discord, if one grabs me). Just wanted to keep everybody in the loop and let you know that, as always, I'm hard at work making content that I hope you enjoy.
Cheers everybody!
Comments (16)
Also Maj ditto re the Discord. I tried to use the link you posted above but I'm assuming that's a one-time thing (or it's expired)
Great seeing these Ultima videos - back in the 90s I had an old 386 and, thanks to being the son of a scientist, access to the internet before most people knew it was a thing - and I grew up on games like the Ultima series. Glad to see with Ultima III it's come around to games actually published within my lifetime (fuck I'm old). Saturn was a system I never really got to play much (mum rented it for me once right when it came out, and before most of the good games for it came out; I was unimpressed and got a Playstation.) Knowing the library better know I would love to see you do either Dragon Force or Panzer Dragoon Saga - or, alternatively, do a Saturn RPGs video like the one you did for the 3DO (which was the video that first brought me to your channel!)
Man, that's cool to hear. I did not grow up in a PC-centric household, so all of my experience with old computers has come via emulation over the years or education via these videos. Funny you should mention the Saturn - I've been gearing up to do a Saturn video in the style of the 3DO grab bag over the past few months. I just did a test run today and the footage looks great, so I'm looking forward to getting into that over the next couple of months. Here's a Discord link for you, hopefully Patreon gets their linking to work. https://discord.gg/N3j9YwBs
All father Majuular, Keep putting out the great content you’re releasing and I’m happy with what you’ve done and know that you’re the reason why I started using patreon because of the fantastic content you have already put out. Also wrap it up Maj
Hey boss, do you have a link to your Discord so I can join?
You bet https://discord.gg/Gs9k3P3w There should be a Patreon setting that automatically hooks up your Discord, but if it doesn't work just tag me once you're on the server so I can give you your role.
I think ultima 1 doing less good might just be a YouTube thing YouTube has not suggested to to me at all from your catalog even having watched it a couple times
Yeah, I think it's honestly a combination of things. Thumbnail being black & white is sort of against YouTube's conventional "get people to click on this wisdom!!". Plus the title implies half of the video is about Akalabeth, a game that even many Ultima players have never heard about. I don't lament it at all, it just kind of set a lower expectation (which I'm happy was exceeded).
Ultimasisters we are eating GOOD
Love your work man. Recently got my boyfriend to play Koudelka because of your video on it. :3
Hell yeah!
Love the latest vid man. You and Grim Beard have become insta-watches for me. Y’all are both excellent at giving insightful criticism, interesting research, and keeping the tone fun throughout.
Still hoping for Grandia at some point. Doesn't need to be this year or even next year, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially on the first game. With that said, Ultima is a deep and involved subject that I haven't seen a ton of coverage of in the past despite how important and influential the series is, so I'm hardly bothered by where you're headed (and Shadow Tower games are, for most intents and purposes, a proper continuation of a subject you already started and had a great video on).
Grandia and Wild Arms are at the top of my JRPG list!
i think i didn't know what alkabeth was so i would probably have been less likely to watch that first one (were it not that i just watch whatever videos you put out) than an ultima one
I found both Ultima videos to be amazing and super informative so I'm real glad the second one is performing better, here's hoping that trend continues as you go!