I have not been able to put any of this into words.. I don't progress in games the way competitive players do. For that reason I don't play online fps games anymore or fight for first place, etc. The money side of the industry has caused me to boycott a LOT of "good games". And the community within most online games just sucks. I still make my way in to having fun on my terms, with my online friend group. And I've come to terms with my gaming addiction that it can continue to be a part of my life. With offline games like goat simulator, co-op, I can still enjoy single player. But competitive games and the competition have existed since their early days and I accept that as a part of it all. Arcades still exist, and I can still drop a few quarters (ok dollars) into Street Fighter, Time Crisis 2, air hockey and pinball. Warframe is still around. I was looking up Incarnon stuff for a Skana so I searched for your channel because your content was not showing up. I took a long break from gaming. 😅 The piece turned out great.
Thank you so much for the comment. It’s been incredibly insightful to hear from people about how they work “around” the industry of gaming to still find enjoyment in the art of it. Appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Warframe fan here to say that I was so impressed with your Titania guide, I thought I would see what else you have to offer. Sad to see your stepping away from WF content, but I wish you luck in your new endeavors. You have to be happy in this life. BTW, I found your video to be very humorous, very informative and enjoyed it very much. I will be watching the others and take my like and sub. Good luck!
I'm happy to hear that PanTango, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Now that I've publicly stated that I'm not creating game-focused content, I feel a freedom to put all of my creativity and humor and whatever else I have to offer into art-related videos. This won't interest everyone (I've already seen hundreds of people unsubscribe), but I've always believed that honesty attracts the best kind of people, rather than the MOST people. So thank you, and I look forward to seeing you around the comments!
Im glad you recognized what you were feeling and needed to do. I'm absolutely gonna stay here for the art videos if you make them but I can't say I won't miss the build videos because of how informative yet humorous they were. I wish you nothing but happiness in whatever new endeavors you take on
I completely understand where you're coming from man, I'll certainly miss your Warframe content but it's completely understandable why you feel the way you do. Good luck with your future endeavours
hey man, I just wanted to say... if no one else will, that I personally feel you are one of the bravest people I know. To say this, to explain your own experiences in such a way... You said things we all know to be true, and said it in a way which, if nothing else, got me thinking about a fair amount... I hope that you keep making amazing content, even if it's not those strategie guides anymore. And, if you're project goes ahead, I hope I'm able to get myself a copy
Damn Tempest, that hit me in the feels. But thank you, I appreciate that immensely. I will share updates on the game project whenever something happens.
Not sure if I can make my thoughts clear on this, but your video somewhat "gave me permission" to stop video games too, as in "he is stopping, I should be stopping too". Thank you for that, it helped me.
Thank you for putting this video out ❤ It takes alot of courage to address this topic and share your personal situation especially to an audience that youve built up making gaming videos. I am your age and our gaming arc is eerily similiar being introduced to the atari very young and experiencing the amazing technology arc that is hard to fully appreciate as a younger person. I too made maps and remember sending a detailed multi page map through the mail to my uncle who was having problems completing the last level of super mario bros. Back then we couldnt just pull up a youtube video and unless you had an issue of nintendo power with the full map you had to figure it out on your own. I have struggled with the balance of gaming in my life and cycled from total abstain to total immersion but there is always something that brings me back. There is still some magic there when the stars align and you and your friends can enjoy unique shared experience in a virtual space. Good luck on your game! Would love to hear any updates on this project ❤
I found you through a Titania guide. It was the only other video I watched besides this one. That guide is amazing. Your art is amazing. This video is amazing. Congratulations for doing such incredible work and thank you for all of it, including the words of insight. They sure itched my thoughts. Also, good luck on your next project :)
you have no idea who iam nor i you, i found you by looking for a titania build and i genuinely loved your presentations the puns and jokes how you do your videos (no homo) you voice is soothin and not trying to overly hype ,bottom line is im kinda sad finally fouind a gamin youtuber id watch content from just for fun is quitting , but also im proud of you big dawg, and your gaming idea hope it's fruitful id love to play it and share your gaming world view
I can definitely relate to "pro" play killing games. I've been in a couple teams or whatever here and there but those people weren't having fun and I quit very very quickly. If it's not fun what's the point? Your artwork is as amazing as always. If you're not making gaming videos anymore, I'd love more art videos
Thanks bud, I appreciate that. More art videos are definitely coming. Regarding my competitive pro experience, I can't tell you how many young people, once they find out about my career, have asked for advice/help getting into competitive gaming. I tell them they need two things, exceptional skill in one particular game, and the willingness to never enjoy that game again. Because there are a finite number of slots available, and the people you need to beat out for a slot don't PLAY the game anymore, they PRACTICE the game, usually 12-20 hours a day. And if you're lucky enough to get a slot for competition, I hope you enjoy a level of pressure you've likely never felt before.
For me, games are a way of having fun, which is why rank-based competitive PVP games are my least-played games. I don’t want to get out of work at the hotel… Just to go home and work more by means of grinding out matches in a competitive game. Minecraft is where it’s at.
Sad to see you go, but I completely agree with your sentiment here. Thank you for your awesome warframe content, I can say I'll definitely keep watching, even without it.
No plans to remove any videos, even if/when they become grossly outdated. Apparently people enjoy watching the intros even when they don't need the builds. 😄
I gave Warframe another chance and sought your channel out because to me you made the best build videos. I've been having the same thoughts you shared here and it was the reason I recently quit Destiny 2. I was telling a friend last night "we're here grinding this [Warframe] event but I'm just wondering what actually happened to Evelyn Parker" as I am also playing Cyberpunk and the story's been great. So I realized I was giving up on something I actually wanted to do to gain "progress", exactly as you describe here. You helped me see it's time to really quit playing for progress and play exclusively for fun. Live service games are out. It's also timely to hear this commentary now against the backdrop what was arguably one of the best years for videogames ever, but one of the worst for the people who make them because of corporate greed.
This was very informative and relaxing..."Listening to a drawing" is how it felt...uve provided a perspective on todays video games that ive never heard anyone touch on...thank you, and i understand
Amazing drawing, hope to see something else from, cause I very much enjoy your videos mostly on just warframe. Yeah I think your right about games not being about having fun, mostly that's the reason I've stopped playing destiny. I played all of 1 and up until about a year ago destiny 2. Fun is a big factor for me and not spending money to get farther in a game. Anyway hope your well and your new idea works out for you.
It kinda sucks I have to make a conscious effort to avoid stepping on the progression treadmill. Luckily I still get to enjoy games. I’ve been making an effort to be mindful of why I’m playing what I’m playing, be it for entertainment, out of curiosity or relaxation. It’s helped me keep a healthy relationship with my hobby. It’s taken a long time to be able to watch from a distance and get there though. Because of that I’d like to give a general thanks to all indie developers that have kept pushing and developing the medium for people.
Good for you, bud. That's awesome. Recognizing the issues is a necessary part of addressing them for yourself. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to recognize, especially when there are so many voices (like mine, previously) who are just there to entertain those on the treadmill.
Dear Apocryphate, I really enjoyed your Warframe content, your intricate analysis and witty humor. I share your frustration, completely. I've sworn off online PVP games almost entirely over the past 5 years or so. I think it really sunk in how far the industry had fallen when I watched a friend group from an older game transition to League of Legends (supposedly because that was the lowest barrier to entry game that everyone could agree to play together). The truth though, is that I watch these friends, now creatures of habit and addiction, pressing the dopamine button 10 times for every 1 hit of joy. I refuse to spend hours in a Skinner box for 5 minutes of 'fun', full stop (that includes 8 hour grinds for a new frame, DE). I refuse to be manipulated by non-transparent matchmaking systems, designed to induce payment to level the field. I refuse to play games where it is possible for one player to have an advantage over another due to latency, hacks, or further payment. This leaves me with very, very few games, almost exclusively passion projects by single developers or small indie teams. And I seem to see fewer of those than I did 5-10 years ago. I look forward to seeing whatever it is you put your mind to, even if it isn't gaming related. Oh, for the record, that piece is gorgeous.
It doesn't make me happy to know someone has lost something that brought them joy, but it IS nice to know I'm not crazy and just seeing something no one else is seeing. I appreciate the kind words, Arren, and I plan on sharing updates on my project whenever there's something to share!
So weird that you posted this right while I was thinking about how not fun and more of a chore videogames are these days. I struggle to even stick to the ones I start playing because I'm always looking for an end goal and I can't seem to enjoy videogames the same way I used to.not to mention all of these big triple A companies and even smaller ones with money releasing less than half finished games they spent years advertising and build up excitement only for only to have them flop over and ove because of recycled ideas and gameplay with a few minor changes. As well as the neverending greed and locking all content that could very well be earnable (even if it is just cosmetic) behind like 30-40 dollar paywalls at an almost standard price point considering you have to buy in game currency for the bundle or item you want but you always have to buy more than you actually need. It's just a massive scam and it does suck. Videogame culture has become extremely predatory and that fear of missing out is a big factor. It definitely is time for some new formulas and ideas because recycled or reusable content really is a massive scam for the amount of money these people make off of their games. Not to mention battle passes and overpriced cosmetics with none earnable in game. This is longer than I wanted this post to be but it definitely sparked my brain listening to someone else say this other than me 🤣
Chatting with people in the comments is as much fun as making these videos, so don't feel bad about a lengthy post! It means I got you thinking, so it's a compliment, as well! I had a whole section written about pre-order and "beta access" culture, but "The Cynical Brit" (RIP) covered it perfectly and recently enough to still be relevant (LMK if you'd like a link to his video). Plus I really didn't want to go beyond the 15-ish minute mark on this video or no one would watch!
This was incredibly thought provoking, I don’t have nearly the amount of gaming experience as you do, but even within my lifetime I’ve seen just how drastically the gaming industry has shifted into this profit, profit, profit focus and fun being just a secondary thought.
I salute your courage to step up and expose publicly your thoughts and feelings about the contrast between video games and their industry. I loved video games since the very first time I managed to play some - which was quite late in my childhood as my parents were deeply against this activity they considered as dumb -, mostly for the same reasons as you, and probably most players: endless opportunities to "be" someone else, to escape my daily reality, to live adventures I didn't have in real life, to train my skills, observation and dexterity. This core commitment never left me ever since and games are still my favorite scapegoat from this shitty world we built and now have to cope with. But everything you said about the industry who took over our dreamt hobby to turn into profit is also sadly true. Grind (i.e. doing useless repetitive tasks over and over again for the sake of completion or fear of missing out) and RNG (i.e. voluntary frustration introduced to hook you up and keep playing) have become omnipresent, even in game genres you wouldn't have thought it was possible. Add to that disgusting financial models with loot boxes, season passes and dlcs made of content that was obviously cut on purpose from the core game to be sold later, and you get a pretty grim picture of our favorite alternative world. There's still fun to be had though; not ALL games - HOPEFULLY! - abide by the rules of capitalism. Some indie games are still dedicated to providing a fun gaming experience rather than a frustrating cash grab. And even some AAAs are still capable of delivering a good chunk of fun if you manage to get beyond the numerous spending traps they set (for instance, I loved Assassin's Creed Origins from start to finish, notably for the stunning Egyptian setting it offers). But it's true that it's become increasingly hard to navigate between all the bad, and the little good that's left inside. Any game has its fun moments, even Warframe, but your experience and rating of the game are defined by how much useless shit you have to cope with to get to them, and how close the whole process comes to your personal tolerance thresholds. As a result, finding a "good" game for you to delve into has become an exhausting task and I perfectly understand some people just give up. Nobody could blame you and I certainly won't. However, I sincerely hope you find a way to enjoy this unique kind of hobby once again at some point, and I wish you all the luck with your future projects. Your past videos have been greatly entertaining for me - not to mention I like your voice and calm tone 🙃 - so I hope to hear more of you in the future. Cheers man! There's light somewhere out here in the darkness. I do hope you find it to yourself.
For sure, the indie scene is full of people who never sold out, or did but have found a way back, or came up since and haven't been lured by the false promises of greed. Who knows, maybe if/when the "metaverse" takes off we can take back our couch pastime while the money chases new and shiny. I'll be doing the things I enjoy in the meantime, like drawing and sculpting, and creating videos around that so I can keep talking to friends like you. Thanks for listening.
@@Apocryphate No, thank *you* for voicing out what the silent majority thinks. You probably heard of Jim Stirling and his infamous Jimquisition format, where he criticizes and calls out the utter greed and overall sorry state of the gaming industry. If you don't know him, you may want to check his YT channel. Cheers man, looking forward for new art to watch. I'm sad we won't see more WF content but hey, the key is to do only what makes you happy. Your community will follow.
This is very relatable. I've been having the same thoughts lately. I quit Warframe a year ago after a four year stint with it when I found myself falling asleep from boredom during missions. Other games have let me down in the same regard, particularly mobile games. The way these games are structured it's hard to cut ties because of the time and money you've generally sunk into them. I also miss the in-person social aspect of games, but that could be a generational issue (I'm a couple of years and a day older than you). What I mean by that, is folks our age don't get together in person to play video games anymore due to family and distance issues. Online gaming isn't a good of an experience as in-person, but cooperatively speaking it at least provides an opportunity to connect in ways we never dreamed of as kids. For example, I really enjoyed playing through "A Way Out" with my friend who now lives overseas. Regardless, good luck and thank you for sharing.
I actually mentioned "A Way Out" in an earlier version of my script where I talked about how online COOPERATIVE multiplayer can be wonderful. I had to cut it for time. Playing games in-person with friends are, collectively, some of the most joyful times of my life. From Tecmo Bowl and Super Dodge Ball as a little kid, to Street Fighter II and Mario Kart as a young adult, to Twisted Metal and Quake sessions at my gaming magazine office. It really feels like what we call "video games" are mostly just "interactive entertainment" at this point, with very little actual GAME PLAYING.
@@Apocryphate Agreed! I especially miss playing PS1,2 & 3 games with my friends so much. It was such a good bonding experience. I once had a 36-hour gaming session with a friend over Thanksgiving weekend. My girlfriend at the time went to bed, got up for work the next day, came back home and just rolled her eyes at us. Haha. Sadly, now my consoles collect dust, and the games I mostly play are mobile card games on my train commute like Hearthstone and Snap. By the way, I dig your art style. I've been wanting to get back into art as well after a 20-year hiatus, and honestly I have no excuse why I haven't. I just need to pull away from the task-related video games and do other things, and your video is helping solidify that just knowing someone else is of the same mindset.
@@wildcard9076 Thanks bud! I find it incredibly rewarding to practice a skill that follows me through life. Grab whatever you've got handy and get to it!
you spoke about things i never really thought about, it really does suck how it has become, i get so burnt out on so many games atm. personally im loving playing older games especially dark souls
I think you need to have a grasp of basic human psychology to even follow this conversation. Any 14 year old with that is an exception. But that's why adults need to address these things in a realistic and responsible manner, right?
I can definitely see your point of view I can very clearly remember a lot of times in my childhood playing a game and just having fun being in the game not really doing much in particular and I grow sad at myself because at this point I know it's not possible for me to do stuff like that anymore because gaming's evolution has kind of corrupted my joy to associate time spent getting rewards as the main focus now
It's difficult, for sure. We associate things like completion and progression and replayability with "value." IMO this thought process is a bastardization of the way we used to think about RPGs, where the amount of time it took to complete the story could be a selling point. But it was a reflection of how much actual content was created, whereas now it tends to be a result of how many mindless activities have been created to keep players busy rather than entertained. And in a way, I suppose gamers bear part of the blame on that front. We wanted games that took up more of our time, and then supported games that just kept us busy and distracted, when we should have only supported the ones that created more ways to have fun.
your art is well past mine and your ideas and videos tell me your a very interesting person that can create videos and art that will entertain a vast audience. please continue what you do on here. theres a enormous group of people you still can connect to and entertain.!
Hello sir, that hit home. One can never say they know what you are going through, but it has stirred memories so similar and definitely has got me thinking why do I? I'm from the same generation just a few years older, Atari 2600 where it all started, now a PS5 for my kids. Although we play together on family days, recently just a day ago after listening and enjoying your amazing artistic talent, I thought long and hard about the direction my kids are heading. Fortunately, my son has "discovered" this amazing game D&D at his school during robotics class. (He is surprised I know about it) He is spending more time now with his friends without a console for hours on end. I've never heard so much laughter. Better than raging against other unseen players. Well anyway, I've always enjoyed your content on Warframe as it has been so creative and entertaining. I look forward to more content even if it isn't game guides. You have courage beyond measure sir and an inspiration to me. I too hope your project moves forward
🤣 @ your son with D&D! I know I’m not alone, but it feels great to hear from others. No BS, what my video does for you, your taking the time to comment does for me. Thank you!
I applaud and respect your decision to step away from games and the reasons behind it. The online 'pro' or 'meta' gaming culture that is in a lot of online games take the fun out of it when you are just trying to have fun. I miss the days when I'd have to bring my PS or Sega over to a friend's house and trying to see if it will work on their TV. Having someone next to you ,joking and having a good time or sharing in completing a level you've tried for so long is now a lost memory and it saddens me .
Ugh... those days, collectively, make up some of the happiest times in my life. I feel the need to do whatever I can to make something like that available for my kids, rather than them thinking video games are just disposable chore simulators.
First of, totally understand the apathy surrounding the direction major gaming companies take interactive entertainment products for profit... Personally I drift to smaller indie projects and have some games I play simply for enjoyment as well (Barotrauma, Ostriv, Darktide, Baldurs Gate, and more - no surprise all small studios) with no need to climb on any progression treadmill. Big gaming companies to tend to suck the life out of the industry and it is quite disheartening to see once flagship PC gaming brands (Blizzard i'm looking at you) turn into soul-less life sucking money-matters-focused engines. QTE's, Achievements, Dailies, Cosmetic Shops, and more are all hallmarks I dread every time a game touts these as 'features!'. Amazingly cool drawing by the way, the red accents on the leaves are great!
I agree that much of gaming has gone to "what makes the most short-term money?" as a philosophy. This tends to be mostly buying power, unfortunately. At the same time, I love either fully circumventing these efforts or at least doing a manageable investment if I feel that the game deserves some of my money and is free to play. Examples are Warframe only getting platinum from trading or Genshin Impact only buying the $6 for 30 days of rewards kind of things (which I mostly do through rewards points from my Playstation credit card so not really investment at all there). But I am very interested in more cooperative games and I hope that you share your progress on your Discord because I will be looking forward to seeing what you make. I know the depth of your guides and the humor included definitely shows that you have the potential to make something (else) amazing
I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. I still do a small amount of gaming which doesn't interfere with my real life, as well. But I happened to be in a position where (a) people had come to expect gaming content from me, and (b) I could use my voice to speak some truth and hopefully connect with others who are feeling similarly, even if they haven't realized it yet. I'm happy with my decision, even though it's already cost me hundreds of subscribers, with many more likely to follow. I will most definitely update those who remain (or new people who find me) on my game project. And I'll also keep creating content around the things that always bring me joy, drawing and sculpting, so I can also keep talking with friends like you, which also brings me joy. Thanks for listening.
@@Apocryphate Some people don't understand the trauma that comes from competitive play and the pressures that go along with it. I hope that without the pressure that you find your joy in more games again and I also appreciate that you are speaking out against such a toxic industry with how they have changed. With the goal being to annoy people to a fine edge of making them want to play, but wanting to spend money to get past the annoyance, it's not sustainable and every game reaches the line of pushing us too far faster because we have been through it before more and more times. I was sucked in to gaming to a point where it felt like I had to play before when I was doing progression raiding in WoW so I understand a lot of pressure to perform. We were a great group, but we had times of revolving door when trying to fill the last bit of our group and it was very discouraging at times. I also took an opportunity to quit when the next expansion came out and I have been careful not to get into something to that extent again. If your game turns out anything like I suspect, it will definitely have the risk of sucking me in that much, though
@@gothfalcon I didn't want to single out any specific games in the video, but there was one that pushed me to the point of finally making this video, even though it wasn't immensely different from many others. It's called "Undecember" and it's just glaringly obvious (to anyone, I think) that it is designed to purposely annoy players into buying QoL "upgrades" that should always be part of the basic gaming experience. The gameplay itself is quite fun, which is apparent from the start, and the annoyances gently creep in as you move through a fun experience into late/end game. Then you come against too little stash space for all the unnecessarily specialized items, the absurd layers of RNG (use item x to do y for a chance at item z, and collect 10 of z for a chance to upgrade something else), etc. If the endgame experience wasn't hidden behind (and after) 20-30 hours of fun, no one would play it for more than 20 minutes. But that's the design... dishonest, predatory, and highly successful because too many people just accept it as "the way it is now."
@@Apocryphate I definitely understand that. My preferred balance is where they have some things locked behind progression currency and some things locked behind cash currency and allow you to trade those for each other. Star Trek Online has done this for a long time and is totally free to play other than certain ships and such being behind the cash currency, but they have a daily limit for the progression currency and there are certain things locked behind that currency, too, so the trading is very active and it's supported in game. Warframe when you start using Warframe Market and AlecaFrame becomes similar, but it's not as well integrated into the actual game
Wow, man, that was eye-opening. I'm from the same generation, a bit older, and more of a TTRPG player rather than a computer game player (never a pro, though) but with similar qualms about TTRPGs (esp. D&D, though I haven't played it since 1993). I wish game designer knew a bit more about game theory and cooperative games; some of it wouldn't be too difficult to implement in multiplayer games, and would encourage cooperation rather than fucking other players over. Anyway, take care and enjoy your family time.
@@Apocryphate Well, D&D was created by a self-proclaimed "biological determinist" who believed that women are not cognitively equiped to play TTRPGs due to being ruled by their emotions (but they'd do fine in LARPing). So you can guess what kind of stereotypes he baked in fantasy "races"... There are plenty of stories like that, about other games---Vampire The Masquerade had a North African "evil" vampire clan whose member's skin would grow darker as they turn older and more evil, etc.
Oh man, I totally feel the same way about the daily login and other daily/weekly requirements that games these days impose on us. I have quit many games (Neverwinter, Elder Scrolls Online, Destiny 2) because I grew to absolutely resent and despise their unreasonable demands on my time. I can't even imagine what this deliberately addictive content must do to the minds of children.
I can't imagine it's doing anything healthy. "Games" are supposed to be available when YOU want to play. These things train kids to be available whenever THE PUBLISHERS want you to play.
@@Apocryphate That's one of the reasons I loved Outriders. Besides the fact that the gameplay was insanely fun, there are no timed obligations. You could shut it down for a week, or a month, or a year, and miss nothing.
That art is absolutely beautiful, but... It's weird. I don't really get where you're coming from. I'm 20 now, and was into gaming when progress was the point. The first thing I remember seeing someone play is Runescape. I'm learning to put my fun first, and having fun while playing games about progress nowadays, but progress was the only thing I saw in video games for a while, even for things like Minecraft - I'd genuinely work my younger self to death trying to make good maps for the game because I had that creative spark, but I ended up just burning it out and I've been trying to gather the embers since, with very little success. I can completely see why you've stopped playing games regardless, and I'm interested to see how your project pans out - It seems something that would've initially come off as gaudy and pretentious, but the way you put it made it feel different than that, if a bit outwardly targeted against people.
Thanks bud! Shame you missed out on the pre-internet gaming days. If you can get past the graphics (which might be easy for a former Minecrafter), grab an original PlayStation and enjoy literally hundreds of amazing games that are just available whenever YOU want to play, and don't demand you be available when the GAME wants you. I'll be sure to give updates on the game project as things progress.
@@Apocryphate Actually, I kinda had a similar experience with the 3DS and the Wii. Played a lot of LoZ games, absolutely love them to pieces, and played things like Spectrobes on the 3DS and Wii, along with a plethora of indie game demo's, same with the XBox 360 I had when I was younger. Man that stuff was fun. And I've had plenty of other experiences that aren't just progression grings - Dark Souls, Bloodborne, MGSV, and many others I can't recall. I completely understand your gripes, regardless - If nothing else I think games should put things like artistic direction over graphical fidelity and pure money-making. It just feels scummy.
Your art style is just beautiful. Truth be told: your build videos will be missed. If someone asks me for an example of a well made warframe video, I'll always link them your hardcore endgame rhino guide. Your opinion is very relatable. I myself always kept telling my fellow warframers that games are supposed to be fun, not feel like just another job. Luckily for me, I still enjoy playing it and I found a select few who also do so. I never was (and never will be) a 'meta slave' and the toxic atmosphere made me quit on most things PvP related. I used to play lots of PvP shooters earlier in my life, but it just stopped being fun. Outside of warframe, my gaming library consists mostly of small indie games, so I'm looking forward to seeing you succeed with your game project. May you be successful in your endeavour. Edit: bees will still not sting me.
Thanks so much! Truth be told, I miss making WF vids and even playing the game, but I've learned to accept personal sacrifices when it serves something I consider a larger purpose. And yeah, small indie games... that's where the "good people" involved with gaming have been relegated to. That's the shame I feel, that I talk about in the video, having contributed to that relegation.
I'm a machine learning engineer at a massive company and deal with optimizing and automating production. I am literally ensuring people being paid pennies in asia are squeezed and exploited more. But hey, if you are able to purchase the product, I have done my job.
And I'm essentially doing the same thing, as any success I enjoy means more success for TH-cam/Google, and we don't even need to get started on what they're up to. It's almost like capitalism is set up so that the only way for little people to enjoy success is if they're contributing to a big person's success, and/or at the expense of other little people.
@@Apocryphate i used to not care at all. But dealing with automation means i have to sift through terrabytes of data with one person doing the same action over and over again throughout the dataset and this makes things sort of personal. The environment in our factory is good, but it has left me wondering who the "little people are." We are a democracy and i suppose it is human nature to care about issues close at hand. But people killing themselves making my iphone in my screw assembly lines is problematic. It is understandable that you and I are neither willing nor responsible for people living in another continent, but then who is? I certainly believe that capitalism has allowed us to enjoy the benefits of exploiting other nations and it would be cruel to ask people to give up their comforts. There is no way out. We will exploit the middle East, Asia and then Africa and we shall reap the benefits because as a democracy, it seems to imply that we all have blood on our hands and our batteries and our cobalt.
@@Apocryphate it would also be amiss to dismiss all capitalism as degenerative. It is the exploitation which doubles as investments. Our comforts pay the poor nations and their infrastructure. Economic slavery and neocolonialism are buzzwords and don't belong in discussions because it is blind to the benefits.
If you can't find a developer willing to take on your project. Well. I'm told getting into development has never been easier. If you're looking for a struggling 3D artist or a wannabe designer hit me up.
Sounds like you might be playing the wrong games. I mean there's heaps of indy stuff out there where the devs have small teams that are passionate about their games. Deep Rock Galactic for one. I play a lot of Aliens: Fireteam Elite which also seems to have a small dedicated dev team. You do have to be careful with some of those Early Access titles though as updates take forever on some of them and some take years before they go full access if they even do. But for sure, AAA games are all about that kills for cash and loot boxes. And yeah, I need to take a break from WF too every now and then for those very reasons. Oh cool, a new frame is out. ...and the drop chance is .0000000000014% on rotation C. Good luck, Tenno! But hey, you can always spend plat and just buy it outright! Good luck with your game!
I've always sought open world survival, the freedom to kill or js live out my life is what draws me in. Games like Pve ark, minecraft and the forest are games I've always been able to enjoy, Online pvp is fun every now and then but the true future of gaming really relies on the open world freedom imo and as a storytelling device
It's funny, open world survival games tend to leave the player alone, let you do what you want, right? And that contrasts with a lot of what I'm complaining about with most modern games, they want all of your time and to tell you how to spend it.
Makes me think of hollow knight, passion project from an indie team based on a classic genre. I’d argue there are still a few games that meet the standard you miss. Or is that not the case?
I agree, there are gems periodically. I find them to be pretty rare though, and unfortunately they never garner the same widespread attention that big studios and their well fueled PR machines purchase from the press. So it’s then even more rare that these gems become financially successful enough to warrant more efforts in that direction. It’ll be interesting to see what effect Baldur’s Gate 3 has in that respect, after the hype dies down and the average John Q. Gamer has forgotten, once again, what we should be expecting from modern interactive storytelling.
Regarding my comments about hateful people being catered to, it's something I would have liked to flesh out more, but I was already at 15 minutes and didn't want to ask people to watch longer than that. What I'm referring to is the fact that hateful people are, by their nature, more interested in violence than caring people are. And games which feature violence and killing as the entire point of the experience are, by and large, games with the biggest budgets and highest expected profits. They have enormous profiles, huge licensing deals, and have marketing strategies that make them practically unavoidable. So no, not everyone who enjoys violence in games is a violent person, nor are they all hateful people. But games where violence is the entire point, where it's glorified with rewards and slo-mo replays, these games are developed because "people like it" but no regard for WHY. These games have intensely toxic communities, and I think it would be (maybe willfully) ignorant to say that there's no correlation. Either hateful people are drawn to these games in droves, the games are fostering a hateful mentality, or both. Regardless, they are most definitely related.
Is that you drawing?! Im dumb, asked the question at the middle of rhe video. You need to work on your art and get with a writer and develope the next best comic turned to movie adaptation.
I understand becoming disenchanted with the game genre which you've always loved (power fantasy), yet your argument focuses solely on the evolution of that one category, ignoring all other developments. Stardew Valley, for example remains one of the most widely adored games out there, has existed for a while, and has none of the flaws you just mentioned. Another thing I did not quite understand is the argument around misogyny, bigotry, racism? Are you implying that teenagers and young adults are horrible, hateful people, especially if poorly socialised? You're absolutely right. But a game isn't designed with those traits in mind... Just attempts to intersect with a large chunk of the world's population's interests. They seem related, but aren't
Stardew Valley is an exception which actually lends weight to my point. It was developed primarily by a single individual over the course of four years, with a small budget and expectations to match. The fact that it has sold 20M+ copies makes it an extreme outlier, which is what I refer to in the video. It also took 6+ years to sell that many copies, whereas CoD:MW2 made over $1B in just 10 days. Regarding my comments about hateful people being catered to, it's something I would have liked to flesh out more, but I was already at 15 minutes and didn't want to ask people to watch longer than that. What I'm referring to is the fact that hateful people are, by their nature, more interested in violence than caring people are. And games which feature violence and killing as the entire point of the experience are, by and large, games with the biggest budgets and highest expected profits. They have enormous profiles, huge licensing deals, and have marketing strategies that make them practically unavoidable. So no, not everyone who enjoys violence in games is a violent person, nor are they all hateful people. But games where violence is the entire point, where it's glorified with rewards and slo-mo replays, these games are developed because "people like it" but no regard for WHY. These games have intensely toxic communities, and I think it would be (maybe willfully) ignorant to say that there's no correlation. Either hateful people are drawn to these games in droves, the games are fostering a hateful mentality, or both. Regardless, they are most definitely related.
@@Apocryphate I would be leaning to argue that the fascination with more "violent genres" stems from a much more innocent place, which is the need to be a hero. To save something, to be the main "good guy". Then it maybe gets twisted in some forms, but it starts on a very childish note. However... Anything competitive is bound to have the worst people, as we're taught to behave about being sore losers in order to not face judgement and exclusion from our peers, and that's all that's holding most people back. There are no consequences online, in a "crowd" of millions of strangers all across the globe under aliases, therefore our darkest sides come out. In either case, I'm all for a more holistic game to come out, and will remain a sub, as much as I'm bummed about losing your video style in the context of a Warframe guide.
I have not been able to put any of this into words.. I don't progress in games the way competitive players do. For that reason I don't play online fps games anymore or fight for first place, etc. The money side of the industry has caused me to boycott a LOT of "good games". And the community within most online games just sucks.
I still make my way in to having fun on my terms, with my online friend group. And I've come to terms with my gaming addiction that it can continue to be a part of my life. With offline games like goat simulator, co-op, I can still enjoy single player.
But competitive games and the competition have existed since their early days and I accept that as a part of it all. Arcades still exist, and I can still drop a few quarters (ok dollars) into Street Fighter, Time Crisis 2, air hockey and pinball.
Warframe is still around. I was looking up Incarnon stuff for a Skana so I searched for your channel because your content was not showing up. I took a long break from gaming. 😅
The piece turned out great.
I appreciate you expressing what a lot of us see and don't. Time for me to hit that share button.
Thank you so much for the comment. It’s been incredibly insightful to hear from people about how they work “around” the industry of gaming to still find enjoyment in the art of it. Appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Warframe fan here to say that I was so impressed with your Titania guide, I thought I would see what else you have to offer. Sad to see your stepping away from WF content, but I wish you luck in your new endeavors. You have to be happy in this life. BTW, I found your video to be very humorous, very informative and enjoyed it very much. I will be watching the others and take my like and sub. Good luck!
I'm happy to hear that PanTango, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Now that I've publicly stated that I'm not creating game-focused content, I feel a freedom to put all of my creativity and humor and whatever else I have to offer into art-related videos. This won't interest everyone (I've already seen hundreds of people unsubscribe), but I've always believed that honesty attracts the best kind of people, rather than the MOST people. So thank you, and I look forward to seeing you around the comments!
Im glad you recognized what you were feeling and needed to do. I'm absolutely gonna stay here for the art videos if you make them but I can't say I won't miss the build videos because of how informative yet humorous they were. I wish you nothing but happiness in whatever new endeavors you take on
I completely understand where you're coming from man, I'll certainly miss your Warframe content but it's completely understandable why you feel the way you do.
Good luck with your future endeavours
I appreciate that bud, thank you.
hey man, I just wanted to say... if no one else will, that I personally feel you are one of the bravest people I know. To say this, to explain your own experiences in such a way...
You said things we all know to be true, and said it in a way which, if nothing else, got me thinking about a fair amount...
I hope that you keep making amazing content, even if it's not those strategie guides anymore. And, if you're project goes ahead, I hope I'm able to get myself a copy
Damn Tempest, that hit me in the feels. But thank you, I appreciate that immensely. I will share updates on the game project whenever something happens.
Hopefully maze games anime style comes out as multiplayer with no rewards for login just cooperative exploring where you cant do anything alone.
Not sure if I can make my thoughts clear on this, but your video somewhat "gave me permission" to stop video games too, as in "he is stopping, I should be stopping too". Thank you for that, it helped me.
I get it. Sometimes it’s hard to see an alternate path as viable until you see someone else on it. Thank you for the comment. ❤
Thank you for putting this video out ❤ It takes alot of courage to address this topic and share your personal situation especially to an audience that youve built up making gaming videos. I am your age and our gaming arc is eerily similiar being introduced to the atari very young and experiencing the amazing technology arc that is hard to fully appreciate as a younger person. I too made maps and remember sending a detailed multi page map through the mail to my uncle who was having problems completing the last level of super mario bros. Back then we couldnt just pull up a youtube video and unless you had an issue of nintendo power with the full map you had to figure it out on your own. I have struggled with the balance of gaming in my life and cycled from total abstain to total immersion but there is always something that brings me back. There is still some magic there when the stars align and you and your friends can enjoy unique shared experience in a virtual space. Good luck on your game! Would love to hear any updates on this project ❤
I found you through a Titania guide. It was the only other video I watched besides this one. That guide is amazing. Your art is amazing. This video is amazing. Congratulations for doing such incredible work and thank you for all of it, including the words of insight. They sure itched my thoughts.
Also, good luck on your next project :)
Awesome, thank you!
you have no idea who iam nor i you, i found you by looking for a titania build and i genuinely loved your presentations the puns and jokes how you do your videos (no homo) you voice is soothin and not trying to overly hype ,bottom line is im kinda sad finally fouind a gamin youtuber id watch content from just for fun is quitting , but also im proud of you big dawg, and your gaming idea hope it's fruitful id love to play it and share your gaming world view
I can definitely relate to "pro" play killing games. I've been in a couple teams or whatever here and there but those people weren't having fun and I quit very very quickly. If it's not fun what's the point? Your artwork is as amazing as always. If you're not making gaming videos anymore, I'd love more art videos
Thanks bud, I appreciate that. More art videos are definitely coming. Regarding my competitive pro experience, I can't tell you how many young people, once they find out about my career, have asked for advice/help getting into competitive gaming. I tell them they need two things, exceptional skill in one particular game, and the willingness to never enjoy that game again. Because there are a finite number of slots available, and the people you need to beat out for a slot don't PLAY the game anymore, they PRACTICE the game, usually 12-20 hours a day. And if you're lucky enough to get a slot for competition, I hope you enjoy a level of pressure you've likely never felt before.
@@Apocryphate I was told to stop going to highschool by one team back in the day. I just laughed.
Follow your passion mate, I'll stay subscribed.
For me, games are a way of having fun, which is why rank-based competitive PVP games are my least-played games. I don’t want to get out of work at the hotel… Just to go home and work more by means of grinding out matches in a competitive game. Minecraft is where it’s at.
Sad to see you go, but I completely agree with your sentiment here. Thank you for your awesome warframe content, I can say I'll definitely keep watching, even without it.
Hey man, do whatever you need to do to be your 'wellest' self, just please leave your WF build guides up; those were stellar.
No plans to remove any videos, even if/when they become grossly outdated. Apparently people enjoy watching the intros even when they don't need the builds. 😄
I feel you! Thanks for the Video!
Thanks for watching and listening!
I gave Warframe another chance and sought your channel out because to me you made the best build videos. I've been having the same thoughts you shared here and it was the reason I recently quit Destiny 2. I was telling a friend last night "we're here grinding this [Warframe] event but I'm just wondering what actually happened to Evelyn Parker" as I am also playing Cyberpunk and the story's been great. So I realized I was giving up on something I actually wanted to do to gain "progress", exactly as you describe here. You helped me see it's time to really quit playing for progress and play exclusively for fun. Live service games are out.
It's also timely to hear this commentary now against the backdrop what was arguably one of the best years for videogames ever, but one of the worst for the people who make them because of corporate greed.
This was very informative and relaxing..."Listening to a drawing" is how it felt...uve provided a perspective on todays video games that ive never heard anyone touch on...thank you, and i understand
Amazing drawing, hope to see something else from, cause I very much enjoy your videos mostly on just warframe. Yeah I think your right about games not being about having fun, mostly that's the reason I've stopped playing destiny. I played all of 1 and up until about a year ago destiny 2. Fun is a big factor for me and not spending money to get farther in a game. Anyway hope your well and your new idea works out for you.
danm, sorry to haer, i just found you randomly about a build and really enjoyed the cut and Narrating
It kinda sucks I have to make a conscious effort to avoid stepping on the progression treadmill. Luckily I still get to enjoy games. I’ve been making an effort to be mindful of why I’m playing what I’m playing, be it for entertainment, out of curiosity or relaxation. It’s helped me keep a healthy relationship with my hobby. It’s taken a long time to be able to watch from a distance and get there though. Because of that I’d like to give a general thanks to all indie developers that have kept pushing and developing the medium for people.
Good for you, bud. That's awesome. Recognizing the issues is a necessary part of addressing them for yourself. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to recognize, especially when there are so many voices (like mine, previously) who are just there to entertain those on the treadmill.
Dear Apocryphate,
I really enjoyed your Warframe content, your intricate analysis and witty humor. I share your frustration, completely. I've sworn off online PVP games almost entirely over the past 5 years or so.
I think it really sunk in how far the industry had fallen when I watched a friend group from an older game transition to League of Legends (supposedly because that was the lowest barrier to entry game that everyone could agree to play together). The truth though, is that I watch these friends, now creatures of habit and addiction, pressing the dopamine button 10 times for every 1 hit of joy.
I refuse to spend hours in a Skinner box for 5 minutes of 'fun', full stop (that includes 8 hour grinds for a new frame, DE).
I refuse to be manipulated by non-transparent matchmaking systems, designed to induce payment to level the field.
I refuse to play games where it is possible for one player to have an advantage over another due to latency, hacks, or further payment.
This leaves me with very, very few games, almost exclusively passion projects by single developers or small indie teams. And I seem to see fewer of those than I did 5-10 years ago.
I look forward to seeing whatever it is you put your mind to, even if it isn't gaming related. Oh, for the record, that piece is gorgeous.
It doesn't make me happy to know someone has lost something that brought them joy, but it IS nice to know I'm not crazy and just seeing something no one else is seeing. I appreciate the kind words, Arren, and I plan on sharing updates on my project whenever there's something to share!
So weird that you posted this right while I was thinking about how not fun and more of a chore videogames are these days. I struggle to even stick to the ones I start playing because I'm always looking for an end goal and I can't seem to enjoy videogames the same way I used to.not to mention all of these big triple A companies and even smaller ones with money releasing less than half finished games they spent years advertising and build up excitement only for only to have them flop over and ove because of recycled ideas and gameplay with a few minor changes. As well as the neverending greed and locking all content that could very well be earnable (even if it is just cosmetic) behind like 30-40 dollar paywalls at an almost standard price point considering you have to buy in game currency for the bundle or item you want but you always have to buy more than you actually need. It's just a massive scam and it does suck. Videogame culture has become extremely predatory and that fear of missing out is a big factor. It definitely is time for some new formulas and ideas because recycled or reusable content really is a massive scam for the amount of money these people make off of their games. Not to mention battle passes and overpriced cosmetics with none earnable in game. This is longer than I wanted this post to be but it definitely sparked my brain listening to someone else say this other than me 🤣
Chatting with people in the comments is as much fun as making these videos, so don't feel bad about a lengthy post! It means I got you thinking, so it's a compliment, as well! I had a whole section written about pre-order and "beta access" culture, but "The Cynical Brit" (RIP) covered it perfectly and recently enough to still be relevant (LMK if you'd like a link to his video). Plus I really didn't want to go beyond the 15-ish minute mark on this video or no one would watch!
This was incredibly thought provoking, I don’t have nearly the amount of gaming experience as you do, but even within my lifetime I’ve seen just how drastically the gaming industry has shifted into this profit, profit, profit focus and fun being just a secondary thought.
I salute your courage to step up and expose publicly your thoughts and feelings about the contrast between video games and their industry.
I loved video games since the very first time I managed to play some - which was quite late in my childhood as my parents were deeply against this activity they considered as dumb -, mostly for the same reasons as you, and probably most players: endless opportunities to "be" someone else, to escape my daily reality, to live adventures I didn't have in real life, to train my skills, observation and dexterity. This core commitment never left me ever since and games are still my favorite scapegoat from this shitty world we built and now have to cope with.
But everything you said about the industry who took over our dreamt hobby to turn into profit is also sadly true. Grind (i.e. doing useless repetitive tasks over and over again for the sake of completion or fear of missing out) and RNG (i.e. voluntary frustration introduced to hook you up and keep playing) have become omnipresent, even in game genres you wouldn't have thought it was possible. Add to that disgusting financial models with loot boxes, season passes and dlcs made of content that was obviously cut on purpose from the core game to be sold later, and you get a pretty grim picture of our favorite alternative world.
There's still fun to be had though; not ALL games - HOPEFULLY! - abide by the rules of capitalism. Some indie games are still dedicated to providing a fun gaming experience rather than a frustrating cash grab. And even some AAAs are still capable of delivering a good chunk of fun if you manage to get beyond the numerous spending traps they set (for instance, I loved Assassin's Creed Origins from start to finish, notably for the stunning Egyptian setting it offers). But it's true that it's become increasingly hard to navigate between all the bad, and the little good that's left inside. Any game has its fun moments, even Warframe, but your experience and rating of the game are defined by how much useless shit you have to cope with to get to them, and how close the whole process comes to your personal tolerance thresholds. As a result, finding a "good" game for you to delve into has become an exhausting task and I perfectly understand some people just give up. Nobody could blame you and I certainly won't.
However, I sincerely hope you find a way to enjoy this unique kind of hobby once again at some point, and I wish you all the luck with your future projects. Your past videos have been greatly entertaining for me - not to mention I like your voice and calm tone 🙃 - so I hope to hear more of you in the future.
Cheers man! There's light somewhere out here in the darkness. I do hope you find it to yourself.
For sure, the indie scene is full of people who never sold out, or did but have found a way back, or came up since and haven't been lured by the false promises of greed. Who knows, maybe if/when the "metaverse" takes off we can take back our couch pastime while the money chases new and shiny. I'll be doing the things I enjoy in the meantime, like drawing and sculpting, and creating videos around that so I can keep talking to friends like you. Thanks for listening.
@@Apocryphate No, thank *you* for voicing out what the silent majority thinks.
You probably heard of Jim Stirling and his infamous Jimquisition format, where he criticizes and calls out the utter greed and overall sorry state of the gaming industry. If you don't know him, you may want to check his YT channel.
Cheers man, looking forward for new art to watch. I'm sad we won't see more WF content but hey, the key is to do only what makes you happy. Your community will follow.
This is very relatable. I've been having the same thoughts lately. I quit Warframe a year ago after a four year stint with it when I found myself falling asleep from boredom during missions. Other games have let me down in the same regard, particularly mobile games. The way these games are structured it's hard to cut ties because of the time and money you've generally sunk into them. I also miss the in-person social aspect of games, but that could be a generational issue (I'm a couple of years and a day older than you). What I mean by that, is folks our age don't get together in person to play video games anymore due to family and distance issues. Online gaming isn't a good of an experience as in-person, but cooperatively speaking it at least provides an opportunity to connect in ways we never dreamed of as kids. For example, I really enjoyed playing through "A Way Out" with my friend who now lives overseas. Regardless, good luck and thank you for sharing.
I actually mentioned "A Way Out" in an earlier version of my script where I talked about how online COOPERATIVE multiplayer can be wonderful. I had to cut it for time. Playing games in-person with friends are, collectively, some of the most joyful times of my life. From Tecmo Bowl and Super Dodge Ball as a little kid, to Street Fighter II and Mario Kart as a young adult, to Twisted Metal and Quake sessions at my gaming magazine office. It really feels like what we call "video games" are mostly just "interactive entertainment" at this point, with very little actual GAME PLAYING.
@@Apocryphate Agreed! I especially miss playing PS1,2 & 3 games with my friends so much. It was such a good bonding experience. I once had a 36-hour gaming session with a friend over Thanksgiving weekend. My girlfriend at the time went to bed, got up for work the next day, came back home and just rolled her eyes at us. Haha. Sadly, now my consoles collect dust, and the games I mostly play are mobile card games on my train commute like Hearthstone and Snap. By the way, I dig your art style. I've been wanting to get back into art as well after a 20-year hiatus, and honestly I have no excuse why I haven't. I just need to pull away from the task-related video games and do other things, and your video is helping solidify that just knowing someone else is of the same mindset.
@@wildcard9076 Thanks bud! I find it incredibly rewarding to practice a skill that follows me through life. Grab whatever you've got handy and get to it!
you spoke about things i never really thought about, it really does suck how it has become, i get so burnt out on so many games atm. personally im loving playing older games especially dark souls
I've been thinking about breaking out my original PlayStation, tbh. Plenty of fun games I'd love to revisit or never got around to the first time.
❤❤❤❤
Yeah i agree with you 100%. Now try to explain that to the 14 years old fortnite player who doesn't even know what rpg stands for.
I think you need to have a grasp of basic human psychology to even follow this conversation. Any 14 year old with that is an exception. But that's why adults need to address these things in a realistic and responsible manner, right?
I can definitely see your point of view I can very clearly remember a lot of times in my childhood playing a game and just having fun being in the game not really doing much in particular and I grow sad at myself because at this point I know it's not possible for me to do stuff like that anymore because gaming's evolution has kind of corrupted my joy to associate time spent getting rewards as the main focus now
It's difficult, for sure. We associate things like completion and progression and replayability with "value." IMO this thought process is a bastardization of the way we used to think about RPGs, where the amount of time it took to complete the story could be a selling point. But it was a reflection of how much actual content was created, whereas now it tends to be a result of how many mindless activities have been created to keep players busy rather than entertained. And in a way, I suppose gamers bear part of the blame on that front. We wanted games that took up more of our time, and then supported games that just kept us busy and distracted, when we should have only supported the ones that created more ways to have fun.
your art is well past mine and your ideas and videos tell me your a very interesting person that can create videos and art that will entertain a vast audience. please continue what you do on here. theres a enormous group of people you still can connect to and entertain.!
Hello sir, that hit home. One can never say they know what you are going through, but it has stirred memories so similar and definitely has got me thinking why do I? I'm from the same generation just a few years older, Atari 2600 where it all started, now a PS5 for my kids. Although we play together on family days, recently just a day ago after listening and enjoying your amazing artistic talent, I thought long and hard about the direction my kids are heading. Fortunately, my son has "discovered" this amazing game D&D at his school during robotics class. (He is surprised I know about it) He is spending more time now with his friends without a console for hours on end. I've never heard so much laughter. Better than raging against other unseen players. Well anyway, I've always enjoyed your content on Warframe as it has been so creative and entertaining. I look forward to more content even if it isn't game guides. You have courage beyond measure sir and an inspiration to me. I too hope your project moves forward
🤣 @ your son with D&D!
I know I’m not alone, but it feels great to hear from others. No BS, what my video does for you, your taking the time to comment does for me. Thank you!
I applaud and respect your decision to step away from games and the reasons behind it. The online 'pro' or 'meta' gaming culture that is in a lot of online games take the fun out of it when you are just trying to have fun. I miss the days when I'd have to bring my PS or Sega over to a friend's house and trying to see if it will work on their TV. Having someone next to you ,joking and having a good time or sharing in completing a level you've tried for so long is now a lost memory and it saddens me .
Ugh... those days, collectively, make up some of the happiest times in my life. I feel the need to do whatever I can to make something like that available for my kids, rather than them thinking video games are just disposable chore simulators.
S/N: the drawing was absolutely 🔥
First of, totally understand the apathy surrounding the direction major gaming companies take interactive entertainment products for profit... Personally I drift to smaller indie projects and have some games I play simply for enjoyment as well (Barotrauma, Ostriv, Darktide, Baldurs Gate, and more - no surprise all small studios) with no need to climb on any progression treadmill. Big gaming companies to tend to suck the life out of the industry and it is quite disheartening to see once flagship PC gaming brands (Blizzard i'm looking at you) turn into soul-less life sucking money-matters-focused engines. QTE's, Achievements, Dailies, Cosmetic Shops, and more are all hallmarks I dread every time a game touts these as 'features!'.
Amazingly cool drawing by the way, the red accents on the leaves are great!
I agree that much of gaming has gone to "what makes the most short-term money?" as a philosophy. This tends to be mostly buying power, unfortunately. At the same time, I love either fully circumventing these efforts or at least doing a manageable investment if I feel that the game deserves some of my money and is free to play. Examples are Warframe only getting platinum from trading or Genshin Impact only buying the $6 for 30 days of rewards kind of things (which I mostly do through rewards points from my Playstation credit card so not really investment at all there). But I am very interested in more cooperative games and I hope that you share your progress on your Discord because I will be looking forward to seeing what you make. I know the depth of your guides and the humor included definitely shows that you have the potential to make something (else) amazing
I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. I still do a small amount of gaming which doesn't interfere with my real life, as well. But I happened to be in a position where (a) people had come to expect gaming content from me, and (b) I could use my voice to speak some truth and hopefully connect with others who are feeling similarly, even if they haven't realized it yet. I'm happy with my decision, even though it's already cost me hundreds of subscribers, with many more likely to follow.
I will most definitely update those who remain (or new people who find me) on my game project. And I'll also keep creating content around the things that always bring me joy, drawing and sculpting, so I can also keep talking with friends like you, which also brings me joy. Thanks for listening.
@@Apocryphate Some people don't understand the trauma that comes from competitive play and the pressures that go along with it. I hope that without the pressure that you find your joy in more games again and I also appreciate that you are speaking out against such a toxic industry with how they have changed. With the goal being to annoy people to a fine edge of making them want to play, but wanting to spend money to get past the annoyance, it's not sustainable and every game reaches the line of pushing us too far faster because we have been through it before more and more times. I was sucked in to gaming to a point where it felt like I had to play before when I was doing progression raiding in WoW so I understand a lot of pressure to perform. We were a great group, but we had times of revolving door when trying to fill the last bit of our group and it was very discouraging at times. I also took an opportunity to quit when the next expansion came out and I have been careful not to get into something to that extent again. If your game turns out anything like I suspect, it will definitely have the risk of sucking me in that much, though
@@gothfalcon I didn't want to single out any specific games in the video, but there was one that pushed me to the point of finally making this video, even though it wasn't immensely different from many others. It's called "Undecember" and it's just glaringly obvious (to anyone, I think) that it is designed to purposely annoy players into buying QoL "upgrades" that should always be part of the basic gaming experience. The gameplay itself is quite fun, which is apparent from the start, and the annoyances gently creep in as you move through a fun experience into late/end game. Then you come against too little stash space for all the unnecessarily specialized items, the absurd layers of RNG (use item x to do y for a chance at item z, and collect 10 of z for a chance to upgrade something else), etc. If the endgame experience wasn't hidden behind (and after) 20-30 hours of fun, no one would play it for more than 20 minutes. But that's the design... dishonest, predatory, and highly successful because too many people just accept it as "the way it is now."
@@Apocryphate I definitely understand that. My preferred balance is where they have some things locked behind progression currency and some things locked behind cash currency and allow you to trade those for each other. Star Trek Online has done this for a long time and is totally free to play other than certain ships and such being behind the cash currency, but they have a daily limit for the progression currency and there are certain things locked behind that currency, too, so the trading is very active and it's supported in game. Warframe when you start using Warframe Market and AlecaFrame becomes similar, but it's not as well integrated into the actual game
Wow, man, that was eye-opening. I'm from the same generation, a bit older, and more of a TTRPG player rather than a computer game player (never a pro, though) but with similar qualms about TTRPGs (esp. D&D, though I haven't played it since 1993). I wish game designer knew a bit more about game theory and cooperative games; some of it wouldn't be too difficult to implement in multiplayer games, and would encourage cooperation rather than fucking other players over. Anyway, take care and enjoy your family time.
That's interesting. I never got into TTRPGs, so I'm a bit surprised to know that they're not immune to issues like this.
@@Apocryphate Well, D&D was created by a self-proclaimed "biological determinist" who believed that women are not cognitively equiped to play TTRPGs due to being ruled by their emotions (but they'd do fine in LARPing). So you can guess what kind of stereotypes he baked in fantasy "races"... There are plenty of stories like that, about other games---Vampire The Masquerade had a North African "evil" vampire clan whose member's skin would grow darker as they turn older and more evil, etc.
Oh man, I totally feel the same way about the daily login and other daily/weekly requirements that games these days impose on us. I have quit many games (Neverwinter, Elder Scrolls Online, Destiny 2) because I grew to absolutely resent and despise their unreasonable demands on my time. I can't even imagine what this deliberately addictive content must do to the minds of children.
I can't imagine it's doing anything healthy. "Games" are supposed to be available when YOU want to play. These things train kids to be available whenever THE PUBLISHERS want you to play.
@@Apocryphate That's one of the reasons I loved Outriders. Besides the fact that the gameplay was insanely fun, there are no timed obligations. You could shut it down for a week, or a month, or a year, and miss nothing.
That art is absolutely beautiful, but... It's weird. I don't really get where you're coming from. I'm 20 now, and was into gaming when progress was the point. The first thing I remember seeing someone play is Runescape. I'm learning to put my fun first, and having fun while playing games about progress nowadays, but progress was the only thing I saw in video games for a while, even for things like Minecraft - I'd genuinely work my younger self to death trying to make good maps for the game because I had that creative spark, but I ended up just burning it out and I've been trying to gather the embers since, with very little success. I can completely see why you've stopped playing games regardless, and I'm interested to see how your project pans out - It seems something that would've initially come off as gaudy and pretentious, but the way you put it made it feel different than that, if a bit outwardly targeted against people.
Thanks bud! Shame you missed out on the pre-internet gaming days. If you can get past the graphics (which might be easy for a former Minecrafter), grab an original PlayStation and enjoy literally hundreds of amazing games that are just available whenever YOU want to play, and don't demand you be available when the GAME wants you. I'll be sure to give updates on the game project as things progress.
@@Apocryphate Actually, I kinda had a similar experience with the 3DS and the Wii. Played a lot of LoZ games, absolutely love them to pieces, and played things like Spectrobes on the 3DS and Wii, along with a plethora of indie game demo's, same with the XBox 360 I had when I was younger. Man that stuff was fun. And I've had plenty of other experiences that aren't just progression grings - Dark Souls, Bloodborne, MGSV, and many others I can't recall. I completely understand your gripes, regardless - If nothing else I think games should put things like artistic direction over graphical fidelity and pure money-making. It just feels scummy.
@@frengain3827 That's awesome! Glad you found your own way to the joy that gaming can provide. There's nothing quite like it.
@@Apocryphate Genuinely, but I won't keep ya comin' back to this. Have a good rest of your day anywho.
Your art style is just beautiful.
Truth be told: your build videos will be missed. If someone asks me for an example of a well made warframe video, I'll always link them your hardcore endgame rhino guide.
Your opinion is very relatable. I myself always kept telling my fellow warframers that games are supposed to be fun, not feel like just another job. Luckily for me, I still enjoy playing it and I found a select few who also do so. I never was (and never will be) a 'meta slave' and the toxic atmosphere made me quit on most things PvP related. I used to play lots of PvP shooters earlier in my life, but it just stopped being fun. Outside of warframe, my gaming library consists mostly of small indie games, so I'm looking forward to seeing you succeed with your game project.
May you be successful in your endeavour.
Edit: bees will still not sting me.
Thanks so much! Truth be told, I miss making WF vids and even playing the game, but I've learned to accept personal sacrifices when it serves something I consider a larger purpose. And yeah, small indie games... that's where the "good people" involved with gaming have been relegated to. That's the shame I feel, that I talk about in the video, having contributed to that relegation.
What’s your idea for this new game you’re working on?
I'm a machine learning engineer at a massive company and deal with optimizing and automating production. I am literally ensuring people being paid pennies in asia are squeezed and exploited more. But hey, if you are able to purchase the product, I have done my job.
And I'm essentially doing the same thing, as any success I enjoy means more success for TH-cam/Google, and we don't even need to get started on what they're up to. It's almost like capitalism is set up so that the only way for little people to enjoy success is if they're contributing to a big person's success, and/or at the expense of other little people.
@@Apocryphate i used to not care at all. But dealing with automation means i have to sift through terrabytes of data with one person doing the same action over and over again throughout the dataset and this makes things sort of personal.
The environment in our factory is good, but it has left me wondering who the "little people are." We are a democracy and i suppose it is human nature to care about issues close at hand. But people killing themselves making my iphone in my screw assembly lines is problematic.
It is understandable that you and I are neither willing nor responsible for people living in another continent, but then who is? I certainly believe that capitalism has allowed us to enjoy the benefits of exploiting other nations and it would be cruel to ask people to give up their comforts. There is no way out. We will exploit the middle East, Asia and then Africa and we shall reap the benefits because as a democracy, it seems to imply that we all have blood on our hands and our batteries and our cobalt.
@@Apocryphate it would also be amiss to dismiss all capitalism as degenerative. It is the exploitation which doubles as investments. Our comforts pay the poor nations and their infrastructure. Economic slavery and neocolonialism are buzzwords and don't belong in discussions because it is blind to the benefits.
I will miss your warframe guides but if it's for the betterment of your personal life, please prioritize that and I wish you the best in this journey.
Thanks so much RV!
If you can't find a developer willing to take on your project. Well. I'm told getting into development has never been easier. If you're looking for a struggling 3D artist or a wannabe designer hit me up.
Ha! I appreciate that. Don't be shocked if I take you up on that generous offer!
Sounds like you might be playing the wrong games. I mean there's heaps of indy stuff out there where the devs have small teams that are passionate about their games. Deep Rock Galactic for one. I play a lot of Aliens: Fireteam Elite which also seems to have a small dedicated dev team. You do have to be careful with some of those Early Access titles though as updates take forever on some of them and some take years before they go full access if they even do.
But for sure, AAA games are all about that kills for cash and loot boxes. And yeah, I need to take a break from WF too every now and then for those very reasons. Oh cool, a new frame is out. ...and the drop chance is .0000000000014% on rotation C. Good luck, Tenno! But hey, you can always spend plat and just buy it outright!
Good luck with your game!
I've always sought open world survival, the freedom to kill or js live out my life is what draws me in. Games like Pve ark, minecraft and the forest are games I've always been able to enjoy, Online pvp is fun every now and then but the true future of gaming really relies on the open world freedom imo and as a storytelling device
It's funny, open world survival games tend to leave the player alone, let you do what you want, right? And that contrasts with a lot of what I'm complaining about with most modern games, they want all of your time and to tell you how to spend it.
Makes me think of hollow knight, passion project from an indie team based on a classic genre. I’d argue there are still a few games that meet the standard you miss. Or is that not the case?
I agree, there are gems periodically. I find them to be pretty rare though, and unfortunately they never garner the same widespread attention that big studios and their well fueled PR machines purchase from the press. So it’s then even more rare that these gems become financially successful enough to warrant more efforts in that direction. It’ll be interesting to see what effect Baldur’s Gate 3 has in that respect, after the hype dies down and the average John Q. Gamer has forgotten, once again, what we should be expecting from modern interactive storytelling.
I partly agree with what you are saying, but I find it hard to think about big games specifically tailored for misogynist, racist or bigot people
yeah that part was the weirdest turn ive seen
it's a strawman. there's areas in video games that still entertain toxic culture, yes, but that argument was in bad faith.
Regarding my comments about hateful people being catered to, it's something I would have liked to flesh out more, but I was already at 15 minutes and didn't want to ask people to watch longer than that. What I'm referring to is the fact that hateful people are, by their nature, more interested in violence than caring people are. And games which feature violence and killing as the entire point of the experience are, by and large, games with the biggest budgets and highest expected profits. They have enormous profiles, huge licensing deals, and have marketing strategies that make them practically unavoidable.
So no, not everyone who enjoys violence in games is a violent person, nor are they all hateful people. But games where violence is the entire point, where it's glorified with rewards and slo-mo replays, these games are developed because "people like it" but no regard for WHY. These games have intensely toxic communities, and I think it would be (maybe willfully) ignorant to say that there's no correlation. Either hateful people are drawn to these games in droves, the games are fostering a hateful mentality, or both. Regardless, they are most definitely related.
It wasn't a fully fleshed out idea, unfortunately. Please see my reply to the original comment. Thanks!
It wasn't a fully fleshed out idea, unfortunately. Please see my reply to the original comment. Thanks!
Is that you drawing?! Im dumb, asked the question at the middle of rhe video. You need to work on your art and get with a writer and develope the next best comic turned to movie adaptation.
Yes, it’s me drawing. I appreciate the kind words, thank you.
What a lame excuse.
I understand becoming disenchanted with the game genre which you've always loved (power fantasy), yet your argument focuses solely on the evolution of that one category, ignoring all other developments. Stardew Valley, for example remains one of the most widely adored games out there, has existed for a while, and has none of the flaws you just mentioned.
Another thing I did not quite understand is the argument around misogyny, bigotry, racism? Are you implying that teenagers and young adults are horrible, hateful people, especially if poorly socialised? You're absolutely right. But a game isn't designed with those traits in mind... Just attempts to intersect with a large chunk of the world's population's interests. They seem related, but aren't
Stardew Valley is an exception which actually lends weight to my point. It was developed primarily by a single individual over the course of four years, with a small budget and expectations to match. The fact that it has sold 20M+ copies makes it an extreme outlier, which is what I refer to in the video. It also took 6+ years to sell that many copies, whereas CoD:MW2 made over $1B in just 10 days.
Regarding my comments about hateful people being catered to, it's something I would have liked to flesh out more, but I was already at 15 minutes and didn't want to ask people to watch longer than that. What I'm referring to is the fact that hateful people are, by their nature, more interested in violence than caring people are. And games which feature violence and killing as the entire point of the experience are, by and large, games with the biggest budgets and highest expected profits. They have enormous profiles, huge licensing deals, and have marketing strategies that make them practically unavoidable.
So no, not everyone who enjoys violence in games is a violent person, nor are they all hateful people. But games where violence is the entire point, where it's glorified with rewards and slo-mo replays, these games are developed because "people like it" but no regard for WHY. These games have intensely toxic communities, and I think it would be (maybe willfully) ignorant to say that there's no correlation. Either hateful people are drawn to these games in droves, the games are fostering a hateful mentality, or both. Regardless, they are most definitely related.
@@Apocryphate I would be leaning to argue that the fascination with more "violent genres" stems from a much more innocent place, which is the need to be a hero. To save something, to be the main "good guy". Then it maybe gets twisted in some forms, but it starts on a very childish note.
However... Anything competitive is bound to have the worst people, as we're taught to behave about being sore losers in order to not face judgement and exclusion from our peers, and that's all that's holding most people back. There are no consequences online, in a "crowd" of millions of strangers all across the globe under aliases, therefore our darkest sides come out.
In either case, I'm all for a more holistic game to come out, and will remain a sub, as much as I'm bummed about losing your video style in the context of a Warframe guide.