I can remember the 1up Show, and how interesting and solid each discussion featured on the show was. After watching this week's Area 5 show, I'm afraid to say that Area 5 is sorely lacking.
In contrast to the 1up Show, when Ryan, Jason, Cesar, Jay, and Matt were filming some of the most articulate writers the video game industry has seen, the show was highly entertaining. The idea of inviting other video game writers is a plus, but on this week's show, I could barely understand what Cesar was trying to convey during the Call of Juarez discussion . When he was trying to say how he felt about Call of Juarez as a whole, he kept rephrasing what he said a few seconds ago.
Cesar alone is not to blame. Let's be honest, there's a reason the Area 5 guys aren't invited to podcasts. They are spectacular video producers, and I commend them for that, but they are not the most articulate game critics. They certainly do a great job explaining their personal experiences, but can barely make a solid critique about a game, which is why they made such an appropriate fit making the 1up Show with the verbally articulate 1up guys.
I can understand how stressful it can be improvising these discussions (whether they are or are not), but as an honest consumer, I felt like no one on the Call of Juarez discussion clearly indicated whether it was something I should look into or not. Maybe I'm harping too much on the Call of Juarez discussion alone, but relative to Area 5's quality work in the past, this simply didn't seem to fit.
No offense Area 5 guys, just some constructive criticism.
Comments (16)
I miss Mark, Luke, Shane, Nick, Jennifer and the Gang too, but their are healthier ways to cope than criticizing...
Nothing wrong with constructive criticism (and you make plenty of valid points to back up your opinion). We just want to stimulate intelligent and interesting discussion and don't find unjustified personal attacks appropriate. Hope you can understand why and continue to post constructive articles on Bitmob!
Let's be honest, there's a reason the Area 5 guys aren't invited to podcasts
Did you check this week's Mobcast? Matt Chandronait (from Area 5) did a great job... the same greatness that him and the Co-op crew achieve on their show. Hell, some of Area 5's current crew were once those "verbally articulate 1up guys". I don't think when they lost the "1up" name, they lost the ability to be speak clearly, too.
Besides, your post was hypocritical.
To Greg: I understand that what I said was in some cases, a direct attack -- I didn't consider it by the time I wrote this. I'm sorry about that.
To Michael Burrridge: How in the world did you get that name, and in what way am I hypocritical?
To Derek Lavign: Maybe my expectations for the show must be irrational, all I can say is that I must truly miss the 1up Show days.
How in the world did you get that name
Well, you see, my father (whose last name is Burridge) married my mother. Then, they proceeded with having a child (me). Of course, since both my mom's and dad's last names were now Burridge, they thought it'd make sense if mine was, too! Weird, huh?
Anymore ridiculous questions regarding me, or my family?
The 1UP Show was phenomenal, no doubt. But CO-OP is every bit as good, just with a slightly different vibe. 1UP Show captured more of a "we're hanging out at work and talking about video games" vibe, and it was great. But CO-OP isn't quite aiming for that angle anymore, in my opinion. The Area5 guys seem (to me, at least) to be trying to go for a "good friends talking about good games" vibe, and, while still very similar to the 1UP Show, since most of the people who worked at 1UP were pretty good friends, it means to me that CO-OP SHOULD be a bit more relaxed with respect to language and communication. I'll take what CO-OP is any day over a show featuring a few guys sitting in a room, reading from a script.
