Hey patrons! Happy Thursday!
I'm back with some board game comedy! This is a sketch about what happens when a stranger asks me about board games.
If you like this format, let me know - cos then I will know to make more.
Actually yours,
Jon
2021-04-29 17:01:11 +0000 UTC View Post
Following on from numbers 10 to 6 in last month's newsletter, here are my Top 5 Games of 2020. I kept it to five because I didn't feel confident recommending ten games that I could be 100% sure of, given the restrictions on playing games in-person this last year. These are the five I am absolutely certain are worth recommendi...
2021-04-13 17:28:07 +0000 UTC View PostHey there patreo-peeps,
Something amazing has happened. We’re now allowed to spend time with other people outdoors, and as if by miracle, the sun came out and gave us a 23C (73F) day in an otherwise cold March.
I made the most of the opportunity and played some games outside with Ben (of VLOG fame). It felt like...
2021-03-31 16:17:36 +0000 UTC View Post
It’s been three years since I ran through my entire board game collection, so it’s time for an update! I pick out certain games and tell you why I’ve kept them.
And if you see a game on the shelves that you want to know more about, I’ve put links in the YouTube comments to the video I talked about it in.
N...
2021-03-22 18:14:59 +0000 UTC View PostHi-de-ho patroninos,
I’ve started dreaming about game nights. Literally. Or more like, I’m dreaming about other people having amazing game nights and I can’t get there because the door is locked or I’m stuck in traffic. I think my brain is trying to tell me something!
As we say farewell to February, I’ve...
2021-03-02 16:59:34 +0000 UTC View Post
I'm making my first individual review in over a year, because I really wanted to talk about this game. And I've animated it for good measure!
Cantaloop is a new series of games from Lookout that are inspired by point and click adventure video games like Grim Fandango and The Secret of Monkey Island.
And if you're ...
2021-02-28 18:43:06 +0000 UTC View PostHey there patronisers,
Sing it with me - “The third lockdown’s the bleakest” (tune: The First Cut is the Deepest).
What little novelty there was has long worn off, and the terrible British weather combined with the short days and the fact that there’s no end in sight has made everything feel quite miserabl...
2021-02-01 17:44:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Since we're back in lockdown here in the UK, I took the opportunity to get stuck into Board Game Arena - and I've made a Top 10 of games to play there.
Even if you're not into playing games online, these are 10 brilliant games, 8 of which I own, with some older gems that I've never had a chance to rave about in a video ...
2021-01-28 19:02:52 +0000 UTC View PostHappy New Year patrons!
Thank you for still being here! I’m very grateful to you for supporting the channel during this difficult year™. I’m lucky that I could keep making videos, but even more lucky that I had the support to do it.
We spent Christmas in London this year. We had planned for my Mum to visit b...
2021-01-05 14:45:17 +0000 UTC View Post
New video time!
These are five interesting games that I've played over 2020 that I really felt deserved a review, because they all feel special in their own way. So I put them all in one video!
BTW, I'll be releasing the newsletter a little later this month - but it is coming!
Actually yours,
Jon
Hello everyone!
I was back in the pink chair today to film my next video - a review of 5 standout games from 2020.
I've decided to release it after Christmas when everyone is a little less busy, and will have time to watch YouTube videos again.
More on 2020 in the next newsletter, but for now - Merry Chri...
Hello patronizers,
I hope this finds you with hope!
I’m sorry for the newsletter delay, the Christmas video took over my life this last month and a bit, and now I’m playing catch up. It also means I haven’t played many games which aren’t ...
2020-12-09 12:19:50 +0000 UTC View Post
Happy December everyone! It's time to return to an Actualol tradition, of dressing up as Timmy, Mum and Barry for my Christmas video.
These are my gift recommendations for this year.
I hope you enjoy it!
Actually yours,
Jon
2020-12-02 19:16:55 +0000 UTC View Post
I've been working hard on a Christmas video, with Timmy and family. I'm sorry for the delay - these ones always take a lot longer to make, but it will be finished this week. I can't wait to share it with you!
Jon
2020-12-01 09:41:44 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome witchy well-wishers,
The season of gaming is upon us. We must harvest this year’s crop of games, so that we have enough to last us through the winter.
Or, just play the ones we already have, that works too.
2020-10-29 14:38:01 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey there gamers, it wouldn't be an October without some fanfare around Essen, except this year we say "SPIEL.digital".
As with the last two years, I've whiled away hours researching all the upcoming games, and grabbed some early copies so that I can give some proper recommendations, having actually played them. 2020-10-21 17:26:07 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello team!
We’re entering big game season, and I’m already researching and trying out games for my usual “Essen” video.
I was delighted with the response to my latest Unbiased Review video. It’s the sort of video I couldn’t dre...
2020-09-30 16:11:43 +0000 UTC View Post
New video! New characters! See into my mind!
Here's my spiritual sequel to the Daniel Radcliffe video, in a series I'm imagining as "Jon is unhinged".
Thanks to Isaac, designer of Sadtown for going along with it.
Actually yours,
Jon
2020-09-24 15:42:18 +0000 UTC View Post‘Appy Anniversary Actualol ‘letter lovers,
We’ve had one whole year of Actualol Newsletters! Let’s celebrate by having another one!
It was Virtually Expo at the weekend, the online version of UK Games Expo. I tried to get involved, but I found it hard to adapt to the format. There were so many barrie...
2020-08-28 16:36:25 +0000 UTC View Post
In today's video, I take you on my first game night since lockdown started. And...
- Share my thoughts on Reiner Knizia's My City legacy game
- Celebrate a first for Actualol
- Play Unmatched: Robin Hood vs Bigfoot
- Chat about why it's even harder to game now than at the start of lockdown
- Give...
2020-08-21 14:27:23 +0000 UTC View PostHey there patron pals,
This newsletter is a little late because I was waiting to finish my Best Travel Games video. A video I’ve been trying to make for two years, since I started writing it on holiday in 2018. Funny that it took a year where holiday...
2020-08-05 15:48:01 +0000 UTC View Post
I love playing games on holiday, it's like playing them at home but with nicer weather. And over the years I've tried out all the small box games available (possible hyperbole), to curate the list for this video.
I will be sharing five other great travel games in the newsletter coming shortly.
I know this year isn...
2020-08-04 17:19:07 +0000 UTC View Post
I've been filming outdoors this week for the next video and it's very nearly finished but not quite! Until then, here's a GIF of goose that doesn't like board games.
2020-07-31 16:09:40 +0000 UTC View PostI'm currently typing from my yoga mat on the floor because on Saturday morning, whilst doing one of those HIIT workouts that are popular with the kids, I committed a little too heavily to a move and ended up on the floor in agony. I've injured my lower back. For most of Saturday I couldn't walk, now I can walk with a wobble, ...
2020-07-13 15:31:26 +0000 UTC View Post
Today I'm trying something new. Patrons and viewers have often suggested I make a more personal video that looks at my gaming life behind the camera. I've tried it a few times in the past but I was never happy with it. Here's my first public attempt at a "VLOG".
In this video, I tell the story of why I first started mak...
2020-07-09 17:00:36 +0000 UTC View Post
Today is Actualol's five year anniversary. Here's the compilation video I've made of all the lols we've had along the way.
I had no idea when I made that first video that I would make it this far. I nearly gave up many times. Thank you to all of you for sticking with the channel, watching the videos, and for being...
2020-07-02 18:25:25 +0000 UTC View PostGreetings gamers,
This week we celebrate five whole years of Actualol, which is quite unbelievable. It’s been funny watching back through the videos for the highlights reel - I never used to smile in the early videos! I’ll be sharing that video this week.
I’m delighted by the positive response to the D...
2020-06-30 17:19:57 +0000 UTC View PostHi patrons,
I've been informed by Patreon, that there may be changes to some of your pledges, as certain countries and US states have changed their laws regarding online sales tax.
Patreon have asked me to detail the benefits that patrons receive, so it can be determined whether they are taxable. Thankfully, the s...
2020-06-30 14:54:52 +0000 UTC View Post
In just over a week, Actualol will have been going for five years. I posted my first video on 2nd July 2015. The photo above is the first face that welcomed you to Actualol 😂
To celebrate the milestone, I am making a compilation video of best bits from the last five years. And so I'm here to ask you - which moments d...
2020-06-23 11:40:53 +0000 UTC View Post
I've made a video of board game recommendations for Daniel Radcliffe, the actor. Strictly speaking you're not supposed to watch it, since it's for him, but I'm making an exception for my patrons. Watch here.
I promise my next video will be for yo...
2020-06-19 14:05:48 +0000 UTC View Post
