Cup of Jones - July 20, 2020

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Easy Allies

Hi Jones, I'm not sure if you'll take this comment as it's beyond the time when cup normally would have aired, but since it was delayed I'll throw this out there and see if you see it. If not, or if I'm too late, I can just post it on the next one. I was watching the most recent Cup of Jones when you detailed some vain things that bother you knowing that you have to be on camera. My jaw almost hit the floor when you mentioned sometimes having some issues with your skin, and having to use steroid treatments. Oh boy. You see, I have written and deleted a "thank you" type comment to various avenues of the Easy Allies probably 10 times over the last few years. I have severe atopic dermatitis (or chronic Eczema) sometimes this can be a minor embarrassing rash, or scratch mark, but can often lead to prolonged times of being in so much pain and discomfort that all I can do is lie on the floor not moving. Not even playing games helps when it's at it's worst. So what did I do with all of those, sometimes 12 hours long periods of agonizing inactivity? Yup. Watched a GT retrospective, or an EZA podcast, or group stream. Rewatch a betting special, or watching Ben play Suikoden. I honestly can't think you guys enough for creating the jolly uplifting content, often in the long form that I need so I don't have to find something else. The distraction is so well appreciated. I guess I was deleting those comments out of some sort of embarrasment, or not wanting to sound all "woe is me" so when Brand Manager himself brought it up, I felt silly for not just sending it all those times, and had to rectify it. No problem should ever be something that you can't talk about. Good man for highlighting it, and other issues you've spoken about. To end on a happy note, after around 10 years of suffering almost constantly with these issues, and almost giving up on plethora of treatments I had tried - around about last October I was prescribed an immunosuppressant that worked like nothing short of a miracle. I no longer have to worry about people seeing scratch marks or rashes on my arms, and legs, so I can wear shorts and t shirts all the time, I don't have to get paranoid about handing money over the counter and the person being grossed out at my super dry hands, and endless other problems I could mention have all just faded away. What won't fade away though, is my Patreon subscription to EZA. Thank you all so much. Ciaran.

Ciaran Lyttle

Greetings there jones, Long time listener, first time cup of Jones poster. I just wanted to say that this past week of the easy allies podcast was probably the best Jones hosted podcast yet! I feel like you are definitely settling into your groove as host. I do have a quick question, as I have tried to introduce friends who are looking for a new gaming personality or outlet to follow I always reccomend easy allies to them. While they have enjoyed the content I have shown them, one friend in particular has found it difficult because of all the personalities to keep each ally straight In their head. For example which of the allies are lifelong JRPG fans or who is a racing game fan. I have pointed them to the bios on the main website, but I was wondering if you have done a "meet the allies" style video or something similar? Is there any resource that you would point someone to who is looking to learn more about a particular allly? Hope this is another good week. Lakota1010 [pronounced: Lakota ten-ten]

Safety

Happy Gaming

Howdy Jones Last minute question but I just saw that Noclip lost their studio, which is a huge shame. Because of COVID, I'm sure a lot of finances are in jeopardy everywhere. Is EZA in any risk of losing the studio? Should we be concerned with the ongoing pandemic that it may be more financially feasible to go back to the garage or work from home? I know that the studio is a huge achievement, but I also imagine it's a lot of funds you're all unable to see the benefit of because you're not able to actually use the studio for all its purposes at the moment, or the foreseeable future. Is this something patrons should be concerned about? And is this continued expense something the crew at EZA sees as a loss or a future investment? Here's to a hopeful future studio return! Brian from Happy Gaming

Happy Gaming

The difficulty is that because it's live we really can only do so much to test in advance, and issues can still come up. For the Xbox showcase in particular, everything was running fine. Damiani had the Xbox feed up and clean even while we were watching Geoff's feed. It didn't start messing up until the show was properly starting, and he eventually was able to get it working before the first presentation was over. One thing Damiani's been doing is having us use Watch2gether to keep our feeds in sync, but that seems to have been the source of a lot of issues so I think next time around we'll probably try to just watch the source feed instead. -Bloodworth

Easy Allies

Hey Jones, Can’t believe july has already come and gone. Feels like just yesterday I made a similar post. Here is another friendly end of month reminder to make the community showcase post if you haven’t already. If these posts ever become annoying please let me know. Keep up the amazing work you and the rest of eza are doing, L&R Sean

Nextgenheff

Hey Jones, Just wanted to ask why you didn't criticize the Xbox conference for not having dates, if the games where running on console or other criticisms you had with PS5 where you arranged the topic into categories of release and also the Xbox conference topic felt all over the place and the PS5 talk was more organised? Thanks iboshow

Ibrahim Sozer

Jones, this will be a possibly strange [hopefully] constructive complaint with your podcast hosting. One thing I've noticed is that you don't seem engaged enough in the conversations happening. Your eyes are constantly going between what I would assume is two different screens, to the point where I genuinely can't tell which side you're looking at has the other podcast participants in it. I thought, "Am I crazy?" and when back to watch some quarantine-era Kyle podcasts and the issue didn't appear with him. He did look at whatever he was referencing whenever he brought up a new topic or looking something up, but when conversations were happening, he seemed more engaged. He seemed more interested in whatever the topic is at any given time. I think this is something you may try to work on, appearing more interested and engaged in the conversations happening, checking the reference screen only when absolutely necessary. I bring it up because I feel it's probably not something you will have noticed, and I don't know if many are consciously realizing it.

Josh Read

Heya Jones, Yeah, I really wish I could but I don't think now is the right time for that. But if a group of nuns was concerned about Easy Allies, would they refer to it as a flibberti gibbet, a will o' the wisp, or a clown?

Asbo Zappruder

Jones, you mentioning that flight sim might be your game of highest interest for August touched my heart! Since EZA probably didn't have time to see, I wanted to let you know that Asobo has been doing amazing work with weekly updates (many times just screenshots from the long alpha test they've been running, but still) about the progress, and the best of it is their "feature discovery" series on their youtube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHHNa7e7hf9MOgis5vFhf0tjl8QD92KSQ). My favorites are "the world" and "airports" but they're all great if you are curious as to how something like this is even possible. "the world" has more details as to the streaming content they're including and how that will work, which I'm really curious to see how users (including you all, if you play it) feel it plays out. To turn this into a question, have you had any level of interest or curiosity in flight simulators in the past, personally or professionally? Do you think now that MS is bringing this more mainstream (E3 reveal, gamepass inclusion) and how visually impressive it is is just going to grab attention of people like you outside of the sim community? I am curious how this will work on console whenever that version is released.

Bradley Spies

Hey Brandon, I hope you are having a lovely day. I just had a quick rule suggestion for Hall of Greats after watching the last episode. As a new rule all allies would have to stream the first two hours of the two games that get into Hall of Greats before the next Hall of Greats episode. (Either as different groups or separately) Thoughts? P.S: Yes, this is me trying to think of new ways to make even more allies Yakuza fans xD Love you all, Love & Respect

Hello Jones, I've noticed that, especially at the start, event streams have not gone technically well for EZA in the work-at-home environment. I know there's a lot of moving pieces, but the issue always seems to be the hosted video not loading, or stuttering, throwing the other allies out of synch. It grinds the experience to a halt, and this last time at the xbox event I had to bail to Maximillians livestream of the event. Do you think there's a fix to this? If I can be so bold as to throw some suggestions out there, maybe a technical dress rehesal before major events? Lowering the resolution of the live feed? Use another allies connection to host if it's an ISP issue? Not sure, but I would appreciate your insight if there's any fixes in the work. Regards, Kiraz

Kiraz

Hey Jones, Day 1 patron, first time asking a question. I'm in the demographic of people who mainly watch just the Podcast since I'm not into streams or reviews as much. I feel like because of this, I may be missing out on any EZA slice of life moments you may be sharing. Is there or could there be any plans to make an "EZA Unplugged" type podcast where you and a rotating cast set down the controllers and just talk about life? I'd love to hear about what food you love/hate, what hobbies you have outside of games or even what you'd all do in hypothetical situations. I've been watching your guys' content for years and I feel I only know surface level details like Ben like anime, Huber likes shotguns, ect,.

Chris K

Hello Brandon. How is Easy Allies morale level? If it's lower than you want what can we do to raise it?

Alexander Zyryanov

Hey Jones, hope all is well. My question this week is about the fast and loose esay updates we've been getting from Ian. Any chance we could get audio versions, as i have infinitely more time to listen to thing as oppose to watching them. Sorry if it's already been asked. Thanks have a good one

Gabriel Roy

Jones, I was just wondering does anyone go to the studio to clean every so often? Equipment tends to get dusty far too get quickly. Also I know you keep food there, but how often do you clean that stuff out?

strawhatninja

I just want to say as someone that has been around since before invisible walls and at the dawn of gametrailers (have to flex meaningless internet credientionals) I think you are doing great at the podcast. I am watching / listening more. I dont know why, because it could be for completely unrelated reasons. I accept It doesnt change how other people feel, but I do think it is usually the most passionate that dislike change on the internet. There is something to be said about familiariy. I just wanted to let you know that there are other opinions and it often the most 'aggrieved' that feel the need to speak up (not to take away from any criticism) . The most impressive is how open and honest you guys are about the process. It is not something owed, but you always try to accommodate.

zk

This is my first time commenting on Cup of Jones but I just wanted to say this. To be fair to you Jones one major reason for you appearing to some to be uncomfortable on the podcast when compared to Cup of Jones. could be because of the setup now with everyone taking part from their homes in zoom style call mean you have more people talking across each other or interrupting you more or chances of technical problems etc But when in a studio with everyone around you all know who is talking who has finished their point etc. Cup of Jones of course is just you so a comparison isn't really a fair thing. I personally thought losing Kyle from the Podcast would be a greater loss than it has been but for me it hasn't and that is credit to you. And by the way I loved Kyle doing the Podcast so it was a really big concern for me. Keep up the good work L&R Rich J

Rich J

Hi Jones. Kinda funny is doing a neat idea and created a bracket to crown the top ps4 exclusive. Is this something EZA would consider doing? Also have you taken a look at the bracket? If so what would be your final four? Mine would be bloodborne, God of War, TLOU2 and FF7R.

Lucid Ludwig

Hello Mr.Jones. Even though Next Gen Consoles are still finding out a price, I was wondering on what is your Plan for getting Next Gen Consoles to the Easy Allies? Will you only focus on 1 console during launch day or will it be Battle Royale of each Allies trying to get a Console of their own? Do you prefer online preorder or in-store for the company console? Do you have a inside man that can guarantee you a console at launch day?!?? Thank you for all your hard work and may you have a pleasant day. - Mhee123

Mhee12

If it makes you feel any better Jones, I just listen to most of the podcast, Had FrameTrap on doing the dishes, had this Cup on while playing some CivVI. But yea, I got a haircut the other day during covid and it feels amazing. I hope you get one eventually, it feels even better the longer you suffer.

Kyle said he stopped caring who wins games

Ibrahim Sozer

Hey Jones - just wanted to say thanks for the honesty with your editorial. I have similar vanity challenges, and in a way it's a bit reassuring knowing that I'm not alone, especially given that I look up to you as a role model in many ways. L&R

Brandon Ray

Hey Mr. Jones! This submission is inspired by me being a proud member of the Forums and sincerest apologies this leadup is longer than normal. As you know primarily through here on Cup of Jones and on the Community Showcase, the most promotion they get nowadays is when either Axel or Alexander will promote when we’ve worked on a Top X games of Y year (or as of this writing, we’re currently in the voting phase of Game of the Decade. Super exciting if I may say), and as much as I enjoy this, certain threads ranging from keeping up with the entire Hall of Greats or interesting conversation topics, and other similar initiatives such as running Kill Your Babies, it’s not really an area which gets much attention because of the proportionally small amount of people who have stuck around (as you can imagine, not as many people frequent the forums as opposed to when it first launched years ago). This makes me want to ask: How do you feel about EZA branded portions of the community (not JUST the forums, but others as well like Reddit. Since the forums is the only one I’m a part of, it’s the only one I can speak to), that many Allies don’t participate in? Without an occasional reminder from people that said sections of the community exist, there doesn’t feel like that there’s any real connotation between it, and EZA in general. With the exception of Mr. Bloodworth, I think (and please correct me if I’m wrong) NO Ally has visited the forums in months if not YEARS. I understand the reason for not doing so is very similar to answers you’ve given in the past about Allies being engaged (or more aptly, lack thereof), in social media, but no matter how much I enjoy them, I can’t deny it’s becoming slightly weirder as time has gone on that something which can only be accessed through an official EZA channel (the website), is not even cursory brought up by EZA in general. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not asking for any of the Allies to take time out of their day to visit a place they have no interest in, just curious how you feel about there are sections of the community with EZA branding that have minimal to no EZA involvement. Thanks a bunch for taking the time to read all this. Have a wonderful rest of your day and Cheers! QUESTION: How do you feel about there being sections of the community that identify with EZA branding with little involvement from the Allies themselves? I’m a proud member of the forums, but as time has gone on, it’s very slowly starting to feel just a little bit weirder that, with the exception of Mr. Bloodworth, no other Ally occasionally hops in. I don’t go to Reddit, so I can’t speak to that or other portions of the community, but I was curious to hear your stance about EZA representation not done by the Allies themselves.

Brandon K Gann

Hey Jones! Just a quick question today. I thought to ask this after I realized that I have over 300 hours in The Binding of Isaac Rebirth on PC. At this point, I don't even need to look up descriptions for the items or what stat effects they have, I've just memorized them all. Is there a particular game like this for you all? One you think you have the most hours in, one you just simply go back to for some mindless, "turn off your brain" fun, or one you've played so much that you've virtually memorized? Take care all, L&R & Sorry Enforcer, Spongejay1 (aka Jacob in the Youtube comments, just an FYI)

spongejay1