Cup of Jones - March 30, 2020

test456

Stepan Hakobyan

test123

Stepan Hakobyan

Hi Jones, First time posting a question since becoming a Patreon here the other week, and first off; apologies for not becoming one sooner as I have slowly been enjoying the past Spoiler Modes with the Lockdown, and been massively enjoying them. I have a business question (or at least administrative question), and it is something that I believe that Bloodworth brought attention to briefly on one of the streams. Recently there was an article by Stephen Tolito on Kotaku (Link below) discussing how they there are working around the topic of "playing games for enjoyment" Vs. "playing games for work". In the article he mentions that Kotaku were bringing in new measures to try and protect the wellbeing of their reviewers. In it he notes that whilst video games are fun and things that reviewers will happily play in their free time, there is a certain level of stress and crunching which may come in to play when trying to meet deadlines to have reviews finished before a games release. He mentioned that this sometimes could be made worse due to a tight release window, or getting preview copies late. As well in the article, he mentions that they are now taking measures to ensure that their reviewers are getting time back (or even in some cases, getting time off in advance) when they are assigned to certain reviews to help mitigate stress build-up, which is a step I am happy to hear about. This morning I was surprised to see Brad's excellent review for FFVII Remake come out; something that I wasn't expecting until the end of the week. It immediately made me think about how much effort and possible crunch he put in to play that 40-hour game and get that review done, (not to mention your own effort in editing it). This is also coupled to the fact that you guys had obviously set yourselves to some kind of deadline, as the review has come out on same hour as a whole load of other reviews for the game, suggesting that an embargo had just been lifted. My question therefore is; how do you guys separate "playing games for work" Vs. "Playing games for fun" and do you do things to help mitigate stress of the Allies? I'm especially curious about how you are handling this now (given the current climate), where it may be harder to clearly separate these two things, due to everyone working from home. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and consider it. All the best, Matt, A Brit-in-Berlin. https://kotaku.com/a-note-about-the-work-that-goes-into-our-game-reviews-1842275537

Hello Brandon, Since the Community Showcase is likely going to be very Kyle-focused, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate You! That's right. You, Mr. Jones. Thank you for the long hours and the late nights writing, editing, or adding your best-in-the-biz baritone to so much of the EZA content. From reviews, to the podcast, to this very livestream. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and your care is never unappreciated. The Silver Squad compilation is remarkable. Condensing your months-long journey into a mere 4 hours is a feat in and of itself. The way you amplified it's intrinsically compelling nature with your editing choices serves as a showcase to your professional sensibilities. Your rapport with the Allies is a joy to behold. Skimbleshanks...need I say more? I could go on but I'll just conclude by saying that I hope only the very best for you, your family and the Allies. Sincerely, Ahab PS: GT Live was amazing, and I miss TBT, but these Animal Crossing streams are a nice way to get more weekly Jones. L & R

Hi Jones, Business Question I think: I have been enjoying animal crossing a lot and one afternoon I had both Sahara and turnips selling for 428 bells. I wanted to share the wealth with the EZA community however could not find a good way to do so. In the end I opened my gate with a dodo code and posted on the EZA reddit many came and it was a jolly time. I would like to do so again if the opportunity arises. I was wondering if there is an Easy Allies Animal Crossing Discord or the like where timely messages and invites can be had by all? If not is there a way I can help get one started? Love and respect Lostrob

Hey Jones, Business (?): Quick stream suggestion: an All-Access Brandon Jones Meditation stream? Followed by R&R in Animal Crossing maybe. Ok, thanks and take care.

Hi Jones, how are you doing today. In regards to the sassy ally thing, the fact that you've been thinking about that is enough haha. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate those moments when they come and I agree with what you said about it being more natural and precious this way. I don't have any question per say, other than, how are you enjoying RE3 2020? I loved it so I was wondering how you felt about it. That's all. Cheers. P.S: Some fun recent trivia that I think a lot of people have missed or will miss (RE3 2020 EARLY GAME SPOILERS!), did you know the zombie that bites that character in the beginning part of RE3 2020 is modeled after DMC5 (and DMC3SE's Switch version) producer Matt Walker? He also appears immediately after that scene in gameplay, he then shows up in a set piece where you are crawling under the fences (Matt tries to bite Jill here) and then comes out of the elevator in the next scene haha Head-canon: Matt Walker is so dedicated to DMC that he is trying to kill as many RE characters as he can so DMC crew can get more of the spotlight haha Anyway, I thought that was funny so I wanted to share that with you. Cheers and L&R.

Hey Jones. I have been rewatching a lot of EZA content over the past month since there isn't much else to do due to the quarantine and noticed that Kyle's voice can be heard during the intros of some of your shows, such as Spoiler Mode. My question is will this and any other consistent bits of EZA content with Kyle's voice in them be kept after he leaves or will they be rerecorded?

Evan Charles Teague

Mr. Jones, How are you and the Allies doing with the California shelter in place order? Is it safe to assume you are all well and respecting social isolation? Is there anything that the community can do for you or the Allies in these difficult times? If not for the Allies, is there something you would like to encourage the community to do during the pandemic? Respectfully, Morgan Mohalla

Morgan Mohalla

Hey Jones. Are you planning on doing a dreams lovers supercut like you did with silver squad? The silver squad movie is so enjoyable and from what I've seen from out of context clips of the making of who's in my bathroom, I'd love to get one. But understood if the current situation and other commitments won't make that possible. Thanks in advance.

Cabbagelad

Heya Jones, Yeah, I see what you're saying but I don't know. I'll give it a shot and we'll see what happens. In the meantime, if Easy Allies were sailors on 24-hour leave in New York City, would it go on a taxi cab tour of the city, visit the Museum of Natural History, or wander around looking for true love?

Asbo Zappruder

Hey Jones, Don't know your restrictions but I hope you guys are checking everything is good in the studio. I don't think there's a rule to go to the office. Things can get stolen and you can probably drop off the stuff people have sent to the post office there etc. Also, here's a new EZA emote contender. https://imgur.com/CoSAfzj Thanks iboshow

Ibrahim Sozer

Good Morning Jones. My question is in regards to how gifts from other allies will be handled going foward. With the city of Los Angeles on lockdown are you still able to have access to the P.O. Box? If so will gifts still be a part of the group streams in it's current format? I ask mainly because I have a gift for Kyle I wanted to give to him in person at EZX but obviously that didn't happen. Now it has been made public that Kyle will be leaving at the end of the month I wanted to be sure the gift I would be sending him would be given in time before he leaves. And finally, going forward, will there be a screening process to be sure any future gifts are not potentially harmful to the Allies. I hope you and the other Allies are doing well and staying safe out there.

XWF Outlaw

Hi Jones! About a month ago on the Smash Bros group stream, you made a joke about streaming Pokémon with Ben after Kyle made fun of how you pronounced "Girafarig". Considering the recent announcement of the upcoming Kyle departure, alongside the fact that Ben has streamed Pokémon in the past and seemed positive to the idea, the pieces are slowly falling into place. Obviously you guys probably know best when it comes to the streaming plans, and even before Kyle's announcement I wasn't expecting Emerald until 2021 or 2022 at the earliest, but I wanted to put this idea into your head for the future as I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to see a Jones&Ben Pokémon stream. So I guess to make this a question; How would you feel about streaming Emerald with Ben?

Edvin

Hey Jones, Easy Allies are one of many companies that have started using Zoom during the current situation, but it looks like they have serious privacy and exploit issues (link below). Does this make you re-consider using the application and if so, do you have any other ideas of what software to use? If only Google didn't get rid of Hangouts on Air... Link to the issues: https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/1/21202584/zoom-security-privacy-issues-video-conferencing-software-coronavirus-demand-response

Skankman

Hello! Have you ever designed a puppet? How does that even begin to work?

Parasitepaladin

Hello, in my workplace we were allowed to go back to our offices to grab equipment such as office chairs and monitors to supplement work-from-home. Last week you discussed purchasing some equipment to improve the home-streaming experience, are these on top of things already grabbed from the office?

Kevin

Hello Brandon. Each Community Showcase post has legal disclaimer about allowing you to show our submissions on stream. And as far as I know this is the only form of communication with you that includes such legal notice. We don’t sign any contract when we ask questions on Cup of Jones, Podcast and Q&A, share our thoughts on Reaction Shots, or submit art to Kyle’s streams. Can you please explain why Community Showcase is such a special case?

Alexander Zyryanov

To answer your question about organising a game jam, anyone can organise one, itch.io website even helps streamline the process to a calendar. It's more a question of if you have a large enough community of participants. Heck, you can even ignore that "large pool of people" suggestion as you can organise one with a group of 10 friends with people pairing up. Please note, a game jam is never a demand on a community, it is ALWAYS an Invitation. Everyone participating knows that life responsibilities take priority and no game in a jam is ever expected to be whole, complete or even playable by the deadline. And you set how long we have to make it. So again, never "demand" or even a "request" but simply an invitation. One that, as you said, your community seems to happily partakes in. L&R

Radioactive Magic

Hey Jones. Last CoJ you talked about mortises. How about some mortises for the podcasts? Would help them look neat and slightly cleaner compared to just naked Zoom windows.

Olf Himself

It would have been personal so I figured I wouldnt get a video reply, but I couldn't find any comments in regards to my comment so. Hope you guys are all staying in good spirits and healthy.

Jeffrey Tessar

Hey Jones, I posted mid day yesterday, not sure if you missed my question or just skipped it but either way its fine. I know you guys are mad busy. Love and Respect for Life. Heidern98

Jeffrey Tessar

Hello Mr. Jones! It might be a bit early to ask this, but now that EZA has had to work from home for a little bit and in conjunction with your most recent editorial, are there any things you are noticing which are easier to do from home as opposed to the studio? How about the opposite; what’s the most difficult? I know EZA’s first three years were based out of the garage, so you personally might not be the best person to ask, but now you’ve had a year in the studio, is there anything you regret having to go back to in regards to your average workday? Will this situation allow EZA to identify parts of your normal process that you had done in the studio to improve said processes once you move back in? You all are doing an awesome job (I don’t think it’s getting said enough during this time so positive reinforcement!), and keep up the great work. As always, thanks again for taking my question and have a wonderful rest of your day! Cheers! QUESTION: What, if anything, has been easier and harder to do more than anything else working from home as opposed to the studio? Do you believe this situation will provide EZA an opportunity to step back and see the process of working from the studio from a comparison perspective and give you ideas on how to improve once you are able to get back in there and resume “normal” operations?

Brandon K Gann