Cup of Jones - January 6, 2020
Added 2020-01-06 18:03:17 +0000 UTCHappy New Year! We still have some allies out of town, but everyone will start coming back this week, and our schedule will return to normal. Big stuff ahead for EZA. Our massive 2020 meeting is next week, followed by our 2020 Prediction stream, and then our Game of the Year live deliberation and awards. I’ve been getting a bunch of trailers lined up to revisit and playing as many different games as possible for different categories in preparation. Thank you for your questions about games coverage throughout 2019, opinions on games in stuff like Love & Respect, Ask Easy Allies, the Q&A, and the Showcase, along with tips on the top trailers in my post the other day. All of these help tremendously when trying to pool our thoughts into doing our best when it comes to handing out awards to projects that really deserve it.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nucz97ekdCw
- Brandon
DISCLAIMER: I take questions from the post comments on the previous week’s episode here on Patreon. You can ask a business-related question which I may answer live, or a personal question which I may answer below. If your business question was not answered live, I either replied to it in the comments, or referenced the answer in a recent episode. Feel free to inquire why your question wasn't included, or ask the same question a second time if you think I may have missed it. I will edit your comment/question before reading it live to ensure the show moves as quickly as possible. I typically grab all the questions by midnight (PT) the night before each episode, and will leave a comment when I’ve finished collecting them.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
TURBOCHICKENMAN - A while back, I recommended the YouTube channel Bright Sun Films for their documentary videos about cancelled and abandoned Disney parks. Did you get around to checking it out? JONES - Briefly. I haven’t really jumped in the deep end, yet. But now that I’m done with The Imagineering Story on Disney+ I’m hungry for more theme park history. I’ll get around to it.
ALI SALEMI - Since we had talked about it before, I was wondering if you have more interest in Yakuza Like a Dragon now that they've announced their "Sujimon Collection" side activity for the game. Each Sujimon have their own weaknesses and abilities and there is even an Encyclopedia that gives you information about them. The game has 252 Sujimon to collect and become a Sujimon Master. Thoughts? JONES - I was NOT aware of this development. I’m not sure if this is something that would push me over the edge into a full playthrough. I’ve always known that the side activities in each Yakuza game were just as engrossing as the main campaign. It’s just never been a series I’ve been able to devote enough time to. We’ll see how 2020 goes! No promises.
DANIEL RIBEIRO - As a son, husband, father, brother, son-in-law, human being and for yourself, could you please talk what are your plans, goals, and hopes for this year and decade? JONES - One of my main goals is always to help people appreciate the things they enjoy more, which is why I like making videos about my favorite hobby, video games. I hope to ease my parents’ transition into old age, and eventually passing on. I want to give Milo a valuable education, obviously, but I also want to instill in him a love of this planet. I really enjoy walking him around the backyard and showing him trees, birds, and squirrels, or cruising him around the neighborhood with Sophie. We went on a hike with him over the holidays (where I got the photo that’s my current Twitter header) and I think he enjoyed it. My plans for the next decade, aside from this, include telling more stories. Stuff like Busted Trifecta and Box Peek made me really hungry to create and play more characters, and see what types of narrative content our fans would support.
NICHOLAS BOBBIE - 3 characters in is nowhere near the end of Breath of Fire. You're maybe a quarter of the way through, with 5 more characters to go, and a lot of lot of interesting abilities to see, and epic tales to tell. If you'd been looking at walkthroughs for endgame content and not recognizing anything, hopefully that ends the confusion. BoF2 is also definitely fun, even if the translation is a bit wonky, but I hope you give the rest of BoF1 a chance one of these days. JONES - Good. To. Know. I’ll keep going!
Comments
Hey Jones. Are there any plans for you to eventually move your Cup of Jones set back to the garage? I miss the garage. Also, please start doing Spouse Quest again. I miss Spouse Quest. Love and Respect, Josh Read.
Josh Read
2020-01-13 02:24:34 +0000 UTCAny plans for possible collaborations going into this year? These tend to be great ways to raise channel subscriber counts. L&R Jason
Wire rope
2020-01-12 23:41:47 +0000 UTCHeya Jones, Yeah, no, I mean, I get it. But like what if Phase 4 of Easy Allies was a sharpshooter in a Wild West show? Could it shoot a partridge with a single cartridge? ps - Please send the Hype Train to the scrap yard.
Asbo Zappruder
2020-01-11 19:02:33 +0000 UTCAfter a year of creating in the studio, how would you grade it compared to when you first moved in? What's been the best change or update to the space between the initial move-in and now? What other improvements are on the wish list (if any)? Also - will "burning lions" be one of the great what-ifs of 2020?
DashTwenty7
2020-01-11 17:39:16 +0000 UTCSR
the_finnish_ally
2020-01-11 14:25:33 +0000 UTCThis might be a question for Kyle, Don and Ian. But since your massive 2020 meeting is right around the corner, I decided to post it here. Maybe you could float this around the group. Personally, and like many others, I would like to see more betting specials. While I understand it’s difficult to come up with quality bets outside E3, it would be awesome get similar content during this time of year. So how about: The Annual Video Game Fantasy Draft. This is a show where a group of Allies basically bet on OpenCritic scores. I know Easy Update took a stab at this but it could use Betting Special’s production values. I'm talking about using the Mysterious Monsters set up, letting Huber host, maybe having couple of big name guests challenging the Allies, putting the Slusser Cup or the championship belt on the line etc. This show would differentiate yourself from other channels, since only SIFTD is putting out similar content. Fantasy Draft would be a nice combination of Mysterious Monsters, Betting Specials and annual prediction streams. So right in your wheelhouse. And you would have to do only two shows per year: the main show + results show at the end of the year. The ideal air time would be late January - early February, so this show would give you another piece of quality content between GOTYs and your anniversary show. Easy Update Episode: youtube.com/watch?v=1qqDq-0I8UQ FantasyCritic's site: fantasycritic.games
the_finnish_ally
2020-01-11 14:25:19 +0000 UTCMr. Jones, Bets seem like a pretty popular topic for the Easy Allies community. Would you consider a whiteboard or community post that was tracking the current bets? It could promote community interest and engagement but would also be a bit more work the Allies. Interesting stakes that translate into unique streams (The Bossman Trial, Food Raps, and Dino-ramas) have always been a pretty wonderful. Morgan Mohalla
Morgan Mohalla
2020-01-11 04:48:51 +0000 UTCSafety?
Alex Bailey
2020-01-10 23:35:35 +0000 UTCHi Jones, First time submitting to COJ but have been with Easy Allies since launch on Patreon. I don't remember my topic being completely explained in a previous episode but I could have missed an episode so feel free to answer in comments if so. What will the creative process be with Easy Allies' merch through Roost? Will topical shirts like "Lars had grain" or "Functioning Member" be an option through this way of making merch? Merch is such a great way for the community to support EZA, get something in return, and spread awareness all in one purchase and I'm looking forward to seeing the new designs. I am also excited for the exit from spreadshirt (due to the intense fading of the shirt color over time). Also any update on when the merch move will be happening? Thanks, L&R Alex from North Carolina
Alex Bailey
2020-01-10 23:32:31 +0000 UTCSafety Post
Happy Gaming
2020-01-10 18:57:46 +0000 UTCHey Jones, I was curious how it's determined which exclusive Patron shows are chosen to be ongoing. "Achieve It Yourself" has had two sets of episodes (forgot the second season was given access to everyone, so not sure how that fits in), and it sounds like a third is likely, where other shows like "Fancy Fifteen" and "And For That Reason" seem to be done with one. Are certain shows reserved for certain times of year to maintain an annual schedule? Are those shows brought back according to viewership and audience desire, or is it more in line with the Allies' wants to make the show season by season? Personally, I'd hate for everyone to be stuck doing a show they aren't enjoying when they'd like to try something new, regardless of audience outcry. L&R Brian from Happy Gaming
Happy Gaming
2020-01-10 18:57:33 +0000 UTCQueation A lot of people seem to have had a different understanding of what Huber's Prison of Love is meant to be. There was the misconception that the show would be Huber making Allies have another go at a game they hate, perhaps trying to change their mind. What it seems to be is a show in which Huber makes an Ally play a game he loves, and even one's he thinks they might like. Was this just a misunderstanding between the audience and the original intent or as the show was being produced, was a decision made to change what it was about? Love and respect, Tom Bowen
Tom Bowen
2020-01-10 16:29:30 +0000 UTCHi Jones, I just want to say that I appreciate you! The Silver Squad stream is appointment viewing for me, despite my neutral interest in Pokemon. Also, it's okay to be a teensy weensy miffed. It's totally justified in your case. After all, you said you already made plans for what's next and seems to be really looking forward to it. I am looking forward to what's next, but meanwhile, thanks for continuing the Silver Squad streams!
LeeLore
2020-01-10 00:22:56 +0000 UTCSafety
Nextgenheff
2020-01-09 20:38:34 +0000 UTCHey Jones, Future group stream idea for a slow release week, boot up the pokemon mystery dungeon dx demo and have every ally try out the quiz at the beginning to see what pokemon you guys are. L&R Sean
Nextgenheff
2020-01-09 20:35:08 +0000 UTCApologies if this has been discussed before, but what are your end of decade plans? I think instead of doing an overall Easy Allies top 10 of the decade; which will probably cause more discontent than anything, maybe an individual top 10 from each ally as a separate video? Perhaps spaced out one video per a week?
Varun Kachhwaha
2020-01-09 17:10:01 +0000 UTCSuggestion: if you plan to produce another series of Spoiler Modes on episodic game (like you did with Life is Strange 2), make first episode available to everyone as a promotion. Also you stumbled over some spelling errors in Community Showcase posts that weren't there. Maybe the text editor you use to gather our submissions in one printable document autocorrect spelling with mixed results.
Alexander Zyryanov
2020-01-09 15:51:07 +0000 UTCLast time I tried safety replying to a post it dissapeared anyway...crossing my fingers for this time.
Gustav Strömbom
2020-01-09 06:03:25 +0000 UTCHey Jones. I hate to post a "correction" on Cup of Jones, but you missed at least 1 guest in your rundown of guests on shows in 2019. Ben managed to get Maximilian Dood as a guest on FrameTrap back at the end of April. I remember you talking about him being an inspiration for you at the start of Easyallies and I personally very much enjoyed seeing him on FrameTrap with Ben and Kyle. Btw did you get to talk to him that day or were you perhaps busy? L&R
Gustav Strömbom
2020-01-09 06:00:45 +0000 UTCQuestion, can someone please reach out to Ian and suggest a PlayStation dos and don’ts for an upcoming ps5 reveal event or something? I think it would be a fun callback and could be very funny, and easy update is no stranger to having a very special episode every now and then that brings back old bits and shows. Be it Ian doing “The Final Ian” or maybe just a chat with Kyle or anything in between.
Ajax
2020-01-08 19:02:28 +0000 UTCAfter another play-through of RDR2, I was wondering if you think Arthur's sacrifice for John was ultimately for nothing when John came back for revenge against Micah? Arthur repeatedly said "Revenge is a fool's game", and in the post credits scenes it shows Ross and Fordham finding Micah's corpse, and that led them to John's farm.
Steve S
2020-01-08 06:31:52 +0000 UTCOh wait, I actually do have a business question this time. Is there any plans to do more anime related contents? I enjoyed EZAnime and It's EZ to like Anime. Any plans to bring those back or even do spoiler modes for seasonal animes like My Hero or Vinland Saga? Could be fun. Would love to see more anime content from you guys. Maybe even a biweekly/monthly anime night where all allies watch and react to the first two episodes (around 45-50 minutes total) of an anime voted by patrons? (obviously the poll should only contain SFW stuff)
2020-01-07 19:31:53 +0000 UTCHi Jones, actually 6 reviews is your personal best during Easy Allies times. You did 4 in 2016, 5 in 2017 and 4 in 2018. So, not that bad after all.
2020-01-07 17:21:18 +0000 UTCThere's already an exclusive RSS feed for patrons. You can find a link for a feed that's specific to your account in the "My Membership" tab here on Patreon. (Using desktop, not the app.) -Bloodworth
Easy Allies
2020-01-07 17:04:37 +0000 UTCJones, I was just wondering if you are doing anything new or changing anything about reactions this year? A Nintendo direct is probably coming up soon if it hasn’t already happened by the time you read this. I think you guys are the best in the biz when it comes to reactions, so I’m looking forward to reacting with things to you guys this year as well!
strawhatninja
2020-01-07 15:19:40 +0000 UTCHey Jones, Hope you had a great festive period and new year! Please forgive me if this has been answered, I understand the plan is to have ad free versions of Frame Trap & EZA Podcast available to Patreons. Are there any plans to extend versions of these podcasts (and perhaps Cup of Jones as well) to a Premium/Patreon exclusive audio only feed? I support a handful of entertainment outlets through a mixture of direct subscription and Patreon and what I find really beneficial is access to their ad free audio only feeds. They provide this a number of ways (either a private RSS feed or the feed requiring authentication). No doubt this would require you to set up another podcast feed which would incur a cost, but you could set up just one feed (Call if something like EZA Premium) and direct all ad free versions of your shows to that one feed. Cheers,
2020-01-07 15:04:37 +0000 UTCJones hating his Cyberpunk reactions, lol. You're too theatrical Jones, always looks fake if we don't know you.
Ibrahim Sozer
2020-01-07 08:19:53 +0000 UTCNot a question but I think it would be a tragedy if you (=Jones) missed this: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/490746154?collection=ugwXICRNPxWjgw&t=0h2m59s Happened a while back so you might have already seen it, but just in case... Greetings from Austria!
2020-01-06 22:28:13 +0000 UTCNice! Operation "getting Jones to try Yakuza: Like a Dragon" is progressing smoothly it seem. All jokes aside tho, I would love for you to play Like a Dragon, hopefully love it and then don't go back to other games in the series and just wait for future sequels. No reason to exhaust yourself with the previous games even if they are really good and fun. Anyway it was nice to read that you might give Like a Dragon a try! P.S: Just a few hours ago fans noticed that the same company that did the phenomenal dub for Judgment, has Like a Dragon listed on their website as one of their current in-development projects!
2020-01-06 22:20:16 +0000 UTCHey Mr. Jones! With you posting the massive list of trailers you'll be watching to determine what makes the cut and what doesn't, I was curious how you'll be making said cuts, and what the thought process is for the final group: Do you have a set number in mind to determine how many finalists you'll have? Once you have the final group, will you be bringing that shortlist to the other Allies, or will they be giving their thoughts during the cutting process? There are so many trailers, I'm fascinated how you'll come up with the best of the best. Thanks for reading my question and have a wonderful rest of your day! Cheers! QUESTION: With you posting your large list of trailers, what is your process in determining what to cut, nominate, and will the other Allies be involved with the process prior to final nominations during deliberations?
Brandon K Gann
2020-01-06 20:00:45 +0000 UTCBusiness/logistics question or suggestion: I've suggested it before for E3 discussions, but it works for GOTY as well. Will you be trying to do production in terms of e.g. overlaying a category name on screen or the like during those sessions? If not, how about using whiteboards (or similar) just in the room with you, within view of the camera? I know how much work the whole undertaking can be, but even just one thing on screen to help us follow along would be appreciated. I recall someone sending you a set of whiteboards last year, if you think those will work. Obviously any solution you all come up with to fit your plans is fine, and I look forward to another year of fun discussions. Bradley
Bradley Spies
2020-01-06 19:51:41 +0000 UTCA heartwarming and happy safety post.
Daniel Ribeiro
2020-01-06 18:54:56 +0000 UTCHi, Jones. Business question: This year both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will come out. Are they part of the EZA budget or will each Ally have to buy each on their own? Would you consider new 4K TVs as part of EZA's budget - they're essential to reviews and playing games, which the Allies talk about in their work and if some of the TVs the Allies have are old, they would need new ones to take advantage of all the new features in the PS5 and XBSX? L & R
Daniel Ribeiro
2020-01-06 18:54:33 +0000 UTC
