Easy Allies |OT| The New Era

VanWinkle · Jun 25, 2018

klastical said:
I think they want: a podcast room, streaming room, bathroom and probably a kitchenette and work bay. That's easily 2000 sq/ft. You could do it all in much less space but with the potential for 9+ people to be in the studio at once I think they would appreciate the breathing room. I've never worked in a studio so I'm mostly talking out my ass here combined with tidbits of info Jones has dropped on cup of Jones over the past few months.

I could see 2000 sq/ft being what they'd need, but just going by my house, which is 1,200 sq/ft and has one 15x15 room, a 10x12 room, a 9x15 room, a couple of bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, and laundry room. 15x15 room could easily be big enough for a podcast room, my living room would be big enough for a streaming room, and my two smaller rooms could comfortably house six computer stations together. The equivalent space of my second bathroom and laundry room could have another few computer stations.

This is silly analysis, but I'm just saying that 2,000 sq/ft wouldn't NECESSARILY be a requirement. I'm sure they can find something right for them, somewhere between the space they had at GT and the small garage.

sora87 · Jun 25, 2018

ElephantShell said:
I pray for a full playthrough Fridays goal somewhere in the 50k's. I LOVED full playthrough Fridays. So cozy.

The only thing i really need from a studio

maxvsthegames · Jun 25, 2018

When I asked Kyle during one of his stream, I suggested that they should make one of their studio rooms into a replica of the garage so that they feel at home.

Kyle answered that he doubted they would get a studio with more than one room.

Hopefully he's wrong. I think they would need at least two or three rooms.

- One for streaming
- One for other videos that they can use when other people are streaming
- One for capturing/editing videos

BradGrenz · Jun 25, 2018

VanWinkle said:
They've gotta get a 52 or 53k goal up QUICK. We need to make sure it stays at a point where 50k will be maintained.

I don't think they need to go crazy adding too many new goals. The next one they add should be at 55K.

Chuck · Jun 25, 2018

Damn good Frame Trap this week; I actually finished it which I consider a feat. I think Blood and Huber might be my favorite pair. Good stuff!

VanWinkle · Jun 25, 2018

maxvsthegames said:
When I asked Kyle during one of his stream, I suggested that they should make one of their studio rooms into a replica of the garage so that they feel at home.

Kyle answered that he doubted they would get a studio with more than one room.

Hopefully he's wrong. I think they would need at least two or three rooms.

- One for streaming
- One for other videos that they can use when other people are streaming
- One for capturing/editing videos

I see people say this sometimes, about making the studio look like the garage, but I really don't think this would happen or should happen to be honest. While there are a number of people who will really miss the garage and don't want to see it go away, you'd have plenty more saying, "we're giving you $50,000 a month so you can be in a place that looks exactly like the one you just left? uhhhh"

Keith Stat · Jun 25, 2018

I forayed over to the Uneasy Alliance Reddit page (https://www.reddit.com/r/UneasyAlli..._have_been_out_of_the_loop_for_long_time_but/) and I noticed this post from Kyle about what he does outside of Easy Allies that I thought was interesting. Here it is...

Hi, Kyle here.
In year one of Easy Allies I juggled a full-time job at Live with YouTube Gaming and EZA, but since then it's only been occasional side gigs like The Game Awards and Blizzcon last year. Currently my other part-time job besides EZA is Box Peek, which I admit is a time sink and a mistake but also something I enjoy and am committed to.
As for why I don't go 100% full-time max-profits into EZA--it's a little complicated, and something I consider a lot, especially now with the potential reality of a studio on the horizon. Frankly speaking, even if our Patreon reaches $60k a month I'll still be making less money than I was at GameTrailers. I think of Easy Allies as an incredible opportunity I want to make the most of, and not necessarily a business I own 1/9th of. I'm driven more to do fun things I couldn't normally do than to collect as much money as possible. Basically the value proposition of making a Final Bosman for Easy Allies is weak for me--it's something I would self-produce and see about 10% of the returns from. (Making Box Peek is the same proposition, but it's a unique and rewarding challenge so the time and effort feel worth it)
I haven't ruled out making a Final Bosman successor forever (I still day dream up episodes sometimes) but if it ever comes back it will be because I really want to do it, not because it will make Easy Allies more money.

Well, about half that makes perfect sense to me and the other half kind of seems short-sighted to me. On one hand, Easy Allies affords him the unique opportunity to do whatever he wants basically whenever he wants without being exclusively tied to a company. That's an insanely awesome position to have that flexibility all the while collecting a consistent check.

On the other hand, if your other part-time job you've primarily been working at for over a year now is also at the same place you've been working part-time at for 2+ years that seems kind of a bizarre way of looking at things.

Also, saying he'd ONLY own 1/9th of something seems pretty incredible when put against his past employment opportunities outside of EZA. I'm sure he saw less than 1/9th of Gametrailers/Youtube Gaming/Keighley gigs ownership/profits. Unless he goes solo, which might mean no studio to record in and perhaps a loss of a bigger chunk of the Patreon money if he is doing that full-time, Easy Allies is about as cushy as it gets when it comes to ownership by a mile.

The 60k thing kind of rubs me the wrong way as well. I feel like Easy Allies has long suffered from believing they have a "ceiling." They've been 99% of the time over 40k each month since like March of last year (and 100% of the time over 35k since April 2016 which is only a month after EZA was formed) and they still to this day (hopefully the meeting went well today!) haven't defined what their "ultimate" studio goal is or anything after. They have a fanatic and rabid community that they just are blindsided by at almost every occasion. They raised 32k in nine hours a few months ago! When you give us something defined to support at EZA, we've come through in spades. And the thing is, this all feels organic to me. They've fostered a great community and they create unique and amazing videos that every day more people are discovering.

This is all to say, if Kyle doesn't want to make Final Bosman II, he certainly doesn't have to and should not. As someone who found this group because I stumbled on to a Final Bosman back in the day at GT, a half-baked version sounds lousy to me if his heart is not in it. But still, that's one of the amazing things about Easy Allies as opposed to other jobs where you are constantly doing shit that annoys you for little appreciation, this has been fine at Easy Allies.

It's just a weird thing that he is looking at the "value proposition" of it all. Everything he and the rest of the group does adds "value" to Easy Allies. As we've seen especially in the past few weeks, it's a snowball effect. As more people discover them, more people subscribe on Twitch($) and Youtube($) and potentially more people donate to their Patreon($$$) and that opens up the possibility of larger and more sponsorship opportunities if that is what they are looking for. It's also not a prerequisite that the next "thing" he does has to be self-produced or whatever if it going to run him ragged and interfere with other opportunities. I adore everything I've seen from Box Peek, but it is insane the amount of time he has invested in this mostly solo project in something he doesn't have absolute ownership of it that is important to him.

I just don't know for sure and I'm obviously not there, but Kyle has insanely amazing creative abilities and Easy Allies seemingly seems to check a lot of boxes. He has vastly way more ownership than any other job before, absolute full creative control with no hard deadlines and now, the potential resources of a studio that he'll have large input in how it is designed and also 8 co-workers who he seemingly enjoys and that are all motivated on everyone having success as they all share in it.

Saying all that, taking that "leap" in to commitment one way or the other is much easier said than done. It's a hell of a unique situation he and the rest of EZA are in and it's awesome that they re continuing to have such success.

VanWinkle · Jun 25, 2018

Keith Stat said:
I forayed over to the Uneasy Alliance Reddit page (https://www.reddit.com/r/UneasyAlli..._have_been_out_of_the_loop_for_long_time_but/) and I noticed this post from Kyle about what he does outside of Easy Allies that I thought was interesting. Here it is...

Well, about half that makes perfect sense to me and the other half kind of seems short-sighted to me. On one hand, Easy Allies affords him the unique opportunity to do whatever he wants basically whenever he wants without being exclusively tied to a company. That's an insanely awesome position to have that flexibility all the while collecting a consistent check.

On the other hand, if your other part-time job you've primarily been working at for over a year now is also at the same place you've been working part-time at for 2+ years that seems kind of a bizarre way of looking at things.

Also, saying he'd ONLY own 1/9th of something seems pretty incredible when put against his past employment opportunities outside of EZA. I'm sure he saw less than 1/9th of Gametrailers/Youtube Gaming/Keighley gigs ownership/profits. Unless he goes solo, which might mean no studio to record in and perhaps a loss of a bigger chunk of the Patreon money if he is doing that full-time, Easy Allies is about as cushy as it gets when it comes to ownership by a mile.

The 60k thing kind of rubs me the wrong way as well. I feel like Easy Allies has long suffered from believing they have a "ceiling." They've been 99% of the time over 40k each month since like March of last year (and 100% of the time over 35k since April 2016 which is only a month after EZA was formed) and they still to this day (hopefully the meeting went well today!) haven't defined what their "ultimate" studio goal is or anything after. They have a fanatic and rabid community that they just are blindsided by at almost every occasion. They raised 32k in nine hours a few months ago! When you give us something defined to support at EZA, we've come through in spades. And the thing is, this all feels organic to me. They've fostered a great community and they create unique and amazing videos that every day more people are discovering.

This is all to say, if Kyle doesn't want to make Final Bosman II, he certainly doesn't have to and should not. As someone who found this group because I stumbled on to a Final Bosman back in the day at GT, a half-baked version sounds lousy to me if his heart is not in it. But still, that's one of the amazing things about Easy Allies as opposed to other jobs where you are constantly doing shit that annoys you for little appreciation, this has been fine at Easy Allies.

It's just a weird thing that he is looking at the "value proposition" of it all. Everything he and the rest of the group does adds "value" to Easy Allies. As we've seen especially in the past few weeks, it's a snowball effect. As more people discover them, more people subscribe on Twitch($) and Youtube($) and potentially more people donate to their Patreon($$$) and that opens up the possibility of larger and more sponsorship opportunities if that is what they are looking for. It's also not a prerequisite that the next "thing" he does has to be self-produced or whatever if it going to run him ragged and interfere with other opportunities. I adore everything I've seen from Box Peek, but it is insane the amount of time he has invested in this mostly solo project in something he doesn't have absolute ownership of it that is important to him.

I just don't know for sure and I'm obviously not there, but Kyle has insanely amazing creative abilities and Easy Allies seemingly seems to check a lot of boxes. He has vastly way more ownership than any other job before, absolute full creative control with no hard deadlines and now, the potential resources of a studio that he'll have large input in how it is designed and also 8 co-workers who he seemingly enjoys and that are all motivated on everyone having success as they all share in it.

Saying all that, taking that "leap" in to commitment one way or the other is much easier said than done. It's a hell of a unique situation he and the rest of EZA are in and it's awesome that they re continuing to have such success.

Very interesting stuff; thanks for posting.

edit: ehh I don't want to rant about TFB anymore. I reacted to the Reddit post a little more harshly than I should have, so I'm deleting the contents of this post.

ZeoVGM · Jun 25, 2018

I fully understand Kyle but I am glad he hasn't written it off completely. But I will say that if there is any time to potentially bring it back, it's now. It would make a great additional Patreon goal, even if it were a monthly show at first. Fans would be happy with that and it would push the Patreon a bit more.

Though I think Jones said any additional goals would be studio-related, so I guess that wouldn't work.

antennastoheaven · Jun 26, 2018

Keith Stat said:
It's just a weird thing that he is looking at the "value proposition" of it all.

He's answering the OP who had that angle on the question. That's why it's centered around value and what it could bring to the patreon.

Kyle is a creative guy and he doesn't want to go the easy route. I appreciate him a lot for that. He could EASILY go solo, rehash final bosman and make triple what he made at GT (and he knows and have said pretty much that).

Elfforkusu · Jun 26, 2018

I think part of the appeal of EZA is the freedom to experiment and *not* be bound by chasing dollar signs. It seems like the Final Bosman represents that (and little else) for Kyle, and if that's the case, he 100% shouldn't do it and y'all should stop asking him to.

If it changes to the point where he wants to produce a similar show for the love of the thing, that's different. But this idea that allies (e.g. Kyle) aren't "truly committed" if they don't want to be pigeonholed into making new versions of moderately successful past projects... seems to me to be pretty misguided and frankly a little bit cancerous. Like, it's not your life, it's theirs. It'd be like me shitting on you for not going back to school to get that doctorate. "Why aren't you advancing your career, bud? Ain't gonna retire on that 9-5"

Mariolee · Jun 26, 2018

Yeah I feel bad for him and other allies that aside from this don't have steady work. Hoping for the best for them.

The Third Heat · Jun 26, 2018

I do not envy the Allies in any regard. Despite having a pretty nice and fun creative outlet with no corporate oversight, the financial reality of it terrifies me to no end. I sometimes wonder if I continue to support them financially because my anxiety over them losing money and having to shut down is too much to bear, so I try and give as much as I can (which isn't much). It's such a risky gamble for someone like Bosman to pin his star to 8 other people, but that's what he chose to do. Maybe it was his anxiety, but I'd like to think it was more than that. I think Kyle sticking with the Allies and taking a pay cut shows us his true heart.

Not that I've ever doubted that he's a good guy or that he doesn't care, but he's always been so careful about how he presents himself that he sometimes feels distant, as opposed to Jones or Huber or even Ian who are very open about themselves. So I think it's nice. It's nice to know that he is--despite what every reality show will tell you--here to make friends. He could easily go solo and get a nice paycheck and make the weekly editorial videos we all crave, but he doesn't. Because he loves working with the Allies and he wants to spread his creative wings and I think that's pretty great. That shows guts, but most importantly, it shows heart.

VanWinkle · Jun 26, 2018

Elfforkusu said:
I think part of the appeal of EZA is the freedom to experiment and *not* be bound by chasing dollar signs. It seems like the Final Bosman represents that (and little else) for Kyle, and if that's the case, he 100% shouldn't do it and y'all should stop asking him to.

If it changes to the point where he wants to produce a similar show for the love of the thing, that's different. But this idea that allies (e.g. Kyle) aren't "truly committed" if they don't want to be pigeonholed into making new versions of moderately successful past projects... seems to me to be pretty misguided and frankly a little bit cancerous. Like, it's not your life, it's theirs. It'd be like me shitting on you for not going back to school to get that doctorate. "Why aren't you advancing your career, bud? Ain't gonna retire on that 9-5"

I didn't say he's not committed to it. The stuff he does show that clearly. I am saying he's not fully mentally committed to EZA the same way he would be to something like GT. It's a creative outlet for him, and more, but it's just a bummer that he's not trying to do something he knows he's capable of doing and that would be great for EZA.

If his heart is just not into it, I get that. But doing things like Bosman at Home and Dear Bosman in the recent past show that it's more than it just not flexing his creative muscles.

I love EZA regardless. I love all the allies and am happy with what Kyle and the others put out. I don't want to seem like I'm not.

noah rayne · Jun 26, 2018

What I think is trying to be said is that there seems to be a prevalent well-meaning, but ultimately misguided opinion that 'bringing TFB back' will bring EZA to incredible financial success. I can't pretend to know anything about how the business end works but, like, they don't make as much money as they used to individually, and that level will be incredibly hard to attain, likely years down the line. Yes, TFB was beloved (is beloved!) but it wasn't the sole reason GT got the funding they did, you know? We can't know that it'll be a YouTube darling for EZA, either, nor that they'll skyrocket in pledges like some assume. I also think it's misguided to think that just because we give them money, they have to answer to our every beck and call. Perhaps EZA introducing Top 10s after so much begging (despite not being passionate about that content) gave folks that impression, unfortunately. The entire point of their entire endeavour is that they don't have to chase algorithms or nostalgia or clickbaiting anymore.

Also, and I think most importantly, it plainly isn't something Kyle has passion for. He's said that, multiple times, very clearly. If it was his passion, he would probably still be doing it. That's why he's doing Box Peek, because he LOVES that kind of work, regardless of how much time and effort he expends. It breaks my heart that he already sees it as a 'mistake', or that folks see it as this 'inferior replacement' for TFB when it's so totally, completely different. I know people bring up TFB because they think it'll be for the good of EZA, that it'll transform them into Media Big Boys- I get it, we all want to see EZA succeed! But at some point... people have to let it go.

VanWinkle · Jun 26, 2018

noah rayne said:
What I think is trying to be said is that there seems to be a prevalent well-meaning, but ultimately misguided opinion that 'bringing TFB back' will bring EZA to incredible financial success. I can't pretend to know anything about how the business end works but, like, they don't make as much money as they used to individually, and that level will be incredibly hard to attain, likely years down the line. Yes, TFB was beloved (is beloved!) but it wasn't the sole reason GT got the funding they did, you know? We can't know that it'll be a YouTube darling for EZA, either, nor that they'll skyrocket in pledges like some assume. I also think it's misguided to think that just because we give them money, they have to answer to our every beck and call. Perhaps EZA introducing Top 10s after so much begging (despite not being passionate about that content) gave folks that impression, unfortunately. The entire point of their entire endeavour is that they don't have to chase algorithms or nostalgia or clickbaiting anymore.

Also, and I think most importantly, it plainly isn't something Kyle has passion for. He's said that, multiple times, very clearly. If it was his passion, he would probably still be doing it. That's why he's doing Box Peek, because he LOVES that kind of work, regardless of how much time and effort he expends. It breaks my heart that he already sees it as a 'mistake', or that folks see it as this 'inferior replacement' for TFB when it's so totally, completely different. I know people bring up TFB because they think it'll be for the good of EZA, that it'll transform them into Media Big Boys- I get it, we all want to see EZA succeed! But at some point... people have to let it go.

I don't think you're wrong, but there has to be a balance. EZA IS a business. They're funded by people who are 'buying what they're selling', and they're out to do the best work they can. This is why, when they went down to <$40k a couple of months ago, they took relatively drastic steps. It's why they tried things like custom titles on the EZA Podcast. It's why they take advantage of great things that people like SomeGameNews to incorporate it into their channel. It's not just like this purely creative outlet for them to do whatever they want.

You ARE right though, that if Kyle truly does not want to do this show, he shouldn't feel forced to. That's fair. And I for one am super excited for Box Peek.

As for the "mistake" comment, I totally get it from his perspective. He took a one time $3,000(?) pledge for a project that he's now like eight months of hard work into, because he's a perfectionist and he's only one guy. I'm sure he's thinking, "man, why did I get myself into this?" Luckily, I think it will be well worth it when it does release.

False Witness · Jun 26, 2018

Clasping hands is my new favorite.

Love the way Blood gazes into the camera.

Lexad · Jun 26, 2018

How big do yall think the garage is now? I am thinking roughly 600-800 sq ft.

Lexad · Jun 26, 2018

And I do think people need to drop the Final Bosman. If Kyle doesn't want to do it, then stop, move on, he has.

DeltaCanuckian · Jun 26, 2018

Lexad said:
And I do think people need to drop the Final Bosman. If Kyle doesn't want to do it, then stop, move on, he has.

Seriously. People need to get the hell over it, he's already struggling with Box Peek and doesn't need to be continually badgered about something he's repeatedly said he doesn't want to do anymore.

issa · Jun 26, 2018

I really don't think they need to get more than one room, the best case scenario is that it's big enough to keep the couch setup on one side and the desk on the other without having to reconfigure the entire set for every shoot. They can make them look like two rooms though.

And yeah they definitely shouldn't make it look like the garage. I feel like what people want when they say that is "don't make it look too sterile and formal like a studio would."

Keith Stat said:
It's just a weird thing that he is looking at the "value proposition" of it all.

Is it? It's a huge commitment that would take a toll on a person who was recently struggling with his mental health and he wouldn't even make a living wage doing it.

If I'm being honest I think we're more likely to see a Final Bosman successor with Keighley than with EZA. He'll just have to have Kyle own it and not associate his trending gamers with it.

VanWinkle · Jun 26, 2018

Lexad said:
How big do yall think the garage is now? I am thinking roughly 600-800 sq ft.

Nah, I'd say it's easily less than 500 sq/ft. Probably less than 400, honestly.

Lexad said:
And I do think people need to drop the Final Bosman. If Kyle doesn't want to do it, then stop, move on, he has.

DeltaCanuckian said:
Seriously. People need to get the hell over it, he's already struggling with Box Peek and doesn't need to be continually badgered about something he's repeatedly said he doesn't want to do anymore.

I mean, we're talking about a post that he ends with "I haven't ruled out making a Final Bosman successor forever (I still day dream up episodes sometimes) but if it ever comes back it will be because I really want to do it, not because it will make Easy Allies more money." That isn't as clear-cut of a dismissal as you're stating.

That being said, I get it. I'm sure he gets frustrating by the amount of people asking him about it (though I have never directly asked him about it myself). I will try and refrain from bringing it up or discussing it in the future unless Kyle or the other allies specifically bring it up. It doesn't do any good.

ElephantShell · Jun 26, 2018

Hubers feelings on the Switch kinda mirrors mine right now. I play in handheld occasionally but it's not a huge part of my lifestyle, I'm playing Hollow Knight right now but that, Celeste, and Wizard of Legend are really the only things I've touched on my Switch so far in 2018. And even Wizard of Legend I have some regrets about getting the Switch version because there's some slowdown when stuff gets hectic that isn't present on other platforms.

I was interested in Battlechasers Nightwar on Switch but it was like $8 on PS4 during E3 and still $50+ CAD on Switch so it bought it on PS4 instead. I was also interested in Moonlighter on Switch but it didn't come out there at launch. The stars are really just not aligning for me to play Switch much right now and it's a bit of a bummer.

That changes soon with Octopath though.

Remember Me · Jun 26, 2018

Ben Moore said:
I've heard the Ridley was too big thing before. Didn't know it was a big or constant meme though. I thought we mentioned it during E3. We may not have, I'm not sure.

Yeah, not a big deal, anyway. But yes, for many years so many people wanted Ridley in the game while may others said that was impossible due to his size, "he's too big" became a meme at some point, but I think probably it was more during Brawl times than later. Lately this wasn't said as years ago, I think.

TheDarkKnight said:
Guys. I'm addicted to refreshing their patreon page and watching the numbers go up

Halp

Same here >_<

WiseSplinteR · Jun 26, 2018

Personally the studio goal is exciting for me because:

1) I really want a GT-Live type show where EZA can regularly have guests from inside the industry (that Cory Barlog spoiler mode was amazing).
2) I'm hoping they do a Full-Playthrough show where we can have 2 or 3 allies on the couch for an extended session. The gundam streams kind of had that vibe, so if those return instead that could scratch that itch.

Wiggy · Jun 26, 2018

+1 to the suggestions of making a full playthrough Friday goal. Kyle and Huber's one sitting full playthroughs are by far my fav GT/EZA streams- great to rewatch too.

Stowaway Silfer · Jun 26, 2018

ElephantShell said:
Hubers feelings on the Switch kinda mirrors mine right now. I play in handheld occasionally but it's not a huge part of my lifestyle, I'm playing Hollow Knight right now but that, Celeste, and Wizard of Legend are really the only things I've touched on my Switch so far in 2018. And even Wizard of Legend I have some regrets about getting the Switch version because there's some slowdown when stuff gets hectic that isn't present on other platforms.

I was interested in Battlechasers Nightwar on Switch but it was like $8 on PS4 during E3 and still $50+ CAD on Switch so it bought it on PS4 instead. I was also interested in Moonlighter on Switch but it didn't come out there at launch. The stars are really just not aligning for me to play Switch much right now and it's a bit of a bummer.

That changes soon with Octopath though.

It's the same for me. My Switch only exists for exclusives because I don't play on the go just as Huber doesn't. But it's not a bummer or disappointment to me because it was purchased with complete understanding of that and I didn't expect any more than that and as such I have been immensely satisfied with it.

Stinkinmushroom · Jun 26, 2018

antennastoheaven said:
He's answering the OP who had that angle on the question. That's why it's centered around value and what it could bring to the patreon.

.

Thanks for this context. I read his answer here without context and i read it the wrong way and made me pissed at first. I thought he was basically saying he wont do a new Final Bosman because he's not paid enough.

Master Alucard · Jun 26, 2018

another agdq without huber playing re2

issa · Jun 26, 2018

I don't play my Switch on the go, but I often play in a different room or while in bed.

For me it's the Nintendo and indie machine, the two things people accuse me of being a fanboy of lol.

Master Alucard said:
another agdq without huber playing re2

This should be a one time goal.

TheDarkKnight · Jun 26, 2018

The switch is my vita replacement. It's my indies machine and the occasional Nintendo exclusive that shows up

People ignored the Vita and didn't realize how great it was to play indies on it. Especially when Sony has cross Buy with the games. It was sort of a less elegant solution to the switch.

Xenoboy · Jun 26, 2018

Tbh, I feel like it's Huber just buying Mario and Zelda games and not any others really. There has almost been a new Nintendo game a month. He could've played Xeno, Splatoon, Kirby. And if you aren't interested in those. then there are some third party games you could play, but since he plays only docked then there's no reason to buy the Switch version which I would too if I only played docked. Although I find it very dismisive to call handheld mode a novelty.

sora87 · Jun 26, 2018

Last game i got on my switch was Xenoblade 2, and the only game I'm getting this year so far is Octopath Traveller. It's definitely been collecting some dust for me personally.

Stowaway Silfer · Jun 26, 2018

Xenoboy said:
Although I find it very dismisive to call handheld mode a novelty.

That's literally what it is. Unless you have another example of a Nintendo platform working like the Switch.
"Novelty" isn't inherently good/bad.

Xenoboy · Jun 26, 2018

Silfer said:
That's literally what it is. Unless you have another example of a Nintendo platform working like the Switch.
"Novelty" isn't inherently good/bad.

I don't agree that it's a novelty.

jett · Jun 26, 2018

Keith Stat said:
I forayed over to the Uneasy Alliance Reddit page (https://www.reddit.com/r/UneasyAlli..._have_been_out_of_the_loop_for_long_time_but/) and I noticed this post from Kyle about what he does outside of Easy Allies that I thought was interesting. Here it is...

Well, about half that makes perfect sense to me and the other half kind of seems short-sighted to me. On one hand, Easy Allies affords him the unique opportunity to do whatever he wants basically whenever he wants without being exclusively tied to a company. That's an insanely awesome position to have that flexibility all the while collecting a consistent check.

On the other hand, if your other part-time job you've primarily been working at for over a year now is also at the same place you've been working part-time at for 2+ years that seems kind of a bizarre way of looking at things.

Also, saying he'd ONLY own 1/9th of something seems pretty incredible when put against his past employment opportunities outside of EZA. I'm sure he saw less than 1/9th of Gametrailers/Youtube Gaming/Keighley gigs ownership/profits. Unless he goes solo, which might mean no studio to record in and perhaps a loss of a bigger chunk of the Patreon money if he is doing that full-time, Easy Allies is about as cushy as it gets when it comes to ownership by a mile.

The 60k thing kind of rubs me the wrong way as well. I feel like Easy Allies has long suffered from believing they have a "ceiling." They've been 99% of the time over 40k each month since like March of last year (and 100% of the time over 35k since April 2016 which is only a month after EZA was formed) and they still to this day (hopefully the meeting went well today!) haven't defined what their "ultimate" studio goal is or anything after. They have a fanatic and rabid community that they just are blindsided by at almost every occasion. They raised 32k in nine hours a few months ago! When you give us something defined to support at EZA, we've come through in spades. And the thing is, this all feels organic to me. They've fostered a great community and they create unique and amazing videos that every day more people are discovering.

This is all to say, if Kyle doesn't want to make Final Bosman II, he certainly doesn't have to and should not. As someone who found this group because I stumbled on to a Final Bosman back in the day at GT, a half-baked version sounds lousy to me if his heart is not in it. But still, that's one of the amazing things about Easy Allies as opposed to other jobs where you are constantly doing shit that annoys you for little appreciation, this has been fine at Easy Allies.

It's just a weird thing that he is looking at the "value proposition" of it all. Everything he and the rest of the group does adds "value" to Easy Allies. As we've seen especially in the past few weeks, it's a snowball effect. As more people discover them, more people subscribe on Twitch($) and Youtube($) and potentially more people donate to their Patreon($$$) and that opens up the possibility of larger and more sponsorship opportunities if that is what they are looking for. It's also not a prerequisite that the next "thing" he does has to be self-produced or whatever if it going to run him ragged and interfere with other opportunities. I adore everything I've seen from Box Peek, but it is insane the amount of time he has invested in this mostly solo project in something he doesn't have absolute ownership of it that is important to him.

I just don't know for sure and I'm obviously not there, but Kyle has insanely amazing creative abilities and Easy Allies seemingly seems to check a lot of boxes. He has vastly way more ownership than any other job before, absolute full creative control with no hard deadlines and now, the potential resources of a studio that he'll have large input in how it is designed and also 8 co-workers who he seemingly enjoys and that are all motivated on everyone having success as they all share in it.

Saying all that, taking that "leap" in to commitment one way or the other is much easier said than done. It's a hell of a unique situation he and the rest of EZA are in and it's awesome that they re continuing to have such success.

I guess that explains why Kyle is taking so much time with Box Peek (I think he mentioned in one of his recent streams that not even two episodes had been completed yet?), he doesn't feel pressured to finish it since maybe he feels the amount of work Box Peek needs is not fair to him in relation to how much he's going to get out of it? It's interesting that he calls Box Peek a mistake. I'm still of course looking forward to it whenever it actually comes out. :P

antennastoheaven said:
He's answering the OP who had that angle on the question. That's why it's centered around value and what it could bring to the patreon.

Kyle is a creative guy and he doesn't want to go the easy route. I appreciate him a lot for that. He could EASILY go solo, rehash final bosman and make triple what he made at GT (and he knows and have said pretty much that).

Indeed, Kyle could "easily" have gone at it solo and be more successful than he currently is at EZA. He has his reasons I guess.

Stowaway Silfer · Jun 26, 2018

Xenoboy said:
I don't agree that it's a novelty.

If you literally deny yourself the meanings words are given in dictionaries, there's not much I can say nor purpose to discuss.

Axass · Jun 26, 2018

noah rayne said:
What I think is trying to be said is that there seems to be a prevalent well-meaning, but ultimately misguided opinion that 'bringing TFB back' will bring EZA to incredible financial success. I can't pretend to know anything about how the business end works but, like, they don't make as much money as they used to individually, and that level will be incredibly hard to attain, likely years down the line. Yes, TFB was beloved (is beloved!) but it wasn't the sole reason GT got the funding they did, you know? We can't know that it'll be a YouTube darling for EZA, either, nor that they'll skyrocket in pledges like some assume.

Letting aside the fact he doesn't want to do it for a second, every single shred of evidence we have points to a TFB-like show having the Patreon skyrocket to previously unreachable heights.

People have been clamoring for TFB return since EZA's inception and are still asking for it 2 years down the line, everyone loved and ate up both Bosman at Home and Dear Bosman, two shows that lacked either the production values (former) or the length (latter) of the original, Box Peek, a show about cardboard puppets (!?), was funded in 10 hours or so after the announcement, raking in $2k out of thin air and people are still mostly patiently waiting for it more than a year after the fact.

People are crazy in love with Bosman and there's not a speck of evidence proving the opposite, so I really don't see where this "it wouldn't do so hot on Patreon" narrative comes from. It's easier and more logic to think it'll be a smashing success than the opposite given the data in our possession: Occam's Razor.

TheDarkKnight said:
Guys. I'm addicted to refreshing their patreon page and watching the numbers go up

Halp

I feel you...

issa · Jun 26, 2018

I think docked mode is the novelty :p

sora87 · Jun 26, 2018

I've barely played my switch undocked lol, to me it's just a home console

Deleted member 42164 · Jun 26, 2018

It's so funny to me how much the perception of the Switch differs from one person to another.
I don't think I've actually played with the Switch docked for the last 6 months, only in handheld mode.

Hasney · Jun 26, 2018

My hands are just not a good fit with handhelds. Hated the Vita with how cramped it was and I do hate the Switch in handheld mode even.

But when on a train or something, throw it on a stand in tabletop mode and bust out a pro controller and baby, you got a stew going.

Wiggy · Jun 26, 2018

Silfer said:
It's the same for me. My Switch only exists for exclusives because I don't play on the go just as Huber doesn't. But it's not a bummer or disappointment to me because it was purchased with complete understanding of that and I didn't expect any more than that and as such I have been immensely satisfied with it.

Same, I got mine to be a Nintendo machine too. Nintendo devs not being split between two consoles anymore made me feel like it would be worth it and I'm pretty happy so far with my purchase so far - can't deny it gathers dust from time to time though.

zthan · Jun 26, 2018

Wiggy said:
+1 to the suggestions of making a full playthrough Friday goal. Kyle and Huber's one sitting full playthroughs are by far my fav GT/EZA streams- great to rewatch too.

Agree! Full playthrough streams are maximum chill.

Gaming_Groove · Jun 26, 2018

jett said:
I guess that explains why Kyle is taking so much time with Box Peek (I think he mentioned in one of his recent streams that not even two episodes had been completed yet?), he doesn't feel pressured to finish it since maybe he feels the amount of work Box Peek needs is not fair to him in relation to how much he's going to get out of it? It's interesting that he calls Box Peek a mistake. I'm still of course looking forward to it whenever it actually comes out. :P

This is a pretty shitty comment to make. I don't see that in his post or comments. Every Box Peek update has communicated the enormous pressure he's put himself under to work on it. It's just hard, tedious work and he already has a lot on his plate with everything else he does at Easy Allies. He's talked about living like a mangaka, which if you aren't aware spends nearly every waking moment working on their manga in a futile attempt to meet deadlines.

Furthermore, I think the scrutiny he's put under for not wanting to make The Final Bosman is unfair and the conversation about it has been beaten to death. If he ever does want to do it we'll hear about it, otherwise the man should be allowed to work on what he wants and has agreed to work on for the foreseeable future. Easy Allies is doing fine without that show, and while yeah, it could potentially do better with it, everyone should remember these are people working on a passion project, and if their heart isn't in it then it isn't worth doing.

MrMette · Jun 26, 2018

Silfer said:
It's the same for me. My Switch only exists for exclusives because I don't play on the go just as Huber doesn't. But it's not a bummer or disappointment to me because it was purchased with complete understanding of that and I didn't expect any more than that and as such I have been immensely satisfied with it.

I use it like that as well. I hardly ever take it out of the dock and if I do, it's to play somewhere else in the house (eg. when a package is coming as I usually don't hear the doorbell when I play at my usual spot). I am hardly ever playing my Switch, but I knew that going in (I did pre-order Octopath Traveler and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, so I am probably going to play those). I also bought Mario Tennis, but I am not really feeling it too much. I do still have a lot of games on my Switch and will probably give some of them a go during the holidays (I also just started Mario + Rabbids and haven't touched Zelda yet).

It's the same with my old Xbox One and One X which are almost exclusively Forza machines (I did put 100+ hours into all Forza's (except for FH1) I have put over 300 hours into Forza Horizon 3, so I still think it's worth it). I also played Rise Of The Tomb Raider on it and I am trying to play all my racing games on the Xbox One X now as I like the Xbox controller better for racing games because of the rumble in the triggers (but I don't play a lot of racing games except for Forza because of my large backlog).

Hasney said:
My hands are just not a good fit with handhelds. Hated the Vita with how cramped it was and I do hate the Switch in handheld mode even.

But when on a train or something, throw it on a stand in tabletop mode and bust out a pro controller and baby, you got a stew going.

I don't like playing on a Vita either as it hurts my hands (and neck) to play on it for extended periods to the point that I play my games on a PSTV when I have the choice (I played Persona 4 Golden on a PSTV). My Vita (and 3DS for that matter) are handly ever used. I probably played more on my 3DS itself although I bought it much later than my Vita, but only because there is no other way to play those games.

I would use my Vita and 3DS (and possibly my Switch in handheld mode) much more if I went to work by train, but I live close to work and the only "gaming" I do while going to work (on foot) is playing Pokemon Go.

jett · Jun 26, 2018

Gaming_Groove said:
This is a pretty shitty comment to make. I don't see that in his post or comments. Every Box Peek update has communicated the enormous pressure he's put himself under to work on it. It's just hard, tedious work and he already has a lot on his plate with everything else he does at Easy Allies. He's talked about living like a mangaka, which if you aren't aware spends nearly every waking moment working on their manga in a futile attempt to meet deadlines.

Furthermore, I think the scrutiny he's put under for not wanting to make The Final Bosman is unfair and the conversation about it has been beaten to death. If he ever does want to do it we'll hear about it, otherwise the man should be allowed to work on what he wants and has agreed to work on for the foreseeable future. Easy Allies is doing fine without that show, and while yeah, it could potentially do better with it, everyone should remember these are people working on a passion project, and if their heart isn't in it then it isn't worth doing.

I didn't mean it to be shitty, I personally am not interested in pressing him to do/finish Box Peek. Kyle can do whatever he wants at any pace. The things he said in that reddit post are an interesting insight into his state of mind though.

Stowaway Silfer · Jun 26, 2018

Gaming_Groove said:
This is a pretty shitty comment to make. I don't see that in his post or comments. Every Box Peek update has communicated the enormous pressure he's put himself under to work on it. It's just hard, tedious work and he already has a lot on his plate with everything else he does at Easy Allies. He's talked about living like a mangaka, which if you aren't aware spends nearly every waking moment working on their manga in a futile attempt to meet deadlines.

Furthermore, I think the scrutiny he's put under for not wanting to make The Final Bosman is unfair and the conversation about it has been beaten to death. If he ever does want to do it we'll hear about it, otherwise the man should be allowed to work on what he wants and has agreed to work on for the foreseeable future. Easy Allies is doing fine without that show, and while yeah, it could potentially do better with it, everyone should remember these are people working on a passion project, and if their heart isn't in it then it isn't worth doing.

Man the Togashi thing always makes me feel incredibly bad when I see it. It's unbelievable to me how the weekly manga industry has stayed this way for so long when examples after examples keep coming to show that it is untenable. You have quality manga that need to change magazines like JoJo, quality manga that need a break once a month like One Piece, quality manga that needs to go on regular hiatus like Hunter X Hunter and quality manga that suffer significant quality drops like Naruto and Bleach and way too much stuff.

I do not envy Kyle at all.

Wiggy · Jun 26, 2018

If they hit 50k it would cool to get the EZA 2.0 road map. They launched with goals upto 50k, now we're there (fingers crossed), it would be cool to see what the next 50k looks like. What would 100k, chapo trap house levels of support bring EZA?

Stowaway Silfer · Jun 26, 2018

MrMette said:
I use it like that as well. I hardly ever take it out of the dock and if I do, it's to play somewhere else in the house (eg. when a package is coming as I usually don't hear the doorbell when I play at my usual spot). I am hardly ever playing my Switch, but I knew that going in (I did pre-order Octopath Traveler and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, so I am probably going to play those). I also bought Mario Tennis, but I am not really feeling it too much. I do still have a lot of games on my Switch and will probably give some of them a go during the holidays (I also just started Mario + Rabbids and haven't touched Zelda yet).

It's the same with my old Xbox One and One X which are almost exclusively Forza machines (I did put 100+ hours into all Forza's (except for FH1) with having played Forza Horizon 3 over 300 hours, so I still think it's worth it). I also played Rise Of The Tomb Raider on it and I am trying to play all my racing games on the Xbox One X now as I like the Xbox controller better for racing games because of the rumble in the triggers (but I don't play a lot of racing games except for Forza because of my large backlog).

Oh yeah those XB1 triggers are so good for racing games!

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