Channel Update #42?

For anyone here who may be interested in more discussions around this topic, I found this podcast to be extremely insightful, centered around a similar topic as the one in NKB's video on Emil, but offering an interesting and slightly different take than usual: https://youtu.be/yvxP0juVdnA?si=EF-cVkbcJ8spgPDr

JJ Fleck

I really really loved this video. it makes a really important point to treat game devs like human beings, even if one doesn't think they're any good at their job. Creetosis in particular was "unhinged" as you said, and he has no fucking clue the things you're supposed to do cordially when you give a talk/presentation somewhere, or what it's like to be part of a greater professional community, to be invited to an event or conference, etc. I will say, though, I think it was a mistake to call out Creetosis and Patrician by name, and even more to make such specific direct accusations against them. and the "game you deserve" almost-plagiarism accusation you made was really weak. no matter what, they are obviously really good at spinning minutiae to fit their narrative, as you can see from the response videos they've made. the point you were ultimately trying to make was going to fly over their heads no matter what, because they're basically glorified vtubers making Bethesda hate their whole shtick, and they're always going to be focused on keeping their YouTube presence internally consistent. they're not looking at any bigger picture like you are. idk, I decided to start donating tonight because I think your last video had a really important message (and I've always loved your videos; the "Entire History of Video Games" has gotten me through some long drives recently), but I also think you fucked up a bit. I remain a true fan of yours.

Alex Anneken

Hey NKB, wanna quickly say I’m really glad you made this last video. I decided to support rather recently as you make probably the most thoroughly researched and well written long form content on the platform, and admittedly in search for more I had some Patrician Skyrim retrospective videos in my Watch Later but I might have to reconsider… I follow game dev stuff a little less than games in general, but still better than the average person and I was shocked how oblivious I was to the kind of hate and misinformation being spread and taken as truth. I guess I’m saying that you creating this most recent video makes me feel that I’m on the right side of YouTube, and while I’ve previously had zero feelings about Asmon before this, all I can think now is how silly I would feel if I were one of the chatters too self-indulged and unbothered to call a piece like this “yap” and remain complacent in foul-mouthing a rather innocent guy. Also really makes me think about the AP English courses I took in high school, learning about rhetoric and how important context really is, and separately fact checking, fallacies etc. and how disappointing it is that most people in the American school system aren’t learning that kind of thing and really will just believe everything on the internet is true and preach it in the echo chamber for others to learn.

Kenneth Austria

Recently I cut back from a $9 sub to $6 because I had a change in employment. For this month, I'm supporting you with $20. Your video took guts and I appreciate you taking a stand for what you believe is important and just. Keep up the great work.

Justin Cohen

I had originally started writing up a long post criticizing the latest video, but about halfway through I realized it was very unlikely it would have been read even if it was posted here rather than the cesspool that is YouTube comments, so I will instead keep my thoughts brief. I think this latest video was way off the mark. I agree with the idea and the thesis and the defense of Emil, but the execution was frankly baffling. It got to the point that I partially gaslit myself into thinking that this was actually a satirical video where you were demonstrating the same emotion-fueled vitriolic bad faith critiques that you were initially criticizing, as a form of parody. Others have put my opinions much more eloquently than I ever could, and I hope that you at least read and consider what criticism has been levied your way in good faith by people who actually enjoy and care about your content. I've been supporting you for about 2 and a half years, and I plan on continuing to support you in the future because I'm a fan of your analyses, but I thought I would be remiss to not at least express my opinion as a patron. I know things have been hard for you in recent years and they certainly aren't going well in terms of certain fanbases' reaction to this video, but I do genuinely hope that you will be okay through all of it.

Hime Takamura

NKB, I’ve just become a patreon as a result of your latest video. I’ve always enjoyed your content and think your history of video games ranks among my favorite videos on the platform, but this is the video that convinced me to financially support you. I just can’t allow a message with such good intention to go unrewarded, or even worse, punished. I fear you will continue to get a lot of negative backlash from hateful fans of other YouTubers and I hope it doesn’t get to you, because you are absolutely in the right. Lastly, if I can offer a bit of my own criticism, I think the weak plagiarism “accusation” damages an otherwise fantastic video. Keep up the good work!