Update Vlog June '19 - Experimentation Month & Big 25 game cull!

Here is my Update Vlog for June 2019!

Look below to jump to a section:
General Updates
- Reaction to previous vlog - 0:38
- Playthrough experiment - 5:01
- Vlog experiments - 8:10
- Audio experiment 13:10
Upcoming Video Schedule - 16:01
Shifting Shelf - 18:31
- 1 game in & 25 games out

[undersci]

I would hate to lose the playthroughs of heavy euros - your playthroughs of Underwater Cities, A Feast for Odin, and Gloomhaven are a major reason I love your channel. Splitting them seems like a great compromise - not scaring people off with the video time, while keeping the meaty content which makes the channel distinct and wonderful.

[TylerDeLisle]

The Shifting Shelves segment of these videos is some of my favorite content among all boardgame content creators. It's just as informative, if not more, than a review. What stays in a person's collection says a lot, and I think a lot of people are coming to that point now where their collections are topped out and there are still games coming in. I've gotten rid of a lot of the same games for similar reasons. It's funny how much box size can come into it, I actually messaged the Vindication guys the same time I sold mine and canceled my expansion pledge. If they ever came out with a "normal" sized square box without all of the mini's, I would rebuy the game without hestiation. It's a good game... but it's not $100 worth of useless bling taking up half a shelf, good.

[docbun]

I've always loved that you put timestamps in your videos, Jon. Thank you for that. And don't mind the critics too much! They are also a proof that you have an audience (since this is how the internet goes).

[dshannon]

Jon, you are my favorite content creator on YouTube. Not just in the realm of gaming but across the entire platform. I was worried when you mentioned giving in to the complaints about video length, because your videos' length / your commitment to doing full detailed playthroughs is the what I love most about your content. I enjoy your videos more than I do many TV shows and have used your content to refine my gaming tastes and fine tune my purchases over the last year, and your content provides me that insight into each game in a way and depth that nearly no one else does. All that to just say, I was extremely relieved when you went on to say you would not change the overall content of your channel, just the way in which its presented to viewers. I hope that the experimentation bears fruit while also not discouraging you from tackling the challenge of the full playthroughs even though I'm sure metrics will eventually show those longer videos get far less engagement--those of us who do stick with them cherish them! Thank you for your hardwork and for the joy you've personally brought to my life!

[just_mini_painting]

Breaking your content up into more digestible chunks makes sense. I prefer the long videos, I actually thoroughly enjoy them; public transport is so much better while watching your playthroughs. However, I think you will expand your viewing audience by doing what you propose. I just joined your patreon. Keep up the great work, Jon!

[Tia]

I’m excited about your ideas and I think your humility will pay off!

[rahdo]

good choices all, and i hope your reticence to cut stuff up into segments wasn't due at all to you thinking "it's not cool to copy rahdo's thing", because i'm all about people copying me, because it means they're making content i'm more likely to enjoy! that's what i told slickerdrips years ago :)

[adwilliams]

John, this is awesome and I do love your longer content. Impressions, shifting shelf, playthroughs are all great. I hope that the feedback you've received is reassuring and enjoyable.

I think Live videos are awesome though you'll hear from people that the time doesn't work for them in their part of the world. One thing you could do during the live video is read the emailed questions live and discuss them live with the crowd. Many viewers could share alternate perspectives or ask follow up questions. Just an idea!

Also the mic sounds great!

[ctwoodhouse]

Love your ideas for the tutorials & playthroughs Jon. You're already among the best and just keep getting better.

[alexblake]

Personally I love the playthroughs, and really appreciate the production quality you put into them. But I also see the value in separating into overview/tutorial and extended playthrough to help drive engagement.


Regarding the shifting shelf segment in general, and Vindication in particular, I have backed the most recent KS with all the expansions (largely for the solo mode). Have you played with any of these expansions, or just the base game?


Thanks for the great content. Keep it up!

[nfirehazzard]

I'm super excited for you, I hope it all works out for the best. I love your long rambles but I fully support your decision! Good luck!

[aliplaysalotro]

I am always glad to see new content from you Jon! The Shifting Shelves is a really informative part of the vlog because as far as I know, you are the only vlogger culling his shelf so often and showing it on camera. This is a great habit. Some games are fine but not worth of being part of the collection and everyone needs to learn to get rid of games they haven't been playing for years.
Your audio is better! I'd suggest you color-correct your play-through videos so they look more vivid. This is something I've done in my last video and will continue doing.
Glad that we both are covering the same game for Kickstarter, namely Trouble in Templetown.
Keep the great episodes coming!

[bagookster]

I’ve been watching your tutorial videos for a couple years - very clear and concise! Recently have been enjoying your vlogs and subscribed... the video length did make me hesitate, but the content is so good I consider it like a podcast (can listen while I do other things, and peek at the screen now and then). But fast forwarding to different parts does get tedious. I think all of your new ideas sound great! Think the channel will evolve nicely! You’re becoming my favorite reviewer to watch! ESP love the shifting shelf segment - I’m always reevaluating my collection because I keep it small. And I’ve learned of so many cool looking upcoming games thanks to you 😊❤️

[SilverSnaken]

Hearing your ideas about experiments to run this month I like the sound of all of those ideas. I often end up watching your videos in smaller chunks anyway, breaking up Q&A from impressions and from upcoming games. I watch those in 30-40 minute chunks when I have the time. Getting the videos released as smaller chunks spread over time will help me do that as well as not have to worry about forgetting (or actually forgetting) to go back and finish up an older video.


But it does sound like some of these changes will mean more work for you so don't go get burned out pouring even more hours into this channel when you already don't have enough days off. :) Looking forward to checking out the new formats this month!


Oh, if you do end up doing live Q&As, having a segment in it for questions mailed in in advance would be good for those of us who live in time zones not compatible with your live schedule.

[TylerDeLisle]

The video length thing is probably a good call. I don't mind the length at all myself, your videos are perfect for background while I work while at my computer. You have a great cadence, I don't mind zoning in and out as you cover different topics of various interest. I do understand where the average consumer is coming from though. I'm guilty myself if I'm trying to learn a game within a time constraint, I'm going to click the 15 minute video over the 30 minute one every time. There are some ramblers that I outright avoid.

[Therisktaker]

I think being flexible is good. I personally love the play throughs the way they are. I typically watch each and everyone one of your play throughs, at least of the games that interest me. With that being said pulling the tutorial out of the play through may help with those looking one over the other. Another option you can try is just splitting up the play throughs into smaller videos or having a tutorial, play through, and final impressions video (like rahdo).

With regard to your vlogs I think breaking those down will help because again it may help people focus on their favorite segments of your vlog. I know I don't listen to your vlogs nearly as much as you playthroughs, but breaking them down into smaller groupings may help me as well as others.

On the topic of your audio I like the new mic. I agree that the audio sounded a little off at times nothing that would prevent me from listening to your videos (since I have watched many of them), but it sounded like cold or tinny.

Keep up the good work and good luck on your changes.

[jasonbrown]

Looking forward to week 25. Dwellings of Eldervale is on my watch list and I'm in for $1 on Few and Cursed.

[tsimpkins]

I think the decision to break the videos into shorter times. Concerning the shifting shelves segment, i am more interested in what is leaving and why.

[Tia]

Hi Jon, I really do love your content. I appreciate your attention to detail very much! The time stamps are great, however I do agree the length of your videos can be daunting. The time stamps are a great tool but it can feel like work gathering the info from the video. Then I worry if I’ve missed something important. Hope that makes sense. Not a criticism, your content is worth the “work”. Just offering up my perspective.

[supark]

Looking forward to Undaunted Normandy.