Escapist News Network: Rejeweled

[lokiduck]

What is the most hilarious bit is that my mom and I were playing bejeweled Blitz just a few hours ago and I maxed out my 25k YAY 8D

XD Anyways awesome video.

 

[Mydnyght]

And Paul is a tustworthy reporter? Is that a joke I don't get or a typo?

Actually, it said "tustworhthy". You missed an H there. And while we're on the subject of spelling errors, in the disclaimer at the middle of the video, "entity" was misspelled too, with an extra I right before the Y.

EDIT:
Hold the phone, at 1:54, am I reading that right? Does that really say paid programmimng?

...

Oh my god, it really DOES! What's with all these typos lately? That one guy for ENN has been playing way too much Bejeweled, hasn't he?

 

[Vohn_exel]

Ranty snip

Speaking as someone that does have ad block up, I do feel guilty for getting quality entertainment for free. Does buying merchandise from your store or Yahtzee's book even things out? I don't mind paying, I just don't like boring commercials. I honestly don't see the difference in skipping flipping channels on tv and radio when commercials come up and block ads on the internet. But I am willing to pay for entertainment.

Actually that is something that I kind of agree with. When I watch Lost on ABC, who provide the show free on their website, I can understand that they run those IRRITATING er, I mean necessary commercials. They are showing the stuff for free. But I can't help but think that intrusive ads on the internet are not the best way to go.

I really don't mind ads all that much, but I don't like them getting in the way of what I'm watching. It's why people switch channels, use their VCR/DVR's fast forward system, and why others go watch 72 hours of Megavideo. The internet is different than TV in that it isn't forced to show just one thing on the screen at one time. Although even still I don't think those flashing unmutable ads on the side are a very good solution either.

However, as Bdcjacko said, I don't actually mind paying to have no commercials. I pay for the Escapist club here, and for Netflix, so that I can avoid commercials. The price isn't very heft and so it works well as a way to get my content without having to wait for commerials to finish. Because my tv is only hooked up to my PS3 and nothing else, I don't get to watch actual television anyway. So if I end up having to watch something online, I wouldn't mind if I could pay a certain amount and get all the shows without the ads. If there were a huge TV like site that I could go to, like Hulu, that had all the shows and no ads, I'd be all on for paying a reasonable fee for it. Infact, if Hulu does ever come out with Premium, I might cancel Netflix since I hardly watch DVD's and go with that.

But I think the main problem is that people look at the internet and computers as something different than TV all together. I mean, we're not watching a show broadcast at any certain time. We're watching it whenever we want. People want to be able to watch these shows whenever and however they want. They just don't see it as the same as sitting down to watch a show on the TV.

I think the main problem isn't just the length of the ads vs the length of the vids, however. It's the frequency and the...in your faceness (words fail me) that irritates everyone. I mean, ok, so I have to sit through an ad that plays and has sound. Ok. Now, if I were watching on a VCR, I'd just skip through it with fast forward. Only, they make it so that you can't do that on the internet. Ok, so now we're forced to watch these commercials. So lets treat it like we're watching TV. Only, if it were on TV, and you couldn't change your channel or else the entire show would start over again (as in thats what happens if you click on a link in the same window in internet video) you'd just mute the commercial and go about your business. But now, they're making it so that you can't even do that. You're forced to watch and listen to the commercials like someone has a vendetta against you. It's like having someone stand directly infront of you and try to sell you a cell phone simply because you walked into a store.

So, I can see what both of you are saying, I think in a way you're both right. Ads pay the bills, and people should get paid for creative content so that they can go on making said content. I mean, if LRR got paid for what they do, to the point that they didn't have to work any other jobs, I can imagine that we'd get better and maybe even more content from you. But at the same time, ads shouldn't become so intrusive that it's easier just to skip the content all together. If ads get really bad they'll do exactly what they do now, which is drive people to find "alternative" means to watch whatever it is their watching. There needs to be a happy medium of ads that get people money, but that aren't so irritating that they drive people away. Sites like ABC.com are doing it right with putting their shows online, but the TV style interrupting ads aren't the way to go, IMO.

I believe that things like this will change when people that use the services they're providing start getting tired of things like ads themselves. Irritating video ads interspersed into your video is the old way of doing things, and I think it will soon go the way of the Dodo. However, just putting up an add on a sidebar, or telling you that you've won a free ipod isn't gonna work either. Hopefully we'll eventually find some kind of either short ad that you only have to watch once or a way to pay so you watch no ads at all. So like I said, I see from both perspectives. People that watch creative content shouldn't mind sitting through a short commercial to fund the thing they love to watch. But at the same time, we should be allowed to complain when it begins to be too much. I don't know what sort of medium we can find between these two things but surely one exists.

Wow, that was an unintended long reply. If anyone reads all that, kudos to you. You win an imaginary cookie.

 

[DTWolfwood]

Paul Saunders is indeed a tustworhthy actor! XD

 

[Susan Arendt]

Speaking as someone that does have ad block up, I do feel guilty for getting quality entertainment for free. Does buying merchandise from your store or Yahtzee's book even things out? I don't mind paying, I just don't like boring commercials. I honestly don't see the difference in skipping flipping channels on tv and radio when commercials come up and block ads on the internet. But I am willing to pay for entertainment.

No, buying Yahtzee's book doesn't offset blocking ads from his videos here on the site. The creation process for the book is entirely separate from the process for the content he creates here, involving an entirely different set of people and pockets. So, while the creator of both happens to be the same person, one product has no real bearing on the other.

As for not seeing the difference, the difference is that the internet is not the same medium as radio or TV, which is to say that the monetization is handled completely differently. Here's an example: The cost of making a TV show is relatively fixed in place - if it's $100,000 an episode, it's $100,000 an episode whether ten people or watching or ten million people are watching. With internet content, that's not true. The more people that watch your content, the more bandwidth they use, the more it costs you to deliver that content to their eyeballs. It's basically backwards from TV.

Just turn the ad blocker off, man. Or buy a Pub Club membership, that would be fine, too. (Actually, that would be my personal recommendation, because seriously, who wants to watch ads?)

 

[bdcjacko]

Speaking as someone that does have ad block up, I do feel guilty for getting quality entertainment for free. Does buying merchandise from your store or Yahtzee's book even things out? I don't mind paying, I just don't like boring commercials. I honestly don't see the difference in skipping flipping channels on tv and radio when commercials come up and block ads on the internet. But I am willing to pay for entertainment.

No, buying Yahtzee's book doesn't offset blocking ads from his videos here on the site. The creation process for the book is entirely separate from the process for the content he creates here, involving an entirely different set of people and pockets. So, while the creator of both happens to be the same person, one product has no real bearing on the other.

Just turn the ad blocker off, man. Or buy a Pub Club membership, that would be fine, too. (Actually, that would be my personal recommendation, because seriously, who wants to watch ads?)

I'll consider it getting the pub club thing...what all does it do for me?

I will not be turning off my ad block, but that is more for anti-virus reasons. Earlier this year, I got a really nasty virus or root-kit, I don't know what they are called from an ad on facebook (we believe). We have anti-virus software, but I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to get this virus and the software wasn't up to date enough to handle it. The anti-virus company suggested going to mozilla firefox with ad blocks to prevent ads from giving me viruses. Now here is the thing, I never clicked the ad, somehow it embedded the virus just by looking at it, possibly dragging the arrow across the ad accidentally. Long story short, ad block is staying up.

You know, I've never heard of a tv or radio commercial that destroys your tv or radio just by being on.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Speaking as someone that does have ad block up, I do feel guilty for getting quality entertainment for free. Does buying merchandise from your store or Yahtzee's book even things out? I don't mind paying, I just don't like boring commercials. I honestly don't see the difference in skipping flipping channels on tv and radio when commercials come up and block ads on the internet. But I am willing to pay for entertainment.

No, buying Yahtzee's book doesn't offset blocking ads from his videos here on the site. The creation process for the book is entirely separate from the process for the content he creates here, involving an entirely different set of people and pockets. So, while the creator of both happens to be the same person, one product has no real bearing on the other.

Just turn the ad blocker off, man. Or buy a Pub Club membership, that would be fine, too. (Actually, that would be my personal recommendation, because seriously, who wants to watch ads?)

I'll consider it getting the pub club thing...what all does it do for me?

I will not be turning off my ad block, but that is more for anti-virus reasons. Earlier this year, I got a really nasty virus or root-kit, I don't know what they are called from an ad on facebook (we believe). We have anti-virus software, but I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to get this virus and the software wasn't up to date enough to handle it. The anti-virus company suggested going to mozilla firefox with ad blocks to prevent ads from giving me viruses. Now here is the thing, I never clicked the ad, somehow it embedded the virus just by looking at it, possibly dragging the arrow across the ad accidentally. Long story short, ad block is staying up.

You know, I've never heard of a tv or radio commercial that destroys your tv or radio just by being on.

I can see where you're coming from. As for Pub Club, all the ads get turned off, guilt free. You also get a larger avatar, access to a private forum, exclusive content, a custom title, and a few other goodies. You can get all the specifics here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/registration/subscribe

 

[bdcjacko]

I can see where you're coming from. As for Pub Club, all the ads get turned off, guilt free. You also get a larger avatar, access to a private forum, exclusive content, a custom title, and a few other goodies. You can get all the specifics here: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/registration/subscribe

I'll think about it, it isn't much to pay for such a great site. I just am thinking about it because I have a tendency for getting banned because I can't resist being a bit of an ass. That is why I rather buy stuff because then if I get banned, I still have a stuffed imp.

 

[insanelich]

You do realize you pay more for your internet then you do for your tv?

Wait, what?

I do pay more for my internet than for TV, but that's 'cuz I don't have a TV. Internet connection is still cheaper than TV, and I could actually have 3 internet connections for the cost of TV.

... what?

oic internet connection is cheaper then free to air tv"
are you gonna compare the price of a PC to a TV now?"
cause if your PC cost you less then your TV then it must be a mighty TV
I could have a 10 thousand dollar TV for the years ive paid for my net thx

I'm not comparing the price of a TV to a price of a PC... though, I could get a computer for cheaper. Barely cheaper but still. $300 for a netbook, $400 for a TV.

But this "free to air" TV would end up costing me around $330 a year.

An internet connection costs me $65 a year if I rent the hardware. Less if I have my own hardware. A broadband internet connection, too. 384kbit.

So yeah, scratch that - I could have FIVE internet connections for the price of TV.

 

[Catalyst6]

Good god, I never knew that Dragon's Lair was so... prolific...

 

[Boba Frag]

Man, Kathleen's hair is awesome!

Brilliant opening from Graham followed swiftly by the crushing correction from Kathleen.
You two guys are fantastic playing off one another.... I love how you can see his face fall ever so steadily the more she rips into him

And good point... how DID that guy persuade Milla Jovovich to marry him??

Mind control. That's how...

Great ENN, guys, shame I only saw it now... got... distracted.... *hides iPhone with Bejewelled on it*

 

[Boba Frag]

HOLY BALLS. RANT INCOMING.

Back in the days of TV, we expected to get quality programming for free, but we understood that we got it in exchange for watching advertising. The ads supported the shows, and the people who worked the shows on them got paid decent salaries.
Nowadays, the internet is still trying to figure out how to make money for itself. The content is still free, but there is no implicit contract between the viewers and the advertisers.

So, while the system works itself out, advertisers are trying to put TV style ads with internet content (which is on the whole much shorter because no content creators can afford to produce TV length content as the monetization system just isn't in place yet) and we get complaints that the ads are almost as long as the video you want to watch. Things will sort themselves out in time. The internet needs to find the most efficient way to make money. Please stick with the ads.

Here's why:

When you use an adblocker - who are you hurting with this seemingly innocent act?

Advertisers? Yes, a little bit, they loose some eyes on their message.

Websites? Yes, a little bit, as they loose a fraction of a cent for each ad you don't see.

Content Creators and regular people? Yes! Why? Crap flows downhill my friend.

You? The most - read on.

The internet needs content - videos, columns, comics, porn, whatever. Without content, there would be no internet. I think everyone can agree people who create quality content should be paid a fair market rate for their time, but the money to pay for the content that drives the eyeballs to the site doesn't come from thin air. It comes in exchange for people seeing advertisements. (Or an equivalent - pub club members don't see ads because they've already paid for the content.)

If people don't see advertisements, the ads don't get clicks and don't get their message across. This means advertisers pay the websites less and less, and lose confidence in the internet as a marketing system because it doesn't really seem to work.

When websites don't make money, they close down shop (after all, a business isn't in the business of providing you free entertainment), lay off employees, and certainly can't afford to pay content creators fair value (or any value) for their work. Sure, content creators can work for free to do something they love (something I personally did for 7 years before LRR started working with the Escapist), but at some point, you have to give up a hobby that costs you money and time and find a real job.

Before you say I'm whining, keep in mind I do have a real job. I sit at a desk 4 days a week (my company is actually wonderful and supportive of my other job - LRR) so I can work Fridays, Saturdays, evenings (and sometimes Sundays) to provide you with free content.

So, when you block ads, you take away the money that compensates me for this work. You reduce the profitability of sites like The Escapist that are willing to pay me, (instead of expecting it for free as many sites do, as there's lots of content out there, and a website has to pay its bills and keep roofs over its employee's heads before it considers paying contractors like me) and you reduce my ability to make content until I get to the point where I say, "you know what, screw it, and go back to working 5 days a week because I can't AFFORD to do what I love" and I stop making internet funny times.

By refusing to pay for content or watch ads, you slowly strangle the creative people who make it for you. And you don't strangle the 14 year old kid who puts up stuff on his deviant art profile, you strangle the incredibly talented web-cartoonist who stops working on comics to do more professional illustration work. You strangle the really talented writers who go back to day jobs in marketing. You kill the best content by keeping its creators from getting fair compensation.

Sure, there's new content always being created, but the creators won't keep making it for you for free forever. Eventually, they'll have to grow up and move on with their lives. And who will be worse off?

YOU.

So holy shit, if you like an artist, buy a print. If you like ENN, watch an ad. If you like a writer, buy their book. If you refuse to pay for content, eventually there won't be an quality content for you to refuse to pay for.

*applause for Kathleen*

This is why I love you guys, you juggle all the work of LRR and the other wonderful stuff you guys put up on The Escapist with actual careers and your own lives.

I'd gladly sit through ten minutes worth of ads for one LRR video.

Ok, maybe not ten mintes, but the gesture is what counts, right?

Again, if sitting through an ad every now and then is what it takes to enjoy your stuff, then it's kind of a steal if you ask me.

Keep up the good work guys!

 

[mr_rubino]

So this was taped at CNN? Because unless Graham said "ats ENN", I'm pretty sure that was a C there

"It's ENN" actually. I had to listen to it a few times, myself.

Perhaps it's just a Canadianism.
But that "Jeremy in a Deathspank thong" thing might have legs.

And good point... how DID that guy persuade Milla Jovovich to marry him??

He put her in every movie he ever made. It's like a diamond ring, but bigger.

But in answer to the responses to Rantsplosion '010, I'd just take more varied and less stupid ads.
I'm not 5 and noone I know would admit to even looking at a Slim Jim, much less after the ads its greenlit in the last few months. Jane Lynch will always be awesome, but it loses something the 50th time.
And if the Dragon's Lair commercial is a joke, I don't get it. If it's for real, I get it even less. But it's clear not real, so I get the joke even less than I already before had not.
(EDIT: That bobcat is funny though. I demand more bobcat in Escapist's ads.)

 

[GuideBot]

I haven't seen ENN for a while, has Kathleen done something different? She looks awesome.

 

[DeepComet5581]

Dragon's Lair 3D: the worlds largest Timesink.

Seriously, I must have spent over 200 hours on that thing and only got half-way through the game.

I didn't even get stuck on a level. I just sold it when I bought a new PC with a different OS.

 

[MBE]

Has ENN been canceled due to people running Firefox with AdBlock? What? People don't want to be distracted with "punch the monkey" banner ads and busy noisy animated ads that deliver malware?

If I join the PubClub, will you bring back ENN? Please?!

I won't even mention that Kathleen's hairstyle reminds me of Rosie O'Donnell's hairstyle. Oops.

 

[theshadowcult]

Kathleen, you may be joking about the Deathspank thong, but deep down you know you want to see Graham wearing one!!

 

[duchaked]

a finish...well depending on who's wearing the thong