Episode 97: ONCE UPON A TIME: WHEN GAMES TOOK CHANCES

FINALLY!



P.S. Make sure to submit your questions to our last-ever Mailbag Episode(s)!

The Final Mailbag

Episode 97 (title forthcoming) is in-production for it's long-overdue release. I'd ask folks not to get their hopes up, as THIS episode's technical business wasn't what held things up (some of that will be seen soon, though.) However, that's not the only thing coming soon:

I can now announce that both Episode 98 and Episode 99 will (both) be the final MAILBAG episodes, devoted to answering fan mail and viewer questions. And this time, there's no gimmick involved: This will be me, Bob/MovieBob/OverThinker answering questions posed to me about either video games, game culture or the show itself.

Said questions will be culled from the comments on THIS blog post, below. Anonymous questions will not be answered, though you're not required to use your actual name. Ask away: I'm not going to answer every question, but I'll answer as many as I can. This will be the last time a mailbag happens in this particular show format, so make it count :)

Rumors & Exaggerations

Hey, here's a video that was ALMOST an OverThinker update but became a Big Picture instead...

The Escapist : The Big Picture : Off Target - Don't Censor Me Part 2

More news after the jump:

Big Picture: REMEMBERING THE REAL JACK THOMPSON

The Escapist : The Big Picture : Remembering the Real Jack Thompson

Truthiness

Stephen Colbert, heading for the home stretch of The Colbert Report's time on this Earth, reminding everyone why he is forever and always the hero Nerd Culture needs:

Rebuilding

So. It's time to let fans, followers, readers etc know where things stand and are going with these blogs and my general web presence (after you check the latest update, of course)...

Another Long Collection of Thoughts about #GamerGate

NOTE: This was originally a piece that was intended for publication elsewhere. Length, however, became an issue (a shorter, "to the point" version is in production). But I still wanted a "one-stop" source for my positions on the Recent Unpleasantness as a whole, because it helps make certain social-media interactions mercifully shorter.

I have a lot to say about the so-called “GamerGate” controversy, much of which I’ve already said but much of which I’d wanted the opportunity to say with more clarity. So to keep this from running too long (Spoiler Warning: I will almost certainly run too long, anyway) and losing your interest I’m going to forego the use of flowery “clever” segues between thoughts and lay this out categorically.

But if you’re impatient to get down into the comments and start debating what variety of heated-adhesive and which species of fowl would be best suited to my tarring and feathering and want the TL;DR version right-off? Fine: I think of GamerGate alternately as a joke that got infuriatingly out-of-hand and an outright campaign of hate and harassment either dense (or pretending to be dense) enough to think itself otherwise; and it’s goals (both stated and implied) are the exact opposite of the self-betterment that gaming desperately needs - and was (not accidently) right in the midst of achieving when this foolishness started. In short, I find it to be a wholly destructive thing with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

That’s the short version. If you want the long one, keep reading.

EPISODE 96: "The Gamer's Gate"

It's not what you think... or is it?

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Those who follow me on social media are no doubt aware that this particular Autumn is a busy time for me: Lots of work stuff, lots of family/personal stuff, all of it putting a certain premium on my time. In addition, I'm working toward a "revamping" of my blogosphere presence that will likely mean a rejiggering of my site(s) in general, but that's down the road.

In either case, I remain sorry for the lack of updates and can only assure followers/fans that I'm working to change course on that. Until then, here's this past week's Big Picture

The Escapist : The Big Picture : Everything Means Something

A Long Post About #GamerGate

(This was also posted to the other blog, identically.)

Okay. So, right upfront, I feel like I need to say that I’m posting this to my own blogs on my own time under my own name and my own name only because its coming 100% from me. It’s got nothing to do with any person I work for or any of the websites/outlets/etc my work appears on. Nobody asked me to write this, nobody asked me not to write it, and you shouldn’t take anything I have to say as either endorsement or rejection of anything any other person or entity has said or not said on the matter – personally or as a matter of policy. Being a grownup, I’m perfectly capable and willing to work for and alongside people who disagree with me, so long as it’s amicable and mutually respectful. I have done so in the past, and I expect to do so in the future.

So…

EPISODE 95: "The AntiThinker Blabs"

This time, the bad guy has the floor...

CONBRAVO PANEL (featuring special Game OverThinker announcement)

Here it is. Many thanks to @ZenithWillRule for volunteering to shoot and upload the footage!

GAME OVERTHINKER CONBRAVO SCHEDULE

Hey there!

I'll be making my first ever appearance on the Canadian convention circuit at ConBravo this weekend! If you're going, here's the places and times you can find me in terms of panels and events.

I'll also be out and about and will likely find at least a few hours to set up for autographs and selling copies of SMB3: Brick By Brick; but even if you just see me walking the floor by all means feel free to say hi (I might have books with me then, too.)

Here's how things look...

Episode 94: ANOTHER REDUNDANT E3 2014 WRAPUP

Looks like we're back on YouTube primarily for a little while, but the show must go on. Here, at last, is the post-E3 2014 episode. Enjoy!

How to Be a Grownup

(related: Today's article at The Escapist re: Men's Rights Activism an NO MA'AM)

I find myself wishing that I disagreed with friends and colleagues on "important" matters more than I do, because it would be greater evidence for the truth that I don't really fall into ideological lockstep with... well, any one thing, really. You can swear up and down that you own more than one pair of shoes, but if someone has only ever seen you wear the one pair you can't really prove it.

In the spirit of that: I don't agree with some of the points made/research cited in the finale few minutes of the most recent Tropes vs Women installment - at least not in the broadest sense. I do, in fact, think that while the ability of art and media to influence the psyche, beliefs and even behavior of those who consume it is undeniable; that it's also entirely possible to not be influenced (in a negative way or to a tangible degree) by it.

E3MAGEDDON: CROSSOVER

So that happened.

The Escapist : The Big Picture : E3-mageddon: Crossover

PSYCHIC!!!

The big pre-E3 Nintendo rumor is that they'll be announcing something called "Mario Maker," which may or may not be an SMB level-editor app for either WiiU, 3DS or both.

Sounds fun! Also sounds like something that would've been a best-selling straight-up CLASSIC on the SNES/N64 or a solid fan-hit on Wii/DS but will now likely be a minor "huh, nifty!" a'la NES Remix. Still sounds fun though... and it ALSO sounds like something I predicted on this show five years ago. Nifty!

EPISODE 93: CREATED MiiQUAL

For however much longer Blip lets the show stay up (temporary re-shift to YouTube likely to follow) here's Episode 93 - Enjoy!

An Important Announcement About The Future of THE GAME OVERTHINKER

Many of you have probably heard the news over the last few days that Blip has been culling series from the network. A lot of shows, some long-running and fairly popular, have been getting the hammer for a variety of reasons, and I just a few hours ago learned that unfortunately ADVENTURES OF THE GAME OVERTHINKER will be one of them as of July.

Obviously, I'm unhappy about this. Before anyone asks, no, Blip has not been forthcoming at this time about the exact reason for removals and this series has been no exception. The general sense is that Blip is looking concentrate on the most profitable and entrenched brands as opposed to growing series like this, and that's understandable from their perspective even if it's a bother from mine.

I've been contacted (privately) by a few parties so far interested in possibly helping the series find a new regular home; but at this time no decision has been made and I'm exploring all options. What this will not do is effect plans and scheduling for the actual release of episodes so far as I am able. EPISODE 93 is 98% completed and should be ready for Friday or Saturday. My plan, for now, is continue uploading to the Blip Channel until they shut down my ability to do so but also to simultaneously upload to YouTube. After that... your guess is as good as mine.

I want to thank everyone who has supported this series over the years, and reaffirm my commitment to continue this series. This particular show is 100% a labor of love for me, and whatever happens to it going forward the one thing I can assure everyone of is that I will not be doing anything that will compromise the form I want the series to take.

I appreciate the ongoing support, and I hope everyone enjoys our upcoming shows - no matter which video-player they wind up being delivered on :)

Bob Chipman,

Creator & Host, Adventures of The Game OverThinker

EPISODE 92: "PINK RISING"

Is this late? Yes, but on the plus side it's because of stuff that'll probably make the next one early. Anyway, this episode has a fresh topic and a Special Guest Host. Yay!

Here's Where To Find THE GAME OVERTHINKER At PAXEast 2014

Hey guys!

I'll probably be out and about at PAX and surrounding areas starting around 1-2pm on Friday, so please feel free to stop, say hi, take a picture, buy a book, whatever. I'm also scheduled to appear on two panels, as follows:

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO END BILE AND HATRED IN GAMES CULTURE
Friday, 7:30pm in Albatross Theater

GAMES SO BAD THEY'RE GOOD
Saturday, 6:00pm in BumbleBee Theater

I'll also likely be tweeting likely the whole time, so if you're not already following @The_MovieBob you should probably start.

Read Some Stuff About Leland Yee

So, I'm a little reluctant to "cover" the Leland Yee story in the show, though that's not to say I won't. Mainly, it's because I realize the fact that OUR anti-gaming politician character wearing a Ninja mask (concieved before anyone had ever heard of Lee) could be construed as a racial joke in that context.

For now, everyone interested in the story should be reading this VERY thorough breakdown from Critical Intel.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Game OverThinker Will Be At CONBRAVO 2014!

Yes, it's true - we're taking this circus to CANADA!



Details on panels, appearances, etc will be announced at a later date. Me, I'm just hoping modern Canada hasn't been over-sold to me :)

EPISODE 91: "TITANFOUL"

The biggest new blockbuster IP of the brand-new console generation thus far offers online multiplayer... and nothing else. For full price. Is this what a sustainable business model looks like, games industry?

EPISODE 90: "ASK IVAN II"

And now, finally - Ivan the Intern will answer your viewer mail!

 ALSO: The AntiThinker finally explains what's been going on all this time... kind of.

NEW YEAR SPECIAL: "The Fate of Nintendo"

So... let's go there.

SCREWATTACK - "Best Manly Man Ever," with Jon St. John and myself

Had some sit down time with friends from ScrewAttack at MAGFest to talk about the Best Ever this and that in gaming, some of which has made it into this video also featuring voice actor Jon St. John and ScrewAttack's own Sam Mitchell:



Sidenote: Holy shit, did I gain weight over the holidays. My own damn fault, but still - egh. So if you see me around eating rabbit food like a chump, now y'know why :)

P.S. Official question-taking time for "ASK IVAN II" will be ending in the near future, so if you haven't submitted your query yet you might want to think about doing so AT THIS LINK (and not, for example, in the comments of this post.)