Cup of Jones - 03/04/17

How do you all handle discipline/accountability? Since you're all cofounders I assume there's no true boss and it's generally working through mutual respect but still.... has anyone had to crack the whip? Have there been any intervention type talks for any type of poor behavior? (Not referring to the trial of kyle bosman)

Tony

oh THIS. yes please. I find it so frustrating when Kyle dismisses industry relevant issues in favor of seemingly keeping it light or "just focus on the games". Like a while back when asked about things outside of games and more on the development side back when that Alex St. John dude was advocating for more crunch, or recently with Colin Moriarty encouraging an oppressive and hostile community environment. Sitting on the fence is one thing, and i can understand the desire to keep politics out of it, but at some point it almost seems like, as custodians of a community that strives for love and respect, talking about more than games - the world around them, seems more and more like a necessity. Something Bernie Burns said on the Rooster Teeth Podcast a while back, that stuck with me and is relevant to this: they were talking politics for a bit right after the election, and their open support for more progressive values and their disdain for trump's win. One of the members mentioned how they would lose followers for talking about that sort of stuff, to which Burns replied "we kept quiet about this stuff for years, and look where that got us! I'm gonna talk about this as much as I want". It was SO refreshing. I just dont want us to develop a sort of... ostrich head in the sand thing. or some sort of bubble Love and respect!

Steven Blomkamp

Hi Brandon, Now that you are nearing the 100K subs on Youtube I have a question about the responsibility of having an audience. There have been several "controversies" in the last couple of weeks around famous Youtubers/Personalities that, in my opinion, take the responsibility of their enormous audiences too lightly. With large followings, off hand jokes can be properly interpreted as jokes by some, but might resonate in more negative ways with others. OBVIOUSLY, The Allies don't broadcast any content that could be interpreted as anything else but Jolly and fun, but how aware of it are you as a content creator? On another note, I believe the Allies as an audience are capable for a lot of good, but what holds you back to "mobilize" more often? Really curious to hear your thoughts on this. L&R

The Hashtagonist

I don't know if you already answer this, but do you get an EZA bank account to buy games and stuff or does EZA use you credit card? just wondering that on the switch stream

Daniel Garza Andrade

Brand Manager. I have a question. Have you thought of updating your patron introduction video? I love it and get all the vibes watching it, but a year after the closing it feels dated. I just think newcomers could not get you dying a little bit and the relevance to the need of talking about fable legends getting canceled. I don't know, maybe something to think about. Love & Respect. César.

César Villa

I love the parks in orlando I a bit bigger fan of universal then disney but they are all awesome. what do you think universal will do with nintendo in orlando? I have seen they are working on the nintendo land but thats pretty much it? what are your dreams for it?

Christophe Fettouhi

Jones, I always wonder about the GT staff of old. What are your thoughts of getting some of the LA based GT alumni in on one of your fortnightly / monthly streams, to discuss what they have been doing, future plans, thoughts on the industry and shoot the breeze about the old days?

Jordan Buitendyk

This was in reference to missed opportunities at gdc potentially

Tony

Hey Jonesie, quick question/suggestion. Will you guys try to do interviews with Devs at shows. Nothing huge just like 5 min or so talks about upcoming projects. I think it could add a bunch to e3 for the allies to boost patrons. Think about it?

Tony

Do you think EZA is "credible" enough this year to become one of the judges at the game awards, if so would you be interested if given the opportunity?

Great to be part if this you guys :)

Luis Sánchez

RTX London. Something EZA will consider? Perhaps with the help of a one off stretch goal. Would be wonderful for EU Allies.

Steven Vella

I've been waiting for this! Pumped.

Brad Russell [Toukz]

Don't forget to do your Brad song ;) Brad / Brad \ Brad / Brad \ Brad / Brad \ Brad

Hey Jones, was wondering if you would be able to create other Easy Allies Spreadshirt store fronts. Spreadshirt operates in other countries too, so theoretically your prints could be sold in the UK and we wouldn't have to pay crazy international shipping and taxes! ;) Appreciate it may not be as simple as this but perhaps worth looking into?

Hey Jones! My girlfriend and I are flying down from Canada to visit Disneyland in May, and it's the first time for both of us. As resident EZA Disneyland expert, any tips for a first visit? How many days would you recommend we spend at the park to be able to experience everything at a comfortable pace?

Ethan Ruddock

Thats right use that patreon money to remodel ur garage you should add a room to ur house while the works getting done. I joke i joke Love and Respect

Kc Wright

Damn... Living in Hawaii has never made me so sad as now when I can't afford to fly back and be a part of the concert. :(

Bjorn

Hey Jones. Two questions: Does Damiani know what he's doing for the next Game Sleuth? Also, do you guys know what you are doing for the next retrospective?

Well done brother! I'll see you there too o/

Celso O'Donnell

Bought mine!!! Tks for putting this together guys! I'll see you there o/////

Celso O'Donnell

Everybody just buy 4 tickets each

The Hashtagonist

Jones will be extremely surprised if the concert sells out? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! ALLIES, ASSEMBLE!

knowing how busy they are and how wiped out they'll be after the event, it'll probably be weeks or even a month before we on the other side of the world can watch it XD

Nut Kon

And when will you come to Europe?! XD ;)

Tim Albers

I just really hope this concert will be uploaded "somewhat" soon after it happens for all of us who cant make it :)

Hugo D Hawk X

In reference to the talk on the last Podcast about selling games through Twitch. Personally, EZA taking part in that program would be enough to cause me to cancel my Patreon and Twitch Subscription and stop watching and listening to EZA content. I think having a direct connection to game sales is a hard bright line that shouldn't be crossed and I was honestly shocked by the attitude that Jones seemed to have towards it on the podcast. I would love to hear Jones clarify his position on the matter because the way he expressed it in the podcast was not a good look. My take away from his remarks was: *That everything is a little dirty so integrity doesn't really matter. *People who are raised on reality TV and Twitch will be able to understand what is and isn't genuine. * Jones likes the idea of pushing the audience to see what they will accept. Those points strung out together feel downright mercenary and manipulative. I don't think that is the actual position he holds and I understand that podcasts aren't the best way to talk about heavy issues like this. So again, I would love to hear Jones talk about this in a more in depth way. I understand that I am just one person and my absence won't affect EZA in any real way, but I wanted to make my position known at least.

Congratulations Brandon, wow! What an amazing year for Easy Allies! Thank you so much for everything, these past 12 months, I'm really looking forward to Easy Allies 2017 and coming along for the ride :) Good luck this year, we're all rooting for you! I'll make it to an event one day. Much love from Australia L&R

Mumble Mumbleton

I'm so excited! Now all the important things are booked for my trip, so I feel much more relieved! Hopefully we'll be able to check out the meet up on the 22nd too, but we booked our return flight that day, so it may not work out. Regardless, I got an excuse to take a vacation and see the allies perform, no complaints here! L&R

Brittany Fuller

Oooooo are you getting an LED wall back there? That would be wild

YES!

Really nice to see the garage pre-work. Now I get to be excited to see what you do. Without this it would have just changed for next stream. That wouldn't be as fun :-P

BeardedScotsman86

In the description you've called your garage "the studio". Does this mean that you are not hoping to reach 50k in near future?

Alexander Zyryanov

I guarantee you this is going to sell out. There's just so much more going for this than the others and I know people who have booked flights from different countries to come to it. I'm betting it sells out maybe a couple days after it's posted publicly. Also, 12 bucks is nothing for a live event like this, so I'd be surprised if most allies in the LA area don't go.

Hi Brandon, a few months ago you answered my question regarding how quick reviews were posted and you said that the allies are working on getting better/faster at posting them on Youtube. Thank you for your candid response at the time.. The past reviews were great, always on time and full of the insights we love to hear from you the allies.

Richard Goetz

Green screen in the back of the garage for added CGI effects.

So; will Damiani be hiding in the back the whole time ? :p

Randy Verschueren

Excited for some garage changes! And it'll be cool to get some footage from the concert later on, too.

Ville Ranto

I wish I could go to the show, but that's finals week.... =(

Chad Ball

Ah, more Gundam space!

Jay Rutley

Tickets got! I've had my flights booked since January, I am SO HYPED for this concert. See you all there! <3 L&R

Wait....is the room expansion for the new Cubby holes? XD

ZyloWolfBane

Yes. I am truely frustrated and mad that you are not planning more events in Denmark, where I can attend. Nah. Of corse not. I just hope you'll be fast in getting the recorded version up, so that us that cannot attend, can also enjoy it. As I am truely (really this time) exitded to see what you have planned. L&R

Cant wait to see what that kitchen will turn in to!!

More traffic ranting please.

CJCW

I am NOT okay with the Twitch paid referrals program. The difference with the incentive to write good reviews regarding to the TV marketting of AAA games is that here, the incentive is Directly linked to a specific pre-determined dollar value, and not the possibility to have new exposure translating to an un-quantifiable and a non-guaranteed amount. I would definitely look at EZA's "love and respect" towards games differently. Isint the beauty of Patreon that your community KNOWS your integrity is not compromised? PS: Thanks for the honest conversation in the podcast, and I would really approve more product placements; just not games themselves.

If wrestlemania weren't in my hometown of Orlando I'd definitely be going to the concert

Henry Ramirez

Did I hear that right that, even if you sold out the venue, you'd still lose money on the project? Don't get me wrong I love seeing you guys do unique things but would that money be better served towards goals like a real studio or other things?

Fire Safety

Awesome. Got tickets. See you there Allies! =D

Thorfkin

i hope its a PROVE IT TICKET. :P

Otoshigami

Yeah, for some of us, CA might as well be the moon, and there is almost no chance I'll ever see a live event. I'll settle for a video after the fact this year, but when you guys are old veterans putting on your second anniversary concert we better get a stream! :)

Hey Mr. Jones, The theme for this episode actually ties into a question I wanted to ask you whenever you were able to put another CoJ out. For a while, I've realized yourself and the other Allies have not announced the focus of the next Retro or Game Sleuth. I understand they are probably not in production at this time, but this thought coincided with the current timing of having Community Comments being backlogged (as of this writing). SO: I wanted to ask - Do you, personally and as a group, feel as though you have taken on too many projects or made one too many promises of the type of content you will be providing? Personally, and I CAN NOT stress this enough, I'm on the side of you all are doing awesome, working as hard and as long as you can without losing your minds, and are striving to put the best possible content in a timely manner. BUT: with all of the different shows per Patreon pledges, and even Cup of Jones having to have cut back from the initial weekly promise because of your workload, I feel that it may be a good idea (and please feel free to disregard if not logistically feasible) to sit down with the other Allies and come up with a clear and concise communication, either in video or written form, about your content plans. In terms of the EZA in Concert (Have fun by the way! Shame I can't make it, but that's life), and now telling us you are undergoing a remodel, I can see those types of things take a more immediate and higher priority (As they should), I get the feeling there's a lot that could be overlooked, even if unintentionally. Also, To remind you of my previous question left after the last episode, I inquired how you said there were things you (All of EZA) had learned not to do anymore and I feel as if having the multiple moving parts may be that. Is that the case? I am EXTREMELY sorry for such a long post. I just wanted to make sure all of you were not forgetting anything. If you need to rework Patreon pledges to accommodate your growth and expansion, I'm ALL for it. I guess you can say I'm just a little concerned about the potential of having promises made so long ago, and they may fall by the wayside. To conclude - Keep up the fantastic work, hope everything goes/is going well and I hope this finds you well. Thank you in advance if you take my question(s)/feedback if you do and as always, stay Easy fellow Ally.

Brandon K Gann

Don't suppose streaming the concert would be an option for out of state people?

Jerry Young

Love & Respect!

Ticket acquired! See you all in 2 1/2 weeks. L&R

really wish I could attend the concert....... glad you guys are filming it wish I lived closer to CA. thanks for everything you guys do.

Hey Brandon, just wanted to say congrats on the one year anniversary and all of the success so far. I was a big fan of Gametrailers and extremely upset the day you guys were shut down though it sure didn't take you guys long to bounce back. Have been an Ally since day one and just want to wish you and the rest of the Allies all the best for year two. L&R. Steven

Ch-ch-ch-changes

ZyloWolfBane

I loved the part about how fun it was for Brandon to see the fears in the non-trained Allies faces on stage. While I'm disappointed I can't get to L.A. to see the show live, I'm very excited to see what you guys have cooked up on video later. However, far more than that, I'm so damn happy for all of you that Patreon has been the gateway to new beginnings where we can help support you as you continue creating the work we all love. L&R ~Erik

oooh, and here I thought that mirror garage would be the most of a change I'd see! That's exciting

Eric Grynberg

Really looking forward to seeing the changes to the "studio". Even though it's not a real studio yet. As a day one supporter I can only say I really hope you guys will be able to get a real professional studio soon. Also, since Kyle said we should continuously ask for what we would like to see... I also hope we will get enough support one day to get Trailer Score (or Trailer Jones) back. I really miss that show.

RedVIII

Exciting!!!

Daniel Murray

I'm so jealous -.-

Ticket acquired, plane booked, hotel secured. LA here I come.

Joetown

renovation/re-organization hype!

See you guys there!

Mango