Cup of Buttons - 12/09/16

Oh wait, nevermind, I’m able to view now.

zak wojnar

Is this episode not available to view anymore? I want to see BUTTONS!

zak wojnar

Hey Jones! Have you ever considered something like a 2$ tier or $15 tier for a little bonus something each month? Also any plans for new merch? I would love to see an Easy Allies sweater/baseball shirt/official Cup of Jones? - L&R, Happy December and Congrats on 40k.

Steven Vella

Also even if you can't get HDMI audio out of the PS3 you can use HDMI for video and use some composite cables for audio. You can even use an adapter for the red/white RCA into a 3.5mm audio jack if you need to.

Corey

Jones as someone who loves theme parks and world building games (Dragon Quest Builders) have you ever played a game in the Roller Coaster Tycoon series? I think the recently released Planet Coaster would be an awesome fit for your gaming library check it out if you have some time.

Corey

Hey Jones, I've been going back through all the Cup of Jones from the year and putting the questions you've answered in a Google Doc (it does not include your answers, btw). Would you be okay with me sharing this or do you want to save which questions you answer for Patrons only?

Hey Jones, I wanted to know what were your thoughts on the EZA Meet & Greet at PSX. Would EZA be willing to do more of these in the near-future? In terms of organization, would you all do anything differently and how?

Hey Brandon, can you guys please some sort of list of your GOTY awards picks ? three hours is a bit long for me and I really want to see your picks ! L&R Rani

Any chance we could get more spoilercasts akin the the dark souls 3 discussions? Huge fan of those.

Matt Currin

Hey Brandon, You mentioned about getting more people on board at EZA. What's the best way to get on your radar, especially as an overseas fan. Love and respect, Mat

Why didn't Matt Blair join the allies? Was anyone else from gt left out?

Tony

Really appreciate you Brandon for taking your time to address so many of our questions. Saying that, i think it would be interesting if you had like an end of year review/feedback thread or something similar so patrons could suggest what possibly could be improved for next year or would like to possibly be considered. Personally i feel how the L & R questions on the podcast are chosen could be changed, playing a game is nice and all but i really do wish questions could be favoured over games. Anyway thank you again for your hard work as always.

Bakryu

Hey Jones, I know you try to get the podcast out ASAP, but what would you say to adding a random audio effect just to the part where Bosman shouts "IT'S PODCAST HALFTIME!" every week? Also, how bout an EZA x Kinda Funny livestream reaction for the Switch presentation?

Thank you for the Buttons hype! Anyways, I've noticed that the EZA folks aren't a fan of Call of Duty announcements (at E3 and/or PSX). Why does EZA dislike the Call of Duty series?

jif52

YES! BUTTONS RETURNS! Thank you for doing this Jones, that was awesome.

Brandon, have you ever seen the British puppet series Thunderbirds? It's about an organisation called International Rescue. Made in the 1960s, it was way ahead of it's time in it's day and used marionettes. Try to watch some if you never have!

Ben Bernard-Smith

Would be interesting to have an origins story for each ally like in final fantasy games or something of the sorts ;)

chocolate_prophet

I was wondering , when you do your reviews what level of difficulty do you play the games?

Bakryu

Congratulations on appearing in The Last Guardian accolades trailer. Can you tell us how this happen?

Alexander Zyryanov

I don't know if this has ever been asked or told but what is the story of the Final Bosman ? I believe from the first episode it sounded like it was a kind of spur of the moment idea/hope for a show that seemed to work out?

Krishna Markwort

no to a small cup of jones, yes to the continuing of the Big Cup of Jones.

I don't understand people insisting on making this public. It's the only exclusive, and it's literally just a dollar. I'm in favor of making one or two episodes public just to give a taste to everyone else missing out, but not all of it. Patreon is their only source of funding, so I think it's important to keep it healthy and meaningful.

Guilherme Todorov

not a question. I really love this show! such a unique, jolly and relaxing vibes. I'd assume it perfectly translates your personality (or what I understand of it)

Guilherme Todorov

Some of EZA's recent Sony videos have new disclosure disclaimers at the beginning and the end. What are your personal thoughts on that? It seems very heavy handed, but then I think of videos from "enthusiastic" streamers that haven't disclosed a relationship with a publisher. L&R!

This was answered in this video. It does.

Tony

I was literally just about to write this because I wrote it in the YouTube comments and figured they didn't read those for these videos. Glad I'm not the only one with the idea though!

Tony

Regarding the question about reading the scores at the end of reviews out loud; maybe you could put in subtle sound effects that could correspond with the scores.

Ben Metal

Just a suggestion on making the review scores audible. Why not use sound effects. For instance, each star drops in with a "thump." Each half star drops in with a... You know what, this idea is dumb. Don't do this. Carry on.

Hi Brandon. Does it benefit the Allies at all for us to subscribe on Twitch via the Amazon Prime / Twitch Prime membership perk? I hope it does, but just wanted to ask. Love and Respect!

Any chance of a Game of the Year special podcast / stream?

Fire Safety

Have you read any of the A Song of Ice and Fire expanded world material? Dunk and Egg, The Princess and the Queen, The Rogue Prince, The World of Ice and Fire, etc?

Misinterpreted my question. nvm

Thanks for the update! I just want to say that I'd love to help you guys edit/produce things if you ever branched out more. Heck, I'd do it for free! Just want to support you guys and show the world how fun this group is. Question though: Brandon, is there a particular spot in Disneyland or in Walt Disney World (not including a ride) that holds special meaning to you?

BUTTONS!

Noclip

I recently got into puppets, I saw a show that released this year called Thunderbolt Fantasy, that was done in Taiwan, but written by a famous anime writer. It was an action puppet show with a mix of digital, and practical blood effects, with a surprisingly compelling story by the end. It blew my mind seeing such great action in the medium of puppets. If anyone is a fan of puppets I would recommend checking it out on Crunchyroll. This clip sold me on the show: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6raQUYtl_ts" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6raQUYtl_ts</a>

Apes a Plenty

Hey Jones, someone on Blood's last stream asked if the Allies could post on the forums their food restrictions and shirt sizes --I think a slightly better idea would be to update their bio on the About Us section on the Allies website with this info for viewers who want to send in gifts. What do you think?

There weren't really any events. There were a couple of video game stations but the majority of the five hours were spent with fans flocking to the Allies to spend a couple moments talking each and then a group photo.

Rick Argomaniz

On the subject of "telethons" have you considered doing a annual or more frequently held marathon for charities? It's a great way to get your name out and an event you can plan for and even rotate the allies in and out for. Just a suggestion, L&amp;R

Great to see CoJ back, been waiting for a new episode! :) A weird question - you mentioned running a half marathon on this one, and I remember you saying you work out earlier this year. Do you still manage to squeeze some work outs in your busy schedule? If yes - what are your fitness goals? :)

They do already, <a href="http://easyallies.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://easyallies.com/</a>

BHL

We need more Buttons, long time fan of him!

Brandon, thanks a million times for Buttons, I asked many times about him before and glad to see him finally come back! I know it's childish fun but still, it's awesome man! I hope Buttons will do the next E3 (and more short sketches) as when he did on the "other website". PS: I am not going to lie to be honest but I would defenitely buy a Buttons puppet if it ever becomes EasyAllies Merch, that would be beyond amazing! He should be your official mascot. Question though, don't know if it has been asked before but do the EasyAllies plan to have a website at one point? Can't remember if it's in the "Goals List" and I think it would improve your financial revenue as well, however a good website would cost money ofcourse. But it seems "better" then a Patreon profile. I would understand if you don't want to go back to a website ofcourse because of the past, but still wanted to ask.

is it alright to bring buttons out back in the open in the cup of jones as IGN might be watching? &gt;_&gt;

Otoshigami

With regard to incorporating and how it relates to funding, have you ever considered getting VC (venture capital) funding, or attempting to? I'm happy with EZA being funded by other allies alone, but if you are able to prove that a large investment would pay off, approaching VC firms might not be such a bad idea. EZA would have to incorporate itself in Delaware (unless your company currently running it already is), but yea, just a thought/question. I do a lot of work with startups, and this is always one of the first questions that comes to mind.

Joseph La Russa

Dude Jone Puppets!!! If you remember I posted that EZA should do puppets in the beginning but I must agree with my brother Tim that yes using them to keep things interesting is a great idea. Not all the time but for specials or in those months of little game news. But if I could make one suggestion for a puppet special Fiasco with Ian that would rock. You could do the setup then choose puppets to match the setup and then use them to tell the story. Well I would love to see more puppets in EZA content and I know its not feasible with the awesome commitment to quality &amp; time the EZA team has to create content to make full on an EZA puppets show. But I love seeing them and enjoy your love of the craft.... with hopes to see more puppets your friend Rob.

Puppets!! I don't think you should use Buttons every year, so good call. It was better to keep things fresh and new, especially since your in new space. If you have 20+ puppets, why not add small skits here and there with videos or mini joke episodes? For example, tabletop adventures could easily have a small fun skit, though I am aware it be a ton of work. Well, I think it worth a testing out, many people here seemed to love buttons. I believe you have the talent to make it work. I grew up on the Muppets, love them. Some of the best things they did were short and sweet. It doesn't need to be constant, just a little bit of fun here and there.

Jones, My suggestion is keep trucking on with what you guys are doing. All these suggestions are great but we all love you guys because of who are and what you guys have been doing. Don't put yourselves in over your head on trying to make so much content. (Except for maybe Kyle - I need another Final Bosman in my life) Just focus on making what you guys are doing great. Don't make it a chore. Keeping the balance of work and fun is key for you guys. Also dont feel bad about taking a salary. After all thats what I pay for, to hear you guys talk and have a good time.

Have you gentlemen considered new ways to boost the discoverability of your content and channel? For example it appears that the more "Evergreen" style of content, which is more likely to be viewed over time as opposed to a podcast pertaining to recent gaming news and events, is noticeably more sparse. Is this something you guys want to expand on in due time? Perhaps some editorials or even shows not about games would help.

Rick Argomaniz

I wonder, if making Cup of Jones a month long exclusive to patrons, and then posting it publicly would be a good compromise. -Minamik-

Minamik

Kia Ora Brandon, What are your thoughts on community submitted merchandise designs for 2017? maybe Allies choose their top 5 and the community votes on the best one each month with the winner getting their shirt design free as a prize?

Jordan Buitendyk

On the VO star/rating thing, i think a good way to do it would be to include a short sound effect on each/half star when appears on the screen, that way it's a subtle thing but makes the only-listeners aware of it.

Hey Jones! Are any of the Allies planning on going to PAX East next year? It would be awesome to get a chance to meet some of the allies and fans considering the success of the PSX meet and greet, even if it was just at the show floor. Thanks!

It's not that the rating system is cheesy, it's that saying it out loud at the end of a review is cheesy

Brandon mentions that he's not sure how to add the star/rating as VO to the reviews. What if the review just ended with "In the end we feel that this is a/an 'insert decent, excellent, inferior, masterful, terrible' game. We rank it as a 'insert rating/star' out of 5 star". Might still be cheesy, but I don't know. If the rating system is cheesy, then I'm confused why it's used.

That wa a great Cup of Buttons-I mean Jones episode, Brandon! If you guys had a studio, is there more likelyhood we might get occasional skit appearances from Buttons? Or was this it? (There is something magical about that grumpy mean cat intereacting with you all). I think its the contrast, since you guys are so jolly. I absolutely love Sophie and its really funny to have an actual dog involved in bits (like the bets) but yeah, I missed Buttons! Love &amp; Respect

What a pleasant surprise! Always wanted the tell-all of Buttons and Brandon. Thought the opportunity might have died with GT.

Rick Argomaniz

Buttons, we missed you! &lt;3

Minamik

Brandon, will you be selling that kick ass t-shirt you are wearing as merchandise? I've been thinking of getting an EZA shirt and that one looks great!

Please Buttons, you're out only hope...

It was great to see Buttons again. Finally there is someone on EZA that is almost as big of a jerk as Bosman!

Leroy Anderson

Thanks for answering my question, Jones! For ants, check out MaxForce Complete Granular Bait. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but their products have worked for me. I've only used this to help with for roach issues (along with the gel), but it is labeled to control ants as well.

Ultimadrago

Oh Buttons

John Wingate

Is it safe to assume that the Disney enthusiasts were TheTimTracker and his wife Jenn? I went to Disney World for the first time in October, and to Disneyland in 2012, and both times I watched a ton of their videos for advice regarding park visiting. They're really informative and seem like fun people too!

Godfrey is Ben's pet cactus he updates about on his streams

Brandon, not long ago, you sent out a cryptic tweet to Naughty Dog and Huber with two words. It said 5 stars. I've messaged you before on why you didn't finish a certain game. In fact, you read it on a episode of Cup of Jones. Can you explain the meaning of that tweet? Also, apologies for that jab when Kyle read my question...you did get me back by saying I stole Bloodworth's words. Love and Respect.

Buttons is not a puppet... This is just Jones trying to downplay the great Buttons with a red herring act. Lies, all of it. #bringbackbuttons

Impact93 (Jon)

Loved it Brandon! Great job as always. Happy holidays to you and all the other Allies

Josh in Tampa

Hey Mr. Jones! This was probably the BEST beginning of a Cup of Jones to date. I especially loved the yelling and walking in portion. On the subject of editing posts, by all means for me! Whether it is here, Community Comments, or question submissions in both podcasts, whatever helps yourself, and misters Moore and Bosman better convey the point and is easier for you. ALSO, in answer to a question from this episode: A user by the name of Exist_2_Inspire already made a community Top 100 games of all time thread and it was a blast to be a part of and currently we're working on a Top 50 video game characters thread. If you have 10 minutes while exporting a video, I highly recommend you take a cursory glance! My question for the next episode you will answer them: Was the meet and greet video recorded? As someone who wishes he could go, I've had only pictures of courteous Allies to go off of, and it seemed like such an awesome time. Thanks again! EDIT: Just saw this week's Easy Update. Nevermind

Brandon K Gann

I don't know if there'll be snow / but have a Cup of Jones

iconmaster

Please don't take Buttons away. I love him. I love him so much! Can you make a Buttons show happen? It would be fun to watch him give snarky answers to our questions.

Mikehook1

Huge Kermit the Frog fan. I took my daughter to see him at the Smithsonian. It was a very cool experience. Love Buttons.

:(

The Hashtagonist

2016 is saved

The Hashtagonist

Fuck yes Jones!

Must be Nice emote when and screw Godfrey

Ibrahim Sozer

Hey Jones. I love Ian's new show Fiasconauts and I would love to see Amanda Troop (who I believe you know well) or Elyse Willems (who I believe Ian knows well) on the show. Any chance you guys can make that happen?

Hang on, who is Godfrey? Is that Brandon's pet cat?

Simon Wallace

Hey Mr Jones, I would love to hear your view on a concern of mine. I am talking about DLCs and Preorders of games, this is a trend that has exploded over the past years where people are urged to preorder in order to get extra content or buy season passes. I don't know about you, but for me it feels like it makes the developers lazy buy having an excuse to sell half finished games and blame missing features as "it will come in a DLC later on!". Where has the days of buying complete games gone? I understand that preorders are for the companies to help them calculate how much they will sell in the crucial first time of a games release, but does it also make developers cut more corners than they should? Do you think these trends are in some ways ruining the games industry? Love &amp; Respect Sebastian "Lotias" Hall

Sebastian Hall

Get Buttons to read them final score at the end of the reviews.

D-Up Gaming

Very true, Blood is the most under appreciated ally! Keep it up Bloodworth even though people like to pick on you many of us love everything you do as well!

Rosamune

I refuse to believe such ugly lies!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0pMoDkQkl4" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0pMoDkQkl4</a>&amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArsB0KIFcP8" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArsB0KIFcP8</a>

Buttons was a puppet all along!?!

Wicky "Pokkuti" Salsa

Great as always Jones, I look forward to the day when the Allies become bigger than they are right now, preferably ballooning to bigger than the old GT's youtube presence. When you do get there I'll be sure to still be a Patron.

Whilst we're giving shout outs to Blood for his hard work - whenever I have time to tune in for a twitch stream Blood seems to be hanging out in the chat. Doesn't matter whose playing, or what they're playing, Blood is busy hanging out with the community, and that is amazing. Thanks Blood

John Price

Hi Jones, I've started to work for a big company, leaving behind my ambition to be a videogame critic, despite having a blog right now, because, as grewing up, I've started to worry about the future, and videogame media hasn't got me a lot of money in years and years of career. My question is: do you have a retirement plan? An EZA structure/organization that can lead "elders" being producers and less seen on video? I always fear to lose touch and confidence with the media, and that lack of horizon makes me think something like: where 55 Brandon Jones would be in the gaming media?

A fun editorial. Good to see you Buttons.

thursday

This is brilliant, keep doing awesome things lol

Brandon Robinson

I Hate Buttons - Elyse Willems... Don't worry Buttons people are just jealous

Calvin Delaney

This is Cup of Buttons, Cup of Jones is the one which is exclusive to patrons :).

Angelo Torres

Looks like this post is available to everyone instead of just patrons.

Fender-Belly Bodine

omg this is legendary thanks for making dreams come true jones

I gasped when i saw the notification!Welcome back Buttons!!!

Buttons is BACK from hibernation..

Angelo Torres