Web Series: Online Gamer

A few years ago, a video skit called "Online Gamer" worked its way up the Youtube popularity list. In it, a typical "FPS" player joins his girlfriend and another couple for a double-date board game night. Those of us who know the stereotype of Aaron (the Online Gamer) quickly latch onto the hilarity that ensues when the hardcore mentality clashes with civil, adult Monopoly--wait, Monopoly can get pretty cutthroat, too. Either way, it's a funny situation.


Today, that video skit has earned over ten million views and spawned two seasons of "webisodes."

Although I lost touch with the show in the end of 2011, I still remember laughing and smiling throughout Aaron's escapades and antics. His character became more and more exaggerated (as did his co-stars), but it certainly fit the satirical nature of the show. As a geek, I loved watching the stereotypes of different gamers smash into each other throughout Los Angeles. It's a shame that I didn't see the production company's Kickstarter page, which asked for funding for a third season.

"David, why are you writing about this?"

Fine, fine. I'll get to the point. After being more resilient about commenting on Youtube videos that I enjoy, I found myself reading the responses from other commenters. Therein lays the issue: trolls. The unavoidable ogres of the interwebs.

Reckless Tortuga's Online Gamer Kickstarter clearly stated that their $25,000 goal would be able to fund 8 higher-quality episodes; further stretch goals would be able to fund more episodes. The ogres haven't responded in kind.

See, when a project like this begins (especially in Los Angeles), it's the labor of love of a blooming production company. Thanks to Youtube and other social media platforms (I wish were around when I was performing), actors/directors/producers are in a much more advantageous position to create their own work. All of the major players in Online Gamer have active IMDB pages, demonstrating that they actively pursue performance work. As with anything in this country/world, when a hobby or passion becomes popular and desired, we try to turn it into income. Isn't that our goal: to get paid to do what we love?

I'm probably just falling into the trap of the trolls, but come on, guys. These artists made something that did really well. They likely did it initially for absolutely no money--to try to make a name for themselves. You demand better quality and longer episodes, but that takes money: location fees, wages for people involved (as they get more successful, they're less likely to continue a pro-bono project), post-production costs, website management, etc. It's insulting to any entertainer to demand free entertainment. It reminds me of an internet "meme" that was circulating:

Guys and girls, if you want high quality entertainment, you have to be willing to invest in it. I've been a part of a TV pilot, so I know how much time, effort, and money goes into a project like that. It's not easy or quick. The time that Reckless Tortuga puts in is extensive--and I don't even know them personally.

Two things to take away from this experience:

1. Support the arts. When something starts out low budget and independent, it's from people that love what they do and want to make a living doing it. Don't be passive viewers; get involved.
2. Tastes can change. If a show moves beyond or loses your interest, then it's time to say goodbye to it. I've experienced this with several bands over the years. Change is the only constant in this world. Sometimes it's in your favor, but most times, it's not. Provide constructive feedback and move on.

This is something that I'd like to work on with my students: how to provide constructive feedback in a negative review. This world severely lacks class and dignity.

So, bravo, Reckless Tortuga! You have created a pretty amazing webseries that has gained a fanbase. Keep doing what you love and listen to those that support you constructively. Otherwise, tune everything out.

Involvement in the Community

This post is inspired by a blog over at Sarcastic Robot Games about interactive media.

A few years ago, I was a pretty regular contributor to the World of Warcraft blog, World of Matticus. I had remembered my reluctance to build my own blog, so I started guesting for Matt. It progressed from there.

As opposed to my initial attempts at blogging, being over at WoM really inspired me to keep writing. See, Matt's blog was already getting thousands of hits each day. By extension, my guest posts would get hundreds--eventually, thousands--of views, too. I was spending time moderating the comment section of each post and interacting with my readers. As the view and comment counts climbed, I began actively seeking out new content to bring to my readers. When I left World of Matticus, I had a small following that joined me at my now-defunct spinoff: Healer by Nature. Unfortunately, that blog didn't last long because I fell out of love with the game.

DISCLAIMER: I don't do this because I want to be popular. I don't do this because I want to get RAWRAWESOMEPAGEVIEWS.

I do this because I enjoy the conversation. I like to debate and constructively argue. My girlfriend teases me about it.

Anyways, the Sarcastic Robot post really made me think about my own involvement in the community. Believe it or not, I think I had an epiphany in the process. I really believe that my struggle with blogging is mostly caused by my lack of interaction with the greater community. When I was with Matticus, I was bouncing off of other bloggers' posts. I stayed up on the gaming news and really worked to make sure that I was bringing fully-realized content into my posts. I participated more in forums and on Twitter. It was invigorating!

Then, two things happened. First, I started teaching. Those of you that are in my shoes know how draining that is--especially if you're a "first-year." Second, I found that I wanted to write content that I wanted to write about, when I wanted to write about it. So, with the high hopes of continuing my blogging on my own, I inadvertently disconnected from the community. Hugely, that was my first big blogging downfall.

So, Jonathan, thank you. What you wrote was awesome. I hope that your blog (and my reaction to it) re-engages me in the community/communities that I've always been a part of.

Read Jonathan's blog. Follow it. Bookmark it. Then, for every blog, Youtube channel, or ANYTHING! that you follow, actively engage with it. Even the new stuff. Support those people. I swear on my soul that it means the world.

ON THAT NOTE!

I hate self-promotion and simply prefer word-of-mouth, but I think that I need to break my own rule. Share this. Favorite this. Tweet this. Comment on this. I want to talk with you guys and girls. I want to share ideas. I'm not here to pontificate endlessly. I'm here to interact and discuss!

Question for bloggers: How do you strive to stay connected and interact with the community?