Botcon 2016 Coverage: Hasbro Panel Video

Well, I took a video camera with me, and I decided to record the Hasbro display. So, please enjoy this shaky, noisy, and unedited footage from the event.

Youtube Highlights: Big Issues Then Comics

Here we go folks, here's yet more youtube videos I've found and enjoyed in the past week. Buckle up.


To get the serious stuff out of the way first, SciShow did a video on the horrifying Zika virus.

Regular readers may have noticed an overlap between SciShow and vlogbrothers via Hank Green. Here is his brother John is talking about the gender pay gap

Ever wonder why some comics had a random picture of Spider-Man or whatnot on the cover. NerdSync tells us why.

Speaking of comics, the viral marketing campaign for the new Deadpool movie continues apace, this one from 20th Century Fox UK.

The normally serious and a little dry ComicsExplained also attempted to explain how Deadpool became Iron Man.

On the theme of violence and things I'm looking forward to, a new trailer was released for the new Doom game, seemingly based off E3 footage. As is appropriate, it is HUGELY VIOLENT, so caution is advised. Via Bethesda Softworks.

 


And finally the self-proclaimed Internet Personality Vangelus has done an education video on tightening joints on Transformers. Useful information, which I intend to use myself at some point. Full disclosure and/or claim to fame: I also met the fellow at Botcon 2013, nice guy.

 

Youtube Highlights: Youtube was naughty and suddenly CATS!?

Here we go, another week of youtube highlights, and we have to start off on a sad note. Buckle up.

Doug Walker and Channel Awesome seemingly ran afoul of youtube's automated systems this past month, and lost monetisation for their videos. He put up the following appeal.

Less than 4 hours later, they got their monetisation back. Youtube really needs to get is act together, but in the meantime, your best plan is to go public if you have a problem with your account and copyright.

NerdSync had a very similar experience.

BanditIncorporated also had a lot to say about this.

Speaking of youtubers being subject to copyright claims by corporations, Super Bunnyhop has done a video defending online-only multi-player.

SciShow meanwhile did a video on cancer misconceptions. Please note, this post went up BEFORE I heard about Sir Terry Wogan passing this morning.

Almost, but not really, on the same theme, we have The Film Theorists. Here they ruin the ending of Dark Knight Rises with science. Although, it was pretty ruined before they got there, to be fair.

And finally, ever hear of cyriak? You probably have seen at least a few of his animations, they tend to stick in the mind. Well, he did a music video for the RunTheJewels track "Meowpurrdy”, where they rap over kitten sounds. The whole album is like that, apparently.


So........yeah. I feel like I'm falling down a rabbit hole on this one.


Anywho, here it is. This is proper rap music, so expect some very NSFW words, but I don't think you'll notice.

I apologise for your nightmares.

Youtube Highlights: He needs no sympathy

Well, its been another week, here's some more videos to while away your Sunday with...


Warner Bros. Pictures unleashed a new trailer for Suicide Squad, the third film in their DC cinematic universe and the most interesting by a country mile. One criticism of that universe is that it seems to be a humourless and depressing dirge of a franchise, this trailer however makes the film look like it has some sense of humour. Yes, the Joker is a hard sell, and fans can find understandable reasons for concern, but I actually went and brought the source material after this.

Unfortunately, this has also meant I've had Bohemian Rhapsody in my head for THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. Not helped by the fact I keep mixing up the original, the one from Wayne's World, and the one The Muppets did. Its awesome, BTW.

Warner Bros. did however do something to remind the world at large how corporate they are, cancelling support for Mortal Kombat X on the PC platform. AngryJoeShow has this to say:

Speaking of games, This Exists took a stab at explaining Dwarf Fortress. This is a game I want to try, but its so impenetrable it baffles me. Ever hear of Boatmurdered? It sounds insane.

The sequel to Terminator: Genesys, A.K.A the one which did really well in China only, was cancelled recently. While most people consider this a good thing, BanditIncorporated  made an impassioned defence in the form of a "Hitler Reacts" video. I don't agree with him, but he makes a good case.

And finally, because this is the internet and I am legally obligated to post cute kittens, here is a cute kittens video. Coming via Cole and Marmalade, here's a look at San Diego Humane Society’s Kitten Nursery.

Sorry for the mood whiplash, there.

Youtube Highlights: Mary Seacole Gets No Respect

Okay folks, its that time again. Here's your Sunday viewing.

Extra Credits has just finished a rather inspiring two part series about Mary Seacole, A.K.A an awesome woman you've probably never heard of.

In another haunting and strange video, Electron Dance, talks about video game exploration.

Striking a blow for etiquette, Mr Sunday Movies has recently posted a video on how to behave in the cinema.

And finally, in a year that's shaping up to be pretty bad for celebrity cancer victims, David Bowie passed this week. Here's my favourite peice of his music, a collabouration with Queen.

Youtube Highlights: "Its still technically New Years" Edition

Right then folks, here's new/old Sunday thing. Youtube videos I have enjoyed in the time since I last did this. buckle up.

TotalBiscuit put a number of videos up over the holiday period, notable given his battle with cancer, but I'd like to single out the "TotalBiscuit's Arbitrary Video Game Awards - 2015" as being an enjoyable way to mark the year.

Unfortunately, this happened just before game service Steam had a nasty security breach, which TB would take a swing at. Valve has since apologised.

Super Bunnyhop also did a review of the year.

As the more politically minded of you might be aware, America has extensive and horrible issues with firearms, and this is me being polite about the matter. In this Channel 4 News video, Jon Snow interviews pro-gun campaigner Neil W. McCab. Hard questions get asked and ignored.

And speaking of questionable possession of guns and 'Merica, the vlogbrothers have took a stab at explaining that business in Oregon with the militia.

And finally, Thew Adams  has re-uploaded his infamous "10 Shots, 10 Bots! Drunken Transformers Toy Review Challenge!!". It is an epic tale of inebriation and toys.

New Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Released

Even though its only a matter of days until the film comes out, the new Star Wars is still being hyped up with a new trailer, and this one introduces a buttload of new footage.

Hang on. Wait. No. That's Star Trek. Sorry people, false alarm.

This obvious joke has been brought to you by "Cynicism", "Pessimism" and "bad memories of Into Darkness". Seriously, its too early to tell if this is gonna be worth your time, but if you were hoping for something closer to the source TV series, that isn't what they are leading with here. Is it fair to judge the film based on this trailer, plus the last two movies? Not really, but tempered expectations won't hurt.

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice Gets A Trailer For A Trailer

Well, it seems on Wednesday we are a new Batman V Superman trailer, and WB has put out a teaser for it. This is annoying trend, but here is the clip.

Its speculated this all adds up to a dream sequence, which may mitigate my concerns about neck snapping.  This is still very much what I don't like about the project though. Nobody should kneel to Superman, and his response should be "stop it guys". And you don't put dream sequences in a trailer because they are ultimately meaningless and misleading. Still, to each their own, I suppose.

Youtube Highlights: "Winter Sniffles" Edition

Well, another week has gone by, and I've had one of those charming illnesses that makes you feel bad, but not bad enough to take a sick day. Little viral bastards. Anyhow, here's a selection of youtube vids I've enjoyed lately.


The infrequent, but always very interesting, CGP Grey, did a video on a  vaguely illness and Thanksgiving topic. Simply put, why didn't so horrible plague come out of America once the colonists? Its especially shocking if you didn't know about the vast loss of life caused by Pilgrims unwittingly spreading disease, as well as all the better known horribleness.

Digging Deeper, a new on the scene film analysis channel, speaks in an eloquent manner about the classic sci-fi film Serenity. They've also done one about Mad Max, which I invite you to investigate when you aren't at work.

Recently, gaming website Kotaku announced it was being blacklisted by major publishers. TotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit provided his take on the controversy.

And finally, I've had the Transformers: More Than Meet The Eye comic series on the brain lately. The latest issue, #47 was a deeply compelling, if extremely uncomfortable read. I recommend the series, but don't start there. Probably start with "season one", which here is publicised by The Alexicon, who has animated a trailer for it. 

Captain America: Civil War Trailer, if you haven't seen it yet....

Well, its proving to be a big day for nerds, isn't it? This just came out.

Promising, very promising. More so that Batman V Superman, at least.

I would say more, but I got More Than Meets The Eye #47 this morning, plus a cold. So, I'm suffering.

Youtube Highlights: Fallout 4 Clickbait Edition

Yes, yes, Fallout 4 is out. Its the biggest game of the year. Hugely well received. And a game I can't actually play, as I need to upgrade. <sigh> Anyway, here's a selection of Fallout themed videos that surfaced recently. Enjoy, and here be swearing and adult humour.

VideoGamerTV, did an informal, but still positive video review of the game. Unfortunately, the response to it was stereotypically negative from fans of the game. Mainly because the reviewers didn't like it enough. VGTV's response to this is worth investigating if you don't mind the swears, but I'm not gonna post it here.


Super Bunnyhop, didn't overly love the game, although did find positives to it. Check out his review for a slightly more measured response to this title.

Going old school, DidYouKnowGaming?, has done a video on the numerous Easter Eggs in the first game. Goes to show, if you can reference enough sources, you don't need to be original.

And finally, and with a nod to recent events in Paris, here's a video explaining why the world of Fallout is becoming less likely, from In a Nutshell.

Youtube Highlights: Things to make you happy

Well, its Sunday. Let's amuse ourselves before we all return to the daily grind tomorrow.


First off, do you want to elephants smashing pumpkins? No, not the band. Oregon Zoo thought so.

Ryan Reynolds, the star of the Deadpool movie that comes out next year, shared with us what Deadpool did for Halloween.

In a more tasteful, but no less wonderful, video we have this from MTV. Melissa Benoist, the new Supergirl, attempts to answer questions on her character. While covered in puppies.

And finally, SciShow has taken a stab at the recent "Bacon gives you cancer" controversy. Short answer: just don't eat it every day.

Youtube Highlights: The Flocking Game Industry

Hi there, its time for another selection of youtube clips that have caught my interest in the last week. Today's theme, games going wrong. Also: swearing. Lots of swearing.


Vogelsap's Jeroen Van Hasselt, the guy behind The Flock, has given an extremely frank presentation on why that game failed. I feel sorry for him, it was an interesting idea. No audible swearing here.

In more indie games news, not all of them are nice. Jim Sterling, a man as foul-mouthed as he is right, as spoken once more about his ongoing battle with Digitial Homicide, a company politely described as shady, and probably due some sort of legal attention.

And on the subject of Indie games developers acting badly, we have Overkill Software and Starbreeze Studios, this time adding microtransaction to Payday 2, despite repeatedly promising they wouldn't. ReviewTechUSA summarises the issue below, with some swearing.

Apparently not wanting to be left out, EA has announced that their Star Wars: Battlefront game will feature a seasons pass of downloadable content comparable in cost to the game itself, plus microtransactions. I think you can't fail to make money on a game like this, and anything other than retail price is greed. The AngryJoeShow has this to say. And curse.

And, just to lighten your mood, to prove that not everything is wrong in the world, a bunch of youtube personalities are running a Blood Bowl 2 league. Not because they were sponsored, but because they love the game. Here is a recap video made by league organiser wowcrendor.
Again, some cursing.

I love me a bit of Blood Bowl :)

Youtube Highlights 2: Its a trap!

Hi there folks, I thought I'd try this again. Here's a selection of good youtube clips I've found in the month plus since I last did this.

Coming from ActivisionGames, Transformers: Devastation was released this week, to a generally positive critical reception. Its on my to do list, here's the launch trailer.

I think I have shown remarkable self-control in not buying this immediately.

And speaking of hair metal, explosions, and new games, DevolverDigital's Broforce is coming out of early access on the 15^th, and so they gave us this. Its also on the to do list. 

Roll Out Roll Call was last weekend, and I missed it. Masterforce however shared this guerilla video of possibly the single greatest collecting panel I've ever seen.

Shine on, you crazy diamond. Shine on.

And finally, on a much more serious note, John Green of the vlogbrothers posted an analysis of the Syrian Refugee crisis. If you want a slightly less reactionary discussion of the matter than you'll find in the tabloids, you could do a lot worse than this.

Youtube Highlights

Righty, let me continue to experiment with the blog format. Today, let me draw attention to some youtubers and youtubists. People whose videos have caught my I attention, people I follow as a fan, and sometimes people I know personally. Videos are something I eventually intend to do myself, once I work up the nerve.

First off, Jazzimus_Rider, a guy whom I met/hung-with at Auto Assembly 2015, is sharing videos from the event. Here's the Peter Spellos Panel. A very nice man, Mr Spellos, he gave me a hug. And nearly everyone else.

In more Post-AA video, Thew Adams' panel has been uploaded. Said interview was hosted by Tomb Of Macula, another mate of mine. I was the dude with DEVASTATOR!

TJOmega has resurrected his “Plastic Addict” persona for a new review. And all was right with the world.

And finally, for something vaguely educational, Extra Credits has reached part 4 of its history series on the 1^st Crusade. An enjoyable series, but I was honestly shocked at the endless parade of atrocities that bordered on farce. That's not a sentence I hope to use ever again.

Up next: more reviews.