[Duo Lets Play] Half Life 2, updated May 29th

Hybrid

Oh man updates! Unfortunately, I cant watch these for a day or two because I have almost used my my monthly net quota, but I will look forward to it.

Also Napp, I was gonna mention before how much your airboat commentary messed me up. For weeks I had the mental image of proper scientists, with lab coats and all, "ramping off" of things.

Nappuccino

Hybrid wrote: »

Also Napp, I was gonna mention before how much your airboat commentary messed me up. For weeks I had the mental image of proper scientists, with lab coats and all, "ramping off" of things.

I can picture the guys from the Guinness commercials flying through the air in the boat shouting "Brilliant!" already

Nappuccino

Just a couple house cleaning items.

1) Jar has recorded some video for his next update, but the audio is completely desynchronized... I'm not sure if he's going to edit the audio to make it better or if he's going to start doing post-commentary commentary. Either way, he's trying to get back on this lp pony. Hopefully he'll be on it soon.

2) I finished editing set 8 pt 2; the next 4 videos should be online tommorrow evening. Get ready to watch me die in a few embarrassing ways. Wait, is that a spoiler?

3) Viddler yes or no? I personally find their 500 mb limit hard to work around unless I upload everything in the same parts are youtube... which defeats the purpose of uploading to viddler with their "however long you want your video to be" draw.

4) looking back at the quality of my early commentary, should i re do the commentary for the first two episodes? I'm worried that I'm losing interest because they aren't that good... What are your thoughts?

Nappuccino

Alright; may the freeman love-in commence! Set 8 part 2 is here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r20sZqTizyU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4VILY7x5gE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyH4nK_s8ZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNBp2hYt7Qw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytH4CeVltR8

note: I changed codecs for the compression, it seems like the smaller file sizes have the same quality as the larger ones from before, let me know if anyone has strong feelings one way or the other about the quality.

Also, questions 3) and 4) in the above post remain unanswered. Even a "meh" is acceptable.

Adus

I swear everytime I try and come here to give this a look, Youtube is being ass and loading the videos so slow that I give up (been happening to me a lot lately with Youtube and only Youtube. No idea why). That may give you a reason to at least consider Viddler as a mirror, even if you don't make the episodes longer or stop using Youtube. I like Youtube for the quality allows, but that is probably the only advantage it has. Maybe the fact that the site itself is more popular and you might get more views, but it might not matter if you're mostly concerned about entertaining the people here.

I think the reason this hasn't gotten much attention is the game is just too popular. Who hasn't played HL2 by now? I realize this is somewhat hypocritical for me to say since I did FFVII as my very first LP, but at the same time it's screenshot and requires a lot less investment. Plus the game is 11 years old now so actually some people hadn't played it or hadn't played it in a very long time.

It's difficult for me to judge any more than that because I can only wait for about 30 seconds of the video to load before I stop trying. It's likely just me, but if other people are having issues, maybe they should say so too.

As far as the re-recording the first episodes? I don't know how well that would work. The beginning of HL2 is just slow and linear since they were really trying to set an atmosphere. Very difficult for commentary.

Nappuccino

@Adus: You're the second person to mention youtube problems like that, I had hoped that it was a short term thing but if more people are affected by it then I'll go out of my way to upload everything to viddler.

While I agree that hl2 is popular and that may be keeping some people from watching the videos, that sort of thing doesn't explain the drop off of views- initially 300ish to 12. I know there was an unfortunate extended break in time between updates, but I would like to know if that is the only reason or if its based on the quality of the lp.

If it isn't up to people's standards I want to get it there, to make it as enjoyable as possible.

I'll probably try to get the earlier sets onto viddler slowly, i don't want to get my port shut off on campus but over the next few weeks I'll do my best to get them up if there's the demand for it, i'll risk it

And I feel like the first few episodes might be keeping people from keeping up with it, i did the "youtube insight" and most of the new views come from people watching the first set and then they don't seem to follow up on it. I feel like that alone might be reason enough to re-record the first sets and do my best to improve them.

(edit) However, today's look at "insight" shows the numbers drastically changed, the early sets are more inline with the rest of the videos. I guess that must have just been a glitched number.

Thankyou for your comments though, you added a perspective i didn't really think about

Adus

You're pretty much voicing the exact same concerns I had when I began Saints Row 2. What I came to realize is that's just the nature of these things. The dive in views is just how it works. It really is that drastic of a change. The reasons are numerous. People have short attention spans. Maybe they have less time to invest. Like to watch lots of different things at once so only watch one video of yours every so often, etc. Then of course the unfortunate but unavoidable: People who obviously watch the first episode and realize it's not to their liking. Though as you stated, infrequent updates can hurt as well.

In addition, I wouldn't put a huge weight on youtube's viewcounter. I honestly think it doesn't always work correctly. For one, it updates viewcount on videos with more views more frequently, so the video you have with only 50 views may have 70 and it just takes forever for it to update, and so on.

When I had these concerns Klyka said to me "Actually,don't worry about viewers at all. As long as you are having fun, go through the LP. And if you get some positive comments out of it, that's a bonus." And he's pretty much right. Do it cause you enjoy it. As much of a hassle as uploading screenshots was or editing videos could be, ultimately I still really enjoyed making my LPs. Though I also encourage people watching them to voice their opinions. I always did appreciate that Darth Mogs reminded me that he was watching when the thread started to sink pages.

Nappuccino

Thanks Adus!

You really are right... it doesn't matter about views though I do want to make sure people are enjoying what I'm doing; I sure as hell love making this lp and I'd probably finish it even if I didn't have any viewers. I guess I just was having a bit of a "What am I doing wrong" thought process. But what the hell, I enjoy it and that really is enough for me.

I agree though, getting feed back (positive or negative) is great... I suppose i'm used to the AC where everyone's got an opinion/ feedback and are more than willing to share it. Different forums different attitudes i suppose

Dyrwen66

Really enjoyed the videos. You've got some quirky humor there, trying to figure out where to go and how to survive.

"I'm a shotgun ninja, not really a sneak up and shoot kind of ninja, more of a hide in plain sight kinda ninja."

You've got moxy, but then again I have watched HL2 played through by more than a few people, so maybe I'm deranged..heh.

Nappuccino

Awesome Dyrwen; Regardless if you're deranged our not, its nice to hear some feedback! I'm glad you're still enjoying it. I thrive on quirky/ dry humor and its great to hear some one else appreciates it

Also, how many hl2 run throughs have you watched and/or are they easy to find? I might check some out once I finished my own.

JAmp5

I think it's a great LP, you've had lots of laughs out of me

To boost views maybe put a link to the next video in the comments section of the previous one? Just so people can use as little brain power as possible moving from one to the next.

Also I do think the huge popularity of HL2 has had an effect on views, once you get in to the videos though it's entertaining despite its familiarity.

Nappuccino

Thanks JAmp5!

I like your suggestion of putting the link to the next video in the comments- I hadn't thought of that. I do have all the videos on a playlist (the "Mr. Freeman loves tunnels" link leads to that) for whoever wants to watch it straight through, but the link is a good idea too.

Hybrid

Oh wow, I've just watched through the first half of set 8 - fantastic stuff dude, you are freaking hilarious.

I would quote some of my favourite lines but this post would be essay length.

Nappuccino

Awesome! I'm glad to hear your wait was worth it!

(essay length ass pats are welcome )

Just kidding

[tiny]but seriously, get started[/tiny]

Nappuccino

Set 9 has arrived!

Join Gordon Freeman on the search for McDonalds!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzHLijl02eo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqjdssef0F4

As a slight warning, if you don't want to watch me flail around with my head cut off trying to kill two gunships, skip to video 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdsDX-BcBvE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg0Rkhbxeko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5um_LW77yA

I hope you enjoyed the set, and Merry Christmas!

Nappuccino

Set 10, the set of many set backs and outtakes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VLcq5Q7dW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_0jxh-nSNA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-0bNdA0jY

This is the first set where I needed to edit the video so if the health/energy numbers don't stay consistent, that is why.

As a small reward, video three has some outtakes from my numerous attempts to make this video what it is today. I hope you enjoy it!

ronya

Awww, you ducked the antlion

Nappuccino

So like, I started recording again... but I think the background noise might be two quiet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw2he4H8Ncc&feature=channel


(please wait until you atleast you watch the conversation with Alyx after the fight- its about the 7:40 mark)


if its no good, i'll record it all again........ (sigh)

Nappuccino

ronya wrote: »

Awww, you ducked the antlion

It's cause i'm awesome

Hybrid

God Napp are you sure you don't want to wait another few months before the next part?

But seriously yeah its nice to see this LP back.

Nappuccino

Haha thanks, its good to be back.

I had to get a new hard drive to keep this baby afloat. Now I have more gigabytes than you can shake a stick at.

Also I decided i'm going to re-record that last set. It's bugging me enough that I'll feel bad if I don't.

Jaramr

Rise from your grave!

I am in fact, going to resurrect my LP when the summer rolls around.

Although napp may be done by then, maybe ill make a separate thread for it.

Nappuccino

Wait, if we're going to make a separate thread, should I be the one to do it since this still is your thread?

Nappuccino

Here's the actual update. Everything should sound much better. Well, everything after the first half of the first video- that's the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MWkJUCsmC8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBNsGF7FS9U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7tmVlxbcV4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3zVknBfgck

And, once again, outtakes- plus my original attempt at the sentry gun fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vot1heyo2uc

SoulGate

Nice set, Napp. I think you could wait 4 months for the next update before you do the next one. Either that, or go all out and play it on a Mac.

Good update though. Your outtake battle was more intense than the one you really had.

Nappuccino

Hahaha, oh god- playing this on a mac would be interesting... especially if i used the standard "one button" mouse.


That would mean that I'd stop right clicking to "melee" when i have the grenade secondary fire though....

Glad to hear you enjoyed it SG!

cooljammer00

Hedy Lamarr. Old actress. Same joke was made in Blazing Saddles.

Nappuccino

cooljammer00 wrote: »

Hedy Lamarr. Old actress. Same joke was made in Blazing Saddles.

Right. But that explanation doesn't work for my paranoia.

Nappuccino

So... There are some very /very/ bad bugs in HL2 since the update. I think i'm going to wait until they patch some of these out before starting the next set. I've already encountered a spontaneously spawning Alyx and squad members vanishing.

I'd hate for the LP to be showing off all these one time bugs. Especially if I hit game breaking ones that don't allow me to move forward in the game.