Have Yourself A Jarry Little Christmas - 12/20/2013

Love ya, Jeff. Keep on rocking and rolling.

CAN I GET A WITNESS?

Thanks, Jeff!

One of the best years, but only because you were here to share it with us. Wouldn't want it any other way 8)

Wow that last 20 mins was really emotional. Jeff really vents alot of pain from this year, that he keeps pretty locked up most the time. Respect to you Jeff for being so open and real to your audience. Its why we love you guys, your all just like us and your willing to share your life with a community, good and bad. You dont see that very often, especially on gaming site, but then again Giant Bomb isnt just a gaming site really. What a messed up year 2013 has been to you guys. I nearly lost my Mum this year to cancer, around the same time you guys lost Ryan, so I kinda understand what it feels like, but not completely coz shes ok now. You guys are a real inspiration to show people how to keep going with your heads held high when shit hits the fan. Your Podcasts kept me laughing through the dark times, and helped me deal with what was happening in my life. So I hope you keep each other laughing into 2014 and beyond... and if that fails, fuck it, just play some more WindJammers. GOTY 2013 haha.

I'm always wondering what's behind those curtains.

Jars!

You're a great guy Jeff, I look up to you. Hope 2014 is a good one for you.

I've had a Bluray burner since 2009, I unplugged it because it's literally been a waste of money since then.

Is it just me, or is Brad always Patient Zero during the holiday season? He starts to sniffle on the podcast, then I start my countdown until everyone is horribly sick.

once you've figured out that when jeff says " that kind of stuff" he means "whatever" it all starts to gel.

what would be really mean is to break Jeff of saying "and that kind of stuff". And by breaking him I mean every time he says it we drink. Uh oh. Oops probably not a good plan.

Thanks, Jeff. I always enjoy listening to you rap about various topics, and this edition of Jar Time seemed very heartfelt, I must say (maybe even if you wouldn't want to admit it...I know that as an adult human, I don't like talking about feelings either, especially to the internet!). I've always appreciated how this site shows off the people behind the process, imperfections and all, as you said. It's gotta be hard sometimes, though, I would imagine.

Hearing your perspective on internet jerks was something I'd never considered, even as someone who was also a teenager that grew up at some point. I never really got into anything too rotten myself though, I kinda had a difficult time growing up, so I didn't have a lot of time to be bored and get into mischief. I mainly did a lot of hanging out at friends' houses playing video games, being a good kid ;)

I hope this internet thing is still around next year, and that Giant Bomb gets even bigger and better than ever!!! Enjoy the rest of the holidays, everyone, and hopefully 2014 will not be Literally The Worst Thing.

Anyone else having issues with the video player repeating/skipping?

These videos always find that elusive bit of humanity that is sometimes hard to come by on the internet. For a brief moment, when all the lights and cameras are off except one, we see what is at the center of any great organisation: people.

Funny, sad, insightful and honest.

Your a good man Jeff.

Love these vids Jeff. You're a pretty wise dude sometimes. :D

@hassun: In the context of most consolized mvs systems, RGB via SCART is better. Both will be a 240p signal, and, technically, the color range is more limited in YUV component compared to RGB (this will not be noticeable to most people though).

Component is easier to use in the US, if you are just going to be hooking this up to late model CRT or hdtv. If you're going to feed this into a video processor like a dvdo or an xrgb, rgb is the way to go.

Interesting insight at the start. Happy Holidays!

These videos always seem to end deep, thanks for the years of entertainment thought the hard times and hopefully many happy ones to come.

A very emotional latter quarter, it was nice to hear your thoughts on some of the things that have happened this year. While I don't have aspirations in your field of work, I consider you a strong role model.

doctor money dot biz

@thecreamfilling

A consolized unit is going to be real pretty, but there are some easier and probably cheaper ways to go about it. I'd suggest you go to the forums on neo-geo.com, which are a little anarchic, but in the good, Giant Bomb sort of way.

I'd look for a used supergun, which will plug into your TV and then connect to any JAMMA compatible motherboard (e.g., Neo Geo, CPS-2, most late 80's-mid 90's arcade games). A bare 1-slot Neo Geo motherboard, depending on the revision will go for about 40-100 dollars on ebay (I just sold a couple). A used supergun, depending on how nice it is will probably go anywhere from 100-250 dollars. These usually have an assortment of video out options, so look for one with component.

Then there is the universe bios, which is an awesome chip made by a good dude named Razoola. It's 25 euros and you can buy it straight from him. Despite the homegrown looking nature of his website, this is the universe bios guy. Most (but not all) of the Neo Geo motherboards have a socketed BIOS chip, so it's completely a plug and play swap.

At the top end, you'd probably be spending near to the same amount for a consolized set up, but deals can be found, and in the end it gives you a lot more flexibility if you want to go deeper down the dark path of playing arcade games at home.

Anyway, Neo-Geo.com is the place to ask questions, and there's a lot of info to get started. There's also a sales forum, so you might be able to find a complete package. Another thing to note is that there are a ton of bootlegged MVS carts out there, but they are super easy to spot once you know what you're looking at.

Also, about the serial numbers on the carts. Arcade operators often removed these once they left their possession. They didn't want the carts to be traced back to them, since these weren't supposed to be available to the general public. Nowadays, no one really cares. If you want good looking carts with clean labels, they're out there, it's just a matter of digging.

@jeff goes as hard as a motherfucker in that last half an hour. Holy shit.

<>

You're a big inspiration, Jeff.

I feel like I'd like to break out from my job and do something else, with video games and video of video games, but from my end of the world it doesn't feel like something that is easy to take off with.

I mean, I make like 50$ off YouTube a month and that would probably not sustain me if I left my job tomorrow.

"Ya know at some point you just develop that thick skin and deal with it.. but people really shouldn't have to."

This kind of message is part of why Jeff is one of my favourite dudes on the internet. I'm so sick of this growing stance of people acting like dealing with abuse and insults online is wholly the responsibility of the victim. Sometimes shit just doesn't need to be said and I think we'd be way better off if more of a focus was put on the assholes who send this shit, rather than the people who have breakdowns because they just can't handle it anymore (coughcoughPhilFishcough).

Jars are the key to my heart. ♥

Jar Jarstmann

merry christmas Jeff - enjoyed the last hour and a half listening to you!

Yes, it seems entirely in character for Jeff's roommate to appear as if by magic after a year of absence to make partial payment of owed rent monies with a wad of bills. :D

I have IOS, how do I get the premium podcast?

Oh @jeff ... we all love you so much. Not because you entertain us. Not because you are so damn funny. But because you seem like such a fuckin cool person. Best wishes next year brother.

man gotta love dat smelly old jeff gerstman!

The last question was about Spill.com. It was an awesome website but the parent company hollywood.com closed it down. I didn't know there were any spillios on giantbomb!

My name is Cody, so hearing Jeff say "Cody is fucking lame" broke my heart ;-;

Thanks Jeff

Great Jar time Jeff. I hope you and the GB crew get a great 2014.

MYST IS LAME? But I just bought it on my ipad!!

I've never said anything mean to people online. At least I've tried not to. And I've had a pretty hard life, really. Being from a pretty messed up post-soviet country.

And my life is supposed to be roses and butterflies because I'm white and a dude?

I'm pretty much in the demographic that, in my country, is most likely to die in a car crash or kill myself. I have a horrible life expectancy. I don't feel that what Jeff said applies to me. I just don't.

Everyone should be nicer to other people. And everyone can discriminate.

As a subscriber and as a person who wants to see this site grow into Jeff's vision. I am totally fine with ads. Regardless of how "easy" some people think video game journalists jobs are, they are still entitled to fair compensation. I fully expect that if I consume a piece of 3 hour content, that they are able to make money off of that. While I appreciate not having any site ads, podcast ads are totally fine. Plus they're fairly funny.

@zapf: Thanks for the heads-up.

lmaoo pwndt

@galacticpunt: details.

He's had the curtains open on a couple past Jar videos. Looks like the backyard. There is a wooden fence.

If they wouldn't have been greedy with the plastic instruments and just sold replacements and upgrades as needed/ wanted I'd like to think the instrument games would still be economically viable.

@edh_94: Prepare thyself for the Saga of Chris with the White Car.

Midwinter is a good time for reflection, definitely. Just a bit though. Spend time with your people, whether that's online in some DotA, or at home, or across the country.

Have a good holiday and play plenty of games, GB crew and subscribers. <>

@galacticpunt: Haha somehow that was more ridiculous than I imagined. Thank you, sir!

Great video, Jeff. I'm pleased to see another Jar Time. Merry Christmas to you and all of Giant Bomb.

Man... Gerstmann. Great Jar talk. there is something oddly comforting about these.