GB content straying from video games

Hey GB,

Long time fan, but I've never been very active in the forums. Lately I've been feeling as if the content on GB (especially the premium stuff) has been straying too far from video games. At first it was the power bomb cast, then alt-f1, then this week more unplugged and the rollercoaster feature.

I'm not so much complaining as much as wondering if anyone else would like to see more content focused on games, especially older/rarer games. I'm not a wrestling or F1 fan, and while I do listen to alt-f1 occasionally, I would much rather have more content focused on games than other topics.

As for GB unplugged, I don't care about board games and they make terrible video content IMO.

The rollercoaster feature was OK, but the video game aspect was all but non-existent. This seemed like they either had the opportunity or sought it out to get to ride a rollercoaster over and over again, but in either case, I don't blame them, just wish the feature would have been thought out a little better.

I'm not trying to bitch and complain, just wondering if there are others who feel this way. I'll always be a GB fan because of the great video game content, but can't help but be a little disappointed to see so much effort put towards things that have little to do with video games when that's the reason I come to the site.

Have you been watching Metal Gear Scanlon?

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that avalon video was awesome and I want them to do another one someday with Jeff and Vinny!

bhizzy - Yea it was great! More of that type content please.

Sylect - I just couldn't get into it.

I don't really consume any of the non-video game stuff either (besides unplugged, which I enjoy immensely). But even then, they've still managed to put out more content that I'm interested in than I can consume these past few months. So it doesn't bug me, personally, though I can see where you're coming from. Maybe if you asked me a few months ago I might've felt similarly.

There's always been an element of Giant Bomb that's been associated with other things the staff are interested in. That's the nature of having a personality driven site in my opinion - these are people that happen to create editorial content about video games but they're also still people with other interests that provide context for their video game opinions.

In spite of that, I'd venture to say that at least 90% of the content is still video game focused.

As for older games, I'd say there's a pretty consistent stream of that stuff too. It's never going to be the focus, but Dan and Drew just finished playing through all of MGS, Demo Derby, Mario Party Party, random games on UPF, etc.

I don't need everything to be about videogames, they already produce enough of that for me.

I think they've talked about how premium content is sometimes premium *because* it's off topic. That they are willing to relax their rules when it comes to stuff for premium users since we obviously want more than just quick looks and no ads. Because of this, some of their interests show up on Giant Bomb even if it has little or nothing to do with video games since there are only so many games coming out at once. I like most of the Giant Bomb folks and I like videos with them even if it is not about playing and reviewing games.

I would like some more video game related premium content too, don't get me wrong, but we are getting Demo Derby, Metal Gear Scanlon, and UPF, which is a decent line up. Sadly it sounds like we won't have two of those for next week. I would love another Load our Last Save, Random PC Game, Breaking Brad, or FMVinny, though Vinny content is going to be trickier with only Alex out there.

Having Dan go to a shooting range would be pretty sweet content if they could record it in a safe and entertaining fashion. None of the Giant Bomb staff seems super into guns, though so that might be a no go. Not saying they are anti-gunners, just none of them are as interested in it as Drew is into F1 or Jeff is into Wrestling.

Dude, the first year of the Bombcast was about energy drinks.

@mlarrabee: good point

There's a difference between abandoning video games in favor of other content and exploring non game related content in addition to the regular features. The bombcast still exists, there are still 5-10 quick looks a week, Bombin the AM twice a week, and plenty of game related premium features like UPF, Metal Gear Scanlon, Spookin with Scoops, and plenty of random game streams from San Francisco, GBeast, and Patrick.

Unless you can somehow prove that this non game content is coming at the expense of video game related features, complaining about this is silly. If you only want to consume video game oriented content that's totally fine, this site puts out as much or more of that than ever before.

I am literally drowning in content on this website and very little of it is not about video games. You listed four things that aren't video game related, and that's... that's pretty much the entirety of the non-video game content that has been produced in the last few months. I suppose you could count the mailbags, there isn't any video game playing going on there I guess. And they were playing Mario 3 in the roller-coaster video.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, of course, but I don't know that the handful of non-video game content is something to worry about here. The GB staff deserves the chance to experiment and do other dumb stuff, and I like seeing and hearing about the stuff that they get up to that isn't video game related (the first 20 minutes of any given Bombcast often don't have anything to do with video games, either).

I subscribed in order to allow GB to do things that aren't video game-related. My interests aren't limited to games and neither are theirs and it's cool to have them make content about other stuff that's interesting. Video games are just the thing that brings the GB community together, but they're by no means the only topic. Hell people come out of the closet and talk about their relationship and depression issues on these boards. The GB guys have fostered an environment where everything and nothing is about video games, all that matters is that a bunch of like-minded people are talking about the shit that interests and affects them.

I think you and I are on exact opposite sides of this issue, OP. I want more content like Alt-F1, Unplugged, and riding a roller coaster with a DS. I don't come to GB just because I like video games, I come mostly because I like the crew. I relate to them, so when they talk about stuff they like, there's a 90% chance that I'll probably be into it, and they just might introduce me to something I didn't know about (like F1).

On the other hand, if you're coming here for video games, and they're talking about seemingly everything but video games, I could empathize with that. It's just never been a problem for me personally, especially since there is so much backlog I haven't seen yet.

Drew is interested in guns and Jeff is interested in fucking shit up on the real.

I come to the site for the GB crew, not coverage of video games. Video games are fine, but I don't need them to envelope my life 24/7, and I don't think the site necessarily needs to either. Do whatever feels fun or interesting.(Like the super popular Roller Coaster video.(

I tend to enjoy the content that isn't about video games more than the content about video games. I'm a fan of Giant Bomb not only because of their opinions & thoughts about video games, but I also like the crew and their diverse taste in different hobbies and activities.

I went back and downloaded that first year's worth of podcast during the summer so I could have something to listen to at work. They drank alot of energy drinks that first year lol

There are plenty of websites about video games. I'd rather see them do something entertaining, even if it has nothing to do with video games, than be restricted to game related content.

Also: Video games are stupid.

I don't know, I'm pretty sure pie flushing doesn't have much to do with video games but I still love it.

I understand the sentiment but I like that we can see beyond the "just video games" aspect of life with these knuckleheads. Watching them go off and do insane things like ride a roller coaster while playing a DS or eat fish from a can is both fun and a good reminder that there is more to life than video games 24/7.

I don't have the numbers to back this up but i'm pretty sure they've been puting out more videogame related content than before now that they have more hands. It just so happens that they can do other things.

Also it's not like i'm going to like any content they put out just because it's videogame related. Some videogames are not my cup of tea and some of them really are quite a bore to watch for 50 minutes. As for older/rarer games they do play them a lot (marathons of console speciffic games like neogeo, cdi, nes, snes, saturn, etc.) and play them quite a bit in UPF. Nut those games don't lend themselves to being quicklooked that much since everyone already knows what they are and they don't want the site to devolve into just a bunch of "let's plays" (which is why you don't see that many endurance runs among other reasons).

Don't forget that this site started with even more non-videogame things than they have now, and the predecessor of UPF had an entire segment dedicated to people acting out comic book previews. THANK GOD THOSE ENDED FOR GOOD.

GiantBomb has NEVER been about video games to me. It's always been a group of dudes who like the same stuff I do. In fact, all of Whiskey was. I still follow Tested religiously for the exact same reason. This is why the loss of Ryan was such a kick in the balls. I, and a lot of people here as well, felt like I lost a close friend. That wouldn't happen on other sites that just post previews and reviews.

This seems ridiculous to me. Go to the front page right now and tell me how many things on it are video game related. I'm sorry, but this complaint seems unnecessary and unfounded.

Just because they now have the staff and time to do other things doesn't mean they've cut back on video games. There's even more video game content than there has been in a while PLUS the extra side stuff.

@theblue: Yes. This right here.

But yeah, I don't think this is anywhere close to the beginnings of anything, honestly. It just seems like the extra staff members allowed them to expand beyond "just" video games content, not replace said content with miscellaneous stuff. From what I can see, we're getting more of everything.

Half of the 3 hour bombcast every week is about other shit.

If I want coverage I po by reddit. If I want to see a wide range of dumb shit done by cool people I come here.

Video game based content seem like it is still 80-90% of all site content. I don't see the problem.

99% of the content if videogame related

But that roller coaster video was better then that videogame stuff lol - also you forgot that they WERE playing a videogame on the roller coaster: Mario 3.

I don't watch anything of theirs that isn't video game related (usually) and I still don't have enough time in the day to consume everything they've been putting out since Dan and Jason joined and GBeast became a thing.

Also, I couldn't stop smiling while watching the roller coaster video, so I think that was ok.

This isn't a matter of opinion. You are entirely wrong.

On the front page I counted everything that you would consider "video game content."

11 videos total which takes up ~85% of the page (next to the fantastic roller coaster video, the unedited roller coaster video, unplugged, forums, and trailers) are "video game related content" made by Giant Bomb and it's affiliates.

We have reached the apex, everyone. People truly will complain about everything.

Do you remember when people were complaining about there not being enough video, period? And then people started to complain that too much video was about old video games and subscriptions weren't worth it? Now we have more content about video games than we've ever had, and more content about not-video games than we've ever had, and people are still complaining!

Crazy world we live in.

Just don't watch the stuff you don't want to watch. There's more video content going around than ever, period. Some of it is for you and some of it isn't. There's nothing wrong with that.

I don't understand this post at all. This is always what the website has been about, and there hasn't really been any major change to the formula. In fact I'd say they're even *more* focused now then they were several years ago. You also have to realize that Q4 is just now starting, and there is always a releases lull before Q4.

And the roller-coaster video and the recent unplugged were both fucking fantastic, I am willing to fistfight anyone who disagrees.

Hey, man. It's a GIANT Bomb. There's enough room for a vast breadth of subjects here. To an extent, I almost feel like Giant Bomb benefits from being so eclectic, and the very name Giant Bomb (not necessarily sounding video game related at all by nature) allows them that freedom. Bring on the dumb shit, I have to consume all of it.

There is 2-4 hours of video content released by Giant Bomb on 5-6 days every week. I would probably say that most of it relates directly to video games.

Some people might not like the off-topic stuff, but some people do. Good thing is, both sides of content are satisfied by the output of the site.

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't trying to complain, just wanted to see what everyone thought.

There's always been weird side stuff to complement the 80-90% vidjagames. It's a defining characteristic of this site.

After the Giant Bomb crew's brand of just being people, other websites more tied to video games seem shallow and boring by comparison. Anything they put out is fine by me, and there's enough video game stuff there to drown in, so enjoy it man!

As long as it's primarily a video game site, I do not mind the other content.

Seems to work

Yea man sorry that Avalon video was fucking great.

There's just more variety. I'm fine with it. For a personality-driven site, allowing them to explore other interests is just another way to get more familiar with the crew.

And if video game footage every gets outlawed, you do know that the roller coaster is just a preview of the future, right?

I enjoy the non game stuff but I can see where you're coming from. Personally I'd only be concerned if the quantity of games content dropped off, right now there seems to be more than ever. (I now have a backlog of GiantBomb stuff I want to watch to go along with my backlog of games I don't have time to play, what a wonderful problem to have haha)

Also I may be reaching a bit here, but I think most creative people tend to feel limited by their jobs and that's what often leads to those people quitting/moving on to new things. So giving your employees some creative freedom to explore other things that interest them doesn't seem like a bad idea. Maybe indulging someones ridiculous(ly funny) idea to ride a coaster while playing Mario or allowing them to do a podcast about their passion could keep them happy and excited about working at GB. So even if you don't care much for that content, maybe you can look at it in that context? It'll hopefully be good for morale and the long term health of the site! :D

Unplugged was fantastic, The Powerbombcast is a way to get more Jared Rea and Alt+F1 is consistently entertaining even if you aren't into F1.

Have I got a recent premium video series for you!

In seriousness I like the personalities at Giant Bomb. There are other sites that cover games but I come here because of the people and their often but not always videogame related adventures. There are other sites for just about everything else but I like what Giant Bomb is doing here. Weird shit like this.

I come here just because I know that they don't mind to take a break from Quick Looks and game features to ride a roller coaster while playing Super Mario 3. I can go to YouTube to watch people play a game and talk over it. I come here because the staff have interests that are outside gaming and are neat people in general.

Plus, Jeff has said before that Gamespot killed him in many ways because it was always so "video games! Video games! Video games!" All the time without much else. The other features they do that are non-gaming related are an outlet. They are people, and people need to take breaks from things they love so that they can keep loving them.

Also, I think there's plenty. They quick look nearly every major game that comes out, UPF is always mostly games focused, Demo Derby is going at a quick pace, Metal Gear Scanlon, Unfinished. I feel like there's a good balance.

Remember how the beginning of the arrow pointed down podcast/Bombcast started with drink tasting? I think that the non video game parts of giant bomb has always been there, and I really like that part. The bombcast is my favorite podcast partly cause of the off topic conversations, and the video of drew recounting his adventures in North Korea is still my favorite video on the site.

I have many other problems with the site, unbalance ratio of Dan + Drew, specially in premium content, GB east QL being 30 min too long and so on, but this is not one.

I come here for, as others have stated, the personalities. I will consume any content that this group is interested in for the most part. There's hardly a lack of video game content on the site and doing things outside of that realm keeps things exciting for both the GB crew and the audience. I think you're in the minority here.

I love that they do non-videogame content. Even if I don't consume it all, it's always fun to know that just about anything could happen. And to be honest, videogames should still be the main focus, but I'm mostly here for the personalities.

Less video games and more non-video games I say.

There's still more than enough game related content for me, and I have been really happy with the new stuff they've been doing lately.

I don't think any other site is doing "this".

The site has never really been just about video games. Look back at all the random "video thing" videos over the years for multiple examples every year. Giant Bomb has, to me anyways, always been an entertainment/comedy site with a focus on video games, but not exclusively (the Bombcast since day 1 is a good example). It's more focussed on the personalities and covering what they want to cover, video games and other stuff.

Also, for a personality-driven website, I think a series like Giant Bomb Unplugged is just about perfect. Playing board games is all about interacting with one another, which will always produce a lot of funny moments. And it seems like an extremely well-liked feature on the site too.

I'm here for the people, not the videogames.

I don't even see GB as a videogame website anymore, haven't done for a long time. I come for the entertainment brought by the amazing fucking staff. For my money they could be talking about farts all day long and I would still listen, as long as it is entertaining.