Bombin' the A.M. With Scoops and Jeff Cannata: 11/11/2013

Have to admit i had not heard of Jeff before this. But this was a really good watch. Good show guys.

Cannata is like a bright light in what has become the cynical world of video games. I think that's why I gravitate towards whatever he is working on. I also think Giant Bomb falls into this category as well. Sure, they often joke about the industry or have some complaints, but watching Patrick screaming in a darkened room with an Oculus Rift on or the guys playing WindJammers at 8 in the morning with giant grins always serves to remind me of how awesome this medium is. Yes there are problems. Yes I am happy that people rightfully call bullshit on those issue. However, the fans and many of the media members have fallen into this cycle of obsessing over every negative no matter how big or small. It at sometimes gets to the point that I wonder if they actually even like games anymore or seek their enjoyment in the arguments surrounding those games.

I don't like going on twitter and seeing people, whose opinions I'm suppose to respect, immediately turn to snark and cynicism at every turn. Reading what media members had to say during the XB1 E3 briefing was really eye opening. I understand people were upset at the DRM stuff and I was as well, but the level of cynicism was at an all time high. I'm not saying don't joke about things, but I saw several media members just down right attacking every thing they saw. They tweets were often not presented in a joking way. It was downright dismissive and hostile. It really seemed like they were actively rooting for the box and the games to fail. I have zero problem with media members having a console or pc preference. Microsoft was doing a lot of crappy things and was rightfully called out for it. However, I just think it at times crossed a line from reasonable criticism into blind fanboyism.

And, I think that's the biggest issue. We see childish behavior from many media members covering this industry which in turn trickles down to fans. That's not to say that fans don't have childish attitudes as well, but if those that are suppose to be the level heads in the industry reduce themselves to the level of the angry mob, then this whole things just devolves into a meaningless and constant circle of chaos where no one wins. Dan Ryckert wrote an excellent piece about this and how gamers and media members should pull their heads out of the forums and rumor mills and just sit down and do exactly what you are meant to do with games, have some damn fun.

Awesome! Jeff Cannata is fantastic!!

Glad to see Jeff Cannata on the morning show. He is a great guy with wonderful opinions about the hobbies I care about. (He loves loving things.) Thanks for having him on. It was a great show even if we didn't get our "awoooo!" To end it. Great show keep it up guys!

@patrickklepek, play World of Warcraft. "I can show you the wooooorld."

Jeff seems ridiculously cool. Has the kind of Vinny-esque enthusiasm that this industry needs more of.

Jeff Cannata is one of my favorite video games people.

I love Jeff C!!

Kameo is so hot right now!

I am really tired of hearing the word "cynical" incorrectly used by Jeff Cannata.

Cant stand Jeff -.-

great interview, thanks!

Two of my favorite, articulated people in this business of reflecting on games and its industry.

You must hate joy and enthusiasm.

@jbcrenshaw said:

This.

Despite the fact that we'd then have TWO Jeffs... somehow he seems like a perfect fit for the Giant Bomb crew.
I'm not sure exactly why, he just just seems cool, and he has good diction.

It probably helps that he has acting experience. Like Mr. Gerstmann said on a Jar Time once: "It's almost like you have to be a shitty improv comedy guy to do what we do"
(not sure if that's the exact quote)

Just wanted to say great episode and have been a fan of Jeff's for ages now since the first episode of TRS. Hopefully we'll see him Bombin' the A.M. another time.

Sounds like something to do when Brad starts streaming Dark Souls.

Cannata's a rad guy, even though I disagree with his opinions almost 100% of the time on Weekend Confirmed.

Dig his enthusiasm, though.

Is he? I'm by no means a master of words, but I'm pretty sure that cynical, like many words, has not just one specific use. One of them is being pessimistic or bitter. Something which is what he was talking about.

Worlds colliding here. Great stuff. Jeff has never pretended to do anything but give us his honest opinions and feelings. One of the reasons he's so enjoyable as a host is this raw, non-filtered enthusiasm in the context of the moment. There are plenty of places to find games criticism attempting to be objective. The reason I come to Giant Bomb is to see people I like play video games and give their honest opinion without pretension. Great to see.

@silentbob251 said:

It's largely because people really hoped Weekend Confirmed would be the new 1Up Yours.

2N1T + 2K1P

The math checks out.

Love the Cannata.

I love loving Jeff Cannata! Seriously though, great show guys. I hope to see Cannata return to the show.

Patrick, props for bringing on Jeff Cannata, my favorite Weekend Confirmed member! My only criticism is that I feel like you have gone a little Johnathan Blow with your general disdain for AAA games and Microsoft. I love indie games, and particularly this has been an awesome year for smaller developers. I feel like the gaming media is really reveling in going after MS for everything this year, even on topics that don't really deserve it. Has MS had some communication issues? Yes. Are they evil? No. Sony's recent stance comes from a place of really struggling over the last console cycle, and additionally having a flailing electronics business to support as well. Will both consoles succeed? Most likely, and really the industry is better for it. Two solid competitors is better for the market, and if Wii-U comes back stronger, then three is an even better proposition.

I know, right?!? I found myself playing Perfect Dark Zero last night. I don't know what's happening.

That might actually cure the internet. Or end it forever.

Yo, Jeff Cannata is a pretty classy guy.

RIP TRS

what this guy said

There was never a good reason to buy consoles in the first whole year after they are out.

The second year is when you have enough info, the second hardware renditions come out, it's cheaper and better built by then generally, and you have good games to play as soon as you get your hands on it.

@silentbob251: I come to this site to get away from the constant echo chamber of recycled ideas. I can't remember him ever saying anything insightful on his shows. Enthusiasm can be fine as long as it doesn't seem phony. Seemed out of his league. Mostly just fluff. Maybe his personality just annoys me. But at least he's no Arthur Gies.

My face couldn't handle that much joy. It'd rip apart from grinning too much.

I miss the Wolf. :(

@edeo: Totally disagree. I've been following his stuff for 6-7 years now (whenever TRS started) and I generally find him to be the most enjoyable person to listen to among his co-hosts. I've followed his advice often in the film and comics realm because I'm not as versed in those areas as I am with games and have found some really awesome stuff based on his recommendations. He's not a paid critic or a writer so he comes at it from a different angle to most people who we see and read on a daily basis. I don't always agree with him, but he always makes fair arguments.

I began following Jeff back in the TRS days when he spoke about Bioshock and perfectly articulated what I felt made the game so special.

More Jeff Cannata on GB please. It would be pretty amazing if he joined the GB crew. Although that's probably a dream that won't come true.

Haven't listened yet, but I know this podcast will be full of whimsy.

That certainly isn't Jeff's fault. He is easily my favorite person to listen to on Weekend Confirmed. I only listened to 1UP Yours in it's last year or so, but there was no way you were going to repeat that. 1Up had some of the most talented people in the industry that could come in at anytime and give their opinion. All those guys are now off doing their own thing at many different companies. Trying to recapture something like that would be nearly impossible.

Hey Patrick, great show! If we can't have The Wolf, Jeff is always a good fill in--was a big fan of TRS.

Jeff would make an awesome addition to the crew.

JEFFFFFFFFFF

World's colliding!!!!

Woohoo to some J.C. on here!

Awesome!!!!!!

Scoops loving the loving of loving things from Jeff.

Recent WoW: Easy to pick up, easy to put down. Those "Netflix players" paying but not playing, yah see.

I should totally start listening to Weekend Confirmed. Jeff's a good dude.

I miss the TRS days

I love Jeff Cannata. That is all.