Has Extra Credit replaced Zero Punctuation as this site biggest video series?

[SimuLord]

As far as I'm concerned, as a watcher of both, Extra Credits is more focused on debate than ZP, and hence, there are more comments, there is no point of comparison, except for the static frames narration style.

Indeed. EC is a provocative series that engages the passions of the kinds of gamers who have a serious interest in the hobby and the medium to go along with strongly differing opinions on the direction the medium should go.

You've got the art vs. non-art, gameplay vs. graphics vs. story design vs. other elements of game design debate, 2D vs. 3D, technological advance vs. need for simplicity, and a slew of genre fans. And that's just an off-the-top list. Extra Credits speaks to those passions and encourages lively debate for the benefit of all.

Zero Punctuation's more like "ha ha, funny" or "it's not funny anymore now that you trashed a game I like."

 

[Kollega]

First, as it have been already said, judging popularity by comments does not work here, as Extra Credits encourages debate far more than ZP.

Second, "a rip-off"? Using the same "video-comic and a voiceover" format as ZP constitutes ripping it off now? I'm sorry,[footnote]Not really, no.[/footnote] but this is a ridiculous statement. They don't really have similarities besides said format and that they both talk about games. If you want to call all such shows "rip-offs", then Yahtzee himself is ripping off Robin Williams or George Carlin.

 

[mainlander13]

Lots of people have already said this, but it really is not a fair comparison as they devote themselves to very different messages within the medium (for my money, mainly quality vs culture/community). For the time being, it's two rather different forms of commentary which work very well on their own.

Also, while I agree that sometimes the ZP jokes get a little overdone, if you look back through the whole thing as a collective work this is what many of the jokes do. Yahtzee has gone through gay jokes, Wii bashing, the TCH, nostalgia, and race-related gags in various spurts at various times. Plus he still tries to mix up the formula every now and then. Eventually he'll probably run out of steam but seems the type to know when to quite, so perhaps his viewing audience should trust him to recognize when that time actually comes. Again, others have noted this already but it does bear repeating.

As to EC, it's probably some of the most amazing game-related commentary I've ever seen (and I know several people will yell at me for this, but I didn't know about them until EC). I've already recommended it to fellow game players and detractors alike as evidence of the worth of videogames as both entertainment and as an artistic medium. Rival? I think most people would agree with the reply 'Not yet.'

 

[FollowUp]

I love Extra Credit for all it's intelligence, but honestly, there have been a lot of games out recently that have warranted the filing system or clairvoyance jokes. I think ZP is the series I prefer, but why can't they both just be good video series? This is the internet, we have no thrones.

 

[FollowUp]

No. Wednesday is always crashing because everyone watches ZP. It never crashes Thursdays and the comments are only people bickering and debating like mindless folk.

Eeeeeeeh anything that proclaims superiority on the basis of "You suck" makes me a little troll-wary.

 

[Strixandstones]

I appreciate Extra Credits, but Zero Punctuation will always be more entertaining. The constant asides and obscure references mean that there is always at-least one thing in an episode that thoroughly amuses me. I like to compare his early stuff with the latest releases just to see how much his style has changed, and this leads nicely into the main reason I prefer Yahtzee.

Through his videos, Yahtzee's style has maintained a level of vitriol but gained a certain energy; he is the better presenter IMHO. There is something about EC matey's accent and intonation that really irritates me and detracts from what he actually says. It might be an English thing, but I feel no passion in his speech. From the subject material, I am aware that he is a passionate gamer, but he just can't put it across like Yahtzee can.

 

[Krantos]

They're different series with different goals.

EC is more of an in depth, yet still humorous, examination of some of the industry's inner workings.

ZP is a strictly for entertainment purposes review series.

Apples and oranges my friends.

 

[Omnific One]

Uh, no, not even close. Sorry, but ZP will always be more popular. It's just how reality is. ZP gets more people without accounts, creating the comment deficiency.

 

[icaritos]

Number of comments does not equal view count, extra credit usually provide information we are supposed to think and consider which generates comments from its viewers. Im not saying one is better than the other, but one of them actually creates the need for a discussion while the other is just one mans subjective opinion.

 

[Sacman]

What's Extra Credit?

Spoiler: It's...

OT: Maybe we'll wait and see but I doubt it will... ZP has this charm to it, it's like watching two hobos fighting over your pocket change...

 

[Cmd. Shepard]

I've watched Yahtzee since the YouTube days, so he's the reason I came to The Escapist in the first place. It's kind of weird that I haven't registered for the forum until now but I've been watching since he got here.

As for the shows, I watch Zero Punctuation for Yahtzee's dry and witty humour, his sarcasm, and his blantant disregard for any opinions other than his own which is something that just makes him who he is....that and his fedora. He is always gonna be a staple of my Wednesday's, to see which of the latest games he is going to "review".

However, Extra Credits came along and has now become the staple of my Thursday's. James, Daniel, and Allison combine their skills to create something that I really enjoy and what it is, is a well thought out and intellectual discussion and debate around issues in video games and different things about video games. When I first started to listen to the things they say in Extra Credits it actually enlightened me to some things and made me feel proud to be into gaming the way I am.

Did they replace Yahtzee ??.......by all means no, and never will, I don't think any show tries to replace any show.

My favourite shows ever on The Escapist will always be: Zero Punctuation, Extra Credits, Doraleus & Associates, Unskippable, and when it was on Apocalypse Lane.

 

[ayuri]

zero punctuation is old and familiar (ant to be honest he reminds me of a troll) but extra credit is new and a lot more restrained.

 

[Snake Plissken]

Personally, I am enjoying the Extra Credits videos far more than the Zero Punctuation videos as of late. It hasn't always been this way. I used to believe that Yahtzee was the best around, but I do believe his current critiques are lacking. It should be stated, however, that I am also enjoying Extra Punctuation more than Zero Punctuation at the moment.

 

[Marmooset]

Oh, don't argue - they're both Doraleous' bitches.

 

[ultrachicken]

I'm seeing this phrase in every Extra Credits video: "Video-games have so much potential." That seems to be the driving point of each episode. I suspect that theme will get tired quickly.

I also think that ZP might die off soon.

 

[x434343]

ZP has run its course. Plus I ALWAYS share Extra Credits. NEVER shared ZeePs.

 

[Warachia]

not a chance, your system is inherently flawed because extra credits is a series which encourages thought and discussion, whereas Yahtzee simply critisizes (although in extremely funny ways). it would be wierd if it didn't get more comments.

 

[2xDouble]

Does it really matter? They're on the same side and they fill different niches. It's like pitting a Navy SEALs vs Israeli Commandos [http://www.spike.com/full-episode/navy-seal-vs-israeli/39412]. Yeah, one wins eventually, but they are allies... Which one wins doesn't matter as long as they both kick ass.

 

[martin's a madman]

I enjoy both. They both are played on the same site and are paid by the same people.
If people come for one, they'll likely watch the other, it draws in more viewers for both. They aren't in competition.