I Hit It With My Axe: Episode Two: F*ck. A Medusa.

[nmaster64]

Normally I wouldn't post negative comments without some constructive criticism. But in this case I just can't find any. I gave the show a second chance but I don't know if I can stomach a third. This is among the worst things Escapist has ever published video-wise, and I think it really detriments the brand.

This series just needs to be trashed, plain and simple.

 

[Imper1um]

Okay...

#1: Gimmick. It's more obvious than EA saying that their C&C4 DRM isn't DRM, it just kicks you out when you lose connection to the internets.

#2: Camera fixes.

• Make sure there is a 2-3' walkway around the entire table behind the players so you can walk around easily.
• Stop getting side views.
• Get multiple cameramen to take a picture of the action, or have all the players around one side of the table and you're looking over the GM's shoulder, or next to him (WATCH THE GAMERS, SERIOUSLY). I know your GM wants to tap the ass of every chick in the room, but seriously, you got to make sacrifices if you want to do this.

#3: Editing- Stop interviewing in mid-battle, or mid-rpg. Get the introduction/interviews out of the way.
#4: Seriously, get a better GM. He needs to setup atmosphere better.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

You make a good point. Maybe one of the reasons I dislike the show so much is that I feel the same way as you; insulted that it is supposed to (and apparently is much to my dismay) appeal to the "nerd" crowd.

I really wish stereotypes weren't true, but the fact that this boring show is supposedly very popular is kinda throwing that right in our faces. It has no merits beyond that it contains attractive women, yet, according to Archon, it has had the biggest opening of any show on the Escapist. I can only hope that's due to the shit storm it's causing, and not because lots of people actually like it.

Awww, I like the show. But then again I also like the blog, and this lets me put some faces and personalities to the players mentioned in said blog. The Show and The Blog are very different animals though and I understand your confusion as to the "point" of the show. The "Playing DnD with Pornstars" Blog contains a lot of really neat gaming philosophy and presents a compelling case for "Old School DnD" that I'd never really considered before. Zak Sabbath also has some really fun/funny observations concerning the old 1st Ed AD&D books. Unfortunately none of this is present in "I Hit it With My Axe" as of yet, maybe once Episode 5 rolls around...

 

[Superbird42]

Gimmick.

Well that was impressive. Game Dogs turned me away in three episodes. This show did it in two. It may be the most boring thing I've ever seen.

Ah, Game Dogs lost me at 5.

You stayed with Game Dogs for 5 episodes? I lost interest after a minute of the first episode =/

And personally I think this show might be worth staying with... But I love DnD and I have a keen interest in trying to work out what version they're playing. [Hopefully next week's encounter with monsters will let me find out ]

 

[evilninja60]

you know i'm glad to see this seris on this web site cause for a while i thought this web site was only for high end good videos now i see that shitty youtube viedos can also make it on here

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

You stayed with Game Dogs for 5 episodes? I lost interest after a minute of the first episode =/

And personally I think this show might be worth staying with... But I love DnD and I have a keen interest in trying to work out what version they're playing. [Hopefully next week's encounter with monsters will let me find out ]

Read the Blog! They play a 3.5ed/1st Ed AD&D hybrid and actually detail many of the rules they use.

 

[Prof.Wood]

OK the fact that 2 of them are porn stars is a bit..odd.
I guess this one isn't for me.

 

[Imper1um]

The biggest reason this thing is getting so much flak is because it's insulting us, as gamers, our intelligence. It's just like that one service that they are offering for guys to pay girls to play with guys. It's insulting, and it's downright disrespectful. It's not that the show is particularly bad, it's that they are selling it on the cheap point of tits. It's a cheap move and we know that The Escapist can find something 10x better that doesn't require them to submit to the economical world of today, providing entertainment, without drawing us in just because their target audience is horny guys.

The Escapist Forums haven't gotten hostile, it's that The Escapist itself has sold itself out. I joined this community because they believed in supporting those that weren't exactly seen, and making great things out of it. Zero Punctuation wasn't even looked at before Escapist picked it up. I never even heard of Unforgotten Realms before Escapist. All of the LRR crew does an amazing job. It's fricken awesome.

The point I'm trying to make is that The Escapist is resorting to cheap laughs and cheap gimmicks, just like everyone else. Yes, they are going to get the viewership because of the point above (most of us are horny single gamer guys that would love to see tits), but it's just a cheap gimmick that we see every day on other shows (*cough*G4TV*cough*). It's sickening and it's a waste of my time.

 

[DividedUnity]

I like to give new content a chance but I cant watch this, its just so, so, meh...

 

[PapaJoeMambo]

Mandy: "I'd like to know a little bit more about the political structure of the goblin city, but that's alright..."

Zak (in Village elder's voice): "LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE GOBLIN CITY!"

Mandy (sarcasticly): "THANK you..."



I also love Sasha's need to own real estate, stolen or otherwise - tell me that chick doesn't know how to make money...

Counting down to episode 5, folks

 

[Sanctus Viator]

I've already given my constructive criticism above, so this is more of a general (and personal) note about hosting this series at the Escapist (which, oddly enough, I had never heard of before seeing it referenced on Zac's blog):

Regardless of how much this site's founders/editors may enjoy table-top RPGs, a series like this will not appeal to the majority of its subscribers. For many youngsters, the debt of current video games to DnD and other table-top pursuits is neither readily apparent nor particularly relevant to their interests - hit points and using mathematical formulas to simulate physical action are a given to this audience and they have certainly never viewed the computer/console as an inferior substitute for weekly (in-person) gaming groups. When I watch something like this, it reminds me of how much fun it was to make shit up with my friends (both adventures and rules) when the only 'gaming' alternative was an Atari 2600 - I've kept my 1st ed. Dnd books; the Atari went into the trash heap a long time ago. It's unrealistic to expect anyone who isn't a child of the 70s or 80s to feel anything like that nostalgia when looking at these videos.

I'm sure they feel much like I do when reading previews/reviews/etc. fawning over the latest video game title to promise an 'immersive' experience. Sure, I can appreciate just about anything done with creativity and talent (including porn!) - but the history of video game development, in which the underlying RPG-inspired mechanics have become less and less recognizable, is as much a tragedy as a triumph from my viewpoint. In other words, I'll play Arkham Asylum or God of War - all the while wishing I could know Batman and Kratos' Thac0.

My point, I suppose, is that this series will probably never click with the core demographic of the escapist magazine and that's not really anybody's fault. If the site managers want to keep the series here for personal reasons, I totally appreciate that and will be a loyal viewer for as long as it lasts. Hopefully less and less people will feel the need, though, to announce publicly that they're not the target audience by denigrating either the game to which they owe their digital fun or Zac and his friends who probably get more than enough shit from people for their day jobs.

Yes, Yes and once again yes, I can not agree with you more, Except for the face I'm a child of the 90's and I still feel the same way as you do about this series.

 

[PapaJoeMambo]

The biggest reason this thing is getting so much flak is because it's insulting us, as gamers, our intelligence. It's just like that one service that they are offering for guys to pay girls to play with guys. It's insulting, and it's downright disrespectful. It's not that the show is particularly bad, it's that they are selling it on the cheap point of tits. It's a cheap move and we know that The Escapist can find something 10x better that doesn't require them to submit to the economical world of today, providing entertainment, without drawing us in just because their target audience is horny guys.

The Escapist Forums haven't gotten hostile, it's that The Escapist itself has sold itself out. I joined this community because they believed in supporting those that weren't exactly seen, and making great things out of it. Zero Punctuation wasn't even looked at before Escapist picked it up. I never even heard of Unforgotten Realms before Escapist. All of the LRR crew does an amazing job. It's fricken awesome.

The point I'm trying to make is that The Escapist is resorting to cheap laughs and cheap gimmicks, just like everyone else. Yes, they are going to get the viewership because of the point above (most of us are horny single gamer guys that would love to see tits), but it's just a cheap gimmick that we see every day on other shows (*cough*G4TV*cough*). It's sickening and it's a waste of my time.

GAMEDOGS wasn't cheap laughs? Wasn't a gimmick?

If it wastes your time, there are plenty of *other* hings you can watch on THE ESCAPIST that will likely not bother you the same way. If you honestly think they're programing this to insult you, I think you're taking it all a little too seriously. Give it a little time - Zak himself has said that it doesn't really kick into gear until around episode 5 anyway.

If you think people are only watching this because they want to see tits, well, I really think you're wrong.

 

[Wulfclaw]

The biggest reason this thing is getting so much flak is because it's insulting us, as gamers, our intelligence. It's just like that one service that they are offering for guys to pay girls to play with guys. It's insulting, and it's downright disrespectful. It's not that the show is particularly bad, it's that they are selling it on the cheap point of tits. It's a cheap move and we know that The Escapist can find something 10x better that doesn't require them to submit to the economical world of today, providing entertainment, without drawing us in just because their target audience is horny guys.

The Escapist Forums haven't gotten hostile, it's that The Escapist itself has sold itself out. I joined this community because they believed in supporting those that weren't exactly seen, and making great things out of it. Zero Punctuation wasn't even looked at before Escapist picked it up. I never even heard of Unforgotten Realms before Escapist. All of the LRR crew does an amazing job. It's fricken awesome.

The point I'm trying to make is that The Escapist is resorting to cheap laughs and cheap gimmicks, just like everyone else. Yes, they are going to get the viewership because of the point above (most of us are horny single gamer guys that would love to see tits), but it's just a cheap gimmick that we see every day on other shows (*cough*G4TV*cough*). It's sickening and it's a waste of my time.

Edit: I agree.

I felt insulted and closed the first video the second this one woman/girl/whatever was interviewed about her choice of character-race.

"Why did you choose a tiefling?"
"Because its a demon. [pause] Duh!"

God, hearing that awful dumb exchange of words made my brain shrivel.

In my opinion, the show is insulting and unfunny. There are certainly better shows out there.

Give it a little time - Zak himself has said that it doesn't really kick into gear until around episode 5 anyway.

Great. So this ...thing... stays at least till episode 5? Every time i think it can't go further down, someone gives me a shovel.

 

[PapaJoeMambo]

snip

There is ONLY one improvement that can be made to this show. Cancelling it. Or killing it with fire. Either works.

Yes I can sympathise. This annoying viral show keeps dragging in my mouse pointer, forcing me to click it and watch the entire length of it before it will let me do anything else as well.

To be honest I never watched this one, I was just apalled it got another episode.

An informed opinion - valuable

 

[PapaJoeMambo]

I say kill the Inn keeper, that bastard has had it too good for too long.

EXACTLY. And he has a sass-mouth.

Then Sasha can run the place and Connie and Frankie can fleece sleeping NPCs every night.

 

[PapaJoeMambo]

Nerd out burst time
It's called a gorgon
Medusa was just one of them the creature is a gorgon.

In AD&D1 and 3.5, it's called a Medusa -- a Gorgon, in that game, is a giant brass bull with poisonous breath.

No word of a lie.

Nerdier than thou, I'm afraid to say.

 

[PapaJoeMambo]

As a DM myself I'm still enjoying it, I can watch people play D&D and still be interested. It's also a little disappointing to see people criticize Zak's DMing style based on 5 minutes of video instead of looking at his blog.

Yeah, some DMs don't get really theatrical, that doesn't mean they can't run a good game. The important things that need to be done when DMing D&D actually has very little to do with whether or not you choose to voice act all the NPCs, but more to do with how you do your world-building and whether you can put together an adventure that keeps your players interested.

Not even five minutes of video -- there's only about 30 seconds of Zac's DM-ing.

Then again, he's trying to get them to the dungeon so that something can happen without *entirely* railroading things.

 

[thisbymaster]

That wouldn't be interesting even if they were naked the whole time.

 

[Neko Niisan]

Lacking the time and bother to read the umpteen and half pages of comments before hand, I shall jump in here and offer my two cents.

The characters are one dimensional, the fact the first half of episode one going on about how most of them are in porn was a nothing more than a distraction and for love of all that is sacred don't get me started on the DM. I spent most of this video (and its predecessor) sighing at his relative ineptitude in both organisational skills and his ability to role-play the world he has created. As a DM myself, I cringed profusely.

I have nothing against these people or what they do and wish them all the best in their future endeavours but these videos are incessantly boring... Moving along now.

*click*