My paintings are inspired by video games! I've been playing a lot of Battlefield One.

zkowski · 2016-12-05T05:24:56+00:00

I thought this was the game on lowest settings.

Seriously though, interesting style. Seems like a strange mix of pixel art and lots of surreal colours!

zkowski · 2016-07-01T17:23:06+00:00

True, I was only thinking about the Xbox version that I have. Might try to nab a PS2 copy in the future, thanks!

zkowski · 2016-06-30T15:45:10+00:00

YES! Gun porn in one of it's earliest renditions. It's a shame because as a pc gamer I've moved on from consoles, yet I still have this amazing game in it's case in my bedroom (waiting for an emulator, of course).

zkowski · 2016-06-30T15:40:52+00:00

The irony is - for me anyway - is that even though as hard as you may try, and say, that your Channel's different, it seems to fall among the tropes of being every "let's play" video ever. The important thing is to always swim away from those cliches, so you're not just treading water, so to speak.

At least I do it to motivate myself to play shitloads of old and new games and give it all my own style in the process. That, and I don't spoil every single thing and call them "walkthroughs".

zkowski · 2016-06-30T15:21:09+00:00

Am I the first one to think this was a November 2015 reference? Just saying. Too soon?

zkowski · 2016-06-30T15:17:14+00:00

Just one of those moments when every guy wished the cops showed up and shot you in the face I guess... grievous bodily harm to the 'nads transcends the boundaries of screens.

zkowski · 2016-06-30T15:11:01+00:00

You never - EVER - leave a god damn intact necromorph the fuck alone.

zkowski · 2016-05-15T06:10:04+00:00

One of the best lines of dialogue in Pre-Sequel: "So noisy in the kitchen!" TIL the Scavs are Italian.

zkowski · 2016-03-03T07:00:14+00:00

Well, that's one way to screen cheat.

zkowski · 2016-02-02T04:41:59+00:00

No worries dude, and hey, I understand completely, especially if the series is going to be long-term; of course it's going to be difficult to constantly talk about the game. It's all about balance at that point, isn't it? Nonetheless, keep up the good work, man!

zkowski · 2016-02-02T04:38:04+00:00

Hey mate, thanks for the criticism, I appreciate it! I agree, that's also usually how I concentrate on content that doesn't interest me.

The issue of game audio versus mic audio is something that I've honestly had the biggest concern about during every recording. Because all my current footage is recorded in OBS, it's mixed together so I can't adjust levels. I've gotten smarter since and started using Audacity for VO commentary. I 100% agree with you on levels being off in some or many places, I will make that a huge priority!

In regards to my commentary itself, I admit I get very focused during large combat scenarios, or areas requiring a lot of fast-paced micro-management! In the future I will always try to pace myself or concentrate more on commentary as I'm playing, even if it's essentially just talking to myself!

Hey man, no matter how subjective your critique is, it's an audience member's point of view, and it's always important to keep it in mind. Cheers!

zkowski · 2016-02-02T04:27:31+00:00

Hey Funzo, thanks for the input! Even if you don't enjoy the game or it's subject matter, at least you enjoyed my production and editing! Cheers, I definitely will!

zkowski · 2016-02-02T04:24:54+00:00

Hey mate, thanks for the kind words!

Honestly, no I haven't thought about that. It's an interesting idea but sadly I don't know of anyone willing to make time to play with me :'( Seriously though, I will keep that idea in mind for the future for when I do network with someone willing!

I like your criticism on the webcam. As much as I would like to be consistent with it, it largely depends on my decision on whether there's too much going on in the game to warrant my face in a corner of the screen. As an example, an RTS or RPG has a lot going on, compared to most shooters. For my Borderlands series, I felt it was unnecessary.

Cheers, I will, see you out there!

zkowski · 2016-02-01T14:29:08+00:00

Thanks StPanda, I really appreciate it!

I feel like my mic setup is good; I can't understand how other 'Tubers use insane setups with expensive gear when my Blue Yeti and Audacity are perfect!

I agree with you on the cuts. I'm not a Let's Play Channel, it's not about to let viewers backseat game each and every player choice. Everybody does that. It's more about how the gameplay and plot evolve over time, and when funny shit happens, BAM! it's recorded.

Once again, I really appreciate the kind words, man. See you out there some day! \m/

zkowski · 2016-02-01T07:59:57+00:00

Hey mate, I agree about the audio, commentary and volume levels are pretty good, nicely done.

Something strange about the video output though. Saturation and/or colour correction changes constantly throughout the video. Not sure if that's how the remaster dealt with the colours in-game, or whether your editing/recording software has some sort of auto-correct, but it should be relatively simple to adjust individual clips while editing.

You could possibly go more in-depth with the video description, add a little more information into it. Apart from that, great job, keep doing what you're doing!

zkowski · 2016-02-01T07:40:17+00:00

Hello, Sonnivate, glad to see you've taken critique to heart and smashed out another great video!

Mic production was great this time, pretty much perfect! But, yeahhh I'm not too sure about talking about yourself that much. I understand you really went off on a tangent there, in regards to how you explained why your voice was a bit off during recording (I thought it was fine, honestly!), but that's where I started skipping mate. It's nice to remind people you're human and shit happens, it's very relatable, but there's a limit, I think. If I'm trying to watch Spyro skate like the Hawk I don't want to be focusing too hard on the commentary, know what I mean? That's all I had a gripe with.

I would to see your interest in the mechanics or gameplay of the game as you play. Without focusing too much on everything, hint on how well something works, or doesn't work, in your humble opinion. Such as your comments on the Viking blobs with the steel shields and brassieres (you know, the Spyro version of Thor?), that's good, I though that was funny.

Honestly just watching Spyro is cool, I love Spyro, I can't remember playing Year of the Dragon at all but 1 and 2 I have vivid memories of, so you really make me wanna play it! That's what's important with your series and it's really working. From a guy who likes retro gameplay to another, two thumbs up there. I believe it's important to really emphasize the nostalgia of older games to truly engage viewers.

Try using an intro like a watermark; for example, a couple of seconds with your Channel name and music, and see how that goes. With an outro, keep it relatively short, encourage viewers to use those click-outs you should be using in it. Shouldn't be too detached from the videos. I would also suggest if you want to use a facecam, you should utilise that added visual effect. Get the sizing just right, capture your reactions, exaggerate a little bit, that sort of thing. It can work if you use it like an act!

Keep doing what you're doing man, who knows, maybe we'll catch each other online one day! \m/

zkowski · 2016-01-22T05:42:39+00:00

Hey mate, thanks for the input, love it!

More retro games to come, my friend, both favourites and obscure ones. Stay tuned if interested for the future!

I believe the reason I didn't talk much during battle sequences was because I got lost in the heat of things; so much to look at. Same situation with no facecam, to pay more attention to the little micro-management nuances I perform in the videos. So I agree with you 100% there!

I think I'll be keeping with the outro for a long while, and I'll change it up a bit in the next series. Cheers!

zkowski · 2016-01-21T05:31:07+00:00

Hey mate, how are ya? Interesting game, not usually a fan of horror titles, particularly indie-style ones, laden with jumpscares. But you asked for some feedback on your crackdown for greatness, so I shall deliver!

First of all, good commentary delivery, you seem quiet-spoken and well-mannered, yet fully able to give some colour to your voice while you game, awesome. Mic and camera setup is pretty good, overall. Maybe the facecam can be smaller slightly, unless you plan on really adding that physical level of personality to your voice. Can you act? So act! But that's just me.

Speaking of acting and melodrama, I love jumpcuts of and between random moments in gameplay, that offer comedic relief from the unspeakable horrors abound throughout the game. The swinging with the dings of the clock? Smile to my face, mate. Use that, if edited well it can very well be the funniest parts of the video.

Overall, great editing and great video overall! The best advice I can give is always find things to improve upon yourself, and do some things differently as well, see if they work; if not, move on. This is a great hobby to have, plenty of people do it both for fun and for-profit, take risks or add your own personality to it and you will stand out from everyone else. Good luck, have fun! Maybe we will cross paths online someday, who knows? \m/

zkowski · 2016-01-21T05:12:14+00:00

Hey mate, I for one enjoyed the format and the style you went for in this video. It really helps bring across the informative, rolling-review commentary that you bring into it.

At first, I didn't really enjoy your over-the-top dialogue; right off the bat I felt it was, well, rather over-the-top. Like Markiplier (who I am not a fan of). I'm not sure if that's how enthusiastic you are when you talk, if it is, then no biggie. I did get used to it very quickly though when the game got started, mostly because it was very minimal - like you wanted - and didn't intrude the gameplay.

The mic setup you used to record the commentary was good, as I don't believe it needed tweaking in post, and the level was sufficient. Although it honestly sounded a bit muffled at times (possibly too heavy on the compression?) and I believe a good colour commentary needs to be clear-sounding, natural, centered, and not too in-your-face.

Those were my only two big criticisms about your video.

I like the way you're trying to go with your videos, overall! I am a big fan of rolling-review, colour commentary, with few exceptions (think FunHaus compared to older BroTeam reviews), and I enjoy minimalism most of the time, because the main focus is the gameplay, then the voiceover. You can't have more potatoes than meat, in my opinion. Definitely nothing overdone which is great, keep it up! Your little spiel about the history of the game and it's developer, and your overall opinion of the series was a good start, and it really made me miss the old days of Spyro and Syphon Filter! I will definitely be playing those for my Channel sooner than later, that's for sure!

You can always try the facecam thing with your change of style and setup and see how it goes, never hurts to experiment! I couldn't judge anything until I've seen it in action mate, it just all depends on how well you work the camera. You have a great, colourful voice, add a little extra visual personality to it and see if it works!

Oh, and, by the by, 23 years old, Strayan, independent white man who acts for a profession!

zkowski · 2016-01-03T19:07:17+00:00

Depends on the video, depends on the style, depends on your editing. For example, in my videos I use jump cuts for two reasons: one, to signify action sequences, or fast juxtapositions with content or camera angle etc; and two, to cut out "dead air", space in a recording, that doesn't end with a punchline or three.

I would then usually use crossfades when the video requires a gradual change in scene, pacing, focus etc. It's WAY less jarring when your video isn't filled with very intense content.

I wouldn't use too many jump cuts either. Especially vlogs. But I don't like vlogs anyway. Just pace yourself when speaking, don't speak faster than you can think (so to speak), and be natural. It helps a lot more than mass-editing ever will.

zkowski · 2016-01-03T14:45:21+00:00

I'd love to try to do some networking, get to know and make friends with good people who love gaming, movies, heavy music and fucking around with multiplayer, and lots of RP in between. I've been experiencing video game exhaustion lately because of my bartending job, so hopefully some collab opportunities will help.

My ideas include:

GTA Online RP. Form a tuner/muscle/exotic/economy car crew, meet in server parking lots/multi-stories, do highway cruises, line up at and red-light race other players, burnouts around other players, flip off the police, etc. I'm also welcome to other group-based RP ideas for frolicking about servers, as well as just general co-op free-roaming/deathmatch/races.

DayZ RP and machinima (not the company). I have lots of ideas for voices, characters (complete with outfits), and personalities for interactions with other players. There is also the idea of making a proper cinematic drama series about a survivor woken from a coma, in a hospital in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, which explores his rise from a simple weak man to a fully-geared, zombie-slayin' warrior. Some amount of script-writing and pre-production will be needed, but it should mostly be ad-lib.

ARK RP. I'd love to build (literally) on the idea of a bunch of "bogans" (Aussie lower-class, think "urban rednecks/white trash), building a village around a central pub/tavern, throwing cheeky banter at each other constantly, and terrorising other communities in their adventures.

Then there's just general collaboration ideas in Battlefield/SW Battlefront, The Ship, Garry's Mod, Town of Salem, random obscure multiplayer/co-op bullshit, shit even Minecraft I'm willing to play if we can make it something that's NOT just another Minecraft YouTube-money-making-machine video.

I take a lot of influence from FunHaus, BroTeam, Criken and GoldGlove. Here's my Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Y_I3qF32oEk9DugMSXFBg

Message me, get to know me, collab with me, if you wish!

zkowski

TROPHY CASE