Fucking hell, he’s been with them for close to 20 years, basically half of his working life. He’s been there through a lot of shit too, and basically kept The Escapist going through setbacks, cuts, and more.
I would have assumed he’d be largely untouchable there, so to make a decision that led him to resign immediately is absolutely wild.
To be fair, I quite liked Extra Punctuation, and I’ve always thought he would now be recognisable enough to either go alone, or actually be in front of a screen without animation. This could work out really well for him.
I haven’t browsed in years but do I understand correct that Yahtzee does both shows? Is the “actual” punctuation literally him talking slower with pauses and such?
EP is him doing the same thing, but not as reviews, more generally discussing broad topics regarding games and the industry. I personally prefer it to ZP
There was an old ZP video where another person tried to do Yahtzee’s style (before being interrupted by Yahtzee himself) and it didn’t really work. But that was kinda the point of the video.
It sounds like the entire video team left in solidarity, so I’m pretty certain Frost is gone. The parent company probably retains the “Cold Take” branding, but it’ll be somebody else if they keep it running. And it’ll be awful.
He’s definitely one of those that speaks his mind with little filtering. You get his honest opinion, which is nice in a world of bought reviews. Sure his opinion might not match yours, but that’s not the point is it?
He’s also a pretty good author. I recommend all of his books.
I know he said he’ll show up in another place (and will keep doing largely the same stuff there, presumably) but this is such an impactful end of an era for me. I’ve been watching ZP my whole adult life, pretty much. I can’t believe his next video won’t have the iconic music or animated imps. I don’t know why this affects me so much but ZP has been such a constant I suppose, that it feels empty with it gone.
Still, huge props to the team for resigning in solidarity, absolutely love seeing that and I’ll definitely follow whatever site they end up on next.
From what’s been posted on the discord and a couple of articles it looks like the escapist was bought out, and new management wanted a ton of video content (perhaps to align with the youtube algorithm of prioritizing channels that post multiple videos per day). New management then fired Nick, and the video staff in solidarity (and seeing the writing on the wall of the new direction of promoting low effort, frequent content over less frequent quality content) walked out with him.
I find this kind of funny-sad: The Escapist has often gone through these waves of being The Yahtzee Croshaw Channel to “We’re spinning up two other channels just so we can spread out all the stuff we’re making.” Remember that phase when every ZP started with a bumper about which shows are on which channel? Yeah they stopped uploading things to Escapist Movies and Escapist Live 2 years ago.
I was actually digging some of the newer stuff they were making, particularly The Stuff Of Legends and Cold Take, and doing Extra Punctuation in video form didn’t hurt either. Just as I was finally like “Hey Escapist is publishing some shows in addition to ZP that I’m kinda into” it all falls apart.
This reminds me of when Jared left Wisecrack, or when literally everyone left Cracked. I felt it coming too, same pattern as many before: the ZP videos started pushing for premium subs with more ads and censoring Yahtzee, and there were more shows with Yatz and a cohost. They always start by pushing the video stars to do stuff with new (cheaper, unknown, less interesting) people because The Company thinks all people are replaceable gears.
Good for the entire video team just quiting, the writing has clearly been on the wall for a while. Maybe he can do work with Stephanie Sterling again? I used to love their team ups!
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Congratulations to some wealthy idiots on their recent purchase of an empty box.
This is definitely the end of an era.
For real. I’ve been listening to these forever.
Fucking hell, he’s been with them for close to 20 years, basically half of his working life. He’s been there through a lot of shit too, and basically kept The Escapist going through setbacks, cuts, and more.
I would have assumed he’d be largely untouchable there, so to make a decision that led him to resign immediately is absolutely wild.
To be fair, I quite liked Extra Punctuation, and I’ve always thought he would now be recognisable enough to either go alone, or actually be in front of a screen without animation. This could work out really well for him.
I don’t like ZP but EP is quite good imo.
I haven’t browsed in years but do I understand correct that Yahtzee does both shows? Is the “actual” punctuation literally him talking slower with pauses and such?
EP is him doing the same thing, but not as reviews, more generally discussing broad topics regarding games and the industry. I personally prefer it to ZP
Extra Punctuation was the slower, slightly longer format videos that were more musing about broad industry trends and gaming history. It was great.
Wow, I wish I’d stuck around for those over the years. Thanks.
Holy shit so no more Zero Punctuation? He was like half of that channel. Wow this came from nowhere.
I struggle to think what that channel even did besides ZP and EP. Is Cold Take them as well?
Zero punctuation and 3-minute reviews are the only reason to be there. Guess i’m out now.
In my mind Escapist as a brand itself is basically only ZP, do they even do anything else?
They used to, before Extra Credits, Critical Role, and MovieBob went independent.
And The Jimquisition if you reach back far enough.
Sterling and Yahtzee did a few literal road trips together even.
Theyre practically nothing without him.
No one would have heard of them if it weren’t for ZP
By the sounds of it their entire video team left. So not half of the channel gone, but all of it…
Woah. I wonder what happened 😬
They apparently fired the EIC for dumb reasons, and everybody else left in solidarity.
Going to go out on a limb and say unrestrained corporate greed
Considering everything else that has gone to shit recently for the same reason, you’re probably right.
I wonder if they’re gonna try getting someone else to take up ZP
That would be impossible, since Yahtzee basically is Zero Punctuation, anyone else wouldn’t feel right.
There was an old ZP video where another person tried to do Yahtzee’s style (before being interrupted by Yahtzee himself) and it didn’t really work. But that was kinda the point of the video.
I remember this, the video didn’t match the title, I think the game was x blades.
I looked it up, it started as an X-blades review then it turned into a review for Halo Wars.
Good fucking luck to the next guy. Lol
Shits going down like the Hindenburg.
Well that’s an unsub. Literally the only thing from them I ever watched
In any case, I look forward to whatever he’s got cooked up. Hope he keeps doing stuff like extra punctuation as well
Youtube started recommending me “Cold Take”, which is actually not bad. Vastly different vibe, though.
I’ve enjoyed both shows hosted by that guy, Cold Take and Stuff Of Legends. Sebastian Ruiz, apparently. I’m hoping he’s able to continue.
I like Cold Take, too, so now I wonder if that is also part of this mass resignation event.
It sounds like the entire video team left in solidarity, so I’m pretty certain Frost is gone. The parent company probably retains the “Cold Take” branding, but it’ll be somebody else if they keep it running. And it’ll be awful.
Wow. That’s a heavy blow.
Lords of the fallen, fell this mighty Lord. 🥀
Been watching him for what feels like forever.
Definitely wish him and the team the best of luck moving forward and will keep an eye out for the next venture.
I stopped watching a long time ago but from what I can tell dude legitimately cares about getting games journalism right, hope it goes well for him
He’s definitely one of those that speaks his mind with little filtering. You get his honest opinion, which is nice in a world of bought reviews. Sure his opinion might not match yours, but that’s not the point is it?
He’s also a pretty good author. I recommend all of his books.
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Man has consistently been putting out five minutes of good to pretty good content once a week for over fifteen years, it was an incredible run tbh
All while writing books and even narrating the audiobooks. Man didn’t have time for punctuation or sleep.
Right? Essentially half my life. Just dropped out of college when he started up.
He’s practically back in the Maddox.xmission.com, PurePwnage, and Newgrounds days.
I knew him from SA.
I know he said he’ll show up in another place (and will keep doing largely the same stuff there, presumably) but this is such an impactful end of an era for me. I’ve been watching ZP my whole adult life, pretty much. I can’t believe his next video won’t have the iconic music or animated imps. I don’t know why this affects me so much but ZP has been such a constant I suppose, that it feels empty with it gone.
Still, huge props to the team for resigning in solidarity, absolutely love seeing that and I’ll definitely follow whatever site they end up on next.
I remember listening to ZP in my headphones while working in a metal fabrication shop, kept me cheered up when there wasn’t much reason to be.
So the escapist is closing down soon? Alright then.
I’m out of the loop. Any reason given for leaving? I feel like I’ve watched ZP on and off since we got a family computer.
From what’s been posted on the discord and a couple of articles it looks like the escapist was bought out, and new management wanted a ton of video content (perhaps to align with the youtube algorithm of prioritizing channels that post multiple videos per day). New management then fired Nick, and the video staff in solidarity (and seeing the writing on the wall of the new direction of promoting low effort, frequent content over less frequent quality content) walked out with him.
Sounds like they definitely fucked up. So they just bought the channel for no reason. There will be no content now.
I find this kind of funny-sad: The Escapist has often gone through these waves of being The Yahtzee Croshaw Channel to “We’re spinning up two other channels just so we can spread out all the stuff we’re making.” Remember that phase when every ZP started with a bumper about which shows are on which channel? Yeah they stopped uploading things to Escapist Movies and Escapist Live 2 years ago.
I was actually digging some of the newer stuff they were making, particularly The Stuff Of Legends and Cold Take, and doing Extra Punctuation in video form didn’t hurt either. Just as I was finally like “Hey Escapist is publishing some shows in addition to ZP that I’m kinda into” it all falls apart.
They announced they’re staying together as Second Wind Group, so hopefully the momentum just goes there instead
Title noted.
cold take was the only other thing I gave a shit about on escapist. looking forward to what they all come up with next.
Right as LoadingReadyRun is getting ready for Desert Bus, so no Checkpoint for two weeks. I wonder if they will cover it when they get back 🤔
Well, props to Yahtz for not being a scab and quitting when Nick got fired, good solidarity there
It would be amazing if his team could somehow join the Outside Xbox, then I could get all of my British accented videogame snark in one place
RIP TotalBiscuit, he would’ve fit right in there
I never see OxBox called out. I don’t watch much YouTube but I always watch their videos…
This reminds me of when Jared left Wisecrack, or when literally everyone left Cracked. I felt it coming too, same pattern as many before: the ZP videos started pushing for premium subs with more ads and censoring Yahtzee, and there were more shows with Yatz and a cohost. They always start by pushing the video stars to do stuff with new (cheaper, unknown, less interesting) people because The Company thinks all people are replaceable gears.
Good for the entire video team just quiting, the writing has clearly been on the wall for a while. Maybe he can do work with Stephanie Sterling again? I used to love their team ups!