Yo! If you watched the video all the way through then thank you! Let me know what you thought, if you agree, disagree, or whatever! If you didn't watch the video because you don't have to the time to watch a 6 hour video, then fair enough, understandable. DO note this is actually 4 videos in 1, so you can watch it in 4 sittings if that's easier, but all the same i understand if you just don't have the time. If you however are confused by the title or even upset, I ask that you give the video a chance before jumping to conclusions. You can of course do whatever you want, but if you're not gonna take the time to watch the video, maybe don't assume you know what it's about? fair enough? Or you can complain anyway I guess lmao. PS. The 'brief" part of the title on this 6 hour video is supposed to be a joke. I know most of you know that, but for others upset by that part of the title, taking it dead seriously... I don't know how to help you.
so i finished this video and have moved to your other videos as well, it is more than fantastic and fair at that, made with real love and respect. i don't know of any way to send messages on here but you are an extremely talented UA-camr and you make epic content you are deff goingto blow up and im so happy for you. just make sure to make the content you have a passion for. take breaks and dont burn your self out. to dwell on criticism and just know that people like me absolutely appreciate every ounce of effort you put into these. you rock and thank you
@@jarmar3572 why do you try to bring others down in youtube comments? just watch something else if it bothers you so much. this creator has alot of respect for agvn if you watched the video you would understand that which you dont.
@@jamescox1799 but it's okay to bring avgn down? man, shut up. sick of the hypocritical bullshit! James have kids now, he's doing the best he can. yea, his content is lacking in some department, but he's better than most of these youtubers out nowadays that just create nothing but controversy. if you don't like his content, why don't you leave than letting some asshole piggybacking on his work because he needs the views. Also, the downfall? there's no downfall. he's still doing great. the title is misleading enough to bring in views.
I feel like the real tragedy here was that James wanted to become a big movie director so much, that he was blinded to how much he has achieved and that he was a true pioneer of a new media. If only he fully focused making small, independent internet shorts…
Can't really blame him though. It can be hard to realize a project that was only meant to get you off the ground is now the only thing of yours that will stay memorable.
@@ZorotheGallade I agree. And also James was both blessed and cursed for being a pioneer. On the one hand he benefited from being an early adopter, but on the other hand monetization was much harder back then. So can’t really blame him for looking for other revenue avenues.
totally agree it may not be exactly what he wants to be doing but its a job most people would kill for. he may not be a famous movie director but a famous youtuber still sounds like the next best thing
@@feezee82 spot on, at his height that sort of thing wasn't monetizable, patreon and streaming services barely existed and youtube's algorithm was monomaniacally focusing on 10 minute content for whatever reason
I'll always compare AVGNs woeful attempt at a movie to that of Ashens Quest for the Gamechild. Ashens did they perfectly, and released it for free on UA-cam, with legitimate actors, it even got a sequel. James' movie? Was just overindulgent It's clear James doesn't want to do AVGN anymore and is only doing so for the financial side and because his movie career didn't take off. Atleast it came out, eh Spoony?
I really think people downplay the impact Mike had on the series. James was never really a "one-man show", not since the very early days at least. Mike was basically always there to help him, and he helped James write, record, and create all the best episodes. Heck all his friends helped in their own ways, but... Well, James was always a film guy. He loves old Horror movies and stuff like that. But Mike? Mike basically *is* the AVGN irl (for better and for worse lol). So I truly think it was a combination of the two and their interests that brought us classic AVGN imo. James burning himself out with the movie resulted in the lack of filmmaking creativity, but I think Mike leaving is what caused the nerd to really lose his "soul" as it were.
Mike sucks. He's an arrogant prick who got lucky by being James friend. Mike would probably be living in his mom's basement if he didn't have the right friends.
I met mike matei irl at a concention. He was pretty stand off-ish. Spawn wave and few others where at the same convention and they were much nicer and I could have a convo with them. James Rolfe just got old and his wife was a huge problem. She had to be involved in every aspect and helped ruin his film imo. I remember she caused quite a stir back in the day about how AVGN fans were only male and it was a "sausage fest". All about diversity too. She's trash, and a warning to all men never to get married out of desperation. AVGN was basically about a young nerd at home. Being married and visibily older never helped the persona and detracted from it. Mike matei was a big part of it, but the reality is all good things die and AVGN is no exception.
The Battletoads playthrough/tutorial was a legendary video. And he is really lowkey about those skills he has. I love when he said "if I can beat it, you can do it too". That may have been the most cliche line to show people that you are being humble, but that dude was saying it from the heart.
When I saw him beat the first stage on back to the Future 3 for the Genesis my jaw literally dropped. I rented that game at least a dozen times as a kid and never got close to beating the first stage
There's a channel called U Can Beat Video Games that basically took the Bootsy formula. The guy seems cool, so he's probably not an intentional copy. I feel bad for Bootsy because he would have been the first to do it had Rolfe not "screwed" him over. You could say he... "massacred" any chance of Bootsy fame.
I bet the likes of Justin watched it. And it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that they will acknowledge us. We poke fun at them now, but we do it because we are all fans too.
It's funny how James mentions that the Earthbound and Majora's Mask videos were two of the ones in that era that he made nearly by himself, because I keep seeing those pop up as people's favourites, at least from the modern era.
And both the Earthbound and Majoras Mask episode where both equally awful. The only good AVGN episodes where the old ones that Mike wrote, James could never write about a game himself since he was never an actual ‘gamer’ to begin with. It was all Mike.
@@MrBungled Earthbound is one of my favorite games, and James' video was so wholesome and funny; I come back to it when I'm down. Idk for you, but it means so much to me.
Amen to that. I can live with that and knowing the full scale of the story, doesn't diminish the quality and impact James had on the medium as a whole.
I feel like the quality of AVGN dipped when the A-TEAM split. A-team/ meaning: james rolfe, mike Matei, bootsy, and Kyle justin. These 4 combined is what made the earlier seasons of avgn felt genuine and really shined with the humor and alot of time very obscure games like Plumbers don't wear ties 😂
YES! This right here! I said the same thing, after Mike Matei left the difference was night and day. I even said in the comments section to one of the videos leading up to episode 200 that I hope Mike Matei was coming back to help with 200, I didn't get any Likes but I don't care. Facts are facts!
@@nessadvantage9447 Darn right I agree with you. It should be obvious to any ling time fan after Justin, Bootsy and Mike left, the difference was night and day.
Absolutely. And i'd add Kevin to the lot, but the biggest loss to the channel cause of his influence, hate him if you want, is Mike. His absence is more than noticeable
I legit feel for James. Knowing he really wanted this movie to succeed, and put his all into it, wanting to become a full on movie director after this. Only to have it fail miserably and completely shatter his dreams and confidence, really hit me in the feels a little. I cant imagine how soul crushing that was for him. I hope his latest video helped him find the spark a little, since he wrote it all himself. I would love to see him overcome the failure that was the movie finally and we see the old James again.
Bro. I love James as much as the next guy, but we need to seriously ask ourselves this what did he expect? did he really expect everyone to drop the AVGN and play along with the dream just like Nostalgia Critic expected to after To Boldly Flee? and just so you see I am not hating, maybe NOW is the time to drop AVGN and make movies because NOW everyone is tired of it. .
He barely promoted it, and honestly it was a bad idea from the start. I haven't seen it but it would have to either be extremely well written or so bad it's good. The whole concept is flawed, he should have stuck with reviewing goddamn games which is the inly reason he was able to make a movie in the first place. It screwed up the entire schedule and burned him out. Episodes have been sparse ever since.
It's sad, because he is very capable with his other media besides being an angry reviewer. He's made lots of pseudo-documentaries, like Rocky Jumped a Park Bench, and his monster madness and board james stuff being phenomenal. The movie could have had a good premise, but the acting, the effects and well, even the plot made it feel like a long AVGN episode combined with a shitty B-movie. With how much money was invested and donated for the movie, it definitely could have been remarkable. Maybe James thought those effects would be endearing, being how much he loves old B-movies, but to most modern audiences it just looks mediocre and lazy...
@@vertyisprobablydead Like I said in my other comment, it should just have been a long plotline-ish AVGN episode with all the mythos and characters and references, a celebration of the AVGN zeitgeist. It was extremely simple.
I'd say there's also a clear delineation in old & new episodes based on audio/narration quality. I really noticed it when you were comparing James' "gusto" between old & new. Certainly energy & sincerity play a big part in it as well, but the echoiness of the room adds to this guerilla quality production - you feel like you're in the room with him, experiencing the game and the frustration side-by-side. In the new episodes, audio is so overproduced. It's also especially noticeable when James is on or off camera - the narration is polished to a mirror sheen, it sounds like a consummate professional reading from a script for an audio book or a workplace safety video. It adds a clinical quality. Most people expect that from their UA-cam gaming content in current year but, among other factors, it kills the illusion of intimacy that those earlier episodes nail. Anyway, this has been a fun video to watch while I work on my own projects. I hear nothing but respect for the Nerd in your voice, and I think we come from a similar background with his videos. Nothing can ever diminish how comfy those early videos are. The Nerd has made such a positive difference in my life, I wish him only the best and hope he loves whatever work he decides to pursue.
Majuular, my dude! I'm happy to see you here brother. I just wanted to say I loved your xenogears video it was actually my first video I saw from you, but it earned my sub 👍. Oh I really liked lost oddessy too. See you soon man keep it up
AVGN is basically just The Simpsons or SNL at this point. It's past its relevancy nowadays, though at least in AVGN's case, James still makes really good episodes once every blue moon. The Earthbound episode is a good example, as is the Polybius episode.
I disagree. It's not past it's relevancy. It had it's time in the sun and they basically did what most shows refuse to do today...know when to end their run. Yeah he's around and does game reviews here and there but his main focus is movie reviews now.
Seaman was a cool "alternate" style to it. It was doing it's own thing kinda like the nintendo power episode did back in the day. Not as good, but kinda the same concept.
This is by far the best video about AVGN I’ve ever seen and without doubt one of the best UA-cam videos. You can feel that Dylan is a true AVGN fan and speaks the truth about the fall of the nerd. I liked the video, subscribed and will support the channel for sure.
I discovered AVGN back in 2008, i was 17 yo. I am russian and you would imagine how it is hard to find someone who liked that type of content in my country, it being in english, about some old games that wasn't really popular or even known here, yet I passionately waited for more episodes of AVGN and also of NC. Sometimes I think that because of him I became a nintendoboy (eventually a nintendoman of course). It was a blast, simple times of youth. I showed it to my then girlfriend and she enjoyed it a lot, she even found shit pickle cute and funny. Good times.
Same here. I loved these guys. I learned English by catching up on AVGN and NC episodes sometime around 2008-2009. It was profound to then see these guys run out of steam after striking gold for years, reassembling themselves as lame content farms. Shame, but it just shows the ever-looming nature of our mortality.
Hey, man. I feel about the same. I've never met a person in my life who even knows who avgn is. In fact, as I'm watching this, my street urchin gopnik friend sitting next to me is baffled by me watching a six hour long video about a youtuber, he thinks I'm mental. Never mind avgn, never met a person who liked games besides CSGO and DoTa. Well I understand that's not necessarily what forms real connections between people, but still. But hey, at least you even got a girlfriend. Back in 2008, I was a naive boy, I thought the problem was things like my interests. But now we're in the age of the bl.ac.kpi.ll, so I understand the problem was always my face. But it was nice to live in a happy delusion. The reality is harsh. But that's just me rambling. Cheers!
2:46:00 Hearing James talk about filming in LA... it's almost exactly how I suspected things went for him. I'd never seen that clip before but it makes so much sense, he probably regretted filming there so badly just by hearing his tone. Half the budget must have been a complete waste
@@BananaPhoPhilly I always wondered if things might have gone better if he had decided to do something original, but I'm also skeptical about him being able to make the same amount of money on kickstarter for an non-AVGN project. There'd have been backlash for it not being an AVGN thing for sure, but it also probably would have far less backlash upon release. Hopefully James gets to make an original movie at some point, using the lessons he learned about trying to film in Hollywood.
It’s his own fault, someone should of told him too I guess. Same with the script. It needed to be ran thru a few times before it was ready. James is just not good at writing these stories long form yet. But I agree, he probably would of had a hard time raising money for just a “harrar” movie. So for his first outing needed to be a nerd movie. But god dam. Why didn’t they just film in Philly?
The movie should have never existed in the first place. The ET review could have and should have just been an hour long plot-driven AVGN episode, similar to the ROB review but larger in scale. Hindsight is 20/20 though I guess
I used to fall asleep to avgn as a teen as well! I burned them on DVD and would play them quietly as I was falling asleep since I didn't have a phone until a lot later
You know, I still enjoy his videos. I'm not blind, I noticed the dip in quality, but I think they are still fun to watch. You don't have to be at your absolute best all the time, so I won't drop it unless he becomes a lot worse than this.
That's all they are meant to be, entertaining. I understand if James lost the passion for it, but still wanted to do it and needed help. That's all good in my book. Are the people who worked and helped him the best? Ehh. But I'm not gonna hate the guy and crew because the content was dipping. If I didn't like it, I would have moved on. Simple. I don't understand the need to berate a content creator and mock his excuses. I don't think he owned anyone anything, but clearly, some people thought differently.
He is also a father of two kids and a busy husband. Life happens, but AVGN is still fun to watch. The fact that he still gets millions of views is a testament to his talent.
@@i_am_dementia9926 When did the video berate James, or the creator say he hates James? Nowhere, quite the opposite. He doesn't owe us new AVGN episodes, but so long as he keeps making them, they're inevitably going to be compared to the others. I do agree that James has lost his passion for the show, and you can absolutely see that in the newer episodes.
I think the movie "breaking" him really has to do with him being soured due to this... he had a shot, put in his time and effort, but in the end it just wasn't any good. It is hard to get to that level of a big movie director. He tried, and at least he tried.
I've seen that movie *three* times. God it's bad, but I grew up loving AVGN and go through rewatch phases every few years and the movie inevitably ends up in the binge. Rough.
@@moejuggler6033 i dig man. I started watching avgn during season 1 and was hooked. I watch them from time to time, but the movie i only seen once. It just wasn't any good. The newer episodes are okay and i still watch them, but they don't have the charm of the older ones.
I think Red Letter Media makes an interesting counterpoint to Cinemassacre. Mike Stoklasa took off with Mr. Plinkett, just like Rolfe with the Nerd. But Mike Stoklasa made sure that his closest friends had a permanent place in the company, and an equal stake in it, where everyone on Cinemassacre was ultimately treated as replaceable.
Actual insights, talent, and personalities is the real difference. "Hey this guy is angry and he curses! Funny, right?" Nope, sure ain't. Old YT may have had a better site-design and less censorship but the content was generally weak tbh with the noted exception of animation.
The downhill started after the release of the movie, that's always how I felt. While Episode 100 was the peak, the episodes after that leading up to the movie are still as quotable as the previous episodes prior. The madden breakdown, Just about anything from his Schwarzenegger and Ikari Warriors reviews, AVGN fan-games review, I could honestly go on.
That's nice y'all, but I'm more judging it off a season standpoint. In other words, I feel like seasons 6 and 7 were the last "all good" seasons. Where the worst are still watchable compared to... Well...Nerd Is The Word from Episode 200.
The Polybius episode was a good one, but IMO the Tiger Handhelds episode was peak AVGN. Which is funny for me, because it one of the most distinct AVGN reviews, with almost no background music aside from the sounds coming from the handhelds he's playing. There's no special effects, no character jump from the games to torment the Nerd, it is just James alone sitting in one place talking to the camera. Also, it is very quotable episode.
"Where Did Their Hair Go?" is still one of the best bits AVGN ever had. Kyle Justin was right on the pulse of hilarious during that Ikari Warriors episode.
If you rewatch the Desert Bus review as a stealth AVGN finale ala To Boldly Flee, it explains quite a bit about modern AVGN and his decision to sell out to Screenwave. He seriously thought that movie was going to springboard him out of that character for good -- maybe even allowing him to create a big budget Snix remake. Doug legitimately enjoys his character, because that's DOUG. The AVGN was NEVER James, it was MIKE. Any attempt to break out of the AVGN typecasting has failed, so he sees it as a golden birdcage. His friends are all gone, and not even his wife likes AVGN OR the fans. TL;DR - He's tired, and his dream took a bad end
Well that tells you a lot of his dream and his work ethic. Making movies is hard work. Many people manage it and families, but it's not something you can just master on your first outing. You have to keep trying. It's so sad to watch someone throw in their towel on the dream the first moment things get rocky, especially someone with time, money, connections, and a fan base.
That's kind of the sad thing involving comparing modern Nostalgia Critic and AVGN, even if they can get obnoxious and his fans don't like his more modern content, you can tell Doug's still doing what he loves. His opinions, good and bad, are completely his own and the people he works with are genuine people he has fun working with. The drive for James has long since died out, even comparing the videos where they aren't acting as a character and just being themselves feels very night and day. Admittedly, I haven't seen much modern Cinemassacre content in some time, I wonder if there's been any change or at least efforts for change.
@@maleficking6556 His latest videos are strangely balanced now. They still don't have that energy of the old videos, but they are far better in terms of being AVGN videos. It's like James have found a way to make it work, it's a pleasant turn.
It's ironic that Rolfe feels so frustrated and disheartened by the failure of the AVGN movie when he already redefined cinema for a whole generation with the videos. It's how I imagine success in early film must have felt for people who wanted to succeed in theater.
I think people are assuming a lot about how James feels the AVGN movie was a “failure”. He got to make a movie, it was released, and nobody can take that away from him. Did it get glowing reviews from The Times? No but I don’t think he thought it would. The only thing that might have been a big let down for him is that he wasn’t really able to parlay it into another film project.
I do feel strong George Lucas vibes where he probably realized (or avoided realizing) that he doesn't really like making movies as much as he likes playing with cameras and having occasional ideas. If he actually loved making movies, the script wouldn't be so forced. If you saw "Hot Fuzz" there's a fun documentary clip on youtube about how they wrote the script, it's infectiously fun. I feel that writing the AVGN script must've been like pulling teeth for 3 years. Three years!
@@leeartlee915 He repeatedly said during production that he expected the movie to "open doors" for him. He wanted to crossover from "YT creator" to "film director", probably because he knew the AVGN schtick was getting old. The decline in quality of his YT content since then is pretty obvious, he's running out of ideas.
@@leeartlee915according to some extras, he didn't really direct it because big filmmaking was very stressful for him, so Kevin Finn stepped it. He didn't realized himself as a filmmaker and his lifelong dream slowly shattered before his eyes.
From a certain perspective AVGN never really "fell". It just stopped growing. Stopping the regularity of AVGN for the movie and other projects at a point when he could have really grown his channel killed the momentum dead. Think we can all admire how James didn't turn in to a psycho like Spoony or create a nest of sociopaths and sexpests like Channel Awesome though.
You aren't wrong, AVGN hasn't really "fallen" like Spoony or Doug Walker or most other creators. His "fall" is merely going from one of the best, most original content creators, to be being sanitized, corporatized and meh, pretty good compared to most who've been around as long as him.
The early UA-camrs had an open field but it wasn’t clear how much of a career it could sustain just 10 years ago. Practical knowledge now, like focusing on continuous releases instead of larger format content, wasn’t as well established. Selling DVDs of episodes for watching on TV was still a common practice… Of the UA-camrs who produced pre-2010 content, James is one of a tiny pool of people (like HVGN) to not completely fall apart or develop serious mental health disorders.
Let's not also forget that unlike Noah Antwilier, James Rolfe actually made his movie. Sure it's not a masterpiece, but at least he made an attempt and I would say it's much better than any of the Channel Awesome movies. Especially since he didn't get a bunch of other online personalities and have them act out of character to fit a character role for his movie. He got new actors and as far as I can tell, their was never any shady business involved with the filming or an inability to provide proper catering on his film's sets.
I don't really like AVGN's newer stuff, but I deeply respect his work nevertheless. He is one of the most influential UA-camrs ever and I have fond memories of watching him when I was a kid.
What I still admire is that James is an ok guy. Usually these types of online careers fall through because the creators are dicks (most of channel awesome) or through a more tragic means.
you know what? I take that over pedophile UA-camrs anyday! I wish a lot of the UA-camrs I followed were just dicks or overrated, and not trying to ask nudes from 12 year olds
I was in line at a con to see James near closing time. Security was trying to force everyone out, but James stayed past close until everbody in line got a free picture/autograph. I can't speak for others, but he's pretty awesome in my book.
Nice my dude. You did a documentary on him. And you didn't run him through the ground like everyone else has done. You showed truth and facts. You my friend have got a sub from me.
Here's how I saw AVGN over time. The more James' hairline receded, the worse the episodes got. That and when Bootsy was kicked from the team....that one hurt.
Going by what you say, I'd say you were born 96/97. I'm 94, had a similar experience in youtube. The strange thing for me was that since I'm from Argentina, we used to play older games when it came to consoles, so, in my childhooh, I ended up playing lot of the NES and Genesis games he played. Not the atari games, that was something my parents used to play. But I did grow up with 8 bit and 16 bit games alongside PC games of the late 90's/ early 2000's, that was what everyone had access to here. State of the art consoles was something maybe 10% of the kids had. So I developed a really strong connection with this show and came to all the same conclusions at all the same exact videos and points in time as you did. It's so crazy hearing all of this coming from someone else opening his heart about this matter, thank you for this. I hope this video reached james and made him realize how much we all respect him even if we are critical of his artistic decisions.
I feel weird and a little embarrassed to admit that my favorite episode of AVGN ever has been the Earthbound episode, in spite of it coming from the Screenwave era. Yes it does have its “fake” moments but it does feel like James is being honest in his review of the game. And this is coming from someone who’s been a fan of AVGN since 2008.
That's fair, I mean it was one of the few in recent years he actually was passionate about and did basically all by himself, so id say it's not a bad one to have as your favorite.
The impact that AVGN had on the internet as a whole is greater than James may believe . Not sure how he feels about AVGN in the end, but the internet wouldn’t be there same without him
AVGN was the first channel I ever subscribed to back in 2008 and it broke my heart when I unsubscribed to him late last year. Even though I don't like his videos anymore I still like James a lot as a person. When he gets to do a video he actually cares about you can see him come alive and his passion for film and filmmaking is infectious. James introduced me to the Universal Monster movies as well as a bunch of other horror titles and made me appreciate aspects of filmmaking that I never took notice of before. He's one of the most influential people in internet entertainment history and I think that he deserves a lot of credit. All good things must come to an end but I wish him all the success on whatever he decides to do.
Yeah, I know that feeling of having to unsubscribe to a channel after they start putting out too much crap content, even if their content at one pont was so good.
yes they were but as time progressed the laughter started getting more stale. when something that made ppl laugh before doesnt seem to affect them currently, your viewership starts declining. i remember a youtuber commented saying "Maybe ive matured over the years but AVGNs videos just arent as funny as they used to be."
That 1st avgn retrospective part was what got subbed a couple years ago, loved this video and finally rewatching. Great job! You have come a long way as a content creator and things can only go up from here! Keep making killer videos!
I love how you talk about the coziness and the atmosphere of the earlier nerd rooms. Amen bro! I thought that I was the only one that felt this way. It truly is one of the reasons why I prefer the earlier seasons of AVGN. Plus, the content itself is simply better. The episode where he plays Top Gun is my favorite Nerd Room and the current Nerd Room is my least favorite.
I love it because you know the Screenwave guys have seen this. They HAVE to know most of the community does not like them. They are going to be known as the guys that ruined one of the oldest and loved channels.
Screenwave was his biggest mistake. I don't know how much shopping around he did for backers but he could have done better than those two. One of them looks like a grunge hippy and other looks like that stereotypical fat guy you see in movies who is nothing but weasel like the character in the first Jurassic Park movie. If anything James just didn't fit in with those two. Have you ever seen him together with those two? James is the only one who actually looks like a professional even if he is just wearing a 'AGVN shirt and pants'. Sure people are supposed to be able to be their own individual but there are limits. I got a beard and long hair of my own however if I were to be involved in a project that involves a whole lot of money you can bet real money that I would get a haircut and either trim down or just get rid of the beard and dress appropriately so people would know I'm serious.
@@chadharger9323 You are not wrong on those quotes about them. If you can find it, old vid now but he once went on Totalbiscuits podcasts. "Nedry" sat there looking very bored, didnt like any of the games they were talking about, pretended to be "asleep" by snoring over their conversations at one point, then the other idiot turned up, TB got insulted due to them being ignorant f***s and a bunch of things they were saying ((I think one of them insulted someone else on there for opinions on games, its been quite a few years now so hazey on the full thing)) and threw them off. Then continued the podcast alone with just TB and his friends having a laugh lol. I have also posted on other videos their disgusting practices of lieing through their teeth about the games being played, and how they actually emulate it to get more low hanging fruit bugs ((Resident Evil Survivor being one of the biggest insults to that)). Its like beavis and butthead got fat and SOMEHOW started a company.
James is playing a nerd character who has a pathetic life whereas the slobs are actual losers who have pathetic lives (the fat guy is a legit kiddie diddler). They're too real and it's too pathetic and gross. Like watching a snuff film. You don't want to see people like that in your entertainment. Same with Pat the NES Punk.
Beautifully written video. Your sincerity here felt nothing like the usual, impersonal "rise and fall" type stuff I've encountered before, and I'm glad, because with the AVGN as the topic I wouldn't have touched it otherwise.
What I never understood is why he decided to do an AVGN movie in the first place. As a content creator he must have known the 20-30 minute formats are perfect for AVGN. Furthermore, he loves horror movies. Why couldn't he have used that budget to create his own horror movie? Blair Witch had a $300k budget and Paranormal Activity had a budget of $15k. I would have loved to see a full (serious) horror movie done by James.
He probable figured he'd get more financial support, as well as general support and viewers, as most fans were there for avgn and he'd want his first project to have the best chance at succeeding. I would guess in the same way avgn allowed him to also talk about movies and stuff, the avgn movie was meant to be a way to build a reputation, and potientally money from revenue, to be able to create other projects.
You have to understand this all occurred in the infancy of the creation of the modern influencer, there were no blueprints for what to do, the idea of just creating a patreon and having UA-cam be your actual career hadn't happened yet, so for James and other early creators the big dream was making a feature film and becoming a mainstream TV or movie director/star.
He comes off as someone who probably has great ideas, he just has a hard time putting pen to paper and making those awesome ideas truly come to life when it comes strictly to film.
Because he was always a movie maker at heart if u watched his videos like dragon of my dreams and cinemassacure 200 ud know he always wanted to be a movie maker. He had 2 vcr recorders hed use to edit as a kid. I'm sure it rly hurt that the 1 true movie he ever made basically flopped to all but avgn fans.
Well from what I can gather it was a challenge between him and Critic....(Nostalgia Critic) he told James he couldn't do it. And said if he could get it done he would review the movie and then do something to shout him out or say something nice or something he said he would never say about him. And, I feel if you tell James Rolfe he can't do something, he will put his mind, heart and soul into it, show up and show out, and do it ten fold++ and prove the competition wrong.
No matter where the AVGN and Cinemassacre go, I don't think I'll ever lose my respect for James. What he started as a silly sketch 15 years ago soon took over his life, friendships, image, and finances... it's hard to not have that tear away at your joy of making the sketches decades later. Him recruiting Screenwave was necessary as he probably didn't have the care to continue bearing the weight of the episodes himself. It just sucks that the people Screenwave threw at James were unlikable and not fit to run an entertainment media giant. If he was given co-hosts that actually cared and scripts he enjoyed I'm sure AVGN would have continued with the quality we all love. I'm just happy James can say he created one of the most iconic and beloved franchises in the history of modern entertainment, and I don't think that's a stretch to say. His influence on the early internet is monumental. I still remember one summer night around 2008 when me and my friends were sitting around the steps in the neighborhood, and my one friend started telling us about this "angry nintendo nerd", describing all the episodes while we were cracking up laughing. I thought it was a cartoon the entire time because of how absurd his descriptions of the episodes were. Then I went home and binged the hell outta the series. Still to this day I quote the AVGN multiple times a week in daily conversation because the shit he's said and done is just infinitely evergreen funny. I'll always love the Nerd, and I'll always watch new episodes, but I'd fucking love to see James find joy again in this absurd character and series he's created. Seeing him try to make light of a shitty corporate script handed to him is just unpleasant at times. James IS Cinemassacre. Without his personality and humor, it's just some corporate horseshit, and I think that's what everyone hates. It's like Jeopardy without Alex Trebek, or Ace Ventura without Jim Carrey. Some of the funniest Nerd moments were James completely straight-faced, so it's not even the rage that made the golden age great. It was James. And is still James. And appreciating him is so important, because nearly none of the downfall or controversy surrounding AVGN had anything to do with James. I don't blame him for praising Screenwave in his update videos, nor do I care if his setup is janky. If he used boomer technology to make legendary episodes then fuck it, let him rock his convoluted setups. So making sure James knows we all support and love him is my utmost priority as an AVGN fan. I want him to be proud of all he's created, and I hope he is.
This is absolutely the most cohesive and honestly the best kind of documentary style video on cinemassacre that I've ever seen, if not the only one, other than James' own and I really hope James seen this. The Angry Video Game Nerd was something I watched when I was like maybe 11 or something around like maybe 2010 when he was writing the movie, and he got me into so many old games and stuff and honestly really inspired my sense of humor today. Then I started to dive deeper into the channel and find all the other stuff he made, and all of it was just fucking awesome. I loved his short films he made in college and all of the cinematic shit James did. What I loved the most about it was the same reason why I enjoyed so much of Smosh back in those days; James, with the help of his friends, made all of those films on their own. It was really inspiring to me, and obviously so many others. If James wanted to end AVGN and move onto whatever he wants to do next, I really hope everyone supports him and follows. Because he really seems to be an excellent filmmaker at heart, and I really would love to see these movies he's always talking about making. The trailer for the Astro bastards vs the flying fuckernaughts looked so fun! If that's what he was planning for a movie, he should do it. It looks awesome! But retiring the Nerd doesn't have to mean the end of AVGN. Beavis and Butt-Head ended in 1998 and are back now after almost 20 years (except for the one season around like 2010) and the show thats on Paramount+ right now is honestly great. Maybe shows like this taking a creative cool off for a while helps them remember and start to admire what the creation really was in the first place. I hope James takes this direction, and one day he can take everyone back to the past again.
I actually planned my Saturday around this video. It was well worth it. As someone who saw the AVGN become what it is today, a video like this brought me so much. Thank you for all of your effort!
Really refreshing to hear somebody simply note both the positive and negative aspects of the changed video thumbnails for AVGN episodes. Way too many content creators just whine about disliking it, and make the change out to be some kind of world-ending problem.
I was actually avoiding this video for a bit because I knew it would challenge my thoughts on AVGN and James. It was such an important part of my childhood, but I’m glad I watched this. I feel very similarly in that I’ll always be grateful for what he brought to the table and no matter how things might turn out in the future, it won’t take away from how it has inspired me. Thank you for making this video! I really do feel a spark of motivation to keep creating and see what may come with each project 😊
What I found most baffling about the 'wanting to film the movie in L.A. like the big boys' is that none of that stuff is actually filmed in LA. For decades most major Hollywood motion pictures and TV shows have been filmed somewhere else because doing it in LA is so expensive. Tax breaks also help. If he wanted to do it like the guys in Hollywood do things, he should've booked a ticket to Canada and film everything in a sand pit few pits over from the Stargåte crew.
The biggest, most major of all studios still film primarily in LA. It’s true that most of the other do not though (Louisiana I believe is the new hotspot domestically). So if he’s saying ‘like the big boys,’ then LA is still valid as the pinnacle - especially now due to how expensive it is.
For a long time, many movies and films were made in LA and other parts of Southern California. However, but the time James could make his movie, movies being made in other places was either a B movie thing or super grand movies like Lord of the Rings.
This video is honestly very well made. Not only as a means of documenting the major events that occurred during Cinemassacre's time on the internet, but also as an honest retrospective. As someone who's been a fan of James for a very long time, I too started having mixed feelings about his channel during the Screenwave era. However, there were still things I enjoyed about the channel. To me, the channel was consistently amazing until after AVGN episode 102. Then I felt the episodes were typically not as good as the old ones and rather hit or miss. Meanwhile the content outside of AVGN continued to be great during this time and I always felt the movie discussions and reviews at the time were often better than the AVGN episodes. Once Screenwave started becoming more involved in the scripting, that's when everything on the channel started declining. Though I still enjoyed some of the AVGN episodes and other pieces of content, like the Rental Reviews. The Monster Madness debacle was honestly such a shame and had me lose a bit of respect for James because of how that situation was handled. That and the knowledge that James was very hands off with everything really soured my opinion of the channel, but I've always thought James was a talented and great content creator. Now with the way the channel is being run so far this year, I think this might be the big comeback we've all been waiting for. Personally, I'd much rather have sporadic content if it means more time and love is put into it and James is more directly involved. I also still believe James could very well pursue his love for film and have more content or short/Indie films while still doing the gaming content. I'd be behind that as I've always thought his film content was great. Plus we have to remember that as his kids get older, they will be at school instead of home all day, which should theoretically give James more time. I do think James being dedicated to his family is respectable. Overall I still have high regards for James and wish him the best. His old content is still a great watch, as this video reminded me, and it looks like we might start getting more of that again. Maybe one day we can even get the old crew back and see the Screenwave guys fazed out (or at least not be directly involved with the on-screen stuff and scripting). Thanks for making the great video!
AVGN's peak has long gone but the series has left a huge legacy. It's an icon of times long gone for UA-cam, where you could make a project popular and gratifying just by being passionate about it without having to care about being sponsored, risking demonetization because of a gross joke, or the moderation team nuking your entire channel for putting 20 seconds of "copyright claimed" content in a 2 hour video.
Actually avgn could have been realease today and not suffer much demonization. James rarely uses slurs in his joke. The only slur I ever heard him say is R*tardarded but not often. Most of his jokes focus on gross out humor like eat the rotten asshole of a road kill skunk, or Buffalo take a diarrhea dump in his ear. Or excessive cursing and getting drunk. Heck the most real offensive joke he ever made was in the McKinds nes game in which he states that the devs were probably paid minimum wage. Which in the grand scheme of things that barely qualifies as offensive and can be construed that minimum wage is to low and needs to improve if we want to make workers put effort in their jobs.
I'm almost done with my second watch. I realized that I went from watching AVGN on my mom's PC late at night to having a wife and kids of my own.. Time goes by so fast, but I'm grateful for people like you, and James for taking time out of your life to make great content. (Mostly) free from corporate influence.
I thought I would just skim and skip around but wound up watching this whole thing over a couple days after being impressed with how comprehensively researched it is. Excellent work. Probably the only video anyone needs to watch on the subject. You've earned one sub and all it took you was a year of work and months of wrestling with UA-cam's bullshit copyright-flagging system!
James Rolfe was my hero in middle school, his monster madness videos, movie reviews, and AVGN videos was what made me face the day and I already in a very, very dark place at the time. He’s made me laugh, made me informed about movies and never got old rewatching them. I basically grew up on him from middle school to graduating college. During a time when we have internet celebrities who’s grown egotistical, being exposed and cancelled for past decisions, revealed to be complete irredeemable scumbags, or simply couldn’t handle it anymore, I believed he was truly of the last pure OG UA-camrs given his track record. However, I feel like looking back when he made the AVGN movie things had changed, subtly… But still. Especially when he took a long absence from making AVGN videos from 2010 to 2013. I give him credit for continuing it after all these years, but at the same time, the recent videos feel hollow and it was disappointing to find out about the plagiarism issue and how disappointing his 200th episode was. He went from being my hero to someone who’s made some questionable decisions in recent times with regards to his videos and his channel as a whole.
I've heard about ig not being really worth the watch, but I never knew the AVGN movie was THIS bad. Must've been soulcrushing for James, who always dreamed to become a film maker.
@@BQD_Central I couldnt pass the 15 minute mark back at 2014, I live in Latin America (so I dont have access to the dvd, piracy time)and my internet was crap at the time, I had to wait like 5 hours for the movie to download. Even after the hype, the wait, the movie was so dull I couldn't finisht it. I like the AVGN but James cant make anything worthwhile over 20 minutes.
Watched this over a couple days while working and while setting up a display for my enamel pin collection. Now I have fond memories of listening to the earlier parts of the video where you and the AVGN are riffing on silly media whenever I look at my display! Love these longform pieces and how they’re love letters to media you enjoyed, warts and all.❤
Watched this over several days, that ending brought a tear to my eye. I think in the end, James Rolfe is like steel. In the heat of battle, it sings, it’s glorious, but if you have no wars to fight and leave it to hang up, it will rust. I hope this year brings more earnest content from him, but even if it doesn’t, his significance to internet content can never be taken away from him.
I think the movie failure made him realize he might not go beyond UA-cam. That dashing of his dream can really hurt a person’s enthusiasm. It’s like when you go to college and maybe more and then eventually you realize your career is not what you thought it was or you may just never breakthrough. Instead of a stepping stone, AVGN became the end point 😕
Don't know why but this song came into my mind Wash away the anger And it will come Through the darkest day In my final hour And it will never rest Until the clouds are clear Until it finds my dreams have disappeared My dreams disappear
If he had just worked on the story to be ... less in scope it would have been fine. It didn't need some silly over the top plot, bad props and people that have NEVER been on the show before ((that were all except the general down right annoying)), it just needed something silly like a computer taking a retro game store and locking them in, tries to take over the world, that kind of thing. You could have made it look like something from the 90s on a budget of nothing but he dreams far to big and sets himself up for falls. Infact thinking about it, he should have adapted the ROB episode into something more. Turns up at his store one day in the hands of someone crazy, its evil, starts to take over ((could have had funny scenes where its using game pad cables and scart leads to link into things)) and him / his friends have to take it down. THIS is a plot!
I think he finally realized hes honestly not that talented For the movie business. He just got lucky with timing. It's not an insult he did great and I like his stuff it's just hes not that good.
Pretty much. Though the movie could have been a hit if the story, plot... and characters were better handled. Taking inspiration from Clerks, Wayne's World, and even Roger Rabbit (crossover with Channel Awesome and Captain S characters). Not to mention filming the movie in his hometown or anywhere affordable. Then presenting in L.A. (Hollywood) and his hometown first.
@@DisasterSquad I disagree, first of all I think the reason he isn't big in the movie business is because he doesn't sacrifice children, second of all, did you see the videos people were making back in the day? Terrible. AVGN stood tall as a shining gold standard, because he is talented and genuinely skilled at what he does.
What I fail to understand to this day is how a man who has been making films his entire life, has been passionate about the craft of making movies and has advanced his craft both on a personal and technologial level... can spend $300.000 and make a movie that's about the same quality as "To Boldly Flee"
Most of the $300k went towards permits because James was stubborn and wanted to film the movie in California and didn't research how expensive the permits are there. And they should've let Mike co-write the script, since from what I understand he wrote most of the early AVGN episodes.
What i admire about James is that, even in the show's not-so-great episodes, he still finds a way to be funny and entertaining. Sure, i do agree the newer AVGN episodes aren't the best and he doesn't really have much time anymore, considering he's a father now, but he can still bring a smile onto my face. He's just a really wholesome and funny guy
Many other people are parents too, with full time jobs. James has to consider youtube his full time job, cause thats where he gets his money. He has at least 8 hours a day, where he is just lazy. I don't give youtubers a pass, since they are allways at home. They have way more time than i do. Im going to work full time.
@@okarihS if you mean when he got time, it's when his children is at school, or kindergarten or whatever. That's easy when you are at home, saying you never have time, is maybe not the best excuse, when you have more time, than those who get up for work.
No one seems to be complimenting the amount of work that went into this huge video. So thank you for the HARD work in this absolutely incredible video you have put together.
Dylan, I am right there with you across the entire video. I feel like you and I are probably the only two people that have put so much thought into analyzing AVGN and Cinemassacre. If you're ever bored and would like to have a stream or something to talk about AVGN, feel free to hit me up.
It's just clear to me that James really doesn't want to be doing AVGN anymore. There are occasional glimmers of interest, like his Commodore 64 video (the second part, anyway), but...he's not the AVGN anymore. I'm not sure if I'd rather he move on to other content, or officially the AVGN entirely.
I feel like you are spot on, he probably wants to move on to other content but realized that he is only going to be known for one thing and thats "The Nerd" and when he wants to make movies that have no connection to AVGN or music or talk about things not related to video games, people don't care cause all they see is....well, The Nerd character.
I'm fine with that AVGN series not continue anymore, even though it's disappointing. Hell, if Happy Video Game Ners ended, maybe this could end as well.
@@ArjunTheRageGuy HVGN ended because the guy didn't want to only be known as an "AVGN clone". Also, he didn't "end" his show, he just changed it's name and style. It's honestly very interesting to watch. Although I wish he did more hidden gem reviews. He clearly doesn't have enough views and subscribes, guy's humble as heck and puts lots of work and research into his videos.
@@BrickManLive I'm shocked Derek doesn't get as much subscribers as James despite being around since the early days of UA-cam. His energetic presence and being a real gamer made me connect with him more than AVGN doing observational comedy.
Absolute phenomenal retrospective. You included everything I was hoping for. The shift of quality after the horrendous movie got released, the comfy feeling of the older episodes like the NES accessoires, the drama about bootsy and so on. I noticed that something changed about 2014 or 2015, but I couldn't tell what exactly back then. After I found the subreddit, it all clicked for me. Thank you for this analysis. Always looked up for a video that documents all that stuff that was going wrong behind the scenes, but except for some videos or the podcast of Red Cow, I never found anyone. Thanks for filling this, I might say, important gap.
By the way, I think Board James was perhaps the best formula for James. He got to dip into the review schtick so his videos got attention, but got the chance to build it up as a horror mystery series as the gags grew darker and more small details gave away that there was more to the games than it seemed, all while going wild with practical effects and video editing. Perhaps things would have gone better if he got the chance to make a second season.
I got sick of it real quick. I much preferred when it was just friends playing a game. When it turned into the whole existential crisis thing, I completely lost interest.
@@DeRockMedia Agree, he got passion back then, now his is all about "mah kids, mah dominatrix wife"and dude, man up, when you got a family you gotta leave them alone while you work, a helicopter father and husband doeesn´t cut it in real life, you also have to live your life so you can provide for the family instead of use them as an excuse to be mediocre and lazy.
@@karlimo4034 it was more I didnt hate the episodes but something was off. I would watch his stuff but i would wait like a month or 2 and kinda binge them up to date, I did even watch the Rental Reviews shows and just kinda tolerated Screenwave people.. (honestly i thought the guys were just ROlfs friends, never hated anyone but didnt really care for anyone either).
I've never seen a single AVGN video before, but when I see someone make a 6 hour deep dive retrospective about something they're passionate about, I watch.
Excellent work. I listened all the way through. Its good to see someone 10 years younger than me doing such a thoughtful and well put together video. You earned a subscriber.
To be honest, I'd love to see James have another go at doing a movie down the line; with his genuine passion for the genres (Monster Madness, etc.) and experience in classic film-making and practical effects, he'd be great at doing horror and monster movies.
@@maxxdahl6062 what did he do? I used to watch him a few times back when he was new, just recently binged the avgn seasons on here and kind of just browsing through all the related content on here, not in the loop in the slightest.
@@mikaelnyberg3532 Apparently, nothing confirmed but he apparently refused to pay Kyle and Bootsy for their work, but has absolutley zero problem paying screenwave.
@@maxxdahl6062 nothing confirmed and yet you condemn him as if he 100% did it. And then you say repeatedly like it’s just a regular thing. It’s been a long ass while since I heard about that but I’m pretty sure theres a lot more to that story than ‘James woke up one morning and decided to be a dick by not paying his friends causing them to leave.’ Again my memory might be fuzzy on this but I recall there being some kind of political dispute between bootsy and someone else, not really sure who. There were some other points too but I don’t want to start filling in blanks with BS. Either way I’m pretty sure politics was related some way or another. As for the actual payment part, I’ve heard some people say that bootsy felt like he was being ‘underpaid.’ Not that he wasn’t paid something he was due. It’s best you look into it more yourself if you’re interested.
I'd like to meet the man who bought all the Cinemassacre VHS when they came out. To whom the The Nerd era was the equivalent to the Screenwave era. Who begrudged that The Jersey Odysseys Episode 2 was never made. Who wanted James to continue making short films instead of spending his time on AVGN. Who wanted him to abandon UA-cam and focus on his movie career instead. I wonder if such an individual even exists.
@@groalerable Some odd copies might have been sold/circulated to people outside of his circle of friends. There are people with very niche interests after all.
First of all, thank you for making such an extensive video. It was really entertaining to watch this and remember all the impressions I had about different shifts in James' content throught the years. One of my personal memories with this character is that it was the first time I started watching youtube videos in english and learning to listen and speak the language from them (spanish is my native language). Sure, it's weird to admit that I really started learning english with such a crude language that the nerd uses, but I guess that happens a lot with online content, you just learn from it. Besides from that, I can say that if it wasn't for the boom in online videogame reviewing that the AVGN influenced, my intrests and hobbies could have been pretty different at this point in time.
Over the course of the last week or so while working at home I have listened to/watched your video. I can't begin to fathom the amount of work that you put into getting this done, and I can feel the passion, man. Time is a funny thing; I cant believe the Nerd has been around long enough for a video like this to even be thought of, let alone made, and end up less than six hours long. I feel like people like to pick on James, and that he's become an easy target these days, and despite your video ultimately being a critique of his AVGN character's entire history, I love how respectful you we're, and that the importance that James and the Nerd played in your life was treated with the love and reverence that so many of us (me included) have begun to take for granted. James is a visionary, he deserves some respect if only for the fact that he seems like a good human being. We all get old, and lose a little something, and the Nerd wasn't immune to that. It's just par for the course. Like you said; thanks for the past James, and looking forward to the future. And good job, Dylan...looking forward to more content.
I absolutely love this video. You are genuinely respectful of the work that he's done, but have great criticisms. Man, I'd love to see your whole method of creating this video. One of my favorites. As someone in his 30s, I grew up with AVGN since high school. Regardless of the hate, the golden age will live on forever (along with a few others, especially Earthbound) Oh, and you have a calming and lovely speaking voice. I seriously didn't want the video to end because I was just loving hearing you talk.
Bro, just finally finished this video and I must say that it was one of the best watches so far. Really gave me nostalgia and made me a bit sad about where we are today. Great job bro.
Based 👑 James. He was able to conduct his childhood dreams into a reality. The one thing we often long for, he was able to achieve. Sure, it wasn’t the best result, but he DID it. That’s arguably more important than anything. He gave it the effort and did what most strive most of their lives for. Regardless of what things have happened with him in the past few years, he’ll always be a staple. I wish him the best with his family and his future endeavors, the feller deserves the best.
This is gonna be weird to say but, I LOOKED UP with the Nerd through the entire series! Up through 2014, the AVGN became my past-time, ready for new Nerd episodes and always LOVING every episode!
That seems like blind loyalty to me. LOVING every episode ? Really ? Just sounds like there's not much going on in that brain and that you are essentially a zombie fan at this point. If I were to make some awful music I'd rather someone tell me "That's awful" instead of pretend It's good. I guess my main question is why ? Did he save your life or something ? I mean for the longest while I still wanted to support James even though I wasn't enjoying anything he was putting out. I was being a loyal fan but even that got hard, especially after the plagiarism on Monster Madness.
For the lovely chap who thinks I idolize him, your sick. I enjoy James work, with a passion, I watch every AVGN content uploaded everytime, even the Nostalgia Critic who fans are bashing him, but, you guys know there are worse people out here.
Holy shit... I thought you'd never finish this trilogy and now you come up with this five-hour long analysis. I'm stunned. Keep up the good work, man! Can't wait for that Irate Gamer video you announced, too.
I was the original camera man for Silvermania, my head is in your video when you're looking at the comment section. Justin had me work for him under the premise of helping me produce my own projects, then cut me out of the picture after a year of work and having Kieran take credit for all my work. I did an AMA on the cmtruth sub. He's a bigger prick than anyone can imagine. He would always reach out to my Facebook friends randomly and post inappropriate comments on my photos. The dude has no heart in any way. None of them do.
Dude you are amazing at this! As an avid AVGN fan (a longtime fan), I've seen a slow evolution yet never knew so much has changed in six hours. I do agree his earlier works are so much better but I do still watch his newer content every now and then. Thank you for putting this big loooong video together! :D
I feel the same way you do about avgn. I haven’t really liked his content as much in recent time, however it’s no doubt he helped me realize that I’m creator and a writer. He’s helped me find my passion for music, and to that I thank him.
Your interview with Red Cow Arcade is what brought me here. Very well made, and crazy to reflect on this as I was deployed using crappy Iraq internet in 2007 when I ran into his vids... now 16 years later to see where the channel is...
I really really enjoyed this deep dive! I cannot imagine how much time you spent researching, writing, recording and editing this. Thank you for the great content!
Agreed, when Screenwave came in, it seems like some of those videos felt like James was reading from a script instead of making his own words. Also that history with that one person from screenwave is kinda terrifying. As much as Gamers get it rough by society as a whole, it is sad that the detractors to gaming culture will try to lump us with those sorts of people.
@@BilltheFifth It was said in the video and it involved one of the screenwave guys being friends with a person with questionable history. Not sure how to describe it but just view the video and you will understand what I mean.
Damn. Now I’m really bummed we DIDNT get a road trip movie where Kyle insists they bring the couch with them, complete with visual gag of it strapped to the roof of a comically small car. Or maybe sliding all over the back of the van.
I hope you have more projects like this one, cause this video was great! It's very complete, well organized and I loved the soundtrack choices. Also, I needed some closure about my feelings towards AVGN and this video gave me that, so thanks!
i think that these days, James is depressed because he's a 40 year old guy who makes videos on the internet instead of becoming the next Stephen Spielberg, which is what he really wanted. and yeah i think the movie, both making it and the general reaction to it from audiences, broke him
We wanted it to be a 1 and a half hour of AVGN and friends (guitar guy, bootsy and Mike) but instead we got a turd with new characters out of the ass, black token and sexy chick included, like why?
I disagree, James is an internet icon. There’s no shame to be found in what he accomplished with his career. However, like any job, burnout happens. He can’t do a character that flat and stretch it out for almost 2 decades. He doesn’t even have control and that’s why he’s depressed, but… he needs to money for his family.
Great video, thanks for making it! I feel very similarly about the show. Loved the first 4 season, like the next 6, dislike each season after those more and more. But I’m still very grateful to James for making the show and the countless hours I’ve spent watching it. I don’t watch it anymore, but I often watch Mike’s streams - the real life AVGN.
Yo! If you watched the video all the way through then thank you! Let me know what you thought, if you agree, disagree, or whatever!
If you didn't watch the video because you don't have to the time to watch a 6 hour video, then fair enough, understandable. DO note this is actually 4 videos in 1, so you can watch it in 4 sittings if that's easier, but all the same i understand if you just don't have the time. If you however are confused by the title or even upset, I ask that you give the video a chance before jumping to conclusions. You can of course do whatever you want, but if you're not gonna take the time to watch the video, maybe don't assume you know what it's about? fair enough? Or you can complain anyway I guess lmao.
PS. The 'brief" part of the title on this 6 hour video is supposed to be a joke.
I know most of you know that, but for others upset by that part of the title, taking it dead seriously... I don't know how to help you.
The rise and fall? Bro, he's still doing better than you'll ever will! Why are you pigging backing on somebody carrier to gain popularity?
bra, why you pigging back on somebody's carrier to gain popularity? I know you see this. it's a simple question, Dylan.
so i finished this video and have moved to your other videos as well, it is more than fantastic and fair at that, made with real love and respect. i don't know of any way to send messages on here but you are an extremely talented UA-camr and you make epic content you are deff goingto blow up and im so happy for you. just make sure to make the content you have a passion for. take breaks and dont burn your self out. to dwell on criticism and just know that people like me absolutely appreciate every ounce of effort you put into these. you rock and thank you
@@jarmar3572 why do you try to bring others down in youtube comments? just watch something else if it bothers you so much. this creator has alot of respect for agvn if you watched the video you would understand that which you dont.
@@jamescox1799 but it's okay to bring avgn down? man, shut up. sick of the hypocritical bullshit! James have kids now, he's doing the best he can. yea, his content is lacking in some department, but he's better than most of these youtubers out nowadays that just create nothing but controversy. if you don't like his content, why don't you leave than letting some asshole piggybacking on his work because he needs the views. Also, the downfall? there's no downfall. he's still doing great. the title is misleading enough to bring in views.
The phrase 'What were they thinking?' will be always in my heart.
If I ever die in a game because of the game or there’s just something fuckin crazy in the game i always go, LIKE WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!
Ripped it off from Joe Bob Briggs
I feel like the real tragedy here was that James wanted to become a big movie director so much, that he was blinded to how much he has achieved and that he was a true pioneer of a new media. If only he fully focused making small, independent internet shorts…
Can't really blame him though. It can be hard to realize a project that was only meant to get you off the ground is now the only thing of yours that will stay memorable.
@@ZorotheGallade I agree. And also James was both blessed and cursed for being a pioneer. On the one hand he benefited from being an early adopter, but on the other hand monetization was much harder back then. So can’t really blame him for looking for other revenue avenues.
totally agree it may not be exactly what he wants to be doing but its a job most people would kill for. he may not be a famous movie director but a famous youtuber still sounds like the next best thing
@@feezee82 spot on, at his height that sort of thing wasn't monetizable, patreon and streaming services barely existed and youtube's algorithm was monomaniacally focusing on 10 minute content for whatever reason
I'll always compare AVGNs woeful attempt at a movie to that of Ashens Quest for the Gamechild. Ashens did they perfectly, and released it for free on UA-cam, with legitimate actors, it even got a sequel.
James' movie? Was just overindulgent
It's clear James doesn't want to do AVGN anymore and is only doing so for the financial side and because his movie career didn't take off.
Atleast it came out, eh Spoony?
I really think people downplay the impact Mike had on the series. James was never really a "one-man show", not since the very early days at least. Mike was basically always there to help him, and he helped James write, record, and create all the best episodes. Heck all his friends helped in their own ways, but...
Well, James was always a film guy. He loves old Horror movies and stuff like that. But Mike? Mike basically *is* the AVGN irl (for better and for worse lol). So I truly think it was a combination of the two and their interests that brought us classic AVGN imo. James burning himself out with the movie resulted in the lack of filmmaking creativity, but I think Mike leaving is what caused the nerd to really lose his "soul" as it were.
childhood is liking AVGN. adulthood is realizing Mike WAS the AVGN and James only played him on screen.
Mike sucks. He's an arrogant prick who got lucky by being James friend. Mike would probably be living in his mom's basement if he didn't have the right friends.
You nailed it.
I met mike matei irl at a concention. He was pretty stand off-ish. Spawn wave and few others where at the same convention and they were much nicer and I could have a convo with them.
James Rolfe just got old and his wife was a huge problem. She had to be involved in every aspect and helped ruin his film imo. I remember she caused quite a stir back in the day about how AVGN fans were only male and it was a "sausage fest". All about diversity too. She's trash, and a warning to all men never to get married out of desperation.
AVGN was basically about a young nerd at home. Being married and visibily older never helped the persona and detracted from it. Mike matei was a big part of it, but the reality is all good things die and AVGN is no exception.
@@FM1908YDo you have any proof of this or is this just a fanfiction
I miss Bootsy. He is great and his skills with retro games are undeniable. I hope he makes his own retro gaming channel one day.
The Battletoads playthrough/tutorial was a legendary video. And he is really lowkey about those skills he has. I love when he said "if I can beat it, you can do it too". That may have been the most cliche line to show people that you are being humble, but that dude was saying it from the heart.
When I saw him beat the first stage on back to the Future 3 for the Genesis my jaw literally dropped. I rented that game at least a dozen times as a kid and never got close to beating the first stage
There's a channel called U Can Beat Video Games that basically took the Bootsy formula. The guy seems cool, so he's probably not an intentional copy.
I feel bad for Bootsy because he would have been the first to do it had Rolfe not "screwed" him over. You could say he... "massacred" any chance of Bootsy fame.
Bootsy steals the show in Board James. He made and sang the mock songs: Donut Disaster, Volcano Rex, Dream Phone, etc. So catchy!
@@ThinkDifferentish Bootsy was good.
I wish James could watch this video just to realize the depth his work has really gone into our hearts and minds.
I'm better than the obvious "no time" joke dangling in front of me here
I bet the likes of Justin watched it.
And it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that they will acknowledge us.
We poke fun at them now, but we do it because we are all fans too.
It's funny how James mentions that the Earthbound and Majora's Mask videos were two of the ones in that era that he made nearly by himself, because I keep seeing those pop up as people's favourites, at least from the modern era.
And yet, that Majora's Mask episode was terrible. And it had mistakes.
@@ChiefMedicPururu His complaints were laughable
And both the Earthbound and Majoras Mask episode where both equally awful. The only good AVGN episodes where the old ones that Mike wrote, James could never write about a game himself since he was never an actual ‘gamer’ to begin with. It was all Mike.
@@MrBungled wrong
@@MrBungled Earthbound is one of my favorite games, and James' video was so wholesome and funny; I come back to it when I'm down. Idk for you, but it means so much to me.
AVGN’s golden age is a case of “Don’t be sad that it’s over. Be happy that it happened.”
At this point that's all we can really do and that's fine
Like the simpsons
Amen to that. I can live with that and knowing the full scale of the story, doesn't diminish the quality and impact James had on the medium as a whole.
Dr. Seuss much?
Am gonna go fucking ape shit if I see this motherfucking quote one more fucking time
I feel like the quality of AVGN dipped when the A-TEAM split.
A-team/ meaning: james rolfe, mike Matei, bootsy, and Kyle justin.
These 4 combined is what made the earlier seasons of avgn felt genuine and really shined with the humor and alot of time very obscure games like
Plumbers don't wear ties 😂
YES! This right here! I said the same thing, after Mike Matei left the difference was night and day. I even said in the comments section to one of the videos leading up to episode 200 that I hope Mike Matei was coming back to help with 200, I didn't get any Likes but I don't care. Facts are facts!
@@NavySharkz glad someone agrees lol
@@nessadvantage9447 Darn right I agree with you. It should be obvious to any ling time fan after Justin, Bootsy and Mike left, the difference was night and day.
Absolutely. And i'd add Kevin to the lot, but the biggest loss to the channel cause of his influence, hate him if you want, is Mike.
His absence is more than noticeable
@@liberxionzion5959
I agree, kevin finn helped him alot with the movie too.
AVGN has made an impact not only on the internet as a whole but on the hobby as well. He got my respects.
The lowered pitch on James' voice constantly makes me think of the intro read to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre episode.
I legit feel for James. Knowing he really wanted this movie to succeed, and put his all into it, wanting to become a full on movie director after this. Only to have it fail miserably and completely shatter his dreams and confidence, really hit me in the feels a little. I cant imagine how soul crushing that was for him. I hope his latest video helped him find the spark a little, since he wrote it all himself. I would love to see him overcome the failure that was the movie finally and we see the old James again.
Bro.
I love James as much as the next guy, but we need to seriously ask ourselves this
what did he expect?
did he really expect everyone to drop the AVGN and play along with the dream just like Nostalgia Critic expected to after To Boldly Flee?
and just so you see I am not hating, maybe NOW is the time to drop AVGN and make movies because NOW everyone is tired of it. .
@@makutas-v261 facts
He barely promoted it, and honestly it was a bad idea from the start. I haven't seen it but it would have to either be extremely well written or so bad it's good. The whole concept is flawed, he should have stuck with reviewing goddamn games which is the inly reason he was able to make a movie in the first place. It screwed up the entire schedule and burned him out. Episodes have been sparse ever since.
It's sad, because he is very capable with his other media besides being an angry reviewer. He's made lots of pseudo-documentaries, like Rocky Jumped a Park Bench, and his monster madness and board james stuff being phenomenal.
The movie could have had a good premise, but the acting, the effects and well, even the plot made it feel like a long AVGN episode combined with a shitty B-movie. With how much money was invested and donated for the movie, it definitely could have been remarkable.
Maybe James thought those effects would be endearing, being how much he loves old B-movies, but to most modern audiences it just looks mediocre and lazy...
@@vertyisprobablydead Like I said in my other comment, it should just have been a long plotline-ish AVGN episode with all the mythos and characters and references, a celebration of the AVGN zeitgeist. It was extremely simple.
I'd say there's also a clear delineation in old & new episodes based on audio/narration quality. I really noticed it when you were comparing James' "gusto" between old & new. Certainly energy & sincerity play a big part in it as well, but the echoiness of the room adds to this guerilla quality production - you feel like you're in the room with him, experiencing the game and the frustration side-by-side. In the new episodes, audio is so overproduced. It's also especially noticeable when James is on or off camera - the narration is polished to a mirror sheen, it sounds like a consummate professional reading from a script for an audio book or a workplace safety video. It adds a clinical quality. Most people expect that from their UA-cam gaming content in current year but, among other factors, it kills the illusion of intimacy that those earlier episodes nail.
Anyway, this has been a fun video to watch while I work on my own projects. I hear nothing but respect for the Nerd in your voice, and I think we come from a similar background with his videos. Nothing can ever diminish how comfy those early videos are. The Nerd has made such a positive difference in my life, I wish him only the best and hope he loves whatever work he decides to pursue.
Majuular, my dude! I'm happy to see you here brother. I just wanted to say I loved your xenogears video it was actually my first video I saw from you, but it earned my sub 👍. Oh I really liked lost oddessy too. See you soon man keep it up
AVGN is basically just The Simpsons or SNL at this point. It's past its relevancy nowadays, though at least in AVGN's case, James still makes really good episodes once every blue moon. The Earthbound episode is a good example, as is the Polybius episode.
I kind of agree.
Earthbound and Polybius were made 4/5 years ago
I thought the majoras mask one was pretty good too
This is completely accurate...unfortunately.
I disagree. It's not past it's relevancy. It had it's time in the sun and they basically did what most shows refuse to do today...know when to end their run. Yeah he's around and does game reviews here and there but his main focus is movie reviews now.
Honestly the 2015 episodes of AVGN are among my favorites. Hong Kong 97 and Seaman were pretty funny
I can hear that jingle loop in my head while bootleg Jackie Chan face on the menu screen
Seaman was a cool "alternate" style to it. It was doing it's own thing kinda like the nintendo power episode did back in the day. Not as good, but kinda the same concept.
Seaman was great just for the phrase “Man-Bazooka Juice”
Big Rigs in 2014 made me heave laughing, I go back and watch it every once in a while. It's the highlight of AVGN for me.
2015 was just a good year for AVGN stuff in general.
This is by far the best video about AVGN I’ve ever seen and without doubt one of the best UA-cam videos.
You can feel that Dylan is a true AVGN fan and speaks the truth about the fall of the nerd.
I liked the video, subscribed and will support the channel for sure.
Thank you!
I discovered AVGN back in 2008, i was 17 yo. I am russian and you would imagine how it is hard to find someone who liked that type of content in my country, it being in english, about some old games that wasn't really popular or even known here, yet I passionately waited for more episodes of AVGN and also of NC. Sometimes I think that because of him I became a nintendoboy (eventually a nintendoman of course).
It was a blast, simple times of youth. I showed it to my then girlfriend and she enjoyed it a lot, she even found shit pickle cute and funny.
Good times.
Привет! Согласен с тобой полностью, раньше трава была зеленее и АВГН ламповее. До сих пор, например, по причине ламповости смотрю того же Кинамана 😊
Same here. I loved these guys. I learned English by catching up on AVGN and NC episodes sometime around 2008-2009. It was profound to then see these guys run out of steam after striking gold for years, reassembling themselves as lame content farms. Shame, but it just shows the ever-looming nature of our mortality.
Мои Любимые Кинамания и АВГН!
@@MattLocke-m7n Never been there
Hey, man. I feel about the same. I've never met a person in my life who even knows who avgn is. In fact, as I'm watching this, my street urchin gopnik friend sitting next to me is baffled by me watching a six hour long video about a youtuber, he thinks I'm mental. Never mind avgn, never met a person who liked games besides CSGO and DoTa. Well I understand that's not necessarily what forms real connections between people, but still. But hey, at least you even got a girlfriend. Back in 2008, I was a naive boy, I thought the problem was things like my interests. But now we're in the age of the bl.ac.kpi.ll, so I understand the problem was always my face. But it was nice to live in a happy delusion. The reality is harsh.
But that's just me rambling. Cheers!
2:46:00 Hearing James talk about filming in LA... it's almost exactly how I suspected things went for him. I'd never seen that clip before but it makes so much sense, he probably regretted filming there so badly just by hearing his tone. Half the budget must have been a complete waste
The WHOLE. budget for that flaming trash pile of a vanity project was a waste.
@@Deadguy2322forreal He shoulda just made an original horror film
@@BananaPhoPhilly I always wondered if things might have gone better if he had decided to do something original, but I'm also skeptical about him being able to make the same amount of money on kickstarter for an non-AVGN project. There'd have been backlash for it not being an AVGN thing for sure, but it also probably would have far less backlash upon release. Hopefully James gets to make an original movie at some point, using the lessons he learned about trying to film in Hollywood.
It’s his own fault, someone should of told him too I guess. Same with the script. It needed to be ran thru a few times before it was ready. James is just not good at writing these stories long form yet. But I agree, he probably would of had a hard time raising money for just a “harrar” movie. So for his first outing needed to be a nerd movie. But god dam. Why didn’t they just film in Philly?
The movie should have never existed in the first place. The ET review could have and should have just been an hour long plot-driven AVGN episode, similar to the ROB review but larger in scale. Hindsight is 20/20 though I guess
I used to fall asleep to avgn as a teen as well! I burned them on DVD and would play them quietly as I was falling asleep since I didn't have a phone until a lot later
same here nate
Same here man. I still occasionally fall asleep to AVGN to this day.
@@Julian_2553 I was watching his Friday the 13th video to sleep until I found this 💀
Well fancy seeing you here
Yep, I still watch
You know, I still enjoy his videos. I'm not blind, I noticed the dip in quality, but I think they are still fun to watch. You don't have to be at your absolute best all the time, so I won't drop it unless he becomes a lot worse than this.
That's all they are meant to be, entertaining. I understand if James lost the passion for it, but still wanted to do it and needed help. That's all good in my book. Are the people who worked and helped him the best? Ehh. But I'm not gonna hate the guy and crew because the content was dipping. If I didn't like it, I would have moved on. Simple. I don't understand the need to berate a content creator and mock his excuses. I don't think he owned anyone anything, but clearly, some people thought differently.
@@i_am_dementia9926 Exactly what I was trying to say.
I still enjoy his videos as well although his movie reviews and podcast are very underwhelming. His video game material is where it’s at
He is also a father of two kids and a busy husband. Life happens, but AVGN is still fun to watch. The fact that he still gets millions of views is a testament to his talent.
@@i_am_dementia9926 When did the video berate James, or the creator say he hates James? Nowhere, quite the opposite. He doesn't owe us new AVGN episodes, but so long as he keeps making them, they're inevitably going to be compared to the others. I do agree that James has lost his passion for the show, and you can absolutely see that in the newer episodes.
I think the movie "breaking" him really has to do with him being soured due to this... he had a shot, put in his time and effort, but in the end it just wasn't any good. It is hard to get to that level of a big movie director. He tried, and at least he tried.
I've seen that movie *three* times. God it's bad, but I grew up loving AVGN and go through rewatch phases every few years and the movie inevitably ends up in the binge. Rough.
Kinda wonder how he managed to get movie rights
@@moejuggler6033 i dig man. I started watching avgn during season 1 and was hooked. I watch them from time to time, but the movie i only seen once. It just wasn't any good. The newer episodes are okay and i still watch them, but they don't have the charm of the older ones.
It's bad but I still enjoy it.
it's a horrible movie , it's like it was made to suck asz? ha ha
I think Red Letter Media makes an interesting counterpoint to Cinemassacre. Mike Stoklasa took off with Mr. Plinkett, just like Rolfe with the Nerd. But Mike Stoklasa made sure that his closest friends had a permanent place in the company, and an equal stake in it, where everyone on Cinemassacre was ultimately treated as replaceable.
Well put . . .
And more importantly they created varied and sustainable content around those personalities
Actual insights, talent, and personalities is the real difference. "Hey this guy is angry and he curses! Funny, right?" Nope, sure ain't. Old YT may have had a better site-design and less censorship but the content was generally weak tbh with the noted exception of animation.
Also, RLM has never tried to hawk VPN or some shitty earplugs to me.
@@EnjoySackLunch Just their VHS repair business
The downhill started after the release of the movie, that's always how I felt.
While Episode 100 was the peak, the episodes after that leading up to the movie are still as quotable as the previous episodes prior.
The madden breakdown, Just about anything from his Schwarzenegger and Ikari Warriors reviews, AVGN fan-games review, I could honestly go on.
The last good AVGN episode was Polybius.
Although the modern one like earthbound is pretty damn good
That's nice y'all, but I'm more judging it off a season standpoint. In other words, I feel like seasons 6 and 7 were the last "all good" seasons. Where the worst are still watchable compared to...
Well...Nerd Is The Word from Episode 200.
The Polybius episode was a good one, but IMO the Tiger Handhelds episode was peak AVGN. Which is funny for me, because it one of the most distinct AVGN reviews, with almost no background music aside from the sounds coming from the handhelds he's playing. There's no special effects, no character jump from the games to torment the Nerd, it is just James alone sitting in one place talking to the camera. Also, it is very quotable episode.
"Where Did Their Hair Go?" is still one of the best bits AVGN ever had. Kyle Justin was right on the pulse of hilarious during that Ikari Warriors episode.
If you rewatch the Desert Bus review as a stealth AVGN finale ala To Boldly Flee, it explains quite a bit about modern AVGN and his decision to sell out to Screenwave.
He seriously thought that movie was going to springboard him out of that character for good -- maybe even allowing him to create a big budget Snix remake.
Doug legitimately enjoys his character, because that's DOUG. The AVGN was NEVER James, it was MIKE. Any attempt to break out of the AVGN typecasting has failed, so he sees it as a golden birdcage. His friends are all gone, and not even his wife likes AVGN OR the fans.
TL;DR - He's tired, and his dream took a bad end
Doug also tried to kill his character, but failed spectacularly.
Well that tells you a lot of his dream and his work ethic. Making movies is hard work. Many people manage it and families, but it's not something you can just master on your first outing. You have to keep trying. It's so sad to watch someone throw in their towel on the dream the first moment things get rocky, especially someone with time, money, connections, and a fan base.
That's kind of the sad thing involving comparing modern Nostalgia Critic and AVGN, even if they can get obnoxious and his fans don't like his more modern content, you can tell Doug's still doing what he loves. His opinions, good and bad, are completely his own and the people he works with are genuine people he has fun working with. The drive for James has long since died out, even comparing the videos where they aren't acting as a character and just being themselves feels very night and day.
Admittedly, I haven't seen much modern Cinemassacre content in some time, I wonder if there's been any change or at least efforts for change.
@@maleficking6556 His latest videos are strangely balanced now. They still don't have that energy of the old videos, but they are far better in terms of being AVGN videos. It's like James have found a way to make it work, it's a pleasant turn.
It's ironic that Rolfe feels so frustrated and disheartened by the failure of the AVGN movie when he already redefined cinema for a whole generation with the videos. It's how I imagine success in early film must have felt for people who wanted to succeed in theater.
Here, here! Great observation!
I think people are assuming a lot about how James feels the AVGN movie was a “failure”. He got to make a movie, it was released, and nobody can take that away from him. Did it get glowing reviews from The Times? No but I don’t think he thought it would. The only thing that might have been a big let down for him is that he wasn’t really able to parlay it into another film project.
I do feel strong George Lucas vibes where he probably realized (or avoided realizing) that he doesn't really like making movies as much as he likes playing with cameras and having occasional ideas. If he actually loved making movies, the script wouldn't be so forced. If you saw "Hot Fuzz" there's a fun documentary clip on youtube about how they wrote the script, it's infectiously fun. I feel that writing the AVGN script must've been like pulling teeth for 3 years. Three years!
@@leeartlee915 He repeatedly said during production that he expected the movie to "open doors" for him. He wanted to crossover from "YT creator" to "film director", probably because he knew the AVGN schtick was getting old. The decline in quality of his YT content since then is pretty obvious, he's running out of ideas.
@@leeartlee915according to some extras, he didn't really direct it because big filmmaking was very stressful for him, so Kevin Finn stepped it. He didn't realized himself as a filmmaker and his lifelong dream slowly shattered before his eyes.
From a certain perspective AVGN never really "fell". It just stopped growing. Stopping the regularity of AVGN for the movie and other projects at a point when he could have really grown his channel killed the momentum dead.
Think we can all admire how James didn't turn in to a psycho like Spoony or create a nest of sociopaths and sexpests like Channel Awesome though.
You aren't wrong, AVGN hasn't really "fallen" like Spoony or Doug Walker or most other creators. His "fall" is merely going from one of the best, most original content creators, to be being sanitized, corporatized and meh, pretty good compared to most who've been around as long as him.
The early UA-camrs had an open field but it wasn’t clear how much of a career it could sustain just 10 years ago. Practical knowledge now, like focusing on continuous releases instead of larger format content, wasn’t as well established. Selling DVDs of episodes for watching on TV was still a common practice…
Of the UA-camrs who produced pre-2010 content, James is one of a tiny pool of people (like HVGN) to not completely fall apart or develop serious mental health disorders.
And even then, when James gets inspired and takes the reigns he can make some awesome episodes, i.e Earthbound
Let's not also forget that unlike Noah Antwilier, James Rolfe actually made his movie. Sure it's not a masterpiece, but at least he made an attempt and I would say it's much better than any of the Channel Awesome movies. Especially since he didn't get a bunch of other online personalities and have them act out of character to fit a character role for his movie. He got new actors and as far as I can tell, their was never any shady business involved with the filming or an inability to provide proper catering on his film's sets.
What killed avgn is people like you.
I don't really like AVGN's newer stuff, but I deeply respect his work nevertheless. He is one of the most influential UA-camrs ever and I have fond memories of watching him when I was a kid.
I've been a fan since his first videos but in the last years AVGN is more James than AVGN. It is weird to see the nerd smiling.
Because he's not the same anymore 😞
What I still admire is that James is an ok guy. Usually these types of online careers fall through because the creators are dicks (most of channel awesome) or through a more tragic means.
I guess he’s not out robbing gas stations but he is way overrated.
you know what? I take that over pedophile UA-camrs anyday!
I wish a lot of the UA-camrs I followed were just dicks or overrated, and not trying to ask nudes from 12 year olds
The same however cannot be said for "Motherfucker" Mike
He's not one of the worst examples for sure, but he's not the saint that he's often pictured as.
I was in line at a con to see James near closing time. Security was trying to force everyone out, but James stayed past close until everbody in line got a free picture/autograph. I can't speak for others, but he's pretty awesome in my book.
Nice my dude. You did a documentary on him. And you didn't run him through the ground like everyone else has done. You showed truth and facts. You my friend have got a sub from me.
Here's how I saw AVGN over time. The more James' hairline receded, the worse the episodes got. That and when Bootsy was kicked from the team....that one hurt.
His line deliveries in the recent episodes lack the mixture of anger and playfulness
Going by what you say, I'd say you were born 96/97. I'm 94, had a similar experience in youtube. The strange thing for me was that since I'm from Argentina, we used to play older games when it came to consoles, so, in my childhooh, I ended up playing lot of the NES and Genesis games he played. Not the atari games, that was something my parents used to play. But I did grow up with 8 bit and 16 bit games alongside PC games of the late 90's/ early 2000's, that was what everyone had access to here. State of the art consoles was something maybe 10% of the kids had. So I developed a really strong connection with this show and came to all the same conclusions at all the same exact videos and points in time as you did. It's so crazy hearing all of this coming from someone else opening his heart about this matter, thank you for this. I hope this video reached james and made him realize how much we all respect him even if we are critical of his artistic decisions.
I feel weird and a little embarrassed to admit that my favorite episode of AVGN ever has been the Earthbound episode, in spite of it coming from the Screenwave era. Yes it does have its “fake” moments but it does feel like James is being honest in his review of the game. And this is coming from someone who’s been a fan of AVGN since 2008.
That's fair, I mean it was one of the few in recent years he actually was passionate about and did basically all by himself, so id say it's not a bad one to have as your favorite.
Nah the Earthbound episodes great, why be embarrassed about it?
Yeah
Nah I agree man it's a diamond in the rough of the screenwave era
That was a good episode real talk.
i was worried james might see this and take it the wrong way, but god knows he..... *JUST DOESN'T HAVE THE TIME*
Do you want him to suffer?
His theme song should be No Time by The Guess Who
Take a wild guess why he doesn't have time now
Who knew making videos, maintaining a house and raising multiple kids would take up someone’s time
@@xplatypus516 yeah, and the rest of us who works everyday certainly don't have any time to do that.. right?
The impact that AVGN had on the internet as a whole is greater than James may believe . Not sure how he feels about AVGN in the end, but the internet wouldn’t be there same without him
The internet wouldn’t be the same without him ?!?! That’s kind of ridiculous
@@agentallstar7it's also completely true
@@willcapewell5700 nah
Most people have never even heard of AVGN. Let's be real.
AVGN was the first channel I ever subscribed to back in 2008 and it broke my heart when I unsubscribed to him late last year. Even though I don't like his videos anymore I still like James a lot as a person. When he gets to do a video he actually cares about you can see him come alive and his passion for film and filmmaking is infectious. James introduced me to the Universal Monster movies as well as a bunch of other horror titles and made me appreciate aspects of filmmaking that I never took notice of before. He's one of the most influential people in internet entertainment history and I think that he deserves a lot of credit. All good things must come to an end but I wish him all the success on whatever he decides to do.
You should see his podcast
Trader
Yeah, I know that feeling of having to unsubscribe to a channel after they start putting out too much crap content, even if their content at one pont was so good.
I wished I discovered AVGN earlier than I did because the early episodes were hilarious.
I discovered AVGN in June 2011, and watched all 101 episodes on UA-cam.
yes they were but as time progressed the laughter started getting more stale. when something that made ppl laugh before doesnt seem to affect them currently, your viewership starts declining. i remember a youtuber commented saying "Maybe ive matured over the years but AVGNs videos just arent as funny as they used to be."
@@pyramidhead138 I never expected pyramid head to be critical.
You can still go back, my friend. You can still go back.
@@ryanbenson4610 Back to the past?
That 1st avgn retrospective part was what got subbed a couple years ago, loved this video and finally rewatching. Great job! You have come a long way as a content creator and things can only go up from here! Keep making killer videos!
I love how you talk about the coziness and the atmosphere of the earlier nerd rooms. Amen bro! I thought that I was the only one that felt this way. It truly is one of the reasons why I prefer the earlier seasons of AVGN. Plus, the content itself is simply better. The episode where he plays Top Gun is my favorite Nerd Room and the current Nerd Room is my least favorite.
That's his factory floor, his McDonald's kitchen where he churns it all out and let's Screenblobs stitch it all together.
I love it because you know the Screenwave guys have seen this. They HAVE to know most of the community does not like them. They are going to be known as the guys that ruined one of the oldest and loved channels.
Screenwave was his biggest mistake. I don't know how much shopping around he did for backers but he could have done better than those two. One of them looks like a grunge hippy and other looks like that stereotypical fat guy you see in movies who is nothing but weasel like the character in the first Jurassic Park movie.
If anything James just didn't fit in with those two. Have you ever seen him together with those two? James is the only one who actually looks like a professional even if he is just wearing a 'AGVN shirt and pants'. Sure people are supposed to be able to be their own individual but there are limits. I got a beard and long hair of my own however if I were to be involved in a project that involves a whole lot of money you can bet real money that I would get a haircut and either trim down or just get rid of the beard and dress appropriately so people would know I'm serious.
@@chadharger9323 You are not wrong on those quotes about them. If you can find it, old vid now but he once went on Totalbiscuits podcasts. "Nedry" sat there looking very bored, didnt like any of the games they were talking about, pretended to be "asleep" by snoring over their conversations at one point, then the other idiot turned up, TB got insulted due to them being ignorant f***s and a bunch of things they were saying ((I think one of them insulted someone else on there for opinions on games, its been quite a few years now so hazey on the full thing)) and threw them off. Then continued the podcast alone with just TB and his friends having a laugh lol.
I have also posted on other videos their disgusting practices of lieing through their teeth about the games being played, and how they actually emulate it to get more low hanging fruit bugs ((Resident Evil Survivor being one of the biggest insults to that)). Its like beavis and butthead got fat and SOMEHOW started a company.
@@chadharger9323 I dont like screenwave but you seem unbearable
@@NerdySabbath Well he's not here to take their place, he's here to comment on youtube. Be like Elsa, and just let it go.
James is playing a nerd character who has a pathetic life whereas the slobs are actual losers who have pathetic lives (the fat guy is a legit kiddie diddler). They're too real and it's too pathetic and gross. Like watching a snuff film. You don't want to see people like that in your entertainment. Same with Pat the NES Punk.
Beautifully written video. Your sincerity here felt nothing like the usual, impersonal "rise and fall" type stuff I've encountered before, and I'm glad, because with the AVGN as the topic I wouldn't have touched it otherwise.
Rise and fall videos should be made by fans mainly, and researchers (and factcheckers) second. Which can - apparently - be the very same person.
What I never understood is why he decided to do an AVGN movie in the first place. As a content creator he must have known the 20-30 minute formats are perfect for AVGN. Furthermore, he loves horror movies. Why couldn't he have used that budget to create his own horror movie? Blair Witch had a $300k budget and Paranormal Activity had a budget of $15k. I would have loved to see a full (serious) horror movie done by James.
He probable figured he'd get more financial support, as well as general support and viewers, as most fans were there for avgn and he'd want his first project to have the best chance at succeeding. I would guess in the same way avgn allowed him to also talk about movies and stuff, the avgn movie was meant to be a way to build a reputation, and potientally money from revenue, to be able to create other projects.
You have to understand this all occurred in the infancy of the creation of the modern influencer, there were no blueprints for what to do, the idea of just creating a patreon and having UA-cam be your actual career hadn't happened yet, so for James and other early creators the big dream was making a feature film and becoming a mainstream TV or movie director/star.
He comes off as someone who probably has great ideas, he just has a hard time putting pen to paper and making those awesome ideas truly come to life when it comes strictly to film.
Because he was always a movie maker at heart if u watched his videos like dragon of my dreams and cinemassacure 200 ud know he always wanted to be a movie maker. He had 2 vcr recorders hed use to edit as a kid. I'm sure it rly hurt that the 1 true movie he ever made basically flopped to all but avgn fans.
Well from what I can gather it was a challenge between him and Critic....(Nostalgia Critic) he told James he couldn't do it. And said if he could get it done he would review the movie and then do something to shout him out or say something nice or something he said he would never say about him. And, I feel if you tell James Rolfe he can't do something, he will put his mind, heart and soul into it, show up and show out, and do it ten fold++ and prove the competition wrong.
No matter where the AVGN and Cinemassacre go, I don't think I'll ever lose my respect for James. What he started as a silly sketch 15 years ago soon took over his life, friendships, image, and finances... it's hard to not have that tear away at your joy of making the sketches decades later. Him recruiting Screenwave was necessary as he probably didn't have the care to continue bearing the weight of the episodes himself. It just sucks that the people Screenwave threw at James were unlikable and not fit to run an entertainment media giant. If he was given co-hosts that actually cared and scripts he enjoyed I'm sure AVGN would have continued with the quality we all love. I'm just happy James can say he created one of the most iconic and beloved franchises in the history of modern entertainment, and I don't think that's a stretch to say. His influence on the early internet is monumental.
I still remember one summer night around 2008 when me and my friends were sitting around the steps in the neighborhood, and my one friend started telling us about this "angry nintendo nerd", describing all the episodes while we were cracking up laughing. I thought it was a cartoon the entire time because of how absurd his descriptions of the episodes were. Then I went home and binged the hell outta the series. Still to this day I quote the AVGN multiple times a week in daily conversation because the shit he's said and done is just infinitely evergreen funny.
I'll always love the Nerd, and I'll always watch new episodes, but I'd fucking love to see James find joy again in this absurd character and series he's created. Seeing him try to make light of a shitty corporate script handed to him is just unpleasant at times. James IS Cinemassacre. Without his personality and humor, it's just some corporate horseshit, and I think that's what everyone hates. It's like Jeopardy without Alex Trebek, or Ace Ventura without Jim Carrey. Some of the funniest Nerd moments were James completely straight-faced, so it's not even the rage that made the golden age great. It was James. And is still James. And appreciating him is so important, because nearly none of the downfall or controversy surrounding AVGN had anything to do with James. I don't blame him for praising Screenwave in his update videos, nor do I care if his setup is janky. If he used boomer technology to make legendary episodes then fuck it, let him rock his convoluted setups. So making sure James knows we all support and love him is my utmost priority as an AVGN fan. I want him to be proud of all he's created, and I hope he is.
Well said.
100%
You are the person that I respect now.
There's the whole..Mike Matei thing though
@@jeanbethencourt1506 What about him?
This is absolutely the most cohesive and honestly the best kind of documentary style video on cinemassacre that I've ever seen, if not the only one, other than James' own and I really hope James seen this. The Angry Video Game Nerd was something I watched when I was like maybe 11 or something around like maybe 2010 when he was writing the movie, and he got me into so many old games and stuff and honestly really inspired my sense of humor today. Then I started to dive deeper into the channel and find all the other stuff he made, and all of it was just fucking awesome. I loved his short films he made in college and all of the cinematic shit James did. What I loved the most about it was the same reason why I enjoyed so much of Smosh back in those days; James, with the help of his friends, made all of those films on their own. It was really inspiring to me, and obviously so many others.
If James wanted to end AVGN and move onto whatever he wants to do next, I really hope everyone supports him and follows. Because he really seems to be an excellent filmmaker at heart, and I really would love to see these movies he's always talking about making. The trailer for the Astro bastards vs the flying fuckernaughts looked so fun! If that's what he was planning for a movie, he should do it. It looks awesome!
But retiring the Nerd doesn't have to mean the end of AVGN. Beavis and Butt-Head ended in 1998 and are back now after almost 20 years (except for the one season around like 2010) and the show thats on Paramount+ right now is honestly great. Maybe shows like this taking a creative cool off for a while helps them remember and start to admire what the creation really was in the first place. I hope James takes this direction, and one day he can take everyone back to the past again.
I actually planned my Saturday around this video. It was well worth it.
As someone who saw the AVGN become what it is today, a video like this brought me so much. Thank you for all of your effort!
Really refreshing to hear somebody simply note both the positive and negative aspects of the changed video thumbnails for AVGN episodes. Way too many content creators just whine about disliking it, and make the change out to be some kind of world-ending problem.
I was actually avoiding this video for a bit because I knew it would challenge my thoughts on AVGN and James. It was such an important part of my childhood, but I’m glad I watched this. I feel very similarly in that I’ll always be grateful for what he brought to the table and no matter how things might turn out in the future, it won’t take away from how it has inspired me. Thank you for making this video! I really do feel a spark of motivation to keep creating and see what may come with each project 😊
What I found most baffling about the 'wanting to film the movie in L.A. like the big boys' is that none of that stuff is actually filmed in LA. For decades most major Hollywood motion pictures and TV shows have been filmed somewhere else because doing it in LA is so expensive. Tax breaks also help. If he wanted to do it like the guys in Hollywood do things, he should've booked a ticket to Canada and film everything in a sand pit few pits over from the Stargåte crew.
Budapest. 3rd of the movies are shot there
this was probably the biggest waste of movie budget since the Room. The more came to light, the more I see the similarities between James and Tommy.
The biggest, most major of all studios still film primarily in LA. It’s true that most of the other do not though (Louisiana I believe is the new hotspot domestically). So if he’s saying ‘like the big boys,’ then LA is still valid as the pinnacle - especially now due to how expensive it is.
For a long time, many movies and films were made in LA and other parts of Southern California. However, but the time James could make his movie, movies being made in other places was either a B movie thing or super grand movies like Lord of the Rings.
@@shilohhighland6716this is flat out wrong. Breaking Bad and tax breaks changed everything multiple years before.
This video is honestly very well made. Not only as a means of documenting the major events that occurred during Cinemassacre's time on the internet, but also as an honest retrospective. As someone who's been a fan of James for a very long time, I too started having mixed feelings about his channel during the Screenwave era. However, there were still things I enjoyed about the channel. To me, the channel was consistently amazing until after AVGN episode 102. Then I felt the episodes were typically not as good as the old ones and rather hit or miss. Meanwhile the content outside of AVGN continued to be great during this time and I always felt the movie discussions and reviews at the time were often better than the AVGN episodes. Once Screenwave started becoming more involved in the scripting, that's when everything on the channel started declining. Though I still enjoyed some of the AVGN episodes and other pieces of content, like the Rental Reviews. The Monster Madness debacle was honestly such a shame and had me lose a bit of respect for James because of how that situation was handled. That and the knowledge that James was very hands off with everything really soured my opinion of the channel, but I've always thought James was a talented and great content creator. Now with the way the channel is being run so far this year, I think this might be the big comeback we've all been waiting for. Personally, I'd much rather have sporadic content if it means more time and love is put into it and James is more directly involved. I also still believe James could very well pursue his love for film and have more content or short/Indie films while still doing the gaming content. I'd be behind that as I've always thought his film content was great. Plus we have to remember that as his kids get older, they will be at school instead of home all day, which should theoretically give James more time. I do think James being dedicated to his family is respectable. Overall I still have high regards for James and wish him the best. His old content is still a great watch, as this video reminded me, and it looks like we might start getting more of that again. Maybe one day we can even get the old crew back and see the Screenwave guys fazed out (or at least not be directly involved with the on-screen stuff and scripting). Thanks for making the great video!
AVGN's peak has long gone but the series has left a huge legacy. It's an icon of times long gone for UA-cam, where you could make a project popular and gratifying just by being passionate about it without having to care about being sponsored, risking demonetization because of a gross joke, or the moderation team nuking your entire channel for putting 20 seconds of "copyright claimed" content in a 2 hour video.
A legacy that’s been exposed as fraudulent..he’s not a gamer , can’t write and has a terrible band.
Actually avgn could have been realease today and not suffer much demonization. James rarely uses slurs in his joke. The only slur I ever heard him say is R*tardarded but not often. Most of his jokes focus on gross out humor like eat the rotten asshole of a road kill skunk, or Buffalo take a diarrhea dump in his ear. Or excessive cursing and getting drunk. Heck the most real offensive joke he ever made was in the McKinds nes game in which he states that the devs were probably paid minimum wage. Which in the grand scheme of things that barely qualifies as offensive and can be construed that minimum wage is to low and needs to improve if we want to make workers put effort in their jobs.
You know how long I’ve been waiting for the final part of this saga! This was an incredible 6 hours!!
Thank you!
I'm almost done with my second watch. I realized that I went from watching AVGN on my mom's PC late at night to having a wife and kids of my own.. Time goes by so fast, but I'm grateful for people like you, and James for taking time out of your life to make great content. (Mostly) free from corporate influence.
Unlike James you have kids and can still watch videos?
I thought I would just skim and skip around but wound up watching this whole thing over a couple days after being impressed with how comprehensively researched it is. Excellent work. Probably the only video anyone needs to watch on the subject. You've earned one sub and all it took you was a year of work and months of wrestling with UA-cam's bullshit copyright-flagging system!
Thank you so very much! I'm glad you enjoy it!
James Rolfe was my hero in middle school, his monster madness videos, movie reviews, and AVGN videos was what made me face the day and I already in a very, very dark place at the time. He’s made me laugh, made me informed about movies and never got old rewatching them. I basically grew up on him from middle school to graduating college. During a time when we have internet celebrities who’s grown egotistical, being exposed and cancelled for past decisions, revealed to be complete irredeemable scumbags, or simply couldn’t handle it anymore, I believed he was truly of the last pure OG UA-camrs given his track record. However, I feel like looking back when he made the AVGN movie things had changed, subtly… But still. Especially when he took a long absence from making AVGN videos from 2010 to 2013. I give him credit for continuing it after all these years, but at the same time, the recent videos feel hollow and it was disappointing to find out about the plagiarism issue and how disappointing his 200th episode was. He went from being my hero to someone who’s made some questionable decisions in recent times with regards to his videos and his channel as a whole.
I became a huge fan of avgn in 4th grade lmao. I listen to whole seasons at work now to get me through the day, it really helps
@@AbrasiousProductions cope lmao
There is no way your hero is never going to fail.
He's just burned out creatively. Don't blame him for that, it happens to everyone eventually.
Even your heroes have flaws. I think we can still admire James while still acknowledging that he's an individual with flaws just like all of us.
I've heard about ig not being really worth the watch, but I never knew the AVGN movie was THIS bad.
Must've been soulcrushing for James, who always dreamed to become a film maker.
At least at the time I thought it was ... meh, ok. Never watched it again after 2014 though, so make of it what you will.
I mean he did make a movie which is way beyond what most "aspiring film makers" can say they ever did.
@@BQD_Central I couldnt pass the 15 minute mark back at 2014, I live in Latin America (so I dont have access to the dvd, piracy time)and my internet was crap at the time, I had to wait like 5 hours for the movie to download. Even after the hype, the wait, the movie was so dull I couldn't finisht it. I like the AVGN but James cant make anything worthwhile over 20 minutes.
Watch it for yourself
Watched this over a couple days while working and while setting up a display for my enamel pin collection. Now I have fond memories of listening to the earlier parts of the video where you and the AVGN are riffing on silly media whenever I look at my display! Love these longform pieces and how they’re love letters to media you enjoyed, warts and all.❤
Watched this over several days, that ending brought a tear to my eye. I think in the end, James Rolfe is like steel. In the heat of battle, it sings, it’s glorious, but if you have no wars to fight and leave it to hang up, it will rust. I hope this year brings more earnest content from him, but even if it doesn’t, his significance to internet content can never be taken away from him.
I think the movie failure made him realize he might not go beyond UA-cam. That dashing of his dream can really hurt a person’s enthusiasm. It’s like when you go to college and maybe more and then eventually you realize your career is not what you thought it was or you may just never breakthrough. Instead of a stepping stone, AVGN became the end point 😕
Don't know why but this song came into my mind
Wash away the anger
And it will come
Through the darkest day
In my final hour
And it will never rest
Until the clouds are clear
Until it finds my dreams have disappeared
My dreams disappear
If he had just worked on the story to be ... less in scope it would have been fine. It didn't need some silly over the top plot, bad props and people that have NEVER been on the show before ((that were all except the general down right annoying)), it just needed something silly like a computer taking a retro game store and locking them in, tries to take over the world, that kind of thing. You could have made it look like something from the 90s on a budget of nothing but he dreams far to big and sets himself up for falls. Infact thinking about it, he should have adapted the ROB episode into something more. Turns up at his store one day in the hands of someone crazy, its evil, starts to take over ((could have had funny scenes where its using game pad cables and scart leads to link into things)) and him / his friends have to take it down. THIS is a plot!
I think he finally realized hes honestly not that talented For the movie business. He just got lucky with timing. It's not an insult he did great and I like his stuff it's just hes not that good.
Pretty much. Though the movie could have been a hit if the story, plot... and characters were better handled. Taking inspiration from Clerks, Wayne's World, and even Roger Rabbit (crossover with Channel Awesome and Captain S characters). Not to mention filming the movie in his hometown or anywhere affordable. Then presenting in L.A. (Hollywood) and his hometown first.
@@DisasterSquad I disagree, first of all I think the reason he isn't big in the movie business is because he doesn't sacrifice children, second of all, did you see the videos people were making back in the day? Terrible. AVGN stood tall as a shining gold standard, because he is talented and genuinely skilled at what he does.
What I fail to understand to this day is how a man who has been making films his entire life, has been passionate about the craft of making movies and has advanced his craft both on a personal and technologial level... can spend $300.000 and make a movie that's about the same quality as "To Boldly Flee"
If Tommy Wiseau's example teaches us anything, it's that being passionate about something and being good at something are two different things.
Writing is a huge part of it. These were written as "events" first, "narratives" last.
I think it was an Eminem kind of situation. Dude was surrounded by yes men. Got high on his own fumes and the result was a low quality movie
Most of the $300k went towards permits because James was stubborn and wanted to film the movie in California and didn't research how expensive the permits are there. And they should've let Mike co-write the script, since from what I understand he wrote most of the early AVGN episodes.
What good movie have you heard off that had a 300.000$ budget?
What i admire about James is that, even in the show's not-so-great episodes, he still finds a way to be funny and entertaining. Sure, i do agree the newer AVGN episodes aren't the best and he doesn't really have much time anymore, considering he's a father now, but he can still bring a smile onto my face. He's just a really wholesome and funny guy
Many other people are parents too, with full time jobs.
James has to consider youtube his full time job, cause thats where he gets his money. He has at least 8 hours a day, where he is just lazy.
I don't give youtubers a pass, since they are allways at home. They have way more time than i do. Im going to work full time.
@@black-sv4gk me when
@@okarihS if you mean when he got time, it's when his children is at school, or kindergarten or whatever.
That's easy when you are at home, saying you never have time, is maybe not the best excuse, when you have more time, than those who get up for work.
@@black-sv4gk not its them when
@@tammid8423 got no clue, what you mean.
No one seems to be complimenting the amount of work that went into this huge video. So thank you for the HARD work in this absolutely incredible video you have put together.
Thank you. :)
Dylan, I am right there with you across the entire video. I feel like you and I are probably the only two people that have put so much thought into analyzing AVGN and Cinemassacre. If you're ever bored and would like to have a stream or something to talk about AVGN, feel free to hit me up.
It's just clear to me that James really doesn't want to be doing AVGN anymore. There are occasional glimmers of interest, like his Commodore 64 video (the second part, anyway), but...he's not the AVGN anymore. I'm not sure if I'd rather he move on to other content, or officially the AVGN entirely.
I feel like you are spot on, he probably wants to move on to other content but realized that he is only going to be known for one thing and thats "The Nerd" and when he wants to make movies that have no connection to AVGN or music or talk about things not related to video games, people don't care cause all they see is....well, The Nerd character.
I'm fine with that AVGN series not continue anymore, even though it's disappointing. Hell, if Happy Video Game Ners ended, maybe this could end as well.
@@ArjunTheRageGuy HVGN ended because the guy didn't want to only be known as an "AVGN clone". Also, he didn't "end" his show, he just changed it's name and style. It's honestly very interesting to watch. Although I wish he did more hidden gem reviews. He clearly doesn't have enough views and subscribes, guy's humble as heck and puts lots of work and research into his videos.
@@BrickManLive Yeah, like the one who made hvgn moved on to another thing while still being like hvgn.
@@BrickManLive I'm shocked Derek doesn't get as much subscribers as James despite being around since the early days of UA-cam. His energetic presence and being a real gamer made me connect with him more than AVGN doing observational comedy.
Absolute phenomenal retrospective. You included everything I was hoping for. The shift of quality after the horrendous movie got released, the comfy feeling of the older episodes like the NES accessoires, the drama about bootsy and so on. I noticed that something changed about 2014 or 2015, but I couldn't tell what exactly back then. After I found the subreddit, it all clicked for me.
Thank you for this analysis. Always looked up for a video that documents all that stuff that was going wrong behind the scenes, but except for some videos or the podcast of Red Cow, I never found anyone. Thanks for filling this, I might say, important gap.
By the way, I think Board James was perhaps the best formula for James. He got to dip into the review schtick so his videos got attention, but got the chance to build it up as a horror mystery series as the gags grew darker and more small details gave away that there was more to the games than it seemed, all while going wild with practical effects and video editing.
Perhaps things would have gone better if he got the chance to make a second season.
I got sick of it real quick.
I much preferred when it was just friends playing a game.
When it turned into the whole existential crisis thing, I completely lost interest.
So ypu don't like the episode where he runs from a talking bucket?
I think board James was the last thing I enjoyed before falling off.
@@DeRockMedia Agree, he got passion back then, now his is all about "mah kids, mah dominatrix wife"and dude, man up, when you got a family you gotta leave them alone while you work, a helicopter father and husband doeesn´t cut it in real life, you also have to live your life so you can provide for the family instead of use them as an excuse to be mediocre and lazy.
@@karlimo4034 it was more I didnt hate the episodes but something was off. I would watch his stuff but i would wait like a month or 2 and kinda binge them up to date, I did even watch the Rental Reviews shows and just kinda tolerated Screenwave people..
(honestly i thought the guys were just ROlfs friends, never hated anyone but didnt really care for anyone either).
A "Brief" Retrospective
Is 5 hours long.
Man I'll need to find some huge free time to listen to all of this
Take your time, It's really 4 videos all in one so it might help to approach it like that in a few sittings lol.
How the hell could you stand his voice for that long?
@@DylantheKnightOwl more like 4 movies put together into 1 video, lol.
@@Deadguy2322forreal The same way James did over 200 episodes of AVGN in "one sitting", obviously.
@@DylantheKnightOwl listen man, break it down to those 4 videos!! I got five kids I need to watch sometimes!! :D
I've never seen a single AVGN video before, but when I see someone make a 6 hour deep dive retrospective about something they're passionate about, I watch.
James is the Godfather of youtube.
No matter what else he does his legacy is cemented
Very true
Lol
Exactly 💯
Yes, BUT, it is cement that is being tarnished by vile creeps from Screenwave
Pretty much. Let's just hope it ends on a high note and not infamy. Otherwise, it ends on a whimper.
I love long form content like this. Your passion really shows through in this, lovely video as always
what a great video essay. Amazing work, made me realize how much of an impact the nerd has had on me since 2006.
Excellent work. I listened all the way through. Its good to see someone 10 years younger than me doing such a thoughtful and well put together video. You earned a subscriber.
I used watch AVGN a lot back in 2012-2014. I still do tune in to him every now and then.
I actually find “Ghost & Goblins” (October 2012) to be a classic, even though old-time fans criticized the episode.
@@jag92949 I thought it was a great episode as well.
@@jag92949 crazy that what was considered to be a “new era” avgn episode in 2012 is now 8 years old
@@lt_johnmcclane What made “Ghost & Goblins” a great episode that the Nerd put in the effort to complete a very difficult, yet nostalgic, NES game.
Same.
To be honest, I'd love to see James have another go at doing a movie down the line; with his genuine passion for the genres (Monster Madness, etc.) and experience in classic film-making and practical effects, he'd be great at doing horror and monster movies.
This is one of the most honest and well structured retrospectives I’ve seen, period, let alone on YT. well done
He ain’t what he used to be but he’s still an amazing human and I love his personality. That’s why I will keep watching
I don't know, if you screw over your best friends, repeatedly, you can't be that amazing of a human being.
@@maxxdahl6062 what did he do? I used to watch him a few times back when he was new, just recently binged the avgn seasons on here and kind of just browsing through all the related content on here, not in the loop in the slightest.
@@mikaelnyberg3532 Apparently, nothing confirmed but he apparently refused to pay Kyle and Bootsy for their work, but has absolutley zero problem paying screenwave.
@@maxxdahl6062 nothing confirmed and yet you condemn him as if he 100% did it. And then you say repeatedly like it’s just a regular thing. It’s been a long ass while since I heard about that but I’m pretty sure theres a lot more to that story than ‘James woke up one morning and decided to be a dick by not paying his friends causing them to leave.’ Again my memory might be fuzzy on this but I recall there being some kind of political dispute between bootsy and someone else, not really sure who. There were some other points too but I don’t want to start filling in blanks with BS. Either way I’m pretty sure politics was related some way or another. As for the actual payment part, I’ve heard some people say that bootsy felt like he was being ‘underpaid.’ Not that he wasn’t paid something he was due. It’s best you look into it more yourself if you’re interested.
@@callinater6133 Considering bootsy himself said he wasn't paid.
I'd like to meet the man who bought all the Cinemassacre VHS when they came out. To whom the The Nerd era was the equivalent to the Screenwave era. Who begrudged that The Jersey Odysseys Episode 2 was never made. Who wanted James to continue making short films instead of spending his time on AVGN. Who wanted him to abandon UA-cam and focus on his movie career instead. I wonder if such an individual even exists.
I think he probably only sold the tapes to people he knew
@@groalerable Some odd copies might have been sold/circulated to people outside of his circle of friends. There are people with very niche interests after all.
Wow that didn't feel like 6 hours! That was so awesome to watch and so well made, thank you so much for this!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the video, and I'm really pleased you covered Bootsy. He was such a great part of the channel, and it stinks how he was treated.
This is a masterpiece of a video. I still personally enjoy the channel. But I also can’t argue with a lot of your critiques
I personally like longer videos, especially when they're done as well as this one. Great job and thanks for making it
First of all, thank you for making such an extensive video. It was really entertaining to watch this and remember all the impressions I had about different shifts in James' content throught the years.
One of my personal memories with this character is that it was the first time I started watching youtube videos in english and learning to listen and speak the language from them (spanish is my native language).
Sure, it's weird to admit that I really started learning english with such a crude language that the nerd uses, but I guess that happens a lot with online content, you just learn from it.
Besides from that, I can say that if it wasn't for the boom in online videogame reviewing that the AVGN influenced, my intrests and hobbies could have been pretty different at this point in time.
Over the course of the last week or so while working at home I have listened to/watched your video. I can't begin to fathom the amount of work that you put into getting this done, and I can feel the passion, man. Time is a funny thing; I cant believe the Nerd has been around long enough for a video like this to even be thought of, let alone made, and end up less than six hours long. I feel like people like to pick on James, and that he's become an easy target these days, and despite your video ultimately being a critique of his AVGN character's entire history, I love how respectful you we're, and that the importance that James and the Nerd played in your life was treated with the love and reverence that so many of us (me included) have begun to take for granted. James is a visionary, he deserves some respect if only for the fact that he seems like a good human being. We all get old, and lose a little something, and the Nerd wasn't immune to that. It's just par for the course. Like you said; thanks for the past James, and looking forward to the future. And good job, Dylan...looking forward to more content.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it, it was one of my most personal passion projects for my channel yet so comments like these really make my day.
Methodrone 👌
I absolutely love this video. You are genuinely respectful of the work that he's done, but have great criticisms. Man, I'd love to see your whole method of creating this video. One of my favorites. As someone in his 30s, I grew up with AVGN since high school. Regardless of the hate, the golden age will live on forever (along with a few others, especially Earthbound)
Oh, and you have a calming and lovely speaking voice. I seriously didn't want the video to end because I was just loving hearing you talk.
I just had a 6 hour drive and listened to this entire video. Fantastic job.
That's gonna be me for the Powerwolf concert in February lmao. Driving from Pittsburgh, PA to NYC.
Bro, just finally finished this video and I must say that it was one of the best watches so far. Really gave me nostalgia and made me a bit sad about where we are today. Great job bro.
Based 👑 James. He was able to conduct his childhood dreams into a reality. The one thing we often long for, he was able to achieve. Sure, it wasn’t the best result, but he DID it. That’s arguably more important than anything. He gave it the effort and did what most strive most of their lives for. Regardless of what things have happened with him in the past few years, he’ll always be a staple. I wish him the best with his family and his future endeavors, the feller deserves the best.
This brings me back to the times where I used to watch AVGN. Thanks for the nostalgia Dylan!
This is gonna be weird to say but, I LOOKED UP with the Nerd through the entire series! Up through 2014, the AVGN became my past-time, ready for new Nerd episodes and always LOVING every episode!
That seems like blind loyalty to me. LOVING every episode ? Really ? Just sounds like there's not much going on in that brain and that you are essentially a zombie fan at this point.
If I were to make some awful music I'd rather someone tell me "That's awful" instead of pretend It's good.
I guess my main question is why ? Did he save your life or something ?
I mean for the longest while I still wanted to support James even though I wasn't enjoying anything he was putting out. I was being a loyal fan but even that got hard, especially after the plagiarism on Monster Madness.
@@Gatorade69 There were some episodes I didn't initially like but have grown on me over time as I get older.
For the lovely chap who thinks I idolize him, your sick. I enjoy James work, with a passion, I watch every AVGN content uploaded everytime, even the Nostalgia Critic who fans are bashing him, but, you guys know there are worse people out here.
A well thought out and researched tale. I really appreciated it and the heartfelt gratitude you have for just being able to witness AVGN.
Holy shit... I thought you'd never finish this trilogy and now you come up with this five-hour long analysis. I'm stunned.
Keep up the good work, man! Can't wait for that Irate Gamer video you announced, too.
I was the original camera man for Silvermania, my head is in your video when you're looking at the comment section. Justin had me work for him under the premise of helping me produce my own projects, then cut me out of the picture after a year of work and having Kieran take credit for all my work. I did an AMA on the cmtruth sub. He's a bigger prick than anyone can imagine. He would always reach out to my Facebook friends randomly and post inappropriate comments on my photos. The dude has no heart in any way. None of them do.
Justin needs to be dealt with.
@@brandonsutton7474 Karma will get him.
Either he has no heart or his heart straight up stopped, which I can believe
Since Justin is rude as fk, maybe most of the time, might as well call his channel as "Silvermaniac"
why does Jame hire such horrible incompetence while letting a multi-million dollar channel slip right through his fingers?
Honestly that Mega Man episode should have been it, that should have been the finale of the AVGN series
Dude you are amazing at this! As an avid AVGN fan (a longtime fan), I've seen a slow evolution yet never knew so much has changed in six hours. I do agree his earlier works are so much better but I do still watch his newer content every now and then. Thank you for putting this big loooong video together! :D
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I feel the same way you do about avgn. I haven’t really liked his content as much in recent time, however it’s no doubt he helped me realize that I’m creator and a writer. He’s helped me find my passion for music, and to that I thank him.
Your interview with Red Cow Arcade is what brought me here. Very well made, and crazy to reflect on this as I was deployed using crappy Iraq internet in 2007 when I ran into his vids... now 16 years later to see where the channel is...
I really really enjoyed this deep dive! I cannot imagine how much time you spent researching, writing, recording and editing this. Thank you for the great content!
Agreed, when Screenwave came in, it seems like some of those videos felt like James was reading from a script instead of making his own words.
Also that history with that one person from screenwave is kinda terrifying.
As much as Gamers get it rough by society as a whole, it is sad that the detractors to gaming culture will try to lump us with those sorts of people.
James used the word "framerate" in one of his videos relatively recently and I immediately knew that he didn't write that
You've got me curious. What person from Screenwave and what was his history?
@@BilltheFifth It was said in the video and it involved one of the screenwave guys being friends with a person with questionable history.
Not sure how to describe it but just view the video and you will understand what I mean.
Damn. Now I’m really bummed we DIDNT get a road trip movie where Kyle insists they bring the couch with them, complete with visual gag of it strapped to the roof of a comically small car. Or maybe sliding all over the back of the van.
I hope you have more projects like this one, cause this video was great! It's very complete, well organized and I loved the soundtrack choices. Also, I needed some closure about my feelings towards AVGN and this video gave me that, so thanks!
i think that these days, James is depressed because he's a 40 year old guy who makes videos on the internet instead of becoming the next Stephen Spielberg, which is what he really wanted. and yeah i think the movie, both making it and the general reaction to it from audiences, broke him
and his movie sucked btw
That movie definitely did him in for sure. Everything after that felt forced, with too much green screen.
We wanted it to be a 1 and a half hour of AVGN and friends (guitar guy, bootsy and Mike) but instead we got a turd with new characters out of the ass, black token and sexy chick included, like why?
I disagree, James is an internet icon. There’s no shame to be found in what he accomplished with his career. However, like any job, burnout happens. He can’t do a character that flat and stretch it out for almost 2 decades. He doesn’t even have control and that’s why he’s depressed, but… he needs to money for his family.
man this makes me depressed
Great video, thanks for making it! I feel very similarly about the show. Loved the first 4 season, like the next 6, dislike each season after those more and more. But I’m still very grateful to James for making the show and the countless hours I’ve spent watching it. I don’t watch it anymore, but I often watch Mike’s streams - the real life AVGN.