An AVGN Myth

Mike Matei / November 29th, 2008

“THE NEWER VIDEOS HAVE LESS GAME CONTENT. THEY NOW HAVE MORE CURSING, AND ALWAYS HAVE GUEST CHARACTERS.”

It’s nice to read comments every once in a while, but this particular one is becoming very repetitive and tiring. But I only feel it’s worth addressing because it is so untrue. Let’s look at the facts.

MYTH: THERE’S ALWAYS GUEST CHARACTERS

I agree that AVGN is best when it’s just me and the game, but sometimes I need to do what I can to keep the videos fresh. It keeps it from getting boring for me, and it makes it something unique than just the same old game review done again and again. If the guest characters are really not your cup of tea, then here’s a handful of NEW AVGN videos (2008) that don’t have them.

2008 VIDEOS – NO GUEST CHARACTERS

Zelda timeline
Rambo
Virtual Boy
DoubleVision: 1 & 2
NES Accessories
Indiana Jones Trilogy (Costume only)
Superman
Superman 64 (Costume only)
Deadly Towers
Dick Tracy
Dracula (Costume only)
CDI: 1, 2, 3

2008 VIDEOS – WITH GUEST CHARACTERS

Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion)
Mario 3 (Satan, SMDC2K)
Star Trek (Klingon)
Batman 1 & 2 (Joker)
Battletoads (Kyle Justin)
Frankenstein (Franken-Nerd)

See? The majority of the videos are still the same basic game review style.

MYTH: THE NEWER VIDEOS HAVE LESS GAME CONTENT.

FACT: The newer videos are longer. Before the Friday the 13th video (October 2006), they had an average run time of 7 minutes. Now, they are usually between 10-15 minutes.

The newer videos also have more critique of the game. Here’s some example of the “old” and “better” videos from 2004/2006.

DR. JEKYL AND MR. HYDE – Barely played the game at all.
TMNT: Didn’t play past the 3rd level. (Showed clips of 4th level)
BACK TO THE FUTURE – Barely played past the Cafe.
TOP GUN: Didn’t play past 2nd level.
DOUBLE DRAGON 3: Didn’t play past 3rd level.

In the newer videos, I make greater effort to complete the games. More in-depth commentary. More analysis. More content.

I put a lot more time and effort into making the newer videos. Before Friday the 13th, they would each take about 8-12 hours total time. (That includes the gameplay/script/recording/editing) But now, the process takes about 30-40 (average) hours, each video.

MYTH: THE NEWER VIDEOS HAVE MORE CURSING.

The old videos had a TON of cursing!

Examples from the 2006 videos:

KARATE KID – Opens with the Nerd repeating FUCK over and over!

TMNT: Most of the video was “Fuck! Get up there! Fuck!” and analogies to animal feces. How could you forget the whole end rant? “It suckin’ fucks! It fuckin’ sucks! It fuckin’ Blows”…etc.

TOP GUN: One of the most classic bits. “ASS! FUUUUCCCK!!”

POWERGLOVE: I coudn’t even begin to discuss this video’s excessive use of the F-Word! It probably has the most to date

Bottom line: all the videos had cursing. If you actually think the newer ones have more, I would like to see an actual count to prove it. I guarantee there was more profanity years ago then there’s been lately. But it would also be nice to see a detailed comprehensive curse count that takes the length of the videos in consideration. I would like to see the average “FPM” (Fucks Per Minute). If anything, it would be hilarious.

If you like the “old” videos better, that’s fine. There’s nothing I can do to change that. After 60 game reviews, you’re not going to think it’s as original as you thought it was when you first saw it. Because you saw it 60 times! Unless I have the ability to erase your memory and start over, what you’re asking me for is something that is impossible. If you watch the newer videos, like Dick Tracy or the CDI series, you’ll see they are the same basic game reviews that you’ve wanted. I couldn’t imagine what more or what “less” it is you expect.

Criticism is fine, but when it has absolutely no basis in fact, it’s rather frustrating.