The Producers of The 1UP Show form Area 5: Launch new show "CO-OP"
matt chandronaitThe first episode of our new series: CO-OP.
Head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe! We're trying to get into the YouTube partner program and for that we need a critical mass of viewership. Click the Digg link! Tell your friends! Run naked through your neighborhood with Area5.tv painted on on your back!
All of our friends come by to talk about the games they loved from 2008. We don't pick a winner, we just let everyone chime in on what drew them in and what kept them coming back for more. Who, you may ask, were kind enough to lend us their big brains and their precious time? John Davison, Dan Hsu, Shane Bettenhausen, Greg Ford, Michael Donahoe, Giancarlo Varanini, Nick Suttner, Anthony Gallegos, Philip Kollar, Demian Linn, Andrew Fitch, Ryan Scott and then, of course, those Area 5 jerks. Cesar, Jason, and Rob did all of the shooting with the old cameras and JayFresh held a stick mic out there to capture sound. We live on a busy street so apologies for all the traffic sounds trying to drown us out.
And, yes, it is "Part 1." I know, I know, I hate "to be continued" as much as anyone (I'm looking at YOU, "Heroes") but we were faced with one of two possibilities--continue editing for another week on the only machine available to us, or get this out there. This is an epic show and even if it suffers a bit from poor sound gear and old cameras, the amount of people there gave us more than enough content to fill up two shows. Rather than fret over what to cut out and what to leave in, we're going for the two-parter approach as we feel we owe it to they who gave so graciously of their time and to you, our audience, who gave so graciously in general to get all the content out there. Also, I can't lie, we need a lot of time to talk to people about where this whole "business" thing of ours is headed and trying to shoot an entirely new show next week was seeming more and more impossible as time wore on, particularly due to our lack of gear. Thanks to your OVERWHELMING generosity and some lucky breaks, we think we can get the gear sorted in another week.
One big issue is the PayPal account. We received so many small donations in such a short time-span that PayPal apparently thinks we're doing something illegal and we can't spend any money from the account until it's been "reviewed"--which their polite customer service people told me could take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. Since we've already received our last paychecks and California is suffering a ginormous unemployment backlog this wasn't the good news.
So that's the yang. Here's the yin! We've actually received a donation in hardware that we think when combined with some old MacBooks that we're trying to get repaired/salvaged will give us just enough good stuff to get things really moving! We're once again floored by how much our work seemed to have affected people around the globe and this latest delightful happenstance has once again reaffirmed to us that we're on to something--even if we're not quite sure how we're going to make a living off it :)
We hope all of you that have been so patient with us will feel that the first episode of CO-OP is worth the wait.
WHY THERE IS NO ITUNES FEED
So Apple and iTunes have this thing that if you're a podcast you can't charge money. If we start as a podcast in iTunes we're stuck there forever. We would very much like; to continue to distribute CO-OP for free, but there are a million factors that will go into that and we're going to try to get into the "TV" side of iTunes to see if we can charge a small subscription fee. Will that happen? Honestly, we don't know. Will people subscribe? We don't know that either. For now, CO-OP is free.
FEAR IS THE MIND KILLER.
Area 5 is named after our favorite area of Rez. It's been impossible to measure the inspiration that game has had on us, personally, and on the industry as a whole. Also, we're stepping into the big, dark unknown by trying to make a go of it on our own and that is, quite frankly, scary. Time to take that inspiration even more personally.
UPDATE: Yes, there is a d/l link for the file. We're trying to get people to subscribe to the YouTube channel, but we know not everyone watches the show that way. There's a Vimeo version up now. You can download it from there if you have a login: http://vimeo.com/2904657
Reader Comments (144)
It's nice to see this up and running, fellas. If you can get together a good paid subscription model going, you've got my support. I understand the difficulty of trying to get this going, but I think the audience is willing to hang in there and wait it out. The show was downright excellent, by the way. It was awesome seeing all you guys together, even if many of you are heading in separate ways. Good luck to those like Shane that found employment elsewhere, and good luck to those of you that are going to be involved here.
[...] Second, I’m happy to see the old producers of the 1UP show in a new home, Area-5, and launching a new show called CO-OP. [...]
This was a fantastic episode, you are all awesome. I can't wait to see more from you all, and as soon as I get paid, I am totally donating.
itunesfeedintunesfeeditunesfeedintunesfeed
give me a million ads, i'd rather not pay for the show, with what a nuisance the canadian store front is and all. can you put it up there?
BUT
i'll buy i suppose. if i have to.
good to see you back guys ! awesome show
Awsome show. Long time old school 1up/EGM fan; BUT.... you've already started down the wrong path if you want to charge for this in the future. You don't want to get stuck w/ the podcasts b/c it's free? Well so is this. Day one you should have charged and now it's too late. Even the uber faithful after a while might not want to pay for what used to be free. Imagine PSN all of a sudden on day saying "Yah, we're good enough now, just as good if not better than the rest, now give us some money." No dice man, no dice. Just saying that may not be the best decision
Hey it's awesome to see you guys really putting out a show so soon after everything went down, and those production values! It's like the 1UP Show is back at full force, and with bold new ideas! Great show, great site, love you guys!
Awesome.
And I'mma put my hand up and say that I'll happily pay for future episodes.
Thanks the lord our Kojima, you're back!
If people want to send you guys some stuff, where should we send it too?
Awesome guys. Hope it works out, I was so sad to hear about losing my video and audio podcast's from 1up
[...] — Area 5 — and a brand new show called CO-OP. The very first episode, [...]
Hi!
I can imagine how hard it is for you guys to produce such a quality show in such short period of time, but know that it's well worth it:)
1st episode - excellent!
Paul, Poland
Great show guys, keep up the good work!
I Like the new editing style you guys are doing like when you split the images of people talking and gameplay. You guys need an opening to show to make the name really stick to people. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with next : )
[...] created a new blog - Area 5 - where they’ll be hosting CO-OP, the post-1up 1up Show. Their first episode is up, where you can find them reminiscing about their favorite games of 2008. The show still [...]
First and foremost I gotta say great choice with SGX! I've been listening to him for years, since he was most popular in the FFR community, and it's great seeing how far he's come.
Also, great segment. It's funny how little you have to do in terms of premise -- in this case, talk about your favourite games of the year -- and have it come out so well. It's that back-and-forth round-table that I always loved about the 1up Show crew, and why I love this just as much. Can't wait 'til next week!
[...] the producers behind the show are back with their own firm - Area 5 - and a brand new show called CO-OP. The new 30 minute film is available in high quality on Youtube and Vimeo, and although the camera [...]
Great show thank you for the release. Oh and is it me or does Michael Donahoe look like a bushbaby?
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LFKWLXDFpDg
I have been eagerly following the Twits for a couple weeks now in eager anticipation of this new show, and wow has it been worth it. This is an incredible premiere episode and the quality is ridiculously high for an independent show. The 1UPpers have obviously not lost a single bit of charisma or enthusiasm. Keep it up guys, we all support you.
Fuckin' fantastic.
You put a price tag on that and I'll buy it.
If you can do that with the limited resources at your disposal, I'm seriously looking forward to what you come up with once you get your gear sorted.
Keep up the good work.
Can't wait to see more.
Man, its so great to see you guys still going at it, I will definitely be supporting you guys in the future, this is the perfect way to start off the show.
Awesome premiere episode. Felt exactly like The 1up Show.
Simply epic. I demand more!
To put it simply, awesome. I can't emphasize how well done I thought the idea and execution of the intro was. I was standing up yelling the names of each of you, as if I was watching one of my favorite sports teams take the field. I was admittedly a bit skeptical about seeing some of these faces on my computer screen again, and I completely doubtful about seeing them so soon.
I have to say over the past few weeks the comradery shown by the x-1up-staff..-men.. has been somewhat .. baffling to say the least. In such a cutthroat profession, that is trudging its way through an economic crisis, its flat-out inspiring to see your persistence and drive. To be honest, in all corniness I can say I'm more confident to continue with my plan to leave my current job, and do what I can to go after my passion. So remember the name, I might be comp one day. Keep up the hot fuya, Thanks.
[...] (CO-OP) Related [...]
Great first show guys. I'm pulling for you up here in Canada.
WOW Now that it's on youtube I can actually watch the show. I could never stream it on the 1UP network. Took to long to "stream"
[...] in all!—the tiny crew of producers, editors, and cameramen immediately set about creating the first episode of CO-OP, which premieres today. Obviously resources are limited, but man, it’s still available in [...]
Thank You Area 5,
I love it....I downloaded the Quicktime (dont worry ill still subscribe to the YOuTube channel) and tossed it on the PS3...I really hope you guys can keep this going...an episode a week? every 2 weeks? once a month? whatever you have in you to give, its just fine and dandy
ryan was talking about the intro to deadspace, "just from the beginning, the second that the opening screen comes on....that was a very very impressive opening sequence and from that moment i was sucked in" pretty much sums up Co-Op
I hope you guys find it freezable to continue with this, because you have single handily put out a product that i (and im sure many) respect far more then Qore or Pulse.
Good Luck Guys
So is this available in itunes or what?
You guys might not want to do itunes, but surely you can put together an RSS feed so that you can *use* itunes (or another rss retriever/reader) for the podcasts. I subscribed to the channel on youtube to help you guys out, but there is no chance that I will ever bother going to youtube or any specific site to view something. I would rather *IT* come to me. You can still use a pay-for service, use an RSS feed and provide a username/password to subscribers so they can access it via itunes.
loved seeing everyone as a group. Great first episode!
I must admit, I miss the old 1up theme song, but that's going to take getting used to like everything else we all miss.
However, all is not lost as you guys have shown. Keep up the good work. Love it!
Donahoe makes some of the strangest faces I've ever seen a human being make.
Also, this show is gonna be fucking AWESOME.
OMG you don't have any idea how much i missed you guys i don't even have a new console but your program was (and i hope still is) awesome!
Great first show guys. I am so grateful you guys are so gung-ho about getting back into the swing of things. I NEED my 1UP Show...err...CO-OP. :)
The gaming gods have not abandoned us! You guys are just oozing with talent. You're just testing the waters here, but I can already tell Area 5 and the Co-op show will make a big splash in the video game journalism sea.
guys you can charge a subscription fee i pay for the bob and tom show podcast. i subscribe to their vip section which give me a password and username which itunes asks for to download their podcast. the site is www.bobandtom.com
Great stuff. I was looking forward to what you guys would put together. Nice to see you guys still got it. Now, quick request. Broken Pixels please?
Amazing show guys. This is the start of something great. Ill make sure to tell all of my friends about it.Its great to see you guys back doing shows all ready!
P.S. Like Dan I would love more Brok3n Pix3ls. I really liked that show
Just wanted to say congrats on getting everything running. I love the name as well and I am always happy to see some Rez love. I also wanted to say that depending on the price, if you do charge in the future, I will try to stay along for the ride. I want to help as much as possible.
I'm so happy to see this site and all you guys in one room. I was a huge fan of the 1up show and EGM looked forward to seeing it every week ! it's great to see this project take form before my eyes. And yes it's something i would subscribe to.
[...] and Jay Frechette have returned with a brand new moniker — Area 5 — and a brand new show called CO-OP. The very first episode, available right after the break, features a bevy of former, current and [...]
definitely glad to see the new show. 21,873 plays in 17 hours, very nice. i just checked and the last episode of the 1up show has 29,841 ,and the one before that has 21,558. good to know that word got out, and everyone's still watching.
as for a subscription model, i'd pay a small subscription fee, but i don't think most will. you'd probably be better off with keeping it on youtube, if you could support a paid service for streaming and downloading HD videos. and, maybe through a few exclusives in (somekind of extra content.)
p.s. is there any possibility you guys could get distro on PSN or XBL? 'cause that shit would be huge... i guess they wouldn't really want you talking about anything other than their systems though.
Do you guys still plan on charging for viewing when you guys have enough advertisements? Is a subscription going to be permanent?
give us part 2!!!!! great work guys, keep it up
Super awesome to see all of the crew together. I have no doubt the community will support whatever u guys do..reach for the stars! Respect
Great job. Why don't you make a feed for the videos? We can put it into iTunes (or other pod/vid catchers) manually. You can use Feedburner to create "rich" feeds.
First I have to say that everyone involved in this did quite an excellent job.
When I heard the news about egm/1up I had felt, besides a terrible sense of sadness, a strange feeling of deja vu. I quickly realized that I was having flashbacks of when old TechTV had been ruined. The situation is very similar in that the reason people tuned in was for the personalities. If people had just wanted tech news they would have looked elsewhere.
I thought I would just have to move on but all of the various hosts started their own independent projects. The end product is revision3, a culmination of all of those squandered talents reunited. I am fairly sure that all of you have heard of revision3, but if not here is the link. http://revision3.com/
I do believe that with the right amount of donations and effort that you can create the revision3 of videogames. I feel like you are almost already there. I check back and forth on the blogs all linked together, you are already a makeshift network to a degree each offering something slightly different. eat-sleep-game,area5, geekbox, sore thumbs, etc.
Then I could get my tech/game NEWS from kotaku/gizmodo and my tech/game entertainment/discussion from revision3/area5 (look you both have arbitrary numbers at the end of your name. It is already too perfect!!!!!!!)
Huge fan no matter what though, keep up the good work.
Hey guys, it seems this story wont make the front page,
I resubmitted it ,it has been at least 10-12 hours later since this story has been first submitted!
I submitted this story:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172403
so click the digg button @1up hopefully giving them traffic too.
PS. if your a new digger, DONT digg plz, dont sign up to digg the story, because it keeps getting buried due to new users. (they think someones gaming the system)
Outstanding first episode of Co-op! I had a smile from end to end while watching it. Keep up the great work Area5 crew!
Any chance we could get a track list to the songs you used in the background that weren't part of the games? So far so good guys keep at it.