Area 5 to Expand and Contract -- Only Two More Episodes of CO-OP
matt chandronaitA lot of you have been asking when CO-OP is coming back. Well, I’ve got good news and bad news. I’d love to play out a life-long desire of mine and ask: “Which do you want first?” but this is a blog post and you don’t get to choose. I guess that means I’ll choose for you.
First, the good news: Area 5 is going to be rapidly evolving in the next few months. Not to be coy, but provided all goes according to plan, we’re going to have some pretty incredible announcements to make. I’d love nothing more than to divulge all our hopes and dreams, but the deals aren’t done and we don’t want to get your knickers in a twist about what’s coming and then not be able to deliver. We’re all kind of in a tizzy (you heard me: TIZZY) about our prospects for the future and my hope is that you’ll be patient with us while we make rocket go.
Now the bad news: there will only be two more episodes of CO-OP Live. April 6th and May 18th. Business reasons, busy-ness reasons, and the aforementioned changes to the company are all collectively responsible. To be clear, we were not cancelled by Revision3, Area 5 decided to stop producing the show. We still own the IP to CO-OP. It could still return. If we can find a way to make it economically feasible, we’d love nothing more than to bring it back. We’re open to all possibilities (and all offers), but there comes a time in all business ventures where you have to take a long, hard look at the pillars of your business. It’s not that CO-OP didn’t make money. Both the number of viewers and the advertiser interest was building over this last year, but it just wasn’t enough to keep up the quality that we’re committed to and that made working seven-days-a-week feasible. So what are we going to do instead? If we’re shutting down CO-OP, what else is there?
That leads me back to the good news. Part of the reason why CO-OP is going on hiatus is that we’re just going to be too busy with all we’ve got planned for the future. First, Area5.tv is going to become a destination instead of just a blog repository for CO-OP. No, we’re not going to become another everything-under-the-sun video games blog. I think you’ll agree that that space is pretty well covered. Part of Area 5’s new business model is going to be to diversify our offerings. We’re going to be doing more work for more people as well as creating more content that we can distribute independently on our site and through online retail. Blu-Ray? iTunes? It’s all a little up-in-the-air at the moment. Regardless, Area5.tv will have new content every week day for you to (hopefully) enjoy. Video is going to be a big part of that, of course, and we’re trying to figure out how to retool our site so that we can offer said video in a pleasing fashion instead of having it scroll off the page after X-number of posts.
Second, our deal with EGM remains intact! We’ve been working like mad on all the stuff that’s going into the first issue and we’re pretty confident you’re going to think it’s awesome.
There’s also a third, and even a fourth thing that are going to happen. But, as things, they fear both the light and the sun until fully gestated. At such a time they will emerge from their hardened carapaces and the world will never be the same.
Reader Comments (118)
Kind of had a feeling some big stuff was going on at Area 5. Sad to see the end of coop for now but at the same time I can't wait for all this new stuff you guys are going to do and all the EGM videos too.
CO-OP come back! The live shows are meh...
Just like when you guys jumped off the sinking U.S.S. 1UP, I'll be keeping tabs on you guys. I know people like to get all up in arms when things change, but most of the times it's for the best. The names and ventures may change, but I think your quality will shine through no matter what you end up doing. Personally, I'm looking forward to your stuff on EGM. Good luck guys!
Though I'm sad to see the end of CO-OP for the time being, I'm extremely excited and interested to see the content that you guys produce for both EGM and through your own web site. Looking forward to digesting any content that you guys create in the future!
Ben
Excited to see what direction you guys are headed next. Anything from you guys is welcomed content for my consumption.
Well that sucks. But I rather have a real Co-op/1up show/EGM show than Co-op Live.
Sad to see you leave Revision3 thou.
CO-OP was great while it lasted. Wishing you guys the best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
Always looking forward to good things from you Matt, and from the rest of the Area5 guys as well. We'll stick by you, download you on our ipods, ps3s, laptops, and tvs and see you in the new EGM for (hopefully) years and years to come.
I told you this before at GDC, but your rise as Area5 from the wreckage of Ziff-era 1up has been hugely inspirational to everyone wanting to get into the industry. Keep doing what you're doing, and we'll keep tuning in.
Take care out there!
-Nick and the Rumble Pack Team
Just make sure that we can still download your shows to our iPods/iPhone/media devices and we will be there.
nooooooo! i love you guys! ive watched the podcasts every week since the beginning of the 1up show. i dont have cable tv so this was basically my favorite show. daaaaaammmnnnnn!!
I am all in favor of you guys branching out and getting more content out there, as you guys are some of the most talented and hard working dudes in the industry. If you guys ever need help for anything, I'm pretty sure myself and the rest of the community would be willing to give a hand for anything you guys need to accomplish.
For everybody else: Do not fear this news, as "fear is the mind killer." ;)
Good luck! I'm a long time fan as well as you produce one of my favorite shows! Be sure to leave breadcrumbs so we can all follow each of you! I'm already subscribed to the new EGM, so that sounds like a good first step.
I'm sure whatever is coming, it's great. I really didn't like the live Co-op. What you guys did before was way better and I'm sure you're all aware of that. It's a good decision to take a moment to come back stronger than ever.
Good luck to you all, you have all my support.
Good descision.
Co-Op Live was nice to listen to, but boring to watch. I consumed it like an audio podcast, but you can't play plants vs. zombies on your iPhone while listening…
It's sad to see CO-OP go, but I trust you guys will make something better and have good reason to move forward, after all, new media is all about innovation and trying new things. As long as the new content coming will be available to us fans in the UK, I can't wait.
P.S. : The photo of you I took at GDC is coming online soon, and it's really a good one!
I'm extremely sad for CO-OP but very excited about the future for Area5.
It's change, and no one outside the circle can be truly happy about it until it happens. I'm wishing you all the best though ^_^
You guys are still your own bosses and have been doing well for a year now and it still feels like the passion and heart behind Area5's projects are still there. With all that you guys can do no wrong. I'm sure it was a hard decision to pick between a good thing (revision3) and a better thing that is your future but that is how we grow. You guys are are definitely way too talented and hard working to not be able to profit from that so keep up the hustle! Eat well to keep up your strength to work hard! And hey, it's a new day, we have a universal heath plan just for you!
Damn it - love this show - better be good what's coming...or else!
You guys are the best.
Sad to see CO-OP go, but I have high hopes for what is coming next. Everything you guys touch is stellar...I expect no less.
All good things must come to an end, but ever so rarely does it lead to greater things. I'm glad you guys are going in the better direction. Can't wait to hear more details and good luck, guys. You most certainly deserve it. :D
I'm sad and disappointed - I wanted more CO-OP because that's what you guys did best. It is also sad that the new format only lasted a few shows, I thought that was going to be a long-term thing. I really hope the next thing you do is as good as CO-OP was, there's a whole sea of half-assed gaming media that you need to float above. Good luck and I really hope it works out for you!
I will loyally follow your future endeavors. Best of luck to all of you.
I knew this was going to happen, honestly. When Rob left, I already felt the first bump on the road. Then Jay Fresh left. And truth be told, CO-OP didn't really work as a live show. It's not that it couldn't have, but I think your strength is in edited and produced video, not to mention that your hosting strength lies there as well. That's not to knock your efforts, I know how difficult it is to make a live show as opposed to a pre-recorded one (I had my own podcast for 2 years, so I'm speaking from some hands on experience).
Still, I think Area 5 has to refocus to pre-produced content, which is definitely your forte. Also, you need to bring back to the spotlight some of the talent. That's where CO-OP Live felt short: most of the times, some of the people we've come to known as hosts and that generate a very interesting group dynamic were relegated to being backstage people. And I think you guys work best when all of you are in front of the camera at least once a show, like the old CO-OP or even The 1UP Show.
In any case, I hope that this restructuring does what you guys intend it to do: I have nothing but good vibes going in your direction and wish you all the success in the world. And, as long as you guys don't fade away into the background and still make your guest appearances in shows like Rebel FM, I think most of us will be content!
Good luck on this new phase of Area 5, guys. Know that you can count on us all to give you your support. I can't wait to see what is in store, and whatever it is, I'm sure you'll be doing your very best. :)
Cheers!
Javier A. (Santiago, Chile).
The live show was kind of fun, but the ad reads were horrifying, you guys looked like deer in headlights.
You guys produce great content, and have a great passion for games. I really enjoyed the edited shows.
If this site is to be a hub for future content i hope that the first thing to go is the squarespace site, or at least some sort of overhaul/redesign.
Good Luck!!
If your next projects are coming to iTunes, please don't forget about the Zune marketplace.
Tis sad to hear that there'll be no CO-OP for a while. I always preferred the original model but I think we'll all take CO-OP live over no CO-OP. I hope the proposed deals work out for you all. I'm sure you'll find a way, all greats do.
I'm glad you're not abandoning this website either, I'm slightly intrigued by the blog (vblog) idea.
You still have EGM though, which is good I'm guessing.
My idea for you is moving to the UK and trying it all here, you'll love our weather!! :)
Wow. Change is happening so fast lately. I feel like I've been in a similar situation as you guys, leaving behind very a very steady home for an unpredictable ocean upon which you are charting your own course. I know you'll make it a good one, but I really did want to see Co-op go on in any way it could. Still, I'll be there watching to see what happens next.
Looks like I have another set of "Collector's Edition DVD"s to get started making... Hey I'll let you know whenever I get a Blu-Ray burner and you guys can get me less compressed HD versions of Co-op if you like. It too, deserves to live on...
Congrats, and good luck :)
Glad I made my PSP feed auto update a couple of weeks ago. ;)
But good luck to you guys, you deserve it!
no co-op :(
Whatever you do guys, if its video, please make sure it's on the video podcast feed for Apple TV. Love the 1up show, love the COOP shows. Whatever comes next, you got a fan here.
As long as I can get my 1up Show/ Co-op content in some form, I think I can be happy about this.
Keep on Truckin'!
I'll be watching out for whatever it is you folks do next. I've enjoyed it all so far.
Sad news, but I suppose it was inevitable given the show quality and how much work you guys really put into each one. We are totally spoiled!
Best of luck in your future projects!
Aaaaaw I'm gonna miss Co-op, but it's great that you guys are exploring new branches and as long you focus on games and keep the true "nerd spirit" when talking about games, I'm all there!
I hope you will still bring in guests, I loved the "round table discussions" you had sometimes, those where great and off course also your mini-reviews of places in your neighborhood. Also I hope you will focus more on Android games, if their are any good, but of course it requires some of you to use a android phone :)
Excited for the next post and my Area 5 tshirts, they should be shipping in a couple of weeks from http://attractmo.de/shop/
Don't you guys feel like you are leaving a little of your viewing audience behind every time you change format/website. You mentioned on Rebel FM that you would go to trade shows and people would ask what you were doing now that the 1up Show was over. Revision3 was a destination for online content, and I'm sure that some viewers of Totally Rad Show or Diggnation made up some your audience. I don't know how many hits Area5.tv got on its own, but I can imagine attaching to established online entertainment sites has created a lot of traffic/hits. Granted that viewers like myself don't fit this paradigm, but I still ask these questions because there was deep sense of lost last year after the 1up show stopped. That sense of lost was never fully filled by Co-op, and a major reason for that was the loss of ecosystem around the show. The 1up Show featured so many editors, writers, game developers, and just generally cool people. Now Revision3 was not a perfect fit for your show, but unless you are going to become the Bitmob Show, IGN Show, or Gamespot Show, I'm not sure you could find a better place. I'm sure you'll prove me wrong. Love you guys.
I think the hardest part about this news is that we have to wait longer for this mystery new content. I'm already getting the shakes from my coop withdrawal. I'll have to go into the backlogs to ease the cravings until your next great thing comes to light.
I hope the future works out for you guys. I'll be waiting to see what you guys do next and do whatever I can to help.
Please continue to keep us informed on awesome indie and iphone games!
Kind of weird ...but good luck.
Damn this really sucks. I started watching Co-op when you guys started at Rev3 and absolutely loved it! Pretty sad to see it finish, but very excited to see what you guys do next. Good luck with everything in the future!
I hope the future works out for you guys. I'll be waiting to see what you guys do next and do whatever I can to help.
Still waiting for the good news. I mean, I'm hella stoked about the EGM deal and all, but you're just canning CO-OP? Well, I guess that's one less bookmark I'll have on my list.
Keep up the good luck and good luck. I'll be keeping an eye on what you guys do next and what happens.
Keep up the good luck and good luck. I'll be keeping an eye on what you guys do next and what happens.
While I'm really sad to see CO-OP go, I think anybody would be a little stupid to think it's something that could have gone on forever. CO-OP made me feel great about the way that us, as gamers, are becoming more and more representative of who we are. It was one of many things that made me realize that gaming isn't just a hobby anymore, it is a culture. That doesn't pay the bills though, and regardless of the passion of fans and the Area 5 crew, you need to do what you can to get by.
Looking forward to what's in the future, especially EGM and whatever else is planned at the skunkworks of Area 5.
Wow! Thanks for all the well-wishes and kind words from all of you! It's always the support of our community that we've leaned on while trying to make this whole Area 5 thing work out. Seriously, if it wasn't for you all we wouldn't be doing this. Yes, we're sad to see CO-OP go, too. This may all blow up in our faces, but I don't think so ;). Again, I wish I could share more about what we have planned. We're not going to be blowing the doors off the industry with any of the upcoming announcements, but we are definitely going to be producing some content where those of you that have been sticking with us are simply going to say "Ah-ha! That makes sense!" Of course there may be some of you that are simply going to wonder how we suddenly become so fucking crazy, but let's hope that doesn't happen ;)
I'm just wathing the 1up show archives. I have every episode. Seeing people come and go over the years, it's quite a drama. The prooduction values were off the charts.
One thing that coop show was missing is the insider muscle that 1up had. Industry personality interviews, special events, early games.
You guys need to get in with some industry heavyweights to make it all that again.
As long as all of your future videos aren't just you and Ryan standing on street corners telling people that Coke and Pepsi are the same thing, I'll likely watch all of them!
After a couple of weeks of no new episodes, I was excited to stop by and catch the newest episode. Then you tell me you are leaving me! NOOO! What did I do wrong? I'll change baby, I swear! That other video podcast meant nothing to me, I was drunk!
But I fully understand small business decisions, though. Especially when it involves several people trying to scratch out a living. Look forward to the news in the future about your endeavors, and I'll be sure to track down your guys' content.
Good luck.