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)
You guys really produced some great shows. I look at some of other shows even on Revision 3 and they just plain suck. (I'm serious)
You guys brought a whole new level of quality to this business and still kept it fun.
Keep up the good work.
Don't you know that it is the best time to get the mortgage loans, which can realize your dreams.
Whatever you guys do I will support. You can only learn from situations like this.
Keep us updated on what you guys are planning on doing. If you do choose to have a video podcast of COOP maybe have it ported to Rev3 as well. I will watch your show whatever website you do it on though.
i have been with you guys since the 1-up show and will continue to support you dudes since your track record proves you know whats awesome. For the time being are there any shows that come close to this on the web? i have truly only ever watched the 1-up show and CO-OP in regard to video games.
Why dont you make a classic game review of Fallout 2 on your last show. It would be nice, especially since the new fan-made restoration project just got released.
I'm not going to lie, this really bums me out
I'm sad to see Co-Op go for now. Without it I have no idea what video game related podcast I'll that'll help me choose which games to add to my wishlist. I was sad to see The 1UP Show go and have followed you guys from there. Be sure I'll keep following you now as I did then. I'm really looking forward to what fried gold you guys come up with next.
guys, i really like the original format that you had on rev3. the arty, witty take on your lives and love of video games was wonderful. i also liked to get a tour of san fran every episode and the music interludes were awesome. bing it back please!
Best of luck guys. I love the 1upshow and the CO-OP team
The legend will never die...
Even tho i would rather have old 1up show over co-op, and co-op over co-op live, i would rather have any of them over no weekly co-op at all. I understand that area5 needs to expand and have more bussness opertunities, but every week i look forward to co-op, because it is my favorite weekly media. Seeing Jayfresh a Rob leave was sad enoughf, but now this? I practicly cried after I read this post. come bak co-op. come bak.
For your last episode maybe yo could talk about YOUR favorite game's and game experiences of all time. As a fan since t 1up, i really digg you guys. not just your reviews.
Hey Area5... I feel sort of bad for letting my interest drift away from CO-OP. For weeks I haven't tuned in or anything, but today I decided to stop by and finally comment on this post.
I'm kind of disappointed and sad CO-OP is going to "end". I know it's not forever, but still... anyways, I look forward to what you guys put out in the future. If you ever bring the show back, I'd love to see you guys revert the show back to its original non-live format but with the new live improvements like bringing guests in and the new theme song.
Until then, keep gaming no matter what! CO-OP really helped make my life all the more interesting, and seeing as how y'all have shown me a side to the industry I would've never dreamed of seeing before, I'm in your debt forever.
Jeez, I'm getting into Boxee and II just found you guys on Revision3, and now this? It was really cool watching a group of people that all seem like they know what they're talking about and are reasonably intelligent, so I really hope we keep getting video of some sort onto Boxee from you. It'd be great if we could keep getting those half-hour long episodes, but I understand reality isn't always exactly what we want.
Keep trucking, guys, I know you have talent!
I always felt that the show could use more mature nudity. Good luck to you guys and your future endeavors. I look forward to seeing what you guys do next. VIVA LA AREA5! And a good fat penis to you all.
Just read the post, sucks that co-op is going away. Anyway, its good to hear that u will be heading in a new direction, as for co-op I love it, sad to see go away.
hurry up and tell us what you are up to you douches (i mean that in a kind way, enough with the mystery crap, who cares, all we care about is if you are going to put together a kick ass show like the 1up or co-op show ever again?) I thought co-op live pretty much sucked, sorry, but I'm being real. the 1up show and co-op episodes were awesome. I looked forward to watching them, live is a different story, worth watching but not AWESOME. obviously you guys are much better when you take time to put something together post, not live, maybe I'm alone on this sentiment, but it's my opinion. while you're in limbo I don't even feel like coming here and you are losing viewers by the day I'm sure, so get it together and tell us something. the internet is a fickle place. you guys know this. maybe you're high enough in your ivory tower to ignore my comment, if so welcome to the machine and good luck.
I'm still catching up on episodes so hopefully your new stuff will bridge the gap when I'm done. Loved your guys work with Co-op. I know you guys put in tons of hours, so kudos on that. So what space are you going to cover? Bytejacker has the indie games covered, and you say covering general video games didn't work? I guess I am not totally familiar with the space, but I trust you guys have something great in the works. I'll miss the old Co-op though. Great video work, nice improv. Wow, the shows you guys did, made my week so much better. Thanks so much. Anyways, looking forward to what is next. Cheers.