CO-OP Live 0101 -- Mass Effect 2, Jonathan Mann, and YOU
matt chandronaitWell, at least WE think it was a success. What do you think? What could have been improved? What actually worked really well? Any suggestions for new stuff we can try out? As for all of you that were worried there would be no “recorded” or archived version of the show, here it is! From what I hear, the flash-embedded version was up only an hour or so after the live broadcast finished. The download links went up only a few hours later, so from now on I’ll be doing these blog posts Tuesday evening when everything is up and live and available to download. More after the show:
Yes, there’s a lot of Mass Effect 2 in this show. We’ve wanted to spill our guts on this game for weeks and we figured for our first live show it would be best to focus on a single title and make that critique as high quality as possible rather than take on too much and have a weak premiere. Ryan, JayFresh, and myself put the game through its paces and find ourselves in eager anticipation of the end of the trilogy.
Our new format opens up all kinds of possibilities, not the least of which is the ability to have musical guests! We were able to bring in Jonathan Mann, famous video game musician, co-creator of the original CO-OP theme and unbelievably prolific musician thanks to his Song-A-Day project. Thanks for coming by and being such an integral part of the premiere, Mr. Mann!
And, of course, this is the first time we’ve been able to respond directly to you, the fans! We’re pretty candid as to why the change to live, how the new format comes together and, of course, what the hell happened to Rob??
Reader Comments (72)
@radical
Good points. I just have a question about your 4th point though. What do you mean by self absorbed?
Awesome show, guys. I most certainly want to see more music segments!
As for a critique, do you really have to loop that music underneath your host segments? I watch on my phone with earbuds and was starting to go crazy.
Well done, I'm very excited for you, and for what's next with the show.
You guys did an awesome job! I love the new format, but what does this mean for the future of "The Jason Show"?
Thought I would finally give you guys my thoughts:
First, while I was very skeptical of CO-OP going live I must say the general feel of the show was completely maintained. From the discussion to the way in which it was shot, it still felt like CO-OP.
I would love to see you guys do interviews with game developers in this format.
I thought the lighting felt a bit odd at times, and like Radical, I'm not quite interested in music segments. Just because you're live don't think you have to be the Tonight Show of video games.
Also, how are you going to adapt your set if more people are on talking about a game? Or will that number be more limited now?
Finally with the show being live now what have you guys got planned for E3?
I liked it.
I am sure after a few episodes all the nerves will die down a bit. The ideas you lay out at the end of the show sound great. Forgot the air date so watch after the fact, but 4pm EST is a perfect air time for me, kills the last hour of work before I go home at 5 :) See you next week.
great show! need to fix background
The contrasting colors of the black room and the tiny bright room in the middle doesn't really work.
Also, another aspect that made co-op good were the different environments it took place in, so it wouldn't kill ya if you had some natural light in the room.
Maybe some windows?
Next week: Heavy Rain
Awesome show
I really like that poster behind the couch. Anyone know where I could get something like that?
Congratulations guys, I've been following you for years and I'll follow you as long as you still have the will to continue.
I thought the show was really cool, it's obvious you'll keep learning the new format and developing/evolving the overall direction, but as far as first shows go it was as good as any I've ever seen. It's always hard to start fresh outside of your comfort zone but I think you did great and it was very watchable.
I think the only things I'll miss is how nicely the old show transitioned from segment to segment, it was edited very well. Also, I'll miss seeing how the show and games in general spilled over into your "real" lives, which was always very natural due to your set basically being your living space.
Well done CO-OP.
PS, Matt, keep rocking the hats!
I was insanely dissapointed with the confined sit on the couch revision 3 style.
Been a fan of 1up until they went retarded, was really excited to know you guys weren't dead and keeping the style. Now I don't know, we need more than two guys sitting on a couch, that's what diggnation does, you guys were always so involved with your environment and making fun out of it. whether if it was on top of a building or chillin at the park you guys made it fun and I'm going to miss that SO BAD
i wach you guys in spain... i love the new format. congrats and keep on doing what you do best.... be nice!!.
thank you..
A fan from Spain.
Nice start guys, there were good pointas and bad but way more good.
Agree with a few other posts it was an awfull lot of time on one game.
You guys seemed pretty natural in front of camera and I enjoyed the community segment, a lot of us have been watching in one guise or other for years so it's nice to feel included, and feels a lot more natural than some of the skits we were getting in the past few months. Though make sure you still keep some of that humour
Good to hear you'll be intergrating pre-made segments and having more guests on.
Overall this was a good start and you let us in on a lot of nice ideas, it's an inpressive set up you've got there I'm looking forward to next week.
That was a good show and find the new format pretty cool. I hope you can take more questions perhaps while during your discussions such as an example while you were talking about Mass Effect 2. Anyway, I enjoyed it. It was good and look forward to your next show :)
I was expecting a train wreck, instead was treated to the best live show I have seen in ages. The review of Mass Effect 2 was great, and accurate.
Soo guys who did that painting of Mario Bros ? I want one.
I think the haters need to STFU. That set is gorgeous and pretty much what every gamer wants behind them. Excellent stuff guys.
The show was smooth and professional as usual... BUT!
I gotta say I'm disappointed by the change to a studio. I understand you probably have your reasons for switching to a live format, and the live format necessitates a studio... but man, I REALLY liked the random locations you guys would choose to do your game conversation pieces in. Whether it was a rooftop at night, or a cafe on some random street corner, it always felt fresh and it really set you apart from every other game show - each episode felt like it had its own identity. It's exactly like the "Le Cargo" acoustic music sessions on You Tube... the random locations add flavor and make the music sound that much sweeter. (If you haven't seen those, I'd highly recommend them.)
Anyway, great work on the show, it's obviously quite an accomplishment. As I said earlier, though, you guys are a great outfit, the show was still great...keep the love coming!
Well all the gushy stuff (I wasn't hating!) to me was just a bit self reactionary, time better spent entertaining me dammit! Yes I'm actually the self absorbed one..I admit...it's hard to be humble :P I really liked the food segments, and when you showed us around your beautiful city, the art scene there is a gem for anyone that doesn't live there.
How to fix the wall: paint it white. Make it an art gallery. You guys seem to like art, and we all love art shows, so why not use that space as a venu for art? people here on the blog are going off about that painting, but do you mean to tell me that's going to be your "set" for a year or so? That same background? Expected something more dynamic from a big time crew like yourselves.
You could bring visual artists in as your special guests...damn I'm good!
radical, CO-OP advisers crew
Hey guys, i enjoyed it, not as good as your old show yet, but that is to be expected in the short term. You guys are quite similar to Topgear in many ways and you while they don't do their show live you could learn from their progression.
Also I loved the music segment.
Hey.. Whats up with the new Intro?
Hard to lose weight when the koolaid tastes so good.
Mmm, sorry I have to disagree. The wall of video games is terribly fun to look at. Actually I get distracted occasionally by a pretty. Maybe you guys could do a little slow-mo tour of the toys - ahem - collectibles in a snack? I mean I do feel all spiffy when I spot something super sweet, like the little sister, but I would like to see the stuff on the higher shelves. We'll bear with you guys 'til the live is a little less rocky, don't worry. You've always turned out top notch stuff in the past, and don't forget where you were last year!
hey guys. the show is great but since it's live i thought there would be more utilization of the "live" factor. i think it's a waste if you have a live show and then don't embrace some of the things you can do with live, like live audience comments or something. thanks for all your hard work.