Five things on Friday #386
We're all busy, James.
Things of note for the week ending Friday September 27th, 2024.
#386
INTRO
Hello. It's me. It's been a while since my last missive and, given how busy things have been of late (we’re all busy, James), I figured it was about time I put pen to paper and write to you.
From where I write to you now summer is closing up shop and bringing in the tables and chairs. Shorts are being packed away and while we eek out the remaining days rainbow-drenched days of 'raincoat and t-shirt', wistful glances to the browns, greens, and scarves frequent daily rests. 'Not long now', they whisper. 'Not long now'.
The last time I tried to write to you, I was in A&E. Nursing a suspected blood clot (eight international flights in five weeks - what a concept!) - I wrote this:
"Today's date is Saturday September 14th. It's 09:39am. And I am in A&E. I've had a niggly pain in my leg over the past week or so and, to save you the lengthy story, the short version is: the docs want to check for blood clots.
The National Health Service truly is a wonderful thing. I got here about an hour ago I think? Got triaged immediately. Ten minutes after that I was walked down to the DVT clinic. Bloods taken and now I'm waiting for the analysis to come back. I know it's a hotchpotch of various funding and staffing all across the country but when the NHS works like it's supposed to, it is a marvel.
And while I wait for this marvel to continue being marvellous - I've just been offered a coffee! - I'm going to see how much of a dent I can make in this newsletter. Rule 1: going to A&E? Take your laptop."
Anyway, I got that far and I then I stopped because I was seen, tested, and checked over in no time at all.
Good news: I don't have a blood clot. Hoorah.
Bad news: they have no idea what else it could be. More tests!
Since then, I've popped by LEGO HQ in Billund which was a) super fun, b) mega wholesome, and c) filled with a million secrets that I can't tell you about. Sorry.
What else?
I think that's it? For now, maybe?
As always when I go for a while without writing something, there's usually a build-up of links and things of interest which, when I OPEN THE BOX will undoubted burst out and cover this edition with all their shining glory.
One hopes, at least.
Shall we?
—
TO THE THINGS!
THING 1. STAY
This week, the woman I love more than anyone or anything else in the world posted this on Linkedin.
To say it hit a nerve might be a bit of an understatement.
There is a burnout epidemic in adland - and people are afraid to talk about it.
To do what Annabelle did takes strength.
It takes power.
It takes ownership.
It reclaiming your self-identity.
It takes guts.
It takes everything.
And I’ve never been prouder.
Effecting change means step-by-step you step forward. You step up. And since this post went out, I've witnessed this incredible woman step up and work-through over 500 private messages of response from men and women in adland to talk their own experiences and offer help and advice on how to flag, address, and combat burnout.
Every day, she's replied to messages, emails, spoken to people on the phone - even as I write to you now she is on a video call with someone (a complete stranger until a week or so ago) comparing stories and work out a way for them to help take their own positive step forward.
There’s more to write about this.
Maybe another time.
But for now, if you haven’t read Annabelle’s piece about her own personal experiences with burnout - then please go ahead and do that.
And if you recognise any of your own experiences in it, you are welcome to hit reply and say so.
You are not alone.
x
THING 2. THREADS ENGAGEMENT BAIT
If, like me, you follow journalist (and occasional silly goose) Katie Notopoulos on Threads, then you may have seen her post a nigh-endless series of engagement baiting questions to mess around with the Instagram-adjacent algorithm.
And it’s been glorious.
Without context, people have been raging.
With context, followers have been waiting (for the write up).
And here it is. Wonderful stuff.
THING 3. THIS WEEK IN GAMING
The one where James beats a loud drum yelling 'YOU ALL NEED TO PLAY INSCRYPTION' BANGS DRUM 'PLAY IT NOW' BANGS DRUM 'IT'S IMMEDIATELY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE GAMES EVER' BANGS DRUM CONTINUOUSLY.
I talked a bit about this game in the last edition. A couple of you replied 'Where are you in the game?' I told them and they all replied with ominous variations on 'Keep going...'
And I did and w o w.
I beat the third boss in the first stage and... well, the game just DOES THINGS. Things I won’t spoil but honest to goodness, what an incredible game. Do not skip it.
No big deep dives this week, instead a collection of links that cover off the main headline beats that I think are worth knowing/acknowledging since we last spoke.
PS5 Pro - announcement and pricing
An underwhelming announcement obscene price for not very much of an update. Don’t get me wrong, I like to worship at the altar of Mark Cerny as much as the next nerd, but to use old games to demonstrate the sharpness of leaves is not really THE ONE, y’know?* Will I get one? Probably. Do I like it much? No, not really.
*Dropping an unexpected trailer for a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima on the other hand, that might do it.Final Fantasy’s sales crisis
I thought this was a pretty good read about the current state of Final Fantasy. I have worked on some things for this franchise and as someone who has no emotional connection to the original series (sorry, FFVII fans), I would often ask ‘How are you finding new fans?’, because, imo at least, if you’re selling remakes to ‘people that bought the game last time’ then you’re going to be creating ever-decreasing circles of potential buyers. Also, call me naive but if you insist on sticking a number at the end of every single game you make, then yeah, maybe FF 16 might put off newcomers. The GI piece linked above has a good crack at the broader issues facing FF today. To my mind at least, the franchise has no serious entry point for new players. Like, at all. Tell me I’m wrong.Annapurna Shenanigans
Over the past few months I've been talking a lot about convergence. Entertainment, film, games... studios developing elements they're interesting in across multiple media and how interesting that all is (see Blumhouse doing this at the State of Play earlier this week). Annapurna Interactive is one of those that gets mentioned. I even mentioned them here just last edition. But now, well, things have changed. A complete, mass-resignation of ALL STAFF. You want to talk about staff happiness and culture, in an industry decimated by studio-wide redundancies? This is about as hardcore as you get. Incredible.The Rest is Entertainment
Two things of note here. If you listen to the above named podcast, then you would’ve heard them talking about potentially the biggest flop of all time, CONCORD [Spotify episode link]. This is noteworthy for two reasons: First, Concord’s abject failure (arguably across every single one of the four Ps of marketing) is gaining cut-through. Almost unheard of for new IP. Not for the right reasons, but still. Second: I've been telling you to read Video Games Industry Memo for ages now. Richard Osman has now said the same on TRIE, so if you can't take my word for it, maybe take his?Palworld
Recently announced as coming to PlayStation alleged Pokemon-rip-off-with-guns game, Palworld, has finally heard from Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. Grab the popcorn fam. Tinfoil hats on, gang - did Nintendo bang some IP through quickly to make this happen?
What is James playing?
This hasn't changed much, the only new thing to talk about is just how massive the recent Klombo / Lost Isles update is to LEGO Fortnite. Humongous!
Other than we have, on rotation:
- Inscryption (wonderful)
- Star Wars Outlaws (ignore the haters; it’s very good)
- Astrobot (pure joy)
Up next:
- Space Marines 2
- Capcom Fighting Collection
- And probably something else I’ve forgotten…
What are you playing?
THING 4. THE STATE OF SOCIAL PODCAST
A couple of FToFs ago (in The Perth Edition), I mentioned how the smart people at State of Social had spent a certain amount of time over the two day conference stealing various keynote speakers and throwing them together in interesting combinations for interesting conversations.
Well, I’m happy to tell you that this ‘bonus day three’ of conference content is now live with all nine episodes recorded live at the show.
And to be clear, when I say ‘live at the show’, I don’t mean some piss-poor attempt at ‘insights’ recorded in a noisy corridor with speakers, chatter and tinny music in the background (you know the ones, we’ve all heard them), I mean properly - in a podcast studio set up on the other side of the venue - and put together by not only a fantastic presenter but also a kick-ass production team.
Combine that with each episode being a little over 30mins (the perfect podcast length, don’t @ me) and the fact that each one is REALLY GOOD, well, what are you waiting for?
Here’s a clip of me from my own episode talking about a different approach to brand partnerships x gaming.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
THING 5. SOMEONE TO LEAN ON
This is v nice.
As part of its ongoing Bristol-based Question ‘Who is responsible for our mental health?’, One Question has partnered with local artist Mr Penfold to produce a limited edition print raising awareness of the city’s mental health crisis and the importance of connection and community.
OQ writes:
“Over the last eight years, Mr Penfold has developed a distinctive way of working and an unmistakable range of imagery. He has been formed by many influences, ranging from skateboard graphics to classical and formal abstraction. He has developed a distinctive and recognisable palette and formulated a set of conditions that he applies to his work.”
You can read more about it on the OQ website, where you can also pick up one of only fifty limited edition prints of the above.
BONUS SECTION
THIS IS THE BONUS SECTION. BONUS LINKS THAT BUMP US OVER FIVE THINGS BUT DUE TO TIMING AND SELF-IMPOSED WRITING RESTRICTIONS ARE LIMITED TO PITHY COMMENTARY ONLY.
ENJOY.
A million $ shot, with no budget - Jack Conte sits down with @karenxcheng; a fascinating watch and possibly my favourite thing in the newsletter this week.
Oh, here’s the ENTIRE BBC SOUND LIBRARY to play with (h/t Matthew).
I don’t mean to bring up the C word, but the Pact Coffee advent calendar sales have opened and, well, I figured you’d want to know.
A very smart person talks about ‘Fandom thought leadership red flags’ (take note).
‘The making of a book’ is a gorgeous read.
Ocean photographer of the year (I love this stuff).
Mr Beast’s reality show does not sound fun.
You’re going to be hearing more and more about the Robbie Williams Monkey movie.
The 2024 F-List is compulsory reading for anyone working in advertising and communications today.
The AI and Games Conference looks very good…
Speaking of AI, this Lufthansa campaign seems to use Gen AI create scenes from games and use them, without licence or acknowledgement to the original rights holders, to make themselves relevant in the gaming world. Interesting.
Like Chappell Roan? Then you’ll like this from the BBC.
Imagine rediscovering the original cartoon theme song for Dungeons and Dragons.
Five hours of pints with Paul Heaton sounds like a banging afternoon if you ask me.
And why not now just relax with some classic Flight of the Conchords bloopers?
YOU ARE REACHING THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER. MIND THE GAP.
I’m about to hit publish and it’s 0956 on Saturday September 28th. I am in Birmingham.
This weekend is my annual trip North to see and hang out with my online gaming community in real life (big up the midlife gamer massive. A hangover from when EGX used to be at the NEC here, we still make the yearly pilgrimage to Brum to get together, grab a pint or three, and end up in NQ64 (we miss you Kongs) playing Super Nintendo til the early hours.
Wish me luck x
In the meantime, let me know how you’ve been, eh?
Long-time readers will know that this is direct link between the amount of work I have on and the frequency of this newsletter’s publication. I’m hopeful for more regularity to return soon but alas, I am somewhat in demand at the moment (I’m not complaining) so we will see what happens.
SOME OTHER STUFF that I need to write about but don’t have time so will definitely come back to in a future edition:
A wine tasting experience at Gusborne (phenomenal)
Trauma tourists pushing their own agendas (mental, related to thing one this week but I’m not doing it now)
Cheez-Its (they’re out in the UK - at last!)
The implementation of Ethical AI dinner I attended with House 337 (an insightful evening but wow, either I’m super stupid or we have a LONG way to go). An exploration for another time…
Have a gorgeous weekend,
Whatley out x
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