So EGM is dead, and so is 1UP for the most part

Originally Posted by Jeff

He's a crappy analyst. You realize he gave Mortal Kombat vs. DC a perfect score, right?

I don't think you get the scoring system they have going on. Personally, I like how they simplified, but I wish they would simplify it more. While I prefer a full 1/100 score system, if you're going to simplify it, just really simplify it.

Right now they have 1/5, and I think it just just be a 1/3.

1. Avoid at all costs.
2. Look into it, it could be worth playing.
3. Buy it.

The text reviews at GiantBomb are decent, so you want to actually read the review, not just base everything off of a score, anyways.

Originally Posted by Hoopy Frood

Are you kidding? The Giant Bomb is awesome. I don't get your hatred for Gerstman. Was it his Twilight Princess score or something?

Every time you quote me you end up making a fool of yourself. Did I mention the word hate in that post? Like honestly, please quote it and put it in bold.

Anyway, I don't mind GB, they're fine. Just I'd rather this happened to them and not 1up.

Originally posted by Alex
I don't think you get the scoring system they have going on. Personally, I like how they simplified, but I wish they would simplify it more. While I prefer a full 1/100 score system, if you're going to simplify it, just really simplify it.

I don't care if they have a 5 point scoring system, that game didn't deserve a perfect score. It just doesn't; especially when the same reviewer gave Soul Calibur IV a 3 from a piss-poor 'review'.

The text reviews at GiantBomb are decent, so you want to actually read the review, not just base everything off of a score, anyways.

Most of Jeff's text reviews are actually the worst part of his so-called 'journalism', and often times don't even remotely make sense given his score.

So Anthony Gallegos, Nick Suttner, Philip Kollar, Matt Chandronait, Ryan O’Donnell, Jade Kraus and Arthur Gies (Anthony's roommate, I believe?) threw together a podcast called Rebel FM, and it sounds like they're going to try to do it pretty regularly. The sound quality isn't the best, but they promised to improve it as it goes on.

It's pretty solid, and fans of 1UP FM should definitely check it out. It's about 1 hour and 45 minutes long and they spend the first bit talking about the whole layoff thing, a majority of it discussing what they've been playing, and then reminisce about EGM. They also mention that Shane and Andrew Pfister will probably be on in the future, hint at announcing what Shane might be doing next (which they might announce exclusively next week if he doesn't do it himself), and talked about possibly printing off about 100 issues of the last EGM and giving the money to charity!

Anyway, you can download that here.

Also, I recommend checking out Mielke's blog to see the cover what would have been the last issue of EGM, and to read some great posts about the whole situation and about the last day there. Also, check out Jeff Green's post about Sam Kennedy's douchey response to the acquisition. It basically summed up my feelings entirely.

Its not much of a shock to see EGM go down the crapper.

So I wanted to post an update as to where everything stands at the moment for the former employees of 1up.

If you haven't seen it yet, the old cast of 1up FM has gone on to resurrect Eat-Sleep-Game.com, where they posted their new podcast RebelFM last week. The podcast is really good, much better than 1up FM ever was, and over the week since its release, it has hit #1 on iTunes, settling now at #4. REALLY good stuff. Check it out, give it a listen.

The 1up video crew, who make an appearance in the first episode of RebelFM as well, have started up the website Talking Orange.com, where they aim to continue to provide 1up Show type content to the internet. Because the 1up Show eventually became unprofitable (ad interest dropped,) Talking Orange is planning on possibly charging for a high definition version of their show for additional revenue (this actually predates the UGO takeover, for the 1up Show as well.)

Both sites are currently accepting donations in order to help them get up and running, so consider donating if you are a fan.

1up, on the other hand, hasn't seemed to collapse into a horrible oblivion, either. Content has stayed up to date, and as of now, it looks like the site will still be a place of integrity.

There is still no news on what Shane Bettenhausen is doing, much to the internet's dismay. However, he has recently taken over his Twitter, so stay tuned for the latest information there. Also, RebelFM is claiming that it may be revealing what job Shane took when he quit 1up on Wednesday's podcast.

I'm rooting for Talking Orange. I'm hoping they collaborate rather than compete with Eat-Sleep-Game instead of making their own sites. Among the two groups, they have all the talent they need to construct and fully operate a new website. Let's hope a phoenix rises from 1up's ashes.

Not only that, but it seems Ryan Scott has a podcast in the works too, called GeekBox Radio. No word on who else will be involved, but other people from GFW Radio, Legendary Thread, and Sports Anomaly are involved.

Also, the next episode of Rebel FM will be up on Wednesday, and apparently Shane and Andrew Pfister will be guests for sure.

EDIT: And be sure to check out Garnett's blog for the latest on what's going on with 1UP Yours. Sounds like its continuation will be rockier than we thought.

Originally Posted by Slime

Not only that, but it seems Ryan Scott has a podcast in the works too, called GeekBox Radio. No word on who else will be involved, but other people from GFW Radio, Legendary Thread, and Sports Anomaly are involved.

Also, the next episode of Rebel FM will be up on Wednesday, and apparently Shane and Andrew Pfister will be guests for sure.

EDIT: And be sure to check out Garnett's blog for the latest on what's going on with 1UP Yours. Sounds like its continuation will be rockier than we thought.

LOL. Rockier than no podcast at all?

Seriously. I wish Jeremy, Tina, and Garnet just left with everyone else so that I wouldn't even have to bother worrying about the site. (But like I said, it's still holding up really well.)

Talking Orange has updated, and they've received $12,000 in donations since they started accepting them last week. It's nice to know I was a part of that number, and that so many people could care so much for what has become a part of their lives.

THE JOURNEY WILL BEGIN ANEW

As of 21:39 on January 12, 2009, we've received just over 500 donations totalling $11,839.52.

We are astounded. Who are you people that are willing to give so very much in such times as these? The incredible energy and generosity of the gaming community is well known thanks to Child's Play, but for us there was just no way of knowing exactly how many of you out there thought our work valuable enough to contribute to. For us it was always more than just a job and while it wasn't always a picnic it was always a passion. What can we say? We've already expounded on the fact that "thank you" simply won't do and that our eternal gratitude is nothing compared to the support we have received. There really is only one thing we can do: make the absolute best show we can with whatever we're able to scrape together and pour our hearts into it. We owe you all that much at the very least.

As one may expect, the majority of the donations came in the three days following the posting of the link. We wanted to see what it would reach before making any decisions on what equipment to purchase and, as you may have guessed through the tone of this update, you beat our projections by a landslide. We're going to play it very safe and (hopefully) smart and go as cheap as we can. We know from experience that it's insanity to buy low-quality audio and video equipment, but we've got to make this initial gift last as long as possible as we have to get the money-making portion of the business moving as we've all got rent to pay next month.

This week, the show will be using equipment Ryan and Cesar have had since, or immediately following, film school. We'll make the purchases soon--which we'll outline here (or on the new, permanent site) so you can see where your money is going--but obviously they'll have to be shipped to us and therefore we'll have to ask your patience while we ramp up the quality.

We have the name for our production company, though we're still mulling over a name for the show. We'll announce the name of the company once the site is live and the name of the show when we post it on Friday.

Once more, our hearts swell with gratitude and admiration for all of you! Whether you donated or not, we are uplifted and motivated more than we could ever have thought possible. We will not forget.

So they will be posting their first episode at the end of the week. I'm sure we'll all be looking forward to the new HD cameras, haha.

Also, from last night's RebelFM:


Shane also returned to 1up to do YET ANOTHER episode of Retronaughts with Jeremy Parish. Man, I can't wait to figure out what his job is! Hopefully it'll be something where we'll still be able to hear from him.

Also, I highly recommend listening to last week's episode of Retronaughts, on 1978, 88, and 98's years' of gaming. In the nostalgia of Retronaughts, it's a great way to let 1up go.

I haven't read EGM in a few years, but I remember I ended up putting it down because a Game Informer just has so much more information. I don't know if they started beefing up their content since I last read, but as far as I know it's pretty empty stuff.

Granted the writers for EGM are a huge deal smarter and less annoying.

Second episode of Rebel FM is up! And it's pretty damn good. They have new equipment so it sounds a lot better, though there are some annoying volume problems throughout. Either way, though, it's solid. You can get it from eat. sleep. game., iTunes or the Zune Store.

And they did, indeed, get the exclusive on where Shane is heading. It's toward the end of the podcast, but I'll put it in spoilers for those who want to be surprised:

He'll be Director of Business Development at a small publisher called Ignition Entertainment, who are bringing games like Blue Dragon Plus and what is basically SNK's full lineup to North American and European audiences. I think it's awesome that he's getting into the actual publishing/development side of the industry, though his voice will be missed in the games journalism side of things. He touched on the idea of starting up a podcast from within the company which is pretty awesome, but hopefully he'll still have the time to do stuff with other ex-1UP people.

Also, his detractors will probably find it funny that he was approached by Sony for a PR job. He would never have heard the end of it had he accepted that!

Listening now! So much better! W00T at Shane! Good for him!

Why do I never get to see these things until it's too late? I hear nothing but great things up the 1UP people and it's a shame that a good group of people are force to be laid off. J just hope GameFAQs or their sister site GameSpot don't pick them up.

So Garnett has some news on the future of 1UP Yours, and all of it is pretty good. But most importantly, there's going to be a "classic reunion" next week, starring Garnett, John, Luke, Shane and Andrew!

I would really like to stop living in the past and instead go forward with all this news. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to the 1up Yours next week, coming out the same day as Giant Bomb, Rebel FM, etc. etc. :p

Edit: James Mielke is returning to 1up.

But what I do know is that for the immediate future, I'm staying right where I am (I'm still not done packing all my **** up at 1UP) and doing the best that I can for every reader we have, and for the people I have the honor of working with every day. Maybe I'll be here forever, we'll see.

This is fantastic news! He was the only person besides Shane that I was really going to miss. Though I feel a bit sad for him because he does have aspirations to become a developer and move to Japan. In that regard, this is holding him back.

Still though, great news.

Edit 2: If you haven't listened yet, the final episode of 1up Yours is up. Luke Smith, Garnet, Shane, and John. Over 3 hours long. It's absolutely fantastic. Like, you NEED to listen to this.

And after years of wonder and speculation, we've finally found out who Shane is on GAF! Read the thread. It's a really funny thread.

Too lazy? This picture sums it up pretty well. (Spoiler)

Also, you must watch this. It's so hilarious.

Damn, I'm behind. I've had a busy week!

Listening to the epic 1UP Yours podcast now, then hopefully checking out CO-OP.