This reminds me a lot of when you played Psychonauts, and you expressed anxiety about missing content. So I'm gonna be as frank about this as I was about that: I watch you for the genuine joy of somebody playing a game and getting to, in your words, "come along for the ride." I'm not watching to see the perfect playthrough, the best strats (you have full take-that-haters priveleges on Dead Space's pulse rifle), the complete run, or demigod skill. I'm watching to see you enjoy something and share in that enjoyment. So yes, please put your mental health first because if you aren't having fun, we probably won't have fun. And if you're worried about any other aspects, reach out to us as yoi have already - we seem like chill fans, we'll probably all give you an honest answer. Best of luck getting squared with yourself, and have fun picking your next game.
8 months ago (edited) | 3
Very glad to hear from you and that you are personally all right. I'm sorry about the stress you have been experiencing; for what it's worth, I've seen some other people deal with stress from similar things, and they concluded it was better for them to focus more on what they wanted to play instead of trying to maintain a strict queue of games, as it made it more of a rough grind. Of course, their reasons and issues may very well be very different since I only have an outsider's view of the problem on both sides. But I wanted to offer what I could while you ponder an answer that helps you get to a healthier, less stressful place. Also, for what it's worth, I wouldn't be bothered by seeing several games in a row that share a lot of elements between them. Until next time, BDF, I hope that all goes well for you (plus the same for anyone else who reads this)
8 months ago | 4
The whole idea of a let's play used to be, and still should be, that the viewer watches a gamer play and enjoy a game that they are excited about. If it starts to feel like work, something is wrong. That's not what gaming is about. Take all the time you want. We'll still be here when you return.
8 months ago | 1
Take all the time you need BDF, mental health comes first. I've been trying to be better about that as I attempt to replace my car.
8 months ago | 4
Meep! Glad to hear that you are still alive! Honestly, I was getting a little worried. As others have already said, take as much time as you need to get your head back on straight; all of us that enjoy your channel will be here ready to continue to follow your let's-plays--whatever game you choose to play next. On that note, play whatever the hell you feel like playing and not because you feel required to mix things up a bit. If you want to play a series of first-person shooters, do it; if you want to play more games like Stacking back-to-back, do it; or, if you need to take a break from let's-playing, do that too. I think, that what I am trying to say, is that most--if not all--of us are here to watch your experiences interacting with various games and not necessarily the games themselves.
8 months ago | 2
First off, I'm glad to hear you're physically ok and didn't drop off. Second, you should never feel pressured to upload every day if you aren't feeling up to it. I feel bad not commenting on a lot of your videos sometimes because I generally whole heartedly love watching your reactions to games and especially ones I've played myself. I have a whole backlog of your LPS to go through and some to finish (that's a me problem lol). Just an F.Y.I. I found your channel through your LP of the first Darksiders back in 2010, and I've been a fan ever since. So all I can say is take all the time you need, and while I can't personally speak for everyone; know that I'll be waiting here in the interweb for ya!
8 months ago | 3
It has been almost 10 years since I subbed your channel, you have been pumping out videos restlessly. That is some dedication. Now I am not around here as much as I used to, sorry about that, and sorry for you are being stressed. Hope you find some relief, and when you are back maybe take more times between uploads or something like that.
8 months ago | 4
I have been following you for over a decade at this point, BDF. Since the days of The Saboteur, you have been proving me with boundless entertainment via fun, whacky, or outright weird games (looking at you SHOGO), and plan to be for many more years to come. So take as much time as you need to get back into your right headspace, brother.🫂
8 months ago | 5
Hey, I'm new here - found you through your spyro let's plays - you seem like a good dude and I enjoy your videos! It's normal for youtubers to need a break like this from burnout! Take the time you need. I gotta say, as someone from NL who rarely happens upon canadian youtubers, I was pleasantly surprised when you mentioned NL in one of your videos. And before that you mentioned Joe Batt's Arm and I thought I was hearing things 😂 Anyway, I'm early on in your ripto's rage let's play atm! Since I've found these vids it's all I've been watchin
8 months ago | 2
We have no say in what you want to play, and I'm sure the rest of the BurningDogFans will enjoy whatever you choose to play next and fill the comments with encouragement, fun facts, and silly puns.
8 months ago | 2
I know I am TOO LATE (and all hope is, obviously, lost), but gotta repeat what others said: take all the time you need, rest, and remember that you don't owe us nothing! Or, as the poet once (not very likely) said... YOU DO YOU, BOO! [and yes, Z-snap is obligatory] :D
8 months ago | 1
I'm so glad you are at least physically okay. Always know that I always support you and wish you good health (mental and physical). Do what you need to and best of wishes
8 months ago | 0
As an aside I'll admit I've been skipping the Halo playthroughs for personal reasons, can somebody link or summarize the audiolog issue for context?
8 months ago | 1
BurningDogFace
Hey there, BurningDogFans!
I'd like to apologize for the deafening silence this last week, and to say that I'm okay, I haven't suddenly dropped off the face of the Earth or something. I'd also like to say that I'm not *just* sulking over the audiolog thing, this is something that's been building for a long, long time, and the audiolog problem just sort of underlined it for me.
I've been subjecting myself to a completely unfair amount of stress over the Let's Plays, putting so much pressure on myself that it's crippling my ability to do this.
Let me be ABSOLUTELY clear: I am not throwing in the towel or saying goodbye, I do NOT want to stop doing this, I just want to get my head into a healthier place so that the LPs can be lighthearted, charming, and most of all FUN again! I don't want to find myself procrastinating a recording session as if it were my job or homework or something, I want to be super impatient to get to the next recording session so I can jump back into a cool, fun experience and continue sharing it with you guys.
When I pick the next game to LP, I try to pick one with different characteristics from the previous one so that I, the player, and you, the audience, don't get burned out on some aspect of it. Like not following a horror game with a different horror game, or trying to avoid a first-person shooter immediately after another FPS.
I mention that part because as an example of the pressure, at some point, picking the "right" game, with different characteristics from the previous one, unconsciously became more important than which game I *wanted* to play next, which one excited me most or seemed the most fun. And that doesn't feel right at all.
I considered putting Halo 3: ODST directly after Spider-Man, for example, but got caught up in the fact that both games take place primarily in sprawling, urban cities, and that one thematic similarity was somehow more important than the fact that I love the Halo franchise, and that an FPS is extremely different from a third-person superhero game.
I'm not entirely sure what the solution is, so I'm taking it one day at a time and trying to be very aware of my thought processes surrounding the Let's Plays, since this whole problem built up so gradually I didn't even notice until it got bad. I like to think I've already taken important steps, like showing myself that this isn't a quota, it doesn't have deadlines, because here we are, almost a full week without uploads, and you're all being very understanding, with no complaints! Thanks for that, by the by.
So I'm gonna keep trying to find my way through this, and when the time is right (hopefully very soon!), I'll return to finish off ODST, and then jump into, frankly, whatever the hell I want to play next!
Until then, know that you've got my support and that I'm thinking of you, and have yourselves a fantastic day, BurningDogFans!
-BurningDogFace
8 months ago | [YT] | 22