This Youtuber Published Game is Actually Good

penguinz0
13 May 202409:29

TLDRThe video transcript discusses the skepticism surrounding YouTuber-backed projects, which are often seen as inferior. However, the speaker highlights a positive exception: a video game called 'Animal Well,' published by Dunkey's company, Big Mode. The game, developed by Billy Basso for seven years, has been well-received for its unique Metroidvania gameplay without combat, creative puzzle-solving, and engaging design. Despite initial doubts, the speaker found the game to be a joy to play and worth its price, even for those unfamiliar with Dunkey. The success of 'Animal Well' is a testament to the developer's passion and the publisher's role in bringing quality content to the gaming community.

Takeaways

  • 🎮 The YouTuber Dunkey, through his publishing company Bigmode, has published a game called 'Animal Well' which has been highly successful and well-received.
  • 🚀 'Animal Well' is a passion project developed over seven years by a solo developer, Billy Bastro, who designed his own engine for the game.
  • 🌟 The game has received glowing reviews and is considered a standout in the gaming community, offering a unique and fresh experience.
  • 🧩 The game is a Metroidvania style without combat, focusing on puzzle-solving and creative use of tools to overcome obstacles.
  • 💡 The reviewer found the game surprisingly enjoyable despite not being a big fan of the genre, highlighting its innovative mechanics and engaging gameplay.
  • 💰 'Animal Well' is priced at $25, which the reviewer feels offers good value for the quality and experience provided by the game.
  • 🕒 The game is on the shorter side in terms of playtime but is praised for being a tightly designed experience without any padding or unnecessary elements.
  • 👥 While some people may have purchased the game to support Dunkey, the game's quality stands on its own and is expected to appeal to a broader audience.
  • 👎 It's acknowledged that the game may not appeal to everyone due to its slow-paced and puzzle-oriented nature, but this is seen as a matter of personal taste rather than a flaw.
  • 🎨 The game features a unique aesthetic and sound design that the reviewer and likely many others find enjoyable and appealing.
  • 📈 The success of 'Animal Well' is an encouraging start for Bigmode as a publisher, and there is excitement for what they might publish in the future.
  • 🙌 The story of Billy Bastro's success with 'Animal Well' is seen as a positive narrative in an industry where publishers often receive negative attention.

Q & A

  • What is the general perception of YouTuber-backed products or games?

    -The general perception is negative, with an initial assumption that such products or games will be of poor quality, based on a history of YouTubers releasing subpar products.

  • What was the success of the horror movie 'Talk to Me' by Rocka Rocka?

    -The horror movie 'Talk to Me' by Rocka Rocka was an absolute smashing success, showcasing that YouTubers can branch out and excel in different areas.

  • What is the name of the publishing company founded by the YouTuber Dunkey?

    -Dunkey has a publishing company called Big Mode.

  • How long has the game 'Animal Well' been in development?

    -The game 'Animal Well' has been a passion project worked on for seven years by a solo developer named Billy Blasso.

  • What is unique about the game 'Animal Well'?

    -The game 'Animal Well' is unique as it is a Metroidvania game with no combat, requiring players to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles creatively.

  • What has been the reception of 'Animal Well' in terms of sales and reviews?

    -The game has been highly successful in terms of sales and has received glowing reviews, with many people giving it high scores and praising it.

  • Why does the speaker believe that 'Animal Well' would still be a success without Dunkey's name attached?

    -The speaker believes that 'Animal Well' would still be a success due to its unique gameplay, creative puzzle-solving, and the quality of the game itself, which stands out even without the association with Dunkey.

  • What is the speaker's opinion about the length of the game 'Animal Well'?

    -The speaker prefers a shorter, more engaging game like 'Animal Well' over longer games that may feel like a slog or have unnecessary time padding.

  • What is the price of 'Animal Well' when it is not on sale?

    -The price of 'Animal Well' when it is not on sale is $25.

  • What does the speaker appreciate about Big Mode as a publisher?

    -The speaker appreciates Big Mode's role as a wholesome publisher that successfully markets and supports games like 'Animal Well', in contrast to other publishers with negative reputations.

  • How does the speaker feel about the game's aesthetic and sound?

    -The speaker loves the way 'Animal Well' looks and sounds, believing that most people will appreciate the game's aesthetic and sound design.

  • What is the speaker's final verdict on 'Animal Well'?

    -The speaker highly recommends 'Animal Well', stating that it is a joy to play, offers a good value for its price, and is an impressive start for Big Mode as a publisher.

Outlines

00:00

😀 YouTubers Breaking Stereotypes with Unique Content

The speaker expresses their joy when YouTubers step out of their comfort zone and excel in a completely different domain, contrary to the common expectation of failure. They discuss the skepticism surrounding YouTuber-backed projects, which is often justified by past examples of poor quality. However, the speaker highlights a positive exception: a YouTube group's successful venture into the horror movie genre with 'Talk to Me'. The focus then shifts to a video game publisher named Dunkey, who, through his company Big Mode, has published a game called 'Animal Well'. This game, a passion project developed solo over seven years by Billy B., has been well-received, both in terms of sales and reviews. The speaker praises the game's uniqueness, particularly its Metroidvania style without combat, and emphasizes that its success is well-deserved, regardless of Dunkey's involvement.

05:02

🎮 'Animal Well' - A Refreshing Gaming Experience

The speaker continues to discuss 'Animal Well', noting that despite not typically enjoying the genre, they found the game to be highly enjoyable. They appreciate the game's approach of challenging players to solve puzzles creatively rather than engaging in combat. The game's design, which leaves players to figure things out on their own, is also praised for its immersive quality. The speaker argues that a shorter, well-crafted game like 'Animal Well' is more valuable than a longer, tedious one. They acknowledge that while the game may not appeal to everyone due to its slow pace and puzzle-centric gameplay, it offers a unique and satisfying experience for those who enjoy this style. The speaker also commends Dunkey's role as a publisher, clarifying that the game is Billy B.'s creation, and expresses excitement for future releases from Big Mode.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡YouTuber

A YouTuber is an individual who creates and shares content on the video-sharing platform YouTube. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe content creators who have expanded their influence by getting involved in projects outside of their regular content, such as creating a game. The video discusses the skepticism around YouTuber-backed products but highlights a positive example where a YouTuber's involvement in a game's publishing has led to a successful and well-received product.

💡Metroidvania

Metroidvania is a genre of video games characterized by exploration, discovery, and a non-linear progression through a large interconnected world. It is named after the Metroid and Castlevania series of games. In the video, the game 'Animal Well' is described as a Metroidvania but with a unique twist of having no combat, focusing instead on puzzle-solving and creative problem-solving.

💡Solo Developer

A solo developer refers to an individual who works independently to create a video game or software application without being part of a larger team. Billy Baso, mentioned in the video, is a solo developer who has worked on 'Animal Well' for seven years, designing his own engine and creating the entire game by himself, which is a significant achievement in the gaming industry.

💡Puzzle-solving

Puzzle-solving is a type of gameplay that involves the player using their intellect to solve in-game problems or challenges to progress through the game. The video emphasizes that 'Animal Well' is a game where the player must overcome obstacles and outsmart enemies through creative use of tools and problem-solving rather than traditional combat.

💡Big Mode

Big Mode is the publishing company behind the game 'Animal Well'. It is associated with the YouTuber Dunkey, who is credited with publishing the game but not developing it. The company's role is to market and distribute the game, and the video praises Big Mode for its successful launch of 'Animal Well' and the positive reception it has received.

💡Gaming Reception

Gaming reception refers to how a video game is received and reviewed by players and critics after its release. The script mentions that 'Animal Well' has been highly successful in terms of sales and has received glowing reviews, which is a strong indicator of the game's quality and the positive response from the gaming community.

💡Pricing Strategy

Pricing strategy in the context of the video refers to how the game 'Animal Well' is priced at $25, which is considered a fair price by the speaker. It discusses the value-for-money aspect of the game, comparing it to longer games that may not offer the same level of enjoyment despite a higher time investment.

💡Game Length

Game length refers to the amount of time it takes to complete a video game. The video mentions that 'Animal Well' is a shorter game, which the speaker prefers as it provides a concentrated, high-quality experience rather than a longer, potentially tedious one. The speaker values a shorter game that keeps the player engaged and entertained throughout.

💡Puzzle Mechanics

Puzzle mechanics are the specific methods and tools used within a game to solve puzzles. The video highlights unique puzzle mechanics in 'Animal Well', such as using a frisbee to surf on and a bubble wand with speedrun techniques, which contribute to the game's creative and engaging nature.

💡Game Aesthetic

Game aesthetic refers to the visual style and design of a video game. The speaker mentions that they believe most people will appreciate the aesthetic of 'Animal Well', suggesting that the game's visual presentation is appealing and contributes positively to the overall experience.

💡Sound Design

Sound design in video games involves creating and organizing sound effects, music, and ambient sounds that accompany gameplay. The video script indicates that the speaker thinks most people will love the way 'Animal Well' sounds, indicating that the sound design is a strong element of the game that enhances the player's experience.

Highlights

YouTubers branching out and succeeding in different ventures is refreshing and uplifting.

The initial assumption for YouTuber-backed projects is often negative due to past experiences.

Rocka Rocka's horror movie 'Talk to Me' was a smashing success, setting a precedent.

Dunkey's publishing company, Big Mode, has published its first game, 'Animal Well', developed by Billy Basso.

Billy Basso has worked on 'Animal Well' for seven years as a solo developer, even designing his own engine.

'Animal Well' has received glowing reviews and high sales numbers.

The game is a Metroidvania style without combat, focusing on puzzle-solving and creative problem-solving.

The reviewer found 'Animal Well' to be a surprisingly good game, even though they are not a fan of the genre.

The game's price point is considered reasonable for the quality and length of the experience.

The game's short length is preferred by the reviewer over longer, less engaging games.

The reviewer believes 'Animal Well' would be appreciated even without Dunkey's association.

The game offers new mechanics that feel exciting and different from other games in the genre.

The game's aesthetic and sound are expected to be well-received by most players.

Big Mode's success with 'Animal Well' is seen as a promising start for the publisher.

The game is a passion project for Billy Basso, with Dunkey and Big Mode providing support and publishing.

The reviewer is excited to see what other games Big Mode will publish in the future.

While 'Animal Well' may not appeal to everyone, it has been a success and a joy for those who enjoy its style.

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