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Why do you like Giantbomb?

No pretense, and they don't try hard to present their opinions as more objective or more informed than the audience. They are just funny guys who like what they like.

I also never see them shit on me for liking games, so that's a bonus.
 
i've been listening to the "this year" recaps of their bombcast and really enjoying their banter.

it's like talk radio but with a bunch of guys just talking about gaming as well as a ton of random stuff.

they're pretty positive guys for the most part and i like that they never take anything too seriously.
 
Oxirane said:
Because, Dancing:
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Also, a lot of their non-videogame related stuff (Alt-F1, Pathfinder, etc.) is pretty good.
Still waiting for woodworking podcast
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oh god, ryan and vinny!!
 
Sober, non-reactive commentary when it's called for, and ridiculous bad-in-the-best-way improv at other times. Relatable guys, too.
 
Interesting personalities. They have good chemistry with each other not to mention I just like the fact it just really feels like a bunch of buddies taking about video games. Not to mention they are funny as hell and they don't sound at all pretentious.
 
Everytime you see some guys "casually sitting on a couch having fun" but it's just really awkward and uncomfortable? Giant Bomb is the opposite of that.
 
- Massive amounts of professional and personal respect for Jeff Gerstmann. Dude is a rare industry vet who instead of leaving or becoming bitter actual puts his experience to use trying to improve his product and drop truth bombs about his peers and his audience. In the past I've had an opinion, listened to Jeff wax lyrical, then realised what a cunt I was being.

- His entire team are good people (except the very rare time Alex or Patrick get dickish about something on twitter while enjoying their high horse).

- His product (Giant Bomb) was founded on the basis of not expecting publisher handouts to keep it relevant/growing. Instead the personalities are the product. As Jeff has said: if all publisher access stops tomorrow, they still have a site.

- The site has principles and rarely bandwagons. Instead of going "Here's a random female writer so we can say we're inclusive!", they actually try to seek out women who have Giant Bomb in their blood - like Cara Ellison and Samantha Kalmen.

- They invite developer friends who have autonomy and can joke around instead of just sticking to the PR bullshit. Unfortunately this means it looks like they favour a few people when in reality it's just really hard to get devs to speak freely on camera.

- Dan fucking Ryckert
 
Ryuelli said:
Their long form articles are fantastic.Articles like this, this, and this.

Arthur Gries is pretty dumb, but I'd take Polygon's reviews and long form articles over just about anything Giantbomb puts out. They do absolutely nothing for me. Patrick seems pretty cool though.
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You do know they've cutten down on their long-form articles and have gone for a more fluff piece clickbait IGN/old-kotaku model that brings in more views.
EmCeeGramr said:
They've recently announced that they're scaling back those features and long form articles, which coincided with the last couple months' sudden and dramatic rise in more clickbait-style articles and non-gaming related coverage.

Whatever people accused Polygon of two years ago, they are that website now.
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I mean, what the fuck is this? Literally the only thing I had to praise Polygon for were the articles, and now that they're in short supply, so there's not much reason to check them out.
 
I respect Giantbomb as an institution, but after listening to their podcast I really didn't understand the appeal. They were boring to me.
 
I like 'em because I feel there's very little about them that's pure showmanship; the personalities we're exposed to and the opinions voiced are genuine, and I respect that.

Also, they're a little older on average than the distressingly fresh-faced critic and I can relate to that, too. And Jeff has an impressively encyclopaedic knowledge of video games.
 
They like dumb stuff. I like dumb stuff. It is a perfect match.

Nothing better than hearing Jeff say "This....is pretty dumb....but I like it."
 
Because of their unique and fresh video content.

Also, Vinny.

Also that Persona 4 Endurance run .. god damn that shit is god tier in terms of entertainment.
 
cackhyena said:
This. I still like Jeff and Brad a lot. Ryan gone was a big blow, then Vinny leaves? I only just listened to the first podcast since Vinny left yesterday while painting. It was alright.
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Shortly after Vinny moved east Jeff gave Brad the host position and the podcast has been great ever since. Brad engages more, even if it's because he has to, and makes a great, upbeat host.
Jeff is also free to go off on tangents similar to the Ryan days because he doesn't have to think about hosting duties. Also Brad started picking the emails. That can be... interesting.
 
Liamc723 said:
The Bombcast isn't the be all and end all of GiantBomb you know.
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...right. Except with those personalities gone, it kind of affects every and anything else. It's not what it used to be for me, sorry.

Shiny Llama said:
Shortly after Vinny moved east Jeff gave Brad the host position and the podcast has been great ever since. Brad engages more, even if it's because he has to, and makes a great, upbeat host. Jeff is also free to go off on tangents similar to the Ryan days because he doesn't have to think about hosting duties. Also Brad started picking the emails. That can be... interesting.
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Yeah, the one I listened to was quite the change with Brad hosting. I dug it, cuz Brad is a super nice guy. Jeff going nuts a couple times was great.
 
Messofanego said:
You do know they've cutten down on their long-form articles and have gone for a more fluff piece clickbait IGN/old-kotaku model that brings in more views.
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And yet I'm still more interested on more things on their front page than I am on Giantbombs. As long as they continue to post some long form articles every now and then, I'll continue to visit them. There's nothing Giantbomb does that makes me want to visit. They all seem like good guys, I just don't particularly care for the content they put out. If I wanted to hear the opinions of "average" guys, I would ask my numerous friends who also play games.
 
cackhyena said:
...right. Except with those personalities gone, it kind of affects every and anything else. It's not what it used to be for me, sorry.



Yeah, the one I listened to was quite the change with Brad hosting. I dug it, cuz Brad is a super nice guy. Jeff going nuts a couple times was great.
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Vinny isn't gone though, yes he's in New York with Alex now but he still puts out great content.
 
They're consistently entertaining, avoid exploitative techniques in favor of a casual atmosphere, have a great rapport, provide solid coverage without regurgitating press releases or relying solely on text reviews to present their opinion, and are fully capable of addressing gaming developments seriously when necessary.
 
I really enjoy their personalities. The quick looks are entertaining for the most part (there are some exceptions where there's nothing interesting/humorous to be gained), I think their Premium content has been solid (UPF, Random PC Game, Metal Gear Scanlon), their Endurance Runs are solid (though mind you, I've only ever finished Persona 4 and the Jeff/Vinny Deadly Premonition runs). Bombcast is an entertaining listen, especially when I have it on in the background while gaming.
 
You know, Vinny didn't leave Giant Bomb. He just left the SF offices. I don't know if you guys got a chance to check out any of their "East Coast" content, but it's still brilliant in that special Vinny way.
 
Honestly, it's primarily because their style of humor really resonates with me.

The content they produce is pretty top-notch, too. They'll often have some pretty pointed opinions and grounded discussion about video games and the industry.

They provide me with a ton of entertainment and insight. Good group of guys.

RIP, Ryan.
 
Shiny Llama said:
Shortly after Vinny moved east Jeff gave Brad the host position and the podcast has been great ever since. Brad engages more, even if it's because he has to, and makes a great, upbeat host.
Jeff is also free to go off on tangents similar to the Ryan days because he doesn't have to think about hosting duties. Also Brad started picking the emails. That can be... interesting.
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Yes, Brad hosting the Bombcast makes it great now. Never cared for Vinny myself.

Their Terminator argument from a couple weeks ago was EPIC!
 
cackhyena said:
...right. Except with those personalities gone, it kind of affects every and anything else. It's not what it used to be for me, sorry.



Yeah, the one I listened to was quite the change with Brad hosting. I dug it, cuz Brad is a super nice guy. Jeff going nuts a couple times was great.
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Since Brad started hosting and Dan joined, the Bombcast is back in action. I've really, really enjoyed every episode the past month or two.
 
fuzzyset said:
Since Brad started hosting and Dan joined, the Bombcast is back in action. I've really, really enjoyed every episode the past month or two.
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Yeah, I dug his enthusiasm. I'll give it a go every now and then. I still don't really care for any other gaming podcast. Look, I just want to live in the glorious past, okay!?
 
I'll be totally honest I don't visit many gaming sites any more at all. I do see some of their content, but its typically from youtube. I don't remember the last time I visited IGN.com for example.

Also I'd have say this is an odd thread, if a bit borderline advertisement for a website
 
It's probably the best gaming site as a whole, I've always listened to their podcast too, but the Idle Thumbs' Podcast is on another level.

Vinny.
 
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