Dunkey said no more ‘weak games’, from now on only good ones. Enter Bigmode, the indie publishing house he and his wife Leah start. A popular YouTuber known for his comedic game videos and insightful video essays, video game dunkey (aka Dunkey or Jason) is also known for disliking turn-based RPGs and anime games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3. But now he uses his expertise for game publishing. The reactions are predictable in all directions.
Dunkey used to only transfer videos League of Legends, which he has been open about since he left it to become independent. His fan base largely enjoys his balance of analysis and comedy, cementing his reputation as a reliable game critic.
He has devoted more than a decade to games and topics he thinks are worth talking about. However, skeptics question whether that is enough to succeed as a game publisher. So what do we actually know about Bigmode?
What happened – Dunkey announced Bigmode Wednesday night with a YouTube video on his channel. It starts with him reminiscing about his and Leah’s last PAX experience and how happy he was to experience upcoming games in person. He then links it back to his qualifications and ambitions with Bigmode.
“I’ve been on YouTube for 11 years now and one of the core themes of my channel has always been to throw soulless money grabs in the trash and lift and praise the truly inspired artworks in this medium,” Dunkey said in his video. “I’ve always looked for the very best indie games out there and tried to do them justice by focusing millions of eyes on the games that really deserve attention.”
These games include: neon white, celeste, Hades, cup, and many other indie gaming publications have also endorsed. However, it is true that Dunkey’s videos for these indies and his annual roundups bring millions of viewers to the table. These games are certified stunners that Dunkey has taken the time to criticize and therefore put in the spotlight on his channel.
Dunkey casts Bigmode as a publisher that endorses indie games that are “actually worth playing.” If you’re a huge Dunkey fan, you can look forward to a curated catalog of indies with its stamp of approval. If you’re not, you’d probably be better off waiting for persona 6 just like the rest of us weebs.
What the fans think – His fans largely support the new company and congratulate him on its launch. These aren’t just yes men either. A variety of fans, from true professionals to longtime viewers, have expressed their support for the content creator turned businessman.
“I appreciate everyone who is dedicating time, dedication and resources to the future and improvement of the industry,” said one Dunkey fan on his channel. “As a game developer, thank you Dunkey for using your platform in this way.”
colleague YouTuber SkillUp also had a positive opinion about the announcement. “If Dunkey’s indie label gets just one indie game out the door that wouldn’t have been there otherwise, then it’s a success,” he said. “I support any content creator who wants to use their resources and reach to grow the indie scene, so I say good luck and godspeed.”
“He didn’t have the best tone or talking points in that announcement, but the bottom line is that he’s passionate and he wants to help the indie scene, and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Here come the critics – Skeptical topics range from “Dunkey isn’t qualified to do this” to “video game publishing is a complex affair that doesn’t always go the way you planned.” It comes down to viewers’ opinion of Dunkey’s Qualifications how fickle the field already is.
“lol dunkey starts a publishing company with the ‘I’ve played so many games I know what makes them good and bad so I’ll only publish good ones’ to learn some things the hard way,” an indie game developer wrote on Twitter.
Many other comments seem to support the idea in part, but encourage people to invest with a healthy dose of skepticism. “Listen, I support anyone who wants to spend money on indie games,” said developer Rami Ismail“but indie, if you’re taking a deal from someone whose publishing qualifiers are ‘I’ve played a lot of games,’ make sure your upfront is 130%+ of a well-paid, comfortable budget.”
Bigmode’s website is already live with instructions on how to contact Dunkey and Leah with pitches and resumes. Both have already taken the time to thank fans for the overwhelming support for their announcement.
Dunkey also had this to say at the end of the Bigmode announcement video:
“We are not aiming for bronze medals, we are going for gold. So when you go to work, call me at Bigmooode.”
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