Delayed Input 407 Post-Show Assessment

This was a weird episode. Frequently I write about the process of picking a topic as just exploring a few bad ideas until I eventually land on a good one. This week one of my first bad ideas was talking about why I don't care about Hyper Scape. Then, despite trying to find anything else to talk about, nothing better popped up. And normally I wouldn't read an interview with a Ubisoft executive defending NFTs, but I figured since I was doing this Hyper Scape thing I might as well see if it ties in, and then I found that interview hilarious. So I was locked in. Really picking Hyper Scape just speaks to how little I wanted to talk about Star Wars.

One frequent problem I had to deal with when I was a podcast host was when nobody on the panel cared about the news that week. I learned it didn't work when I tried to prod out big reactions, but really I would just try to assure the guests that it's okay if they don't care, that I think it's interesting that they're not interested. But then realistically there's just not too much to talk about and you just have to move on.

So I have three big disappointments with this episode:
- It probably should have been shorter. I originally thought this was going to be 4 minute video until I saw how many words I had actually written. I actually wonder if the 4-5 minute version is a better video.
- On the other hand, I feel bad I didn't go more into detail about Hyper Scape the game itself. I called it a Battle Royale and moved on without really identifying what was unique about it, feels wrong.
- I feel like each new week I have to learn or figure out something new in the edit, like a dumb animation or visual effect. This week was the first I felt, "I didn't do a single new thing." I know I shouldn't force weird gags in arbitrarily, but I definitely felt like something was missing at the end of the night.

QUESTIONS FROM YOU!

Are there any Ubisoft franchises you would be sad to lose if the company died and took everything with them?
Honestly, personally, no. That's not to say I don't think there aren't valuable Ubisoft franchises, but strictly answering this question about me becoming sad, not a single one.

Tom Brady wins again.
This is a vulgar misuse of the Patreon comments system

I'm wondering about your process in deciding what works as opening and closing bits, particularly in a week like this where they aren't connected to the main topic and could have potentially been full episodes on their own.
The idea behind the cold opens in general is to tease the main topic in a fun way, and I think I was good and did that for about three episodes. I don't remember when or why but they quickly became "What's a quick joke I could do?" Frequently, like with this week, they do end up being small parts from episode ideas I ended up trashing.
The closing bits are kind of the same, except that first I try to think if there's any fun unfinished business from the main episode. Like with that Twisted Metal episode, it was clear to me I should do a bit with those bog witches. There was also that Spider-Man review, and the follow-up on the PlayStation 5 box, it feels like the closing bit is a good opportunity to talk to a smaller, more-dedicated part of the audience who already knows my whole deal. And then yeah if I don't have anything natural I'll dig into more rejected ideas for an episode.

That's it for today. Next week's episode will be the finale of Season 4. I'd like for it to have finale vibes, but you know, you don't want to force it at the expense of making a video that makes sense. One thing to look out for: I think next week I'm going to try to come up with Delayed Input's first ever good joke.