Three Years of Bloodshot Eyes

It has been a little over three years since I launched the site Bloodshot Eyes gaming website and it has been a journey in its own.

When I started the site I had people excited about the idea of a site where we could post updates and tips about the games we were playing and how we could help others get the most from their favorite games. Tips and tricks mostly along with the standard reviews. It really all stemmed from by Tech Blog that has been rather positive for me and I have received a good feedback from the post I have made there. So it seemed obvious to make the same thing only for gaming.

What I didn't realize at the time was that my tech blog's "success" was developed over time and the posts I have made where made only occasionally when I had experienced the issue myself and no other site existed with a easy solution. This is what my tech blog did. Defined the problem and provide the tested solution.

When it came to doing the same this for gaming, a few things were realized and it was hard thing to get going. I found that when I was playing games and had any issues, I wasn't concerned about documenting the solution, I just wanted to get back to gaming. And that was another thing. Due to work commitments, finding to time play game was often limited to weekends and I wasn't thinking about blogging.

Since then I have turned Bloodshot Eyes into a site where it was all about gaming. Not focused on tips, but news and other gaming topics that took my interested. My vision for the site becoming a community I have realized would need a lot of full-time commitment which I don't have the time for. Doing Twitch streaming under the brand would require a schedule if I was to be able to gain any viewers is something I can't commit to.

So what's the purpose?

I love gaming. I love discussing it and I love sharing. So that is what I will continue to do no matter how little the audience may be. I will continue to make posts about the industry and the products we are getting out of it and what we hope to see in the future.

Gaming is bigger than what a lot of people see it as and I would like to be apart of it. And this is it. My site. Bloodshot Eyes. And as it grows, I hope that my friends continue to find an interest to help contribute to its growth.

Early Access Games aren't helping anyone

During the 90s of PC gaming, we used to buy Magazines to get the demo discs to try the games that were coming our way or even try games that were already released. Demos then were a sample of the game the game to a certain point. Some times it was just a level, sometimes it was almost a full game. I remember playing some demos as it was enough enjoyment without buying the full game.

Other ways to get your hands on games before their release was to get involved in the beta testing. This used to be a stage of the development process that was used to iron out some of the last bugs of the game, but it was more or less feature completed. However this beta stage has today become a part of the sale of the game.

Steam Early Access is a method for gamers to buy a game that is not considered release but allows them to get to play the game understanding that there are still bugs and it is still being developed. But should gamers be buying software that is still under development?

There are arguments that this provides the additional financial support for developers to continue working on the game to make it to point to finish and publish the game. Also it can be said Early Access could benefit the gamers. If they make the initial investment, they might be able get discounts or even get the end product for free.

But what we are seeing is that Early Access has become grounds for poor quality games and often projects that never come to light. According to a GamesIndurstry report, only 25% of Early Access games make it to release. Developers start Early Access projects, take the money and run as seemed to be the case for the developers of the game Towns. Essentially ripping off the gamers.

DayZ is another example of a Early Access game that people have endorsed, however has for a long time shown signs that it will never leave the "In Development" category. The DayZ Standalone game was supposed to the evolution of the popular mod to ARMA II. It made over $5 million on its first day when released on Steam Early Access. 

In recent months, DayZ has seen a decline in players. This is worrying trend for the game as those in the community are no longer defending the excuse that it is Early Access. Development of the game has not shown much evidence that the core issues with the game being resolved, and only trivial additions to the game are being made (i.e. Character Clothing).

So for games like where DayZ had a huge following, lots of hype before release and then a faithful community after release who paid real money to have the early access to give developers a good amount of money to support continued development of the game, where are we today? Not far from when it was released.

There are other stories to suggest that Early Access isn't what it seems. YouTuber Jim Stearling has experienced much of the worst of these developers due to his critical reviews of some of the games that have made it to Early Access. I have provided a link to the video he did regarding the awful behavior of one Early Access developer who demonstrated a clear example of what the Early Access store has become.

It is becoming a big thing for gaming reviewers to beg their viewers to not buy from Early Access. And for good reason. With bad quality games, unprofessional developers and games not continuing to completion, is it really worth your money now? No it really isn't. While there might be some legitimate games being developed with honest developers that could use the financial assistance, Early Access is the wrong way to go about this. Save your money and promote completed and published games worth your money.

Twitch: Subscribing to Streamers

I have been watching Twitch Streams since the site started and have been a big fan of the site and what it accomplishes by bring people together through community and common interests.

Most of these streamers have made the site their job by earning money from their time streaming their game play which is pretty decent achievement. Though there are many ways to provide money and support to streamers, the main one is through a subscription.

Twitch.tv Follow and Subscribe Buttons

By Subscribing to a streamer, you will be paying them the designated amount (often is US$4.99) every month you are a subscriber. But what do you get from being a subscriber?

• The warm, fuzzy feeling
  That little feeling that you're helping someone make this their work. While this doesn't seem like much, it is much of the most you will actually get from subing.
• Some special icons
  Most streamers offer extra emoicons to use in their chat. If you are apart of the chat often, this might be a bonus for you to stand out from those filthy casuals.
• Playing with the streamer
  Some streamer will offer the changes for those who subscribe to them to actually join them in their game and therefore their stream. This is mostly for multiplayer games which you might get a kick out of. However note that this isn't guarenteed, more of just a luck of the draw.
• Addition interaction with the streamer
  Some streamers will offer special stream sessions or priority sessions for their streamers only.
• And more...

It is up to the streamers themselves what they offer to their Subscribers and whether it is really worth you hard earnt money every month.

Take time to decide who you want to subscribe to as subscribing to a lot of streamers could soon start costing you a lot of money each month. One subscription is only for one streamer. Each additional subscription you start is another additional charge to you each month.

You can cancel your subscription at anytime however there are no refunds. If you cancel your subscription during the month, then it just means you won't be resubscribing at the end of the month and you are simply canceling it and losing your subscription benefits.

For some, subscribing and supporting your favourite streamer is a very rewarding experience and for others it can be a big waste of money. Make sure that your favourites provide good rewards for subing, and that they continue your recognition of your payments and support.