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2015 UPDATE
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- Published on Jan 17, 2026
- Find out what's going on with Shippiddge!
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0:09 - Thanks For Subscribing
0:34 - Starter Squad
1:34 - Twitter
1:54 - MAGFest
2:14 - Smashtasm
3:37 - Other Works
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Smashtasm - Episode 6 Plot:
i.imgur.com/EL6...
Smashtasm - Episode 7 Plot:
i.imgur.com/DuZ...
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Music by Shawn Smith:
rocketdogshawn....
Shipp's RUclips:
/ shippiddge
Shipp's Twitter:
shippiddge
Shipp's Alt Channel:
/ shippiddgealt
Shipp's College Work:
/ piercehuntershipp
Group 5:
/ group5show
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Here's why I'm not doing Smashtasm anymore:
“If you've already written the ending, just make it!” I've tried to write the script for Episode 6 for years. And every time I do, the dialogue comes out forced, unfunny, and lackluster. I've seriously gone back to it multiple times, and come up empty. When you lose passion for a project, it really shows. I really wish that I had gotten around to doing it when my heart was in it, but that spark is just straight up gone.
A lot of people tell me I should make a half-assed ending, and wrap everything up “real quick”. But I would rather not make something at all than something really crappy. I would much rather Episode 6 be my “Half Life 3” than my “Duke Nukem Forever”. If I were to finish the series, I would have to dedicate real time and effort into doing so, and I'm not willing to do that.
Making Smashtasm: Episode 5 was an absolute chore. After putting it off for two years, it took me three months to actually make it, and the process was painstaking because of how little I enjoyed doing it. As soon as I submitted it to Machinima, it was rejected for being “Not of brand interest” and I had to upload it to my channel. Compared to my other work, it's doing very poorly. It has a fraction of the views any other video would get, and an audience retention rate of 39%, meaning that over half of the people that watch it get bored of doing so after the first minute. I don't want to make something people aren't going to watch.
If we're being honest here, the plot of Smashtasm is really bad. It has a lot of holes, and as a concept it is really improbable, requiring a lot of suspension of disbelief. I made it up when I was fourteen. Seriously. It's about Mario, but he's not actually Mario, just a guy playing as him, in a hypothetical scenario in which Smash Bros was a server-based MMO with voice chat which is apparently first person and you can be knocked out and kidnapped in it. It's really hard for people to “get it” if they're not completely immersed in it, and that is really annoying. I could never show it to anyone because introducing the concept was so difficult.
A huge complaint I get from new viewers is “their mouths don't move.” Machinima is essentially lazy animation. And because of that, it's not digestible for the general public. I really want to work with something people can understand right away, like regular animation. Doing machinima does not improve the skills that I want to be building right now.
I haven't contacted some of the voice actors in years. I honestly don't expect them to voice for me if I approach them out of the blue with the script for the new episode. 
Film & Animation
![Finesse2Tymes - Discernment [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YTDfOe_6Xtw/mqdefault.jpg)
"i'm making the fifth episode right now, it's the longest one i've ever made."
little did he know...
Of what
@LuE61984 idk, i think he says it in the video, i don't remember.
Of starter squad
Ep 10 is 38 minuets
You people are amazing.
I know I am, thanks for noticing
:()
Thanks
I've been using Autodesk Maya too. It's very in-depth and takes a lot of time to get used to but I've been learning a lot from it. Shippiddge
nonono, YOURE amazing.
R.I.P. Nick Dante
You cast me as that Meta Knight dude from Smashtasm Episode 2.
That was fun.
Glad to see you're still keeping busy.
+ChaseFaceShow That meta knight was one of my favourites characters of Smashtasm... aww the feels
There was a cast photo? Oh, okay, no-that's fine! ...It's whatever.
Hey, you chose to exist in not-California.
Shippiddge choosing to exist in not-California is a poor decision imo
for the record i just want to say i miss you matt.
Matt, I just want to say you are an awesome person, and Im still waiting for more counting with lamp.. :P. But actually, you voiced the best fictional character ever. Just saying
Matt Vargas Where's Life of Shy-Guy?!
I'm trying to just listen to this update and imagining Charmander speaking.
4:02
gotta love how you sounded like you didn't wanna voice in it
Good to hear from you again, Shippiddge! Keep on doing whatever makes you happy :)
It's you!
Hi ris
im sub to you
i know you
Oh hey man I sub to you too!
Starter Squad is an AMAZING SERIES and is the reason why I am here. Please continue them until Charmander (and the rest of his gang) become POKEMON LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! :D
and they evolve
Same here, couldn't say it better.
Same but maybe they go to maybe hoenn -kalos and they will mega evolve and red comes back and has mew but dies again
That Smashtasm animation looks awesome, you win the internet.
We need some animations that feature Lamp. :D
Dude, starter squad is reaaaaaally good, you can be proud of it
I can't wait until episode 5 of starter squad is uploaded!
Just want you to know that your hard work on these are appreciated!
More episodes of Starter Squad please recommend
Omfg thank you so much for making more of the pokemon episodes 😭😭😭😭 staying here forever
Starter Squad is an amazing show. Thank you for creating it :D
Been subscribed for 6 years and glad I never left. You're gonna continue to do some great stuff.
started with smashtasm. I was a kid at the time. Starter squad appeals to me more now as an adult.
It has been great to see how the channel develope
Lol I really manage to pause at the smashtasm plot
I'm just happy that there is closure for Smashtasm.
i would love more and i would love it wven more if these would come out weekly. They make my day everytime i see them and i adore the voice actors they fit the parts perfectly. i hope to see more soon!
I know you don't want to do Smashtasm, But lamp was actually a joy to hear again
Matt and I are workshopping making Lamp his own character and not just a Samus recolor:
i.imgur.com/hIYX9wo.png
Shippiddge So will you be giving each character an individual redesign?
***** It's just an empty pa-
Ah!...
Shippiddge
As much as I enjoy the design of Lamp, I feel that the effectiveness of Lamp came from the fact that his was character had a serious look i.e. Samus, so no one would expect the random personality mind set. So that now Lamp has a ridiculous character design, we're kinda going to expect that he's the nonsensical character since he has a... Lamp Shade on his head.
Vin Nguyen Shippiddge I totally agree with Vin on this one
I cant wait for the next starter squad
Man, Lamp deserves his own channel and series With the samus design.
Such a good character
I'm glad to hear you like making starter squad :)
I need more Lamp in my life.
Starter squad actually was the reason I subscribed! You read my mind.
Holy crap what a blast from the past! I find Starter Squad, just to find out its made by the guy who introduced me to Machinimas all those years back with Smashtasm! AND NOW A FACE REVEAL? I'm on a hell of a nostalgia trip right now and loving it.
Shipp, I have been a fan since 2007 all the way back when smashtasm first came along and I just recently came back to your channel because I remembered the character lamp during a conversation with my friend, and we started referencing a bunch of lines from smash. Anyway, I just wanted to say you were a huge part of my childhood, because I loved your machinima so much, and I have just started looking at your more recent work, and I absolutely love it, so Im gonna go follow you on twitter so I can keep up with what you make. As someone who is about to start college in a few months, I completely understand the workload you must be going through and how crazy it must be to pump out animation as good as you do. So I just wanted to say thank you for keeping on. I know it must be very difficult at times, and you deserve way more subscribers than you currently have, but I'm happy to see the passion in what you do. As a long time fan, I just wanted to say that we are thankful for what you do, and thank you for the update. I am very much looking forward to your future content. And seeing lamp again in this video was so awesome and hilarious, just bringing back the character in any way shape or form would be awesome. You created a truly remarkable character working with Matt. Anyway, glad to hear from you. Hope you are doing well.
Wishing you all the best,
A long time fan
don't worry take your time making those starter squads videos
I thank you for telling us about Smashtasm, I've been following that since the very beginning
For some reason that voice for hitmonchan seems 100% how i think he would sound, Lol can't wait for the next one!
i had idea for starter squad...
the three original starters meet gen 2 starters...
I think everyone loves the characters of Smashtasm. It's sad to see it go, but I'm excited to see how Smashtasm is going to look in its next iteration!
Smashtasm was fun while it lasted. Can't wait for the new stuff!
Oh so you're voicing Jeffrey in Group 5! I thought I recognized it
8 years later now you have 1 million
I can't wait for starter squad episode 5 ^-^ Also Congrats on 100,000 subscribers you earned it!
Hearing Lamp again after such a long time makes me so happy. :D
Thanks for finally rising from your grave! ;)
I want to be in EP.5 if I'm in Starter Squad
Well, at least mewZERO wasn't forgotten in the story... Sad to see one of my last remaining voice roles go, but it was a fun run, nonetheless. Good luck in your future endeavors, Shipp!
you're right. im here for the starter squad. i love it. please sir make more!
Thanks for the update Shipp! I never thought to look on twitter for you but now that I know I'm following! I am sad to see that Smashtasm isn't happening anymore. But that video with storefront Lamp had me on the floor! I can't wait to watch all you produce keep going strong!
Somehow I should have known Smashtasm wasn't happening. Oh well.
It's great to see you back, Shipp. I was a fan for a really long time, and I've checked up on you periodically, and was really surprised to see you're still going. Subscribed!
Good for you on moving on man. It takes a lot to cancel a series, and you even provided closure with the script which was awesome. Good luck with your future works and college!
It's better to do something you love rather than do something you hate.
Starter Squad 5 is Coming Soon
Shipp this is exactly what I wanted. As a long time subscriber ( man 3 years!) I enjoy this update. I cant wait for you to "re-purpose" the Smashtasm characters .
I just found your channel. I love your vids man! Keep up the good work!
Starter Squad is excellent! It has a really good blend of humor and parody, and the animations are great! Keep it up. :)
Keep up starter squad... I LOVE IT SO MUCH!
I love the creativity and it really is very inspiring!
It's sad knowing that Smashtasm is gone since I was a fan since the first episode but I completely understand where you're coming from and honestly, I'm glad you're moving on to new things that you enjoy instead of pushing yourself to do something you hate. Keep on doing what you love to do.
Omg cant wait for episode 5 of starter squad xD
this channel is awesome! keep it up!
im waiting on the next starter squad episodes! :D
I am dying inside. RIP smashtasm 2007-2012
Thank you for giving us a reason for not continuing Smashtasm. It feels good to finally have closure after it first started back in 2008. I really enjoy the work you do now and I wish you the best of luck. I do hope you keep some of the voice actors around though, like Matt Vargas or AwildAbra
To be perfectly honest Smashtasm was one of the only reasons I subscribed to you.
damn, it really sucks that smashtasm isnt getting anymore vids ;( but whatever just keep doing what you enjoy!
It's good to get some closure on Smashtasm. I enjoyed it while it lasted and reading the ending brought back memories of all the Smash machinima that was popular back then. Regardless, thanks for the awesome videos you make. Starter Squad is always worth the wait.
Shippiddge You look like JoshJepson
take all the time you need on the starter squad!!!! we really love it but it will always be better as long as you enjoy making it...
Hooray!! I can't wait too see the next Starter Squad..
I wait with bated breath.
Please make more Starter Squad videos, and I hope that you get the extra help that you need! Really looking forward to the next vid! ;)
Hey, I just want to say that I absolutely love Starter Squad, the humour is perfect and I like how you gave each pokemon such a strong yet simple personality. I know it takes a while to make them but I would love to see more as they are just so damn great. Keep up the good work and thanks for supplying me with entertainment!
Who would you quit smashtasm if it's being continued
love starter squad
:0:0
Love ya Shipp! Been following you since Sonic Logic, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
It's always been your dedication to the viewers that kept me coming back to watch your videos and short films.
Keep on keepin' on brother.
Thanks for starter squad ep 5 😄
I really miss Smashtasm, but if you don't enjoy making machinimas in brawl anymore I completely understand. I do like the idea of using the characters in other animations though! I just need to have more Lamp in my life!
We'll, nice to know that smashtasm wasn't dead. Can't wait for your future content.
the cancellation of Smashtasm is disappointing, but when compared to Starter Squad...
I think we're better off.
thats like my favorite group 5 moment xD
I would spend money to fund starter squad
Hey look he 1+ my comment if your reading this. I gotta tell you me and my friends love your content !
your videos are funny and every time i see starter squads videos i feel like playing pokemon red or blue
I subscribed after Episode 1, I loved Smashtasm and when you collabed with Dex and Kyle, I loved that! Ahhh i miss those.
I'm really sad to see Smashtasm go, but i was kind of expecting it. But are you considering animating Smashtasm ep 6 in SFM?
Also, really excited for Starter Squad and anything else coming up in 2015!
Man, I actually did meet you at MAGFest - that's nuts! I sat next to you before the SleepyPanel and only realized afterwards that you were Shippiddge (saw the shirt beneath your blazer heh). I felt like a dunce, had no clue who my line neighbor was until I put two and two together.
Hope your studies are going well and your passion for these projects stays flamed, they're getting better and better! Good vibes and stuff are what I'm sending! Stay neat :D
You know, this whole thing with Smashtasm Season 2 and it's development cycle is really a sad story. I mean sure the storyline is a bit strange, but if you can use a little imagination, you can come to find a little enjoyment out of it. I read the outlines for the last two episodes, and I feel that would definately be the best way to end the series, and even though I would like to see this brought to life as episodes, I can totally see why you'd want to stop all together. Hell, I would get pretty sick of working on a show when I only get one episode done each year. Bottom line, I don't blame you for dropping the show. I just wish we got to see the end.
Can't wait for Starter Squad, I'll wait as long as I have too. (As long as your going to make it)
Starter Squad is my second love
I love it how I was randomly decided to watch Smashtasm again a few days ago while wondering what happened to you, and it's good to know your continuing to work on making the Starter Squad. On behalf of the internet, we all miss your work.
I love it how you believe it's good to know that. Thanks, you.
I loved Started Squad! Please do more episodes fast! :D
RIP SMASHTASM JANUARY 14th 2007 - JANUARY 11TH 2015. In all honesty it feels strange to see Smashtasm end. I remember I started watching Smashtasm back when I was a wee dumb ass 8 year old. I saw it grow and even when I was like 12 I thought the shows humor was starting to get a bit mixed. Now I'm in my 2nd year of high school and it seems to me that it's perfectly okay to see that Smashtasm is now over. I look forward to your future work Ship. In some strange way Smashtasm was part of my childhood. I guess that's the day and age we live in today. When a 15 year old can look back at some old RUclips videos and get nostalgia over it. Until your next video Ship. I'll be looking forward to whatever you put out next. - A long time fan.
You go bro! you got yourself a fan right here! Will definitely support your cause
Thanks for being honest about Smashtasm. It was a real favorite of mine but I'm more happy that you are doing something you enjoy. Plus Starter Squad is really good too!
Best of luck to ya. :)
I've been watching your channel since I was obsessed with Melee back in junior high, and Smashtasm (the Melee arc moreso than Brawl) is my favourite machinima of all time. *But* you know what? I'm not even mad! You have a very valid reason for scrapping it, and I like your current works too, anyway. Looking forward to more Shipp-y things!
Smashtasm was peak 😔
whoo more starter squad! i just wanted to say i love that series its awesome and im in college too as a full time student so i know how you feel seriously tho keep up the good work your videos are awesome!
Nice to hear about what happened to Smashtasm. I can definitely understand the part about it being limiting. Once you work with animating actual models it just seems like a step back.
Love what you do man, I actually began following you awhile ago thanks to beans trailer. That was funny as all hell XD keep it up, especially looking forward to the future of starter squad.
I'd just like to say thank you for making Smashtasm. I have memories of watching Season 2 and playing SSBB with my best friend in seventh grade. I'm going to go read the ending and see what would have happened. Thanks again. RIP Super64, 1337f0x, Lamp, and the others.
I would pay for a kickstarter on the series. :)
Me and my lil bro love your Squad shows. I support your work
I would LOVEEEE to support you on Patreon so we can get these episodes done faster. They are freaking amazing.
*heart shatter's into a million pieces* n-no more Smash tasm *fades away*
xD "am going to punch you in the face now" that hitmonchan
Where is my starter squad episode ? I'm in need of stuppid bulbasaur and duch bag charmander.
Dude plz more starter squade
Even if you don't want to make a smashtasm MACHINIMA, I still think doing some kind of 2D/3D animation would be awesome! Well, good luck with starter squad, and it's nice to see you posting! :)