It's so refreshing to witness an ARG creator doing commentary. Your perspective is needed in this field. And you demonstrated that it's possible to do this with passion and empathy for creators and their projects while not entirely destroying any reason for the viewer to go check out the project itself. The artistic touches, as usual, were also lovely. I may be biased, but this was so expertly done.
you might want to check out brutalmoose if you're interested in that sort of thing! he often has videos about older vhs tapes and mostly focuses on the commercials when he can (not to be like "you should watch this guy instead of jeffiot" but I think have similar energies)
This felt like such a genuine love letter to the ARG genre. Enough explanation about what is going on in each project, no full and throughout analytical deep dive. Just "hey so you know, this exists, this is what it is about and now please go and explore and experience it yourself". You outdid yourself with the presentation of this one jeff, I really loved it ( I know I said this on Discord but lets give the Algorithm Overlords their engagement stats)
@YoYo-zo2kz hey I see you replying to various comments arguing on semantics and definitions of "what is an ARG". Firstly, seeing how two out of three projects in this video has fictional characters interacting with the audience (you should know which ones, seeing how knowledgeable you seem to be about these 3 projects) I'd say they classify as ARGs, according to the definition of "character interaction needed to bring story forward" (no buddy, you're not the only one to have watched that one NightMind video). But secondly, and more importantly, I'd advice you to leave the semantics behind. With all the positivity of this comment section, you stick out. It's strange that your takeaway isn't to be excited about these projects, but rather to act annoyed and bothered on account of some misguided sense of righteousness over a perceived sense of knowing more than others. Especially seeing how important it seems to be for you that others perceive you as caring about this field. Do better, support , create something, suck it up.
I mean, interactive concurrent “real” fiction... post modern theatre meets the Max Headroom incident .... unfiction, whatever you wanna call it. ARG is the catch all term that’s stuck. Why lose sleep over it? Great video. I will follow you and these projects. Namaste
We should make/sponsor an entire video dedicated to projects we made and loved that didn't succeed. "One of my patrons named Bobby entered a marathon but fell down. My patron Sasha wrote a poem that didn't win a competition...."
@@TeamClusterTruckoof, that hurts my heart as a fellow musician and music writer. I’m sure your album was wonderful. It’s so hard to get noticed unless you know the right people, even if you have that “star” quality. ❤
I just realized that project 2 focusing on the ads is because you’d usually skip those when watching the tape so they’d be less damaged. (I mean, that’d be more true if someone didn’t break out the scissors.
What always sets your content apart for me and what makes you such a unique creator in my view is the depth of understanding and emphatic, heartfelt love and passion you feel as an artist; not only for the work that you put out, but the razor sharp insight and contagious wonder you express for the creations of others. It's so beautiful to see you so eager, so hungry to pay forward the small following that you have, to hopefully collectively signal boost such incredible creative projects. What a noble, and in my hopes magnetically karmic, endeavor of an enormously gifted and generous visionary soul. Well done, and as always, words fall short of expressing how much your content resonates with those of us in your audience and how moving your work truly is.
Just want to say how touching it is that you took the time to make this video to shout out other creators, as I’m sure you would’ve loved people do your ARG projects (Hell, myself and another SCP author created a podcast to do just that for mostly the same reason) Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time (as I never find them myself and appreciate when channels do this sorta recommend), and I’ll definitely check out these projects
Thank you! You're an scp author? Have you written any of the "official" entries? (I'm a bit unsure exactly of how the process of submitting SCPs work, so unsure about the terminology)
@@jeffiot I am! I’ve got over 80 pages on the wiki and recently breached the top 50 of all time highest rated authors :) And yeah, we call ourselves authors. Tbh anything can go on the wiki, just has to survive the rating process (which can be brutal sometimes)
@@jeffiot so, I’ve got an even split pretty much between prose tales and SCP mainlist entries I tried to give you a link but it seems to have been vanished, so if you go to the community tab on the top bar you can see all the author pages and it’s there (if you’re curious) and I even made a sad one (5923) 😇
I had vaguely looked into Under the Surface at a past point and then had health/life issues (story of my life) and never got back around to it. Definitely putting it on the list to get back around to again soon. I love this type of story telling in general-- found objects or people's journals that were never meant to tell a "full" story, but tell one anyway. It's also really interesting to see something that's NOT horror because if I ever were to try to set up my own unfiction story, I don't think horror would be what I would choose, either. I think there's something extra beautiful in these stories in knowing that they are, at their hearts, ephemeral as well. Whether it's because you had to be present while the ARG was happening to interact with it, or whether it's because the story is on multiple accounts on platforms that can rise and fall and *vanish* over time (can you imagine if a music-based ARG had been on early MySpace?) there's just something extra compelling about finding out about these stories and interacting with them in whatever way the story allows for while you can.
Please never apologize for being emotional about a passion. It's the most beautiful thing someone can expres. I was casually embroidering while watching this video as usual, but the way you read out the Axel loveletter to Stockholm immediately made me put down my project and go check out Under the Surface. Because you made me realize these are HUMANS coming up with emotional stories and they deserve my full attention.
Bro, I have been WAITING for a creator to do something like this! All the big names in the “online horror commentary” community have become so-called authorities in all things ARG/analog horror/digital interactive horror series - despite their never having shown any real basis for their analysis or claims of “expertise”. I gotta say, since the whole MONETIZATION thing became a, well, *thing* - it irks me to know that there are people who are making big 💰 covering (or more recently; bashing) the original creations of independent artists. Power to you 🖤
Looking at underrated ARGs is one of my favorite parts of the genre, reminds me of when I was a (very gullible) kid and the internet had more of a sense of mystery around it.
Im a proud casual arg fan, I think ive never checked an arg or analog horror out myself, I dont have brains to solve convoluted puzzles so I listen to others do it.
I enjoyed the video a lot and the ending really resonated with me as someone whos put a long term project out there that didnt recieve interest. ive ended up following a few projects thanks to your videos, thank you for making a real effort to get people to check things out beyond the usual "you should go watch this" after a video fully exlpaining a project.
I've been binging your videos for the past weekend or so, and this video really hit me. I think it pushed me to really make the art I want to make. I'm a teenager, and a visual artist, and I've always wanted to explore surrealist art but for fear of not finding an audience I've held back. I've also been interested in args since I found out about marble hornets in 2019. I think I'm going to make a surrealist arg now because of this video. Thanks Jeff. (As a side note, I really love the way your accent and vocal tone hold emotion, its just so easy to understand and so genuine.)
The passion you have about any and all creative endeavours just bleeds out of every video you put out. It's obvious that you simply love creativity and I gotta be honest, it's starting to get to me. I've spent most of my life feeling like I wanted to create something but never really knowing how or what I wanted to create, but I think I'm starting to get an idea. Thanks, man.
Damn you, Jeff! You're always making me cry. Loved this video. Thank you for introducing me to the world of ARGs! I can't wait to check these out! Also: "Go make something." I needed to hear that today. Thank you again.
as an unfiction maker that is working on their second project, i have to say you are eternally goated and an inspiration. this video was a beautiful love letter to the genre
You did your job, you sold me on Monsters from Planet Monsterous and getting me to go check it out myself. I always consider that a big win whenever someone covering ARGs or unfiction gets me to stop watching their recap and go watch the original content, bc not every project really _hits_ that spot for me. But anything you can describe like "when I say it goes deep, I mean it goes DEEP" is an instant watch for me
"I have actually solved the dualist grid, or at least I think I have. This took me about seven days. The process is similar to the game of sudoku, but not quite" hell yeah this is my JAM
actually criminal how underrated the channel is. just waiting for you to blow up at this point with every banger you put out. on par with jacob gellers passion with an awesome unique perspective and presentation. love it dude, keep em coming
You get so much love in the comments and I want to add one thing to that that might not have been said. But I'm so appreciative of the way you pronounce imgur. I've never liked or been on board with "imager" and in the logic of modern conventions for stupid names for platforms, that would end up as "imagr" but there's a 'u' in there - so it has to be "ger" with a hard 'g'. So it's very satisfying when I heard you pronounce it sensibly.
The section of the video where you talked about creators putting effort into work only to be met with silence really touched me. As young shouter in silence I really needed to hear that, thank you
I love 10 Tapes, it's one of my favorite ARGs. I found this youtube channel while binge-watching SAW content. This is the last place I expected to discover the SAW ratings video is done by the same guy who made that amazing ARG, but sure, we'll drop that bomb casually. For no reason. God I love this channel.
Watching you express your passion, learning from you. Your passion for puzzle-solving and chasing down the clues really echoes my own. It gives me a boost to start again my own story. Thank you.
I appreciate this content so much. I am so facinated in "lesser known" content on RUclips but YT has the most challenging algorithm/search results to find certain content. Unless you know exactly what you are looking for, It annoyingly suggests us very bland repetitive videos. So i really appreciate your high quality content man 🤘🏻
thank you for bringing these projects to more eyes!! each of them look incredible and i'm looking forward to checking them out. (you also did good, i promise)
I found you without knowing you did any args, but also knowing and severely enjoying 10 tapes. I believe this is what they call a coinky dink in the business
hey thanks for being really sweet about "no, it IS worth it when you create things" ive been struggling a lot with thinking my baby attempts at art are worth anything bc nobody ever notices or cares and i Did need to hear that so thank you wishing all the luck and attention to these creators
How do you have such few subscribers? And how do these ARG's have such few people following them??? Both are incredibly flabbergasting. Thank you for sharing this, and for that heartfelt message at the end.
Great job on the video Jeffiot. I'm glad you're doing this kind of video, to let people know about ARGs that people either haven't heard of before or aren't getting as much attention as they probably should. Also, from what I remember, I'd heard of the ARG about Axel Lunden. The other two, though, I hadn't heard about before.
You can’t shame me I’m stupid and a weenie. I like having someone deep dive and explain to me cause A. It makes me feel like I’m not alone in absolute solitude getting scared and paranoid. B. I’m not smart. The likely hood of me breaking these codes or figuring out secrets or lore is 0 to none. Having someone that has that knowledge explain it keeps me invested in the project because then I’m not just looking at it black and white and getting bored or confused and losing interest and I get to enjoy this media and likely buy merch or support the Patreon of the creator and share these with my friends
Damn... 😔 that ending hit me hard lol. I'm also a filmmaker and I too have an ARG series that I created (it's on a different channel) and I also got no views. Due to the lack of audience interaction, I had to completely scrap all the originally planned ARG aspects that I had wanted to put into the project. 😕 So, I suppose my series isn't even technically an ARG and is really an Unfiction series, actually. I knew it'd be a waste to try doing any of the planned audience interaction, without an audience, even a small one. I mean, audience interaction is the entire point of the "Game" part of AR"G." An ARG lacking an audience is pointless because an ARG without an audience can't function. It's similar to how a board game cannot work without a minimum of 2 people. Our videos only ever made it to around 100 or 200 views per video, max, and the only interaction in the comments came soley from friends and family. They were also the majority of our views. Our later episodes got under 100 views and my best friend, who was heavily involved in the series' creative direction with me. We both put a lot of effort and passion into our project, but we also both got disillusioned with the series. We made 10 episodes for season 1, with 1 episode being split into 2 parts, plus our channel trailer equals 12 videos on our channel in total. We left season 1 on a cliffhanger and we had already filmed 4 more episodes for season 2. I edited 2 of them and was waiting for my best friend to score the 2 episodes because she wrote and made all the music in our project while I did all the video editing. She never finished the music and I debated just publishing the other 2 nearly finished episodes, but I didn't, our project has been abandoned ever since. 😮💨 I desperately want to do seaaon 2 and at least wrap up the storyline in 10 more episodes because there's a lot of unexplained mysteries and loose plot threads that were all going to be answered/addressed in season 2. Our project isn't just a straight horror Unfiction series either. Our series is actually a horror comedy, with a tone similar to Shaun of the Dead or Dale and Tucker vs Evil. Our series was uploaded mostly in 2017, and it's a loving spoof/parody/deconstruction of ARGs/Unfiction series made between 2010-2017. We mostly focusing on Marble Hornets and EverymanHybrid, but there are definitely other influences like Alan Resnick/Wham Comedy, and many more. There's a reason in universe in the story of our series with our characters being aware, to an extent, that we're in an ARG but we are nonchalant about the circumstances and deconstruct many tropes, themes, and clichés that were present in ARGs at the time. We even have a subversion with slenderman appearing and actually not being the "villain" or entity thats causing our characters to be self aware about being in an ARG. We never got to the reveal of who's behind everything or why we both became self aware that we're characters in an ARG, at the same time, towards the end of the very 1st episode. I've actually been seriously debating about turning season 2 into a spoof of analog horror ARGs/Unfiction series and finishing out the storyline in the analog horror style, while also deconstructing tropes/clichés/themes for analog horror the same way we did for the slenderman ARGs and other popular ARGs from 2010-2017 in season 1. If you've read this novel, thank you for your time and I apologize for how long it is. I just had to leave a comment after I identified so much with the last section of this video and with how it hit me like a truck, I had to share my extremely similar story, even if I'm just figuratively shouting into a void, then that's okay. It just sucks when you're passionate about a creative project that ends up going nowhere. I thought that my inventive ideas that I'd never seen anyone else do anything like before for a RUclips ARG/ Unfiction series, with the new take on the genre of ARGs/Unfiction series, with the comedy aspect, along with some yet unrevealed story beats/lore, would be interesting enough to find even a small niche audience. Maybe it's my fault for not self promoting it on reddit or in other places online. Self promoting my project just felt too scummy to me. Maybe it would've changed the discouraging feeling I get whenever I think about my series because I'm confident enough in my series being a decent Unfiction series. It's no masterpiece of course, but I know it has value and it's entertaining and funny with good jokes and it's even scary sometimes. I know that my series doesn't suck and it's disheartening. I haven't worked on much creatively since giving up on my project that's in perpetual hiatus... it's just upsetting and frustrating. I'm very glad to have found this channel. You definitely deserve way more recognition and a bigger audience lol. Okay, idk how to end this novel so I'll say thank you and I'm gonna go try not to cry lol. 🥲
pls keep making this series! Not that getting views legitimizes the great work you're doing, but I think you will blow up eventually. You're one of the best small creators I've seen
I'm not too well versed in ARGs, but I love your coverage of these three and your push for creativity near the end. PS- I had intended to mention in my last comment that the trumpet bit at the end really pulls at my heart as it sounds very, very much like Mah's Joint by Jon Bellion (do NOT listen to this song if you're currently in too much pain from losing a loved one, or watching a loved one deteriorate- the song is about a son watching his mother be a mother to her mom, ending with a funeral and celebration).
I'm ashamed I don't watch ARG's by myself and decode the puzzles and such, but I just can't watch them alone, and yes I could ask someone to be by my side to watch with me, but I pause every 5 seconds, sometimes go muted and make the video screen small or else I get too anxious and can't keep watching. Would be absolutely annoying lol. As much as I love horror genre and such (Wich is what mostly if not every ARG is about), I can't bring myself to watch it without someone there reacting or explaining it to me, the feelings of being watched or something coming to attack me works me up too much (Even when I watch those reaction/explanatory vids), and I really do feel ashamed for that ngl. ANYWAY, this video is really well done and I appreciate having good hidden projects highlighted for all of us to see, so thank you very much
Okay, so the ARG coverage and perspective is quite cool and I love hearing about new projects, but can I take a moment to just bask in the vibes of this video? Jeff’s got this perfect mix of humble charm and his shirt automatically cheers me up in its subtly odd/funny design. Then there’s just the quality of the editing. Seamless camera cuts, with intentionally different shot qualities, and a full set design that keeps the eyes exactly where they’re supposed to be. I’m not that big of a film nerd, but this video’s quality is awesome!
that Statement, at the end - that *Creating* is worth it, even if noone takes the time to recognize it it hit me, as an artist - Writer, Pixel, Digital, Traditional, Game Modder, and perhaps someday Game Creator and Musician, who puts time into something, and posts it to places where those who may be interested could perceive it and then to get nothing in return - Silence, from the crowd, whether they liked it or not it, hurts but, hearing the reminder that creating, is, perhaps the most important part - I can't Confirm that you yourself feel it as well, but I'm sure you do, have, and will to press on through the silence and decide that you will anyways, I, hope that whoever reads this understands - Even if I don't know what you're making, I'm certain, if you want it to be, it's something that deserves to be seen, by at least someone - And appreciated. And that if it is seen, someone, somewhere, appreciates it, even in silence. Also, to Jeff, that would have been a perfect way to end the video, but I respect choosing to add some closing words instead of leaving it on that note Let's, all keep creating. What would we have if we didn't?
Project 1; sounds terrifying, sign me up Project 2; how in the world- is that more common of a math/alphabet equation than i think it is, cause i have zero understanding how you would even begin to stumble onto the connection(s) Project 3; Are... are we sure its an arg? Its giving a "last note" type of vibe... can someone check on Axel?
i've been recommending your channel to people and the creator of The Deep Dive, a newsletter for interesting videoessays.We're gonna get you to the front page of youtube even if its the LAST thing i do YOU HEAR ME JEFF
Sometimes ARGs are too spooky for me tbh. I hate gore, sometimes I will see gore or it will be so heavily implied by horrible descriptions that I have to back out as it triggers anxiety. But love essentially everything spooky. I particularly adore This House Has People In It, The Sun Has Gone and the one whose name escapes me... About this girl who moves to a marshy town where weird shit is happening and there's something about that bog. But she stopped uploading 😔
I watched the entire Final Destination movie video asking "Where do I know this guy from?" and it wasn't until you said 10 Tapes that it clicked. Instant subscribe after that
hey jeffiot, had a thought based on your ARG definition presented here: would you be interested in talking about how audience choice can positively or negatively affect story development? there's a lot of risk in it, and what the author and the audience want out of a work can clash. you had a kind of notorious ending to 10 Tapes, where it seems like the Good Ending was right there but the audience chose the Bad Ending hoping that those involved would somehow be spared (but weren't.) i know a comic book, Dog Days of Summer, that while not an ARG had to switch from "choose your own adventure" to "author's writing the story now" because the audience just wanted the leads to get freaky and the authors likely didn't want to draw hardcore smut. i wonder if there are other ARG authors that would feel comfortable talking about how their project improved or was derailed based on the audience engagement; how there may be ARGs out there that are waiting for one of their followers to get the puzzle solved so that the next installment can be found or uploaded. Thanks, would love to hear your thoughts!
This is an interesting topic. For now I'm not sure if I can work it into a video, but maybe I'll talk about it on the second channel, so keep an eye there perhaps.
It's so refreshing to witness an ARG creator doing commentary. Your perspective is needed in this field. And you demonstrated that it's possible to do this with passion and empathy for creators and their projects while not entirely destroying any reason for the viewer to go check out the project itself. The artistic touches, as usual, were also lovely. I may be biased, but this was so expertly done.
Hell yeah eveghost! My favorite creator.
@@lucyinchat Aw, thank you!
Finding an old tape and being more interested in the commercials is such a relatable phenomenon, it's genius to make a webseries about it
you might want to check out brutalmoose if you're interested in that sort of thing! he often has videos about older vhs tapes and mostly focuses on the commercials when he can (not to be like "you should watch this guy instead of jeffiot" but I think have similar energies)
@@FreyaWarmheart I remember the old HiddenBlock days lol
@@lunondisposable5382 YES I forgot that was a thing lmao so I had to look up when I read this at first
This felt like such a genuine love letter to the ARG genre. Enough explanation about what is going on in each project, no full and throughout analytical deep dive. Just "hey so you know, this exists, this is what it is about and now please go and explore and experience it yourself".
You outdid yourself with the presentation of this one jeff, I really loved it
( I know I said this on Discord but lets give the Algorithm Overlords their engagement stats)
@YoYo-zo2kz I could try to answer this in a sensible manner.
But to be honest: You dropped your clown nose in the water while fishing with that bait.
@YoYo-zo2kz hey I see you replying to various comments arguing on semantics and definitions of "what is an ARG".
Firstly, seeing how two out of three projects in this video has fictional characters interacting with the audience (you should know which ones, seeing how knowledgeable you seem to be about these 3 projects) I'd say they classify as ARGs, according to the definition of "character interaction needed to bring story forward" (no buddy, you're not the only one to have watched that one NightMind video).
But secondly, and more importantly, I'd advice you to leave the semantics behind. With all the positivity of this comment section, you stick out. It's strange that your takeaway isn't to be excited about these projects, but rather to act annoyed and bothered on account of some misguided sense of righteousness over a perceived sense of knowing more than others. Especially seeing how important it seems to be for you that others perceive you as caring about this field.
Do better, support , create something, suck it up.
I mean, interactive concurrent “real” fiction... post modern theatre meets the Max Headroom incident .... unfiction, whatever you wanna call it. ARG is the catch all term that’s stuck. Why lose sleep over it?
Great video. I will follow you and these projects. Namaste
@@jeffiotyou sent a murder of Crows after him
We should make/sponsor an entire video dedicated to projects we made and loved that didn't succeed. "One of my patrons named Bobby entered a marathon but fell down. My patron Sasha wrote a poem that didn't win a competition...."
actually i did win the competition so...
@@sashasparroww :D
I released an hour long lofi album a few months ago. Only five people bought it: my mom, my friends, and my mom's exes.
@@TeamClusterTruck Your mom sounds awesome if her friends and even exes came out to support :)
@@TeamClusterTruckoof, that hurts my heart as a fellow musician and music writer. I’m sure your album was wonderful. It’s so hard to get noticed unless you know the right people, even if you have that “star” quality. ❤
I just realized that project 2 focusing on the ads is because you’d usually skip those when watching the tape so they’d be less damaged. (I mean, that’d be more true if someone didn’t break out the scissors.
wait YOU made ten tapes??? YOOOOO
What always sets your content apart for me and what makes you such a unique creator in my view is the depth of understanding and emphatic, heartfelt love and passion you feel as an artist; not only for the work that you put out, but the razor sharp insight and contagious wonder you express for the creations of others. It's so beautiful to see you so eager, so hungry to pay forward the small following that you have, to hopefully collectively signal boost such incredible creative projects. What a noble, and in my hopes magnetically karmic, endeavor of an enormously gifted and generous visionary soul. Well done, and as always, words fall short of expressing how much your content resonates with those of us in your audience and how moving your work truly is.
I second everything this person said. They said it better than I could.
@@eveghost why thank you 😊
WAIT A SECOND, YOU'RE THE GUY WHO MADE 10 TAPES?
I KNEW I RECOGNIZED YOU HOLY HECK!!
Feeding the algorithm here, but great job dude. Your insights in the production side of things is invaluable.
Just want to say how touching it is that you took the time to make this video to shout out other creators, as I’m sure you would’ve loved people do your ARG projects
(Hell, myself and another SCP author created a podcast to do just that for mostly the same reason)
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time (as I never find them myself and appreciate when channels do this sorta recommend), and I’ll definitely check out these projects
Thank you!
You're an scp author? Have you written any of the "official" entries? (I'm a bit unsure exactly of how the process of submitting SCPs work, so unsure about the terminology)
@@jeffiot I am! I’ve got over 80 pages on the wiki and recently breached the top 50 of all time highest rated authors :)
And yeah, we call ourselves authors. Tbh anything can go on the wiki, just has to survive the rating process (which can be brutal sometimes)
@@grigorikarpin interesting! So those are the "stories" ("tales"?) etc then? Not typical numbered entries?
@@jeffiot so, I’ve got an even split pretty much between prose tales and SCP mainlist entries
I tried to give you a link but it seems to have been vanished, so if you go to the community tab on the top bar you can see all the author pages and it’s there (if you’re curious) and I even made a sad one (5923) 😇
@@grigorikarpinyou ARE authors! I love the universe you've created. It has its flaws here and there, but the top stories are absolutely fantastic!
I had vaguely looked into Under the Surface at a past point and then had health/life issues (story of my life) and never got back around to it. Definitely putting it on the list to get back around to again soon. I love this type of story telling in general-- found objects or people's journals that were never meant to tell a "full" story, but tell one anyway. It's also really interesting to see something that's NOT horror because if I ever were to try to set up my own unfiction story, I don't think horror would be what I would choose, either.
I think there's something extra beautiful in these stories in knowing that they are, at their hearts, ephemeral as well. Whether it's because you had to be present while the ARG was happening to interact with it, or whether it's because the story is on multiple accounts on platforms that can rise and fall and *vanish* over time (can you imagine if a music-based ARG had been on early MySpace?) there's just something extra compelling about finding out about these stories and interacting with them in whatever way the story allows for while you can.
Please never apologize for being emotional about a passion. It's the most beautiful thing someone can expres. I was casually embroidering while watching this video as usual, but the way you read out the Axel loveletter to Stockholm immediately made me put down my project and go check out Under the Surface. Because you made me realize these are HUMANS coming up with emotional stories and they deserve my full attention.
Bro, I have been WAITING for a creator to do something like this! All the big names in the “online horror commentary” community have become so-called authorities in all things ARG/analog horror/digital interactive horror series - despite their never having shown any real basis for their analysis or claims of “expertise”.
I gotta say, since the whole MONETIZATION thing became a, well, *thing* - it irks me to know that there are people who are making big 💰 covering (or more recently; bashing) the original creations of independent artists.
Power to you 🖤
everyone's going so hard with the praise, I just wanted to say I love that you pronounce "Ye" right.
Great presentation of awesome entertainment that not just everybody is aware of yet!
Please please please please go on further rants about the technical side of making an arg! So interesting and inspiring for failures like my self 💖
Thanks!
Looking at underrated ARGs is one of my favorite parts of the genre, reminds me of when I was a (very gullible) kid and the internet had more of a sense of mystery around it.
Im a proud casual arg fan, I think ive never checked an arg or analog horror out myself, I dont have brains to solve convoluted puzzles so I listen to others do it.
I enjoyed the video a lot and the ending really resonated with me as someone whos put a long term project out there that didnt recieve interest. ive ended up following a few projects thanks to your videos, thank you for making a real effort to get people to check things out beyond the usual "you should go watch this" after a video fully exlpaining a project.
Damn, you broke me. I went and looked at all of these. I REALLY like ye olde vhs tapes!
The editing alone in this video is remarkable! Good work Jeff
(^-^)7
I've been binging your videos for the past weekend or so, and this video really hit me. I think it pushed me to really make the art I want to make. I'm a teenager, and a visual artist, and I've always wanted to explore surrealist art but for fear of not finding an audience I've held back. I've also been interested in args since I found out about marble hornets in 2019. I think I'm going to make a surrealist arg now because of this video. Thanks Jeff. (As a side note, I really love the way your accent and vocal tone hold emotion, its just so easy to understand and so genuine.)
Thank you, I needed to hear that today.
The passion you have about any and all creative endeavours just bleeds out of every video you put out. It's obvious that you simply love creativity and I gotta be honest, it's starting to get to me. I've spent most of my life feeling like I wanted to create something but never really knowing how or what I wanted to create, but I think I'm starting to get an idea.
Thanks, man.
Damn you, Jeff! You're always making me cry. Loved this video. Thank you for introducing me to the world of ARGs! I can't wait to check these out! Also: "Go make something." I needed to hear that today. Thank you again.
Cool vid, you made me emotional with the part before the credits, I'll check each of the proyects and I appreciate you too.
as an unfiction maker that is working on their second project, i have to say you are eternally goated and an inspiration. this video was a beautiful love letter to the genre
Another awesome video and 2 more ARGs to check out. (Ive been keeping up with Under the Surface). Would love more videos like this.
thanks! I hope to make more.
Rabbit hole succesfully dove down (monsters of monstrous)
Your empathy for these creators is beautiful.
You did your job, you sold me on Monsters from Planet Monsterous and getting me to go check it out myself. I always consider that a big win whenever someone covering ARGs or unfiction gets me to stop watching their recap and go watch the original content, bc not every project really _hits_ that spot for me. But anything you can describe like "when I say it goes deep, I mean it goes DEEP" is an instant watch for me
"I have actually solved the dualist grid, or at least I think I have. This took me about seven days. The process is similar to the game of sudoku, but not quite" hell yeah this is my JAM
actually criminal how underrated the channel is. just waiting for you to blow up at this point with every banger you put out. on par with jacob gellers passion with an awesome unique perspective and presentation. love it dude, keep em coming
Why do all of these have to be so scary. If they weren't they would be way more insteresting to me.
This video was thoughtful and inspiring. I really loved how you presented Under the Surface and I'll definitely be checking it out.
oh fuck me, I laffed big at the ten second awkward silence bit.
Great content as always, my dude
bro youre the most passionate and considerate youtube personality ive stumbled on every video so far is a tear gerker
You get so much love in the comments and I want to add one thing to that that might not have been said. But I'm so appreciative of the way you pronounce imgur.
I've never liked or been on board with "imager" and in the logic of modern conventions for stupid names for platforms, that would end up as "imagr" but there's a 'u' in there - so it has to be "ger" with a hard 'g'. So it's very satisfying when I heard you pronounce it sensibly.
Really enjoyed this video. Was fun to see different ARGs and the depth of research balanced with humor was great!
The section of the video where you talked about creators putting effort into work only to be met with silence really touched me. As young shouter in silence I really needed to hear that, thank you
This vid is fantastic wtfff thank you so much for showing these off
Never heard of ARGs before but now desperately want to check them out. Amazing video!
this videos presentation is absolutely phenomenal holy shit, keep up the amazing work
I love 10 Tapes, it's one of my favorite ARGs.
I found this youtube channel while binge-watching SAW content.
This is the last place I expected to discover the SAW ratings video is done by the same guy who made that amazing ARG, but sure, we'll drop that bomb casually. For no reason.
God I love this channel.
The residues on the inside of that mug worry me. No coffee I know leaves stuff like that. What the hell are you drinking!?
..how have i never heard of any of these?
just that excerpt from Axel Lundén about Stockholm pulls at my heart in such a strange way.
Dude, your videos are so underrated, seriously! Love your work.
Watching you express your passion, learning from you.
Your passion for puzzle-solving and chasing down the clues really echoes my own.
It gives me a boost to start again my own story.
Thank you.
Going to check these ARG's next. Pretty cool! Thanks for showing us these!!
I appreciate this content so much. I am so facinated in "lesser known" content on RUclips but YT has the most challenging algorithm/search results to find certain content. Unless you know exactly what you are looking for, It annoyingly suggests us very bland repetitive videos. So i really appreciate your high quality content man 🤘🏻
Keeping the engagement going - but the editing on this video is so well done! Excited to continue watching. Subscribed!
this is some wild shit and I'm very happy that the projects got some more (well-deserved!!) attention
thank you for bringing these projects to more eyes!! each of them look incredible and i'm looking forward to checking them out.
(you also did good, i promise)
I found you without knowing you did any args, but also knowing and severely enjoying 10 tapes. I believe this is what they call a coinky dink in the business
What a blessing to have found this amazing channel. Keep up the great work, it is such a pleasure to get to see your content. Thank you!
hey thanks for being really sweet about "no, it IS worth it when you create things" ive been struggling a lot with thinking my baby attempts at art are worth anything bc nobody ever notices or cares and i Did need to hear that so thank you
wishing all the luck and attention to these creators
Love the work you do Jeff 😄👍
Such a great presentation on ARGs. Also, I LOVE your shirt!
I'm so glad I got linked to your channel!!! So many good things!!
Holy hell I didn't even realize you're the one behind 10 tapes. That was a great ARG, good job on it!
How do you have such few subscribers? And how do these ARG's have such few people following them??? Both are incredibly flabbergasting. Thank you for sharing this, and for that heartfelt message at the end.
Hi Purlane! glad you've found my buddy Jeff :)
Behind the curtain reminds me of this...twilighty place...like a zone or something.....like a twilight....zone....
Damn, as someone with serious motivation issues, that bit at the end really got to me. Great video. Makes me wanna write again.
Great job on the video Jeffiot. I'm glad you're doing this kind of video, to let people know about ARGs that people either haven't heard of before or aren't getting as much attention as they probably should. Also, from what I remember, I'd heard of the ARG about Axel Lunden. The other two, though, I hadn't heard about before.
You can’t shame me I’m stupid and a weenie. I like having someone deep dive and explain to me cause A. It makes me feel like I’m not alone in absolute solitude getting scared and paranoid. B. I’m not smart. The likely hood of me breaking these codes or figuring out secrets or lore is 0 to none. Having someone that has that knowledge explain it keeps me invested in the project because then I’m not just looking at it black and white and getting bored or confused and losing interest and I get to enjoy this media and likely buy merch or support the Patreon of the creator and share these with my friends
We can see your passion and love for the art in your stories. Great video, I’m also keeping up with your friend Jim Von Lone.
Damn... 😔 that ending hit me hard lol. I'm also a filmmaker and I too have an ARG series that I created (it's on a different channel) and I also got no views. Due to the lack of audience interaction, I had to completely scrap all the originally planned ARG aspects that I had wanted to put into the project. 😕
So, I suppose my series isn't even technically an ARG and is really an Unfiction series, actually. I knew it'd be a waste to try doing any of the planned audience interaction, without an audience, even a small one. I mean, audience interaction is the entire point of the "Game" part of AR"G." An ARG lacking an audience is pointless because an ARG without an audience can't function. It's similar to how a board game cannot work without a minimum of 2 people.
Our videos only ever made it to around 100 or 200 views per video, max, and the only interaction in the comments came soley from friends and family. They were also the majority of our views. Our later episodes got under 100 views and my best friend, who was heavily involved in the series' creative direction with me. We both put a lot of effort and passion into our project, but we also both got disillusioned with the series. We made 10 episodes for season 1, with 1 episode being split into 2 parts, plus our channel trailer equals 12 videos on our channel in total.
We left season 1 on a cliffhanger and we had already filmed 4 more episodes for season 2. I edited 2 of them and was waiting for my best friend to score the 2 episodes because she wrote and made all the music in our project while I did all the video editing. She never finished the music and I debated just publishing the other 2 nearly finished episodes, but I didn't, our project has been abandoned ever since. 😮💨
I desperately want to do seaaon 2 and at least wrap up the storyline in 10 more episodes because there's a lot of unexplained mysteries and loose plot threads that were all going to be answered/addressed in season 2.
Our project isn't just a straight horror Unfiction series either. Our series is actually a horror comedy, with a tone similar to Shaun of the Dead or Dale and Tucker vs Evil. Our series was uploaded mostly in 2017, and it's a loving spoof/parody/deconstruction of ARGs/Unfiction series made between 2010-2017. We mostly focusing on Marble Hornets and EverymanHybrid, but there are definitely other influences like Alan Resnick/Wham Comedy, and many more.
There's a reason in universe in the story of our series with our characters being aware, to an extent, that we're in an ARG but we are nonchalant about the circumstances and deconstruct many tropes, themes, and clichés that were present in ARGs at the time. We even have a subversion with slenderman appearing and actually not being the "villain" or entity thats causing our characters to be self aware about being in an ARG.
We never got to the reveal of who's behind everything or why we both became self aware that we're characters in an ARG, at the same time, towards the end of the very 1st episode.
I've actually been seriously debating about turning season 2 into a spoof of analog horror ARGs/Unfiction series and finishing out the storyline in the analog horror style, while also deconstructing tropes/clichés/themes for analog horror the same way we did for the slenderman ARGs and other popular ARGs from 2010-2017 in season 1.
If you've read this novel, thank you for your time and I apologize for how long it is. I just had to leave a comment after I identified so much with the last section of this video and with how it hit me like a truck, I had to share my extremely similar story, even if I'm just figuratively shouting into a void, then that's okay. It just sucks when you're passionate about a creative project that ends up going nowhere.
I thought that my inventive ideas that I'd never seen anyone else do anything like before for a RUclips ARG/ Unfiction series, with the new take on the genre of ARGs/Unfiction series, with the comedy aspect, along with some yet unrevealed story beats/lore, would be interesting enough to find even a small niche audience. Maybe it's my fault for not self promoting it on reddit or in other places online. Self promoting my project just felt too scummy to me. Maybe it would've changed the discouraging feeling I get whenever I think about my series because I'm confident enough in my series being a decent Unfiction series. It's no masterpiece of course, but I know it has value and it's entertaining and funny with good jokes and it's even scary sometimes. I know that my series doesn't suck and it's disheartening. I haven't worked on much creatively since giving up on my project that's in perpetual hiatus... it's just upsetting and frustrating.
I'm very glad to have found this channel. You definitely deserve way more recognition and a bigger audience lol. Okay, idk how to end this novel so I'll say thank you and I'm gonna go try not to cry lol. 🥲
Please don't stop, I really want to see where it goes!
Bit late here but what's the channel called o-o
@@zomebit lol that's okay 😋 The channel's called "SilentMonolithFilms" 😊
Yeahhh buddy! New Jeffiot vid boys!
pls keep making this series! Not that getting views legitimizes the great work you're doing, but I think you will blow up eventually. You're one of the best small creators I've seen
I'm not too well versed in ARGs, but I love your coverage of these three and your push for creativity near the end.
PS- I had intended to mention in my last comment that the trumpet bit at the end really pulls at my heart as it sounds very, very much like Mah's Joint by Jon Bellion (do NOT listen to this song if you're currently in too much pain from losing a loved one, or watching a loved one deteriorate- the song is about a son watching his mother be a mother to her mom, ending with a funeral and celebration).
I'm ashamed I don't watch ARG's by myself and decode the puzzles and such, but I just can't watch them alone, and yes I could ask someone to be by my side to watch with me, but I pause every 5 seconds, sometimes go muted and make the video screen small or else I get too anxious and can't keep watching. Would be absolutely annoying lol.
As much as I love horror genre and such (Wich is what mostly if not every ARG is about), I can't bring myself to watch it without someone there reacting or explaining it to me, the feelings of being watched or something coming to attack me works me up too much (Even when I watch those reaction/explanatory vids), and I really do feel ashamed for that ngl.
ANYWAY, this video is really well done and I appreciate having good hidden projects highlighted for all of us to see, so thank you very much
Okay, so the ARG coverage and perspective is quite cool and I love hearing about new projects, but can I take a moment to just bask in the vibes of this video? Jeff’s got this perfect mix of humble charm and his shirt automatically cheers me up in its subtly odd/funny design. Then there’s just the quality of the editing. Seamless camera cuts, with intentionally different shot qualities, and a full set design that keeps the eyes exactly where they’re supposed to be. I’m not that big of a film nerd, but this video’s quality is awesome!
awesome video once again! ^^
4:09 in my defense, I am a little bitch who is too scared to watch them but still like hearing about and supporting them
I love your videos so much, thank you
Amazing quality work, well done!!!
I appreciate how the techno wars intro is a very obvious shot-for-shot homage to the transformers beast wars intro
does anyone else recognize the music at 6:35? i know ive heard it somewhere and it’s driving me insane
That shirt goes insanely hard
Why make me feel so guilty?? I get scared, watching with other people (even in a video) makes it lighter
that
Statement, at the end - that *Creating* is worth it, even if noone takes the time to recognize it
it hit me, as an artist - Writer, Pixel, Digital, Traditional, Game Modder, and perhaps someday Game Creator and Musician, who puts time into something, and posts it to places where those who may be interested could perceive it
and then to get nothing in return - Silence, from the crowd, whether they liked it or not
it, hurts
but, hearing the reminder that creating, is, perhaps the most important part - I can't Confirm that you yourself feel it as well, but I'm sure you do, have, and will
to press on through the silence and decide that you will anyways,
I, hope that whoever reads this understands - Even if I don't know what you're making, I'm certain, if you want it to be, it's something that deserves to be seen, by at least someone - And appreciated. And that if it is seen, someone, somewhere, appreciates it, even in silence.
Also, to Jeff, that would have been a perfect way to end the video, but I respect choosing to add some closing words instead of leaving it on that note
Let's, all keep creating. What would we have if we didn't?
Project 1; sounds terrifying, sign me up
Project 2; how in the world- is that more common of a math/alphabet equation than i think it is, cause i have zero understanding how you would even begin to stumble onto the connection(s)
Project 3; Are... are we sure its an arg? Its giving a "last note" type of vibe... can someone check on Axel?
i've been recommending your channel to people and the creator of The Deep Dive, a newsletter for interesting videoessays.We're gonna get you to the front page of youtube even if its the LAST thing i do YOU HEAR ME JEFF
Sometimes ARGs are too spooky for me tbh. I hate gore, sometimes I will see gore or it will be so heavily implied by horrible descriptions that I have to back out as it triggers anxiety. But love essentially everything spooky. I particularly adore This House Has People In It, The Sun Has Gone and the one whose name escapes me... About this girl who moves to a marshy town where weird shit is happening and there's something about that bog. But she stopped uploading 😔
I watched the entire Final Destination movie video asking "Where do I know this guy from?" and it wasn't until you said 10 Tapes that it clicked. Instant subscribe after that
GAHHH I HAVENT BEEN SEEING THESE VIDS IN MY SUBSCRIPTION FEED i have so much to catch up on!!!
The end of this video is fantastic. Uh. Thanks? I think. I felt that one.
Amazing content!
NEW JEFFIOT VIDEO!! LET US REJOICE!!!!
I really wish they had an ARG store at the mall
It's a shame that you don't have a 100k subscribers
Thanks
YOU MADE 10 TAPES
Man… I love you buddy… thank you.
The last part was one of my favorite moments in youtube watching history.
great vid, thx
hey jeffiot, had a thought based on your ARG definition presented here: would you be interested in talking about how audience choice can positively or negatively affect story development? there's a lot of risk in it, and what the author and the audience want out of a work can clash. you had a kind of notorious ending to 10 Tapes, where it seems like the Good Ending was right there but the audience chose the Bad Ending hoping that those involved would somehow be spared (but weren't.) i know a comic book, Dog Days of Summer, that while not an ARG had to switch from "choose your own adventure" to "author's writing the story now" because the audience just wanted the leads to get freaky and the authors likely didn't want to draw hardcore smut. i wonder if there are other ARG authors that would feel comfortable talking about how their project improved or was derailed based on the audience engagement; how there may be ARGs out there that are waiting for one of their followers to get the puzzle solved so that the next installment can be found or uploaded. Thanks, would love to hear your thoughts!
This is an interesting topic. For now I'm not sure if I can work it into a video, but maybe I'll talk about it on the second channel, so keep an eye there perhaps.
Feeding the almighty Eldrich beast called the algorithm
I need the black magic and black coffee quote on a shirt 😂