Didn't mean to make this sound like "Goodbye" but I guess for me it is "Goodbye to a way of life." The way of life I've held for a few years. Big, cool things are coming, but for now I'm taking a 2 week vacation from work and heading home to see my family who I've probably not seen in about a year at this point. Also, for those curious, you probably noticed February had a massive dump of videos of which the variety was all over the place. Well that was mostly me tying up loose ends and completing work I had ongoing for a while (Some since June 2021.) I didn't really want to scrap any of that stuff or release it later as I move into the next phase for the channel. If anybody wants to keep up with what I'm working on next and even take part in forming it come on through and join the discord. I set up a new tab in there called "The research table" (Invite only) that will be used for sourcing information. The next thing I want to do is going to be rather research intensive, though work on that won't begin immediately. discord.gg/9gpTaBA
Hey, most ppl here are probably adults that can relate to this, so it's totally understandable. Do what makes you happier man, and we thankfully still have you around, so it's a win win imo ^^
Dude, I'm looking forward to seeing what you release next. Especially from the PS1 era and also the history videos. Your ImageEpoch video was amazing. You built up the suspense and let the hype levels go up and down like a pro. At least that's how I remember it. It's been a while. Good luck with everything!
It's your channel my dude, make the content you're most passionate about, people will watch, I know I will. I'm excited to see what's in store moving forward!
Taking a step back from the grind (and the analytics page) to rest up and reevaluate is always a good idea. I've not long found this channel but honestly, this video has me excited for what's to come! Helps that I'm a big PS1/PS2 jrpg fan.
To me, your gaming videos belong to my personal trifecta of thoughtful & relevant video game content: Dunkey, Thor, and Tarks. Thank you for teaching me so much about games. Most importantly, thanks for your ethics, honesty, integrity. My getting into games after the fallout from a messy breakup, during Covid, was greatly impacted by finding so many titles of interest, thanks to you 🙏🏾
Dude, completely understandable. Can't even imagine how much time you typically spend on videos (and the playing/writing/editing that goes into it). I'm glad you won't be quitting entirely, but you gotta do what's best for you. Looking forward to the passion project type of videos that you'll make - those are usually my favourite ones to watch anyway 👍👌
Hey sir, there are more than enough content and reviews around RU-vid. What I love about Tarks’ Gauntlet is the unique spin and perspective you bring to the table. Create stuff that you enjoy and if you feel like it, share with us 😊 I will be here for the ride sir! Excited for all your future endeavours! Oh if you ever decide to do random Podcast Stream Episodes, I am always down to talk videogames or music 😊🤘
I can’t emphasize enough how much I relate to this. This was a wonderful heartfelt message and I really appreciate it. It’s pretty much the exact same reason I have taken a step back from my channel. It’s a lot of work and the more videos I do…the less I actually play! I want to play games and enjoy my free time and content creation, as cool as it is, definitely gets in the way of a lot of hobbies and passions. Amazing video! Do what you gotta do and we’ll all be here for when you do release videos! Looking forward to them!
I just realized I've never played Vexx. For real though, it's been a fantastic ride to watch the channel over the years and I'm beyond excited to see what you're cooking up next! Good luck my dude!
I find it funny that your shortest video happens to be one that’s unscripted! 😅 Keep on doing you, man! I hope to see what you’ll make in the future. I think change is always good, especially if things are going to be more catered to your interests!
Sounds good, bud! I found your channel after watching your Fatal Frame discussion video and would love more stuff like that. The 90s and early 2000s was a really interesting time in games when passion was at the forefront and there were much less restrictions on what got made. I also decided to drop a few lifelong projects that were always weighing on my mind and even though it's unfortunate I'll never complete them, having more free time and living without the small but constant stress of thinking about them is really nice.
Hey man, I can totally relate to everything you've said in this video and glad you're taking steps to do what you want to do. Good luck with everything in life and on RU-vid going forward. Hope everything works out and you're able to play all the games you want again.
Wishing you all the best moving forward Tarks, and looking forward to what you have in store ! It's actually amazing seeing you take control back as RU-vid creation as a whole seems daunting, endless and just a lot of work, an understatement at best, prioritizing your own life is definitely something that should always come first !
Honestly this sounds super encouraging and inspiring that you’re doing this to redirect the channel towards how you want to enjoy it. I’m glad to hear this!!! Also the different thanksgiving messages Canadians receive. LOL I hear you.
Only stumbled across your channel recently, but all of this sounds like an all-around healthy decision! Do what makes you happy, you don't owe RU-vid anything.
I think you should do what you want to do. This space is for you to be creative and share your passion, which is clear to you. You just have to let yourself do what you want to do. Your community will support you always because they are here for you. Best of luck in everything you do next 🎉✨
Appreciate you sharing all this and it makes perfect sense! Super excited for what’s coming next and love that you’re doing what makes you feel happy and have more control over your time. That’s what matters - not that you need to hear it, and saying what you already know but - this is the right thing to do and it’s going to be great.
You shouldn't feel like wanting to do your own thing is selfish, do what makes *you* happy. I'm looking forward to see what some of your new videos will be!
Honestly man, I'd tune in if you just did a weekly live stream where you just take to us about whatever new anime games you've played, and maybe interacted with the chat. Instead of putting all the effort into making a review video, I think I'd enjoy that more.
This is the exact dilemma i had last year with my channel. I decided to take a step back last year and focus on streaming since i became a vtuber and it was my new focus. Now that I'm back I decided i'm gonna do videos at my own pace and do what i want not necessarily reviews. I still am down to do a crossover sometime, when we both have time and find a topic we both like of course. :P
I've read over some of the below comments and there are more than enough posts already that provide sound advice. Working full-time and updating the channel regular is a hard juggling act but its alright to step away from it for a while in order to rejuvenate and focus on other things that you may want to get involved with. Look forward to future videos whenever they are ready to be shared.
100% understand this! I did a similar thing very recently, stepping back a little from the channel partly because my health just cannot handle the sort of regular content schedule that RU-vid seems to want from people, but also so that I can spend more time working on the videos that I really want to create. If that means fewer videos but me being happier about what I made, and less stressed about making them, then that's what it's got to be. So, I understand and relate to why you did this, and I absolutely am looking forward to whatever videos you make in the future. Enjoy playing Vex, and I'll try to remember to wish you a happy Thanksgiving in November (even though I'm also Canadian and know that ours is in October)!
You do you brother. Taking a step back and re-evaluating is always a great idea! Do whatever you feel comfortable with and do not sacrifice your free time. I personally had to step away and re-prioritize somethings in life as well. You take care! Discord - Lament
Best of luck going forward- your channel is my favourite "review" type channel despite a moderate subscriber count, I've followed you for the last five years.
I love your channel and I think I have been here since what I assume to be the very beginning and all I can say is that whatever path you take, whatever time you need, I truly wish you the best. The things in our lives have a cicle and eventually they will come to an end, and we should remind ourselves that it's fine. One of the things that made me really enjoy your channel all these years is because you seem to enjoy what you do, so it's no problem if you need a time off or to change focus. Do what you must and know that we will be here.
I absolutely enjoy it! It's just that my focus on it has been so steady for so long that other things I enjoy have been falling by the wayside. It's time to wrangle it all in again. Thanks for the kind words, and I hope you enjoy whats to come!
Definitely understand where you are coming from. I would get in a mindset where any game I play had to turn into some video or walkthrough down the line, and so I would try and learn every little thing about one game, only to have to do this over and over, became monotonous for long RPGs, but sometimes I just want to kick back and speedrun Spyro or Resident Evil 2
Not selfish at all. No one should be working 24/7 with no real breaks. You do you, and see to your needs :) I always look forward to your content, and it sounds like that content will be getting an upgrade with your breaks bringing new inspiration and motivation and focus :D Almost like stepping back to step it up? ;D Here's to making positive changes in life, in routines, and here's to even greater things to come ^___^
Watched your videos for a few years man. One of few RU-vidrs that covered weird niche waifu Tiddy games that I would play. I also really enjoyed how well spoken you are in your videos. Good luck in the future man. Also was really curious how you're liking Triangle Strategy. Idk if it's something you'd have time for but damn is it good.
If you ever want to go on a podcast to chat about a game from your backlog, hit us up at The Good, the Bad, and the Backlog we would love to have you as a guest.
Hey no worries it happens whatever you do from now on looking forward to it. I've noticed everyone started switching up their styles recently. I see a few folks going to just streaming. I'm glad means you get to work on the projects you want.
Your reviews are very informative. I often come here to watch videos that are a few years old, when I want to know if a game is good or not. At the same time, I'm very interested in what you would have to say about some PS1-PS2 era games or retro topics. Even if there aren't as many videos and reviews as before, I'll be following the channel for the future. Keep up the good work! :)
well, I enjoyed your video 'reviews', especially it was content from a fellow Canadian but I look forward to your new, different content, enjoy your vacation
You're a real one, and that's what's always kept me here. Your channel was the first one that I'd come across that covered niche games with dignity and respect and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. Go play, Vexx. We'll be here when you get back.
Best of luck. Everyone deserves a priority reset. Ironically I started my channel to play the video games in my backlog but barely managed to play any early on. I've been wanting to do more essay type videos but couldn't because I was pumping out a video every week and working a full time job.
Your videos are always great and I totally get you slowing down stuff on the channel. I'd rather you be happy and enjoy life more instead of constantly working all the time cause that definitely drains a person. Whatever you do later on, I'm sure will be awesome and interesting! Hope you have fun with Vex and the time off!
Take the time you need man. I know the feeling that you're not allowed to step back a bit, but you gotta do what's best for you. Excited to see what's on the horizon for you man.
While I love your current content, I am super excited to see what you're gonna be working on in the future, whether that's more in-depth content like the recent Tales of the Abyss deep dives or just slamming Tomba on my desk and saying "Look at it!" But most of all, I'm happy that you're taking a step back to enjoy things and take care of yourself. More than anything out of this channel, I want to see you be happy and healthy!
Haven’t seen the video yet but I wish you all the best. Because of your review of Alina’s Strip, I ended up seeing the anime and thinking “This sounds familiar.” Watched it all and loved it. Even got the game (Hellbound and Debriefed). It’s everything you said but I dig it. So, thank you for that. I owe you.
im an off and on viewer of urs for about a few years now and stumbled on this and wanted to say nothing wrong with taking a break :)) think most ppl who watched this channel watched for you and your content and half for the games you did reviews for but good luck going forward
Brother, do what you have to do and I’m glad you’re not shutting down the channel. Can’t wait for your future content, love the history content, and my favorite gaming period is also PS1 and PS2 so I can’t wait to see that. Good luck on your future endeavors and looking forward to your future content.
I liked the video because I love your channel. I also didn't like the video because I love your channel. We will be here for whenever new videos are uploaded. The channel really is a breath of fresh air. I, for one, don't blame you at all for wanting to play more of what you really want to play, that's what they are there for! Hopefully it's refreshing for you to wake up and play what you want rather than what you feel like you "need" to play.
Vexx is so cool... that generation had so many unique ip''s . One of my favorites from that time was Medal Arms Glitch in the System. Swinging Ape Industries had big plans for Glitch 3 game series that never came to fruition.....It SUCKS cause I loved the whole story and style. Just like Beyond Good And Evil ....still waiting on that one to ever happen again.
I totally get ya, the music reviews I write take a lot of time out of just listening to music and other parts of life, and that isn't even remotely close to the investment required for video games, let alone reviewing them. Do what you need to for yourself
I completely understand you, (Real Name) / Tarks. I think you'll do fine. YT shouldn't control or run our life. I have had to change the way I have done things too.
I love Vexx dude! Like, I get it just steals a lot from some 3d mario games and what-not but it's a solid platformer. Bubsy 3D I actually bought thinking "It can't really be as bad as they say" and I honestly couldn't bring myself to play past the first level.
A gamer first before a youtuber. Mad respect man, not everybody would do that I highly encourage you to play more and do videos less. Maybe this is the best for you and maybe after playing more of the games you want you'll find more interesting stuff to talk about in video form. More power to you man. Also as some1 who got stuck on the GC/Wii era I completely understand your passion for Ps1/Ps2 games. For me Last story and Arc Rise Fantasia will always be my favorite RPGs no matter what anybody says. Cheers.
While I think of you as the best most in depth reviewer of niche games I like I understand that you don’t have time. I myself have a huge backlog and they are mostly JRPGs and Visual Novels so very long games. I work full time and just had my second kid. I cannot play them all but I can watch a review while doing dishes or something and then add another game for whenever I’m the future I can play it. I’ve bought several games because of you. I’m sure the new content will be interesting as well but I will miss the reviews for sure. They are a level above pretty much any other reviews on RU-vid.
I don't blame you, you seem like you bust your ass for this channel - live laugh love, ya know? Jokes but seriously, prioritizing the things you're passionate over rather than what you think you need to do is definitely the way to go.
Just throwing it out there, but have you considered streaming games while you play? I do like your style of speaking and would gladly watch you stream any game that you feel like playing. I’d enjoyed listening to you play and your thoughts about it and such. Anyway, just a thought.
I done it in the past for a bit but always had mixed feelings on it. I like the community aspect and it can be fun playing and having people to chat with, but quite often I have a really personal connection with my hobby and the games that I'm playing that I usually feel I benefit more from the sort of 1-on-1 experience. This is why the rare streams I've done over the past few years have been on games I've beaten loads of times already, like Super Mario 3 or Dark Souls or something.
Vexed because you couldn't play vexx...but now you can play vexx. Vexing either way... When your hobby is becoming more of a burden than being fun then it's time to take a break or have a change. Work is stressful enough! Looking forward to the new content when you release it, always enjoy that Tarks perspective/sense of humour and the games you pick to cover are always interesting. Ps1/ps2 eras are my preferred JRPG period as well, happy to watch more content on them.
I feel like you're having the epiphany I had last year. The big difference is I bet you've made at least a few bucks making videos; I've never made 1 cent. This is why I do one video a month, if even... lol. I can't even imagine spending 40-60 hours on a game anymore. Short games are sooo nice. Regardless, I don't think many will mind the channel change because people legit like you. Godspeed, Tarks...
It's alright, do what you want to do and play what you want to play man, life's short. And besides, I mostly checked out your channel for the honest, thorough reviews of "suggestive" games, but since PlayStation hates them, Xbox hates them, now apparently Nintendo is starting to hate them again, and it goes without saying that RU-vid seriously hates them... well, they aren't being made anymore, so there isn't much new to check out. I also enjoy me some fifth/sixth generation gaming stuff, so I will keep the notifications on. 👍
I've heard of 1 game on Switch getting pretty much cancelled right? I think even on steam it got pulled down. I really hope there was something unique to cause issues with that one and that we're not going back to 2014-era nintendo. Seven Pirates H I believe just came out on switch so I know they're not completely against the type of content, but you are right regardless, developers have mostly shied away from making these games the past few years as the biggest platform they had for them in the past completely pushed them out of the picture. It sucks dude.