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LATE SUMMER UPDATE: DIGITISER THE SHOW SERIES 2, DIGI MINIS - AND MORE!

22/8/2019

24 Comments

 
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I normally write posts like this on Patreon and Kickstarter, but I thought it'd be a good opportunity to take stock, and just fill you all in on where things are at in the wider Digiverse.

I'm away next week for a much needed break, which means no updates on this site until the week after. There may be a new video on Sunday night, but probably not one the following Wednesday or Sunday. I'd hoped to have more stockpiled, but I've been flat-out, clearing the decks enough to get to a point where I can go away without disasters happening.

I've had an incredibly full-on year. Aside from editing and filming gawd-knows-how-many Digi Minis for YouTube, organising, writing, and appearing in a full-on live spectacular, and writing regular posts on here, I've also been lead writer on two CBBC shows.

I've written 13 half hour episodes since January, and on one of those shows I'm very much a lead writer in a sort of showrunner sense, which has meant reading everything, and giving notes to other writers at every stage. Plus, I only got fully paid for a lot of that work this week, which has proved rather, ahem, stressful. 

All in all, it has been... a lot. So, you'll hopefully forgive me for being knackered, and needing to go away to recharge. 

Once I'm back, you'd better brace yourselves.
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WHAT'S NEXT?
The plan for September is to fulfil all the Digitiser The Show backer rewards, which means putting together the DVDs, t-shirts, posters and whatnot. I'm not going to entertain the idea of doing another crowd-funding campaign until the previous one is all done and dusted, which I'm hoping it will be by early October.

We're planning to get the entire Digi team together at some point in September - and possibly some special guests - for some slightly bigger-scale eps than we have been doing. We're also planning some modest location filming. We thought it'd be fun to get out from behind the desk.

We've got a bunch of ideas for future videos, and now that we've firmly established our chemistry and tone, it's going to be fun applying that to some slightly more curated content, Mini-wise.

MOVE AWAY!
You've no doubt noticed that the channel has moved away a bit from retrogaming. Candidly, I was getting sort of bored finding new things to say about old games, and though any Digitiser The Show Series 2 will keep the retro gaming theme (as will this site), when it comes to the weekly eps anything goes, to be honest.

While Digi has never, in its almost-27-years, been just about gaming, games will always nonetheless remain at the core of what we do; it's more I just like the idea of a YouTube channel that's trying to be like other YouTube channels, but constantly undermined by its own ineptitude! 

Because, frankly, I've earned it, I've got another holiday/very belated honeymoon booked for late October (I hope to film some Digi stuff while I'm away, and have invested in some new kit in order to make it possible). After that, the plan is to then start slowly grinding the wheels of hype towards a new Kickstarter campaign.

​I'm a bit scared of doing it too close to Christmas, but I would like to see it happen this year, so we can think about going into production relatively early in 2020. We'll need to know soon what sort of budget we have to play with. 

Here's what we're thinking.
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CAPTAIN EMBRYO
The plans are still semi-embryonic, but the core idea for Digitiser Series 2 has been rattling around in my head since we finished the first series.

Given that the Minis kind of fill the desk-based content vacuum, I don't think we're going to be able to entice enough backers if we simply offer more of that, but with higher production values. It needs to be something that we can't do in regular episodes, and it has to be big, and noisy, and intriguing, and different to what we did last time.

And so, at present, the thinking is that we do a series that is almost entirely location-based, with links and certain segments shot in front of a live audience (audience tickets will be one of the Kickstarter tiers). 

There may be a competitive road-trip structure to it that runs across the series, with us competing in a series of gaming-themed challenges (yes, like the mooted Destruction Derby, Super Monkey Ball and whatnot For Real... but we've also had ideas for things like Resident Evil For Real, Pilotwings For Real, Tempest For Real, Luigi's Mansion For Real - and more). 

If that sounds a bit like Top Gear or The Grand Tour, but for video games... well... yeah. Funny that.

LACK ALICE
The lack of outside-the-studio stuff is one of my big regrets from series 1, but we simply didn't have the money to do it on the scale I wanted. By focusing almost entirely on the location filming - with the studio segments shot in just a day or two - it suddenly becomes possible. 

Or, at least, potentially possible. 

We also want to do more episodes - perhaps twice as many - but make them shorter and more focused than the first series. And the plan is to be a little bolder with any guests we involve, and cast our net somewhat wider. Jim Sterling, for one, is somebody who's keen to be a part of whatever we do.

I'm well aware that it's a ridiculously ambitious idea, that will take a lot of planning and a ton of money, but what I'm envisioning brings together everything I've learned from doing Found Footage, The Trojan Arse Protocol, Digitiser The Show and Digitiser Live.

I like to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and learn from what I'm doing. Simply repeating myself isn't going to keep me interested, so to stay focused I need something ambitious and challenging and new. 

HOLD ME NOW
Now, the important thing here is... don't hold me to this.

It might yet change. This isn't definitely what we're doing, and if we can't raise the money to do it, then it absolutely won't happen. Also, don't hold me to a timeframe either. As said, I've worked harder this year than I ever had, to the point that - as you've probably seen - I've actually struggled to produce written stuff for this site of late. I need to top-up my energy and creativity levels before I can embark on another massive project (especially so soon after the brilliant, but debilitating, live show).

The Minis are chugging along nicely, and I have to sort out rewards for backers of the first series. There's no immediate rush.

Also, I just want to say that I know I couldn't even consider doing any of this if it wasn't for you lot. If I don't say it enough, I really, really appreciate the support you give me.

Digitiser - be it this site or the YouTube channel - doesn't have the largest audience, but you're so committed, passionate, and loyal. It blows me away. Because of all that, our relatively tiny fanbase is worth as much as one ten times the size.

Of course, I hope we can continue to grow, but I also hope that never happens at the expense of losing the feel of what we have; that sense of community, which you saw at Digi Live, or in the comments. It's really something very, very special.

​Onwards!
24 Comments
Pete Davison link
22/8/2019 10:30:55 am

This all sounds great! (Well, I'm not a huge fan of Jim Sterling personally, but I'm sure he'd be a good guest and it'd be great for you to cast your net wider, as you say.) Looking forward to seeing what's next for your all; as you say, you have a great (and unique!) sense of chemistry in terms of how you interact with one another, so it's always going to be fun to get you all together for further shenanigans.

Best of luck with the planning, and I look forward to seeing the chaos unfold.

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Chris Bailey
22/8/2019 10:34:38 am

Awesome it will be nice to be able to contribute towards all the good work you do through a possible Kickstarter ... I've been sticking my 5er in for a few months on patreon and if I ever get the bastard payrise I deserve I'll definitely up that .. it's worth it for all the joy you've given over the last year.

It genuinely has been a pleasure to rewatch the show, to have discovered Gannon and what he does as well and reading insights into your hectic life.
Glad to be on board 👍

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Paul
22/8/2019 10:40:22 am

I can't remember exactly if you'd expanded on your previous musings about something Bubblegun related or not? But it certainly feels like the Digi Minis recently are capturing more of a Bubblegun vibe than Digister. Especially the move away from exclusively talking about games. Have you entertained the idea of a rebrand for the Digi Minis to Bubblegun so you can keep the Digi side of things for the new series and game related content?

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Mr Biffo
22/8/2019 10:57:34 am

I think there's some wisdom in that, and I always liked the Bubblegum name, but rebranding at this stage - when we do have a degree of momentum with the way we're going - might prove counterproductive.

In terms of the vibe... I think it's all consistent with what I see Digitiser as, which is, basically, whatever I feel like doing at any given moment! If I'd been able to use the Digi brand for Bubblegun I would've done.

It's like... at times on this site I've done articles which aren't about games, but I always felt beholden to that idea that Digi had to be games content, and went back to that, even if it wasn't always what I really wanted to be writing about.

I know not everyone will be happy with that, and I've had a few comments to that effect already, but I just think I've outgrown talking about games exclusively, and I want that freedom to talk about other things alongside the gaming.

We will always snap back to games as a baseline - there's a Mini about Sonic coming up, which I think will be this Sunday's ep - but for me Digitiser, regardless of its origins, has evolved into a tone, a feeling, and a type of comedy, rather than being about any one thing specifically.

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Paul
22/8/2019 11:40:35 am

Sounds good sir. I agree that Digitiser now means so much more than games, and that's an absolute Good Thing on every level. My nostalgia glands go into overdrive when it comes to Bubblegun though, so anything you do plan to do with that brand or concept will have my drippings all over it.

WhatHoSnorkers
22/8/2019 10:41:25 am

Sounds good and sensible and realistic, Mr Rose, sir. Enjoy your well-deserved break. I don't know much about Mr Sterling, but I'm willing to give him a try. Just as I gave the other three in Digi a try as "PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT OCTAV1US KITTEN?!?!?", and I was pleased as punch with you all.

Keep us informed, but ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS!

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atcorkscrew80
22/8/2019 10:47:28 am

Look forward to what ever madness you serve up, regardless of what format it takes as its the feeling of a bunch of friends messing around is what really draws me to digitiser.

That and the Found Footage esque madness that is sprinkled around the place. I prefer the digi minis for actual content but do miss those servings of beautiful weirdness.

Before all that though hope you have a decent break, nothing worse than burning out and churning out souless "content" because the machine has broken you. Us nutters will still be here when you return, I'll just rewatch found footage and throw fireworks around my living room until then.

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Klone
22/8/2019 11:08:24 am

You do deserve a rest, fo' sho'. You've all put a pretty ridiculous amount of stuff out over the last year.

As you're talking about location 'stuff', why not have a trip out to the National Videogame Museum in Sheff? Went the other week, definitely things there that you/me/us would enjoy you looking at, and I reckon they'd enjoy the coverage, but I don't think outdoor indoor fireworks would go down well.

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Mr Biffo
22/8/2019 11:12:09 am

It's definitely on the list of places we'd like to visit.

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Mr Bass
22/8/2019 11:11:50 am

All these ideas sound absolutely fantastic...
...as long as you promise to keep the ineptitude, the so-left-of-field-its-sitting-in-the-farmers-bedroom humour and the characters and themes that have made Digi, well..Digi!

If you are going to do all the above, then regardless of what you eventually put out then Take My Money, Please! Seriously, your channel/site/twitter feed and video series have been the things that have kept my chin up through some considerably hard/dark times over the last couple of years.

Oh and the studio audience ala Grand Tour is an absolutely fantastic idea. Maybe get some audience participation in there...?

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Mr Biffo
22/8/2019 11:20:26 am

The audience/community has been so good to us that I want to find as many ways as possible to involve them next time. It's a logistical headache to a degree - and in series one we weren't confident enough to do it in front of an audience. But after the live show and the minis and whatnot, I think next time it'll help give the shows an energy that series 1 was lacking.

And don't worry - we've realised that ineptitude is our USP!

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Rudy_Manchego link
22/8/2019 11:16:48 am

I missed out on the original Kickstarter, a relatively new convert so to speak but I like the sound of a new format and a wider net of guests. I'm also a huge Jim Sterling content fan so, awesome. Especially if he has crab hands during it.

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Mr Biffo
22/8/2019 11:23:11 am

Jim's audience is, I think, predominantly American, and it's great that he's a fan of what we do, and would like to be involved. If we can crack a bigger US audience, it could really help us get more funding.

He's unlikely to be part of the studio filming as he lives over there, but... we're keen to find a way to feature him somehow, and we have an idea that he's keen on.

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Steph
22/8/2019 11:20:18 am

I bunged you 80 quid to the kickstarter. I would gladly give you more next time. Digi for me was never pure games or now retro gaming or new gaming. It was the sense of humour and a genuine memory I have of 16 year old me laughing till crying at teletext on your pages. That needs to continue. Whatever you do. We or at least some will follow. All hail King Biffo. Have a good holiday. We've hung around for over twenty years now we aren't going anywhere...

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Wapojif
22/8/2019 11:29:33 am

Excellence, looking forward to seeing how this all develops over thyme. Digi Series 2 will be glorious I'm sure, the first one was great as it is.

But how about putting episodes out on Friday night, or something? I seem to remember they went out late on Sunday with work the next day. It miffed my head in!

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Andy A
22/8/2019 12:05:02 pm

Big fan of Mr Sterling so approve of that association! Really enjoyed the Digitiser show and also going back now to found footage. The weekly episodes have been some of the funniest stuff I've seen in a long time so not too bothered about it not all being gaming related. Didn't get involved with the last Kickstarter but definitely on board with the next one when it comes along!

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Phil
22/8/2019 01:01:24 pm

This...

"...a YouTube channel that's trying to be like other YouTube channels, but constantly undermined by its own ineptitude!"

Sounds perfect.

You've got my support. I have a small film crew to hand if that helps?

We love you all but I think you know that by now.

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Col
22/8/2019 03:35:35 pm

Have a great break!

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Sedric-and-Charlie
22/8/2019 04:14:09 pm

I have absolute faith that even if Digitiser shifted focus to reviewing all of the baked goods selection at Lidl (yes I am eating a cheesy flatbread as I type), whatever came out would still be resolutely pure Digitiser. Enjoy your holiday Mr. B, and I shall look forward to both the Series 1 DVD when it arrives and the S2 kickstarter

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Anthony
22/8/2019 06:08:35 pm

Toffee yumyums are much better! in fact, a Mr Biffo goes to Lidl could be awsome (but may result in being banned from the stores/local town/visit to court)

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Sedric-and-Charlie
22/8/2019 08:58:37 pm

Never had the toffee yumyum. Mayhap I shall pick one up on the way home from work tomorrow

Steve
22/8/2019 06:01:14 pm

This sounds great. First time posting on here but I've been a fan since the Teletext days. I was a bit late finding out about this site and the shows so missed the first Kickstarter but have loved all the YouTube stuff so will happily back a second as much as can. Have a great holiday, you've more than earned it, can't wait to see what comes next.

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Dodgy Dave
22/8/2019 10:35:42 pm

I'd like to see the four of you do a "Mario Kart" video where you all dress up as a character, race go-karts around a track and throw foam mushrooms at each other while you're racing!

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Danny
23/8/2019 12:53:24 am

I’d love to see you guys and Jim collaborate on something. The world may not be ready for such glorious lunacy, but I certainly am.

And I’d be glad to throw some cash at it having missed the original crowdfunding. Well I say missed...it would have been quite hard to explain to me WHY I’d want to back a modern reboot of a teletext page...but now I’ve seen the light. The terrible terrible light.

PS: Try not to blow yourself up again until AFTER your holiday for Christ’s sake.

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