Poly Bridge 2 - A Bridge Too Far

Poly Bridge 2 is a game about building bridges - a process that requires a solid knowledge of physics, and a good grasp of engineering. I do not have either of these things.
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Fanfare for Space, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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[@dj_something_clever]

Other people: a sloped bridge. Jon: a mechanical masterpiece with more moving parts than one of the Transformers.

[@Kaarl_Mills]

It was like watching the design process of the Tiger tank: needlessly complicated and prone to failure

[@RaeontheLeft]

The whole time with the drawbridge I was like "Jon they design drawbridges a certain way for a reason!" laughing the whole time

[@dj_something_clever]

@@RaeontheLeft lmao... Just shaking my head laughing wondering how many bridges Jon has seen like that with a bunch of triangles all over it... "With a little hat on top."

[@endersdragon34]

Is it really a masterpiece if it's way more expensive and complicated than need be?

[@RaeontheLeft]

@@endersdragon34 It's a Masterpiece

[@alexshi1679]

Jon at first: I know how to use triangles! Jon immediately afterwords: *builds diamonds/squares*

[@jonleonard1555]

17:35 I love how he says "Let's Occam's Razor this" meaning he wants to use as few parts as possible, when every other solution he's made has been proven to be overly convoluted.

[@thnecromaniac]

simple for a spreadsheet nerd isn't the same as simple for an engineer, or bridge nerd.

[@Danger-jz7tz]

A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

[@Mantis42]

MATN's bridges achieve perfection by dissolving themselves after use

[@comradelevplays3245]

The ever so slightly off centre non symmetrical triangles on Jon's elevator are causing me real physical pain.

[@comradelevplays3245]

Omg the next one was even worse

[@TauAlphaVu]

"Why does it keep going to the left?!" Because it's not symmetrical Jon...

[@abnormallynormal8823]

@@comradelevplays3245 “it needs to look good, because then what’s the point” -> proceeds to create ugliest, least efficient bridge ever created

[@Bradstephens11]

They say anyone can build a bridge, but it takes an engineer to build a bridge that barely stands. MATN proves them both wrong.

[@orana03]

Admittedly Jon, as a mechanical engineer. I'm pretty impressed the elevator bridge worked. I didn't think you could do it

[@phillipsiebold8351]

I noticed the arching in the elevated road deck was a nifty little touch if even an accident.

[@maxanstine1139]

As an engineer, this was the funniest MATN video yet.

[@orana03]

@@maxanstine1139 Yeah it was!. What kind of engineer are you?

[@polygondwanaland8390]

@@phillipsiebold8351 I think the "elevator" is technically a bunch of linkages tracing out a pattern closely approximating an elevator. Which is pretty neat. Comments admitted it, Jon!

[@ellasorellabrella]

jon making an asymmetrical structure on top of what is essentially a very precarious see-saw and going "why does it fall over!?" 😭but i'll admit, i'm impressed he got it to work!

[@Digitize27]

"Why always to the left," he asks, staring at his distinctly asymmetrical supports

[@kc12311]

Jon: "This level is to build a drawbridge, but drawbridges are boring! What we need is..." Me: "A high rise!" Jon: "An elevator!" Me: "Wut"

[@torgranael]

Does anyone else here want to see a collaboration with Real Civil Engineer? I can imagine RCE complimenting Jon on his design skills and cheekily referencing the "world's strongest shape" while actually dying inside and desperately trying to hide it.

[@macroglossumstellatarum5932]

This game gets crazy in the later levels. Like the one level where they want you to build a functional pinball table and throw the cars around.

[@funkkymonkey6924]

It’s always fun to watch a master of this game. Never thought about watching a “beginner”

[@the_Book_778]

I love that elevator bridge, it took a while but it got there in the end. Well done, Jon.

[@jansenart0]

11:52 I admit I didn't foresee you making a partially folding elevating bridge deck. Very elegant when it tents in the middle at the end of its travel..

[@DeadRoseGirl]

I love how the first few bridges, Jon uses arches when he doesn't need to. Then the first bridge he needs an arch for, he makes an elevator instead. Never change Jon 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jaybarradell4191]

I solemnly swear that if I ever found a nation, I will hire Jon to build his patented Spider Elevator bridges over all the rivers

[@Foureye15]

What geometric shape will Jon be obsessed with today? My vote is dodecahedrons of structural integrity

[@Foureye15]

Nope, still triangles

[@potatosordfighter666]

@@Foureye15 Wrong again. He thinks he's into triangles but he's actually into squares that he thinks are double triangles

[@pizzapielemon]

Ooh, sorry, it was wooden pyramids of strength.

[@CED99]

The diamond, which is like two triangles that have moved in together and become life partners... which must be better?

[@potatosordfighter666]

@@CED99 Its actually worse because its not 2 triangles, its a square. If it was a square with a beam connecting the opposing corners then it would be 2 triangles in a diamond shape.

[@robinblackwell8167]

Here's a brief explanation of the magic of triangles: a triangle is the only shape in which all of its corners can be acute. This matters, because when you push with a large amount of force on one of its sides, you need more force to push the entire shape over an acute angle. As soon as you add more corners, the spaces between the corners become smaller until eventually you have a circle that rolls away (not very good when building a structure!) The triangle is the opposite of that: the shape least likely to be moved by forces acting upon it.

[@Antares00]

Jon bruteforcing trig functions is way more entertaining than it has any right to be

[@Antares00]

Also, elevator bridges have been pitched before! One of them was suggested for tower bridge, but the design wasn't chosen

[@Laarye]

Watching Jon on the second challenge... You know, if you made the main bridge parts the cars drive on flat and level, those triangles would work better. Also, 2 triangles make a diamond, but without the center piece that makes that diamond into 2 separate triangles, you lose structure and the diamond squishes then tears apart.

[@jonnysaysN0]

Have you ever wondered why almost every bridge you see in the real world is arched, Jon?

[@kevblr15]

He can't hear you over his triangles and flat bridges lol

[@jonnysaysN0]

@@kevblr15 no no I understand. Pray to the triangles and all that... They're not mutually exclusive though.

[@macroglossumstellatarum5932]

I was pretty sure you'd get the elevator spider bridge to work eventually, and it's quite a nice solution. I would have used a straight-line mechanism that's a lot more complex. Just letting the road bend is quite elegant.

[@TheFerwell]

As a civil engineering student the last challenge gave me lifelong trauma

[@scottblackburn4873]

Jon 2 minutes in happy to be in the top 21%. Me who has seen Real Civil Engineer and knows exactly what the bottom 50% look like

[@zrobotics]

I was honestly a little disappointed he didn't go into the gallery and immediately get confused by all of the strong shapes.

[@texasgamemom2290]

🤣🤣🤣 Yes!!!!!!

[@ianmiller6040]

I like this game and remember playing this years ago (or a similarly-named game with the same premise). Very fun game! Glad to see it featured on this channel. Edit: I highly enjoy that Jon is, for reasons known only to him (or perhaps not), making all bridges primarily out of wood...and then being mystified when they suddenly fail with the addition of weight. Hmm....

[@jpuroila]

He's making things out of wood because he has limited budget and steel is expensive.

[@fredbennett3837]

"ok, go down. I don't know why those dangly bits are there, they're just sort of there. And now we just go down." Jon 2022 10:48

[@CED99]

Jon: "By the looks of it some people just built a hanging rope bridge" Those people know what a suspension bridge is Jon. They were also probably wondering how long it would take you to "reverse engineer" yourself into figuring out the cables needed to attach to the road deck 😆

[@wsconsn]

Jon: I’m fired? Why am I fired? I build an elevator bridge! Boss: you’re also 10 million over budget, get out of my office.

[@narc0manic]

That 'oh flip me, oh flip me, oh no!' around 15:50 deserves to be an end card. :'D

[@VenomDDD]

I'm so glad i'm not an engineer and will therefore keep a good amount of my top hair during this video. (edit: Yes i admit i didn't think it would work. But it did. And it was beautiful)

[@thegiantmimir4664]

Even though it was thirty years ago, I have a degree in bridge physics. I maintain a small shrine to triangles and a frank miunderstanding of the meaning of the word symmetrical. I count blobs too. Jon is my spirit creature. Remember World of Goo!

[@gurk_the_magnificent9008]

The best part is Jon’s utter shock whenever a bridge even pretends to work

[@nathanharshman8033]

Mechanical Engineer here, I laughed my ass of at each once of your first attempts! XD thanks for the great videos.

[@Gilhelmi]

I miss the crazy misunderstandings of basic physics. Please bring back the bridge ballasts!

[@ogrejd]

For Ted's sake, let us pray that Claire is the one in charge of renovating the house.

[@donovanfaust3227]

She is

[@rgb3304]

I feel like John has never seen a drawbridge before this is excellent

[@epicragnafox2537]

Jon: I have invented the elevator bridge! Me: Those are definitely already a thing. Wikipedia: The oldest known vertical lift bridge was built in 1910. Good job on your 112 year old brand new invention...

[@Dave5281968]

You are so right @11:57 that I assumed it would fall apart again! Nice bridge. There are some engineers out there that could get some lessons from you for that one! Nice. And yes, this one looks like a winner for a re-visit or live stream!

[@SHAdow98V]

Jon: I'm in top 20% of players,i am a GENIUS at building bridges Also Jon: *not realising he's on the 105712th spot*

[@Kryptnyt]

The pyramid of strength! It's never let you down, except for all the times that it has! Maybe a bit heavy...

[@MrSarevok187]

Think about it, if jon would make all the bridges in the world that would decrees the level of violence and conflict on this planet because no tank could ever get over a bridge, good job jon ;)

[@jajsem1109]

I admit. I did not think the elevator bridge would work, but you made me a believer. Good work sir.

[@ashleyward3252]

I'll admit it. I didn't think the spider bridge would work, but it bloody did.

[@dominickwood905]

Absolutely LOVE this game. So excited to watch you keep playing!

[@LillyP-xs5qe]

jon, you know why we use triangles? it's cause they can't move around, you know what squares can do? move around...

[@NeonGarlic]

"Why did it do that?" Is basically me at work, cutting corners amd giving my boss early gray hairs.

[@Scott_Forsell]

Will there be bridge ballast?

[@gouki4u]

If Jon has any civil engineers among his subscribers, I'm sure they're taking psychic damage from this upload.

[@NoHudNoBullshit_]

11:54 absolutely didn't think you'd pull it off, but damn that last run of it was satisfying to watch

[@nathansnaza8363]

John you didn't invent a new bridge, your elevator bridge is called a lift bridge and I live in the port of Duluth with one of the more notable versions of this.

[@NeonxLightsx]

That was surprisingly hilarious, more of this or similar stuff would be amazing!

[@Chalkcs]

Jon, when needing to only build a slight curve: Builds a fucking elevator Jon, when needing to elevate a truck to a higher elevation: Hmmm, slope? Jon, when designing a complicated bridge and not understanding why it's not balanced: A S Y M M E T R Y Jon, when designing a simple slope: The angle needs to match!

[@skorpion7132]

I love how Jon make these utterly complacted bridges just for or viewing pleasure.

[@morgan4574]

Ok, the elevator star bridge WAS pretty freaking impressive

[@StudlySoldier]

I didn't think that was going to work, and it bloody does

[@KurosakiYukigo]

All hail the bridge ballast!

[@MegaSkrow]

jon, what you've won is the nobel price for perception. its been RIGHT THERE the entire time jon.

[@trogdor8764]

Jon: "Oh no, my bridge!"

[@AgentWest]

You forgot the bridge ballast, you numpty! :D Though i gotta say, the way that elevator bridge folded slightly at the top was interesting to see. It formed a pleasing roof shape for the boat to go under.

[@Brianfecke257]

My girlfriend didn’t think your elevator bridge would work, but I had faith in you, Jon. I’ve been watching you play bridge building games for too long to think otherwise.

[@eaglei28]

the fail at 6:40 got me laughing.... ty for that :)

[@maccurtis730]

Jon: "I am playing a bridge game today". Me: "Bridget Plus memories this is going to be good this is why you are my favorite KZbinr".

[@ErikLorentzon]

Jon should try Armadillo run, a physics game about helping a Armadillo getting home.

[@maccurtis730]

11:42 Jon's proudest moment. 🎖🏅🥇🏆

[@drworm73]

I live in a mid sized US city and we have two vertical lift bridges over the river that separates the east and west sides of town. I'm fairly certain they were designed and constructed decades before Jon was born, so I don't think he invented them.

[@QuintonMurdock]

*asymetrical bridge* “Why fall over?”

[@absolvedGravitas]

unfortunately jon, the elevator bridge isn't new. i used to live like an hour from a bridge that basically functioned exactly like that.

[@KleinesStein]

I love but also hate that the first thing Jon does is build a truss bridge…

[@bopeton]

Elevator Spider Bridge is truly beautiful

[@jansenart0]

I am HERE for the Bridge Ballast!

[@laserrifle1252]

Oh God. Jon is building bridges again. God help us all.

[@ZacharyDangerStewart]

You got me, wasn’t expecting to see it work 😂

[@dataumbreon]

impressed you made a functional Vertical-lift bridge elevator bridges are a thing they are called Vertical-lift bridges

[@NoReplyAsset]

after 8 long years, bridge ballast has returned...

[@rorqualmaru1254]

Am I the only one who would watch an entire series of Jon playing this game?

[@Xarestrill]

I knew elevator bridges could work (I've seen a few of them), I just didn't think YOU could get it to work. Good job. :)

[@ahuggingsam]

"a pass rate of 50% is pretty good" I am REALLY happy that actual engineers don't think that way

[@slbhugomarques2]

Not even one bridge ballast? Jon really is the god of bridges

[@thnecromaniac]

your elevator bridge is already a thing, they typicaly lift at the start and ends of the bridge, not the middle, lifting pretty much the whole bridge though.

[@charlesfranks1902]

Real Civil Engineer needs to learn from this.

[@XDieKillDieX]

The problem with these bridge building games is that there are so many of them and if you've played one you've pretty much played them all.

[@mariosoto2588]

Oh I have been hoping to see another bridge builder in this channel for so long. Just love johns pirámide of strength designs

[@alpha1beta1gamma]

Please learn how to spell

[@CraigyDizzle]

Other than being horrifically inefficient and wasteful, that elevator bridge is freakin genius/cool 😅 thanks vidya games for making this possible!

[@Novasky2007]

Sometimes you know things because you heard it somewhere, like triangles are strong but that Doesn't mean you understand why or how they can be used to dissipate or transfer forces.

[@bg3929Z]

All hail the Elevator Spider Bridge!!!

[@persephiroth23]

I admit I did not think that was going to work. Looked damn classy, too.

[@timothym9398]

springs... absorb stress... ahhhh!

[@Alltaer]

Somehow, watching someone fail at physics is very soothing

[@JhenMaster]

"I understand that we must pray to triangles so the god of physics smiles upon us" Not... Inaccurate...

[@supr3m3panda]

The return of the Pyramids of Strength.

[@Darthtanos]

having watched someone who actually studied engineering and is an engineer professionally play this game... this was truly, truly painful. people's lack of understanding about how bridges actually work is kind of astounding. i include myself in that prior to watching the engineer.

[@FluffyDragon]

"The bridge is now properly symmetrical" *gazes upon the bridge which causes SAN damage to look at* Yea nah

[@darren3627]

I didn't think it would work, but it bloody does.

[@cebraulkenne8571]

Who is your construction crew? The damn Moria goblins?

[@SleepyChloeFist]

Just stopped by for the algorithm. I'll come back to watch later. 🎉🎉

[@Introverted_Walrus]

That elevator bridge is the sort of place Tom Scott would visit...

[@Iyerbeth]

Fallout: New Vegas Is Good. Triangles are good. Fallout: New Vegas is triangles.

[@sotnosen95]

I'm not sure it's wise to pray to triangles, Jon. Wouldn't want to catch a certain top-hat-wearing Dorito's attention.

[@Wolfy3847]

Jon doesn't understand physics. My favourite Podcats episode!