Empathy and Pity In Videogames | (A Firewatch Retrospective)

[@PapaCog]

First video to hit 1k views! 🎉🎉 Which of these three has the best story in your opinion?

[@vtdolgai497]

You know its a crazy video when its about firewatch but contains a spoiler warning for god of war

[@PapaCog]

@vtdolgai497 Made me laugh a little *too* hard. Do you think these videos which tie 3-ish games together are good? Is it a bit of a stretch? My next is just on one haha

[@ahmeda4792]

Delilah does seem to somewhat reciprocate Henrys optional romatic interests. She did talk to Henry once about how she wished they were together and they were talking without needing radios and "doing stuff".

[@PapaCog]

That's interesting actually - In all of my playthroughs and research for this I never found a line that clearly reciprocated - thanks for the input! The game has a rather surprising amount of branching paths for something which feels so "on rails"

[@ahmeda4792]

@PapaCog Yea, it does, I saw some videos, and very few seemed to acknowledge that. It's also funny to note that after that incident, Henry called her "sweetheart," and she said something along the lines of "if you ever call me that again, you'll be unemployed." One thing that sticks with me is the late night conversation with "Jules" which is later revealed to have just been with Delilah.

[@PapaCog]

@ahmeda4792 There are tons of genuinely chilling moments in the game like that - which hint at so many darker sides. Another commentor had spoken of sequels to the game and a "Delilah" prequel would be a good avenue as well I think - particularly if you spend the whole game you're unaware you're her.

[@ahmeda4792]

@PapaCog Sometimes, the less you know, the more mystery/horror there really is. I feel like part of the beauty of Firewatch is the unknown, a sequel, or something with the same characters I feel would be hard to execute properly.

[@PapaCog]

@ahmeda4792 agreed my man. I love games or stories with open ended conclusions - like leaving hunter x hunter where it Is if you're a fan of the show haha.

[@olucasb93]

What an amazing video. Just wow. The way you wrapped it up. Chef's kiss. Subscribed instantly.

[@PapaCog]

Genuinely thank you so much for your support. I'm embarrassed to admit how much these kinds of comments motivate me to continue to find interesting topics to write about. In rewatching this I am somewhat terrified that I'll never make anything this good again- but let me know what you think of the next one! Less dark and factual 😅

[@chrisdiokno5600]

This was a very interesting take on Firewatch

[@PapaCog]

Thank you very much for stopping by and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Still trying to land on a tone and style, and so your support is genuinely appreciated.

[@ni__wolf143]

Stumbled upon this channel and honestly, I was surprised with how well Papa Cog filled me with content. (I am so sorry) But yeah good video honestly, I was expecting it to be some hate video or something, but was pleasantly surprised that it was actually talking about how purposefully unfulfilling the ending is with everything the game builds up, it's simply something that happens and that you get to see, there's no good ending, no bad ending, no matter what we'll never know what happened after, nor what happened before, it leaves on a cliffhanger yet it was never made to receive a sequel, though honestly I wouldn't mind a sequel, not really one that follows on Henry's POV but simply something that expands on the forest gameplay and all that, could hint to the previous game in a few ways but it really wouldn't work if they brought Henry back. Though honestly, considering how realistic the story tries to be, what really happens would likely be incredibly unfulfilling, just as life oftentimes is, it'd just be... _An_ ending, then Henry would move on like anybody else.

[@PapaCog]

Thanks so much for the feedback! I'm sincerely glad you enjoyed. And I agree! A Sequel to Firewatch would be great. It would be cool if it skipped so far forward (Henry's grandchildren?) That most of the story is told in half truths and rumor, with exaggerated stories of Ned or Henry's role. In that way they can do a whole game on history and memory - and be equally disatisfying lol

[@pixaafterdark9915]

I love how personal this video is tbh. Also the editing has gotten so much better.

[@PapaCog]

Haha this was my magnum opus. Here's hoping I can ever make something half as good again.

[@Bamaboy435]

I recently replayed FireWatch, and I like it because it's the only game that's slow enough to get me to be Henrey in a way where you feel the story only for it to get ripped away. It's the only game where I played it and then turned it off, but it's still in my head. I agree with your point, but what you see as a negative I see is a positive, a simple story with a real life and important meaning. Great video regardless. PS I Miss Delilah

[@PapaCog]

Thanks Bama! In case you didn't watch till the end (I don't blame you) - that's what I land on 😀 - that I love it because of the things I don't like about it.

[@bwabadoe]

Yo man, you're way of talking is hella soothing and well articulated. Absolutely subbing for those hour long retrospectives and essays you've got in you 🤞

[@PapaCog]

Thanks so much! This slower style and more calm tone I think is the direction the majority of viewers are enjoying, so that's likely the way I'm going to go! And 1000000000%. The multi hour long discussions is where the channel is going - but for a small channel it guarantees you'll die as average watch time is king - and so you get buried. As the channel grows so too will the video length - and look forward to having you along for the ride!

[@bwabadoe]

@@PapaCog I am 100% here for the ride man. Absolutely looking forward to seeing you come up, as are many others it seems 🤟

[@PapaCog]

As my target audience don't be shy about providing comment on my other vids etc... stylistically I'm still trying to land on my feet - and all feedback is welcome 🙏

[@jacobhumble6759]

You NEED to do more videos with this tone, very unique among youtubers and very relaxing, i think a lot of people are getting sick of the typical youtuber "HEYYYYY WELCOME TO THE CHANNEL!!!! BEFORE WE START THE VIDEO HIiiTt tHaAAatT SuBScRiiiiBe BuTtonnn!!!!" Yelling into the screen crap...

[@PapaCog]

@jacobhumble6759 Thanks a million Jacob! My DeathStranding video attempts to imitate this tone, so feel free to give critique on that one as well 😀 Future videos may vary in topic but will likely try to thread a more comedic tone while also maintaining this calm demeanor. Thanks for the Sub and hope to see you around!

[@iamdimsound]

enjoyed this! thanks for the retrospective

[@PapaCog]

@iamdimsound glad you enjoyed! I hope the audio is improved since the last and that this was overall a better experience!

[@BradsWorkbench]

Awkward moment playing this game with my daughter watching and i opened that journal 😂 wth

[@PapaCog]

@@BradsWorkbench Firewatch is a surprisingly... adult game at times haha

[@saccharinestrawberry203]

When I clicked on this video, I wasn't expecting much (first-time viewer); I had never personally been a fan of Firewatch (too slow for me-) but I knew how well-regarded it was, so seeing an interesting yet (I'd think) somewhat controversial title had me intrigued; I was going in expecting something along the lines of "this game bad because x, y, z" and I was ready to hear it out, what I got instead was a really nice video and a new way to view the game, a game I too don't find very enjoyable ("a valuable experience") (and also gaining a, surprisingly, understanding description of the connections & differences between empathy, sympathy, and pity?? [though the first of which was a lot more skimmed over compared to the other two, understandably])

[@PapaCog]

This is a very thoughtful and kind comment, and want to express that you really made my night with this. I'm glad you enjoyed! I was a bit concerned that this title was a bit of a click bait - and that the reveal (that I like that I don't like it) is so deep into the video no one would see it 😅. This video is being quite well received compared to my others thus far (which admittedly is a far superior quality) but hope to replicate this style of content moving forward. I hope to see you in the next one - and feel free to criticize! I feel that this type of audience is that which I'd like to develop a community around and so appreciate all feedback - both good and bad!

[@saccharinestrawberry203]

​@@PapaCog Oh, I'm glad ! I can agree that it is a bit clickbait-y, but that could just be due to how some(myself included) are going to immediately assume that by saying "hate," you'll be bashing on the game and its contents instead of going through an analyzation process that comes to a conclusion of appreciation.. But personally, I was quite captivated by where your point was going, so I had been just waiting for that reveal basically ! Oohh, that's great! I hope to see this style replicated as I really enjoyed it!(Though I don't have a point of comparison-) Even though I haven't seen any of your other content (yet), I could kinda feel the vibes that this was probably a bit different than the usual- So, that's quite neat ! I can't wait to catch the next one ! I don't currently have much to criticize off the top of my head...The closest thing I got is one of the parts that had me stay so long is probably going to be something that turns some people off; waiting till the end to lay out your thorough thoughts & feelings about the game- Which makes me sad to say since in a structural format, it makes the most sense and works the best where it is- But you probably already know that seeing your worry that no one would see the reveal-

[@PapaCog]

Amazing feedback - thanks kindly! If you watch backwards my content is admittedly more rough, but every video is an opportunity to improve! Thanks for your support 🙏

[@every_spider-man_ever]

Hello. I've been debating leaving this comment and hope that you take it in the spirit it was left. This video was recommended in a discord that I'm part of, and it's a great video. I think it's thoughtful and well made and measured. However, if I had just seen the thumbnail and the title, I would not have clicked on the video. Because I don't know you, and the title makes it look like a reactionary video that are all too common in the videogame space. I won't click to find out. I think that this video deserves to be seen, and I would suggest changing up how you're presenting them. I understand the need for a clickbaity title -- it's rough out there on the KZbin seas -- but I think you could, for example, use a term like "Empathy in Videogames" in your thumbnail, to give more of a clue of the video that someone is about to watch and enjoy, and still keep the dramatic title. Best of luck with your videos, and hope to see more of you!

[@PapaCog]

I take this as a positive comment, and indeed you made my day with it 😄. I always appreciate feedback - both positive and negative - specifically when done in a thoughtful manner as you have done. Let's be real - I'm *very* new to this and have a long way to go, so your feedback is invaluable. Out of curiosity - which discord? I'd love to drop by and chat!

[@every_spider-man_ever]

@@PapaCog it's an invite-only video essay discord, but if you can share some way to contact you privately, I'll send you a link :)

[@PapaCog]

@every_spider-man_ever Shockingly, it appears YT has removed the ability to see the contact emails in the about section? I have a reddit (and discord) of the same name (PapaCog)

[@phishfry7741]

oh crap! yes that is some heavy stuff there but wasted on the bland irritation of firewatch! the graphics looked amazing and i remember going and looking for videos to see what the story was and completely forgetting a moment later and now it's been explained again and i have completely forgotten!

[@PapaCog]

Hey! Welcome back Phisch! I'm glad I met the standards of the other channels 😉 hope you enjoyed!