the power of a stupid game

Рет қаралды 10,572

Күн бұрын

A silly game can be the thing that makes your life
Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon are two of the most nostalgic properties of the 90s and 2000s, surely topping any lists of the sort. Each had an anime, multiple video games, and of course card games to pair with the TV shows, launching massive entertainment franchises. Yugioh was all about the card game, with the Duel Monsters anime focusing on Yugi’s journey to being King of Games, and Pokemon was what we all imagined the games, like the gen 3 Ruby and Sapphire or gen 4 Diamond and Pearl games, to be like. Seeing as both Yugioh and Pokemon centered around games, I was curious to dig deeper into my nostalgic feelings and see why they loomed so large. What I discovered of course was less about these properties, and more about the world around us and its often depressing qualities, as well as the loss of childhood ignorance that made life so interesting.
But, when this led me to reconsider my history with the Duel Monsters trading card game (TCG), I saw an unintended meaning to them. Of course, they are just some rich person’s way to make money, but they’re a common point among many different people. They can bring anyone and everyone alike in a shared interest, and that can have the kind of far reaching and super beneficial impact that some video games and anime could only dream of having. There’s no better way to meet people and make connections than a stupid game.
Amazing Plan - Distressed by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
NirvanaVEVO by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
A video essay discussing nostalgia (90’s kid / 2000’s kid shows)
0:00 Introduction
3:33 Nostalgia
16:05 Connection
#yugioh #pokemon #nostalgia #videoessay #professorviral

Пікірлер: 131

@doughjoe1023 7 ай бұрын

I didn’t wake up this morning expecting a piece about a children’s card game to make me bawl. Fantastic work!

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@eduarddicu5519 7 ай бұрын

I started friendships by playing DuelMasters with other kids in my neighborhood, my first 3 friendships i still have today when we are worlds apart.

@eduarddicu5519 7 ай бұрын

When I left my home town for college I gifted my big bag of Duel Masters and Yu-Gi-Oh cards to younger kids around the block because I knew they will use them more.

@AngDevigne 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for making this. I needed to hear this on so many levels. I really appreciate your self awareness. Also, if you feel some type of way about accepting praise, someone once told me that rejecting praise is the easy option. It's much more difficult, and more admirable, to accept that someone else finds value in what you make.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

It is the easier option, doing otherwise means undoing a lot of years contrary. I guess it's not really that i don't appreciate that others find it valuable, but along the lines of it's just what feels natural to do, expressing things in this way and style

@sangdrako 7 ай бұрын

This is a lot of my friends from the last 15+ years - Yu-Gi-Oh Friends. This is why I felt so sad when Kazuki Takahashi passed. He represented my experiences around this game and the silly ideas of friendship around a show that spouted that. Thanks for sharing what friendship means to you.

@aqualucasYT 7 ай бұрын

Wow what an emotional piece, wonderful video

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@Ange1Alter 7 ай бұрын

I loves the videos where you’re more personal and let-loose! I still adore the usual analysis videos, but when someone adds their own experience to it- it somehow draws me in more. This video, fear of love, and obsession would be my favorites from your channel. Keep up the good work, I need background sound for when I draw after all :)

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, I'm glad I can provide that so well for you 😁

@Muppet1107 7 ай бұрын

"Being an adult is needing an excuse for everything you do" -ProfessorvViral Holy shit that hit hard for me currently...

@VJ-td6oc 4 ай бұрын

I remember reading something about the author of Yu-Gi-Oh! Kazuki Takahashi. He had a great passion not just for card games, but all sorts of board games, because he believed that great friendships can be forged through playing them. Even if people playing them have different personalities,they can come to understand one another through common passion for board games and he wanted to spread that idea. I have also come back to playing yugioh as an adult after 15 years of not playing it and I am grateful for it. Because it led me to geting out of my comfor zone and going to board games club where I got to know a few interesting people I now call my friends.

@commonviewer2488 3 ай бұрын

Kazuki Takahashi had a love for games, most of all, tabletop. He was my gateway into the hobby just from learning his preferences.

@dianahill8994 7 ай бұрын

The local game shop here has been my 'third space' for a while. I love the people I play magic with there and they are definitely family.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Same here, we all met at a different one than we go to now, but this current one is much more friendly and accommodating to everyone and every game

@Mellopathy0_0 7 ай бұрын

I love this, this is what I needed, thank you for telling about such a beautiful part of being a human I appreciate this so much

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the kind words of support, I couldn't do it as well as I do without that 💙

@erikblue7842 7 ай бұрын

You never fail to motivate me to doing stuff and trying to push myself. I have social anxiety, and it's anything but helping me in my new situation. I started on a new school, in a very specific field, and found myself alone. The people in my department are so different from me, that it feels difficult to even talk to them. I tried making friends at the school house (dormatories), and people there have just abandoned me and left me every time I tried to arrange something. But this truly motivates me. I resonate deep with your videos, and they never fail to bring me something, even if it is just food for thought. Thank you, truly. I may not know you, I may never know you, but your produce is something I admire, and I wish to put the same into my work. Thank you.

@sethwhettam4265 7 ай бұрын

I see cyber dragon, that is, no joke, my favorite deck archetype! I have so many fond memories with that deck, and still casually play it with friends. Should do that more often.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

A little memory I have of it was how my friend said "galaxy soldier" in a very odd way on purpose, but I have no way to represent it in text haha

@IceBearGAk 7 ай бұрын

I just can't wait for your next video. The way you write and read your video essays is just amazing to me. gives me a moment to chill and relax

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

I'm happy to hear that, and glad I can provide that for you 💙

@JoJoZaka 7 ай бұрын

row row fight the power

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Do the impossible, see the invisible

@naothedrengr 7 ай бұрын

Your videos are very transformative. I love listening to your videos during hard times. You make me wanna be a writer/philosopher

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

I'm glad I can give that feeling as others gave it to me. I'd recommend what I really do for everything, which is to try out a bit of it and see how it feels! Reading a few introductory philosophy works can do a lot to make the world feel very new and interesting! As a side passion at least I think it's something great for anyone

@heek8964 2 ай бұрын

You really had me in the first half, thinking this was just gonna be doomer bullshit. And then you started the anecdote, and then you got to the point. Pretty good stuff right here.

@NullVoid-rm7jm 7 ай бұрын

You MIGHT like the anime Goodnight, World. As far as I know it's a new one

@Fatzombie086 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for making this, hits right in the feels.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Of course, I'm glad it could be so meaningful : )

@NASTYDoop 7 ай бұрын

Its nice to see someone have the simple outlook and connection with these "stupid things" the power that fuels your passion to make such a compelling essay is astounding god bless your words for what thats worth and thank you for your childish honesty truly.

@albertjames1849 7 ай бұрын

literally just started playing pokemon again 3 days ago and this video comes rn, SO STRANGE

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

I have *the timing*

@abyosoren 7 ай бұрын

I became friends with who is today my best friend in middle school, because we worked in groups to do I-don't-know-what about our state's culture or something like that, and after that, in the lunch break he came to me and start talking about video games and how he owned a PSP, and I grew up playing video games since I was six years old, and we sticked together for that lunch break and the next three years. We went to different high schools and we are in different universities now, but we are still in touch thanks to social media and play online games from time to time, but being an adult sucks and we don't have enough time to talk about how's our life going or any news we have. We have our own codes for saying things, we share some weird sense of humor, we spent a lot of time together and I feel he's like my brother, and all this because we start talking and playing our stupid (video) games

@commonviewer2488 3 ай бұрын

It's not the pocket monters or over-the-top cardgames themselves that were great. Stupid things like that gave us an excuse to talk to each other and have dumb fun. Thanks for the memories.

@ProfessorViral 3 ай бұрын

That's what I miss the most, a more universal excuse to break any ice

@Nencha.K 7 ай бұрын

I moved allot as a kid and had to leave allot of friends behind but once I had gotten a group a friend's around highschool I fought to keep that group even when moving should have changed my school but I didn't and still have those friends today and Im so glad I did If I didn't have them I'm not sure I'd be here today Great video

@Sin606 7 ай бұрын

I didn't expect all of this, sounds like you had quite the adventure. Yu-gi-oh is also special to me and I also have memories tied to it. Heck one of my favorite decks started off with a trade between Warriors Orochi on the PS2 for my friend's 90 spare cards some of which are still in that deck from way back when...the 3 nimble monmongas I found all on the street at different times and only one of them isn't crushed...the face card Invader of Darkness I got from one of those Yugioh lots that I was afraid was going to be just 300 Koribohs. Developing any kind of relationship is tough, but sometimes it can be that little commonality that spawns a lifelong...or at least more than 15 year relationship. The game was the bridge and sometimes we need them. Thanks for the vid.

@timothykim856 Ай бұрын

This has gotta be your best essay to date. sooo relateable!!! thanks for bringing back nostalgia for me....

@ProfessorViral Ай бұрын

Of course, glad I could! This video didn't do too well, but it's one of my favorites since I got to work more on developing a story of my own, instead of speaking on someone else's

@puddingpanda645 6 ай бұрын

Oh wow your video took me on a real nostalgia trip back to easier days. I like listening to your thoughts but hearing you break down over the wholesomeness of a friends actions made me weep as well. As it made me remember all the great people i met over the years and the tears I spilled when we parted. I'm still friends with a bunch because of the stupid games i played or because i had the courage to compliment someones drawings. It's these moments that count and can make a difference in the dull world of adult life. Thank you so much for your tale!!

@Tank175 7 ай бұрын

What an amazing video. I have a long history of loneliness and this video made me reflect over my history. It helped a lot, so thank you. I have a playlist where my put my absolute favorite videos from KZfaq. It has about 20 now and yours is one of it.

@pyromaniacforhire 7 ай бұрын

You are a badass having a Black GBA SP! That was the holy grail of coolness among young nerds in our town back then~

@marocat4749 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing, and that brothers sound really fun. also the surge of emotions coming through that, thanks for sharing , totally not messed up emotionally in a good way . Maybe thats the value, that there is a shitty social game that stupid games and interests can help come together and be fun?! i draw at straws?!

@galisatsuki 7 ай бұрын

holy crap, beautiful video. thank you for being so raw, open, and honest. ❤

@RinneAvicula 7 ай бұрын

The only reason I first spoke the person who would become one of the most important people in my life was that I asked about their pikachu plushie. That was fifteen years ago now :)

@freakypuff 3 ай бұрын

I always feel so inspired by your videos. Thank you. No matter the reason, no matter the point, I wanted to really say thank you. I really appreciate it. The feelings, the thoughts behind your words, I understand and see myself in it. So thank you. heh this could be commented on any of your videos honestly, but since I can now, I shall. I look forward to more of what you do. Truely. ✨

@jeffdunbar1216 7 ай бұрын

Cardfight Vanguard mentioned, what's your favorite clan/nation? Mine is Link Joker/Brandt Gate

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Dark Irregulars, specifically Dantarian for V, and in D I've been sticking with B-Heros for a while

@moritzmehno770 7 ай бұрын

Man...As you said in the video that you find it hard to exept compliments for your craft, cause you need to do it in order to understand what you feel, I was honestly just thinking: "MAAAN, but thats the point why people here like your craft in particular!" People like people who are into their own emotions. Its not a given that people actually do so much work and introspection to find out why and what they are truly feeling. I respect people alot who do that, cause I already was very into my own feelings as a child and learned later that not everyone does that automatically. I had to grow and learn to work better with people from another starting point and with different talents so to speak, I always find this to be quite interessting how people are so different :)

@kiah9085 7 ай бұрын

This so so much. I met one of my best friends by making a stupid post about a story au on amino and they were the only one who commented, and then they made of it, and we got talking. We aren’t really in that fandom anymore, but it’s been more than five years and we still talk all the time. Another friend just came up to me while I was working, gave me her phone number, and said “do you want to be friends.” And we are now and have been for about three years. Putting yourself out there, or liking small things, it gives you something to connect with and is so important. I’m not friends with any of people I got to know over Yugioh, but I introduced my little sister to it and we still talk about it sometimes even if I haven’t watched the actual show in years (although it has become a yearly tradition for me to hunt down season zero every October to watch).

@hostage5560 6 ай бұрын

I know these videos must take a lot of work, writing, formatting and scripting to fit a coherent structure. But I’d love more of these. They make me feel understood, with thoughts thrown in here and there that I never really understood that I had in the first place. It’s a strange bitter sweet pleasant feeling of wholeness that I feel I should’ve had years ago through my own experiences, and then remembering that I could’ve done that if I wasn’t hit with so many setbacks in life. Thank you so much for these videos. Much love

@aperson4184 6 ай бұрын

Your videos are incredible. You deserve so much more recognition for the wonderful way in which you express yourself send tell these stories.

@MosesMoss-uy8sd 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much man this video was wonderful! As a duelist seince 5th grade this resonated with me deep. You really do make wonderful, artful content man!

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

I'm glad it could be so effective, thank you for kind words : )

@EclairsAngel 7 ай бұрын

theres a saying that going ignorance is bliss i think it fully applies here in what your talking about.

@manolismarinakis8444 6 ай бұрын

I truly believe that there is love (of many kinds) to be found in our environment... Sometimes it is already directed toward us and sometimes there are people who just need a small nudge to release it and it is really important for us to learn to recognize it and accept it (in the first case) or be inviting to it (in the second)... That's a hopeful message I have to share. I invite any of you to stop and think how many people would be happier if right now you just called them (after the weird "what does he want from me? Nothing? Really?" phase ended) or how many people would feel, even a little, sad if they heard that something slightly bad happened to you.

@misterhim7380 7 ай бұрын

Love the video as always. Can't wait until the next one!.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Ah, thank you! 💙

@elios7623 7 ай бұрын

your videos are always very appreciated

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, the same for all the kind support 💙

@hectorvivis3651 7 ай бұрын

Damn. It made me realize how the only lasting friendships I managed to keep are from the high school days when we played D&D. We still continue to play D&D and PF2E to this day and I think it's what cement our friendship somehow. What a strange thing is, indeed, the power of a stupid game.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

I've noticed friendships I had from other games that fell out of favor degrading without that central pillar, as well as how those with it survive much better. The key to being a happy human might really just be keeping shared interests alive

@centbent 5 ай бұрын

THIS GOES SO FUCKING HARD, cried with you bro, humans are beautiful

@jbw2109 7 ай бұрын

I know it sounds stupid, but it feels so validating to hear someone else talk about the same feelings I struggle with so much. Thank you!

@Boreas1986 7 ай бұрын

god damn, why are you so much like me! You even made me cry at the end. (thank you, feelings are good, actually!) It feels weird, a bit wrong and para-social, to write what i would like to write to somebody on the other side of the planet, especialy so publicly. (but why would i want that to stop me) I felt every heavy breath and melancolic thoughtfull pause, even though they are edited out for the most part. Your videos touch me. (more than they probably should) You have a beautifull soul.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

I actually only edit my audio on flubbed lines, so every breath and pause is just my natural cadence! I hate how "catchy" content is made to be anymore, so I leave my stuff as is to go against that a bit. But I'm glad it is something that people enjoy!

@darthevan01 7 ай бұрын

I listened to 4 hours worth of your content during my morning shift at wendys, and I plan to again tomorrow

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

That's a recipe for an existential crisis right there haha

@darthevan01 7 ай бұрын

@@ProfessorViral I can confirm that it was indeed a recipe for an existential crisis

@pykeembers1575 7 ай бұрын

I have enjoyed your videos for quite a while now and I always feel inspired and find myself thinking critically after each one. This was the first one that made me remember specific moments involving games that I haven't thought about in a long time. Sticking to just Yu-Gi-Oh, playing my mill deck with a single monster on the field against a cyber end dragon. I summoned iron chain repairman which special summoned an iron chain snake from the graveyard, activated inferno reckless summon to summon 2 more from the deck, equipped all 3 to the dragon making it weak enough to kill and sent 30 cards from his deck to grave Or when I swung for 12000 with a single blackwing only to get caught by a magic cylinder, only to save myself with mystic wok giving me 12000 life before taking the damage Or even my crappy all different machine deck where I pumped a single morphtronic monster to 16000 and swung only to get kuriboh'd. So the next turn I doubled it to 32000 and said this time stay dead. These are cherished memories that I don't get to think about too much these days. Even thinking about some MTG games too. Thank you for warming my heart and not just engaging my mind

@pykeembers1575 7 ай бұрын

Also just remembered going to my only sneak preview for I believe it was Shining Darkness and managed to pull the chase card, Infernity Barrier (an $80 card at the time). Everyone jumped at me to trade for something they pulled and I felt overwhelmed and felt like I was gonna trade for something not as good (prior experience when I was much younger and traded Jinzo for Serpent Knight Dragon). Somehow I managed to hold out long enough until someone offered my first and only ghost rare. Ghost rare Black Winged Dragon. Blackwing was my main deck so it spoke to me. After all that was done, I sat down to play and the first person I played used a burn deck. I got to summon my new monster which negates burn and immediately felt the results of waiting for the right card.

@a-liminal 7 ай бұрын

I love the episode of Yu-Gi-Oh where Makishima sends Kaiba to the shadow realm and becomes god of the new card games.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

I can't wait until he comes to lament how any deck, any card or strategy, can be replaced by power creep, and grows tired of a world like that

@AshUkihime 7 ай бұрын

I started playing Genshin impact and made a lot of friends that I didn't know would exist. Eventually one of those friends became my gf. Same with Yu-Gi-Oh Pokemon, action figures etc these stupid games that others see as dumb mean a lot to us and help keep us living life with us being okay that life can suck and be dark and that is okay. I'm glad you opened up about all this.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Of course, if I can do some small part to make this all feel more normal, then I have to!

@PrimordialNightmare 5 күн бұрын

It was really tough making it through all this front loaded negativity, especially since I still enjoy and cherish these old shows. But damn, it was really worth it in the end.

@ProfessorViral 5 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching to the end despite the rough start, I'm glad it was worth it!

@zackarydacker1942 7 ай бұрын

Anotha masterpiece, What a legend.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, that's too kind haha

@sararhodes132 7 ай бұрын

I love your videos!! Did you record the city looks? (Not trying to be stalker I just really enjoy them☺️)

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Yep, some nights it's just what catches my eye while I'm out, other times I'm just wandering places I know to see what's pretty

@PunkinThePie 7 ай бұрын

I always love the videos keep it up please the fans need these videos

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Of course, I'll try my best to!

@ULTRAJACK. 7 ай бұрын

I guess what I you take from all this is that life is going to get harder and harder and it’s not going to feel worth Just remember those moments in time when life felt like home

@Faiella162 7 ай бұрын

I was a military brat who moved around way too much as a kid. I have exactly one friend I still keep in touch with from childhood and our first interaction was because I brought the 3.5 edition Players Handbook to read by myself before home ec and they recognized it and asked if I played. This damn video had me tearing up, too.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

The way something like than can make such an easy opening to meet someone really is an understated amazement of our world : )

@SlickEvan 7 ай бұрын

What is the song used in the first part of the video?

@ImPacTMaSTer1 7 ай бұрын

My change of heart tattoo loves this video

@blue-eyedfox7994 7 ай бұрын

I like you. You make my constant thinking feel less weird.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

That's part of why I started all this, I was a kid alone with their thoughts. I'm glad I can make it less weird

@DankUser 7 ай бұрын

Sir, you are Certified Genuine.

@AffinityShadow00 7 ай бұрын

Prof, I made it damn that one really resonated with me, but on the magic the gathering side 😆 I hope we can get more of your ramblings it brought back a lot of nostalgic memories thank you ☕🥰

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you. There will always be more ramblings 💙

@shaynemaskall6984 7 ай бұрын

Nice video and the Music by Kevin Macleod compliments it perfectly. Still waiting on the Cell's at Work: Code Black video; plus you can put in your thoughts about the Pandemic in the vid. By the way did you see my comment about Steins;Gate on your last vid? I hope you read it! Keep up the good work!

@hayden3928 7 ай бұрын

Is 31:30 a shot of Pittsburgh? Beautiful city at night

@ThePhantomCigar 7 ай бұрын

The power of friendship

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

The real One Piece was the friends we made along the way

@Treblebeatgames 7 ай бұрын

I have no words for this video, other than thank you.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Of course, happy to!

@joveee5719 7 ай бұрын

Professor viral your videos are what I think KZfaq is suppose to be. Thanks for being real, you have some powerful stories.

@hemig2869 7 ай бұрын

Holy crap, what a beautiful video Thank you for continuing to be vulnerable with us and share these precious memories You reminded me of my days playing yugioh back in highschool and driving with my mate to a card shop an hour away from our houses Thank you bro, given me another reminder to be thankful to the people in my life ❤

@cheetahtamer6432 7 ай бұрын

There is probably a lot to say, but at the same time it's just a comment on a video. But wanted to say thank you. For everything

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Sometimes a little bit is enough. Thank you : )

@misterhim7380 7 ай бұрын

A PV upload. This is a good day!

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

That's very kind 😁

@r.a.3829 7 ай бұрын

The thumbnail from what anime is from??

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

It's from the first episode of yugioh, an extremely cheesy moment of it specially

@joshuaharris3039 7 ай бұрын

Thank You ❤

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

No problem at all!

@fallingintheshadows1 7 ай бұрын

Wait those bridges look familiar do you live in Cincinnati?

@jamiebaldwin8195 7 ай бұрын

Dammit!!!😢😔

@dipstickfilms9913 5 ай бұрын

Thank you

@jakariashafin1695 7 ай бұрын

Awesome video my words will not do it justice.

@ProfessorViral 7 ай бұрын

Thank you, just that is enough 😁

@jakariashafin1695 7 ай бұрын

@@ProfessorViral yeah uh I know you said you have trouble accepting praise but honestly I have no idea what else to say

@jakariashafin1695 7 ай бұрын

@@ProfessorViral also a part of your video stuck out to me in a way that bit where you mentioned the thought of never encountering those situations where you connected with those people it's hard to explain but something about alternet possibilities like a multiverse I guess terrifies me yes there's possibilities for thing going great but then infinite possibilities also means infinite pain and suffering for both oneself and others if you don't mind me asking what are your thoughts on this