The End of Project Freelancer (RVB Update)

So to immediately address the elephant in the room, yes, my finale reaction of Red vs Blue Season 10 Episode 20-22 hasn't been posted yet, and to be completely honest, its because I'm fatigued. (Or at least, I was after watching Episode 17-19.)

I'm aware of the growing frustration and impatience some of you are having, especially with the comments on "waiting" and "not getting what you payed for", and I completely understand why. It's absolutely valid and true. I mean, we're at the VERY end of the road, but I'd be lying if I said I haven't been struggling with the massive workload that every upload has developed into. There's been a delay of some sort for the last few weeks of Season 10 and it's been festering as time goes on.

I'm tired, guys. I put dozens of HOURS into Red vs Blue on a weekly basis. You guys might get 2-3 hours videos  per week, of my reaction and in-depth thoughts and breakdown of the batches, with notes provided, but there's so much legwork involved  and I've been stumbling to keep up.

To be brutally honest, at the time of this post, I haven't even re-watched Episode 17-19 for my notes and discussion, let alone the final batch. It's embarrassing and shameful to admit. I mean, you guys are paying for me to provide content, but after that batch, I just became overwhelmed by the meteoric amount of work that would need to go into that next batch within a week's time. All while being a one-man army and not falling to burnout.

A GLIMPSE:
Neglecting the nuances and sheer depth of the batch, episode 17-19 is 30 minutes in length. The reaction itself was 36 minutes. I have to re-watch the batch a few times for clarity and detail for my rough draft notes, then for my final draft notes (30 minutes per re-watch, so at least 2-4 times. Estimate: 1-2 hours). The recording the discussion takes anywhere from 2-3 hours. And finally, I have to meticulously edit all of the footage together. Making sure the video and audio quality is good, editing out "dead moments" between takes, and including any RVB scenes that help to reinforce my points and provide context to the discussion. So editing a 2-3 hour video usually takes 4-5 hours once all the individual stuff is done. Rendering then takes twice as long as the video length to process in my editing software and BOOM! You have a video. Then I do that all over again, within a week's time. ALL BY MYSELF.

It's a workload yes, and I do it to myself and by myself, but that's only because those are the standards I set for Red vs Blue. That's what I feel it deserves. It's just that I'm not always able to deliver it in an optimal time frame, at it's current standards, while also having a social life and focusing on other content.

I needed a break after 17-19 and I found it. Borderlands 3 came out on Friday. I played it non-stop, with my IRL friends, and finished the game last night. It's the first new game I've had the chance to play since I moved into my new place in May, and it was so much fun to de-stress and unwind with. I haven't thought about Red vs Blue at all this week and it was NEEDED! I mean, that workload I just described went into getting the 14-16 reaction up on YouTube this week, as you can tell my that schedule flop as well.

But to cut to chase, because I'm eating dinner while typing this out...

I understand the disappointment and frustration comes from being left in the dark, and I even more-so understand your right to entitlement, because you're paying for said content. I just get scared when I say one thing, but then have to backpedal so I don't get burned out, and I'm met with someone lash out in frustration because they want what they paid for, or expect that I should be able to handle it because it's all I'm doing until RWBY 7 comes out. And to those people, I'm sorry. I really am.

I understand there are people who are here for many different reasons: To support me as a content creator, because they're invested in my investment, to get the reaction only, or because they're impatient themselves with waiting for the YouTube release. I just have a hard time quelling the flames when something like burnout or fatigue becomes apparent because there's so many varying responses. And the last thing I've ever want is for people to argue their stance on the matter in the comments, so again, I apologize for my lack of responsibility in keep you guys informed.

THAT BEING SAID! I do have a slight chip on my shoulder regarding that last statement. A comment that I read rubbed me the wrong way, so I'd like to address it here and offer it to ANYONE who feel the same:

"Maybe we should skip a couple months of payments, that might get a response."

First off, I started doing Red vs Blue reactions before I ever created my Patreon, and if I closed my Patreon tomorrow, I'd still be making Red vs Blue reactions in my spare time. I understand paying for a service and being upset when it isn't delivered on, but to assume I'm more influenced by the money than the content itself is a cynical and kind of belittling of me. But as a show of good faith, because I'm still able to validate your statement, I'm willing to offer anyone a REFUND on their recent or last month's pledge due to this. (Send me a DM) And if you're willing to go as far as un-pledge, due to the state of affairs, send me a DM and I'll message you the unlisted link when the final reaction is posted.

That way you'll have your money back, your time won't feel or be wasted and you'll still get the early-access reaction you were expecting when its done.

I understand Patreon is an exchange of money for a service, but I never want to be shown or painted as someone who only does something BECAUSE money is a factor.

All in all, this is all I wanted to say. I'll be back on track with STARTING the work on the 17-19 discussion tomorrow morning, and the 20-22 reaction will follow in the coming days. Thank you all for the patience, understanding and support. I appreciate your input and feedback, always.

-Arnold (Murderofbirds)