[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.33,0:00:01.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hey there!
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.33,0:00:07.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every year, I dedicate my last video to the\Nmost innovative game from the last 12 months.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.29,0:00:12.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the past I've talked about time-travelling\Ndetective games, brain-busting block pushers,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.46,0:00:15.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and time-looping archeological adventures.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.13,0:00:18.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what should I pick for 2022?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.41,0:00:19.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.41,0:00:22.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've always been interested in speed-running.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:22.27,0:00:26.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's the practice of taking a game, and\Ntrying to finish it in the fastest way humanly
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.63,0:00:27.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,possible.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.63,0:00:29.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This requires you to play with impeccable\Nskill.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.78,0:00:33.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To understand every facet of the game's underlying\Ndesign.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.30,0:00:35.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To research movement tech.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.09,0:00:38.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To exploit skips, shortcuts, and sequence\Nbreaking.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.06,0:00:41.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, sometimes, to break the game into a billion\Npieces.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.74,0:00:46.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a fun part of gaming culture - from annual\Nconventions like Awesome Games Done Quick,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.98,0:00:49.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to YouTube chronicles like Summoning Salt.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.82,0:00:53.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, let's be honest: I'm never going to do\Nit.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.20,0:00:58.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This requires an unbelievable time commitment\N- a top Ocarina of Time runner says he spent
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.43,0:01:01.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more than 4,500 hours on the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.50,0:01:06.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I could spend that time doing much better\Nthings, like watching the Shrek the Halls
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.06,0:01:08.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Christmas special 9,000 times.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.35,0:01:13.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So... what if you made a game that simulated\Nthe feeling of being a speedrunner.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.21,0:01:18.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That gave you the chance to learn a move set,\Npractice running over and over again, find
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.67,0:01:21.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,skips and shortcuts, and slowly get better.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.75,0:01:24.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But without the thousand hour commitment?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.29,0:01:29.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, that would be Neon White.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.62,0:01:39.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,♫ Upbeat Music ♫
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.83,0:01:43.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, at it's most basic, this is a first-person\Nplatforming game.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.70,0:01:47.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In each level you pick up these carefully\Nplaced weapon cards - they can be used to
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.71,0:01:49.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,shoot down demons.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.06,0:01:53.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or they can be discarded to unleash a special\Nmove, borrowed from other platforming games
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.63,0:01:58.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- like a double jump, forward dash, rocket\Njump, hookshot, or ground pound.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.31,0:02:03.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so you must race through each level, shooting\Ndemons, discarding cards, and moving with
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.59,0:02:04.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,speed and skill.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.86,0:02:10.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, you could finish each level, move on,\Nfast forward through the cringe dialogue,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.64,0:02:12.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and roll credits in a few hours.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.71,0:02:14.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, that's not really the point.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.92,0:02:19.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“If you just play to win each level without\Ngoing back to optimise your time, you’re
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.69,0:02:25.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not really playing Neon White,” says creator\NBen Esposito.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.41,0:02:29.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game initially began as a first person\Nshooter mixed with a deck builder.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.99,0:02:34.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You'd assemble a deck of cards, and then get\Ndealt random weapons and powers in the middle
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.33,0:02:35.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of a fight.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.63,0:02:37.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which... kinda sucked.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.55,0:02:41.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when Ben changed the prototype to have\Na breadcrumb trail of hand-picked cards, his
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.96,0:02:46.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,friends quickly started running through the\Nlevels as quickly as possible, trading back
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.10,0:02:48.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and forth their best times.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.21,0:02:51.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which led to Neon White as we now know it.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.56,0:02:56.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a big departure from his previous game\N- the noodley hole 'em up Donut County, which
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.99,0:03:02.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was designed to appeal to as many people as\Npossible, with its simple gameplay and controls.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.47,0:03:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This time, Ben wanted to make a game that\Na few people would absolutely love - a strange
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.08,0:03:12.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mix of Counterstrike surf maps, \NToonami anime, Dreamcast aesthetics, Visual Novel
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.52,0:03:14.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dialogue and more.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.26,0:03:19.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Anyway, like Ben says - Neon White is most fun\Nwhen you play the level, and then try to do
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.49,0:03:21.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it again - but faster.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.41,0:03:25.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But during development, this wasn't always\Nobvious to people and they would blast through
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.39,0:03:28.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,levels without ever thinking to retry for\Na better time.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.78,0:03:32.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the team developed a system that would\Nencourage players to optimise.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.74,0:03:38.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's called Insight - designed, as Ben says,\N"to orient people to the true 'fun' of the
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.41,0:03:39.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,game."
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.41,0:03:43.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you start a level for the first time\Nyou're given a screen like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.75,0:03:44.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everything's locked.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.75,0:03:46.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you just play the level.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.42,0:03:50.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You're probably a tad slow, you might make\Na few mistakes, you might hesitate - and so
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.94,0:03:52.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you get a bronze medal.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.91,0:03:54.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,WHITE: "Cleared it".
Dialogue: 0,0:03:54.26,0:03:58.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This unlocks a leaderboard with your friends'\Ntimes, and also shows you how fast you'll
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.61,0:04:00.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,need to go for a better reward.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.94,0:04:03.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each level in Neon White is incredibly short.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.35,0:04:06.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A stage might only take 20 or 30 seconds to\Nfinish.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.37,0:04:09.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So... they're always quick enough to encourage\Nanother go.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.62,0:04:11.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you play again.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:11.21,0:04:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This round, a timer appears on screen.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.50,0:04:17.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You play faster, you're more accurate, you\Nknow how the level's laid out so there's less
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.56,0:04:18.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hesitation.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.62,0:04:20.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This time, you get a silver medal...
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.25,0:04:21.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,WHITE: "I'll take it".
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.83,0:04:27.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,...and you can now race against your own ghost,\Nto see how you can do it even better.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.00,0:04:32.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Neon White feels great to play - it has tight,\Nresponsive, and reliable movement mechanics,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.36,0:04:36.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all the standard forgiveness features,\Nlike coyote time and edge rounding.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.45,0:04:41.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's just intrinsically fun to play, so replaying\Na level never feels like a chore.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.73,0:04:46.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's crystal clear that with just a bit\Nmore skill, a bit more accuracy, a bit more
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.55,0:04:49.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,practice, you could totally do it better.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.62,0:04:51.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you play again.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.32,0:04:52.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Optimise.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.32,0:04:53.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Improve.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.32,0:04:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Do better.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.32,0:04:55.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Get a gold medal!
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.32,0:04:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How on earth could I have done that any faster?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.32,0:04:57.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,WHITE: "Didn't even break a sweat".
Dialogue: 0,0:04:57.64,0:05:03.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Neon White's visual design and architecture\Nis intended for clarity and zero ambiguity.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.55,0:05:07.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's all clean white buildings, with green\Nplants that point towards where to go, and
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.80,0:05:11.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,obvious visual affordances like staircases\Nand archways.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.15,0:05:15.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Plus, the enemies and cards are placed through\Nthe stage like a dotted line from start to
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.70,0:05:16.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,finish.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.70,0:05:19.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that easy route is also a red herring.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.67,0:05:24.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because each and every level has a secret\Nshortcut that can be exploited to get an even
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.11,0:05:25.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,better time.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.32,0:05:29.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's the reward for a gold medal: a\Nlevel hint, which shows you where to break
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.67,0:05:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the obvious route to get a faster time.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.27,0:05:35.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you play again.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.05,0:05:39.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With a little more practice, some problem\Nsolving, and a dollop of skill, you should
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.98,0:05:43.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have everything you need to net yourself the\Nace medal.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.20,0:05:45.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,WHITE: "It's 'cause I'm the best".
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.77,0:05:52.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this finally unlocks the global leaderboards\N- and the temptation to go even faster.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.13,0:05:53.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps you'll keep trying.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.39,0:05:55.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Eke out a few extra seconds.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.65,0:05:59.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Search YouTube for tips - wait, you can parry\Nbullets in this game to get a speed boost?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.63,0:06:00.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What!
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.63,0:06:05.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you do that, you just might unlock\Na fifth, secret, red medal - for times set
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.12,0:06:06.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by Ben himself.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.92,0:06:11.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so by going through this process, you\Nget the feeling of being a speedrunner on
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.44,0:06:15.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that specific level - but in mere minutes,\Nor perhaps a few hours.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.62,0:06:18.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rather than weeks, months, and years.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.71,0:06:23.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You get to feel like an AGDQ superstar.\NWithout the time commitment.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.30,0:06:26.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course - none of this is particularly new.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.40,0:06:28.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Leaderboards have been around since the arcades.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.33,0:06:30.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Player ghosts since ancient racing games.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.24,0:06:34.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I praised the hidden medals in Assault\NAndroid Cactus for how they reward the best
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.91,0:06:38.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,players - without demoralising those who can't\Nmake the grade.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.26,0:06:41.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there's something special about the way\NNeon White does it.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.17,0:06:42.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For most games...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.60,0:06:47.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,time trials, speed runs, gold medals, and\Nso on are the exclusive domain of a few elite
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.42,0:06:48.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,players.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.45,0:06:51.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Something that we mere mortals just watch\Non YouTube.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.14,0:06:53.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that's not the case in Neon White.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.77,0:06:58.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Practically everyone who talks about this\Ngame says the same thing - it's almost impossible
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.09,0:07:01.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to move on without, at the very least, a gold\Nmedal.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.21,0:07:03.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe an ace if you're feeling spicy.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.39,0:07:06.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's no surprise: the short levels make\Nreplaying easy.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.92,0:07:08.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The tight controls make it fun.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.83,0:07:13.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the insight system encourages you to do\Nit, by gradually easing you in from a stumbling
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.52,0:07:17.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,level finisher, to a slick speedrunning superstar.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.57,0:07:21.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so that's why I'm picking it as the most\Ninnovative game of 2022.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.27,0:07:26.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,WHITE: "Not bad for a dead guy, huh?"
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.75,0:07:29.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some honourable mentions, as always.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.32,0:07:34.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like 2019's winner, Baba is You, Patrick's\NParabox is a block-shunting Sokoban game that
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.91,0:07:36.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,soon gets super meta.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.94,0:07:41.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This time, the block you are pushing around...\Nmight just be the level you are playing in
Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.75,0:07:45.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- creating a recursive nightmare of infinite\Npossibilities.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.66,0:07:50.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sounds like it would melt your brain, but\Nthe elegant and considered puzzle design gently
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.52,0:07:54.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,guides you along a journey of surprising twists\Nand a-ha moments.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.94,0:07:59.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Citizen sleeper is a micro RPG with an inventive\Ndice-based mechanic.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.75,0:08:03.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each morning you'll wake up with a handful\Nof dice showing random values.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.44,0:08:07.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can then spend these dots on different\Ntasks, which forces you consider your priorities
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.99,0:08:12.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- which jobs are most important, and which\Ncharacters do you want to hang out with most?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.88,0:08:15.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This makes every choice feel more meaningful.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.77,0:08:20.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Vampire Survivors looks like junk and basically\Nplays itself.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.09,0:08:24.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this automated twin stick shooter is impossible\Nto put down.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.02,0:08:30.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By lifting the most compulsive parts of clickers,\NRPGs, musou games, and synergistic deck builders,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.56,0:08:35.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this game burrowed its way into my brain until\NI forcibly kicked it off my Xbox.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.63,0:08:40.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There was also the Non-Euclidean adventure\NHyperbolica, the goofy rhythm game Trombone
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.71,0:08:46.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Champ, and Tunic - the game that hides its\Nbest mysteries in a vintage instruction manual.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.12,0:08:48.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This year had some real gems.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.65,0:08:54.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if you want to know my ten favourite games\Nof 2022, then check out GMTK on Patreon - those
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.79,0:08:58.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the video tier can now check out my game\Nof the year list.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.48,0:09:03.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Patreon is also the number one best way to\Nsupport this channel and everything I've been
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.04,0:09:04.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doing this year.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.30,0:09:10.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since January I've made videos on topics like\Ninvisible choices, economies, combing genres,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.05,0:09:16.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and solving problems, and games like Deathloop,\NHitman 3, Rollerdrome, and Elden Ring.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.21,0:09:22.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've made five dev logs about my magnet game,\Nan interactive video essay, a huge Unity tutorial,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.73,0:09:27.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,minis on God of War and Fortnite, and ran\Nanother monster game jam.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.21,0:09:32.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thanks to everyone on Patreon who supports\Nthis channel, your kindness means the world
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.12,0:09:41.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to me.