Mega Cat Studios had the awesome chance to converse with the Achievement Hunter fan, Chad from Reddit! We asked about their experiences and stories from the guys they admire on Achievement Hunter and the AH fan community they belong to. They gave us a sneak peek at how their community dynamics are! Here's how our interview with them went.

How did you discover Achievement Hunter and how long have you been in the community?

I was there when they first started on Machinima back in 2003 if I remember correctly. Saw their stuff as a young kid and enjoyed Halo so it went hand in hand growing up.

What made it interesting for you to check it out?

I was drawn in by the comedy and Halo, younger me enjoyed to slapstick stuff and shenanigans. I was all over Machinima but Red Vs Blue is what really drew me. Only thing I’d actually wait for new episodes to drop.

What were the biggest issues you encountered in the community?

Honestly that’s a good question. You see it’s been a rollercoaster watching the community and creators throughout the years. I think my answer would be when the Ryan Haywood scandal happened. It was a huge blow not just to me but also the whole community. It sucked a lot because he’d help make my childhood amazing. Laughter, inside jokes, great content, and honestly he was my favorite of everyone. Then he turns out to be a bad guy and it’s a “never meet your heroes” moment except I never got to even meet him. Ever since that I believe the community and company has been fractured. Then bad moment after bad moment keep coming to light and the now illustrious company that built childhoods for a lot of people is suddenly turning out to be full of tragedies and neglects. Sucks. I still hold out that they recover but the last two years haven’t really shown me, an older and OG fan, much.

Doesn’t mean I still don’t appreciate what they did for me and my life along with others. They will always hold a special place in my heart.

What would be the best memory or moment you’ve experienced?

Honestly I really enjoyed the Extra Life charity streams the most. The passion and dedication put into those were always a joy and something I’d always put money aside for (when I started making money) it was for a great cause while also bringing the community together.

What would be your all-time favorite video from Achievement Hunter and why?

Oh man just one video? Sheesh. Legends of the Hidden Tower was pretty great. I think it perfectly encapsulates the controlled chaos of the group. Group of videos would be Season 9-10 of Red Vs Blue.

Should other people also try and check out Achievement Hunter or Rooster Teeth? Why so?

Absolutely, especially the earlier stuff. Community was the main factor and it’s like a party that always had a chair for anyone from anywhere to sit and join. The content ranged all over the place to not just gaming. Super fun place where you can find just about anything video wise. That’s what kind of sets them apart from normal YouTube and Streaming services. They existed as their own entity separate from the main scene while also partaking in it. Which means they didn’t have to be bound to the typical content tunnels you’d see pop up, they could partake in them but didn’t need to.

They existed before steaming and grew up with YouTube

With the things you said, do you think that makes the community very special? And who do you think would enjoy the community as well?

I do, I think since it came up in its own right and was able to stand up on its own despite other towering giants around it really shows something. I always found it special since you can also grow with these people throughout the years just like I did. It’s as easy as starting from the beginning and watching them. Like I said anyone can really join and enjoy it, of course gamers will have the largest claim to that because it’s the core of the content but anyone is welcome to join. The focus of the videos never really revolves around the game play as much as it did the cast and you, the viewer.

How would you describe your experience and stay in the AH community and What made you stay long in the AH community?

To describe my experience I’d have to say that it was a fun and long ride that had many ups and downs but overall was a great time. What kept me around was despite a screen and thousands of miles between us I always felt like I was right there with them, like another person on the room having a good laugh about what’s happening. They really nailed the family experience.

I will admit lately as of the last two years I’ve fell off of them but that’s because I feel they have made the classic mistake most big companies (which they have now become lately) makes. That mistake is not maintaining that relationship with your original and core audience that got you there. It’s a bit sad seeing the semi-new/new and even the occasional OG member lash back out at the community and say things like “if you don’t like the changes you can leave” or “our numbers speak for themselves.” Sure, they probably do maintain good numbers and profits but that really wasn’t the original point of who they were or how they got to be so big today. Who knows maybe I’m just older now and new kids are getting to experience what I did so it feels different to me, especially with the gap in generations. If that’s the case I’m ok with that, especially knowing that I had my great experience why wouldn’t I want that for other young kids?

Either way I’m happy to have been along for the ride, and just because I’m no longer the guy in the front passenger seat I’m happy to be a comer and goer. So to put a final word on my experience I would say it’s a complete fun circle.

What are your suggestions for the whole AH community?

Old or new, we all came for something here in the community, don’t let that happy memory go. Let us bond through experience and truly keep that family core principle strong.

 

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