Reading through the comments its clear to see that the fit and healthy amongst us want a return to the studio format whilst others are being a little bit more cautious.

i for one am one of the later as a disabled veteran with a compromised immune system, im still shielding and wearing a mask everywhere, we despite the media are very much in the grip of the pandemic still, with people dieing from covid.

i personally have lost three good friends to the Delta variant, ny sister bearly died from it in jan/feb this year, with omicron nearly taking both of my elderly parents this very month. I hate to be the voice of doom but all the strains of covid are very much still in circulation none have been nuked yet and i can very much understand the teams caution, if it isnt for themselves it has to be for their nearest and dearest who are vulmerable. Dont forget people once the working day is done we all go home to our loved ones with responsibility for elderly parents, grandparents and other family with people in vulnerable categories. just one the overweight category can greatly increase your chances of severe illness with covid and possible long standing affects impacting on daily life ( i can say this coz im fuller figured). My own sister was in a pressurised environment on a respirator for weeks and suffered with long covid her category she has Asthma, she lay on a ward with people dieing all around her and was terrified.

i share this with you as a real life reminder to you all that not all amongst us are always fit and healthy and we all have a duty  to safeguard all of those around us both at work and at home. Even the Health and Safety executive has recognised this and included Covid into the COSHH regulations. The OTT gang and Wayland are simply being good Employers and Employees taking precautions to safeguard their staff and their nearest and dearest. Plus then you add the problems associated with remote team members it seems safe and reasonable given the real world concerns.

The mighty @warzan was struck very low with covid and shared his experience of it, it wasnt good, the team again sufferring post the UK games expo all to bring us hobby content, which isnt life dependant. With covid its pretty much luck of the draw depending on the variant and the persons health and wellbeing i think we should all behind the team supporting them not criticising  because you prefer a set format. The gang have reported from events so we dont need to take the risk and continue to do so. Id rather keep the current format knowing all are as safe as can be rather than shut out those in remote locations from the team, or put the collective team at risk.

During my confinement at home the team keep me sane i have the weekender and XLBS where people other than the dog enter the house, the addition of Free has been enjoyable simply for the differrent side to the hobby and her enthusiasm she brings. id have never looked at or considered certain games without her and Bens interaction over the weeks. There is always the fun of if her cat comes to steal the camera spotlight and get my dog barking on top and i enjoy the four way conversation.

Embrace change people the old format may come back when its safe to do so in the meantime youve a team doing their best and still putting out good chat and content.

oh an for the nay sayers out there questioning your subscription each month id leave you this thought.

how many times havent you used the project system because youve not got the time, its too much effort, or you simply cant be arsed? the answer is probably a lot im guilty but dont moan, i appreciate im too bussy or preoccupied with life and health and will make a better effort the next time i start something.

The OTT team are exactly like us yet despite those same issues in lie as us record their progress on the project system then have all the effort of making shows, sharing skills, editting, research and everything associated with the business and site on top of life to their best each week, thats an awful lot and still your not happy due to format? you need to look inward for critisism not to these guys.