Derek Alexander (exHVGN) is still talkin' 'bout retro video games

Hello, I'm Derek Alexander, and I've been producing video reviews of retro (and sometimes modern) video games for over 7 years.

When I started producing reviews in 2007, I was known as the Happy Video Game Nerd (HVGN). In late-2014 I dropped the HVGN name and established Stop Skeletons From Fighting, a new outlet for video reviews (and other future projects). Even though I’ve dropped the HVGN name, I still strive to set myself apart from the typical review show by using a positive spin to highlight lesser-known or underrated games and occasionally entire series. Some of the titles I've covered include:

-Earthbound
-Jumping Flash!
-Gargoyle's Quest
-Splatterhouse
-Parasite Eve
-Sweet Home
-Wild Guns
-Illbleed

Haven't heard of some of these games? That's the point!


This is only for reviews, not streams or podcasts. $1 gets your name in the credits of all future reviews and $2 gets you that behind-the-scene, VIP access. That's it! You can pledge more if you'd like or set a maximum amount so you don't go over your budget.


Patreon is a unique crowdfunding platform that is basically an ongoing "Kickstarter". For years Youtube ad revenue and DVD sales brought in a decent chunk of change, but it was never enough to buy new gear or pay the bills. It bought many pizzas and beers! But it's time to take it to a level beyond pizza and beer money.

Let me be clear, this is not a pay wall for my reviews. New videos will still be free on my Youtube channel and even if this Patreon ends in a spectacular failure, I will still continue to produce video reviews. If you just want to watch, hell that’s enough! But if you like watching and wish there was more to watch, then you're in the right place, friend!

With Patreon, viewers can not only support the show, but they can also obtain VIP access to behind-the-scenes pictures and videos, work in progress stuff, and help pick future videos. Plus there'll be random giveaways like great games I find for cheap while prowling the thrift of Seattle (PS2/GC/Xbox are most common right now). Help support and show, get VIP access to chat with Derek, and maybe win some cool free stuff! Everybody wins!


I'm asking for support only for video reviews not live stream archives, let's plays, or podcasts. Stuff like that isn't as time consuming or production demanding, so it wont count in this Patreon.


In January 2015 I quit my job and I moved out of Alaska, where I had lived my whole life, to start a new chapter in Seattle, WA. After a month or so getting settled I've begun producing videos full-time.

I already have enough hardware, software, and video games to produce new reviews, but it will be difficult to grow and evolve the show without your support! I saved up for this move throughout most of 2014, so I'm sitting pretty on my savings for now, but it's not going to last forever. 

I amassed a sizable video game collection over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, I couldn't take this collection with me to Seattle as I had to put most of it in storage in Alaska. This restricts what I'm able to review, since I had to leave all my Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, Xbox 360, and Saturn stuff behind. I was able to smuggle my PS2 and PS3 systems along with all my Playstation games in two giant cd binders, and emulation can substitute for NES, SNES, and Genesis (for now).

I was also not able to bring all of my production gear, namely lighting, boom tripods, and various cords. We've already bought replacements for some of this, but there's still gear we need to grow the show. Plus it would be nice to have a backup plan if something breaks. Last year, in anticipation for the move, I replaced my desktop with a new (much faster) laptop computer and Grace, my videographer, purchased a new DSLR camera and handful of lenses. You'll notice we have very lofty goals for high-end gear, but this is not essential stuff, at the moment we have the big stuff already covered. 


Stop Skeletons From Fighting will hopefully one day become a much bigger thing, but for now I'm starting small by focusing on video productions. The current production schedule looks to be one video every 3-4 weeks, so at least one review a month, with the intent to increase that production down the line.

It's been an insane journey these almost 8 years, join me on the next chapter!