Viva La Dirt League
{{short description|New Zealand sketch comedy group}}
{{Redirect|VivaPlus.tv|the German former television channel|VIVA Plus}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = Viva La Dirt League
| image = File:Rowan Bettjeman at IEM Sydney 2018.jpg File:Alan Morrison at IEM Sydney 2018.jpg File:Adam King at IEM Sydney 2018.jpg
| caption = Bettjeman, Morrison, and King in 2018
| origin = Auckland, New Zealand
| nationality = New Zealand
| occupation = Sketch comedians
| website = {{URL|vivaplus.tv}}
| channel_handle = VivaLaDirtLeague
| channel_display_name = Viva La Dirt League
| years_active = 2011–present
| genre = {{hlist|Comedy|Gamer Parody|Fantasy}}
| subscribers = 7.06 million
| views = 4.4 billion
| silver_button = yes
| silver_year = 2017
| gold_button = yes
| gold_year = 2019
| stats_update = 13 December 2024
{{Infobox
| child=yes
| header = Logo
| headerstyle = background:#b0c4de
| data1 = 100px}}
}}
Viva La Dirt League (VLDL) are a New Zealand group of professional sketch comedy YouTubers.{{Cite web |last=Donnell |first=Hayden |date=10 January 2017 |title=Viva La Dirt League explain how to become famous on YouTube in six easy steps |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/games/10-01-2017/how-to-become-famous-on-youtube-in-five-easy-steps/}} The founding members are Rowan Bettjeman, Alan Morrison and Adam King, but their productions have featured other regular cast members such as Byron Coll, Hamish Parkinson, David Correos, Britt Scott Clark,{{Cite web |date=26 November 2017 |title=YouTube: esto pasa cuando una chica sexy ingresa a una tienda para gamers |trans-title=YouTube: this happens when a sexy girl walks into a gamer store |url=https://peru.com/redes-sociales/youtube/youtube-video-viral-chica-sexy-tienda-gamers-videojuegos-que-pasa-noticia-544121 |website=Peru.com |language=es}} Ben Van Lier,{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Matt |date=30 August 2018 |title=From Shortland Street screen to YouTube star |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/106438074/youtuber-on-road-to-internet-stardom |website=Stuff.co.NZ}} Ellie Harwood, Phoenix Cross, Rhiannon McCall, Rory Nolan and Robert Hartley. {{As of|2025|04}}, their YouTube channel has 7.06 million subscribers and 4.71 billion views.
Background
Before forming VLDL, Bettjeman and Morrison's short Beached was selected for showing at the New Zealand International Film Festival in 2010.{{Cite magazine |date=June 2010 |title=NZ films @ NZIFF : Homegrown 2010; The following short films have been selected by MIC Toi Rerehiko for its 14th Homegrown programme to screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival. |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A238938381/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=ITOF&xid=cf9cf58d |access-date=11 May 2021 |magazine=OnFilm |page=10 |via=Gale General OneFile}} Bettjeman and Morrison present a weekly news media online clip show "Media Ocre Awards" for the WatchMe.co.nz.{{Cite news |title=Media Ocre Awards |url=https://www.watchme.co.nz/entertainment/media-ocre-awards/ |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=WatchMe.co.nz}} The group went full-time in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Russon |first=Mary-Ann |date=20 September 2021 |title=How 'nerd' culture powered through the pandemic |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58535299 |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=BBC News}}
The group's sketches have been nominated for Streamy Awards.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=21 October 2020 |title=YouTube Streamy Awards Nominations Unveiled With David Dobrik, Emma Chamberlain And James Charles Leading The Pack |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/youtube-streamy-awards-nominations-david-dobrik-emma-chamberlain-james-charles-1234600902/}}{{Cite web |date=13 December 2020 |title=2020 Streamy Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.etonline.com/2020-streamy-awards-the-complete-winners-list-157602 |website=ETonline}}{{Cite web |date=19 July 2016 |title=Successful local gaming web series 'NPC man' |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1607/S00216/successful-local-gaming-web-series-npc-man.htm |website=Scoop News}} Fans of the group include English actor Andrew Koji.{{Cite web |last=Barnhardt |first=Adam |date=29 September 2020 |title=Andrew Koji on Warrior Season Two, Joining the GI Joe Universe, and More |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/warrior-cinemax-interview-andrew-koji-gi-joe-snake-eyes/ |website=TV Shows}} The group is represented by Creative Artists Agency.{{Cite web |date=1 December 2020 |title=YouTube Comedy Trio Viva La Dirt League Signs With CAA (Exclusive) |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/12/01/viva-la-dirt-league-caa/ |website=Tubefilter}}
Series
=''PUBG Logic''=
PUBG Logic is set in an online multiplayer battle royale game (ostensibly PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds). Characters are players' avatars and the comedy focuses on the bugs, gameplay limitations, and exploits in the game.{{Cite web |date=25 July 2018 |title=Interview: PUBG Logic comedians Viva La Dirt League (VLDL) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f1ifkGooJ4 |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=Youtube |publisher=Newshub.co.nz |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |title=Kiwi YouTube comedians Viva La Dirt League celebrate success at PUBG Invitational in Berlin |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2018/07/kiwi-youtube-vldl-viva-la-dirt-league-celebrate-success-at-pubg-invitational-in-berlin.html |url-access=limited |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511075318/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2018/07/kiwi-youtube-vldl-viva-la-dirt-league-celebrate-success-at-pubg-invitational-in-berlin.html |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=Newshub.co.nz |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Appota |title=Nhặt mồm với clip chế PUBG ngoài đời thật |trans-title=PUBG in real life |url=https://gamehub.vn/hub/nhat-mom-voi-clip-che-pubg-ngoai-doi-that.129081/ |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=gamehub.vn |language=vi}} Use of the PUBG imagery has been endorsed by the game's creators, and due to the popularity of the game, and the group's sketches, they have attended gaming conventions (Armageddon) and tournaments (League of Legends Pro League) to promote these characters.{{Cite press release |title=LPL Live at Armageddon Auckland |date=20 October 2017 |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1710/S00380/lpl-live-at-armageddon-auckland.htm |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=Scoop.co.nz}} A supercut of the first season has reached over 17 million views on YouTube.{{Cite web |date=20 December 2017 |title=Paródia do jogo PUBG usa humor e viraliza na internet; assista ao vídeo |trans-title=Parody of the game PUBG uses humor and goes viral on the internet; Watch the video |url=https://www.tudocelular.com/windows/noticias/n116373/parodia-pubg-viraliza-internet.html |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=TudoCelular.com |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |title=PUBG Logic Supercut (funny sketches about PUBG) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luMoCA78NBo |access-date=11 May 2021 |website=Youtube | date=29 November 2017 |language=en-GB}}
=''Epic NPC Man''=
Epic NPC Man is a sketch comedy set within "Skycraft", an entirely fictional fantasy MMORPG where non-player characters (NPCs) and players interact. Epic NPC Man deconstructs the in-universe logic of role playing games (RPGs), the mechanics of video games and the fantasy genre at large, typically spoofing real-life game franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft, Dark Souls and The Witcher. The series takes place in Azerim, a sprawling medieval kingdom assailed by the neighbouring Orcish land of Shmargonrog. Initially, Epic NPC Man was presented almost exclusively from the perspective of Greg (Morrison), a lowly NPC garlic farmer and quest-giver in the tranquil but unremarkable village of Honeywood, observing the often confusing activities of players. Other recurring characters include the blacksmith Bodger (Bettjeman), sorcerer Baradün (King), dim-witted muggers Bernard (Bettjeman) and Charles (Van Lier), poor fruit merchant Fred Orchardson (Parkinson), the continuously crying Eugene (King), town fisherman Baelin (Bettjeman) and "the Watcher" (King), a thinly-veiled analogue for Geralt of Rivia.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2017 |title=Kiwi YouTubers Viva La Dirt League are treating life like it's a game |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/kiwi-youtubers-viva-la-dirt-league-are-treating-life-like-its-a-game/5BITO2RN374JDCX2QK4OWG7SBY/ |website=NZ Herald}}{{Cite web |date=30 November 2017 |title=Viva La Dirt League's Epic NPC Man Demands Microtransactions |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/12/viva-la-dirt-leagues-npc-wants-microtransactions/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411015633/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/12/viva-la-dirt-leagues-npc-wants-microtransactions/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2018 |website=Kotaku Australia}}{{Cite web |date=23 June 2016 |title=Funny New Web Series: EPIC NPC MAN [Video] |url=https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2016/06/23/funny-new-web-series-epic-npc-man-video/ |website=Geeks are Sexy Technology News}} Many scenes have been filmed at Howick Historical Village. Actor John Callen has made multiple guest appearances.
==''Baelin's Route: An Epic NPC Man Adventure''==
In 2020, the group crowdfunded NZ$660,000 (c. €390,000) via Kickstarter{{Cite web |date=10 May 2021 |title=Baelin's Route - wielka przygoda zwykłego NPC z gry. Zobacz zabawny film fantasy |trans-title=Baelin's Route - a great adventure of an ordinary NPC from the game. Watch a fun fantasy movie |url=https://naekranie.pl/aktualnosci/baelins-route-zabawny-film-fantasy-viva-la-dirt-league-kickstarter-1620632567 |website=naEKRANIE.pl |language=pl}} to produce a short film set in the Epic NPC Man universe. Baelin's Route: An Epic NPC Man Adventure premiered on YouTube on 9 May 2021. The film, which was written by Morrison and directed by Morrison and King, stars Bettjeman as Baelin, a non-player character whose normal route, from home to fishing spot, is interrupted by a human player (Ben Van Lier) and a damsel in distress (Phoenix Cross) making him into a reluctant hero.{{Cite web |date=3 March 2020 |title=Baelin's Route: un lungometraggio nel mondo di Epic NPC Man |trans-title=Baelin's Route Is The New Project In The Epic NPC Man Universe |url=https://www.icrewplay.com/208722-2/ |website=www.icrewplay.com |language=it}}{{Cite web |title=Baelin's Route - An Epic NPC Man Adventure - krátky film |trans-title=Baelin's Route - An Epic NPC Man Adventure - short film |url=https://www.sector.sk/video/77983/baelin-s-route-an-epic-npc-man-adventure-kratky-film.htm |website=Sector.sk |language=sk}} It had over 900 thousand views within 24 hours of its release.{{Cite web |last=Knava |first=Petr |date=29 April 2021 |title=This Honestly Has a Better Emotional Arc Than a Lot of Films That Make It to the Cinema |url=https://www.pajiba.com/videos/what-happens-when-you-fall-too-hard-for-a-nonplayer-character.php |website=Pajiba}}
==''Hero Outage''==
In October 2024, an original eighty-page comic book titled Epic NPC Man: Hero Outage was co-produced by Viva la Dirt League and Bad Egg Publishing, written by Fred Van Lente and illustrated by Bailie Rosenlund. It features virtually every character from Epic NPC Man in a standalone story, wherein a server issue causes the "adventurers" of Azerim to vanish.
=''Bored''=
Bored is a series of sketches primarily based in a tech store.{{Cite web |date=21 April 2017 |title=The "Hot" Chick: When an Attractive Lady Enters a Computer Store [Video] |url=https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2017/04/21/hot-chick-attractive-lady-enters-computer-store-video/ |website=Geeks are Sexy Technology News}}{{Cite web |date=30 November 2020 |title=Jedyne na co czekam w świecie gier to... nowe odcinki Viva La Dirt League |trans-title=The only thing I'm waiting for in the gaming world are... new episodes of Viva La Dirt League |url=https://antyweb.pl/jedyne-na-co-czekam-w-swiecie-gier-to-nowe-odcinki-viva-la-dirt-league/ |website=AntyWeb}}{{Cite web |date=9 November 2020 |title=Help Us Frost Giant Studios, You're Our Only Hope |url=https://www.thegamer.com/frost-giant-studios-rts-esports/ |website=TheGamer}} New Zealand Radio Award-winning presenter Ellie Harwood co-stars as an employee.{{Cite report |url=https://www.rba.co.nz/media/1789/download/The%202020%20NZ%20Radio%20Awards%20Finalists%20%26%20Winners.pdf?v=1 |title=2020 NZ Radio Awards Winners & Finalists |publisher=New Zealand Radio Awards |access-date=11 May 2021 |via=Radio Broadcasters Association |year=2020}}{{Cite news |last=Schulz |first=Chris |date=18 April 2017 |title=How WatchMe's second season is delivering the goods |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/how-watchmes-second-season-is-delivering-the-goods/66SDV5YI5KU4TFAQXQ7T36Z2QQ/ |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=NZHerald |language=en-NZ}} Until July 2023, Bored was set in, and filmed inside a PlayTech store (a real computer retail chain in New Zealand), although the sketches were created independently from the company.{{Cite web |last=PlayTech |date=11 March 2021 |title=VIVA LA DIRT LEAGUE |url=https://playtech.co.nz/blogs/partners/viva-la-dirt-league}}
As of July 2023, the Bored series is filmed and based in a fictional store called TechTown and is filmed in the new Viva La Dirt League studio.{{Citation |title=Welcome to the new Bored! TECHTOWN | date=24 July 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRLHr_GjhMo |access-date=24 July 2023 |language=en}}
= ''Dev'' =
Dev is a series made as of November 2024 showcasing the inner workings of the Dev team that created the fictional hit game "Skycraft" which Epic NPC Man is set in. Dev centers around the fictional studio "Arcticstorm", a pastiche of companies such as Activision Blizzard and Bethesda Softworks, satirising the business practices of the video game industry. The series is currently a hit where the first episode of the series getting 596K in a week.
Viva La Dirt League ''D&D''
Starting in July 2019, Viva released a short Dungeons & Dragons series where their Epic NPC Man characters adventured into Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus, with Robert Hartley as Dungeon Master.
Building on its success, in March 2020, Viva launched their second YouTube channel focusing on Dungeons & Dragons content set in the Epic NPC Man universe. In the Adventures of Azerim campaign, King, Morrison and Bettjeman reprise their roles as Greg, Baradun and Bodger, and Van Lier debuts the character Bartholomew Osiris Bladesong (abbreviated as "Bob"). Hartley also returns as the Dungeon Master.{{Cite web |date=6 September 2021 |title=Inside Viva La Dirt League's YouTube empire |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/games/06-09-2021/inside-viva-la-dirt-leagues-youtube-empire |website=The Spinoff}}
In February 2024, Viva started a second Dungeons & Dragons campaign with Britt Scott Clark, Ellie Harwood, Phoenix Cross and Rhiannon McCall called Tales of the Misfits.{{Cite web |date=8 August 2022 |title=Viva La Dirt League D&D |url=https://www.youtube.com/c/VivaLaDirtLeagueDnD|publisher=YouTube}}
Studio
A Kickstarter campaign for a filming studio and office space for the company raised over US$2.5 Million in March 2022, with a location to be determined.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XecgL-gSG-8 |title=Viva La Dirt League fans donate millions towards NZ YouTubers' new studio {{!}} AM |date=10 March 2022 |publisher=Newshub |via=YouTube}} In August, the Kickstarter campaign page (Update #38) and the VLDL YouTube channel updated with the news of the new studio location having been secured after a long search. The video shows a tour of the new, unrenovated facilities.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MufJmJJ-mUY |title=We bought a studio!!! |date=14 August 2022 |via=YouTube}} The studio has been in operation since June 2023.{{Cite web |date=29 August 2023 |title=Kea Kids News: Exclusive look at Viva la Dirt League's new studio |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kea-kids-news-exclusive-look-at-viva-la-dirt-leagues-new-studio/KRPU6UAAJUUGHQZEWWETAMJUKU/}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|1=https://www.vivaladirtleague.com}}
- {{YouTube|u=VivaLaDirtLeague}}
{{authority control}}
Category:English-language YouTube channels
Category:New Zealand comedy troupes
Category:New Zealand television producers
Category:New Zealand YouTubers
Category:Entertainers from Auckland
Category:Works based on Dungeons & Dragons
Category:YouTube channels launched in 2011