Video Game Tuesday: ArenaNet Debacle

This week for Video Game Tuesday I’m back with a topic that gets me riled up. It’s all about the recent ArenaNet Debacle!

ArenaNet Debacle?: So for those unaware a couple writers for the Guild Wars 2 Developer ArenaNet made some angry, and absolutely justifiable, comments via their Twitter accounts. The nastier parts of the gaming community, including remnants of the sham #GamerGate movement among many other more bigoted parts of the community, called for their immediate firing from the company. And they were fired. It’s an absolute PR disaster and sets a terrible precedent that if people get angry and vocal enough they can call for specific developers to be fired. It’s bullshit of the worst kind and absolutely unacceptable behavior from the gaming community.

What should have happened?: Well ArenaNet should have updated their Social Media guidelines. Developers shouldn’t have to take crap thrown at them from ignorant asses that no nothing about making games. Defending themselves is perfectly acceptable, and following ArenaNet’s firing of the writers many other companies have updated their own Social Media guidelines. They also should have defended their developers rather than throwing them to the wolves like they did. Frankly I think what they did is completely unacceptable and stupid on their part.

The fact that people from such nasty parts of the gaming community, including the bullshit #GamerGate movement, got people fired is beyond stupid. What happens when all the good developers get fired? You get games like Candy Crush or even nothing at all.

That’s it for this week’s Video Game Tuesday.

Video Game Tuesday: The Supposed Battlefield Controversy is Bull

This week for Video Game Tuesday I’m taking a look at some really funny bullshit coming from butthurt men who can’t seem to understand that a Video Game can be inclusive and fun at the same time. It’s all about that The Supposed Battlefield Controversy is Bull!

Huh?: So recently the vitriol breathing portion of the gaming community has been “torn” by the news that Battlefield V will include the ability to play as a “gasp” woman on the field of battle.

Disregarding the fact that this actually occurred in World War 2, the arguments used by these sore bottomed individuals that the series has been about historical accuracy is just laughable. This is the series where people have pulled a loop de loop in a fighter jet, exited the vehicle to shoot a rocket at another fighter jet and scored a kill and then re-entered the jet and flown on without a scratch. Or have three people riding a horse with one of them firing a flamethrower while it runs across the battlefield.

That’s stupid!: Agreed, honestly some people get upset at the dumbest things and defend people who actually do abhorrent and incredibly bigoted things and get away with little more than a slap on the wrist.

But but historical accuracy over political correctness: Again three people on a horse using a flamethrower. The series has never been that belivable, not to mention that just using a blowtorch on a vehicle will repair it to tip top shape?

That’s it for this week’s Video Game Tuesday.

Video Game Tuesday: Player’s Vocal Impact

This week for Video Game Tuesday I’m taking a look at something near and dear to my heart. It’s all about Player’s Vocal Impact!

What do I mean Vocal Impact?: I mean when something that a video game developer does that is so offensive or just plain stupid that a huge amount of their consumers, gamers, make a legitimate and specific argument against it. This must be a legitimate concern and it must be specific. There have been recent outcries against things in the industry that are nothing more than witch hunts against certain people, or groups of people. This isn’t what I’m covering and if someone brings up the subject in the comments I will mercilessly delete it. I want no part in that farce.  I mean something like the Real ID debacle with Blizzard and their forums, where people objected vehemently, and with some good reason, against having their actual names used instead of character names on their forums.

Why is it important to do these things?:  Well when a developer does something as stupid as what Bungie did recently with their announcement of The Taken King content pack for Destiny, specifically their idiotic idea to make the collectors edition bonuses a part of an $80 bundle that included things most dedicated players already have like previous DLC, people have the right to be upset. Luke Smith was an absolute idiot in saying what he said, and that is why companies have a PR department. Stuff like that is a legitimate insult and only after having their decisions blow up in their faces did Bungie retract their ideas. That all said, being incredibly vocal doesn’t mean your issue with the game will be resolved to your satisifaction. If it’s got to do with game balance, 99.99% of the time your complaints will be ignored. If you actually provide solid evidence that it’s wrong it may get considered, and if it’s a truly stupid idea it’ll probably be fixed.

The Lesson?: Be vocal about things that are legitimately upsetting, but be specific and provide actual evidence. If you just say things that are vague, you’ll be ignored as a screaming child having a temper tantrum.

That’s it for this week’s Video Game Tuesday!