This is a great article Leigh. Well done.
In my role I've seen the rise of this type of behavior first hand. It's typically chalked up to "welcome to the internet", but being a denizen of the internet for my entire life, I can tell you. We are creating and fueling this culture, not just a happenstance of it.
Much of my "be as accessible as possible" mentality has suffered because of this. My family no longer feel comfortable or safe posting pictures of my daughter due to some of the messages and threats we've received from "fans" of my company's games. In addition, Facebook is now a private thing, rather than something I use to happily connect with fans on if they so choose.
I do take comfort in knowing that while the minority have become more foul and offensive than ever, and this behavior has become more acceptable than ever, it is still not the majority, and there is hope in that.
In my role I've seen the rise of this type of behavior first hand. It's typically chalked up to "welcome to the internet", but being a denizen of the internet for my entire life, I can tell you. We are creating and fueling this culture, not just a happenstance of it.
Much of my "be as accessible as possible" mentality has suffered because of this. My family no longer feel comfortable or safe posting pictures of my daughter due to some of the messages and threats we've received from "fans" of my company's games. In addition, Facebook is now a private thing, rather than something I use to happily connect with fans on if they so choose.
I do take comfort in knowing that while the minority have become more foul and offensive than ever, and this behavior has become more acceptable than ever, it is still not the majority, and there is hope in that.
Several of your statements are incorrect. Developers DO receive royalty payments or bonuses based on sales which may not (in the tax definition) be considered royalties. Either way you cut it, sales matter.
Marketing guys and "middle managers" typically do NOT receive royalties, as they are on the publisher side. They may receive bonuses, but those bonuses are typically tied to their salary range rather than any sales quota. Although can be dependent on milestones being met.
Case and point, piracy hurts the game creators and industry as a whole just as much as stealing any content hurts those who make and distribute it. Loss cuts into profits, profits allow for future development. Less profit equals less budgets, less budgets equal less time, less time equals lower quality less and / or less quantity.
Marketing guys and "middle managers" typically do NOT receive royalties, as they are on the publisher side. They may receive bonuses, but those bonuses are typically tied to their salary range rather than any sales quota. Although can be dependent on milestones being met.
Case and point, piracy hurts the game creators and industry as a whole just as much as stealing any content hurts those who make and distribute it. Loss cuts into profits, profits allow for future development. Less profit equals less budgets, less budgets equal less time, less time equals lower quality less and / or less quantity.
This is a great article, and I agree with it.
In all honesty though, I think if you replaced "video games" with "anything", you'd see a similar result. Spending quality time with your daughter as a whole will help build a strong relationship between the two of you, leaving it open for them to trust you, open up to you, and confine in you when times get tough. This is the reason they grow up to be stronger and more confident daughters.
In all honesty though, I think if you replaced "video games" with "anything", you'd see a similar result. Spending quality time with your daughter as a whole will help build a strong relationship between the two of you, leaving it open for them to trust you, open up to you, and confine in you when times get tough. This is the reason they grow up to be stronger and more confident daughters.
Yes. Yes to everything!
@VirusHunter: I love this picture.
@The Sentient Meat: There are systems in place on PC (MW2 uses VAC), while not 100% effective, it does a good job. I want to clarify that we are not ignoring it, and even though a patch alone will not completely solve the issue, we're looking into every option available to us to try.
The last paragraph hit the nail on the head. Proper supervision of what your children are playing and with whom is essential in this day and age.
Resident Evil 5 is a great co-op game and something a parent can enjoy playing WITH their child (if you feel their the appropriate age for the game).
Resident Evil 5 is a great co-op game and something a parent can enjoy playing WITH their child (if you feel their the appropriate age for the game).
Clearly a natural born infantryman.
This is horrid, tragic, and it makes me absolutely sick. I feel so much remorse for this little girl, her parents, and family.
@Nulls: You make valid points. My apologies, I think we're arguing two separate points and aren't actually disagreeing.
You're correct that there are two very different challenges that need to be addressed, but I do believe this is helping solve one of those challenges.
My logic is this, any money going into education is a good thing, regardless of sector. As it allows funds that may have been going there, to be spent elsewhere (like on general studies and supplies).
There are schools in the district I graduated from that lack the funding for copy paper and chalk. We're not talking about buying smart boards and iPads for students, I'm talking copy paper, for homework, and tests.
Any charity that is supporting the very obvious need for funding in the education fields deserves my respect and appreciation. Regardless if I may agree or disagree in the minute details.
You're correct that there are two very different challenges that need to be addressed, but I do believe this is helping solve one of those challenges.
My logic is this, any money going into education is a good thing, regardless of sector. As it allows funds that may have been going there, to be spent elsewhere (like on general studies and supplies).
There are schools in the district I graduated from that lack the funding for copy paper and chalk. We're not talking about buying smart boards and iPads for students, I'm talking copy paper, for homework, and tests.
Any charity that is supporting the very obvious need for funding in the education fields deserves my respect and appreciation. Regardless if I may agree or disagree in the minute details.
@Nulls: "The worse area is at the University level"
No, the worse area is that most kids don't even get the chance to make it to the University level.
They're dropping out before high-school. K-12 education requires more funding, better resources, and more attention. Hence, why I'm a fan of this initiative.
No, the worse area is that most kids don't even get the chance to make it to the University level.
They're dropping out before high-school. K-12 education requires more funding, better resources, and more attention. Hence, why I'm a fan of this initiative.
@Kakkoii: At the beginning of the video you see him walking towards another person (customer / staff / unknown), the other person is backing away from the advance as if he feels threatened.
The police officer is obviously just arriving on the scene to what I'm sure was a very vague "disorderly" call.
This type of behavior warrants a "talking to by police", and he clearly identifies himself as police. Once he attempts to stop the guy from advancing, he looks back at the officer and continues to pull away.
I'm sure in his state he hadn't fully comprehended exactly who was attempting to stop him, but that alone constitutes resisting arrest.
That said, in my opinion, putting someone on the ground is hardly "physical abuse". He's not beating the guy, he's simply detaining someone who was threatening other people. If he doesn't allow you to handcuff him while standing up, the only other option is the ground.
The police officer is obviously just arriving on the scene to what I'm sure was a very vague "disorderly" call.
This type of behavior warrants a "talking to by police", and he clearly identifies himself as police. Once he attempts to stop the guy from advancing, he looks back at the officer and continues to pull away.
I'm sure in his state he hadn't fully comprehended exactly who was attempting to stop him, but that alone constitutes resisting arrest.
That said, in my opinion, putting someone on the ground is hardly "physical abuse". He's not beating the guy, he's simply detaining someone who was threatening other people. If he doesn't allow you to handcuff him while standing up, the only other option is the ground.
@rougegoat: If a wife and daughter lose their husband and father, and claim he's a hero - for any reason - then he's a hero. This is not a fact to debate.
"The other side of the coin, of course, is that more money for North Korea means less misfortune, perhaps, for its citizens and more modernization."
I don't think thats how dictatorships work. In fact, that's not even how American corporations work.
I don't think thats how dictatorships work. In fact, that's not even how American corporations work.
@Dan2593: That pack appears to have a TBD on both date and price. So it's quite possible it could be free. From the description of the pack it sounds like its something all players would need to have so I'd assume it's free. In addition, they could simply divide it into a patch and DLC update. The update is paid, the patch is free and applies to everyone. There are options. I wouldn't get all worked up until those TBD's are known.
@TwistedChimp: Solid point. I should rephrase, I hate what political "discussion" actually devolves into, in my video game discussion.
I don't like political discussions in my video game discussions. It bothers me. Regardless if they're agreeing with me or not.
This man is an idiot.
@CitizenInsane27 (The Monster Inside Me Wants to Eat Nickels): Nope. I meant for PS3. This Xbox 360 patch will address all listed above, including the issue currently being experienced on PS3. The PS3 will receive an additional patch to address the "Infinite Care Package" exploit once and for all for PS3 as well.
