Yahtzee

Making money is perfectly acceptable, of course. Exploiting people in order to make money is also acceptable, especially if these people realize that they are being exploted, and still willingly take part (however, most people are probably too stupid to figure out what is being done to them, especially those in these weird court shows - in my opinion, stupidity is not a crime and should not be punished by these corporations).

Talking about it so people know that they are being exploitet, and that people know what shows are really doing is needed, because most people don't realize what is going on.

Frankly, I'm not sure what you expect. Should we simply shut up about what they are doing, just because they are making money?

L_K_M

A Very Great Gesture For That Boy..

Kinda Reminds Me When Make A Wish Foundation Got A Wish From A Boy To Make A Video Game About What Kids Like Him Are Going Through, So They Got Him To LucasArts And Got It Made..

Nymo

Barbara

moreso, when was it deemed morally reprehensible for CorporationX to maintain its profit structure?

here in the u.s.a., we call it capitalizm

JoshReflek

MURDERFACE

MURDERFACE

You are right Toasticus, there is a bit of cynicism. But, I think we can all agree that insomniac is doing something pretty cool here.

baxterpunch

Way to go Insomniac, though. That's pretty cool of them, especially if the kid follows through on being a videogame designer. The paralyzation will probably make videogames that much more important to him over your average Joe.

Toasticus

insomniac says "We've never inserted a member of the public into our videogames, and we think it's incredibly appropriate that James will be the first gamer to enjoy that unique experience."

emphasis on "We've" meaning Insomniac. i dont believe they were saying james would be the first ever. just the first ever in an insomniac game.

uselesstomato

Reminds me of a couple conversations I've had:

"What the hell does Bono know about saving africa? He's a millionaire rockstar asking me to donate money to something?"

"WELL THEN WHY DON'T YOU GO SAVE AFRICA?!?!"

baxterpunch

@BigChiefSmokem: the world might revolve around money but out thoughts and feelings don't

L_K_M

sascha23

kuzuboshii

You are right about the exploitation. If you do any media history studies, there was a little show in the US back in the 50's called "Queen for a Day", where women would "comptete" against each other to see who had the most miserable life, and the "winner" would get a washing machine, fur coat, etc. It is widely recognized as a prime example of media exploitation. Basically, EM:HE is the same thing, with bigger prizes.

However, it is these people's choice to be "exploited", and they are probably better off, so I can't blame them. The Network is just being a network, of course they don't really care about these people.

But like others have said, it's real easy to judge the motivations of other people...

It's much more effective to go out there and do something positive, rather than vent on a blog.

For the record, Insomniac earns my respect. What kid wouldn't want to be in a R&C game?

FlapjacksAreTasty

nod_prophecy

PlayerX

Be a mentor, even.

PlayerX

My point was only that the intentions of the show aren't as pure as you would like to believe. I can only imagine their meetings when they plan the shows, watch tapes or read about potential families to give a huge home make-over. Deciding on which story has the most "audience" appeal or pity-points. Taking into consideration that one family has a disabled child, and cross referencing their marketing data which shows that would bring in 20% more viewers. How many families do you think they passed up because their stories were too "boring"?

Perhaps those of you who are so upset with my criticism also feel bad because you know you watch the show not only because it's helping one chosen family each week, but more so because it fulfills your own perverted sense of goodness, by gawking at the misfortune of others.

This reality show is the same as any other one to me, and people watch this show for the exact same reasons they watch any other reality tv show. The only difference is you watch it and think you're actually doing something morally good, when in fact you're just a pawn to the marketing and advertising which is the true point of this show.

Props to ABC and the producers however. Great marketing concept.

foss

Okay, so corporations make a few pennies from the show. Well, that's it then huh? If corporate America finds a way to make money by giving families a new start at life then so be it. It just gives them another opportunity to help someone else.

For someone to say that this show sucks must have a heart blacker than a tar soaked Wesley Snipes.

And while you condemn this show name the last time you built someone a home, paid off their mortgage, and gave them a new lease on life. Or the last time you donated several million dollars.

Thought so.

incredibilistic

Gooche

you and foss have a single track mind in that you cannot think outside certain points, and learn to see the world as a whole

the world might revolve around money but out thoughts and feelings don't

BigChiefSmokem

wheezo

thanks Kotaku, we needed this after all the terrible news we've gotten.

huginn

Zho

As for Insomniac, awesome. I guess they really made the boy happy, and I hope the character will appear in the final game.

L_K_M

splotki

Ilia Chentsov

Nin10dude

KaneRobot

NotoriousJnX

DarkSideDave

For all intent and purposes, it's the same thing.

I, for one, can't wait to play as my own hovering little cripple boy. :P

PapaBear

NotoriousJnX

For real though, good form SONY!! At least you've shown you gots a lil bit of heart.

NotoriousJnX

Sounds like I sense a little jealously?

Anyway this is a awesome story. Insomniac Games and Ted Price are top notch! About time there is a good story in the news about video games.

AmericanNinja

Would you rather ABC spread the wealth to every single poor or unfortunate family in America? Because then each family would receive practically nothing, and it wouldn't be of much help.

Yes, this show is produced to make a profit, but then again so is practically every other show that's not on PBS. While you seem to focus on the broadcast company making a profit, you're forgetting that each and every family that receives their help is also making a very healthy profit. As long as the company is making money, they can continue to help people.

Also, you said, "at the end of it the people still have to live with whatever problems they had, and the producers walk away with a huge profit." While that is certainly true, you seem to forget that those people can live with those problems much easier than before. The whole focus of each renovation is to make the homes more suitable for the specific problem the family is dealing with.

It sounds to me as if you've never actually watched the show, but you still have strong feelings about it that may be misguided.

*****

On another note, Ted Price and the entire Insomniac crew seem to be really great people. They deserve the respect of every gamer.

Engineer_This

If you feel that strongly go out and do some volunteer work instead of sitting there and bitching in a comment thread.

Cell9song

BlueNocturne

@Zho: I can understand this argument, but I can't see what else Insomnia could have done. This will make the kid's year and I'd rather they did that than not help any of the disabled kids out there.

Kuraudo

It's the only reality show I can stomach, for the simple reason that they are actually helping people. Sure, the money could get spread out. But as much as I am sure they love helping people, they are still a business, and they need to make money.

So at least if they make some cash while helping people, what's the harm?

PapaBear

One gesture is better than no gestures at all. It may not seem like much, but in the grand scheme of life, it adds up over time.

PapaBear

people watch the show because they see these people in these utterly shitty situations, and get their joy from seeing them receive this huge expensive home renovation, ie. material goods. so the viewers feel good, and the producers and cast feel good and it's all a great wank off.

at the end of it the people still have to live with whatever problems they had, and the producers walk away with a huge profit.

point is, if they really gave a shit, they would help these people out, spread out the wealth to the many people who need it, not just give a huge amount to whoever they deem the most tv-worthy, and not make a huge spectacle of it.

i think the show is about making the producers money, and making the viewers feel good about themselves, when all they're really doing is gawking at the misfortunes in these people's lives.

extreme home makeover is shit.

foss

Draconis

Zho

WoodyNvincible

Blackmagik55

BigChiefSmokem

ablemancain

E2K