You, Businesses and Piracy

Why do people pirate? You can’t argue piracy and not discuss if the company would or wouldn’t have made any money. Imagining a ten-year-old boy downloading music for free you cannot just say it doesn’t matter if he would or would not buy it, because it does matter; it’s not a separate debate or discussion. Simply, because it is illegal doesn’t make it wrong or right because you need to ask, why do people pirate in the first place?

Do they, do it to get free stuff, can’t afford it, want to try it out, etc.? When we look at why people pirate then and only then can we give a proper solution to pirating within itself. Piracy is not just about being illegal, but people pirate for a reason, and because they pirate for a reason, this means there is a defining point as to why they pirate. You can’t defend not pirating without asking ‘why people do it.’ This includes debates like them buying it or not. Why, you ask? Well simply put, why do they pirate in the first place? It is a question that must be answered if you're going to try to defend why piracy is bad.

I think the issue with pirating is not people who do it, but the lack of business ethics or product pricing that companies use. Companies are so worried about losing money over piracy that they fail to understand why people pirate in the first place. Only when companies stop complaining and research why their products are being pirated can companies come up with better ways to protect their intellectual property.

Art vs Money and Customer vs Consumer/Fan

Teenage Alien Ninja Turtles and a Mass Effect 3's story so full of plot holes leaves current, new, and old fans of the movies and games upset over the last few months. However, should writers cave when customers question the premise behind a movie or the ending to a video game created by a person that many believe is representing their artistic feel?

The whole point of a person enjoying the story is to have a satisfaction of the ending of the movie, book, or video game, but how can a business or movie producer argue against what is not an opinion of the loyal fans, but a simple fact? Imagine if the X-men movies depicted the X-Men as aliens instead of humans who are mutants. They would lose the humanity that Stan Lee gave them or the children who can some how relate to one of the X-men would lose interests?

When does a person draw the line simply for creating a piece of art to trying to put more money in their pockets? Michael Bay says fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles need to take a chill peel, because they haven’t seen the script? However, isn’t common sense more logical then a bunch of words on paper that could destroy what some kids grew up with? How can we not argue that TMNT should not be aliens from another world? Plus if a past writer of TMNT were helping Michael Bay. Why would they allow him to change the main theme behind the story? It’s no different than if Iron Man was an alien instead of a human in the movies (Iron Man & Iron Man 2).

Being an aspiring writer myself, I know the rules and laws behind the simplest of things, but some writers and artists forget this and allow themselves to be gorged in money instead of making true art. Bioware for example, argues that they have created a piece of art and the founders of Bioware agree with the writers and graphic artists that helped created Mass Effect 3. However, a reader of a book when finished doesn’t want a sense that they were ripped off because the story of the book has too many plot holes or questions unanswered.

Eric Kain; Forbes Magazine, “The gaming industry, and gaming media, is wrong to label upset consumers as ‘entitled’ or ignore the investment of fans beyond simple spending their hard- earned cash.”

What happened to the simple term of customer and why call us consumers? It almost sounds insulting that business look at us as consumers or fans instead of valued customers. We may play video games, watch movies, and read books, but we are customers to these video game developers, movie producers, and writers. Has the greed of money gotten so bad that business has forgotten we are customers or do they simply look at us as consumers who simply consume what they put out? Plus I can consume a sandwich, but I can’t consume a book or video game!

People like Drew McWeeny (HitFix) go as far as to say:

Drew McWeeny; HitFix, “They don't "owe" you anything. They make a product, and then you decide if you're going to pay for it. Since many of you think it's okay to download anything you want for free, even that second step isn't a guaranteed part of the process anymore. But it's a very simple transaction. They make. You consume. … Even so, you are not actually owed anything beyond whatever entertainment they produced for you in the first place.”

How can he say they don’t owe their loyal customers a story that is finished (ME3) and doesn't contain plot holes? You play a game or read a book you want the story to be complete and leave no questions about characters or plot. So again, how can he say Bioware doesn’t owe them anything?

Why is he accusing a large number of people of pirating as well? Can he prove that everyone who complained about the Mass Effect 3 ending pirated the game? He is making claims based soli on his own opinion without any real facts to back up his claim.  Drew used it as a scapegoat to make everyone who was complaining about the ending of the game seem guilty for pirating the game, but it is people who bought it that is complaining!

He sounds like a little kid backed into a corner who needs to protect his teddy bear (Bioware) from its customers. Plus he also used the word consume when referring to a product, but you can’t consume a video game as it is not food. It’s a wonder he has made it this far in life with such greedy perspective on life.

Brendan Deneen; Ardden Entertainment LLC, “While I think there is a lot of merit to the idea of listening to the core audience of any given franchise. I think "caving" too much to what fans want can lead to a watered-down product.”

However, the fans have a right to complain when the developer gets lazy and produces multiple endings that are cut, copy, re-paste, and re-color. Not to mention if these big company business owners did a lick of research, they would also know the many plot holes throughout ME3’s ending. So why call it ‘caving’ when they did a mediocre job in the first place or how about that disc locked content EA and Bioware both deny, but have been proven?

When did half ass unfinished stories with plot holes at every turn, a re-colored and pasted ending, and changing the main theme behind an iconic turtle become art?

Video Version

*Warning the video version is quite vulgar and contains profanity.

Coming Soon!

References

Stechgnotic, The future of story telling has arrived [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://techgnotic.deviantart.com/art/The-Future-of-Storytelling-Has-Arrived-293860261?utm_source=elnino&utm_medium=messagecenter&utm_campaign=040312_NET_Storytelling&utm_term=image

Playstation to Blame for Bioware's Desicions

Have you ever met someone so dumb that you simply had no words to express just how dumb they truly are? Well, at Gamer Rant we have no issue or problem calling people out on their stupidity or using cliché; insults to get the job done. It’s how I would like to think people also take from my videos.

Thanks to kagon01, a member of Youtube pointed out a comment by a member located at N4G.com. Idiots like adamant715 and ziggurcat who use their stupidity to try to argue that Mass Effect 3 is crappy because of the Playstation 3.

Adamant715, “If only Bioware had stuck with Microsoft and Kept it 360 +pc only…Hm..”

So exactly how did Playstation 3 (PS3) send Bioware down the drain? I believe it was Electronic Arts that sent them not Playstation. Now I under stand staying on the PC, but when you get down to it. They could have done more for Mass Effect franchise if they didn’t have to capture the ratio of the 360. However, putting the lame console war out of the picture, I hope you understand how dumb it is to believe the Playstation is the cause of Biowares down fall or lack of respect from fans.

Ziggurcat, “i've been arguing for years that bioware should stick to X360/PC because they've managed to **** up every single game they've released on the PS3.”

Again this makes no sense because how can games be better on 360 compared to the PS3? Perhaps to a greater degree on the PC, but a game's quality has nothing to do with what platform it is on so your OPINION is biased and holds no weight because you lack an explanation as to why or how Playstation screwed up Bioware games.

References

N4G. (2012, April 05). Bioware won't "change" mass effect 3' ending. extended cut dlc is for closure. read the faq [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://n4g.com/news/974678/bioware-wont-change-mass-effect-3-ending-extended-cut-dlc-is-for-closure-read-the-faq/com

Worst Video Game Company of 2011

Gamer Rant is starting our annual Worst Video Game Company awards.

Current contenders: Capcom VS EA

Click the WC Awards link for more information and to cast your vote.

Read More/Vote...

Mass Effect 3 Ending DLC Announced

According to Game Informer, Mathew Kato Mass Effect 3 is getting its ending it should have had…or is it? Some Gamer Zombies feel that Gamers shouldn’t be complaining about the ending because it is BioWare and EA’s artistic feel. The part we have an issue with is that in 2014 this so-called free DLC will become a paid DLC.

We also like that Mathew Kato said, “Some fans were mad at Mass Effect 3’s ending…” Why would BioWare even be worried about “some fans” instead of the MANY whom actually complained or the non-fans who stuck beside the Mass Effect fans?

A new FAQ was posted along with today's announcement that hopefully clears up any questions for fans. "Though we remain committed and are proud of the artistic choices we made in the main game, we are aware that there are some fans who would like more closure to Mass Effect 3," BioWare said (Reilly, 2012).

This is new to me fellow Gamers. According to BioWare and EA releasing a game that doesn’t answer all the questions about the characters or plot is okay, because you will be able to read it later online.

Being a writer myself, I must say they should not be proud about releasing an unfinished story that lacks in answering key points in the story to Mass Effect 3.

“We have re-prioritized our post-launch development efforts to provide the fans who want more closure with even more context and clarity to the ending of the game, in a way that will feel more personalized for each player,” said Casey Hudson, the series' executive producer.

How can people believe what you say when you willingly and openly lied about the DLC for Mass Effect 3 and it being created after the game? I guess it’s okay to just sweep stuff under the carpet and protect your image.

The best part about this temporary free DLC is that some of it may be stuff they cut from the game during editing. However, it is only cinematic and nothing more, and we can only hope they fix the ‘cut, copy, re-color, and paste endings’ as well.

More On What Gamer Rant Thinks About EA, BioWare, & Mass Effect 3

References

Kato, M. (2012, April 05). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/04/05/mass-effect-3-extended-cut-dlc-offers-different-endings.aspx

Reilly, J. (2012, April 05). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/04/05/no-further-mass-effect-3-ending-dlc-planned.aspx

EA's Response to Being The Worst Company in America

What happens when a site does a survey for the worst company in America? You get a site called the Consumerist that since 2006 has been doing a survey to find the worst company in America for that year. Companies like BP, Halilburton, and AIG who have won this title in past surveys (Tassi, 2012).

Who had the dismay of owning this title for 2012? Well, it was a close battle, but Electronic Arts managed to pull it off this year and who could blame the 250,000 (Reilly, 2012) voters who decided EA’s fate. EA won against Sony, Best Buy, Comcast, AT&T, and Bank of America.

However, there are some Gamer Zombies that feel that Capcom should have taken the prize, but at least Capcom will admit when they have done wrong and EA is still lying about the disc locked content found on Mass Effect 3. In fact, some Gamer Zombies even believes that EA has done no wrong. Here are some quotes from members of the IGN message board about them winning this title:

TheMachiavelli, “Because it’s not that important.”

I guess having a “trusted business” lie to you isn’t that important when you get down to it for some Gamer Zombies.

Plexors, “Because in no way is it the worst company in America. lol. Hell, it’s not even the worst videogame industry. (Activisionlol)”

Besides using text talk I guess the creators of online pass with their day one DLC and disc locked content doesn’t compare to Activision screwing up Spyro.

I_tipped_Mr_Pink, “Because it’s nothing but boo-hoo whiny entitled elitist nerd rage bull shit?”

If Gamer Rant is not mistaken shouldn’t business be catering to us and not us catering to them? Plus when did the customer not become entitled to get their moneys worth?

Here_Comes_The_Wayne, “EA just does a few questionable things. The things we hate about EA are actually good (even great) moves in terms of business. The online passes for games are great for recouping lost profits from used games…”

First off, the true meaning of the word “few” is three, and I doubt people are complaining because of only three issues. Plus, when did artists start complaining about losing money for their art? It looks as if some Gamer Zombies forget that video games are an art form and you don’t see TRUE ARTIST complaining when their works are resold.

Bpmz, “As an owner of EA shares, I hope the company does well in the future. I don't particularly agree with all their video game acquisitions and franchise remakes, however they have a strong hold in the video game market. Even though I hate Origin, I would like to see it pick up in adoption rates; competition is good.”

Well Gamer Rant can agree they have a strong hold on many Gamer Zombies.

Btbrian, "It isn't being talked about by IGN because it's an obscure title given to it entirely by a biased demographic (internet voters) on a borderline gossip-blog.”

What makes this comment dumb is IGN gets about 95% of their “news” from gossip blogs and sites so what does this say about IGN?

Cerebral_Assassin990, “Because nobody outside of a bunch of reddit gaming nerds who fixed the voting think that EA is worse than Bank of America.”

Spoken like a true Gamer Zombie. Unwilling to listen or read the TRUTH that is out there when it comes to EA.

Ismokemeth, “BoA should have won, EA only won because a bunch of /v/irgins stuffed the ballot box.”

First off, we at Gamer Rant can agree that Bank of America sucks, but just because the vote did not go your way doesn’t mean you have to act like a virgin yourself.

All right, so what exactly did EA have to say about winning this title?

“We’re sure that bank presidents, oil, tobacco and weapons companies are all relieved they weren’t on the list this year," EA said in a statement sent to Game Informer. "We’re going to continue making award-winning games and services played by more than 300 million people worldwide” (Reilly, 2012).

The funny thing is according to the Consumerist three of the companies they mention have already won this title in past surveys. I guess having lots of money means you can spit shit out of your mouth, and people will believe you because you make billions of dollars each year; so why does online pass exist again?

Overall, EA’s response to the win is a slap in face of the fans and basically says, “we don’t care about you or our games, merely money!” However, we at Gamer Rant only hope they continue to show their true colors because perhaps in time Gamer Zombie (300 million of them) will stop buying their games.

 VIDEO Version

References

Reilly, J. (2012, April 04). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/04/04/ea-wins-quot-worst-company-in-america-quot-award.aspx

Tassi, P. (2012, April 05). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/04/05/ea-shrugs-off-worst-company-in-america-title/

[Web log message]. (2012, April 02). Retrieved from http://consumerist.com/2012/04/worst-company-in-america-2012-final-death-match-bank-of-america-vs-ea.html

DJFunkaya. (2012, April 05). Ea: Worst company in america. why isn't this on the front page of ign??? [Online forum comment]. Retrieved from http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/ea-worst-company-in-america-why-isnt-this-on-the-front-page-of-ign.250130443/