You're looking at this as:
The people of the Industry vs. gamers who don't like their games
This couldn't be further from the truth. You have to understand, now that video games are just as prevalent as movies, they attract all walks of life, including the most vile of trolls hiding behind anonymity. These are the kinds of people who will threaten to kill you and your children if you piss them off, regardless of context.
It has nothing to do with gamers. While I agree that it's NOT OK to ever threaten anyone (and especially their children) I can't help but feel when I watch this video you're letting the worst of 4chan and the actions of some represent us all, and I can't help but feel you somehow think we have control over this. Psychos will be psychos, and psychos love the internet. Don't want the attention of the most abrasive people on the internet? Don't try to get it.
I loved Fez with it's complicated puzzles and Dragon Age 2 for it's different and very centered story, and I have nothing against Phil and Helper in relation to their profession or what they've done to their respective games. I think most people feel this way...
Video games aren't in the equation at all.
We've all been hating on games we don't like for quite a while now, so why do you think Phil and Helper (specifically) got the flack they did? That's what you have to ask yourself, Jim.
I think you keep trying to center attention to games because it makes any grievances against these people seem all the more silly,
and it does. But the truth is 'it's them as people' that I and many find problems with. They were unprofessional and postured up to the internet in an aggressive manner the moment anyone started saying things they didn't like.
Here's the thing, you can't and shouldn't pick a fight with what could be an infinite amount of people, especially when you know there are some weirdos and psychos in the mix just going by the odds. It's one thing to disagree with them, even argue with them. Helper and Fish however gave them the middle finger... that basically guarantees harassment for a long, long time, because what you've told the trolls is basically they have to try harder to get under your skin.
That isn't gamers, that isn't children, that's the internet; it's the very nature of this tier 1 phone we are all using right now.
Again, I don't believe they deserved the harassment they got, but it couldn't have happened any other way. It could have been avoided, to. They could have not told the internet to "come and get them" with a smile on their face. No one in any industry should be saying that, especially if they can't emotionally handle the outcome. Because believe it or not, acting like a jackass to a group of people makes you unpopular. That isn't even Internet anymore, that's the ways of humanity.
geier said:
In my oppinion people like Phil Fish and Jennifer Hepler are just wussies. I worked as a bouncer for some time and got death threats on a regular basis.
As someone goes by a semi-better known name (not leaving any hints) I also have gotten a great deal of creepy comments and even threats. While using my other handle,
I make things not everyone is particularly fond of.. but when someone gets really upset, I actually reply with things like "Ok, we disagree" and literally end it at that. I don't call them names, I don't tell them to suck my dick. Basically, I try and act professional about it. Guess what? It works! I might still get that stuff from time to time, but it's in incredibly low frequency and ends abruptly. That's what happens when you handle things like an adult, instead of taunting the people who don't like you. Showing people they don't get under your skin is actually more effective way of dealing with things, rather then telling people to try harder or show them they're winning.
It's crazy, I know.
