Poll: Is it just me, or is gaming becoming a constant stream of complaining about things we get?

[AnarchistAbe]

I'm just posturing. What if we aren't being the "champions of the consumer" that many are claiming to be? What if we are just self-righteous assholes who need something to ***** about? Agree? Dissagree? Kind of agree? Please let us know. And, please, keep it civil.

Disagree. If someone pays money for something that turns out to be unsatisfactory than it is their right to complain, boycott, petition, report, or anything else they see fit to do. They paid their two bits but they didn't get a diving show.

The only reason this seems strange to people is because consumers have spent decades rolling over and taking it in the ass from companies. A lot of gamers still do it a lot of the time as well, despite being perhaps the single most vocal group of consumers out there. Now sure, sometimes consumers will gripe about things that are legitimately stupid and unjustified. But you know what? I'll take a group of vocal consumers who occasionally take a stand on the wrong issue over those who never take a stand at all.

I'm really sick of this "Champion of the Consumer" argument. It's all I'm hearing as a defense. We aren't "taking it in the ass from these companies" (usually). I'll admit, there are times where companies force us into a shit system *cough* Ubi-DRM *cough*; but, if you don't like it, then don't buy it.

It's a balancing act. If we continue to complain about EVERYHTING, eventually the companies won't care that we're complaining. I always think back to the L4D2 "boycott" and the Modern Warfare "boycotts"; where half the petitioners were playing the game DAY OF LAUNCH. We're becoming the proverbial "boy who cried wolf".

 

[Verzin]

those stupid lousy whiny homophobic entitled brats, how dare they ask for their moneys worth, they should be grateful people even make games for them. *cashes another check*

'Money's worth' is purely subjective. They publishers and developers decided it was worth X amount and we willingly pay it knowing full well we might be disappointed. The Devs created an experience they thought was enjoyable. If the consumer disagrees...That's their problem.

Caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware.

 

[veloper]

Good games get some praise, but most of the time gamers are just playing those good games.

Disappointingly bad games get alot of criticism from actual gamers(not game mags), because the customers have the time when they aren't playing their terrible games and they also have a bone to pick.

I don't see why anyone would want to complain about this healthy bias. Critical gamers warning other people away from bad games is the most useful thing a gamer can get out of online gaming communities like this one.

This is how it should be.

 

[AnarchistAbe]

those stupid lousy whiny homophobic entitled brats, how dare they ask for their moneys worth, they should be grateful people even make games for them. *cashes another check*

Sarcasm is the tool of the inarticulate.

My god! That is my quote of the day!!! For the last few days, I've been trying to figure out how to articulate why these arguments always seem condescending and ineffective, and couldn't put my finger on it, lol. SARCASM!!!

Anyway, thank you, good sir/madam!

 

[MetalMagpie]

I'm never sure how to answer "Is it just me or..." questions with a yes/no. Am I saying yes/no to the "Is it just me?" bit or the actual question?

Anyway, I think it's probably always been like this. It's just that the internet has a way of amplifying the loud minority (which in turn attracts more easily-swayed loud people) so it seems like there's more of it.

I think fans of films/books/games/music remain at a pretty constant level of disgruntled-ness. After all, people have been saying "all modern music is rubbish" for decades, including during the hay-day of what are now considered some of the greatest bands of all time.

 

[johnnnny guitar]

Well yes and thats a good thing companies need to know what we the consumer want if that demand is not met they loose a customer They don't want that and we want our moneys worth so they fill the void of what we want for entertainment and in return we fill the void in their wallets thats how any form of entertainment or business works

 

[minarri]

I don't think that this behavior is specific to the gaming community. I think it's a great sign of those so-called "first-world problems." Complaining and calls to take up arms against a perceived threat are pretty common in our society.

 

[Don't taze me bro]

Sometimes I wonder if it is a competition to see who on the internet can claim to be more outraged.

 

[The Funslinger]

EA was voted the worst company this year, when companies like BP and some certain financial institutions were royally screwing people. Seriously? BP spills millions of gallons of oil, into the water supplies; but EA takes the cake for shitty games and poor customer service? Really?

BP, as in the British company, correct? I really have no idea how a British company didn't receive the title "The worst company in America for 2012".

You catch what I'm saying right?

I also don't get why the BP got all that shit when it was an American manned oilrig, and all that. The BP just subsidized it.

It's like some rich guy getting flak because he gave a team of engineers a grant to build something, and they secretly made a death ray behind his back...

 

[Aerosteam]

Meh, people have the right to *****.

You can't really go through with anything without at least one person not liking it.

Whether it's to do with entitlement, over-hypeness, removal/addition of a certain feature, review scores, etc someone's bound to not be happy.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Yes and most seem to have their heads jammed so far up their own asses that you'd need spelunking equipment to find it.

 

[Vivi22]

I'm really sick of this "Champion of the Consumer" argument. It's all I'm hearing as a defense. We aren't "taking it in the ass from these companies" (usually). I'll admit, there are times where companies force us into a shit system *cough* Ubi-DRM *cough*; but, if you don't like it, then don't buy it.

Consumers get screwed over by companies in all kinds of industries on a regular basis. Just look at the Origin TOS which let them monitor anything you did on your computer and sell that information if they want. Or the numerous companies in multiple industries who are adding lines into the TOS to get people to forfeit their right to participate in a class action suit against them and try to force them into arbitration (where, in the unlikely event it does happen, the company in question hires and pays the arbitrator, with arbitration judgements going their way in the majority of cases, and arbitrators being black balled by the industry when they don't).

Many people get screwed over by these things because they don't know about them. So if you think a company is acting unfairly towards it's paying customers, why the hell wouldn't you try to inform people of what's going on before they spend their money? Perhaps more importantly, why is this considered a bad thing? Not everyone is as informed on the state of various games or industries. Even those who try and keep up can have something major fly under their radar. Moreover, some people simply never stop and consider what some aspect of a product like DRM might actually cause until they experience it first hand if no one spells it out for them.

And to top it off, you've already got companies doing a disturbingly effective job at convincing them that things like used sales and piracy hurt the industry so they should just shut up and blame them for bad DRM and them losing their consumer rights.

Why should publishers trying to feed us bullshit at every turn be acceptable, but speaking out against it is acting like an entitled little cry baby?

 

[DEAD34345]

I'm glad about this, personally. Gamers seem to be connected with developers far more than film buffs are connected with film studios, or avid readers are connected with their favourite authors, so we tend to give more feedback on things we like and don't like than with those other forms of entertainment. Although I don't always agree with the things that are complained about, I consider it a good thing overall. I certainly can't see it causing any harm, anyway.

 

[endtherapture]

Not trolling, not flaming, just asking. It seems like, over the last few years, gamers have decided that, if they don't like something, they're going to start a petition, or boycott, or report the company to the BBB.

It's a constant stream of companies doing shit things, gamers complaining about the companies doing shit things, and then you complaining about the gamers complaining about the companies.

 

[AnarchistAbe]

I'm really sick of this "Champion of the Consumer" argument. It's all I'm hearing as a defense. We aren't "taking it in the ass from these companies" (usually). I'll admit, there are times where companies force us into a shit system *cough* Ubi-DRM *cough*; but, if you don't like it, then don't buy it.

Consumers get screwed over by companies in all kinds of industries on a regular basis. Just look at the Origin TOS which let them monitor anything you did on your computer and sell that information if they want. Or the numerous companies in multiple industries who are adding lines into the TOS to get people to forfeit their right to participate in a class action suit against them and try to force them into arbitration (where, in the unlikely event it does happen, the company in question hires and pays the arbitrator, with arbitration judgements going their way in the majority of cases, and arbitrators being black balled by the industry when they don't).

Many people get screwed over by these things because they don't know about them. So if you think a company is acting unfairly towards it's paying customers, why the hell wouldn't you try to inform people of what's going on before they spend their money? Perhaps more importantly, why is this considered a bad thing? Not everyone is as informed on the state of various games or industries. Even those who try and keep up can have something major fly under their radar. Moreover, some people simply never stop and consider what some aspect of a product like DRM might actually cause until they experience it first hand if no one spells it out for them.

And to top it off, you've already got companies doing a disturbingly effective job at convincing them that things like used sales and piracy hurt the industry so they should just shut up and blame them for bad DRM and them losing their consumer rights.

Why should publishers trying to feed us bullshit at every turn be acceptable, but speaking out against it is acting like an entitled little cry baby?

It's not the ACT of doing so. It's the MANNER in which it's happening. It has crossed from "informing" to "whiny net-nerd rage".

Yes, companies are in it to make money. Yes, they sometimes try to screw the consumer. But, do you REALLY think that they are going to listen to a bunch of forum lurkers on the internet? No. No they are not. Especially with some of the childish, and some outright stupid, comments I've seen on this issue.

We the gamers need a unified voice. One that can speak intelligently on our behalf, because, let's face it, gamers aren't really known for their patience and ability to stay calm...

 

[AnarchistAbe]

Not trolling, not flaming, just asking. It seems like, over the last few years, gamers have decided that, if they don't like something, they're going to start a petition, or boycott, or report the company to the BBB.

It's a constant stream of companies doing shit things, gamers complaining about the companies doing shit things, and then you complaining about the gamers complaining about the companies.

I feel like there's a gigantic commentary on society in that post...

 

[Avalanche91]

Well, of course we complain. We are allowed to complain should we disagree with something. Your not obliged to agree or even read it. We're complaining about products we bought if we are unhappy with them. Some are just more vocal then others.

But I am not pointing the finger of blame soley at gamers here. Let's be honest, a lot of companies are trying to drag every last quarter out of our pockets if we'd give them the chance.
There is a reason massive discussions erupt everytime 'day 1 dlc' or 'the mass effect ending' is brought up. As customers we want to be treated in a honest and fair manner, and a lot of companies are neglecting that, calling gamers as a whole entitled as soon as someone dares complaining.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

those stupid lousy whiny homophobic entitled brats, how dare they ask for their moneys worth, they should be grateful people even make games for them. *cashes another check*

Sarcasm is the tool of the inarticulate.

I don't think you know what inarticulate means, because they expressed their opinion quite clearly. If you have a hard time understanding sarcasm-well, that's another issue. Or, maybe you just like to act superior to others. Whichever. Take your pick.

 

[Bazaalmon]

If I may state a ridiculously overarching generalization, people are jerks. Back when gaming was a niche thing, and not so many people played it, there were fewer jerks because there was just a smaller group of people to pull from. Now that gaming appeals to such a massive audience, there's bound to be a vastly larger amount of terrible people than before, even if they are just a small part of the gaming community. Add to that a place for them to anonymously congregate (the internet), and you have a boiling pot of foulness that destroys all it touches.

I think there are still many people that are happy with gaming today but they are much less vocal than the self-entitled jerks, because they have some damn reticence. That said, there are some legitimate issues that do need to change, like draconian DRM and unfair business practices. Unfortunately, if people cry and scream about every single thing, nobody will care when something important needs doing.