Really, Escapist? You guys are seriouly asking for donations? Just to send Yahtzee to PAX!?!?!?

[Snotnarok]

As I gathered donations are optional and no one is making you.

However these advertisements to make posts rather than straight out captcha is infuriating. Ads on the side fine but ads being rubbed in my face is a bit irritating.

 

[Stammer]

It's an option. If people really want to donate to Yahtzee then by all means. But why the goal of $5,000 and why the sudden need for money is well beyond me. I'm not gonna lie, this definitely does just seem like a way to scam people.

"Hey, fans of Extra Credits donated to Allison in her time of need. Let's make up some crazy reason to get fans of Zero Punctuation to donate to Yahtzee. Let's even give people a visible incentive to pay ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS."

 

[JezebelinHell]

You know, if it weren't for all of the Escapist's ADS they keep adding, EVERYWHERE, especially the annoying as hell CAPTCHA ADS, i wouldn't mind this. But since they do, the Escapist can go screw itself, they DONOT need the donations! you want a donation? i just filled out this ad-captcha, THERE is your goddamn donation! >_>

You mean those captchas they use to stop spam?
If not I'd like to know what you're talking about.

You are not in the states. It has been established in past posts that those in the US are being repeatedly annoyed by more ads than users from outside. We are even graced with huge popups that cover a nice area of the screen to boot. I will add a screen shot when I find the post with it.
Edit:
This post has a screen shot of one:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.296791-Poll-Anybody-else-getting-REALLY-IRRITATED-by-these-Gaikai-ads?page=1

OT:
Yes, it seems a bit off to me. If they want to send him to conventions it should be figured into their budget. It is a business expense.

 

[ShowbizFTW]

It's an option. If people really want to donate to Yahtzee then by all means. But why the goal of $5,000 and why the sudden need for money is well beyond me. I'm not gonna lie, this definitely does just seem like a way to scam people.

"Hey, fans of Extra Credits donated to Allison in her time of need. Let's make up some crazy reason to get fans of Zero Punctuation to donate to Yahtzee. Let's even give people a visible incentive to pay ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS."

Greed at its finest, don't you agree?

 

[Mr. Sparzy]

Well. I'm going to bed. I'll reply to comments tomorrow.





.................I'm sure you were all eager to hear about that, too.......I'm tired. T.T

 

[42]

I think you guys are being a little irrational in thought, i mean first off, it's fucking expensive to take a trip to America. from the other end of the world. Plus no one wants to ever catch the cheap airlines especially for a long flight, and also YOU DON'T HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE. NO ONE IS DEMANDING YOU HAND OVER YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLAR. IT IS TOTALLY UP TO THE PERSON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO DO IT OR NOT. but then again people have a hard time comprehending this as they see anything which doesn't affect them in anyway as a threat. Don't think i'm talking right? See all the nit shits on Metacritic that bombed the Portal 2 user review thing.

Edit: If you might also notice America seems to be in a bit of debt and Australia has the stronger dollar. which still doesn't change the fact that everything here in Oz is expensive as shit.

EDIT: also The Escapist cleared up some confusion

"There's been some confusion about what exactly we're trying to achieve. As any of you that have seen us at PAX know, we typically only send a small contingent of Escapist staff. We're hoping to do something bigger and better for PAX Prime - a grand meet-up that includes food, beverages, and Yahtzee. This is not a charity drive. We are pre-selling merch and swag and if we hit a minimum threshold we'll make a big presence at PAX. If we don't, the orders will get cancelled, we'll have our usual spartan presence at PAX."

 

[Samurai Goomba]

That guy in your linked video is a massive arsehole, you're asking to get hit with the banhammer linking to something so blantly attacking the escapist. Last time I checked the rules say you need to back up anything you say against them, he doesn't really do that given he's pretty much calling them scam artists.

But it shouldn't be an issue at all, because if you don't consider it worth your money, keep your money.

What do you mean? He said it doesn't cost 20k to fly to where they wanted to go from Australia. Then he proved it with a simple search. Even if he was 100% wrong about everything else, he's right about this and it should give you pause. Even for 3-4 people, even last-minute, it DOES NOT cost this much to fly round trip. The problem is the escapist wants to fly him in business class, probably stay at a nice hotel (not to mention the other, unnamed employees who will also go). On your dime.

And you know what? Why should his fans pay his business expenses? That's the job of his employers. If they can't afford to send him somewhere, they shouldn't. Last I checked, Bill Gates wasn't asking people who buy PCs to finance his trip to the tropics or some trade show. Professionals either pay their own way or operate at their means. For a website that claims professionalism like it's a mantra, this is not a professional way to conduct business.

As for claims of scamming, when you offer "products" where many of them are a) not tangible b) contingent on spending money for entrance to an event nobody can get tickets for and c) overpriced as all get out, some will inevitably suggest that a desire for money has overwhelmed the basic concept of giving value for cash.

But hey, whatever. It's your money, guys. Probably a lot of local charities that could use that money instead, but whatever.

 

[suitepee7]

I dont normally say things like this but, yeah, that guy on the video? He's an enormous ****.

yeah, bad choice of video to try to get people to support your point.

OT: if you think it's stupid, then don't volunteer and put your money into it. however if other people want to, that is up to them, and they don't need you having a go at them for it.

 

[Screamarie]

Maybe someone has already stated this, but just in case someone hasn't, the money that the Escapist is raising isn't just to get Yahtzee to PAX. It's to make whatever they're going to do at PAX better. I'm not going, I'm not going to go see Yahtzee, and I'm not going to be able to enjoy whatever it is that the Escapist wants to do, but if I was going I wouldn't mind sparing a few extra dollars to make my visit to PAX all the more enjoyable.

Could the have better prizes? Yeah, probably if it takes 100 dollars to get anything more than a poster, but that doesn't mean they trying to scam you. They're asking for financial help to show their fans a good time. If you're not going, then there's no point in donating, unless you just want to be that nice, but otherwise, stop complaining. They asked for money and either you are or aren't going to donate. Simple as that.

If webcomic artists can ask for money to make their convention rounds easier and more fun, why can't the escapist?

 

[Grayjack]

this whole donation thing is pretty pathetic


btw why the fuck did u warn that guy on the first page ? for saying "What?" ?
what`s wrong with you people ?

Probably for low content posting.

OT: Just don't donate. You're not being asked to. I'm not donating simply because I don't care. I'm not even going to PAX.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I had to turn off the YouTube video. Not cause I completely disagree with him it was just kind of embarrassing to watch/listen to.

I figure they're sending him anyway but seeing as the Alison thing worked out so well they're gonna chance getting the fans to pay so they don't need to. If you're going to PAX anyway and you REALLY like Yahtzee then spending money to see him doesn't seem that bad.

It's a little ballsy seeing as Yahtzee has more than once referred to how much free stuff he already gets but as long as it's voluntary it doesn't bother me.

 

[Ickorus]

Call me a callous asshole, but I thought the Alison thing was pretty stupid too. Sure I love EC and her work as much as any other fan, but I swear some one said that EC wasn't likely to continue without her. I don't see how that makes any sense if Erin and all those other upcoming artists are just as capable of producing a visually appealing show. It was even more a slap in the face to me to see that James is going to be profiting off of everyone's generosity by starting a publishing company with the extra money. I guess in the end it's all fair because I don't mind them being rewarded for their talented internet fame, but something about it just seemed like underhanded dealing to a bunch of sheep.

Except that situation was totally different.

People simply donated SO MUCH MORE than was actually needed, and James thought it best not to just toss the money into his bank account and call it a day. He invested the money in a publishing company to help contribute to the gaming industry. And I had thought he asked for the opinions of those who donated before he did it, too....and if that's true, what part of what he did was underhanded exactly?

If I remember correctly all the money from the profits the publishing company makes is going straight back into it too.

 

[Appleshampoo]

That guy in your linked video is a massive arsehole, you're asking to get hit with the banhammer linking to something so blantly attacking the escapist. Last time I checked the rules say you need to back up anything you say against them, he doesn't really do that given he's pretty much calling them scam artists.

But it shouldn't be an issue at all, because if you don't consider it worth your money, keep your money.

What do you mean? He said it doesn't cost 20k to fly to where they wanted to go from Australia. Then he proved it with a simple search. Even if he was 100% wrong about everything else, he's right about this and it should give you pause. Even for 3-4 people, even last-minute, it DOES NOT cost this much to fly round trip. The problem is the escapist wants to fly him in business class, probably stay at a nice hotel (not to mention the other, unnamed employees who will also go). On your dime.

And you know what? Why should his fans pay his business expenses? That's the job of his employers. If they can't afford to send him somewhere, they shouldn't. Last I checked, Bill Gates wasn't asking people who buy PCs to finance his trip to the tropics or some trade show. Professionals either pay their own way or operate at their means. For a website that claims professionalism like it's a mantra, this is not a professional way to conduct business.

As for claims of scamming, when you offer "products" where many of them are a) not tangible b) contingent on spending money for entrance to an event nobody can get tickets for and c) overpriced as all get out, some will inevitably suggest that a desire for money has overwhelmed the basic concept of giving value for cash.

But hey, whatever. It's your money, guys. Probably a lot of local charities that could use that money instead, but whatever.

This.

I'm struggling to understand why a business that throws ads at us every five seconds needs us to help them pay their expenses. And $20000 for flights is stupid. Save everyone some money and stick his ass in coach like the rest of the world.

I just can't get my head round them needing $20,000 for this.

I'm planning a Holiday in America in a few years for a month, and all I'm going to be paying is around £5000 for travel and a hotel, and far far less for food. And that's for a month, not for like 3 or 4 days or whatever.

Can't help but think that you're getting ripped off if you donate, because unless their putting him up in in a luxery room a $5000 dollar a night hotel, something fishy is going on.

Someone said that they're using the extra money to pay for extra stuff at PAX. Well, simple answer - Can't afford to put on a show? Then don't do it. Give us a month of add-free time with the money you save, we'll all love you for that.

I love the Escapist, I really do. But this is just low. I also like Twilight Sparkle, but if she skinned Spike and sold his hide for costume props, I'd be pissed.

 

[Casual Shinji]

And the guy in that video is a kind of a dick.

"Kind of"?

This guy sounds like he shits sour grapes every 5 minutes.

OT: I like Yahtzee a lot, but I would never put down my money just get him to a convention I'm not going to anyway. I know he's kinda like the goose with the golden eggs for this site, but this whole action feels a bit overzealous.

 

[SNIPERFOX ft. Harry P.Ness]

I am kinda tempted to donate $15,000 just to see guy in that video throw a shit fit.

Oh, did I mention I'm made of money?

I root in your toilet at night.

 

[likalaruku]

Wow, Yatzee is coming to Seattle? awesome Damn, PAX is totally sold out.

 

[mjc0961]

The guy in the video seems like a bigger dick to me. Just sayin'

Agreed 100%. My favorite part is the video description where he claims that Yahtzee "complains to much." What does the clown who made the video think he's doing for the entire time, exactly? That's right, complaining. Complaining about a completely optional donation request, because that's completely useful to anyone. At least complaints about a game can help other gamers decide if they should spend money on it. Complaining about a donation drive is just complaining for the sake of complaining.

The guy in the vid is probably a nintendo fan boy.

Haha, probably.

As for the actual donation thing, you can probably guess what I think from the above. Don't like what the money is going towards, don't donate any money. Simple. There's no need to get so butthurt over it.

This feels very relevant: