Think about boycotting Bioware to stop SOPA...no seriously!

[Jinxey]

So I felt really good that the internet at large recently boycotted GoDaddy to make them withdraw their support of SOPA. It proved that if you hit corporation where it hurts them the most, their wallet, they'll back off.

But then I got a bit of perspective on the whole subject matter. GoDaddy isn't the only internet related corporation sponsoring SOPA. Companies like EA and Nintendo just released to massive games (Star Wars: Old Republic and Skyword Sword) and both seem to be receiving sells and praise. We're willing to change web hosts but we're literally flocking by the millions to give our money to companies that support something we say we're willing to fight for.

If there was ever a game to boycott, showing EA you're going to "vote with your money", it was Old Republic. Battlefield 3 didn't do poorly, but it certainly couldn't have done as well as EA wanted. It was also supposed to be the game that got Origin primetime, showing how grown up their platform is; luckily that failed spectacularly. Now with one failed attempt to buy gamers love of Origin in BF3, they have (kind of successfully) done it with Old Republic. If Old Republic sold under EAs expectations, it have been two "ok" releases and left their platform (and huge overhead to run said platform) hanging. Boycotting Old Republic could have really hit EA in the pockets.

But, it's Bioware right? I love Bioware! you love Bioware! they make some of the best games in the industry! and they're also one of the major cash cows for EA. You want to hit a publisher where it hurts? you take away the developers that are willing to work for them. Boycotting Bioware until they get out from under EA sucks because it hurts Bioware. Furthermore, gamers don't appear to have the moral fortitude to go without something they really want. Changing web hosts takes 15 minutes. But not buying a game you want because you don't support the publisher? that's tough.

Ultimately though if "lines are being drawn" Biowares on the wrong side. They may not be actively supporting SOPA but by signing under EA they're paying for lobbyists that DO. I'm not going to go tell people enjoy OR to "stop playing because you're ruining the internet!" but this was just some perspective I found depressing and interesting.

Cheers-

P.s kind of want to add a poll of "crazy", "stupid", or "sensible" lol

 

[Lilani]

It's a good idea, but the problem is Bioware is only a part of EA, not the whole thing. The GoDaddy boycott was so potentially devastating because that's really the only source of income they have. Even if we managed to boycott Bioware so bad it drove them into the ground, EA could (and probably would) simply shut them down and send their favorite staff members to other divisions. They would barely even have to address the issue.

But, in other news, what exactly is Bioware releasing soon that would be good to boycott in the first place? Wouldn't Origin be better? People are already so resentful of Origin anyway it wouldn't take much to get them to stop using it.

 

[Jinxey]

Nothing is really coming out soon, I guess C&C Generals 2? ME3? Both are probably be about the same time. The best would be to Boycott Old Republic though.

So you're trying to say EA is too big to fail? I know that's not what you're actually trying to say but I think EA would think twice before shutting down Bioware (and it's cash-heavy franchises)

 

[Lilani]

Nothing is really coming out soon, I guess C&C Generals 2? ME3? Both are probably be about the same time. The best would be to Boycott Old Republic though.

Well there's your problem. You can't boycott something if they aren't selling anything, I'm afraid As you said, there's no point in boycotting Old Republic now. It was a big deal before SOPA hit it big, and there's really no way to get people to back down now.

So you're trying to say EA is too big to fail? I know that's not what you're actually trying to say but I think EA would think twice before shutting down Bioware (and it's cash-heavy franchises)

I'm not saying they're too big to fall, I'm saying Bioware is too small to make them fall. Shooting somebody in the hand isn't going to kill them. Sure it'll hurt a bit, but they'll be fine. EA has the money and resources to consolidate and remake Bioware if they want to. Or, they could simply pump money into it until the gamers inevitably break down and buy the games. That's the problem with boycotting games--save for buying used (which isn't always an option), one way or another you're inevitably going to have to suck it up and pay the developer if you want that game. With something like GoDaddy, there are plenty of other companies that can provide their exact same services. But with games, a lot of times there is absolutely no way to avoid paying the developer. So it becomes a standoff, and time and time again it's been proven that gamers simply don't have the willpower to boycott a developer or publisher for too long when a game they REALLY want is on the line.

 

[Abriael]

Looks like some of the anti SWTOR trolls are already panicking because they know that very few will unsubscribe at the end of the first month, and are resorting to cheap lies in order to feel less lonely in their crusade.

There's no indication anywhere that Bioware is in support of SOPA. EA isn't between the supporters as well. They're part of ESA, just as almost every single developer and publisher in the industry, many of which have officially stated that they don't support SOPA; but are still part of ESA and aren't even thinking of quitting it, because ESA performs a wide variety of services for them.

So, do explain, is there any logical reason why you want to boycott ONE developer that works for ONE publisher between the multitude of those that are part of ESA?

Besides a quite evident bias, of course.

Find a better excuse to try and troll SWTOR, this one leaks from a million holes.

 

[ThriKreen]

Plus you're also kind of going after the wrong target. While we can agree SOPA is a Really Bad Idea, it's a ill-thought out kneejerk reaction by stupid publisher types funding stupid politicians to combat online piracy. Why not go after the pirates?