We had a very angry year

[Ljs1121]

I only heard of about four of these, to be honest. I try to stay away from controversy whenever possible.

One thing I do have to say, though, is that the video of the Error 37 guy filled me with a unique mixture of pity and absolute terror.

 

[JellySlimerMan]

7. Bayonetta 2, Wii U Exclusive: Unjustified. The game wouldn't have been made without Nintendo. It's as simple as that. Be annoyed all you want, but don't rage at Platinum or Nintendo. This was the only way, apparently.

You seem to forget that Nintendo was BARELY able to make its gimmick of the motion control work. One of its mayor titles like Leyend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, depended on the wii to do its thing with.....less than desirable results. So, what happens when a game like Bayonetta that you NEED the most precise control as possible MEETS a new technology that MAY be more functional than the last one........but the previous one already made clear that its just plain painful to play.

Dont you think it is a disaster waiting to happen? Bayonnetta would have been better dead just like how System Shock 2 should never get a sequel as long EA has the rights to it.

2. Mass Effect 3's ending: Unjustified. OK, it was a crappy ending and was going to be discussed. And it was going to be discussed vehemently. That was inevitable, and I'm actually with you on that. But the Better Business Bureau filing, the cupcakes, the threats, and all that other shit? Unjustified. There were other things about Mass Effect 3 to be more angry about (on-disc DLC, offline play restrictions). We hardly hear people talk about those.

Fuck the threats. But in the other hand, something that should have been as simple as ilustrating a GLORIOUS fuck up in writing, only managed to expose the WORST in the gaming journalism:

http://awtr.ca/long:mass-effect-3-and-the-art-of-criticism-or-why-colin-mor
awtr.ca/long:everyone-shut-up-so-i-can-hear-myself-decide-what-art-i

The bias is astonishingly bad. It only fueled the frustration and the paranoia that EA has bought everyone to get away with everything, and since they only need to lie long enough for everyone to believe it, they would have succeded.

I dont understand what is the problem with using the Bureau. Not ONLY the marketing was misleading, but also the developers THEMSELVES:


And THAT is being generous. After all, do not forget how the trilogy was "planned" and that "they wont pull a Lost/Sopranos/Gainax Ending" or that the 3rd game ONLY would have the branching narrative feature to have the 16 endings because, if done since game 1, it would have been a writing and coding nightmare.............and they STILL didnt do it.

So again, what is the problem here?

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

What you mean "We" paleface?

I had a rather lovely year.

Mass Effect 3 was an excellent game with a slightly unsatisfying ending that was essentially completely fixed a short while late.

Some people whined about a zombie game that was a ripoff of a better game and other people whined about other nonsense.

The only thing that was even slightly upsetting was the imprisonment.

 

[Madman123456]

This Industry has some serious reshaping to do.
Are you able to provide me some piece of entertainment worth both my time and my money? Apparently many Companies can not do that without slipping into illegal areas.

The most non-controversial "Controversy" was the one with Sega. Do not mention anything Sega has made in any way shape or form.
This is not a call for a boycott or something, like a warning to not go down this dark alley is not a call for a boycott of that alley.
Apparently, it is dangerous to merely mention any of product of Sega, even it is 15 years old.

 

[GeneralFungi]

7. Bayonetta 2, Wii U Exclusive: Unjustified. The game wouldn't have been made without Nintendo. It's as simple as that. Be annoyed all you want, but don't rage at Platinum or Nintendo. This was the only way, apparently.

You seem to forget that Nintendo was BARELY able to make its gimmick of the motion control work. One of its mayor titles like Leyend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, depended on the wii to do its thing with.....less than desirable results. So, what happens when a game like Bayonetta that you NEED the most precise control as possible MEETS a new technology that MAY be more functional than the last one........but the previous one already made clear that its just plain painful to play.

Dont you think it is a disaster waiting to happen? Bayonnetta would have been better dead just like how System Shock 2 should never get a sequel as long EA has the rights to it.

The developers are given relative freedom with how they develop their game, the only real limitation being that they need to make it a Wii U exclusive. I'm not going to argue how effective the touchscreen/wii remote controls are because you were probably already convinced that they are bad before the console was released, but the developers are not under a strict mandate to implement touch screen/motion controls to every aspect of their game. Nintendo is even promoting a 'pro controller' which is similar in function to an Xbox 360 controller.

Unless you believe that the developer isn't capable of producing a quality Bayonetta title, you're discrediting an entire console and all of the games produced on it for the sole reason that you didn't like the motion control on the wii, and you support your thoughts by saying the Wii U is new and that it 'might' not be as responsive.

I haven't bought or used a Wii U myself and don't plan on buying a Wii U until there is a better selection of games, but there was just something about your phrasing that seemed kind of off to me. You aren't giving Bayonetta two an iota of a chance because it might be bad because the console might be bad. And that doesn't sit right with me.

Off Topic: I really have trouble watching AngryJoe videos. His production value is top notch as far as youtubers go, but his channel feeds off of overreaction and anger mongering. Some of his opinions expressed in the video I agree with completely and sympathize with, but he often blows things completely out of proportion. A well adjusted person doesn't break out and scream over matters like Bayonetta 2; not unless that person wants a bunch of people on youtube to get riled up and increase his subscription count.

 

[Something Amyss]

So what were the controversies, so I don't have to watch a bland internet "personality" fail to deliver simple lines?

Anita Sarkeesian and similar loonies

Not sure if you're serious here. But it's funny seeing that in the context of accusing people of needlessly resorting to the "misogyny" card. I am quite interested in seeing if you can come up with a reason for calling Sarkeesian a loony that doesn't trod heavily on misogyny.

 

[Something Amyss]

10. Lara Croft and the whole "rape" thing. Ehh, the dev chose his words poorly. But I don't think it was rage-worthy.

Try being a second-class citizen.

9 . Diablo 3's always-online and auction house: Justified. It's a horrible trend. It's very clear that many people play Diablo as a single-player experience, and this practice very tangibly affects them adversely.

So skip the game. Buck the trend.

8. The War Z: Justified. Blatant lies, black-listing, copyright infringing, and so on. I can't see an argument that the rage against The War Z was unjustified.

Agreed, lying to the consumer is unjustified.

7. Bayonetta 2, Wii U Exclusive: Unjustified. The game wouldn't have been made without Nintendo. It's as simple as that. Be annoyed all you want, but don't rage at Platinum or Nintendo. This was the only way, apparently.

Regardless, a tantrum over exclusivity is pointless.

6. Capcom's persistent use of on-disc DLC. Justified. It's more blatant lies and exploitation of their customers. I believe I remember reading they were rethinking this practice after Dragon's Dogma, though. And they made the on-disc DLC for Resident Evil 6 free. So we'll see how this pans out.

Again, lying to the customer is unjustified. I'm curious, however, as to whether they've actually lied about it.

5. The 38 Studios fiasco. I don't remember much rage from gamers, honestly. But it really does seem like Curt Schilling massively mishandled the situation, leading to his employees being blindsided by the downfall of the company. And the new Rhode Island governor did seem to want to sabotage the project, not caring about the employees. Just an overall bad situation

Does a bunch of people cheering for their demise count? Because a lot of people seemed gleeful that they were going down for the sin of releasing a fantasy game that was not Skyrim.

4. SEGA's censorship and legal action against Youtubers: Justified. Taking down content for an old game and threatening people with legal action? It's almost cartoonishly villainesque.

It's a little dickish, but hardly cartoon villainy. Scale it back.

3. Doritogate and the GMAs: Justified. The ugly side of games journalism was shown in clear light. It should piss off gamers who may have been misled by these people. It should piss off legit games journalists who do things the right way and other get overlooked or have the shadow of doubt cast on them for the corrupt actions of others.

Don't even remember this one.

2. Mass Effect 3's ending: Unjustified. OK, it was a crappy ending and was going to be discussed. And it was going to be discussed vehemently. That was inevitable, and I'm actually with you on that. But the Better Business Bureau filing, the cupcakes, the threats, and all that other shit? Unjustified. There were other things about Mass Effect 3 to be more angry about (on-disc DLC, offline play restrictions). We hardly hear people talk about those.

Okay, so it's wrong for game companies to lie to people, unless it's about Mass Effect 3, evidently. The BBB filing and the cupcakes were some of the most civil and possibly some of the greatest actions taken by a group known for false senses of entitlement and petulant whining. In fact, claims against the practices of Capcom or the WarZ devs would probably do more to help gaming than any amount of fan outrage. While I won't justify threats and tantrums, two of the examples you gave are reactions done right.

On-Disc DLC was part of many of the claims of being lied to, BTW. To say we hardly ever heard about those is as inaccurate as to say the BBB filing was simply because it was a "bad ending."

It's a disservice to everyone.

1. Bohemia Interactive Devs Imprisoned in Greece: Justified. This is just downright tragic. I feel for these two guys. And the Greek government deserves every bit of anger it gets over this situation.

I've never been angrier to see two people jailed for breaking the law.

I know, I know, personal vendetta, whatever.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

And THAT is being generous. After all, do not forget how the trilogy was "planned" and that "they wont pull a Lost/Sopranos/Gainax Ending"...

Aww, don't lump the Sopranos ending in with the speckled turd that was the ME3 ending. The Sopranos ending was actually loaded with symbolism and clues as to what actually happened. You're seeing the entire scene through Tony's perspective, there's numerous shady characters, one of whom goes into a bathroom on Tony's blind side (a seemingly innocuous act that the camera lingers on), and the scene abruptly cuts to black? I wonder what could have happened.

Heck, even Lost was better. It offered tons of closure. Maybe not closure for the mythology, but closure for the characters at least. Emotional closure. If ME3 had offered emotional closure I would have stood up and applauded at the end. I was starving for emotional closure.

Can't speak to Gainax. I hear it was pretty bad though.

Anyway yeah they were a bunch of lying liars who lied right to our faces.

 

[Rawne1980]

I couldn't watch past the first 2 minutes of that video.

Having to watch while screaming...

"It's fucking LARA not Laura you fething tool."

Is a bit off putting. And I can't watch a video about games when the person talking can't get character names right.

 

[Jezzascmezza]

I think a lot of it was justified- to an extent.
Some people took their anger a little too far.
So in my eyes, there's nothing too wrong with getting frustrated at some of the year's major controversies; just don't go making death threats or anything drastic like that...

 

[MrCollins]

I had a great year in gaming, mostly because I only by games at least a year after they come out and the only games I played that came out this year were SpecOps, XCOM and the walking dead, the last two being brilliant and the first being something very different and interesting at least.
Also, the indie space has really been buzzing lately and the kickstarter revival of old franchises is still looking promising.

I think this year has been the beginning of many a good things for gaming.

 

[Fappy]

-Snip-

I agree with that analysis. While I fought on the side of the Mass Effect 3 debate that wanted a better ending... I will admit that it went way too far.

 

[Aaron Sylvester]

So what were the controversies, so I don't have to watch a bland internet "personality" fail to deliver simple lines?

Anita Sarkeesian and similar loonies

Not sure if you're serious here. But it's funny seeing that in the context of accusing people of needlessly resorting to the "misogyny" card. I am quite interested in seeing if you can come up with a reason for calling Sarkeesian a loony that doesn't trod heavily on misogyny.

So I can't disagree with Anita's views/actions without being called a mysoginist?

...LOL. That is exactly why I won't even bother explaining. Just use google or something to look up why she's disliked even in feminist circles.

 

[Aaron Sylvester]

Sure you can. But when you start tossing out flippant, disrespectful personal insults like "looney" it starts getting harder to not think the "m-word" is part of your motivation.

Meh, if that's what you think. Doesn't bother me.

 

[Aaron Sylvester]

Sure you can. But when you start tossing out flippant, disrespectful personal insults like "looney" it starts getting harder to not think the "m-word" is part of your motivation.

Meh, if that's what you think. Doesn't bother me.

That would be a tad more believable if you hadn't dished out a personal insult to a woman you don't even know, then made two posts here trying to defend yourself. It would be much easier to believe you weren't reacting viciously out of misogyny if you were able to articulate your complaints in a better way than name-calling and telling everyone to "Google it".

I said "if that's what you think, doesn't bother me" and you answer with "that would be a tad more believable"? Err...what? Look, believe what you want, interpret my comment how you like, feel free to read into apparently-misogynist/sexist motives, whatever.
I'm not too fussed, k?

Also, I dished out a personal insult to a person. I would've said "loony" even if it was a guy. But on these forums if you call a guy an idiot, people argue saying "hey he's not an idiot! Here is why I feel that way.". If you call a woman an idiot, people argue saying "why the personal insults towards a WOMAN?? You must be mysoginist/sexist, since your name is Aaron."

Which is why I sometimes post using an account with a completely female name, along with an avatar of a pink heart (or bunny, or an average-looking girl), and suddenly everyone starts acting 100x nicer to me - oh did I mention all accusations of misogyny/sexism vanish, sometimes people even defend me? The phenomenon is infinitely entertaining.

Fucking double standards.