Loading... addresses the MMOGULS scam first brought up in yesterday's Loading, which was couched in very hypothetical terms and has since been discredited, thankfully . But as to whether we were taking a cheap shot at CME and Stargate Worlds as many on the official boards are posting or just calling it like we saw it, well, we might have a few things to say about that.
We also have the fourth edition of Turnip, our second Loading... Live podcast (join us tonight in Voon room "Ten Ton Events" at 7pm Eastern for episode 3 with Cody Bye on MMOs in 2009!), a City of Heroes Mac video, two new WoW class guides, and much, much more in Loading... The Firebrand Approach!
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Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Editor-in-Chief - The Ten Ton Hammer Network
I think it's pretty evident to anyone that spends even a little time objectively going through topics over at the SGW forums that the term fanboi, and how it relates to a MMO in development, has been taken to a whole other level over there. Done so by a comparatively very small number of people too I might add.
This reaction to the simple reporting of what is really a pretty wide spread scheme going on out there is a case in point.
Instead at being outraged that some group is out there apparently bilking people out of their money (yes people have already "invested" in this "business") using the SGW and CME names while doing so is going almost completely unmentioned. Instead what all the chatter is revolving around is that someone over here brought it up.
That's not very surprising though. It's actually par for the course given the atmosphere that's been allowed to develop there. It really is a sad fact that the fanboi attitude has come to rule the roost there, and if one pays attention one can see it clearly being supported by many of the "volunteer mods", and through a total lack of intervention from the community staff.
Although some members put on a good show of being welcoming in the newcomers area, when one goes deeper into the forums it quickly shows itself to be one of the most unwelcoming forums for any game out there. Tow the company line or be prepared to fend off attack after attack, many of a personal nature, with no mod intervention forthcoming. In fact don't be surprised to see one of these "volunteer mods" join in on the feeding frenzy.
As it stands right now, if this game is in fact as the CM stated "the community's game", then God or whatever you find holy help it.
Thing is, it's actually pretty sad that it's gone that way. I believe there's some genuinely good people working on the game. I just think that too many of them are maybe too inexperienced, and so haven't seen through some old tricks used by community members to worm their way into positions where they gain a bit of stature in the community.
Maybe somehow they can pull it out of the fire though. I suspect that the CM still thinks they have good people involved in helping to run the community though, and that's going to be the thing that makes it impossible to do.
Although some members put on a good show of being welcoming in the newcomers area, when one goes deeper into the forums it quickly shows itself to be one of the most unwelcoming forums for any game out there.
Objectively speaking,
People who stroll into any game forum, and start spouting hate towards that game, the game's company, and anyone who happens to be interested in that game; are going to be met with a very unwelcome response from the game's community. This is not an isolated phenomenon with the SGW board. I've see it happen everywhere, and it goes in waves.
Lately a lot of CME/SGW haters have popped up and started wars on those forums. Naturally this stirs up trouble, and then ends up being a festering pit of filth posting by all parties. People who show up with a positive attitude, or even a curious one, are not met with such vehemence. Again, this isn't isolated to just SGW.
Speaking my mind,
I have seen worse, for example the Star Wars Galaxies forums, even today, are seriously unwelcoming. Just post "Hello, I'm new" and you get ripped on, trolled, and thrown out with a chain of "lawl pwnt" posts. It has been and still is so bad, that those official forums are not even worth lurking on.
__________________ "I'm not incorruptible, I am so corrupt nothing you can offer me is tempting." — Bester
Not that I feel the need to defend Jeff because I'm pretty sure he's a big boy, but..
Loading has always been a sort of off the cuff commentary on various things that we hear around the community and within the industry. Sometimes it gives us timely news and other times it gives us interesting things to ponder. As readers (and as writers too) we use our brains to determine what is of value and what is not. This particular bit was not posted as fact, noted by the notion that it was pondered upon in Loading.. and NOT posted as news in our nifty front-page news section. Jeff was also very careful to note that the information was unconfirmed.
We have smart readers around here. Rather quickly, and predictably, someone dug up a piece that laid to rest the question. This is why stuff like this is put out there! To discuss.
I would hope that those who read here, or from any other news source wouldn't ask that info be filtered by what we (the writers) think you can handle and would much rather know what we know and make of it what you will.
I think it's pretty evident to anyone that spends even a little time objectively going through topics over at the SGW forums that the term fanboi, and how it relates to a MMO in development, has been taken to a whole other level over there. Done so by a comparatively very small number of people too I might add.
I believe Frigidman objectively and concisely responded to you regarding this, so I will leave his comment to stand.
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This reaction to the simple reporting of what is really a pretty wide spread scheme going on out there is a case in point.
Let's start here, shall we?
Quote:
Instead at being outraged that some group is out there apparently bilking people out of their money (yes people have already "invested" in this "business") using the SGW and CME names while doing so is going almost completely unmentioned. Instead what all the chatter is revolving around is that someone over here brought it up.
Exactly. My own personal perspective is this: If someone, anyone is dumb enough to fall for a scam they deserve to be taught a life lesson. All we can hope is that this lesson doesn't come to them too expensively, and that they remember it for the future. Why should the fans of SGW be the internet police and harbingers of good and fair ethics of the world wide web?
With that in mind, I find it confusing that you would comment about where the outrage should be focused. The incorrect blog post, since it's completely unfair to call Loading... an article or even a column, made assumptions regarding a lack of information. Ethec tries to cover their behind in this latest blog by claiming Loading... isn't an attempt at serious journalism.
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Originally Posted by Ethec
So if tkksnow wants to snipe us from afar for not asking for a quote before Loading... is released, that's fine. I can be petty too. I'll note that our last two calls for comment (on different matters) were returned only after we went to print and mostly in email, our last scheduled interview appointment was broken by CME on short notice with no clear make-up date, and I have a list of people promised beta access almost two months ago that still haven't been taken care of. None of this inspires confidence that I can get anything more than stall tactics out of CME without a firebrand approach.
I wanted to address this, as well. tkksnow's comment may have appeared to be a snipe, to the petty and conniving sort of person who thinks that way, it was more of a rebuttal to my eyes. As far as your "point" about requesting comments from CME on your blog post: Wouldn't it be more fair, instead of posting the blog, that you give a modicum of respect to the person you are asking and either wait for a reply, or if you must post to meet a deadline, include in your blog that your request has gone unanswered?
As far as your comment about beta access, that's an entirely different kettle of fish. The way you phrase that comment makes me think that you are just being a drama llama and are a bit tired of the hate emails that I'm sure flooded the TTH mail server. Bad phrasing from TTH, and poor management of the offer extended from CME is not a reflection on CME but on TTH.
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Tow the company line or be prepared to fend off attack after attack, many of a personal nature, with no mod intervention forthcoming. In fact don't be surprised to see one of these "volunteer mods" join in on the feeding frenzy.
The moderators for the SGW community are fans, just as much as the rest of the community. If they ever step out of line, and the staff members of CME feel they have done enough to warrant it, those same moderators will be removed from their positions.
I would hope that those who read here, or from any other news source wouldn't ask that info be filtered by what we (the writers) think you can handle and would much rather know what we know and make of it what you will.
I think there is one major flaw in not only that statement, but your entire post, and that flaw is making the assumption that TTH is a "news" source. While the idea of a collection of gamers, gaming fans, and others is admirable, there is an inherent responsibility to ensure that the information is both fair and accurate.
This is no request for filtered information, as much as it is an attempt to make the writers understand that verified information is much more valuable.
Welcome to the forums, Lisenta. Thanks for taking the time to register and share your views. I won't defend Ethec because rumor is that he is a big boy. I did want to reply to one thing you said.
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Originally Posted by Lisentia
As far as your comment about beta access, that's an entirely different kettle of fish. The way you phrase that comment makes me think that you are just being a drama llama and are a bit tired of the hate emails that I'm sure flooded the TTH mail server. Bad phrasing from TTH, and poor management of the offer extended from CME is not a reflection on CME but on TTH.
Please note that a CME employee said this about the beta key giveaway:
I wasn't in the room when the deal went down, so I won't say I was there to hear CME say. I was just there to read it.
Should a renege on beta keys be a surprise from a company that doesn't pay employees? I mean seriously.. is Richard Garriot back from space and working over there now?
I know you SWG folks are salty but come on, you'll always have the TV show.
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"That is strength, boy! That is power! What is steel compared to the hand that wields it? Look at the strength in your body, the desire in your heart, I gave you this! Such a waste. Contemplate this on the tree of woe. Crucify him!"
Welcome to the forums, Lisenta. Thanks for taking the time to register and share your views. I won't defend Ethec because rumor is that he is a big boy. I did want to reply to one thing you said.
Please note that a CME employee said this about the beta key giveaway:
I wasn't in the room when the deal went down, so I won't say I was there to hear CME say. I was just there to read it.
Hello there Ralsu, thank you for the warm welcome. I'm just curious why I'm being quoted as being a CME employee? I'm not.
If you were not present when the deal was being discussed, how can you step forward to discuss it? I know I was not privy to the actual deal either, my comment was directed at the phrasing used by TTH to increase their revenue and premium memberships, and then the management of said deal once it had been put into motion.
Savanja: *edited*I have a picture to post but can't because of your forum rules. *edit two* and wow, even quoting an admin with a link gives an error.
Linked on the front page gives the same credibility, especially since Loading... is touted as being a TTH exclusive.
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Originally Posted by Bansaw
Should a renege on beta keys be a surprise from a company that doesn't pay employees?
I'm sorry. Where exactly are you getting the information about pay? Oh, that's right, I forgot you got it from a Ten Ton Hammer "article".
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