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Ever wonder if people posting here for SOE receive any perks?
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That's not entirely true.
I was once accused of working for the competition, but that doesn't make much sense to me as nobody does as much harm as SoE does to themselves. Who would hire someone to sabatage SoE when they seem so capable of doing it to themselves?
Just in general.....not SOE specific.I agree that SOE seems to intentionally piss off their own base.
That's not entirely true.
I was once accused of working for the competition, but that doesn't make much sense to me as nobody does as much harm as SoE does to themselves. Who would hire someone to sabatage SoE when they seem so capable of doing it to themselves?
Just in general.....not SOE specific.I agree that SOE seems to intentionally piss off their own base.
You make a good point, and in some cases I've seen the same posters rally behind each and every game one company makes, while at the same time posting on other forums running down the competition.
I've often wondered what motivates people to do that. I'm sure part of it is simply that they love their online happy place and want it to prosper. I've also wondered, however, whether or not MMO companies would give rewards or perks to those who post so vigorously in their favour. I now believe I've had at least that question answered.
Tbh, for me this simply served to further undermine the credibility of those who claim to be no more than the average player, but post as if they're trying to sell me something.
I like to think of myself as slightly above average, sometimes I think I am awesome but usually a friend will be able to put me back in my place.
Well played.
Lol, indeed. I still wish he'd just say, "SOE sends me boxes of free stuff" in his sig; especially on forums where he does promotional work for them. I also wish he'd stop referring to himself as the voice of the average player. I sincerely believe this is misleading. The average player doesn't do nearly as much promotional work on so many different forums; and the average player doesn't get boxes of free swag sent to him (or her) to host parties, imo.
Like I said though, I think anyone receiving perks from companies should be open and honest about this if they are going to endorse their goods or services. I don't think this is an isolated case. It simply made me aware of an issue I wanted to comment on.
I think at this point I'd like to frame the debate as a question that anyone can weigh in on. First, I'll provide the relevant information from the FTC standards as they relate to viral marketting. Here they are:
Viral marketing is impacted by the Endorsement Guides in any situation where a person has been used to promote the advertiser's message in a manner that suggests that such person endorses or otherwise uses the advertiser's products. Any connections between the endorser and the advertiser that might materially affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement (i.e., the connection is not reasonably expected by the audience) must be fully disclosed. When the endorser is neither represented in the advertisement as an expert nor is known to a significant portion of the viewing public, then the advertiser should clearly and conspicuously disclose any payment or promise of compensation.
Similarly, in the U.K., any "affiliations, connections, assets, awards or distinctions" that the person doing the promoting enjoys via his relationship with the company being promoted must be fully disclosed.
In light of this, if someone is endorsing a product or service (in this case an MMO), and they are receiving boxes of free mechandise from the company they are promoting, should he or she clearly and conspicuously disclose this?
In my opinion, yes: receiving free mechandise from the company being promoted should be clearly and conspicuously disclosed, any time the product is endorsed. Endorsing the product, failing to disclose this, and identifying oneself as nothing more than the average player enjoying the game seems to violate this principal.
I would say to the OP: it's no one's business what gamers receive or do not receive from ANY company, for whatever reason.
If you think that they are getting free junk, go sign up and get some. Otherwise, this is not a government run building, and no one has to say anything about any company. I, myself have been called a paid shill many times. The funniest part? I don't care if people think that, as if I or any other blogger, podcaster or fan needs to answer to anyone but themselves.
Beau
Listen to the Spouse Aggro podcast at spouseaggro.com. Twitter: spouseaggro
I like to think of myself as slightly above average, sometimes I think I am awesome but usually a friend will be able to put me back in my place.
Well played.
Lol, indeed. I still wish he'd just say, "SOE sends me boxes of free stuff" in his sig; especially on forums where he does promotional work for them. I also wish he'd stop referring to himself as the voice of the average player. I sincerely believe this is misleading. The average player doesn't do nearly as much promotional work on so many different forums; and the average player doesn't get boxes of free swag sent to him (or her) to host parties, imo.
Like I said though, I think anyone receiving perks from companies should be open and honest about this if they are going to endorse their goods or services. I don't think this is an isolated case. It simply made me aware of an issue I wanted to comment on.
I agree. It the exact same as with the television commercials for various products. They most often carry a disclaimer that the celebrity in the commercial is being paid for the endorsement. Course, the better route in my opinion is to just view the majority of these folks as having their own personal agendas (and not giving a damn about your happiness or even being capable of understanding that your happiness is different from theirs) and just trying to cull the factual information from their rantings and writings and then making an educated choice for yourself.
Never rely on someone you've never drank a beer (or soda for those not old enough) with's opinion. You'll be let down more times than not.
"Many nights, my friend... Many nights I've put a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. Glad I never killed you, Steve. You're alright..."
Chavez y Chavez
Alright, fine. Some of you think there is some kind of rule that says that a game company cannot give out anything to any fan unless all items are divulged to everyone.
Ok, so I am telling you that you will never know. Take the people to court, I guess.
My guess is that you will drop it and move on. After all, what are you trying to prove, anyway? That a gaming company might give out a free account or poster once in a while? Wow. Breaking news.
Again, understand that no one cares to divulge anything to anyone, and doesn't have to. I am not trying to sound like a jerk, but c'mon...this is actually being discussed as if anything would become of it? lol
Beau
Listen to the Spouse Aggro podcast at spouseaggro.com. Twitter: spouseaggro
Was I typing to you?
And how would I make sense of what you just typed anyway? "massly known?" "there handing out"? "others of us?" I'm not sure if you actually don't know basic "Engrish" and are that stupid, or just are attempting some form of hip mental sluggishness.
Either way, pay attention to who is talking to you and you'll come out shinier next time.
Now let's let this thread go slowly away, like it was meant to.
Beau
Listen to the Spouse Aggro podcast at spouseaggro.com. Twitter: spouseaggro
I like to think of myself as slightly above average, sometimes I think I am awesome but usually a friend will be able to put me back in my place.
Well played.
Lol, indeed. I still wish he'd just say, "SOE sends me boxes of free stuff" in his sig; especially on forums where he does promotional work for them. I also wish he'd stop referring to himself as the voice of the average player. I sincerely believe this is misleading. The average player doesn't do nearly as much promotional work on so many different forums; and the average player doesn't get boxes of free swag sent to him (or her) to host parties, imo.
Like I said though, I think anyone receiving perks from companies should be open and honest about this if they are going to endorse their goods or services. I don't think this is an isolated case. It simply made me aware of an issue I wanted to comment on.
I agree. It the exact same as with the television commercials for various products. They most often carry a disclaimer that the celebrity in the commercial is being paid for the endorsement. Course, the better route in my opinion is to just view the majority of these folks as having their own personal agendas (and not giving a damn about your happiness or even being capable of understanding that your happiness is different from theirs) and just trying to cull the factual information from their rantings and writings and then making an educated choice for yourself.
Never rely on someone you've never drank a beer (or soda for those not old enough) with's opinion. You'll be let down more times than not.
I sense great wisdom in this post. /qfe
Tbh, my preference is to avoid naming names. I'm just aware that something is happening; and I'd like any people involved to reflect on what they're doing, and adopt an open and honest approach to their posting.
Name and shame the shills!
so some SWG fans are receiving free stuff when they organize a fanparty, SO WHAT? it is not and never will be seen as viral marketing by some agency u desperately want to convince of the "fact" that SOE is the devil himself
u piss on the NGE and u just have to piss on the ppl who actually like it, grow up >_>
MMOs currently playing: -
About to play: Lord of the Rings Online
Played: Anarchy Online (alltime favorite) and lots of f2p titles (honorable mentions: 9Dragons, Martial Heroes, Dekaron, Atlantica Online)
You don't get it.
It's not whether you care if you are identified as a paid shill. It's whether other people understand that you are paid to shill for this or that company's products. If they know that then they can make their own decision as to whether you are telling the truth about a game or are just pimping it in return for an XXXXL sweatshirt and an invite to the next Albuqerque Borecon '10.
omg lol
how sad is it that $OE has had to stoop down to giving out freebee's in order to get the fanbots to come here and make a post one a month about how the nge is fun
i smell lawsuits coming on
That smell has been in the air since 2005, yet still no lawsuite, kinda makes you wonder........doesn't it? and if it doesn't make you wonder it really should make you wonder.
On topic, I seriously have no problem at all with viral marketeers, main reason is I form my own opinion about my own experiance, regardless if someone feels something sucks or is the best thing ever. Not sure why that is that hard for many to do just that. But then the gamer in my enjoy's seeing people enjoy their games more then seeing how someone might feel game X is crap as that is something that doesn't intrest me, as like I said I form my own opinion.
I got a free headset and Han Solo mighty mug at fan faire, if that counts
You didn't give the resident loons 3 months notice that you were getting freebies though.... oh boy you're going on the shitlist now!
Not that you were ever off it, I'm sure lol
...The spread of secondary and latterly of tertiary education has created a large population of people, often with well developed literary and scholarly tastes, who have been educated far beyond their capacity to undertake analytical thought.
You realize that anyone who wants to host a "game lan" or "fan gathering" will get this if they ask right? For most any game regardless if it is SoE or not? Ever hosted a LAN? I am guessing not. I am sure there are people who post as Sony employees pretending to be players but to act like Sony is the only company that does this is laughable.
I make posts that have a favorable light of SWG because I like the game. I was in Beta, I was in PreCU, CU1 and CU2 and I was mad as hell at NGE. I was one of the few who got a refund for Musti and I didn't play for 2 years. But the fact remains I gave it another chance, enjoy it for a casual mmo and post as such. But I also have held LAN events in San Diego, and would get swag from many companies in the local area. Rockstar, Sony, Sega (back before they closed shop in North County). Its a form of free advertising and I get free schwag to hand out to people to get them to come.
I think whats more sad is the people who hold such a grudge over a video game company that it lets the situation control their online life while posting on forums. Get over it? Time to A) Grow up, and
Move on. Even when I hated Sony for NGE I posted 3-4 posts about it on their forums and let it go.. Some of the people on this forum should try that. Sony will dig their own grave, they don't need haters to do it for them.
The people that are trying to make the world worse never take a day off , why should I. Light up the darkness Bob Marley
I am and allways will be a SoE fan.
They gave us eq ,eq2 ,swg and lots of other great mmos and if they as bad as a lot of you say they are how come the likes of eq is still going strong and on its 16th expansion now?
I have played nearly every mmo out there and the customer suport in eq is by far the best i have ever had to deal with and just look at all the in game events they do in eq.
The worst game for suport has to be wow and the events in wow just suck.
So to all you SoE haters i say go play wow for a while and then you will know how good SoE games are.
I hate fantasy games, I'm a self confessed sci-fi nut and yet I've played WoW more than I played SWG... strange that isn't it?
Well no, not really... you see when SOE fucked up SWG everyone I played SWG with moved to WoW, it took a few months of persuasion but eventually I gave it a shot and was amazed to find a game that was relatively bug free, a CS dept that were actually able to fix shit ingame without having to continually escalate it, core game systems that worked, everything did exactly what it was supposed to do. If you genuinely believe that SOE is a better company than Blizzard, you need locking away in a padded room.
...The spread of secondary and latterly of tertiary education has created a large population of people, often with well developed literary and scholarly tastes, who have been educated far beyond their capacity to undertake analytical thought.
SOE at the last fan fair just had to make a big to-do about how they stopped farming out their customer service to India and are moving it back in house. The cheers from the crowd said all that needs to be said about the level of customer support that SOE offered.
People don't cheer when you stop offering great customer support. They cheer when you get rid of bad support. It is laughable to compare soe customer support to blizzard.
Just based on how incorrect you are about the CS I don't even need to address the rest of your thoughts.
You'd be surprised how many companies will do that, if you simply ask. I've been able to get things from 5-6 different companies simply by saying "Hey, I like this game, I'm gonna run a demo, could I get some stuff to give out?"
Also, is the contention here that anyone who's in a demo program (not game demo, but demoing producting for people) is unable to say anything about a game?
The FTC stuff you linked specifically refers to people being paid by a company to market. If Sony sent me an email that said "Hey, we'll give you 6 months free if you'll go post on MMORPG about our game" it would apply. That's it.
Also, Badger (assuming Badger is the same Badger on the oficial forums) wrote *the* definitive guide to combat in SWG. I daresay Sony should send him a large sum of cash for that. Anyone who has spent *any* time looking at the forums would be very aware that he's an extremely active person in SWG.
Also, SOE sometimes send me free gameplay to come back and try SWG again, and also gives me gifts in game for playing. Should I call the FTC any time I say something positive about them?
Also also, I hear the FTC is currently suing every Christian everywhere who has ever posted anything positive about their religion, because they get it for free, and then shill for it.
Who am I?
@Lorechaser on CoH
Badjuju, Splinterhoof, Plainsrunner on WoW (Moonrunner)
Shyy'rissk on SWG (Flurry)
ClockworkSoldier, HE Pierce, Letnev on Planetside
Gyshe, Crucible, Terrakal on DDO
And many more.
You'd be surprised how many companies will do that, if you simply ask. I've been able to get things from 5-6 different companies simply by saying "Hey, I like this game, I'm gonna run a demo, could I get some stuff to give out?"
Also, is the contention here that anyone who's in a demo program (not game demo, but demoing producting for people) is unable to say anything about a game?
The FTC stuff you linked specifically refers to people being paid by a company to market. If Sony sent me an email that said "Hey, we'll give you 6 months free if you'll go post on MMORPG about our game" it would apply. That's it.
Also, Badger (assuming Badger is the same Badger on the oficial forums) wrote *the* definitive guide to combat in SWG. I daresay Sony should send him a large sum of cash for that. Anyone who has spent *any* time looking at the forums would be very aware that he's an extremely active person in SWG.
Also, SOE sometimes send me free gameplay to come back and try SWG again, and also gives me gifts in game for playing. Should I call the FTC any time I say something positive about them?
Also also, I hear the FTC is currently suing every Christian everywhere who has ever posted anything positive about their religion, because they get it for free, and then shill for it.
I think you may have missed the point entirely, even though I've clarified a number of times.
I don't think it's a problem to post in support of your game. I also don't think it's a problem to receive gifts. I think it's a problem to do two things specifically:
1) Misrepresent yourself when you post in support of your game.
2) Misrepresent the game itself.
In terms of number one, I've accurately quoted someone who claimed to be nothing more than the voice of the average player enjoying the game. Can the average player contact SOE and receive boxes of free merchandise to distribute to friends? I doubt it. It just so happens that if you endorse a product, and receive any form of compensation (this is not limited to paid employees btw), you need to be open about this while doing your promotional work. I've simply and respectfully asked that people endorsing products not misrepresent themselves.
Regarding number two, it has recently come to my attention that the same person I believe has misrepresented himself has also misrepresented the game he is promoting. I got this impression from the following quote:
"For those that play SWG regularly, we're all seeing more players than ever taking part in SWG with new, returning and active players enjoying the game immensely.
Even the "Transfer from" servers are starting to rebuild their communities, it may take the best part of this year but if the last month is anything to go by, these passionate communites on servers like Infinity and Scylla will continue to grow over the coming year and once again be attractive to players looking for large populations."
Just the average player, and yet receiving free Swag from SOE to host parties? Hmmm.
We're all seeing more players than ever taking part in SWG? Servers recently depopulated by free transfers will soon become attractive to players looking for large populations? Hmmm.
Tbh, I think it would be appropriate for this and other posters of like-mind to simply apologize for passing themselves and their games off as something they are not.
Why does the FTC care about misrepresentation? Well, lo and behold apparently they don't like people lying to us to try to get our money. Tbh, I'm good with that.
I like SWG, I've liked SWG since I played it in 2003, I like it so much that I throw a party for some friends once a year and I ask SoE to send us stuff that they give out free to anybody that asks for it.
I don't get paid, I don't want to get paid, I have a very nice job that has nothing to do with the MMORPG industry and I'd very much like to keep it that way. The only reason I post as much as I do on the topic of SWG is so that others can get the information they need to enjoy SWG as much as I do. I desire nothing more.
I'm sure you will continue to try to discredit me further in order to continue your hate campaign on all things SoE which seems to include attacking the players of SoE games, I look forward to the laughs you give me and other SWG players from reading it.
I think this thread has run its course now.
/closed