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Ooblets dev received thousands of "hateful, threatening messages" over Epic exclusivity
- Thread starter jrpl
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User banned (permanent): Excusing harassment and threats, previous severe infractions, sending abusive messages to staff
I don't really understand what's happening here, because Glumberland clearly started all the flame thanks to their controversial blog post and then continued with their hateful comments on their Discord channel, even insulting their Patrons. Why gamers are always blamed for stuff like this and devs are always painted as the victims? If they took approach of, let's say, Sinking City devs, it woudn't be any drama (Frogwares stated that they need this exclusivity deal, because it will help to keep stability of their studio. Simple statement, zero passive-aggressive comments)
Why this PR disaster is praised by the media and Tim Sweeney? I just don't get it.
Why this PR disaster is praised by the media and Tim Sweeney? I just don't get it.
User banned (1 week): Holding developers responsible for receiving threats
Don't announce that you got a bunch of money, you need it for rent and stuff and then immediatly be a dick at the end of the PR statement. Or in your Discord server. If you poke the bomb long enough don't be surprised when it blows up in your face.
Hope they stay safe.
Hope they stay safe.
the devs actually started alot of shit this time with that blog post they did, and basically telling all their funders prior basically fuck you we got paid and other such shit .
the ooblets devs need to take some responsbility or atleast have a good ol lesson in pr.
the ooblets devs need to take some responsbility or atleast have a good ol lesson in pr.
And of course nothing in that post addresses anything about the devs own role in creating that mess, by dismissing any possible valid issue people can have with the store with misguided jokes that clearly did not hit the ended mark, so nothing will be learned, and we will repeat this again.
That's of course not me condoning threats, not in any way. There's no excuse for that.
But when things like this happen, when it started with an attempt of the devs trying to be a bit clever and funny, in an already infected debate, there must be a bit of self reflection as well.
That's of course not me condoning threats, not in any way. There's no excuse for that.
But when things like this happen, when it started with an attempt of the devs trying to be a bit clever and funny, in an already infected debate, there must be a bit of self reflection as well.
Gamers are to blame because they're sending threats to developers over a fucking video game not being on their client of choice.
Just seem to be painting themselves as a victim, not taking any responsibility for having enflamed things with the nature of their communication.
Threats and hateful messages are inexcusable and there's no justification for them, but they went out of the way to throw fuel on the fire, with no consideration for the collateral damage it will cause. Then Tim Sweeney doubled down on it.
We need less antagonism, not more.
Threats and hateful messages are inexcusable and there's no justification for them, but they went out of the way to throw fuel on the fire, with no consideration for the collateral damage it will cause. Then Tim Sweeney doubled down on it.
We need less antagonism, not more.
This is the kind of stuff I was talking about in my thread earlier.
Nothing in their blog post or Discord comments justifies getting harassed and insulted on this level.
Nothing in their blog post or Discord comments justifies getting harassed and insulted on this level.
Also I see an astounding amount of 'insults and harassment are unacceptable, BUT' posts already.
There should be no but.
However you couch it, that's victim blaming. Stop that.
There should be no but.
However you couch it, that's victim blaming. Stop that.
christ, take a page from the Untitled Goose Game devs. Just say "we're a tiny dev and we needed/wanted the money upfront" and leave it at that, without dismissing anyone's valid concerns.
Threats and hateful messages are not ok. But I see some conflate criticism with hateful messages. Additionally if they didn't want the strong criticism, they could also not be assholes on the internet.
This. There is a lot of criticism off those that take the deals, but the dimension of the shitstorm was definitely more inflamed here, for obvious reasons.
so your saying someone can say something shit and whens theres reprucussions from saying said shitty things they cant be called out on it ?
their is a massive difference between victim blaming and calling people out on the shit they have said
Wow I am way too late to pre-empt the victim blaming. Good show lads.
Good to see lessons have been learned.
Harrassment is not a proportionate response.
Good to see lessons have been learned.
Harrassment is not a proportionate response.
I don't like what Epic is doing either, but harassment and insults are never okay. But that's par for the course for gamers and Internet in general, unfortunately.
The outcry about the Epic Games Store has been an absolute embarrassment from the start and ultimately this is where it leads.
And I'm sorry, but there are posters and have been threads on Era that aren't exempt from this. Stopping shy of issuing threats isn't a low bar that excuses some of the incessant, relentless moaning seen around the Internet - including here.
And I'm sorry, but there are posters and have been threads on Era that aren't exempt from this. Stopping shy of issuing threats isn't a low bar that excuses some of the incessant, relentless moaning seen around the Internet - including here.
Obviously any kind of threatening response is wrong, but let's not allow them to paint this as a direct response to EGS exclusivity.
Their original blog post was condescending and dismissive of all legitimate concerns, and the devs continued to double down with more garbage. There is a right way and a wrong way to handle public messaging.
They definitely don't deserve it, but the spin on this is dishonest.
Their original blog post was condescending and dismissive of all legitimate concerns, and the devs continued to double down with more garbage. There is a right way and a wrong way to handle public messaging.
They definitely don't deserve it, but the spin on this is dishonest.
User banned (1 week): Holding developers responsible for receiving threats
Yeah cos the Ooblet developers totally didn't stoke the flames with that god awful condescending bullshit announcement followed up by some very ill advised discord posts then on top of it Timmy Sweeney popping in to act like a complete arsehole.
No one deserves death threats or threats of violence against them but these devs are not exactly blameless here. Much of the anger was not so much about the exclusivity but more to do with the sheer and utter contempt the Ooblet developers appear to have for the gaming public.
No one deserves death threats or threats of violence against them but these devs are not exactly blameless here. Much of the anger was not so much about the exclusivity but more to do with the sheer and utter contempt the Ooblet developers appear to have for the gaming public.
It's unfortunate it went down like that but anyone could have seen this a mile away. Especially when the dev went on a tirade about how people are so whiny that "it's a launcher, entitled gamers" or "we don't need your Patreon money anymore". Similar thing happened when Midboss slammed Trump supporters to not buy their game on Twitter (and before anyone says anything, yes fuck Trump supporters).
You're always gonna get the lunatics who take things up to 11 and do something heinous. I hope something can be done about the death threats like opening investigations.
You're always gonna get the lunatics who take things up to 11 and do something heinous. I hope something can be done about the death threats like opening investigations.
Yes I agree, any kind of criticism of Epic is exactly the same as coordinating harassment campaigns and sending threats to developers.
I'd perhaps say that if developers don't want to exacerbate antagonism between developers and players, they should at least make some kind of attempt to minimise it.
User banned (1 week): Holding developers responsible for receiving threats
If you can't reflect on it, then you will learn nothing. It's awful what happened, but so totally predictable. So many people would have been able to tell them that, if they had asked for help with their post.
are you seriously implying not liking what Epic is doing to the GG?
oh wow
Anything actually threatening or hate-filled is obviously unacceptable. I'm sure they got some of those, the world being what it is. But I also know these devs have a very loose, expansive, damn near all-inclusive view of any criticism as "toxic gamer" or "hate-filled" stuff as well.
You can think the devs have been shitty and also think they don't deserve any harassment like that.
Criticism is not telling someone to go die
Criticism is not faking Discord screencaps for a Jewish developer saying they want to 'send gamers to the gas chambers'
Criticism is not comparing them to a racist
If we can't spot the outliers and snuff them out on our own, then we're part of the problem.
Criticism is not faking Discord screencaps for a Jewish developer saying they want to 'send gamers to the gas chambers'
Criticism is not comparing them to a racist
If we can't spot the outliers and snuff them out on our own, then we're part of the problem.
While I don't condone people sending threats to devs for anything, the devs deserve criticism for their handling of the situation. The article doesn't approach how the studio worded their explanations, just that there was one. It also doesn't seem to try to differentiate between said criticism and threats, as if, say we complaining here about how awful egs is and how badly theyve reacted to their community are equal to death threats
edit: Asking as a valid topic of conversation not a complaint
Are you saying we need to go out of our way to snuff out trolls and people who aren't coming a the devs in good faith to begin with?
edit: Asking as a valid topic of conversation not a complaint
Poor girl she didn't deserve to be sexually harassed but she did wear sexy clothes though while walking alone at night. It was so easy to avoid.
You guys are doing prety much the exact sane thing yet none of you would actually dare say something similar in a sexual harassment thread.
Drop the victim blaming it's embarrassing
You guys are doing prety much the exact sane thing yet none of you would actually dare say something similar in a sexual harassment thread.
Drop the victim blaming it's embarrassing
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