Do you think there is a problem with how society and even video game developers see and treat gamers, when they complain about the quality of the products?

I read an article rant the other day about how tabletop roleplay gamers should stop complaining about the price of game materials, because it’s the gamers’ responsibility to make the genre viable and freelance writers and artists have a hard time paying their bills.

I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in a long time.

If the person publishing the books doesn’t pay their writers, that’s not the end user’s fault, nor can the end user do a damned thing about it. That’s between the artist and their employer.

Frankly, any game that requires a minimum investment of $150 in books just to play – per person – kind of deserves to fail. I get that publishing costs are high and all that, but the end user would be just as happy or more with a well-written game with no bells and whistles than a “throw everything at the wall and what sticks will go into the next edition” high-investment beta test full of expensive, irrelevant artwork on expensive glossy pages.

So, in short, I totally agree with you.

Both sides are right. Gamers are entitled to working, bug free games and proper support. And gamers are toxic.

The new way some games are being released in beta form kind of sucks. I realize it’s how some indie game houses are able to fund their work but more often than not the games don’t quite get done.

Of course those things should be a minimum requirement, absolutely they shoud.
But as a gamer myself, I can’t help thinking that some gamers love nowt better than a nerdy rant & fall into the trap of proving their detractors correct…kinda

I can’t speak about the game quality – I am not a gamer, but my general feeling is that if you pay for game (or any other software) there is an expectation that it should work.

On the other hand, games have become so complex and multithreaded, that it is impossible for QA to find every last bug. That;‘s the way software is.

Having said that, I know some gamers who are the most repulsive people I have ever met. I’m aware of one – a former neighbor – who was so into gaming that he quit his job, stopped earning anything, dumped his wife and daughter, let his house go into foreclosure, and eventually he was thrown out by the sheriff and moved someplace else.

That’s only one example, and probably not indicative of how all gamers are, but he certainly did their image no good at all.

I know another one (now about 40) who has a job, but apparently has decided that playing games at home is more important that cleanliness – he doesn’t shower, just comes across as slovenly. Again, a single example, but it is clear that for him, gaming is an addiction.

I don’t play video games but I agree with Rags in that I would expect good customer service on a product.

I disagree with seek a little on the books. I don’t mind paying money for books on a game. I bought D20 modern books 10 years ago and we still play them.

@elbanditoroso – That’s kind of the equivalent of judging everyone who enjoys wine with dinner the same as the Mad Dog-swilling hobo on the street corner.

Not a “gamer” here. I do however own a Playstation for the sole purpose of using the driving simulator Gran Turismo. It’s not to be confused with driving games, I want to improve my lap times, not shoot hookers or cops. Driving sims are so reality based and sophisticated they can make you a better driver in asphaltspace

Okay, I’ll get to the point. ELECTRONIC ARTS CAN CHOKE ON A DICK.

A few years ago a developer called Firemint created a driving sim for smartphones. It was called Real Racing. It was amazingly on par with console driving sims. I enjoyed it immensely. I considered it well worth the $16 price of admission.

About 3 years ago it was announced that EA would be involved in RR3. I was a little concerned. When I saw in the App Store that RR3 was “free” my worst fears were realized.

In fucking app fucking purchases… EA’s expertise comes at an insane cost, both in dollars and the advantage of playing a simulation instead of doing something in the real world.

Cost in gameplay: Games are supposed to eliminate the delays associated with real world activities. EA’s RR3 forces you to actually wait, sometimes for more than a day for repairs and servicing to be completed, unless of course, you are willing to pay a real money fee.

Cost in real dollars: It’s been estimated that the cost to “complete” the game (enter and win every event, fully outfit every car) comes to about $550. WTactualF? I can buy a set of line topping racing Dunlops for that with beer money left over.

Capitalism is capitalism but I have read many complaints from other users of EA’s products. EA’s appetite for one’s cash goes beyond just being a little crass.

So I had a difficult, personal principle based decision to make. I eventually chose to hack.

I asset hacked RR3. This gave me $4B in game assets. Note I did not use a hack that cheats me into better racing results. Yes, this means I get banned for a week if I play the game to frequently. Fine, I’ll go stir me up some gears for real for a while.

Game quality?

There’s more to it than tons of sexy polygons and flawless, smooth rendering.

@SecondHandStoke

That reminds me, I seriously need to reinstall Gran Turismo 5, as I never got around to doing the 24 Hours of Nurburgring event.

^ I will be driving the ‘Ring for real in two years.

Between gaming and watching videos my times will significantly better for having become virtually familiar with the course.

We live in exciting times.

Speaking about quality, somewhat relevant ~

@Seek – I agree with you 100%, which is why I took pains in both of my examples to say that these were not reflective of all gamers.

Read by paragraphs again.

@elbanditoroso
I will have you know that I do indeed lick myself clean regularly.