4306 réponses à ce sujet

[upsettingshorts]

Brockololly wrote...

So what are the odds we hear anything officially out of BioWare about all this anytime soon? Or will they all act like nothing has happened?

Stan Woo sent an email to Mysterious Guy.  It's the latter's call. 

[Jimmy Fury]

crimzontearz wrote...
and you can prove who it was how?

If each code is unique they could, theoretically, be keeping track of which stores received which codes.It wouldn't tell them who exactly but they could narrow it down by the store and ensure gamestop rains all heck on them. Someone would eventually crack and rat out the guilty party.
All theoretically of course
-edited to clear up quote pyramid-

Modifié par Jimmy Fury, 02 février 2011 - 03:21 .

[crimzontearz]

let me add this



there is ZERO reason whatsoever to release solely to Gamestop employees



for starters IF the employee is not interested in DAO he will not play the demo anyway, if he IS on the other hand interested in DAO he would hace played even if it was NOT an exclusive.



so the result now is that a lot of fans are pissed off and feel like they have been given a giant middle finger.....moreso the console folks who apparently are getting nothing at all even on the 23d.



What, they thought a bunch of gamers would have swarmed Gamestop saying "OMIGOD OMIGOD GUYS...you have to tell me everything about the demo dammit"? How would that be any better than say releasing the demo to everyone?



what was the goddamn point???

[MiniKillerTheChosenOne]

Whoa wait I left at page 115 with disappointment and lies of cakes. Now there's a demo but PC only? Anyone fill me in or link the page?

[crimzontearz]

MiniKillerTheChosenOne wrote...

Whoa wait I left at page 115 with disappointment and lies of cakes. Now there's a demo but PC only? Anyone fill me in or link the page?

on pc only but only for gamestop employees

[upsettingshorts]

crimzontearz wrote...

there is ZERO reason whatsoever to release solely to Gamestop employees

While I'm sure whoever was responsible for making the decision would likely dispute this, it is part of the reason I suspect (it's my theory) the retailer-employee exclusive window is not limited to Gamestop.  They're just the one that has had their participation in the program leaked.

crimzontearz wrote...

so the result now is that a lot of fans are pissed off and feel like they have been given a giant middle finger

That part's easy.  We weren't supposed to know.   I imagine they viewed it as no different than the previews that writers for gaming websites and magazines got.

crimzontearz wrote...

.....moreso the console folks who apparently are getting nothing at all even on the 23d.

Speculation based on facts not in evidence.

crimzontearz wrote...

what was the goddamn point???

If they had intended for us to know about it, they would be responsible for informing us, I think.  But they didn't intend that, so they aren't. 

Modifié par Upsettingshorts, 02 février 2011 - 03:26 .

[Purple People Eater]

Im actually concerned that the way the promotion for DA2 is being handled, is a reflection upon how good the game is. It just seems like everything concerning the game is headed in the wrong direction. Its not a comforting feeling. I really dont want DA2 to suck.

[Epic Legion]

Jimmy Fury wrote...

crimzontearz wrote...
and you can prove who it was how?

If each code is unique they could, theoretically, be keeping track of which stores received which codes.It wouldn't tell them who exactly but they could narrow it down by the store and ensure gamestop rains all heck on them. Someone would eventually crack and rat out the guilty party.
All theoretically of course
-edited to clear up quote pyramid-

I'm more than sure EA is not going to provide more than one DA2 demo file. In that case, there is no way to find out who did it.

[upsettingshorts]

That's not what Jimmy Fury was saying.

[Mystranna Kelteel]

From the sound of things the Gamestop locations were just sent an arbitrary number of codes. The smaller stores may have more than they need; a lot of the employees may not even want to play the demo to begin with...



I see absolutely no reason for this unless there's some hidden exchange of money somewhere.

[SilasWolfe]

Jimmy Fury wrote...

crimzontearz wrote...
and you can prove who it was how?

If each code is unique they could, theoretically, be keeping track of which stores received which codes.It wouldn't tell them who exactly but they could narrow it down by the store and ensure gamestop rains all heck on them. Someone would eventually crack and rat out the guilty party.

No, see, what happens is, one random Gamestop employee downloads the demo client, supplies it to a release group like Skidrow, Skidrow removes any potential key requirements or online checks and releases it on to the scene, then someone in the scene puts it on general newsgroup and torrent sites for the common masses.

Although in truth I really doubt any big name group will go to the trouble of providing some sort of crack if the demo actually requires one. And if it doesn't require any verification it will without a doubt be on the net in less than a day for general download.

If anybody actually cares about this game, that is.

[Eclipse_9990]

Mystranna Kelteel wrote...

From the sound of things the Gamestop locations were just sent an arbitrary number of codes. The smaller stores may have more than they need; a lot of the employees may not even want to play the demo to begin with...

I see absolutely no reason for this unless there's some hidden exchange of money somewhere.

In b4 Dragon Age 2 Beta codes being sold on Ebay!

[solstickan]

Hm... So there was a demo afterall. Huzzah I guess... 

But why release it so late? I doubt it is worth it playing through X minutes of the game only to have to wait an additional two weeks for the real deal. And how many people's mind is it going to change, after all?

Also, Gamestop employees, really? Why not just give it to us directly?In any case, I think it is safe to say we will be getting a lot of new info/screenshots/awesomesauce on the 11th. 

[crimzontearz]

Upsettingshorts wrote...

crimzontearz wrote...

there is ZERO reason whatsoever to release solely to Gamestop employees

While I'm sure whoever was responsible for making the decision would likely dispute this, it is part of the reason I suspect (it's my theory) the retailer-employee exclusive window is not limited to Gamestop.  They're just the one that has had their participation in the program leaked.

crimzontearz wrote...

so the result now is that a lot of fans are pissed off and feel like they have been given a giant middle finger

That part's easy.  We weren't supposed to know.   I imagine they viewed it as no different than the previews that writers for gaming websites and magazines got.

crimzontearz wrote...

.....moreso the console folks who apparently are getting nothing at all even on the 23d.

Speculation based on facts not in evidence.

crimzontearz wrote...

what was the goddamn point???

If they had intended for us to know about it, they would be responsible for informing us, I think.  But they didn't intend that, so they aren't. 

ok.....substitute "gamestop" with "gamestop + other retailers"

the result is the very same, the demo is released to a very small number of people who apparently are not forbidden to speak of it (according to the official site"

so let's assume everything went according to plan and no one knew a thing about this. The 11th rolls around. Someone enters gamestop and goes

Gamer: hey Howard, Hey Don wassup?
Don + Howard: OMG dude we got to play DA2's demo
Gamer: STFU! is it on live? PSN?
Don: no it's only for PC
Gamer: it's ok my brother games on pc
Howard: and only Gamestop and a few other retailers' employees can play it
Gamer: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Gamer: goes home and spills the beans on BSN



BSN-splodes-


and we are here again, same situation.....same result.....same rage

[upsettingshorts]

The rest of my post deals with the "same result, same rage" and/or the demo's eventual console availability (may or may not happen, but there is no reason yet to suspect that it will be PC only for all consumers).

[Brockololly]

crimzontearz wrote...

let me add this

there is ZERO reason whatsoever to release solely to Gamestop employees

for starters IF the employee is not interested in DAO he will not play the demo anyway, if he IS on the other hand interested in DAO he would hace played even if it was NOT an exclusive.

so the result now is that a lot of fans are pissed off and feel like they have been given a giant middle finger.....moreso the console folks who apparently are getting nothing at all even on the 23d.

What, they thought a bunch of gamers would have swarmed Gamestop saying "OMIGOD OMIGOD GUYS...you have to tell me everything about the demo dammit"? How would that be any better than say releasing the demo to everyone?

what was the goddamn point???

Well, I can imagine the reason they aren't releasing anything on the consoles in terms of a Gamestop demo is that would involve having to jump through the hurdles of PSN and Live and considering how slow they work, its probably not worth it.

And I'm sure they likely have struck some deal with the rretailers like Gamestop for this demo deal.

That said, I think it is incredibly stupid how its been handled, as the lack of news on anything regarding the 2/1/2011 debacle and how news of the demo has stirred up plenty of ill will, confusion and negative feelings. And this all seems like it could have largely been avoided or at least largely mitigated had the people in the know been more forthcoming with what their plans were or are. I don't know who those people with the authority to release that info are, or what their plan is, but I have a hard time imagining that *this* is how they wanted it all to go down.

Surely, not everything goes according to plan- thats life. But it just *seems* like people are asleep at the wheel or at least not being proactive about this stuff.


And with the Gamestop thing, it only stirs the pot moreso, given how a good portion of BioWare fans felt like they've been shafted, between the Bazaar fiasco, the 2/1/2011 debacle and even how say, some of the DLC like Witch Hunt promised way more than what was delivered. It just seems like a bad trend of hyping to high hell and perpertually teasing and stoking fan expectations and then not delivering the goods.  That sucks, as a fan.

And now you've got Gamestops with too many codes or employees not interested and the codes being doled out to consumers. I still think BioWare could mend a good deal of all this if they gave out demo codes to BSN people that maybe have Origins registered or something. Keep some measure of exclusivity in it, and actually deliver something of a surprise to the fans that doesn't feel like they've just been trolled. But I'm sure there is all sorts of legalese tied up in that Gamestop deal stopping that from happening.

[Jimmy Fury]

SilasWolfe wrote...
Now in a completely asinine and arbitrary move, they're rewarding Gamestop employees (uh, what?) for being Gamestop employees. What is that? Really? Can someone tell me? I'm just at a loss for words over this.

Yes actually someone can.
People in certain sectors of retail get to preview stuff all the time.
Good restaurants will have their servers sample every dish so they can describe it from experience instead of reading a script, bookstore and record store (back when they existed) employees get access to new releases months in advance to help spread word-of-mouth, theater employees get to preview movies before opening night, and car salespeople get to take cars home for extended test drives.

Having personal, hands-on, advanced knowledge of the product helps the sales person sell it. It lets them judge it more accurately and form their own opinions.

A GS employee who has actually played DA2 will be able to draw conclusions that might not have been mentioned had they just been given a fact-sheet to read from. Perhaps the game reminds her a lot of a competitors game. EA would never tell people to compare their product to a competitors. But if the employee sees a major similarity she can recommend DA2 to everyone buying the competitors game and can accurately descripe how the two are similar.

[MrStorm2K]

I just want to say, I've been lurking in this thread for the past day or so, and I don't think one thread has given me so much entertainment. The raging people were hilarious and the rational people were appreciated. Thanks for the good times.

[Emperor Mars]

The following are my thoughts about recent events...

I am guessing it was given to Gamestop eomployees for promotional purposes..meaning gamestop handed over a large lump of cash so that their employees could then tell customers about the game...

But that makes really no sense as allowing a large public demo would garner more publicity.

Also, I wouldnt worry about the marketing being a direct impact on the quality of the game...after all, most games dont get into serious marketing mode until about a month before their release...which means the next 6 days or so before heavy marketing mod starts (I have seen banner ads on websites by now btw...but that is a very little step in the right direction)

While yesterday was a pretty royal screw up on whosoever job that is, hopefully the marketing for EA....or Bioware...or whichever company handles that stuff will recognize this and correct it, or actually have something good already planned.


But hey, business is not my forte, so maybe I am just talking out of my ass..

Modifié par Emperor Mars, 02 février 2011 - 03:41 .

[addiction21]

MrStorm2K wrote...

I just want to say, I've been lurking in this thread for the past day or so, and I don't think one thread has given me so much entertainment. The raging people were hilarious and the rational people were appreciated. Thanks for the good times.

Stick around its not over yet.

[MiniKillerTheChosenOne]

That's lame! Really? I mean, is that worse the no demo? It is! Isn't it? I'm frazzled

[pumpkinman13]

gamestop favouritism anyone? How come gamestop need the demo early to familiarise themselves with it to better aid retail. Don't HMV, Amazon, GAME, Gamestation or any other retailors need it for that reason? Does everybody else have super intuitive staff and Gamestop employees are just idiots who need that extra help to become acquainted with the game?

[marquiseondore]

From the leaflet that was given to Gamestop it's obvious that the intent was to encourage the retailers employees to promote the game. It may garner a few hundred sales maybe thousands. But if they are like the GS in my area they will not get any increases from them. I've only been to one store where the employees were helpful, but that was because the guy was excited a girl was into RPGs. I highly doubt that this promotion would create an increase in sales. Games are a unique product, they are not a car or washing machine that a clerk can sell a particular brand.

[Jimmy Fury]

Emperor Mars wrote...
I am guessing it was given to Gamestop eomployes for promotional purposes..meaning gamestop handed over a large lump of cash so that their employees could then tell customers about the game...

That is also entirely possible and very likely if one considers the full extent of how Gamestop seems to get the best preorder bonuses, their magazine got the scoop on all the DA2 info, and all EA sites list Gamestop at the top of their "order now!" pages...

EA and Gamestop probably inked out a deal ages ago and we the public are just now seeing how far it extends. [shrug]

Modifié par Jimmy Fury, 02 février 2011 - 03:44 .

[Cutlasskiwi]

Upsettingshorts wrote...

Why you putting stuff in perfectly tasty coffee? *takes it black, but you should have guessed this from my avatar's mustache*

*wonders that too* To use a reference, I take my coffee black as midnight on a moonless night.