1876 réponses à ce sujet

[mangacat]

Thank you, Bioware. The quality of the Dragon Age series alone won my heart and your writers are doing their best to make the games emotionally engaging and inclusive. I hope that the voices of support and your statement will help show the people instigating and supporting these personal attacks that this sickening behaviour is not acceptable.

[Shotokanguy]

More and more, people seem to be demonizing the people who make games for them. It's really only been this generation. Probably in response to some...questionable business practices and a perceived drop in quality...

But it's ridiculous. No matter how unhappy you may be with something, in the end, these are just VIDEO GAMES. Real people make them, not monsters who just want your money and couldn't care less about the process.

[ipgd]

The stuff people do to her is serious kinds of gross.

[Thumb Fu]

The anonymity of the internet has the unkindly ability to increase people confidence, and ignorance, affording them what they believe is their right to say whatever and to whoever they want. These people generally wouldn't say these things, and if confronted are generally ashamed of what they have done. It is an unfortunate bi-product of the internet, a tool which in general empowers people to do good.

What has happened to Jennifer was unfortunate and dispicable, but not isolated. I think Bioware are doing an exceptional thing sticking up for their employee. I hope this doesn't affect her ability to do her job, or linger in her mind for too long, at the end of the say, people on the internet are **** sticks.

Good luck Jennifer.

[Remmak]

MadLaughter wrote...

I agree, some people speak without thinking, and I respect her right to defend herself.  But if she wasn't thinking, then she most likely said what her gut reaction was, what she really thought, uncensored and unfiltered.  Which is even more disappointing.  Calling people jealous is what a Paris Hilton, Situation, or a Kardashian would say.  It's vain and arrogant and shallow.  She's probably better than that, but still.  It's gross. 

Wrong. Thinking that just because someone has a job they should be "professional" in every aspect of their lives, even when they come under personal and private attack - is gross. Thinking that her association with Bioware makes her more or less than human - is gross. She is a person before an employee and entitled to her feelings.

[nightscrawl]

Chris Priestly wrote...

Hi Everyone

Below, please see a message from BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka in regards to the recent attacks on Jennfer Hepler.

Jennifer is a valued, talented employee who has been with BioWare for many years and we hope will be with us for many more. It is awful that a few people have decided to make her a target for hate and threats, going so far as fabricating forum posts and attributing them to her, and singling her out for projects to which she has not contributed (i.e., Jennifer is not even a part of the Mass Effect writing team). All of us at BioWare support and will continue to support Jennifer fully, and are happy to see so many people out there are also supporting her during this difficult time.

 - Dr. Ray Muzyka. Co-Founder of BioWare; General Manager, BioWare Label; Senior Vice President, Electronic Arts



Additionally we will be making a donation of $1000 in Jennifer's name to Bullying Canada. Please feel free to also donate to this worthy cause in support.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported Jennifer and BioWare in this difficult time.

@FoxyB, ty for the link.


I'm sorry to see that this happened. There are many great things about the internet, and unfortunately the anonymity leads to many unpleasant things as well. Good on BioWare and Dr. Muzyka for issuing a statement in support.

[Briiel]

Remmak wrote...

MadLaughter wrote...

I wholeheartedly agree that all of the attacks on her were reprehensible, but I also feel that it's fair to say that her quote "I just figure they're jealous that I get to have both a vagina AND a games industry job, and they can't get either." was incredibly unprofessional and somewhat deluded. "They are all just jealous" is the most shallow, vain retort a person could possibly have, even to personal attacks. The people that attacked her are idiots, but her response did not show much humility or insight.

I think she hit it on the head. She has power they don't have, and is a *gasp* woman to boot! She doesn't have to be 'humble'. Getting into the industry as a woman is hard, and staying there (specially for as long as she has) is harder. More power to her.

I agree with this

[DaBigDragon]

cmessaz wrote...

MadLaughter wrote...

cmessaz wrote...

MadLaughter wrote...

I wholeheartedly agree that all of the attacks on her were reprehensible, but I also feel that it's fair to say that her quote "I just figure they're jealous that I get to have both a vagina AND a games industry job, and they can't get either." was incredibly unprofessional and somewhat deluded. "They are all just jealous" is the most shallow, vain retort a person could possibly have, even to personal attacks. The people that attacked her are idiots, but her response did not show much humility or insight.

Well...while I agree that may not have been the best response....when someone personally attacks you like that do you always act civil? Because I don't. Sometimes people don't think before they speak...and sometimes people forget that these guys at Bioware ARE people too. I have seen some incredibly mean and horrible stuff flung around right here on BSN even, just because people didn't like one of their games or decisions.  I mean that was incredibly nice compared to what I'd have said in rage had I recieved some of the crap she did.

I agree, some people speak without speaking, and I respect her right to defend herself.  But if she wasn't thinking, then she ost likely said what her gut reaction was, what she really thought, uncensored and unfiltered.  Which is even more disappointing.  Calling people jealous is what a Paris Hilton, Situation, or a Kardashian would say.  It's vain and arrogant and shallow.  She's probably better than that, but still.  It's gross. 

IDK, I can't fault her for it though. I mean I might see it differently if it was like here on BSN using her Bioware account, but it was her twitter.  And people were calling her fat....that is horrible. Didn't she just have a baby? I want to cry thinking about how she must have felt.

I can't fault her for it either. Attacking a company is one thing, but she was specifically being targetted with malicious comments all over the place.

I even read on Reddit where this all started that she was even receiving malicious e-mails and phone calls as well. If that's true, then her response was justified in my opinion as defending herself.

[flexxdk]

MadLaughter wrote...
...but her response did not show much humility or insight.

So... what? You expected her to say "Oh, you silly guys! *giggle-squee*" (no offense intended (really, no offense intended!))?

When you are being bashed with or hated by the worst the internet can offer, you WILL get upset. And when you're upset, it's going to be hard to stay Mr. Nice Guy / Mrs. Nice Girl.

While I agree that Hepler's response wasn't professional, it was expected. She's upset, and rightly so. Those who have been threatening and flaming her should be ashamed of themselves. Deeply.

Edit:
Then again, it depends on how "professional" fits the situation. If she were acting on behalf of BioWare, the response is unprofessional. If she was acting on her own behalf, however, it gets different. Then there's no such thing like "professionalism", only personal feelings.

That, and people should stop twisting the truth. Most people seem to claim that "Jennifer hates games," but the quotes they've used to "validate their claims" were edited. Some parts were cut or edited so that Jennifer would come out bad. I find that unacceptable.

Either way, I stand behind Hepler. No one deserves to be bullied (I know how it feels), no matter the case.

Modifié par Whacka, 21 février 2012 - 10:04 .

[Briiel]

Remmak wrote...

MadLaughter wrote...

I agree, some people speak without thinking, and I respect her right to defend herself.  But if she wasn't thinking, then she most likely said what her gut reaction was, what she really thought, uncensored and unfiltered.  Which is even more disappointing.  Calling people jealous is what a Paris Hilton, Situation, or a Kardashian would say.  It's vain and arrogant and shallow.  She's probably better than that, but still.  It's gross. 

Wrong. Thinking that just because someone has a job they should be "professional" in every aspect of their lives, even when they come under personal and private attack - is gross. Thinking that her association with Bioware makes her more or less than human - is gross. She is a person before an employee and entitled to her feelings.

Maybe I should just put in my signature that I agree with what Remmak says

[Brockololly]

cmessaz wrote...
Well...while I agree that may not have been the best response....when someone personally attacks you like that do you always act civil? Because I don't. Sometimes people don't think before they speak...and sometimes people forget that these guys at Bioware ARE people too.

I'll preface this by saying that the personal attacks are inexcusable and completely trollish.

But, its the internet. You have anonymous ****s. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS. And yet thats exactly what Aaron Flynn and even Hepler did with likewise trollish responses. Justified? Sure. Did it make them feel good? Sure.Just as much as the trolls felt good in attacking Hepler. But they're just sinking to the same level of immature BS as the instigators. Its not like they're making some off the cuff remark in person in the heat of the moment- they're typing the stuff out, both sides have time to think about what they're typing before they respond.


And I don't understand why the hullabaloo about this all of a sudden. /v/ has been going after Hepler since before DA2 came out, more specifically since this promo video came out over a year ago. Did they not see this before now? Its been kind of hard to miss if you do any sort of reading about DA2.

[NinjaJ1979]

I'm so tired of people using the internet as a weapon. All because it provides the shroud a anonymity. What was done is inexcusable. They wouldn't have the balls to say anything to her face if they saw her. If people like them put half the effort into being productive as they do into being a piece of walking excrement, the world would be a better place.

[cmessaz]

Brockololly wrote...

cmessaz wrote...
Well...while I agree that may not have been the best response....when someone personally attacks you like that do you always act civil? Because I don't. Sometimes people don't think before they speak...and sometimes people forget that these guys at Bioware ARE people too.

I'll preface this by saying that the personal attacks are inexcusable and completely trollish.

But, its the internet. You have anonymous ****s. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS. And yet thats exactly what Aaron Flynn and even Hepler did with likewise trollish responses. Justified? Sure. Did it make them feel good? Sure.Just as much as the trolls felt good in attacking Hepler. But they're just sinking to the same level of immature BS as the instigators. Its not like they're making some off the cuff remark in person in the heat of the moment- they're typing the stuff out, both sides have time to think about what they're typing before they respond.


And I don't understand why the hullabaloo about this all of a sudden. /v/ has been going after Hepler since before DA2 came out, more specifically since this promo video came out over a year ago. Did they not see this before now? Its been kind of hard to miss if you do any sort of reading about DA2.

No, I've seen the crap she's gotten in the past but since that redit thing it's been far worse. I'm sorry but...she's human. Using her twitter account.  It wasn't on BSN using her dev account. I just...I don't blame her. *shrugs*

[Anna Rardin]

As someone who was there when all the twitter hate-bashing started, I DO NOT blame Jennifer for the thing she wrote. If you guys had been able to read even a fraction of what those rude and pretentious individuals wrote you'd understand that what she wrote in reply was NOTHING compared to what they said to her. I was completely disgusted and heart broken to read the terrible insults and threats thrown her way.

Bless you Jeniffer, you are an amazing writer, and are appreciated within this fandom. And THANK YOU BioWare for sticking up for your employee.

<333

[Draythe]

Reddit's behavior got way out of hand with the phone calls and threats and so on, but you can't blame them. She's earned a lot of dislike over Dragon Age 2's writing, of course they're going to call her out on it. It's the internet. You either grow a tougher skin or leave. Personally I'm not a fan of her work at all. Really don't think someone who doesn't play games should be writing for them.

[Mark of the Dragon]

It is really sad how far some people take these things. I'm sorry Jennifer had to go through that. People who act out of hatred for others really are pathetic. I support Bioware whole heartedly and if they believe Jennifer is worth having around I will take their word for it.

[Lakhi]

Good job standing by your employee, Bioware.

Memories of the day tseric took the heat in WoW still come back to mind

[Arcadian Legend]

I only found out about all this recently. It's pretty admirable what you guys are doing. You got my support. Honestly if the opportunity were to arise I'd line up every single one of those immature attackers and give each one a wakeup punch to the face.

[cmessaz]

Draythe wrote...

Reddit's behavior got way out of hand with the phone calls and threats and so on, but you can't blame them. She's earned a lot of dislike over Dragon Age 2's writing, of course they're going to call her out on it. It's the internet. You either grow a tougher skin or leave. Personally I'm not a fan of her work at all. Really don't think someone who doesn't play games should be writing for them.

When I don't like a game, I **** for a few minutes, take it back, trade it in, or buy a new one. I don't call parts of the dev/writing team "fat", call them at home, etc. But that's just me. <_<

Modifié par cmessaz, 21 février 2012 - 09:32 .

[MadLaughter]

Remmak wrote...

MadLaughter wrote...

I agree, some people speak without thinking, and I respect her right to defend herself.  But if she wasn't thinking, then she most likely said what her gut reaction was, what she really thought, uncensored and unfiltered.  Which is even more disappointing.  Calling people jealous is what a Paris Hilton, Situation, or a Kardashian would say.  It's vain and arrogant and shallow.  She's probably better than that, but still.  It's gross. 

Wrong. Thinking that just because someone has a job they should be "professional" in every aspect of their lives, even when they come under personal and private attack - is gross. Thinking that her association with Bioware makes her more or less than human - is gross. She is a person before an employee and entitled to her feelings.

You are completely missing my point.  It's not her professionalism that is irking me.  She could have said "I disagree with you stronlgy, you mother*******."  And I would not have had a problem with it.  Of all of the unprofessional things to say, she chose to say "They are all just jealous."  The only people that say that, are people who believe others are likely jealous of them.  In other words, arrogant, vain, shallow. 

[Special_Agent_Goodwrench]

Good. What happened was simply ridiculous and uncalled for.

[Veregan]

It's appalling that the situation went as far as it did and that this statement had to be made. Some people really do take thing's too far, especially over the internet where they are safe behind their computer screen. Kudos to bioware for how they are handling this.

[FoxyB]

Brockololly wrote...

cmessaz wrote...
Well...while I agree that may not have been the best response....when someone personally attacks you like that do you always act civil? Because I don't. Sometimes people don't think before they speak...and sometimes people forget that these guys at Bioware ARE people too.

I'll preface this by saying that the personal attacks are inexcusable and completely trollish.

But, its the internet. You have anonymous ****s. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS. And yet thats exactly what Aaron Flynn and even Hepler did with likewise trollish responses. Justified? Sure. Did it make them feel good? Sure.Just as much as the trolls felt good in attacking Hepler. But they're just sinking to the same level of immature BS as the instigators. Its not like they're making some off the cuff remark in person in the heat of the moment- they're typing the stuff out, both sides have time to think about what they're typing before they respond.


And I don't understand why the hullabaloo about this all of a sudden. /v/ has been going after Hepler since before DA2 came out, more specifically since this promo video came out over a year ago. Did they not see this before now? Its been kind of hard to miss if you do any sort of reading about DA2.

The reddit post was very recent as was Jen's joining of twitter. The severe abuse began only a few days ago.

As for "feeding the trolls," I guess some of us just got tired of complacency and enabling through silence.

[Momiji.mii]

I was disgusted when I saw what Jennifer had to endure and my heart goes out to her. Being harassed isn't something that just goes away afterwards; it stays with the victim for a long time. I really like Hepler's writing and I believe that she's contributed a lot of valuable things that makes me love Dragon Age so much. She has my support 100%! Thank you Bioware, for making this statement, showing the bullys that their horrible behaviour will not be tolerated!

Jennifer, if you're reading this: You rock! And you have my support!