December 2nd, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Back in September, I blogged about my initial hunches about the Entertainment Consumers Association, and then again with a follow-up.
At the time, I’d attempted to sign up for my own membership under the promotion of one free year, care of a coupon code provided in a Game Informer article. Because of some technical issues with their website, I was unable to successfully set up a membership account. I’d made a mental note to re-apply some time later, but never got around to it.
It looks like I’d dodged a bullet.
Reports are coming in that the ECA has removed a member’s ability to cancel their membership and disable automatic renewal. The ECA will continue to charge you for your annual membership fee and you are forbidden from turning it off. That is, unless you write a letter and pray it’s processed within 30 days of your next dues collection.
As explained by ECA Chapter Manager, Daniela “Gypsyfly PMS” Lao, the reason why the organization has had to implement this method of detouring members wanting to cancel is because the organization has “grown too large to handle the volume”. (Screencap below.)
My question then becomes, if you have a sufficient automated system for managing membership accounts, where is the need for manpower to handle the volume?
While researching the ECA and its related branches (GamePolitics, GameJobs, and GameCulture), I became frustrated with the frequent roadblocks in site navigation. The sites had multiple broken links or generic FAQs. It appears that in the past couple months, much has been fixed, hopefully with the enlistment of competent web developers. Though in hindsight, a blessing in disguise considering that’s what prevented my own membership.
I would be more sympathetic with the ECA if their policy were closer to this: A member signs up and pays for their first year up front. They can cancel long-term membership at any time and disable any automatic payments. Meanwhile, the current year of their membership is non-refundable and the member is entitled to all the benefits of the organization until that year expires. That sounds fair for both parties. I saw even before trying to redeem my offered free year that the cards were stacked in the ECA’s favor.
I fully support the spirit of consumer advocacy that the ECA represents. However, it’s situations like this that keep me suspicious of the organization’s motives and methods. There are non-profit groups younger than the ECA and its directors that exercise a firmer sense of organization. I look forward to reading Jason Anderson‘s press release on the subject and seeing how Ms. Gypsyfly’s role in the organization is affected.
UPDATE 12-02-2009 8:15pm EST
ECA President, Hal Halpin issued a response to the press that erupted this morning around this issue. He states that the membership cancellation issue is the result of a group of people taking advantage of an exploit related to the coupon code I mentioned above. Essentially, they patched a flaw with another flaw. They attacked the symptom instead of developing a cure.
But since Halpin mentions implementing more automation in its infrastructure, I now put him and the ECA to task. Come on, guys… We can do this. Let’s get this worked out. With all the layoffs that went down this year, I’m sure you can scratch up a few competent IT cyberninjas to set up your websites.
Above all, don’t punish the legitimate members for the actions of a few criminals. That’s what the publishers that you guys are supposed to protect consumers from are doing.
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December 2nd, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Nearly two weeks ago, Penny Arcade launched the pilot for its upcoming online reality show, dubbed “PATV“. More episodes are promised soon.
If I may brag for a moment, during these past two weeks (and who knows for how much longer) my post covering the overlooked announcement of the then-anticipated reality show has dominated Google’s search results for the key phrase “penny arcade reality show“. It’s even eclipsed Penny Arcade’s own page announcing the series’ debut. Suck it, video game journos asleep at the wheel on that one.
With that shamelessness out of the way, I’m thoroughly excited to see the reality show come to fruition! I’m a decade-long fan of Penny Arcade with Jerry Holkins as one of my top wordsmith role models. Viewing the behind-the-scenes vignettes covering the creative process behind the comic strip fills the void that their oft forgotten podcast had left open. I look forward to each episode as they’re released…as should you!
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November 25th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
As you can see from the video above, this jaded lady has grown tired of being ignored as her beau heeds the siren’s call of video games. The broadcast of this one-woman revolución is the unifying banner to all lovers who have lost their sweetheart to the digital seductress. Now, I’m not saying she should have done it…but I understand. Girl power, et cetra.
That said, I have this to offer:
For The Gals
If your boyfriend is a man-child and is cause for your feelings of neglect, show an exercise in maturity and just break up with him. The actions of the woman above may have been laced with a genuine message, but they were cathartic at best. Now instead of just basking in the relief of pent up frustration, she’s also earned herself a $300+ lawsuit. Additionally, he can always get another Xbox…and another girlfriend for that matter.
For The Guys
There is an ancient proverb, possibly Chinese: “No matter how good she looks…someone, somewhere is tired of putting up with her shit.” When the slightest signs reach the surface that your girlfriend might be crazy, run. If you’re a fella with an unquenchable hunger for gaming and manage to score a hot girlfriend, consider a few weeks in her presence to be an astounding victory over your peers. However, if you’re blessed with a beauty that is also emotionally sound, then maybe it’s time to put the controller down and start deserving her.
Posted in Games | 1 Comment »
November 6th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Last week, I wrote a review for the PSP version of Obscure: The Aftermath for GotGame.com. Unfortunately there were sections from my original draft of the review that didn’t quite make it into the final cut.
I’ve never let good content go to waste, so I present to you here those lost sections…
I’ve been a casual observer to the survival horror genre, preferring to watch my friends play than bear that responsibility myself. All the same, I do have an appreciation for what makes those games good. Hands down, horror games are best played on a TV, in a dark room, and with excitable friends. Mix in some Red Bulls and pizza delivery, and you’ve got a party!
It's just not the same.
It’s a tall order to attempt translating the experience onto a portable platform, like the PSP.
The fear effects are lost when playing on a commute or lunch break, because of the distracting environment. If you do get spooked, it’s embarrassing for your co-workers or surrounding strangers to see you suddenly burst out with, “Oh, shit! Oh, shit! What the damn???”
The best place to play a game like this on a portable device might be in bed with the lights out. That way, if you fling the PSP out of your hands from fright, it will land safely on the foot of your soft blanket.
Meet Amy, your protagonist
and female role model.
But if you simply can’t put the game down wherever you may roam, this game’s pacing works out for the best. Each chapter only lasts around 20-35 minutes, depending how sharp you are at solving puzzles or survive attacks.
I did notice an uncomfortable presence of misogyny in the game through its play mechanics. I ran into a situation in an early area while playing as Amy (with her boy toy Kenny in tow) where I needed to enter a building that had all locked doors. The solution was to drag a crate over so that I could climb it to the roof.
Amy is not only unable to move large objects, but she vocally insists Kenny accept the chore, claiming she’s “just a girl”. So Amy has a supposed phenomenal skill at deciphering and breaking near-impossible codes but she’s stumped by large boxes? Is there a legitimate reason why a girl can’t move crates? Or at least combine their efforts? Claire Redfield, Lara Croft, and Ashley Robbins would object.
To the developer’s credit, Amy is acting well within the context of her character. In fact, the first line of her in-game character profile describes her as “Miss Wet T-Shirt Contest” and savors the collected affections of two of the male characters.
Amy’s real-life counterparts are typically sorostitutes adorned in Mardi Gras beads and are especially useless in tasks that don’t involve jell-o shots or Rohypnol.
For more of the work I’ve done for GotGame.com, you can see the full list here.
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October 10th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Omi Gibson as Bryan Fury
Now, when I said that October would be dedicated to crossplay, what I meant to say that it was devoted to Omi Gibson in crossplay. It’s just hard to find a month’s worth of really good crossplay. And as far as I’m concerned, Omi is always best.
This week, it’s Omi Gibson as Bryan Fury from the Tekken video game series. This is his primary outfit from Tekken 5. And s/he looks maaaaad.
Posted in Cosplay, Cosplay of the Week, Games | No Comments »
October 8th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Well, we may never see the remaining chapters of Shenmue in our lifetime, but that doesn’t mean that Sega’s forgotten those characters completely! Lead character Ryo Hazuki (mounting his trusty motorcycle) joins the lineup of classic Sega characters in the upcoming racing game, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.
Fans unanimously approve of his alternate ride, the forklift, referencing the forklift races held in the first Shenmue game. If you’ve never played Shenmue, well…you should get on that.
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October 6th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Episode 04: “Mmm… Unidentifiable Meat On A Bone.”
Run Time: 73min 34sec
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In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
This episode, we discuss…
Arcade Beat ‘em Ups
Pull up a seat and take a class from the old school of arcade beat-em-up games. In the late 80s to early 90s, you and your friends would crowd around an arcade cabinet to wage a war against the streets. Enter a world where all you need is your fists to survive, pizza and turkeys can be eaten off the sidewalk, and life continues one token at a time.
I don't care... I'd still hit it.
Posted in Games, Podcast | 4 Comments »
September 30th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Ever since the announcement of Super Street Fighter IV, I’ve been surprised to hear the Street Fighter community rife with complaint. The bulk of them by jaded gamers aggravated by the idea that Capcom has found a way to dupe us into paying full price a second time for little more than an expansion on a game they already own.
Destructoid published an article very close to my own response.
Here’s the facts on Super Street Fighter IV: The game will be released to disc with a price tag leaning toward $35. In addition to new characters on the roster, there was enough changes to the game’s mechanics and new bonus features that Capcom felt a separate release was in order, rather than a downloadable add-on.
Initially, it’s understandable that loyal fans and early adopters might feel swindled. However, newcomers that may not have bought the original release of Street Fighter IV will be able to take advantage of a sweet deal; a $25 drop in shelf price on a superior product. This will continue to draw in new blood to the fighting game community, which has dwindled to near-extinction prior to Street Fighter IV‘s introduction.
Those who bought the first release are perfectly able to sell or trade in their original game to pick up “Super” for next to nothing (and should consider the past year of fun, challenging play experience a bonus). Capcom also took into consideration their loyal fanbase and plans to show gratitude for that support. According to a GameSpot interview with Yoshinori Ono, the developers have added content in Super SF4 that will interact with the original release, making it worth keeping SF4 disc.
You know who should be pissed? Competitive players who won’t see an arcade release of Super SF4. This makes it more difficult to meet new players outside of the tournament scene.
Posted in Games, Rants, Street Fighter | No Comments »
September 27th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
This past Friday, an article of mine was published on GotGame.com, expressing some of my views on consumer ownership in the video game industry. I’d placed Scribblenauts in center spotlight for the piece, since it’s not only the hottest new title but also because it has one of the most offensive end user license agreements I’ve ever read.
Within hours of its publication, a reader posted a comment suggesting I’d plagiarized a similar article in the October 2009 issue of Game Informer, which had hit shelves just days before.
I wasn’t offended–I get my video game industry news almost exclusively online and I can prove that I’d written the article weeks ago, should the gauntlet be thrown down. Though it did spark my curiosity to pick up said issue of Game Informer, in the relief that I might have a kindred spirit.
Lo and behold, on page 38, there’s an article about consumer ownership rights by Hal Halpin, president of the Entertainment Consumers Association. The ECA is an organization devoted to spreading awareness about consumer rights and the dangers of industry trends that threaten them.
While drafting my “You Don’t Own Scribblenauts“ article, I’d searched around for such an organization to give my audience further reading options (and to provide credence to my otherwise ravings from a paranoid lunatic). Unfortunately I could not find a group in time for publishing, having exhausted all the variations of “consumer”, “ownership”, and “rights” I could imagine into a search engine.
The organization sounds good and I support any other group cut from the same cloth. You can sign up for membership at the ECA website, but there is a catch. In order to claim independence from corporate influence, the organization requires annual dues paid by its members. If that turns you off, the article in Game Informer does offer a coupon code good for one year’s membership for free.
At the time of this writing, I’ve had difficulty establishing my own membership with the ECA, due to security red flags triggered in my web browser. I get the feeling that this is due to poor website design, but I’ve contacted their tech support for clarification.
I will offer my hunch… At first, it made sense to me that this type of article was published in Game Informer, GameStop’s proprietary video game rag. After all, GameStop’s entire business model depends on the secondhand market providing more than half of their revenue. Of course their publication is going to spotlight an article forewarning the dangers of digital distribution over tangible media. Nevertheless, I was happy that someone is covering this topic and that there’s an organization devoted to the cause.
As I investigate further, I’m beginning to suspect that the ECA may have even been founded, if not heavily backed by GameStop as an unofficial branch of their corporation. This implies that the ECA (who, by the way, also controls GamePolitics.com) is a subversive public relations device whose true priorities are geared toward sustaining the interests of retailers, rather than consumers.
What’s worse, if this is true, that means that the organization is a facade, with its membership fees being just another channel of income for GameStop.
Whatever your political view regarding GameStop, you may want to seek out an alternative organization with similar goals. Count on me providing updates regarding the ECA, as they come to me.
Posted in Games | 1 Comment »
September 24th, 2009 by The Grey Ghost
Good news, Disgaea fans! There’s a new Disgaea game being released in Japan this November.
The bad news: It’s a visual novel, so it will probably never be translated into English.
Visual novels have been a popular genre of video games in Japan for many years, yet they’ve never quite caught on in the Western world. My theory as to why: Americans don’t like to read. Those that do are satisfied with traditional books to quench their literary appetite. The addition of imagery and occasional multiple-choice plot direction doesn’t keep our attention in the video game platform. Video games are more regarded for interactive entertainment and as soon as we pick up the controller, we’re ready to start punching and shooting.
It also hasn’t helped matters that many visual novels contain mature (often erotic) situations. Unlike Japan, sexually explicit entertainment hasn’t been fully accepted into mainstream culture and is nearly impossible to gain support by Western video game publishers.
Personally, I hope that “Infinite” makes the cut for localization.
Disgaea: Infinite focuses mostly on the characters from the original title of the series, with appearances of characters from its sequels. It will be released via the PlayStation Network for the PSP, with the unconfirmed possibility for PS3 playability.
Check out the trailer below:
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