Bioware Goes To Hell.

[Roland]

First, my apologies, on exactly what counts will be clarified in the rest of the post.

I know you said this wasn't directed at me personally, but I don't think I ever attacked your personal opinion.  The only time I brought your personal opinion in on the matter was in regards to your attitude towards Blizzard and BioWare because of similar issues.  You have explained that. I don't think there was any flaming going on either.  I also addressed the developer vs employee in another post, PR is PR.

I should have edited the post you quoted above because most of what I was addressing you had addressed later in a response to another point (there are some disadvantages to threading, and I should have made sure I read the whole thread before I responded to any point of it).  I also said that (and clarifed in a later post) that we just don't see the level of his rudeness on the same scale.  So my opinion is that nothing wrong happened on either count.  Obviously very far from your opinion.

I also said that people, such as yourself, should boycoot with your money (as that is the only truly effective method), companies that you don't like for whatever reason.  My comment about bitching on web boards was not aimed at you.  I apologize because I did not make that clear.  This discussion is fine for raising awareness of what some may find an issue.  As you point out, discussion is the better the road to take, even if you don't have issue with a little venting and rudeness.  As I said in a response to another post, I think we have both made our points clear, and I am finished.  I responded to this one, because I didn't edit my other response like I should have, and I do owe you an apology for comments that were not well stated (yes I see the irony here as well).

I'm sorry if I sounded too harsh (and I admit, I probably did). It's just almost everytime I've had this conversation in the last 24 hours, it's a black and white split: some people completely agree with me, and some seem to have to take issue with my stance (ala Taeme, for example). I do apologize if I sounded like I was attacking you, as I said, I don't feel you were attacking me. Chalk it up to aggitated nerves. ;)

I understand (a bit more assuredly, now) that your comments about "put your money where your mouth is" was not directed at me specifically. It's just I keep hearing that. What don't people understand about "I will be doing just that"? And why is it that when I say it, people automatically assume I'm merely BSing myself? I'm not a bandwagon person. Don't paint me as one. (No, not directed at you. Just commenting in general.)

Regarding PR = PR, as I said, I agree wholeheartedly. The only difference is that I (openly) choose to differentiate between GF and DF (wow; what similarities!) based on where they stand on the corporate ladder. Or, rather, where they stand in how directly they influence the game. GF is, IMHO, a self-proclaimed PR man. However, having spoken with a few Blizzard employees in my time, I know that he certainly doesn't speak for all of them. That doesn't mean I let any of them off the hook for it, however. The only reason why I don't make a vocal issue out of it is because I don't bother with GF's posts 99% of the time, since I don't frequent those boards. If I did, I might take up the issue. And, as I've stated, since Geoff is the webmaster, and NOT directly influencing the game itself (and thus getting paid directly from the sales of the game), I don't let it affect my decision behind whether to buy or not to buy any upcoming games. I'm fine with you not following the same stance. I don't expect you to. It may make me look hypocritical, but I can assure you that is not the case. I do hold them both to the same standards, in regards to respect, et al. I just don't let someone who has virtually nothing to do with the game affect my decisions surrounding said game. See where I'm coming from?

I probably sound like this whole issue has got me in an uproar. It hasn't. My initial reaction has changed very little: I'm disappointed in how Derek came across, and how he handled himself. As such, I will be reconsidering any future purchases from Bioware based around him. It's as simple as that. I'm not losing sleep over it. I'm not itching to start a riot over it. I really don't care enough about it to make a huge issue out of it. Like you said, I can talk with my wallet, and that's what I intend to do.

I guess I'm just a little short=-tempered with people who seem to have this undying NEED to attack me simply because I took issue with his rudeness. Because, apparently, I must be full of s**t when I say I'll be reconsidering any purchases. After all, why would I be serious? I'm just jumping on the bandwagon. It's just crap like that from people who have NO IDEA who I am, nor anything about me, that really grates me. I just hate people making judgement calls on me when they don't know me, nor anything about me. It's a huge pet peeve of mine, and it never fails to truly piss me off. But, like I said, I know you weren't intentionally doing that, and I wasn't intentionally going after you for it. Your post was just as good a place as any for me to rant a little, since I was attempting to aviod continuing "discussion" with Taeme above.

Bottom line: No hard feelings. We have our difference of opinions, and that's fine and dandy. I certainly wasn't offended by you, and I hope I in return haven't offended you. And, there's one more thing we agree on: if you can't put your money where your mouth is, you shouldn't complain very loud. ;)