Anger (The Jimquisition)

[@V742]

"You say we're misinformed, but you never fucking inform us!" This little gold nugget of truth is one that is worth remembering throughout life. If someone accuses you of doing something wrong or misunderstanding, but refuse to ever help you rectify the issue, you have to wonder what they'd stand to lose if you knew the truth.

[@merlingstoss6332]

Roast Goose Haha, a good point. In UK law, they have that covered with the statement, and this is no lie, "not knowing is no excuse"

[@althelor]

Well, I've heard that in US law too, but specifically "ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it" (though there are actual exceptions to that rule given in law classes.) But I'd say this is different in that it's not just that we "don't know" but that the people accusing gamers of being misinformed are the ones actively lying to us or just outright refusing to tell us about what they are claiming we're misinformed about. At some point you have to assume the people will draw their own conclusions. But then again, Coke has actually successfully defended themselves in US court from claims of false advertising by basically saying "you shouldn't have believed us." so who knows.

[@michelbraun4858]

Merling Stoss that law is against ignorance and not misinformation. If you are accused of beign misinformed then they first to prove that you could have informed yourself for that law to work so they have to show the truth.

[@LilTiddyTwista]

you also have to wonder if they're just clueless. some people like to accuse others of "doing something the wrong way" but never bother to explain how to do it correctly. usually those people are full of shit and just want to start drama.

[@LivingArkly]

Hm. If I'm very loudly shit at maths and someone tells me I'm wrong that doesn't mean they're then obligated to tutor me in trigonometry, y'know? I'd say the suspicion applies if the someone in question is an entity with power. If someone's coming at an individual with that attitude they might be sea lioning, whether they know it or not.

[@Rob-dm8en]

Hi AAA Game Development Community, We are listening and hear that you're upset and unhappy with public perception. We are determining how we can improve your feelings and hope to have a plan for your problem in the future. Thanks for the great feedback keep it coming! -Customers

[@anotherks7297]

Robert Leong sounds like something bungie would say lmao

[@capthavic]

PS: Our intent was to provide developers with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

[@joerob5917]

Bungie 😂

[@jonathanhurd6518]

Lol, god we should just all start posting that in articles saying youtubers are too angry, haha.

[@Avirx]

That was amazing.

[@SpaceBearEngineer]

"Games are too expensive to make" EA CEO's Annual Salary ~$20,000,000 + bonuses I'm sorry, I think they misspoke, what they meant was...EXECUTIVES are too expensive PAY...so they have to charge us more money so they can pay the people that make the games, the investors, and the executives, and then have enough left over to bulk up those golden parachutes JIC. I just love how we, as a society, always jump to increasing prices or cutting the peoples pay at the bottom. Like there is some kind of massive taboo against questioning the *sacred right* of executives to pay themselves whatever the hell amount they want, to the detriment of their own businesses and society as a whole. Look, executives salaries and perks are *NOT* ordained by God, the gods, aliens, or any other higher being, and what's more they are actually controlled by the collective will of all the investors. Maybe games wouldn't cost so much to make if the people who had the least direct input took SEVEN figure salaries instead of eight.

[@planescaped]

Bethesda needed to hire a former Enron CEO whose never played a game in his life and pay him premium prices otherwise they'll never make it in the big leagues! They need that Enron business acumen in order of The Elder Scrolls to be a success, ya know? And people wonder why Bethesda's gotten so scummy...

[@Loalrikowki]

But if they don't pay their executives Scrooge McDuckian levels of "compensation", how will they ever retain the best "talent"? Everybody knows that tall men who look good in a suit are expensive.

[@SenatorBanana]

this should be top comment. the problem is money men infecting the games industry.

[@dosbilliam]

To be fair, you could remove the "games" part of that and it'd apply to literally any industry. :D

[@teammunkeyhead]

Jordan Thomas well said.

[@gaunterodimm3606]

*What other industries blame the consumer when the product they sell doesn't perform they way they want it to?*

[@Unpeth]

Marvel comics.

[@gaunterodimm3606]

are you talking about the movies or comics?

[@LuqmanHakim-xi9qz]

Some people in film industry

[@delusionnnnn]

Let's not forget when the music industry tried to sue its customer base into keep buying physical media.

[@Ilovepoopin]

Cell Phones... which ...Radioshack which went out of business because of that attitude.

[@That_One_Guy-.]

EA wish they had the charisma of a Disney villian.

[@JRGProjects]

That one guy A disney character has humanity, they are the Borg...they have zero humanity.

[@Kockafalva]

JRGProjects heeeey... Don't insult the Borg

[@ownedmaxer607]

Well, they certainly have the charisma of one Jack Spicer, since they like jacking our cash from our pockets...

[@nekroz_of_super_dora3477]

EA Rogue Strength: 12 Dexterity: 18 Constitution: 7 Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma: 3 But at least they start with Thieves’ Tools

[@100billionsubscriberswithn4]

EA is more like an amorphous cloud of greed.

[@DrMattsuu]

It's not just gamers that are angry, talented devlopers are leaving the industry in droves. Why should I spend my time and energy working 50+ hour weeks for some faceless corporation only to get made redundant at the end of the project? Rather, I can take my programming skills into the software industry, I do a lot of the same stuff, get paid more, work less hours and are more job-stable. They call upon our passions to drive us in the games in lieu of decent working conditions, pay, overtime, and job stability... Frankly, fuck that.

[@chelseacohen-bryan7750]

that's why I didn't even really consider studying to become a game dev, I loves programming and Games but NO

[@TheSandowS]

Aria Ravenhart, I don't think it is so bad you should not try working there if you really want. There are some decent indie studios. But general software dev is payed better, I agree.

[@kurisu7885]

For example see Hideo Kojima. Konami treated him like a Metal Gear factory for decades and then scrubbed him off of everything like he meant nothing, now Sony is letting him do as he pleases and he's making something that looks amazing and is intriguing people.

[@clangvictiongaming1883]

DrMattsuu Yeah man, I went to school for game design, and even the learning environment suffers these same issues. you would have to be the biggest idiot or masochist to want to be a modern game dev.

[@Kwyjibo28372]

Years after going into programming for the boring old logistics industry, an old college lab partner got in touch with me, and he'd love to vouch for me to work for his employer's game company. Great! How about the deets? >20% pay cut, muuuuuuuuuuuch higher level of expectations and responsibilities, longer hours, fewer benefits, more crunch time. But hey! Passion!

[@DrShaym]

Imagine you pay $10 to go see a movie. You sit down and start watching, and everything is good up until about ten minutes in when a plank of wood pops up from the floor to block your view. The plank has a sign on it saying, "Sorry, but this scene is for premium customers only. You can watch this scene for an additional $5." _Nobody would fucking stand for it._

[@mugentenshin138]

And those who would *stand* for it would be called pirates (cause they'd be peaking over it without permission).

[@AmaranthOriginal]

These days, plenty of people would. And they would likely be paying enough to justify the continued practice. This is why we can't have nice things.

[@NimhLabs]

Where the fuck are you going where you are only paying 10$ for a movie ticket? I'm having issues following the metaphor for the really low price there. Please edit your post to have 20$ for the movie ticket and 10$ for the whole "premium movie scenes" (and on each movie scene). (Please do not edit your post, I am being silly)

[@DrShaym]

At my local theater, a movie ticket is only $6 if you go before 6 PM on a Tuesday.

[@htown11465]

Katrina Payne I very rarely pay more than AUD$10 (US$7) for a movie ticket to a mainstream movie (thanks to cinebuzz and/or Belmont forum).

[@mrrud3y717]

I think we should try and get Jim knighted for his services to the public #sirjimftw

[@captainjohn3634]

ALL HAIL QUEEN JIM!

[@freebite]

NOOOO! Sir Jim Fucking Sterling Son!

[@Hisu0]

Hey, that's a good idea.

[@jacksondouglas2110]

It's Jim Fucking Sterling Son! He will knight himself, before making himself the king

[@JustAndre92]

I read "ftw" as "sjw" and got really concerned for a second.

[@Bred0nSch00lV2]

Having worked at BP as an attendant, I agree with your line of reasoning Jim.

[@jacobstacey6911]

You are a terrible person for choosing to support yourself, and possibly a family, in semi-gainful employment with a company that I have some kind of moral outrage toward even if that outrage isn't justified. How can you live with yourself?

[@Bred0nSch00lV2]

Jacob Stacey It was opposite my accomodation, I applied sort of as a joke. :-)

[@darkzentai7417]

Hal Motley having worked for BP and tesco it’s not helpful when someone like Jim stirs the shit because we the attendant get the flak not are bosses . Instead of stirring please aim people’s anger at the right targets not the poor guy on the shop floor .

[@Jorendo]

Was in the same postion, another company (can't mention names), i been the boots on the grounds as well, while rich people made some shitty decisions meaning the boots on the ground would get another barrage of angry consumers going for them. I will never agree with threatening and bing rude to the people personally who are on the ground who have to do what ever is dictated from above, but i won't feel like we need to be more forgiving in our anger about the state of the industry just because the boots on the ground are having a nervebreakdown.

[@colinbamsey5262]

I personally believe that everyone should be forced to work customer service for a short time every 5 years or so, just so that assholes will understand this. The customer service person is just doing their job, they don't make the policies. Harassing the employees is pointless and just puts more anger in the world. Trying to get a grocery store employee to explain to you why they're so greedy as to raise the price of milk 25 cents is just an exercise in cruelty against someone who has no control over the facets of their employment. Rage against the execs who decided that even though nothing changed in the manufacturing costs, they think they can squeeze a bit more out of you.

[@synthetic1]

Any minute now, ign is gonna parrot this verbatim and pathetically try to pass it off as their own opinion

[@pumacheyenne6823]

chris johnson lol... you don't say!

[@cupobleach1641]

Drill queen born depressed

[@landocalrissian395]

Yep then after that one of their douche podcasters will try to convince viewers that lootboxes are acceptable.......again because it’s hapened before, ign beyond defended SW BF2 lootboxes

[@synthetic1]

I mentioned it on one of igns videos a couple months ago and Alanah Pierce directly replied and tried to damage control because I called her ass out. It was fucking hilarious

[@natecruz5687]

Java Monsoon wow you’re emotional

[@Sianostrakarenrenren]

Imagine this argument in any other industry. "How dare people be angry that this bridge is held together with duct tape, engineering is expensive!"

[@moreOddThanNess]

Perhaps the greatest Jimquisition of all time.

[@tpry1]

Oddallus Agreed

[@pestoriusj]

So far. I can't wait until he releases one that tops this one in about a year and a half's time

[@zethrilzethril571]

My thoughts exactly. This comment needs to be higher on the list.

[@Hisu0]

Couldn't say it better. Although, it's only that good because it's a response, a high-quality conversational video among the sea of high-quality analytic and reportive material, taking the cake for being just as good but also refreshingly new. I hope Jim will only do that kind of videos seldom, otherwise the emotional message will inevitably dilute. Can't say what number is ideal for this kind of videos, though, it all highly depends on the state of the industry, current problems, community leanings, etc. With current climate, perhaps one or two a year? In 2015 I'd say one in three years, so eh... as I said, I don't know ^_^

[@Blacklantern20]

I hesitantly agree. This was damn fine work.

[@NexLegacyAccount]

This was the most beautifully poetic anger directing I've ever witnessed. Thank God for Jim Sterling.

[@manicorabs]

AAA games can't survive at the current price point without additional monetization? Then perish.

[@legion999]

Yeah, bring it on. Or maybe they could just, y'know, learn to not bloat their budgets into unsustainability.

[@cjtheimaginary5277]

Exactly. Fuck 'em. Plenty of amazing developers selling great shit for $20 or less.

[@briannakubiwood6595]

Exactly, let the "free market" kill them off. Been playing indie games for years now at half the price.

[@Aleph-Noll]

im just wishing for another video game crash so we can start over

[@Iqbalx1]

legion999 that won’t happen since people are too obsessed with graphic these days which take a huge chunk of the budget

[@ZekeAxel]

That guy looks suspiciously like STERDUST... Nah, must be a coincidence.

[@KaiserAfini]

Are you suggesting that they are the same......NAH.....just because they......NAH..........that is one of the most bold speculations on Boglin lore, next you will say that Amiel Du Hardcore is related to those two.

[@lexAUT]

Maybe a evil twin?

[@VaunShiz]

😂😂😂 or chungus

[@patricom05]

StarTsurugi are you implying that this sexual Adonis is the sexual tyrannosaurs SterDust? I can see your confusion my lad but no one man could be the alpha and omega of lustful desire....then again Jim is no mere man 😮

[@aboxofspinfusors7173]

But, have they ever appeared onscreen together?

[@derekczerkaski5540]

As a person who works in the industry, I'm actually including you in a paper. However, I am not casting blame, I'm actually praising journalists like yourself and YongYea and a handful of others. Thanks for all that you do, once it is published I'll make sure to tag you for it :)

[@TheShadowofsparta]

Can you post a link to that paper whenever it's published?

[@freakishuproar1168]

Do you know where you'll be publishing it? I'd like to read that too, whenever it's done. I think a mixture of academic criticism in opposition to Jim's more earnest opinion is a sound way of countering industry misinformation, and legitimizing our grievances.

[@luizeduardo1375]

While I do enjoy Yong yea`s contents, I simple cannot praise him completely when he writes comments like this "EDIT: Hey devs, with all due respect, we can talk about "nuanced" once your monetization schemes become less blatant in their predatory and manipulative nature." that`s a perfect example of ignorant comment that a youtuber makes and ends up giving people the wrong idea and blaming the wrong people. With the amount of likes and replies he got on this comment we can be sure that at least one person will start blaming devs incorrectly.

[@zenozisgaming5175]

Guilty until proven innocent , courtesy of EA's own reputation. If you thought all Devs are angels entranced by the art of game-making, I dare you to justify Destiny 2.

[@Vashetrockner]

Will be superbunnyhop in the paper too then? :) There are so few good journalists in the industry, but like Jim, he is one of the incredible good ones. But since you are doing a paper about that, i suppose you know. :)

[@DozifJuggles]

I was really disappointed in the Extra Credits video because I feel like the entire deal with publishers avoiding paying taxes completely debunks the idea that they need more money to keep making games the way they are. They are making more money every year and being greedier than ever.

[@SingeScorcher]

If I may, I thought the point of the EC video was to say that since games apparently "need" these microtransactions (Keeping in mind EC does work with a lot of ground level people in the industry and half the team are people working at ground level for some of these big publishers) that games should have their price increased INSTEAD of the extra monetization. And I can agree with that a little. If you don't think your full product is worth $60 and instead want me to pay $80 for it, fine. If I am really interested in your product then I'll pay the extra $20. But doing this thing where you sell us the game in chunks so it costs $150 by the time we're done, just makes me bitter after the fact and turns me into an angry customer. I think that's part of what they were trying to get at.

[@lllazyoli]

yeah it was a very broad statement from them. i had hoped they would go more into details or provide more substance. i actually unsubscribed after that.

[@sektor3069]

Games no longer feel like somebodys idea brought to life. They just feel like a quarterly profit increase

[@gavinerickson9392]

Sektor30 Nintendo and indie games.

[@weregretohio7728]

Exactly. AAA games from companies like EA are sanitized, focus group-tested products designed to maximize profits. There is neither art nor soul in them. It's no different than a bad movie or music production company. And yet we seem to be okay with holding those kinds of companies more accountable than we do gaming publishers...

[@froze525]

Sektor30 Capitalism is the vampiric parasite of the arts

[@whatshappeninganymore2473]

Sektor30 That's just one side of the spectrum. There are just as many (Though not as prominent and widely recognized) companies or indie devs that put honest to god PASSION into what they do. It's just that the big stinkers (Ubisoft, EA, Konami, etc.) are the ones making all the big bucks because consumers want what's "big" and "next gen". They prey on the people who succumb to mob mentality and those who can't be bothered to stick up for themselves as consumers.

[@Spezifischable]

You play the wrong games. Stop playing triple A shite.

[@SirKnasher]

If games are costing too much to make, perhaps they need to budget better, like don't spend millions on advertisement.

[@111cvb111]

You mean don't spend 80 million making the game and then spend 500 million on adverts? Sounds pretty fuckin' crazy mate.

[@BravoGorilla]

That’s what’s so galling. Almost none of this is going into tech or art for the game. It’s cheaper than it has ever been to make a “AAA” looking and feeling game and most of what makes a game good (writing and good core mechanics) are fairly cheap in the long run to get. Games aren’t too expensive to make. There is not even the faintest whiff of an argument there. Games are too expensive to publish because publishers want to make all the money off the backs of the creators’ work. And to those claiming it’s to keep a steady stream of content flowing, that argument is nonsense. That content is only free to you. They’re making more money than they would have just selling the content. It’s not about dividing the player base. It’s about making more cash.

[@Zamibia]

I worked as an online marketing consultant for a web-bureau, you'd be surprised how many companies came to us, paid us hundreds of thousands to build the website while saying no to advertising, then coming to us months later complaining that nobody ever visits their precious site. No wonder, no-one knows it exists. Same with games.

[@Old_Ladies]

Björn Bergström not entirely true. PUBG sold incredibly well for a small amount of advertising. There are plenty of games that sold well with zero advertising money. Hell the big publishers don't need advertising as everyone knows about call of duty, Battlefield, and Grand theft auto.

[@Zamibia]

Mark Wiebe Thanks to a good product and time in early access for the word to spread via WoM. A certain amount of advertising are needed to a) make new customers, b) remind previous customers of ur existence and c) having a presence in the same space as ur competitors. In other words, not to get too far behind.

[@wintermintmojo2418]

Hey guys did you catch that? Devs think were entitled for wanting fair multiplayer in our $60 titles. Or how we just want the same cosmetics that used to just be included in the asking price if you would just put in the effort to earn them. We're entitled because we dont all want to be held to the standard of the lowest - common - denominator. Were entiled because we are watching an industry that many of use love burn to the ground, and arent supposed to say a word. Yeah, your god damn right were entiled. As long as were pumping money into this shitfest we're god damn entiled to voice our fucking opinion. If you dont like it, make an effort to change it, or get out the fucking way for the companies that give a shit about the people paying their bills.

[@brokengames9020]

Lets pay their games with food boxes.

[@luizeduardo1375]

Well I`m sure you didn`t catch that because if you had you would have seen that Jim was trying to explain Devs don`t make decisions and you shouldn`t blame them, but the publishers. Sadly you used your entitlement to have an ignorant opinion. Pay attention next time, kid.

[@daboss640]

Luiz eduardo it was the anonymous devs that called us entitled and misinformed, not the publisher. He may have generalized a bit, but was obviously directing it at those devs who do think that and not all devs in general. Also calling someone a kid doesn't make you sound mature, quite the opposite in fact.

[@wintermintmojo2418]

Luiz eduardo And you missed my point. But its cool, I got you I dont mind making my thoughts a bit clearer. The line "gamers are entitled" is everywhere and thrown around rather haphazardly. Not just by this dev whom honestly I got no ill will towards, but by the gaming press, publishers, other gamers and bad actors in general. Regardless of how much merit the communities complaints are. IE the recent lootbox issue with Battlefront 2. These are the groups I was more directing towards. Beyond that are you suggesting that as a paying customer im not allowed to voice an opinion on a product? Especially one that its obviously predatory in nature?

[@slaytanicx7633]

I never needed youtubers to tell me EA are assholes. I've been done supporting them years ago but people standing up to publishers like EA is VERY VERY needed! I thank channels like this one and any others fighting back! Thank you Jim!

[@Hopalongtom]

EA lost my Business afer seeing how they CRUSHED the soul out of C&C3!

[@iro6758]

"Developers at Bioware and EA are feeling demoralized" *_GOOD!_* This is the first evidence I've _ever_ seen of EA or Bioware actually having heard a single fucking word we've been saying for _years._

[@RaidersoftheLostFlicks]

This is quite possibly the best video you've ever made so far. Watched it twice without pause. Brilliant!

[@kickstartavalanche]

Bankston Skooma Touché

[@pianomikey0]

Without pause? I had to pause it a dozen times to read the various excerpts of emails and articles Jim put up in the vid ;)

[@aivreescend7945]

I watched it thrice so I'm superior! . . . . It's because i can't quite catch what he's saying when he's talking too fast.

[@jasonfischer9857]

I agree. This was quite a good episode.

[@wrathofsanta7424]

Absolutely spot on. The big games corporations didn't need any help from youtubers in creating a firestorm of unmitigated anger they did it all by themselves, they lit the fuse now they're reaping the whirlwind. With every shady MTX scheme they patent and implement they pour oceans of fuel on the fire. Guys like Jim and other youtubers only reflect and report the existing reality of the anger of gamers they do not cause it or stoke it. We and Jim and every other non-delusional gamer and youtuber didn't start the fire the corporations are the arsonists, their wounds are self inflicted. Their response is classic kill the messenger because you don't like what they're saying. As for anger, personally I prefer "Righteous indignation", It's more accurate as it's entirely justified. No corporation in any industry or business is "entitled" to a customers money. Also channel your anger into not buying their games, don't target individuals, hit them were it hurts them most, their revenue.

[@Monu73796]

Extra Credits lost a lot of credibility for me after that video

[@jabronijones90]

Not gonna lie Jim, i've seen almost every Jimquisition you've made and this one, this one is probably THE best one you've made so far. Well done.

[@drmegaman]

It really feels like they're trying to tug at our heartstrings with this. I have all the respect in the world for those who create games, and wish they'd leave the Activisions and EAs out there, to find work with smaller studios, or even start their own. Their talents deserve better.

[@Cthuluman3]

I agree, they hide behind their employees whenever it suits them, and casts them out the moment they are done with them. Not just in the gaming industry that happens in almost every industry. Once its time to plea for tax breaks or aid from the government they plead holding up their employees as totems of poverty, then balk when its time to support said employees with healthcare or reasonable wages.

[@turkeyherder9456]

Cthuluman3 They act like you should support EA to support the developers, but you could spend a million dollars on FIFA and only the tiniest fraction would be seen by their employees. No matter how much you buy their games or give their company money it won't really support them, other than their studio not being shit canned.

[@Ten80pete]

As one of the peons for a MUCH hated company that Jim has mentioned, and who has received a lot of the frustration firsthand (after all, we peons are the face of the company), I'd like to say this: Of course I'm going to have much of the disgust for my employer focused towards me. If you can't handle that, find a job where you either don't deal with people, or with a less hated corporation. On a side note, most customers are very pleasant towards me.

[@zenozisgaming5175]

You are a brave and enlightened soul. Godspeed.

[@AggroNoobs]

I find it honestly sad that people can't discern the difference between an employee and the company. People like you are just doing your job. Doing what you're hired to do. If anyone has worked in a corporate environment it works much the same; You are hired for your skill set and given a task within that skill set to perform. Often with an endless chain of management eventually trickling down to you giving you instruction and task. You're not the one calling for fucking loot boxes with gated off stats in them. I find it fucking disgusting that people seem to attack those simply making a buck, upping their resume credits and improving their skills. I just hope you're doing alright for yourself as it appears most of these companies don't seem to pay well for the hours and work put in.

[@sechran]

Honestly, I have nothing but sympathy for the people who are ground up into a pulpy lubricant for the treads of the gaming industry to shudder forward on. These hapless thralls who make up the masonry of this dark tower aren't to blame for all the corruption. The messengers? I perhaps feel most sorry for them. The powers that be nail another satanic decree into the corpses hanging in the town square, proclaiming their latest profane machination, and then hide behind poor Stiny the PR Minion who has to bear the brunt of the backlash for yet further sins against all decency. The mob then crucifies them, while the true ministers of the evil of the day are left to continue their vile schemes. If I personally direct my hatred at someone, it's going to be executive - director level or higher. People with the actual authority to make these terrible decisions, not the poor fools chasing their childhood dreams and finding themselves laboring on the bridge of the SS Clusterfuck.

[@DanielOzghoBoyd]

Thank you for the work you do. Please keep making quality content... for your employer to gate off and sell at premium as "optional". God I'd hate to be a Dev for a large company, I already hate being a manufacturer for a large company.

[@GrahamBarth]

sechren Maybe the most well written KZbin comment in history. To call that evocative would be quite an understatement. I felt like I was reading some Frank Underwood monologue, or something. (May he RIP.)

[@nekroz_of_super_dora3477]

As all of us in House Sterling proclaim, “Monday. Is. Coming.”

[@rampant1apart]

Holy crap, Jim, you realized you more or less made your thesis statement as KZbin personality with this video, right? Like, this is it. That this is who you are as a consumer advocate, right? And let me say, it's wonderful. Thank God for you, Jim.

[@alexsmith2910]

I was saying the same thing. This is his best video ever. I mean that sincerely. What do you think?

[@felman87]

You mention that publishers keep things hidden, only telling the truth to shareholders. It's important to note that they're required, by law, to tell the truth to shareholders. So they hide and lie to everyone and only speak the truth when not doing so would send them to jail (or a fine).

[@Loalrikowki]

Which would be fine if they didn't turn around and whine about how nobody understands what it's really like for them.

[@kurisu7885]

So it's the same as minimum wage laws, they would if the law said they could.

[@nicholasagnew9631]

And the only thing stopping them from lying to said Stakeholders is loosing money from being sued.. Haha

[@Christopher_Gibbons]

They lie to shareholders a lot (being optimistic is not technically illegal)

[@MrRadialdrift]

You must be Green. Hate to let you down but people lie, even if that means they are breaking a law.

[@LunerianNoLife]

It's always been wierd to me how people say that "games are too expensive to make" as if the developers are powerless to affect that price. The cost of game development is not some law of nature.

[@WarpScanner]

Market pressure forces growth of budgets, especially marketing.

[@TropicalPriest]

Publishers spend 10 billion dollars making some horseshit trailer, completely overhauled by a third party animation studio. Then take another 20 billion dollars and put it into such aggressive marketing it makes Nintendo and Sega of the 90s blush. And then they spend another 10 billion dollars on "KZbin Creators" to hype their underdeveloped, deathmarch nightmare to little tweenie-boppers. Meanwhile actual production budget: four bucks and a coupon to Red Lobster.

[@DeathBringer769]

Then they tell us "games are too expensive." But why'd you spend so damn much on trailers and marketing? "Because you have to. You don't understand business." No, maybe you're forcing a failed business model and then trying to pass the burden onto us, and then act like "games are too expensive to make, we can't help it!" It makes me sad but it makes me laugh in how stupid it is yet how many people buy into this apologist bullshit.

[@sindurgoku8022]

I wouldn't be surprised if actual lobsters are part of the budget.

[@liwendiamond9223]

The numbers here are slightly exaggerated (Understatement of the century) but the gist of it is accurate. Publishers are spending too much money outside of the actual development of the game. Wanna know what is the best form of advertisement ever? The one that doesn't merely follow trends but creates them and molds the entire industry in its wake? The one that allows you to retain a hardcore base of players in your games practically forever and grants you both goodwill and an incredible long tail of revenue that often surpasses the release window revenue? A GOOD GAME. Put more money into making the games good. Longer more flesh out campaigns, inventive multiplayer mechanics. Polished challenging gameplay. Extra modes. And DON'T SULLY THE FINAL PRODUCT with all of the bullshit predatory schemes. At the very least, launch the damn games as their complete envisioned package, well optimized and bug free. A writer doesn't end his story in the middle of Chapter 7 out of 45 to release an unedited E-book on Amazon for 20$ with a 15$ season pass and a note that says : "I'll finish the story proper soon, and don't worry about the spelling errors, I might fix them... eventually. By the way here's a loot box that allows certain blanks in the sentences to by magically filled in at random! Its a "Book as a service platform" kinda deal. Ain't that amazing?" Doesn't that sounds ridiculous? Would anyone buy into that? NO! Of course they wouldn't. And yet video game publishers are doing it. Every. Single. God. Damn. Day. No wonder people are angry.

[@egoalter1276]

Thing is, if the business model was failed, they wouldn't be making money. But they are, because we are sheep and we buy their garbage anyways.

[@spybird5870]

@@egoalter1276 yeah, thanks to marketing tactics such as "no microtransactions in our game, pal" and in 2 months the game gets an update that adds them. and of course, the "whales".

[@Pyke64]

One of your best videos, Jim

[@dango5928]

Oizo

[@Pyke64]

In Flat Eric's voice: Wa wa wawa

[@MoreImbaThanYou]

Here in germany, we had a brilliant politic cabaretist. In one of his shows, he had a line, wich fits in to this topic perfectly. "Where is it, the wrath of the people? People have lost their righteus wrath, lost the willingness to stand up against something, wailing in their feeling of being unable to make a change. And that is why, if you actualy manage to developit, this kind of wrath is something precious, something to behold, to take care of, to tend carefully. It's nothing you want to waste on something trivial." His name is Georg Schramm btw. Not dead, but not active on the stage anymore :/

[@riv4lm4n]

lol it fits your country perfectly

[@Turidus]

Daaaaaammmnnnnn. Awesome episode.

[@JimSterling]

Thank you! I tried to push the boat out for this one and was pretty nervous about it going up as a result. So glad you liked it!

[@bobafett3712]

Jim Sterling Speech near the end was great.

[@Kuuribro]

Wholly agreed with Turidus. It's pretty clear you just let loose on this one. I know a couple of people in Bioware right now (worked with them until about a year ago at another Edmonton company,) and at least one of them is also an avid viewer of you, so it's especially interesting / curious for me to see what's going on with this and to ask their opinions on the ground.

[@w13d0w]

it is a legit great episode. something you can refer people to when they ask you what your problem with the games industry is.

[@thethirkea]

Truly an amazing episode

[@EriesAston]

If you´re feeling down there is nothing better than re-watching an old jimquisition video or in this case The Angry Jim Show.

[@ArchmageOfAnarchy]

I saw a "Daily reminder" thread on /r/Gaming with "Don't Preorder Anthem". I know its gonna mean people at Bioware are upset that people aren't interested in preorders/multiple editions/season passes etc, but if that's what it takes to get the greedy assholes at their corporate overlord EA, its a price I'm willing to pay.

[@sirbossk]

I crack up at the people that actually think that revenue from microtransactions actually make it back to the developers. The executives and shareholders take it all.

[@EmanueleZeppieri]

This ^

[@radekc5325]

Butbutbut have you not heard of trickle-down? In exchange for all that revenue going to executives and shareholders, developers are graciously allowed to work more. Sometimes even for a wage! /s

[@LosgehtsFCB]

Exactly! People seem to think that the workers earn it all

[@brokengames9020]

is the same shitty salary and soon developer will be replaced by AI. Thats why such race for money.

[@catch.22]

Thats literally why I became an indie... I Was working 80 hours a week as a dev and tech to make ends meet but the amount you are paid for development positions is abysmal. You go into game development because you love games as an art form and expression of what you think, not to be rich. Because realistically, you wont make a lot of money.

[@MrJCMasterman]

Even as an avid gamer, I still very much agree that this industry, especially this generation, needs a harsh kick in the family jewels. Thank you, Jim, for being among the many to deliver it.

[@therealbahamut]

Bottom line? The invention of the corporate entity was a mistake. It's an ingenious device for achieving individual profit without individual accountability. I guarantee you if we had a face and a name to direct this anger at, we would NOT be seeing half the corporate bullshit we do now. In the meantime, we will continue to stab at corporate publishers for continuing to fuck up our games.

[@brokengames9020]

you glue some shit together and you call it invention? nice one.

[@therealbahamut]

Far shakier creations have been called inventions. The corporation is one that's just managed to stick around.

[@maximedurante7574]

Gluing a rock on a stick makes it a spear. Think about it.

[@Catmomila]

Indeed. While companies still exist, these terrible practices will keep being shoved into our games.

[@de_la_Nae]

At least in the U.S., too many of the responsibilities of incorporation have been removed, offloaded, and neglected (partially due to the improper amounts of money, social power, and legislative influence the investor class has cultivated), while the privileges have only ballooned, spoiled brats that they are.

[@kublaikant]

Rebuttal: This is basic economics . . . if you can't make a profit selling your game for $60, then raise the price. If consumers won't buy your product at a higher price that means you spent too much making it and the market has judged your product a failure. The solution is NOT to hide the actual price of the game behind a casino mechanism so that consumers don't really know the actual price. That latter course presents an inherent conflict of interest between maximizing the gaming experience for your consumers when they believe they have paid full price for a full game, and encouraging them to participate in the various side schemes to sell them the rest of the game. The casino approach may very well be aided by designing an incomplete or grindy game and relying on the "sunk cost fallacy" to extract money from consumers they would not have paid had they known what the actual price would end up being before they opted to participate.

[@zomg1337h4x]

Honestly, I don't think that is a rebuttal as much as one of the logical consequences of the argument laid out here. I don't think you're wrong, but it doesn't refute what Jim lays out in the video, at least in my eyes.

[@illyrocks1783]

Well, if Developers and Publishers didn't put most of the budget into Marketing and Merchandise (Bungie, I'm looking at you here), they would actually make some money with their product and the 60$/€/etc. price tag.

[@VoltieBird]

You know what's demoralizing for people on the ground level of a company like EA? Working at a company like EA that views them as no more important than a cog in a machine that can be taken out and replaced with one fresh off the assembly line should it no longer perfectly fulfill its purpose. But no, angry people on the internet are what's wrong with video games today.

[@thewordywarlock7159]

“Granny Weatherwax was often angry. She considered it one of her strong points. Genuine anger was one of the world's greatest creative forces. But you had to learn how to control it. That didn't mean you let it trickle away. It meant you dammed it, carefully, let it develop a working head, let it drown whole valleys of the mind and then, just when the whole structure was about to collapse, opened a tiny pipeline at the base and let the iron-hard stream of wrath power the turbines of revenge.” ― Terry Pratchett, Wyrd Sisters

[@neilprice513]

"May he rest in peace"

[@Blackemperess]

Terry Pratchett was an incredibly intelligent man. May he have an incredible journey and even more fascinating stories to tell wherever he is now.

[@rhyfel1]

The more hate against publishers like EA and Activision the better.

[@MilkmanAssassin]

rhyfel zen way to ignore the whole point of the video

[@spybird5870]

@@MilkmanAssassin way to strawman

[@wanderingrandomer]

Regarding the intro, that Extra Credits video really did take me back a bit. I usually agree with them wholeheartedly about their conclusions, but I couldn't square it at all this time. They could do with a bit more righteous anger!

[@Illier1]

The Extra Credit guys tend to side with devs given they have a long history with them. I know they want to believe they are helping but we have numerous cases of people proving this myth is wrong and a lie.

[@michaelwoods2672]

Yeah me too, especially given how they missed the most obvious conclusion about game costs: maybe they are just to high. It annoys me because I really like the EC team, and that is a really, really basic thing to forget. I get as a developer you are going to want all the money you can get to deliver your vision but the world just does not work like that.

[@mahomedauni5649]

Yeah, no... No youtuber made me angry at EA. EA made me angry at EA. I still remember Mass Effect 3 and it's ending, and it was the straw that broke this camel's back. I made a promise after watching it that i wouldn't buy another game from them, and i intend to keep it. Considering how many companies are almost at the same point with me, It's a really good thing that in the past 2 years i found some really great "indie" games, like Stardew Valley, Warframe, and Rogue Legacy.

[@Garrette63]

Maybe if EA doesn't want to be hated they could stop buying up beloved game studios, running them into the ground, and shutting them down.

[@ketchupkatsup9805]

This was the culmination of every Jimquisition about the AAA industry and it was glorious, oh so glorious

[@cattrucker8257]

Can we just agree that the existing shareholder dominion model is the root of so much ongoing evil in just about every industry? Seriously, wherever you turn, it always boils down to "it's wrong, despicable and ruins the product itself, but it's what shareholers want and decided on".

[@PurpleIsALetter]

And yet CD Project Red managed to make a huge enjoyable open *single-player only* world without one single loot box or microtransaction involved and *gasp* made a lot of money

[@Zyy920]

I would LOVE to get the exact costs and profits for witcher 3 and say middle earth shadow of war. Just how much did they make per customer from which sources and how big of a difference did it make?

[@PurpleIsALetter]

Zyy920 we should just start comparing every game to Witcher 3, maybe publishers will get the hint eventually

[@TheRogueWolf]

But they didn't make ALL the money, and in the eyes of the AAA gaming industry, that's abject failure.

[@Loalrikowki]

The counterargument I've heard is "But the cost of living is lower in Poland, therefore development costs are as well." To which I reply: "Then move."

[@Nathankinamorh]

Zenimax (Bethesda) is still independent Publisher/Developer and they release standard DLC expansions. Given they have an issue with the modding side of things but Doom, Wolfenstien, and Dishonored stand on their own.

[@TrackpadProductions]

This is an episode I’ve been waiting for a long time for. Even people who’ve never played video games can learn something from this.

[@WiiSage]

agreed anyone that want to bring up the excuses they game industry been feeding us for years you can just throw this video at them and tell them to educate yourself

[@crystalsoulslayer]

This is magnificent. I don't even have words. Thank god for you, Jim.

[@graey24601]

Game developers have a built in method of fighting the used game market: Make your fucking game good enough, with enough content and fun mechanics that people don't want to sell or trade it in. There are some games that I'll never sell or trade because they're worth playing over and over again. That extra credits video was complete horse shit. Games are cheaper to make today than they've ever been. The only reason they're as expensive as they are is because AAA publishers insist on pushing the graphics as high as they can in a neverending dick waving contest which also serves to make current gen platforms into last gen platforms so you're forced to buy new hardware.

[@NeilDoyle92]

Sure, but you can't blame the devs, they're not the ones making these decisions, but they're the ones getting the short end of the stick because people don't understand how these corporations work. I'm sure many of the 'boots on the ground' working at EA are insanely talented people who just want to make the best games possible, but their hands are tied by the suits at the top who don't give a shit about the games, as long as they can please the shareholders and extricate as much profit as possible from the consumer.

[@brokengames9020]

No shit. It is a scam business. One person figured it out. how many more needed?

[@luizeduardo1375]

Mathre Graey, you have zero clue what you`re talking about, mate. Go inform yourself better. Bye.

[@Crispman_777]

Luiz eduardo If you disagree with someone, explain why mate. Communicate better. Bye.

[@PresidentCamacho24]

@MatthewGraey Amen!

[@darollenchannel3844]

Some people wonder why I subscribe to the jimquisition, this video, right here, one of his best. All the anger and fury of the populace is constantly being directed at the wrong people is a massive problem worldwide, in every avenue of everyday life even. Blame needs to go to the top, not the bottem, as much as the top tells us it's all everyone else's fault. It's okay to be angry, it's a human response when being threatened or challenged. But it's not okay to direct it at those who are not threatening or challenging us. It's time people stop being lazy about information they recive and be critical about it. Thank you Jim for trying to be a freaking voice of logic, common sense, and critical thinking to all the unreasonable, cowardly, and misguided people who take part in the game industry.

[@druidOcelot]

Monday has come. And Monday is always coming. Thank God for You, Mr. Sterling!

[@Elonyx.studios]

Something to keep in mind, people please don't start harassing the extra credits team. I personally didn't agree with their video either, but I don't think their intention was to be corporate apologists, besides like Jim said, all that anger is better spent focusing it at the suits.

[@Tybis]

MayanExpression Yeah I don't think it was thier intention either, especially considering that they have multiple videos on avoiding predatory practices that hurt consumers (like thier Skinner box video).

[@SingeScorcher]

This! I saw the video and while I didn't like it either, I'm fairly certain their underlying intent was Games should cost $15 upfront and remove all this ridiculous extra crap that makes us pay another $60 for more of the same game. Higher base price INSTEAD of Microtransactions/DLC, NOT WITH Microtransactions/DLC

[@Astrothunder_]

I just decided to dislike their video.

[@splodious2856]

This. Yeah lets just pay them more money and hope they don't just find another excuse like "Customer Choice!" to pump their games full of microtransactions and lootboxes! Ahhh sarcasm on the internet! Anyway I'd give it six months before we're paying a higher base price and microtransactions. Why do I believe this? Because that's how every corporation ever has always behaved since ever. It will only stop when we stop buying games that have this kind of crap going on.

[@SingeScorcher]

That's the unfortunate truth to the matter. EC's heart might have been in the right place as they do have a viewpoint most other popular game information outlets on youtube don't have (being very close to the development side of things) But it is a lofty goal. Corporations just don't play nice when being assholes to customers is more lucrative. But who knows, with the amount of recent backlash maybe that point where the majority finally stops buying their lies isn't too far off after all.

[@morcova]

What a surprise, Polygon and Kotaku are still carrying water for gaming companies.

[@0M0rty]

Well, most hardcore gamers know by now that Polygon and Kotaku are literal trash when it comes to reviews or even news that often contain crapton of false info, so they gotta appeal to somebody, so they focus a lot on making their websites a safe space where any casual player can feel welcome.

[@robintst]

Holyshit... that was possibly one of the best scripts you've ever written and delivered. I don't know how people don't understand that the collective anger of the community is targeted at the soulless shitheels that actually run these companies, not the developers themselves.

[@DoveAlexa]

Probably it's the devs who hope to climb ranks enough to be making corp CEO type money. They already identify with the shits at the top.

[@Kraigon42]

It's probably important to note that some people really do attack the developers rather than the big-wigs. Hell, as someone who regularly bashes publishers myself, I had a friend in the meat who thought I bashed developers because it's so common.

[@NeilDoyle92]

I'm pretty sure devs don't climb to the top of the corporate ladder in companies like EA, not that I've ever heard of, that's just not how it works. The guys at the top come from sales and marketing and almost certainly know nothing about game development, and the people who actually make the games will never see that kind of money or have any say in what the company does.

[@mikem9704]

Jim can say "triple" normally, and "a" normally, but whenever those two are anywhere near each other it's "tRipLe AaaAA".

[@wuzi7049]

i would like AaaAA tRipLe pattie and cheese burger, hold the mayo.

[@ThisOldHat]

Gamers of the World Unite! You have nothing to lose but your Paywalls!

[@anirudhviswanathan3986]

WE WANT SOMETHING ELSE! WE WANT SOMETHING ELSE! WE WANT SOMETHING ELSE!!!!

[@sunlightprince3173]

Such a good video. I wish more people would open their eyes. It hurt my brain to see some people defending that shit

[@marielunst1502]

Anyone not paid by, you know, the enemy? Of Everyone BTW!

[@wmtcmmnts]

thanks

[@daveedzee]

HORSE ARMOR JIM. I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN THE HORSE ARMOR.

[@supergoron1]

The horse armor seems pretty damn good in comparison to some of the DLC and micro-transactions out these days.

[@artemisknight8721]

“Anger is just anger. It isn't good. It isn't bad. It just is. What you do with it is what matters. It's like anything else. You can use it to build or to destroy. You just have to make the choice." "Constructive anger," the demon said, her voice dripping sarcasm. Also known as passion," I said quietly. "Passion has overthrown tyrants and freed prisoners and slaves. Passion has brought justice where there was savagery. Passion has created freedom where there was nothing but fear. Passion has helped souls rise from the ashes of their horrible lives and build something better, stronger, more beautiful.” ― Jim Butcher, White Night A fitting quote for this episode

[@zenozisgaming5175]

I love that series, I NEED the next installment soon.

[@abro14]

"Don't like it? Vote with your wallets!" No wait we didn't mean it. You're hurting the developers' feelings.

[@Crispman_777]

To be fair no publisher has ever said to not give them money.

[@spybird5870]

@@Crispman_777 and that's only because publishers only have pr shit to spout around

[@Awesomebaconman123]

For a fistful of Sterling. For a few Sterlings more. And the good, the bad, and the Sterling.

[@loonachan]

So long as Jim doesn't start rambling to an empty chair at the Republican National Convention.

[@tomsnider9213]

Oh god I read that as For Fisting Jim Sterling 😅 I mean I know he’s a sexual deviants so am I, but that was not a visual I neededz

[@sds689]

What a surprise polygon goes to bat for the publishers not the customers

[@dmotz]

"When directed efficiently and channeled accordingly anger can create some change." Damn straight. Greedy corporations in every industry deserve our directed rage.

[@BatteryH1862]

The predators are never happy when the prey fights back.

[@KoffinKat]

I agreed with what Jim said in this video. Of course we are angry, because the obnoxious business practices of big compains are making us angry. And just like someone said already: If they can't make any serious profit from their products (games), then they need to learn to be more efficient with their budgets. I really like Extra Credits, but their episode on the games' price disappointed me a bit.

[@tommoore810]

THIS should be on trending! Preferably #1

[@sirbossk]

This may be your best work. 15:12 - 17:06 in particular nailed it.

[@felipeseba5149]

Jim, I've been a fan and followed your work since the early Escapist days. And I really think this is your best, most complete and thought out video. It is that amazing, in my opinion. It includes and summizes every idea and lines of thoughts of your previous videos, and delivers a strong, all-along coherent message about the depressing and angering current state of the industry. Really, thank you for the quality content. And, of course, thank God for You.

[@WarriorDan]

This video really felt like a culmination of what the Jimquisition has been discussing for years now. Really strong episode. If you were going to go out on top, this would've been the episode to do that with. ;)

[@97Multiphantom]

Amen, Mr. Sterling. That was some truly righteous indignation.

[@RatedB1]

Lay into them Jim, fuck the AAA game industry

[@prelude2disaster]

All this anger and I'm just sat here, chilling, waiting for the Horrid Spider competition results.

[@skymonster92]

Absolute killer of an episode

[@sagethegreat4680]

I will put the same three examples here i put on extra credits video on why these practices are ridiculous. Example 1 ) shadow of war sells for 60$ for the base game but that version is missing 2 main factions of orcs and part of the story. The game is 80 $ if you want the orcs and 100$ if you want the whole story . Then on top of that is microtransactions and if you spend just 20 $ a month for 5 months that is another 100$ ( that is a 200$ game) Example 2) now EA's own protections was to sell 12 million copies of swbf2 at 60$ a piece that is an estimated 720 million dollars ( there is also an 80$ version estimated 960 million made) and this is without the microtransactions they so badly wanted to put in. Now even if the game cost 100 million to make and 200 million in advertising ( 300 million) the base price of 60 $ still gets them a profit of 420 million. Example 3) Skyrim a last gen game was sold to us for 60$ on the last gen consoles then again on current gen consoles. So they sold us the same game atleast twice ( 120$) now they want editional money for mods and this isn't counting money made from dlc. All the games I mentioned have the guise of a 60$ game but the average person has spent more then 60$ for the game and the companies still want more and more money for them. These companies wouldn't still be in business if they weren't making money. They are making money this really just a matter of can a board member of these companies can they buy 1 yacht this year or 2 . Do they make a bunch of money or do they make ridiculous Scrooge McDuck diving into a massive vault of gold money. These companies are basically the same as smaug they have a mountain full of gold and now they want 3 more mountain's full of gold to go with it and that is the problem . No one has really payed just 60$ for a game in awhile but yet they keeping adding more and more ways to monetize the game more still trying to sell use the same line of it accounts for inflation.

[@anchises666]

I bought Skyrim once, got free upgrade to 64bit version. No one forces you to buy the same game more than once, especially on PC. On console you can just keep the old hardware. So this is not a good example, but rather an example of how stupid customers are. On the other hand you are right insofar as Bethesda has been dipping their toes in the pool of "games as a service" aka "we want constant revenue stream."

[@mjc0961]

Skyrim is also a bad example in that if you bought the 360/PS3 version and then later bought the Xbox One/PS4 version, you got a lot of upgrades when you bought it again. And yeah, the PC version was offered free for a limited time to owners of the previous version, and I was able to take advantage of that offer, so I don't have any complaints either (other than agreements with Jim's "Fuck Skyrim" episode). I don't feel like Bethesda was trying to nickel and dime me the same way that EA, Activision, and Ubisoft try to on a regular basis. That said, Extra Credits did a bad video and they should feel bad. But they don't because they don't care about their audience. They don't care about consumers. They'd rather lie and claim that all this extra money actually goes to developers (*HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! 😂😂😂) when in reality it goes straight to the publishers who give little of any of it back to the developer. If you want to give more money to the developer, don't buy any of the games or DLC they've developed. Get the address of their studio and mail them a check. They'll get more money that way than if you actually buy something. (This is of course about AAA games, not indie games which usually don't engage in the kind of bullshit Extra Credits was defending).

[@sagethegreat4680]

Lol i didn't say forced you to buy , I said got you to buy more then once. The only reason PC players didn't have to pay twice was because the main thing that the remastered version brought to the table was the ability to use mods . PC already had the ability to use mods and in fact PC players were the modders and if you piss off your modders they stop modding and then how can you expect to make money off of mods . PC players are getting exploited just as much as console players they just exploit them in different ways.

[@sagethegreat4680]

the upgrades that were made to Skyrim special edition were some graphics upgrades and the ability to use mods other then that nothing new was added. so you really aren't getting a 60 dollar value out of special edition. that said PC players already had access to mods which does everything special edition added plus more. so really any graphics changes become moot once special edition gave the ability to use mods . so really you are paying 60 dollars for the ability to use mods now they are charging for the mods themself you just payed to be able to use.

[@sagethegreat4680]

I know the $ sign goes in front I got a little tired using the words dollars and started using the sign since I actually wrote that post twice here since I lost progress on it the first time. that said it isn't a big deal to anyone that isn't a grammar nazi or to people that actually have points to add to the discussion .

[@Choppytehbear1337]

*"Stoking anger."* You mean telling the truth?

[@NimhLabs]

The truth will set your teeth free!

[@Nikke-nn5mn]

Every time this video refers to "miss information" open a second tab and go watch a comparison video between a game and it's trailer.

[@NimhLabs]

Anger (Jimquisition) Except everytime Jim says "Miss information" We are Number One Plays Except everytime One is said, a comparison video between a game's trailer and game play. Sorry, has a meme flashback, you don't understand, I WAS THERE! xD

[@RisqueBisquetz]

*misinformation.

[@rageoftyrael]

I think what annoyed me the most about Extra Credits video is that it didn't say jack shit. They basically at the beginning said that they have contracts that won't allow them to divulge most of the information that would make what they're saying mean anything. I'm sorry, but as great as I generally find Extra Credits, I'm not really willing to just take their word for it. It's actually dumb they tried, because they've almost never asked us to before. A huge reason why Extra Credits is so good is because of how much information they provide to prove whatever their point is. Did they think they'd built up enough good will that we'd just take what they had to say at face value? Seriously though, when you start a conversation with "I have all the information that could prove my point, but I'm not allowed to talk about pretty much all of it." Do you actually think that helps? Like, I'm just supposed to believe you? The real question here is, why in the fuck is all of this so smoke and mirrors? Why, exactly, is telling us how much this stuff costs, so forbidden? I mean, a person might sound paranoid, but one might think "Well, shit, they're probably lying to us." You know, the idea that everything is getting more and more expensive, though they can't ever show us that. We don't really get to know what kind of money they make, any of the sales. Essentially, we're trying to have a conversation, but one side of the conversation doesn't have enough information, and the side that does have the information, won't fucking share it, but we're supposed to assume that there's absolutely no way they'd lie about any of it. Oh no. There's surely no benefit to lying about this stuff. Also, I despised the idea that Extra Credits put forward that the onus was on the customer, rather than the creators. Essentially, games cost to much (so they say, with absolutely no evidence) so we as consumers need to either pony up more money just to buy the game, or we have to accept shitty monetization schemes. Extra Credits did generally denounce the predatory stuff, and I actually generally don't have a problem with microtransactions and dlc done right, but the idea that we have to simply accept that the ONLY option is that we pay more in some form or another. Are they even trying to change how they do things? I mean, if it's so damn expensive, maybe look into making it cheaper? I mean, we know of small indie companies who have had massive success with relatively small budgets, so why exactly am I supposed to buy into the "it's to expensive" concept?

[@rageoftyrael]

I look at it as, if they've furnished a good, complete game, and because it's popular, they take the time to add in extra levels, skins, items, etc. (without any pay to win factors involved in any competitive games) and allow you to buy what you want(no loot box scenarios), there's nothing wrong with that. Games like Overwatch, for example, if they got rid of the lootboxes, and instead allowed people to simply buy what skins, emotes, etc. they wanted, would be an acceptable place to put these microtransactions, since you wouldn't have to pay for them if you didn't want them (I wouldn't mind lootboxes if you couldn't buy them, maybe.... that's a whole other discussion). Long story short, in some games, it's clear that they scrapped content from the released game so that they can sell it as dlc, and that's bullshit. When you get a good game that doesn't have this issue, I see nothing wrong with microtransactions. I don't mind companies making money, I just hate when they use predatory behaviors, or when they short change the customer by holding back content so they can sell it to you later. I guess that most single player games don't have a lot of room for this kind of stuff, which is almost certainly the real reason that the larger companies are backing away from them. It isn't that we don't want them, we absolutely do, it's that they can't safely monetize the crap out of them without looking like complete heels, though they often do anyway with the nonsense they regularly pull. In games like call of duty, battlefield, cs:go and such, where people will play these games for years to come, it only makes sense from a business perspective to capitalize on the continuing popularity of your games by selling weapons skins, emotes, and such, so long as you keep any pay to win factors out of it. Have I changed your mind that some microtransactions, in the right games are okay, or do you disagree?

[@WNxMiles]

I don't need KZbinrs to 'incite' me to be angry. The game companies have for years now fostered that all on their own for all the reasons Jim lays out. The fact that I watch KZbinrs who share and express my pre-existing opinions is about as surprising as EA blaming everyone but themselves when things go wrong.

[@ripwitch9833]

Honestly surprised you didn't mention that if the $60 price tag was raised these microtransactions and loot boxes won't be removed unlike what Extra Credit said that they would be.

[@DoveAlexa]

Slayed it Jim! Thank god for one of the few people willing to stick up for us!

[@teddybeddy123]

Let's think of why they feel demoralised: because they know it's true!

[@Stealth-ve7nw]

teddybeddy123 agree to that. Let them go to therapy if the feel demoralized.

[@BlueBoothStudios]

No? As someone who has spoken with demoralized developers, it's because most devs actually care about making games for gamers. So, if a large and vocal chunk of your audience keeps calling you shit and your work trash, then do you honestly think you'd be more positively disposed to them? And if you aren't well-disposed to the people you make games for, then why are you making games? And before you say it, yes, the people I've spoken to don't want any of the shit you don't want - micro-transactions, DLCs, loot-boxes etc. They want to make cool games. And it's hard to make cool games when the director of your company comes in, tells you that *his* boss told him you have to code all this awful crap in, and if you don't do it, you're fired. So you compromise. And you hope that someone with the power to take your boss's boss to task can kill off these trends already. So go for the boss's boss. Because that's the guy pushing the agendas you're angry about, and the guy the developers don't have the power to challenge.

[@iridiumoxide.5273]

The last five minutes Jim was spitting straight venom. Absolutely brilliant man.

[@Lambonius]

You know how you combat used game sales? You offer a better damn product. Seriously. I used to be all about buying everything used until this generation when digital purchases became so quick and easy and frequently discounted that now they're far more convenient (and usually cheaper!) than anything I can get at Gamestop. That's how you convert customers!

[@chris9206]

Nothing can combat 2nd hand. Its that clear and simple. If Gamestop is an issue then its the same everywhere but Online. You're wasting time on complaining about it.

[@kyotheman69]

+Chris Klos its called downloading, and its been increasing every year soon enough places like second market will slow disappear including gamestop, the thing is I"m not type of person pays full price anyways, as PC gamer I only buy when game is on a sale it costs 80 dollars where i live I"m not paying that no thanks.

[@Elenrai]

I have reached the point where using sites like g2a simply no longer make sense. Better to wait for a 75% off sale.

[@chris9206]

Kyo I'm pretty sure you'll be paying $80 by being forced into it. Digital sales is actually the more expensive route and has no re-sale value, which is a lose-lose.

[@Lambonius]

True, Steam has been at it for years, but it feels like this generation is the first time consoles really jumped on board with the super-cheap sales for digital downloads. I guess it was starting up around the end of last generation, but nowadays I almost never buy any other way, unless Amazon has the physical copy priced even lower in a random sale (happens once in a while!)

[@casketbase7750]

“Truly evil people cry out in pain after striking you.” - Polish proverb. Forgive me if I feel no sympathy for these multi-billion dollar corporations who extort consumers.

[@rorschachmedia322]

This is my new favourite jimquisition, absolutely brilliant

[@austinbevers1097]

Jim. Keep doing this. No, really. Fight the good fight. You're doing it.

[@TheAtomicDom]

Could be the best ever Jimquisition! Thank God for you, sir!

[@miraprime474]

I would like to see a conversation between Jim and Extra Credits on this topic because I think they bring two valuable perspectives to the table.

[@97Multiphantom]

Same; I think EC means well, but they aren’t seeing the bigger picture of the issue. The truth lies somewhere in the halfway point between Jim’s position and theirs. It would be great to see them discuss it; it really sucks that everyone else in the comments is giving them so much shit.

[@cuckoophendula8211]

I remember watching their video and unfortunately feel that because they're both right in certain ways, the industry as a whole sounds like it won't hold together for long. Whether consumer anger is justified or not, the reality is that if customers will be dissatisfied with more expensive games and/or microtransactions (and if AAA publishers' games are as expensive to make as they claim), then the center is not going to be able to hold. But I do see the silver lining that if the AAA market crashes, indies will more than likely continue to thrive (much like small mammals did after the passing of the most impressive looking dinosaurs).

[@RottenMooring]

That would be fantastic if they could get together on this! I don't know if they will or can, but I can dream!

[@33melonpaws77]

OHHHH I didn't know we were being so mean! Come back EA, you can rifle through my wallet again all you like. I'm sorry.

[@gingersonnyboy]

Dont forget to invite them to do it to all your friend's wallets too if you want to play together!!

[@climbhazzard126]

Watched it twice right off the bat. One of the best Jimquisitions ever.

[@gamejtv]

You've wonderfully dug up the true reasons for our frustrations recently, and this episode is probably the best of that subject.

[@crypticcorvus2879]

Have you ever noticed that when people write articles on this problem of 'toxicity' or 'anger' they always have very complicated reasons for why it is the fault of *everyone but themselves?* Whether it's publishers or KZbinrs or every manchild who ever dared step into a basement, toxicity is definitely someone else's fault. Never mind the fact that most huge bouts of outrage and backlash come from false promises and massive disappointment; you know, like how every games media site under the sun wrote articles on No Man's Sky and its multiplayer features and its very complex AI generating the universe? Just a week or two back PCGamer told me that Vermintide 2 is *my* "next big co-op game" despite the writer only having played a demo - it's just my next purchase apparently. I hope they're right, I would hate to be disappointed. It might make me angry.

[@SAM-ru4vx]

did ya enjoy the *DAY ONE* updates that take 2 gigs to download?

[@Kryptnyt]

We're all immune to our own toxins mate

[@animaanalysis]

Fuckin a right my friend.

[@Seriona1]

The problem with that logic is that you don't take into account the situation from each person involved in the game with the buyer being the most fucked and the corporation being the least. If the buyer does their research and then get what they were not told is coming for $60, being pissed is fair.

[@chris9206]

Caesar Yet research isn't done by the consumer and the most screwed party is the developer. The consumer will always find a way to blame anyone but themselves, which goes with the whole "costumer is always right" philosophy. As for the developer side of things the consumer will only back the positive. If Andromeda was done by Bethesda then the minority wouldn't have really complained. Also if the were reasonable as it was developed by a new team then ME probably wouldn't be a dead series, which it would help if that dead horse argument on ME3 got left alone as well.

[@bharatpatel89]

I just wanna laud you Jim. I caught on to your channel a year ago, but I've watched it all and I hope you never let up. I have massive respect for your efforts. Keep calling it out, whether it has an effect on the industry or not (and it should but who knows) its nice to know that you are a public mouthpiece of those of us who are seeing the decline of the industry for decades. Respect and keep it up, you are the banner-man and I can only say you and your team are speaking the truth of anyone who cares.

Anger means people still care. When they give up and move on to something else the publishers will come to miss the anger along with their customers.

[@performa9523]

There is not enough popcorn in the world for this. Massive corporations being mad that people have finally gotten sick of their BS is like, my favorite thing in the world.

[@TheEmpireOfOne]

I am so sick of the ones responsible for poisoning everything we love acting like victims when you call them on it. We need to end them all.

[@alfonsoabraham2370]

??? Shitdits? Is that a foreign food?

[@PrinceCobra07]

This is literally one of your best videos Jim, just wow!