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Epic weaponizing kids obsessed with Fortnite is absolutely screwed up
- Thread starter Dust
- Start date
Even if this is successful, and even if this does end up helping out smaller developers (which I don't think it's epic's main objective), I find the manipulation of their main target audience extremely distasteful. I found the video extremely off putting (and highly ironic, considering the basis of the basis of the commercial).
They are using one of the most vulnerable age groups as a figurative hammer. Really shameless.
They are using one of the most vulnerable age groups as a figurative hammer. Really shameless.
They do that because they can and it's necessary to support this very campaign. It won't be permanent either, ever wonder why?
Also, how can they convince other publishers to do the same though? They can't even einvorce cheaper game prices in their very own store despite the cut being 12% or whatever.
How can you people be so naive?
I said this on Twitter, but I'll say it again here. A 30% cut is ridiculous, but it is the industry standard. If Epic wanted to change that, then they should've just pulled their game and encouraged others to do the same instead of illegally breaking contract and demonizing Apple for following the standard. Rather, what they did shows a blatant greed for more money that is spun as a "revolution" which manipulated people into falling into their own greed. Both companies just want money. It's stupid, and the only thing to be fighting against is the fact that 30% is an industry standard, and we certainly shouldn't be praising Epic for this.
I'm pretty sure that's for recurring subscriptions, not in-app purchases.
I still dont know how epic can win against google and apple combined.
Still, it's not the first time they do that (sony crossplay)
NOBODY is our friend in this industry. Everyone is playing their cards according to social media's tendencies. But nobody gives a fuck about us.
Still, it's not the first time they do that (sony crossplay)
NOBODY is our friend in this industry. Everyone is playing their cards according to social media's tendencies. But nobody gives a fuck about us.
It's incredibly fucked up, incredibly dystopian, incredibly tone deaf, and incredibly ironic. And things like this are the natural result of the long running course of stuff like this in the technology and media space so to me it's honestly not surprising.
None of these super wealthy technology companies are very trustworthy I think, especially ones with predatory psychological conditioning systems to keep consumers constantly hooked in/engaged.
These kinds of companies and the products they push are cult generators I think, and shit like this is just more explicit evidence of it. First they transformed consumers into their marketing and engagement arms, now they are transforming them into their PR too.
Making your audience into an effective cudgel to fight for your ability to perpetually monetize the very same people is some gross shit but fully on brand/expected at this point in time for me.
This kind of shit is only going to get worse.
None of these super wealthy technology companies are very trustworthy I think, especially ones with predatory psychological conditioning systems to keep consumers constantly hooked in/engaged.
These kinds of companies and the products they push are cult generators I think, and shit like this is just more explicit evidence of it. First they transformed consumers into their marketing and engagement arms, now they are transforming them into their PR too.
Making your audience into an effective cudgel to fight for your ability to perpetually monetize the very same people is some gross shit but fully on brand/expected at this point in time for me.
This kind of shit is only going to get worse.
Yeah bizarre and crazy. As the OP says, seems Epic were expecting it seeing how fast the video got uploaded. Some people will spam for them, but just see it as one super mega rich corporation wanting more money at the expense of another mega rich corporation, so.. I dont really care and its not my battle. You could argue are Apple doing enough to earn the 30%, but that's their terms and Epic seemingly knowingly went against it. I dont even know what they mean by monopoly.
Not that I really care either, but not surprised to see Geoff for it too. Hes always striked me as someone who would do whatever for a corporation when it benefits him, and I'm fine with it if that earns him a living, but I've never really seen him as someone credible and really I more just see him as a mouth piece for companies than anything else.
Not that I really care either, but not surprised to see Geoff for it too. Hes always striked me as someone who would do whatever for a corporation when it benefits him, and I'm fine with it if that earns him a living, but I've never really seen him as someone credible and really I more just see him as a mouth piece for companies than anything else.
Yeah I've seen people like Geoff and Greg Miller/KF crew jump at this supporting epic
it's gross
I don't exactly see how it's gross in the same way I don't think people in this thread saying they're in support to varying levels are "gross."
One of those moments where you see which members of the gaming media are way too close to the industry.
Really? What's confusing about it?
Apple and Google clearly have a duopoly on mobile devices.
It's disgusting, quite frankly. As game developers we have a duty of care to our audience, especially if they're young and/or vulnerable groups. This is openly exploitative to the highest degree and they should be dragged for it.
You realize I wasn't really being critical at all right? My point was just how blatant this is on epics side considering they know the outcome if they cut apple out lol
It's Epic, about what I expect from them. They exploit children for their parents' wallets, exploit legitimate arguments against crunch and developer rights to push their garbage store, it's just what they do. It's why I will never support any game they work on no matter how good it may be.
Why are people saying they're doing this for the greater good? Weaponizing kids doesn't help if they expect to win the actual lawsuit. You create a PR storm if you want Apple to settle out or give special allowances to you only. You fight a big long legal battle if you want to change the status quo forever. It doesn't seem like that's their aim here.
Maybe by allowing Epic to circumvent the cut it'll trickle down, but I don't see how Epic cares at all about anyone else here. By buying into that you're supporting their propaganda.
Maybe by allowing Epic to circumvent the cut it'll trickle down, but I don't see how Epic cares at all about anyone else here. By buying into that you're supporting their propaganda.
Many of the App Store's policies level the playing field in ways that help smaller devs compete. It's complicated.
Well people clearly have different values.
On topic Epic and Geoff crossed the line here. Imhine using #freefortnite without any fucking shame. Tone deaf and repulsive.
It's a billion dollar corp vs. another billion dollar corp.
I don't root for either. Let them burn each other out for all I care.
In the end, corporations are in 99% of the cases bastards who deserve to burn to the ground.
I don't root for either. Let them burn each other out for all I care.
In the end, corporations are in 99% of the cases bastards who deserve to burn to the ground.
Considering you'd have to be born in the 70s to even remember seeing that commercial broadcasted, no I don't think many are aware. I was a toddler when it came out and I barely remember it lol.
Approaching a complex situation this reductively isn't helpful. I am an indie dev and the things Epic are fighting for don't seem like a universal good for me at all.
Down at the sort of numbers that I and the vast majority of small devs operate at, the difference between a middleman taking a 30% cut and a 12% or even 5% cut are not nearly as significant as they are for larger players. What matters more to me are the things that level the playing field and allow me to compete at all against massive companies. Epic wants to remake the market so they can better leverage their advantages. That's fine and it's their right, but they aren't doing it to help me. They are doing it either to beat me or insert themselves as a new middleman that I have to deal with.
This isn't a defense of Apple or Google. There are plenty of ways that I think they are abusing their power, but it is far, far more complicated than "Yeah fuck indie devs amirite?"
if orwell had known that a company that made computers which are intentionally impossible to open up and repair or customize had used his novel's ideas and references in order to advertise themselves as revolutionaries rising up against....another computer company, he would probably have started sobbing, which would have been very funny
It's been disappointing to say the least, but I suppose this industry has always been rotten from the top down (both major devs/pubs and journalists).
Are you referring to someone else other than me? Because I wouldn't describe my couple of tweets as "jumping to support epic."
Both companies can burn in hell, for all I care.
Seems like they just have a bone to pick with apple and don't realize how this argument would apply exactly to Nintendo as well
The fact that they had a video ready means they have been planning this for a bit too at least a month or so. Its a pretty well thought out plan except the fact that Apple didnt cave immediately.
your tweet and Jon's certainly look like you are supporting Epic
Protestors and journalists being detained and thrown into non-descipt vehicle sure is small potatoes compared to Epic's brave fight against the fascist rule of mean ol' Apple. /s
You seemed very vitriolic in this tweet towards Apple specifically, no?
Seems weird to single out Apple on this when every console manufacturer is in the exact same boat
I haven't seen Jon's, so can't say much it. In my case, I only cared about app store policy reform at the time I made those tweets. Epic can kick rocks for all I care
Are governments going to step in and regulate how games market and sell things to kids?
With how big this dispute could get, might draw attention to how certain games are so damn exploitative towards kids.
With how big this dispute could get, might draw attention to how certain games are so damn exploitative towards kids.
Cool, whataboutism. Why would I specifically comment on another storefront when they weren't a part of this story?
And yes, I was vitriolic toward Apple because Apple sucks (as do most publicly owned companies, ftr). As the dominant force of the industry; a change from them would have ramifications that ripple outward and effect change everywhere, which is something I wholeheartedly endorse.
Andre you dont have to justify random tweets on a situation like this dont fall for people's whataboutisms to get you into a "gotcha" moment.
How are they the dominant force of the industry when they aren't a majority in literally any category they are in in regards to this? They are a large force, sure, but dominant?
I don't think it's a whataboutism to state that these policies aren't "apple's" but they are the industry's standard accepted by literally every platform/manufacturer. Acting like Apple is somehow unique in this and are leading the charge is just disingenuous.
Edit: actually never mind there's no reason to argue over this. I apologize and back down. Just a long tiring day. I was wrong to involve you.
PC Gamer feels the same way.
Epic is right to fight Apple, but drafting Fortnite fans into a corporate war is tacky
Epic is right to fight Apple, but drafting Fortnite fans into a corporate war is tacky
It was just to me your tweet was a lot of negative stuff at Apple but fort nite was leading the charge and nothing about how badly epic are handling it.
Just because something is "accepted industry standard" doesn't mean it isn't bullshit. Crunch was/is accepted industry standard too; should we not focus on the specific cases as they occur? I never said Apple is unique, so I have no idea why you insist I did
My tweets were from before Fortnite's dumb in-game campaign or whatever aired. I don't endorse corporations weaponizing kids
Edit in response to Spam's edit:
Apology accepted. Cheers :)
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