Next-Gen is running a feature on the ex-ESA president's speech at D.I.C.E. that criticized publishers to stick up for their games, litigate to the bitter end for them, and take more responsibility for the content they create and the ESA is trying to defend. He also added that too many industry people "sit on their hands" while the ESA does all the work.
Ahem. Please allow me to verbally whip out my robotic nut sack.
Do as I say (when I was mad paid), not as I do
There is so much I can say in defense of the room full of people too busy with their day jobs, families, publications, and (drum roll) losing sleep making video games to jump on his little legal crusades on their free time. Yes, we're grateful for Lowenstein's ability to raise money and lobby, but the guy reportedly earned over $600,000 last year. If we all made that kind of money to argue with Hilary about video games, he'd have a hard time finding parking at the court house because our stretch Hummers would be taking up spots.
What is worse is that Che told them not to "cut and run" and fight the good fight on the year he quit the ESA to work for a financial services company. Do as I say, not as I do. Being responsible for the complete collapse of E3 then taking another job that same year is also a relevant reference, but that's why AOL named him the gaming industry's man of the year in 2006. Those guys also own Joystiq, which explains a lot. I kid, I kid. Not really, though.
Whatever. If the industry needs any more proof that this man is nothing but an expert politician and insincere, look no further than his final speech. He was good at what he did and we needed him, but jeez -- stop showing up at our press events already. Go run and cut to your new little cozy NYC firm, you suit. You can have my respect again when you're back in the hot seat where your mouth still thinks it is.
We agree on one thing
Dougy did say one bright thing -- he criticized gaming press for being too cozy with publishers and developers. This is something we agree on, which is why Destructoid is a completely unfiltered gaming news service with a category clearly marked as Industry Bullshit, which I am practicing at this very moment with much glee.
As a whole, we need more people asking why Excite Truck costs $50. We need people calling Sony on their missed promises. Um, I can't say a damn mean thing about Microsoft right now, but give me a day or two. The point is: We need journalists with baseball bats crushing the skulls of marketing people that release pre-rendered previews of games and try to pass them as in-game footage for next-gen hardware. That fight is important and within our means.
Being a pawn for a lobbyist, on the other hand, is neither fun nor profitable. I'm better off with my pacifist view. If video games are indeed the next rock and roll, we already know the solution. It isn't litigation, or becoming hippies and having sex on lawns (although that's ok), or hard drugs. We just have to let old people to die. I'm serious. Our lawmakers will soon be guys and girls that at one point in their lives beat World 8-4. Aside from sending the military to kill people, natural death is the best agent for important long term change. Keep buying old people Wiiimotes and we'll be fine.
Above all, people, is not to take the industry too seriously. Let's not forget these are video games and writing about them and meeting people that create them is a past time we should all enjoy. Please do not turn the video game industry into the self-serving movie industry. Bloggers and salaried men of carpel tunnel, heed my call. Let's speak from the heart, take jabs at the crap, push the suits into the ocean, and have some fun.
Otherwise, we're as bad as they are.
Contest:
4:54 PM on 02.08.2007
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Meaning
A shout of acclamation or agreement.
Origin
Originated in the British parliament in the 18th century as a contraction of 'hear him, hear him'. It is still often heard there although it is often used ironically these days.
@Niero,
Hear hear. Don't loose that independence. Keep calling out the BS.
Also, cocks.
just to make certain, i voulenteer to try all of these options.
In all respects, stick it to the man.
Keep speaking out, I sure as hell am behind you, as I know everyone else on Dtoid is as well.
As far as preaching, the guy took another job but how does that detract from any message he had? In order to prove his worth is he supposed to work pro-bono for the industry until he dies?