I remember once a long time ago, I wrote an article that called one of gaming's most beloved characters a bit of a jerk. I was a little surprised a few hours later to see the article on Digg with commenters threatening such classy actions as ripping off my head and sh*tting down my neck. Really, guys ... over an opinion of a character that doesn't exist in real life? Really?
Of course, I've learned how to interpret the well-spoken denizens of the internet since then, and apparently so has 2K's Ken Levine. In a recent interview with PC Zone, Levine revealed that he received threats from fans in regards to the PC version's copy protection, which limited a user to 2 installs and requited an internet connection.
From the interview:
"When we had the copy protection issues come out, I was out there talking about the product, I didn't run away from that. And frankly I got some nasty f*cking threats," Levine told PC Zone. "I think it's important that somebody takes responsibility, and at the end of the day my job as creative director is to sort of be the arbiter of taste. With great power comes great responsibility right?"
I can't help but laugh over people's behavior some days, but its nice to know Levine stepped up to the plate and took responsibility for the issue. Levine also commented on the negative reaction to BioShock's ending:
"When I talk about the narrative problems in the third act, I don't say it's Bill's fault. I'd be wrong to take credit for the good stuff and not for the bad," said Levine. "Sometimes my taste needs readjustment too, and Bill or Chris will come to me and say 'Dude, seriously, this section of the game is messed'. So I have to listen to these guys. Outside the work they're doing, their taste comes into it heavily. But at the end of the day, if you like it or hate it, the decision for it to be in the game was mine."
Well, there you go. The full interview will be available on newsstands starting tomorrow, so scope it out if you want to hear more (there are also interviews with lead programmer Chris Kline and lead designer Bill Gardner).
DRM is a good thing for PC gamers. It allows cheap and/or morally questionable PC gamers to justify their skipping of great titles or pirating of them. I'm not saying I've never swashbuckled a movie, song, or anything else, but I never felt the need to justify it with some ridiculous righteous indignation over a protection system that is based solely off the fact that people just like me are downloading shit for free. Think about how ridiculous that is.
The only DRM I ever had a problem with was the XBLA games that don't work offline after you brick your 360.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
2:38 PM on 09.10.2008 | 
And no, that's not hatersim. That's good oldfasioned indifference.
Also, <3 mr Levine.
The only DRM I ever had a problem with was the XBLA games that don't work offline after you brick your 360.
Internet trolls who utter death threats = Stupid fecking wankers who need their mothers to pay more attention to their net habits.
Luc could learn from that.