Epic Games
It appears that Epic Games seeks to take on the world. The company has chosen to compete with Steam by using exclusivity deals to make their online store seem more appealing. The opposite reaction has occurred. People are angry that Borderlands 3 will be an Epic Games Store exclusive for PC, at least until next year. PC gamers who don't want to buy games from the Epic Games Store will have to wait.
I understand the outcry. PC gamers have grown accustomed to having their entire gaming library available to them on Steam. When it comes to PC gaming, Valve's Steam store is the preference, the norm, the status quo.
When challenging the status quo, we all know that conflict always arises. Epic Games' CEO defends exclusivity deals by calling to attention the 30% commission fee that Steam charges for each game sold. Epic Games is fighting for change, positive change. Or so they would have us believe. Supposedly, if Steam changes 70/30 to 88/12, then the Epic Games Store will close down.
I'm not much of a PC Gamer, but I find this dilemma interesting. I believe that game developers should receive more of the profits for the games that they themselves created. Yet, I understand why people who are so conditioned to buy everything on Steam (and who really want to play Borderlands 3) are upset. In a world where convenience has spoiled much of the Earth's population, anything that causes inconvenience can greatly piss us off. The ultimatum escalates the drama.
Epic Games has acquired Rocket League now too. Uh oh.
Change will always come, one way or another, for better or for worse. If I played most/all my games on PC and bought them primarily through Steam, then I might feel enraged too. 88/12 sounds nice, though.
But that's not all; Epic Games has also provoked the ire of expert and professional Fortnite players. Games like Fortnite not only infect popular culture with silly dances and addiction, but they also help ensure that video game streamers and professional gamers need not find real jobs. Who wants a real job anyways? Making money from playing the same game(s) over and over again, now that's the dream.
However, with the recent changes that Epic Games has made to Fortnite, I believe the experts and pros are having more difficulties with absolutely destroying everyone else. Elitism is everywhere. People should just "get gud." If we can't "pwn noobs," then what's the point? We need video games so we don't need to learn to spell.
Should Epic Games focus on appeasing the vocal minority of top players, or should they stand by the gameplay changes they introduced with the goal of making the game more accessible to the less-skilled (which means everyone else)?
Should Epic Games continue to pursue exclusivity deals even if the majority of the PC gaming population will hate the company for doing so?
People have sounded off. We'll always find reasons to feel angry about something. Fair or unfair.
Ubisoft
Assassin's Creed Unity had a terrible launch back in 2014. Lips and eyes without faces; eternal nightmares. I'm glad I didn't play this game at launch. I didn't play it until a year later, after the game had been fixed, and found it alright and enjoyable enough. Without all the bugs and glitches, the game ran smoothly for me, thankfully. I had fun playing AC Unity, running and jumping around the breathtaking city of Paris, climbing Notre Dame and exploring its inner chambers, and solving the murder of Maximilien Robespierre, all while watching historical documentaries (which provided me the answer for the aforementioned murder) about the French Revolution.
Last month, tragedy hit; fire engulfed Notre Dame. Thankfully, the sheer amount of research and dedication to realism and historical accuracy has allowed AC Unity to have one of the most detailed 3D models of Notre Dame. A video game can possibly help in Notre Dame's reconstruction.
After Ubisoft offered AC Unity for free following this tragic event (the fire, not the game's launch), the game received numerous positive reviews for Ubisoft's magnanimous decision. Try reading the original AC Unity and recent reviews side by side.
Now Ubisoft has made noticeable efforts to learn from its mistakes. I cannot deny that I still feel slightly bitter toward Ubisoft due to past grievances (when do I not have grievances?). I won't detail them now, but having a dreadful E3 host who makes everyone cringe is one issue. Nonetheless, Ubisoft eventually fixed AC Unity, and the mistakes from that game allowed the AC developers to make the subsequent games better. Most of all, the researchers, developers, and graphic designers at Ubisoft helped bring the AC games to life, and their efforts may help restore Notre Dame to its former splendor.
Tragedies come in many forms. Whether it is the destruction of Notre Dame or AC Unity's launch, a tragedy will inevitably evoke sorrow, anger, and regret. But with time, we learn that tragedies can also provide us with opportunities to learn and grow stronger.
Overworked Employees and Sexual Harassment
Why do I keep reading about game developers suffering from 70-100 hour work weeks? Recent releases such as Red Dead Redemption 2, Anthem, and Mortal Kombat 11 have resulted in frequent reports about overworked employees at companies such as Rockstar, Bioware, Epic Games, and NetherRealm Studios. Because game developers are often salaried or contracted employees, they are typically not paid for overtime. For about a year, while working as a full-time teacher at a company (also with no overtime, and plenty of hours of unpaid work), I thought 50-60 hour work weeks were bad enough. I don't understand why companies feel compelled to drive their workhorses into exhaustion and discontent. People won't stay silent forever. Bad reputations and lawsuits may arise.
Why are there still reports about prevalent sexist culture at game companies, often condoned if not instigated by the higher ups? In light of the walkout at Riot Games (makers of League of Legends) and prior reports, it has become clear that sexual harassment and toxic work environments are seemingly commonplace at some big-name companies. Why is this the case?
Riot Games has publicly expressed support for its employees, promising no punishment for the participants in the walkout and an ongoing commitment to "inclusion and diversity." A good sign, a predictable response. It doesn't take a genius to know that the concept of forced arbitration is absolutely stupid and unethical, and it only serves as a means for companies to protect the sexual harassers who may help run (or pretend to run) the company. You don't promote someone after they have been accused of sexually harassing someone, unless the company culture condones and welcomes such depravity. Thankfully, people have begun to speak and stand up for themselves. Journalists are shedding light on the dark realities that have persisted for far too long. This year, Google ended forced arbitration for its employees, and soon Riot Games will follow in suit. We must speak up and speak out against injustice in order for change to occur. If all else fails, let's go for a walk(out).
The lesson stands. When you don't treat people right or make decisions for the right reasons, karma will make sure that devils receive their due.
