NBI Talkback: GamerGate and Unfinished Games

For completionists sake I'm answering the first two NBI Talkback questions today, because I like to think that I can be both early and late at the same time. :P


NBI Talkback #1: How did #GamerGate affect you?

While it changed Izzy for the better, let Mr Luvvaluvva find more gamers, made WolfDragon feel ashamed, scared Rambling Redshirt and Starshadow and made Belghast and Liore paranoid, I'm afraid I'm in the "it had no effect whatsoever" camp along with Randar, Isey, Partybusiness, Tyrannodorkus and Jeromai. Sure a lot of people posted stuff about it when it was in full swing, but having my entire feed of people talking about something I didn't quite understand? Basically I just ignored all of it as like Tobold says, it's just "feeding trolls".

Since it's actually an NBI topic this year I thought I'd actually try work out what its about though, and guess what?

I still have no clue because it's become so many things. Too many. Whatever identity it was supposed to have is now lost on me and I am pretty much back to not caring as, from my perspective, it just looks like internet arguing.


NBI Talkback #2: Early Access and Kickstarter - Do you support unfinished games?

While I don't pay for any computer games for myself (it's a self imposed rule) as I get plenty gifted to me and know that there are enough F2P titles out there to keep me entertained, I will never purchase an Early Access / Alpha / Beta / Kickstarter as a gift for any of my friends unless they have it on their wishlist.

I feel that ultimately it all comes down to a matter of personal preference and have no issues with Dev's selling said "products" or "ideas of products" if people are willing to pay for them.

The closest example I can think of is something like this: You can sell a car without wheels. Some people will pay you for that, as there are still many parts that are usable. However, just because of that I don't want to assume that all my friends want a car without wheels - no matter how shiny the paint job is or how new the model.

NBI: Why don't we finish games anymore?

Because we over purchase.

This is one the other main talkback topic for this year's NBI and while I've already posted my personal top 10 reasons why I stop playing games I think the simpler reason of why most people have a back log is simply that line above. People who purchase games on a regular basis are more likely to leave the same said games unfinished as new shineys come in, and there is no shortage them in addition to betas, alphas, early access and kickstarting stuff to try.

It's really a lot like food. If you (the consumer) kept getting plates of various food at a rate of one dish an hour, eventually you will reach a point where you will not be finishing (and in some cases even tasting) what is served - no matter how delicious it is. If you are serious about finishing a bunch of games in your backlog then my advice would be to simply stop buying new ones until you're done. Go on a Game "Diet" if you will. It's harder than it sounds as Mr. Luvva Luvva has found out.

Personally, I don't buy any games for myself any more - nor do I play any non F2P titles and it's very hard for those to open my wallet (guess it helps that I'm poor?). The rest is just a matter of will. Ask yourself why exactly you are purchasing what you buy, and when you will get to use it? Getting a "deal" for 80% off sounds great, but if you never use the product you are still -20% out of pocket for no reason.