Wait, Mangastream is going down? I am not amused.

I see we haven't decided on the outcome of the bet then. Pity.

@ Badwolf, no, but I saw them on EQD. I can't believe they put Vinyl Scratch in there!

Zynga shamelessly absorbs and copy other games, and are marketing company more than a game company. Luckily, the Hasbro-Zynga deal seems to be one way, with Hasbro making toys and games based off of Zynga's IP, not the other way around.

We've pretty much decided that Ship Tease wins.

edited 11th Feb '12 6:23:19 PM by PerpetualLurker

Wow.... I sense... BITTERNESS, Lurker.

And I take it you aren't a gamer, Ginger.

I know, right? However, my heart belongs to Nightmare Moon and Colosson Celestia.

edited 11th Feb '12 6:25:18 PM by Badwolfwho

@Lurker Not so. I am a gamer. Not as much nowadays. but I still play a lot of games

x5

Ship Tease wins? In that case I'm requesting Rarijack stuff.

edited 11th Feb '12 6:26:51 PM by Chariot

Zynga.

Zynga.

Zyyyyyyngaaaaaaaaa.

Social games are basically the dark side of game design, and Zynga are the ones who started it all. They aren't designed to be fun. They aren't designed to be clever, or challenging, or to give the player anything back. They're designed to take. Their games draw you in like a policewoman disguised as a prostitute, luring you in with the subtle sway of their hips, the tiniest bit of evidence that they're an expert in what they promise, and then BAM! They slap on the cuffs and bitch, you 'aint going anywhere. They've got you for the long haul, sucking money out of you it by bit. They're designed to be addictive, and not only to get your money, but for you to get other people hooked in. They're incredibly insidious, more devious and better at what they do then even gambling machines - and that's the worst part. They're good. They're astoundingly good! I have an enormous amount of respect for them on a professional level, but morally they sicken me.

Well, when a company has an entire section of their Wikipedia article dedicated to controversies, something is definitely amiss.

edited 11th Feb '12 6:29:05 PM by PerpetualLurker

& I don't get it.

Seriously, I don't. you guys are actually making me feel REALLY weird... then again, I AM coming down with a cold

edited 11th Feb '12 6:29:36 PM by gingerninja666

Just read that article, Ginger. Then you'll understand.

@Ginger: Basically, hardcore gamers hate and fear casual game companies. It is rather illogical, I think. /is a hardcore gamer.

How can you not get it? Kegi's explanation was insanely convincing. You're a great writer, btw, Kegi.

The reason they're so good at getting people addicted is because they collect so many statistics. Every time they make a change, they can see whether it is working in real time.

Yeah, but why is that a bad thing? That's what casual gamers like. They're simply providing the service their audience desires.

The only interaction I have with Zynga nowadays is when my friends hit me up for requests on my wall. I just quickly do the thing, then exit out. I just... got bored with them.

And it really doesn't help matters that Zynga basically goads you into playing other games once you've started one by way of their goddamn cross-promotions. Happens with EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

... God, this brings back unpleasant memories. I REALLY need a pick-me-up now.

Help? ;____;

Ginger, this is what you have to understand when I talk about Zynga: I am a game designer. This is not an arbitrary title I have assigned myself. It is literally my job - my entire life. I am going to school for it. I do not intend to retire until I die.

I love games, and game design. Of all forms of media, games have the most potential to reach people, and really affect them on a deep level. Games can teach people, show them things they never imagined. Games have extraordinary potential to affect people for the better.

And then there's Zynga. The people behind Zynga take the core principles of game design - the principles that I want to use to help people and make them better - and twist them on their head. The basic talent behind game design is the ability to predict, and manipulate your player. You could use it to create an emotional attachment that a player wouldn't otherwise experience, thus broadening their horizons. you could use it to teach a player a new skill. Zynga uses it to make people give them more money. They're some of the best designers otu there - their games are impeccably designed. these people could do so much, but they're using it to get rich.

Zynga is a corruption of the art that I love. I cannot stand what they do. They literally offend and sicken me.

It's not the fact that they're casual game makers. It's the fact that they are essentially reenacting the plot of Moneyball, except with the manipulation and of millions of people, and pretty blatant theft of ideas from other social game developers. Every move they make is based off of hard statistics, not any want to or desire to make a good game.

Yeah, I don't get it. I don't shit like that addicting. I find it boring. I... I don't understand

Oh god I feel sick.

Aid has arrived in the form of cute ponies.◊

edited 11th Feb '12 6:35:19 PM by Badwolfwho

... Kegisak, are you sure you're not an alternate-universe me?

x5

• salutes*

edited 11th Feb '12 6:36:27 PM by ApplelightLimited

Fuck this, I'm outta here.

I don't know what it is but this thread is suddenly making me feel sick

Ginger, did you read that article and see the things they've done? It's less about the games they make and more about the way they do business, which is dirty. Very, very dirty