black ops: a moral decision

[Communist partisan]

It might've escaped your notice (if you live under a rock) that bobby kotick has done a few things that made me not want to buy any of his games, because i don't want to encourage him in that behaviour (you know, don't feed the troll).
The problem is, i liked pretty much every call of duty game i played and with black ops around the corner, I find myself facing a tough decision. do I buy the game and have a great time with it (cause from what i've seen, it's looking pretty damn good) or do I cling to my morals and not give my money to dr. evil, missing out on a potentially great game.
Does it really matter if I don't buy it? we all know it's going to sell like crazy...
Do i want kotick to be the cause of me missing out on a good game?
If I buy it (or don't buy it) not only do i (not) support kotick, but also treyarch, who have done nothing to aggravate me.
I really do want the game, but i don't want to support kotick and what other way do i have to get to him, if isn't not giving him my money?


So I ask you, escapist, not what should I do (I can make my own mind up, thanks) but what would/will you do?
Not just concerning black ops, but concerning any game you like/are looking forward to, published or developed by people you dislike.

Buy it from somebody that finnished it and that didin't like it that much, you'll get the game cheaper and you won't shove some more money into the mouth of Dr. Evil

 

[josemlopes]

How about buying it used? That way they don't get any money...

Yep. I'm very selective now. No more EA or Codemasters, and this one is being added after I learn everything I need to know about Bobby. Any detailed storyline anywhere?

Why Codemasters, expecially since you have an F1 avatar? All they do is good racing games (and bad FPS, but they are without a doubt good at racing games)

 

[L4hlborg]

I've been thinking about the same thing, and waiting a few days to hear some reviews and buying the first used copy from gamestop if it's good seems like a plan to me.

 

[freedomweasel]

Not just concerning black ops, but concerning any game you like/are looking forward to, published or developed by people you dislike.

Like some others have said, it wont matter to Activision one way or another, they're gonna sell a billion games anyway. If you choose to not buy it on principle, then great, but you'll miss out on a game you apparently want to play. Personally, I'd get it if you want, and then choose not buy the insanely high priced map packs that will most likely come later.

 

[lacktheknack]

Buy it used.

Win win, right?

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Buy it. Everyone not buying it is going to hurt everyone lower down than the guy right at the top anyway.

 

[omega 616]

I am reminded of the 'one vote doesn't matter' thing... if everyone says that, he's not going to be hurt at all, is he?

It's a bit different though, there is no doubt this game is going to sell over 10 million and at £50 atleast he will be making money faster than he can count it. He won't miss your £50, you will miss the game though.

If you get 5 million people not to buy, he might not even notice that.

 

[Torque669]

One person not buying a game will not hurt Bobby Kotick. If you want the game, just buy it. All that matters is that you want it.

This. After what happened with Infinity Ward and Activision, I told myself I would never buy another COD game but all the trailers have convinced me otherwise. Ive decided to buy this game to show my love for treyarch and to have some good fun.

 

[omega 616]

I am reminded of the 'one vote doesn't matter' thing... if everyone says that, he's not going to be hurt at all, is he?

It's a bit different though, there is no doubt this game is going to sell over 10 million and at £50 atleast he will be making money faster than he can count it. He won't miss your £50, you will miss the game though.

If you get 5 million people not to buy, he might not even notice that.

I'd like you to meet Miss DaPoint.

Okay Sargent sarcasm! I would like you to meet stay on topic .... wait.

I never missed the point by the way.

 

[icame]

Its your choice. I usually enjoy the cod games for a little over a month before i get bored, so maybe I'll rent it, have a good time and return it. Or maybe 'll buy it after if i like it enough. For me what it comes down to is, if i like what i see, i'll buy the game, whether gaming industry's internal cancer (activion) made it or not

 

[AfterAscon]

To be honest? You buying that game or not has nothing to do with Kotick. He will get paid anyway. It's not him making those games, he is just a CEO of a company that publishes them. Even if the game sells poorly the first people to get hurt by it is the studio that actually developed it and not him.

You enjoy the game you buy it. Why does it matter what name stands far far behind it?

you make a fair point, it won't directly affect his salary, but surely the activision board will fire him when they realize he's costing them money...

How exactly is he costing them money? Shamus Young's recent article claimed that they could be making much more money, but there is no proof that Activision would be doing any better without him. It's just some sort of twisted idea which appeared out of nowhere. However, I was reading the Activision-Blizzard last annual report earlier (as you do) and it has the statistic that since 1999, Activision's compound annual growth rate of stock prices has been 24%, this means that an invested of $100 in 1999 would be worth $870 at the end of 2009. Kotick has been the CEO since 1991.

Kotick has voiced a lot of ideas which the gaming community have almost universally rejected. However, by voicing these ideas it is a clever way to gauge the reaction of the public before it is actually released with a game. This allows them to find more agreeable solutions, but also to avoid damaging the reputation of a game which would become associated with such bad ideas.

In summary, I have absolutely no problem with buying Black-Ops. All this furore towards Kotick and activision is pointless, most of it was seemingly born from out-of-context quotes and one sided arguments.

 

[Funkiest Monkey]

I hate Bobby Kotick, he's a dick. But hey, Black Ops looks awesome, and I want that game.

 

[Tharwen]

Personally, I decided not to buy it when I saw the first multiplayer gameplay video and realised I'd already played several almost exact copies of the same game.

 

[josemlopes]

How about buying it used? That way they don't get any money...

Yep. I'm very selective now. No more EA or Codemasters, and this one is being added after I learn everything I need to know about Bobby. Any detailed storyline anywhere?

Why Codemasters, expecially since you have an F1 avatar? All they do is good racing games (and bad FPS, but they are without a doubt good at racing games)

They didn't finish F1 2010 before releasing it and asking me 70$ for it. I know it's business to release as quick as possible and fix the game going by complaints, but I don't take that crap. Never had that happen to me before, I feel cheated.

It's too bad the avatar is so small you can't see the editing: "F1 2010 BETA, may contain traces of bugs".

Hmmm, that sucks, they are usually preety good with their racing games (Colin McRae series, Dirt series and Grid)

 

[Iwata]

If you don't buy it, someone else will, and you still won't have enjoyed yourself.

I hate Kotick as much as the next guy, but unless you're part of a thousand-strong protest, your voice is unheard.

 

[ItsAChiaotzu]

Remember the MW2 boycott?

How much did that really affect Kotick?

Not a lot right?
Buy it, I know I'm gonna.