Poll: Battlefield 3 pre-order DLC BOYCOTT coordination

[godofallu]

I dislike first day DLC, and the idea of unbalanced/unfair advantages being buy-able pisses me off to no end.

Fuck EA, they are so stupid they deserve to lose more money. You would think it would be almost impossible to lose money with their business, but the choices they make in the industry are consistently wrong.

 

[Nickompoop]

it should be a MW3 boycott,not BF3

Why?

Also, the reason the boycott is happening, a reason that is either a) not fully explained or b) not fully understood by the original poster is that you only get this pre-order DLC if you buy the game from two UK stores, GAME and Gamestation. It is not offered to everyone pre-ordering; it is only offered to those who pre-order at these two stores. Everyone else gets shafted.

This is a dick move on EA's part, however, it is one that is not easily fixed. The only way to directly protest this is for people in the UK to not pre-order the game at those two stores. Boycotting the game entirely means that, yes, EA is not getting any money, however DICE is also getting screwed, and that's bad. This stunt is just another in a long list of why EA really, truly sucks at marketing and long-term planning of the games they publish (see: Dead Space 2 ad campaign).

Is the boycott a good idea? Absolutely, but only boycott the pre-orders. Especially if you live in the UK.

Is the original thread, and the subsequent poll a good idea? No. It misleads people to think that the original poster wants to boycott the game for having pre-order DLC, when in fact it's because it's store-specific DLC.

At least, I sincerely hope so, because if he/she is in fact protesting all pre-order DLC, then they are an idiot. I'd like to give him/her the benefit of the doubt. Original post:

From Reddit.com:
As most of you know, EA recently announced an exclusive DLC for preordering BF3. If you don't purchase the pre-order or limited edition version of BF3, you will have to pay extra for the Karkand expansion pack. The only thing not included in the Karkand Expansion pack is the Guns and ammunition, which will create an unfair advantage people who pre-order. As well, charging people extra to play maps available on day one. This was a decision made by EA, and not DICE. DICE and all of us need your help to get EA to wake up and change their decision. The Hive Mind of Reddit has a GREAT influence over the internet, and a lot of the media as well. Whether the rest of the world knows or not. Please remember to be POLITE in these emails. A bunch of spamming telling them what dumb asses they are probably wont help much.
This thread points out that a boycott called by sarcastic gamer against BFBC1, that eventually caused EA to change their mind.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

Why don't you just get the fucking limited edition and STOP CRYING ABOUT IT!

 

[Zenkei]

Why don't you just get the fucking limited edition and STOP CRYING ABOUT IT!

It's the principle of the thing that they are boycotting. Those who wait for the reviews to make sure will be screwed since they will have to buy DLC to get what others have, therefore segregating the community.

 

[mooncalf]

BF3 makes or breaks my interest in the BF franchise, but I for one am preordering no matter what.
Consider that in BC2 your preorder got you early access to a AKS-74U, fun gun but imbalanced? No way! In BF3 IIRC you get for one a T88 Machine Gun, anyone complaining about T88 whores in BC2? Not even.
Best not to count chickens before they're hatched.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

Why don't you just get the fucking limited edition and STOP CRYING ABOUT IT!

It's the principle of the thing that they are boycotting. Those who wait for the reviews to make sure will be screwed since they will have to buy DLC to get what others have, therefore segregating the community.

I understand that, but I'm not that type of game buyer I guess. I know what games I want and I preorder and buy them launch day. I can already tell the stuff in that pack does not fit my playstyle whatsoever. I use assault rifles and SMGs, not snipers and shotguns. So I'm pretty neutral about getting it or not.

 

[YouEatLard]

It's pretty easy. I'm not buying a game that has DLC avail on launch day. Atleast not until it's down to 25% initial cost. It should've been included in the game in the first place. $60 for an intentionally incomplete product?

I don't buy used and I don't sell... so even if I'm not buying the used product, they still want to screw me?

Welcome to the super car store! All our cars come without doors, climate control of any kind, and no wind shields. Don't look so angry! These cars still cost as much as normal ones, but we held alittle back. They'll still get you from point a to point b, but maybe the experience wont be as good. Btw, these extra pieces can't be sold. If you ever sell it, expect to write these pieces off completely. These means that if you want this $40,000 car on launch day you'll have to pay $50,000 to get everything. If you did ever want to sell it the next day, expect to get $10,000. (Btw, if you wait a year you can get it all for less then the inital cost)

 

[icaritos]

Do you have any idea what these new weapons do or is everyone just assuming they'll give an advantage?

This being the internet I'm tempted to go with the latter.

This. How does anyone know these guns give an advantage? Have you played the game yet? If so let me know, I'd love to play it ahead of time with all the balancing done and polished.

I'm all for trying to tell a company something, but jumping to conclusions only makes you look REALLY juvenile.

To give an example: I played BFBC2 and didn't even notice people had extra preorder content. Why? Because any problems relating to it were fixed almost immediately.

Seriously everyone. Chill out and make sure your argument is correct before organizing something as drastic as a boycott.

I hate this attitude. Wait until you are fucked to complain!

BFBC2 pre-order content only provided aesthetic changes, which is what everyone on the original post were suggesting as a viable alternative.

Anyways here is why this is a crap move. There are 3 potential options:

1. The items are superior.
2. The items are balanced.
3. The items are inferior.

Now if they go for number 1, you can clearly see why people would be pissed. But the others aren't good alternatives either. If they make the weapons inferior, then they become pointless and those who bought the pre-order will feel cheated, as their items are completely worthless. So you might say, just balance the weapons?

The answer is no. If the weapons are balanced what we then have is just a matter of personal preference. This means that those who didn't buy the pre-order and might have done well with said weapons, are now incapable of ever acquiring then. A competitive online multiplayer exists on the basis that everyone is on the exact same playing field. No unfair advantages of any kind.

So yea this is a retarded move by EA that risks the game integrity for a quick cash grab. Frankly the escapist community pro corporation nature sometimes gets out of hand.

 

[Pearwood]

Now if they go for number 1, you can clearly see why people would be pissed. But the others aren't good alternatives either. If they make the weapons inferior, then they become pointless and those who bought the pre-order will feel cheated, as their items are completely worthless. So you might say, just balance the weapons?

My assumption was they'd just be reskins of other guns, not really unique just looking a little different. I could be wrong but until we hear more about it there doesn't seem much point jumping to conclusions.

 

[ZeZZZZevy]

snip

how can you feel cheated by something you were given for free? Preordering doesn't cost you any more money, so I'm baffled that anyone would feel cheated over that. Also, do you honestly believe other legitimate options won't exist in game? Sure people who don't get the content don't have the option, but I'm sure there will be other options available.

I've already mentioned that I personally don't care about the principles behind preorder content, not because of pro-corporation sentiments, but because I simply don't care. Do you honestly believe these weapons are better than the weapons you get at the highest level? If they are that would be silly, but otherwise it does not matter. If you really want to get into competitive balance then you consider the highest levels of play. A temporary advantage doesn't matter that much, and rather than constantly complaining about it, why not consider it a challenge?

As I've said already, I simply don't see any reason to completely freak out. I'm sorry we don't share the same opinion.

 

[icaritos]

Now if they go for number 1, you can clearly see why people would be pissed. But the others aren't good alternatives either. If they make the weapons inferior, then they become pointless and those who bought the pre-order will feel cheated, as their items are completely worthless. So you might say, just balance the weapons?

My assumption was they'd just be reskins of other guns, not really unique just looking a little different. I could be wrong but until we hear more about it there doesn't seem much point jumping to conclusions.

Ah my apologies. Check out this link: http://www.battlefield.com/uk/battlefield3/blog/battlefield-3-limited-edition-physical-warfare-pack-available

The weapons are not re-skins. They are original weapons, as well as a attachment and some special ammo. They will only be available through the pre-order, and there is no other way to acquire them. Hence why everyone is pissed.

 

[Pearwood]

Ah my apologies. Check out this link: http://www.battlefield.com/uk/battlefield3/blog/battlefield-3-limited-edition-physical-warfare-pack-available

Hm it says the pack will make the weapons unlocked from Day 1, implying that they're in the game just the pre-order people will have them from the start. I don't know about the ammo and attachment though, it does say "for no extra charge" so one would hope if somebody wanted those items they'd always be able to buy them. I do see how that would annoy people. DICE will probably pay attention to the bad feedback though.

 

[Dectomax]

Do you have any idea what these new weapons do or is everyone just assuming they'll give an advantage?

This being the internet I'm tempted to go with the latter.

This. How does anyone know these guns give an advantage? Have you played the game yet? If so let me know, I'd love to play it ahead of time with all the balancing done and polished.

Choice where other people do not have a choice = advantage.

No. No it does not. They have a gun, you have a gun. In a realistic shooter, the more accurate player will win the firefight. Everything else doesn't matter. Stop moaning and suck it up. You want the cool stuff, pre-order it. You want to complain? Complain all you want. But when you play the game, you'll see that in the large scale battles, it really won't affect gameplay much at all because, like in BFBC2 - You can have a more powerful gun and armour, yet still be killed by someone who is accurate.

Stop complaining.

 

[Isgandar]

If you actually care about something like this, I feel sorry for you.

 

[Irriduccibilli]

People whining about pre-order DLC is getting old now. I smell a Left 4 Dead 2 boycott here. Everyone says they wont be getting the game and end up getting it anyway. Seriously, it won't give players an unfair advantage, you are probably going to unlock the weapons anyway. Remember Battlefield BC2? The weapons you unlocked early where the Thompson, a weapon you unlocked early in the game.
If you want to stop this, it wont help boycotting the game (half of you will get it anyway), but stopping pirating and renting games will.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Not to sidetrack, but is dark red with bright blue hair even a legal color for an avatar? If not, I would be FAR more worried about that sort of thing.

EDIT: It's not.

How funny would it be if we reported him.

Hilarious. And I'm kind of an asshole. The only reason I haven't already is because I sold my xbox a month or so ago and no longer have access to my account.

The lulz demand it.

Well he could just have a picture of a hacked avatar...
One should not jump to conclusions.

We didn't. That account is linked through his escapist profile. It's not just the avatar.

 

[Hiphophippo]

I'm sorry we don't share the same opinion.

Actually, I think we might. You've obviously quoted the wrong person.

 

[Baneat]

Do you have any idea what these new weapons do or is everyone just assuming they'll give an advantage?

This being the internet I'm tempted to go with the latter.

This. How does anyone know these guns give an advantage? Have you played the game yet? If so let me know, I'd love to play it ahead of time with all the balancing done and polished.

Choice where other people do not have a choice = advantage.

No. No it does not. They have a gun, you have a gun. In a realistic shooter, the more accurate player will win the firefight. Everything else doesn't matter. Stop moaning and suck it up. You want the cool stuff, pre-order it. You want to complain? Complain all you want. But when you play the game, you'll see that in the large scale battles, it really won't affect gameplay much at all because, like in BFBC2 - You can have a more powerful gun and armour, yet still be killed by someone who is accurate.

Stop complaining.

No thank you. If I'm 1% more accurate than you I'm better than you but you have a 2% better gun you will win more often despite me being a better shot.

Additional external factors which affect balance. Pass on game.

 

[babinro]

I fail to see why the pre-order benefits with this game are any different than your typical pre-order benefits for most games. Fans will pre-order the game anyways...so there's almost no loss to them. People on the fence are being given a good incentive to buy new over used. Seems like good business to me. Certainly nothing remotely worth a boycott over.

 

[RYjet911]

Bad Company 2 gave all its DLC for free?

So why did I spend £10 on Vietnam?