Games Industry Insiders Hate Gamers
by K0NY on Mar.17, 2007, under Gaming, Internet Oddities, Lifestyle
There’s a message board which few seem to know about called http://www.quartertothree.com where game designers, game players, game journalists and other media people have a little community. On the forums at this site, “industry insiders” discuss everything from games, movies and politics, to personal problems and social issues. Often, the posters will even use their real names. The ugliness that exists on these message boards runs deep and I intend to expose it here. Read on for specifics.
It’s no secret that people who work in any sort of service industry often dislike those they serve for one reason or another. However, it came as a surprise to me that the people who make video games and report on them have such a tremendous disdain for gamers and the general public. Many of these people who gamers consider to have “dream jobs” are actually arrogant, jaded, any cynical pricks. They refer to people who buy their games or consume their game reviews as “mouthbreathers” or the “unwashed masses.” I questioned them about how they see their fans, and quickly get the idea of the industry’s attitude toward gamers.
Often, you’ll read in their blogs about how put-upon devs feel when attending trade shows or how making a game on a new system is “too hard” for them. They have bitter fanboy opinions like any 12 year old you’d find on boards around the internet, but these are grown men who should know better.
Like Sigourney Weaver in “Gorillas in the Mist,” I lived among them for a while and it wasn’t long before the poo flinging started. The members of Quarter To Three are incredibly hostile to outsiders. New members are regularly “hazed” by belittling their opinions and writing them off as paid viral marketers, idiots or fanboys. Veterans of the site will usually float ridiculous accusations right from the start in the hopes of either completely discrediting or baiting people into an argument. What’s known as internet “trolling” is a pastime among these gaming professionals; One that is endorsed by the administrator, Tom Chick.
In order to get posting privileges on his board Quarter To Three, you have to personally write Tom and explain who you are, what you do, and why you want to post. Tom Chick doesn’t try to hide his identity or agenda. He’s a writer, actor and sycophant who uses his website to rub elbows with people in the gaming business. Of course I don’t have any such connections. I’m just a gamer with an interest in discussing video games as well as playing them. So in my case, he allowed a feeding frenzy of attacks against me to continue unabated for months. Several long time members of the site commented on how brutal and relentless the verbal bashings were. Tom’s advice: Ignore it. I was privately warned to not respond or defend myself.
This made for some very entertaining verbal abuse. A character like Gary Whitta, sure could lay it on, too. The man writes comic books yet his claim to fame on this board is posting disgusting links to perverse websites. He was one of a large number who regularly posted all sorts of venom aimed at Sony and their products. Whenever I pointed out inaccurate info, unfair reporting or hypocrisy, attacks would turn in my direction. Gary seemed to greatly enjoy his status on the QT3 board as both a Sony and K0NY basher. Then he purchased a 20gb PS3 and traded up to the 60gb model in December.
I experienced similar hypocrisy from Cory Cooperman, known as “Ephraim†on QT3. He posted some nastiness about me early on, then claimed to have put me on his “ignore list.†Oddly, he kept responding to my posts and even continued to post about me well after I was gone from the board.
Over the course of six months, I tried to fit in. I posted helpful information and links to news or new movie trailers. I contributed objective impressions of the PS3 console when it came out, because I was one of the few on the site who had it. However, my interest in the Playstation 3 had somehow earned me a virtual scarlett letter. Regardless of the topic on which I chimed in, the ridicule and personal attacks never stopped. Tom Chick never stepped in to try and stop them either. I was even warned at one point, because every thread I posted in would get derailed and turn into “K0NY abuse” as if it was my fault and I had some ability to stop it. Members like Jason Cross or Dave Long were free to say what they wanted about me, regardless of how untrue. The childish name calling and caricature drawing was really out of hand from my perspective. Among these people involved in making and writing about video games though, it was perfectly fine.
Once the activity started to die down, Tom Chick himself attacked me like everyone else. The reason? I went out of my way to write up my impressions on a game nobody had reviewed yet (Motorstorm). His behavior opened the virtual floodgates once again. People figured that it’s okay to pile on if the administrator has no problem with it.
What’s most amusing and hypocritical about this situation is that I lashed out at these people, the same way they lashed out at me, and got banned for it. I literally used the same profane words and characterizations that were posted to bait me in my early posts. The admin didn’t stand for it when it came from someone who couldn’t introduce him to any “industry people.”
My ban occured on New Year’s Eve, of all nights. After all these weeks have passed, these pathetic folks are still talking about me. Some are even fantasizing about me masterbating, if you can believe that.
Speaking of believing, I know what I’ve written here is just my side of the story. So I urge the folks who have an interest in this tale of lunacy to go investigate it for themselves. Visit Quarter To Three and sign up, if you’re permitted. Read what the creative folks who make your games think about people like you and me. Contribute some posts and see the reactions you get. I’ve read and contributed to quite a few message boards in my life and this one contains the harshest and most cynical human beings I’ve ever had the misfortune to encounter. In fact, there are a number of forums around the internet which regularly point and laugh at the foolishness of QT3. Caltrops and Octopus Overloards are examples of such sites, and have had a number of run-ins with QT3 as a result of a few shared members.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you know people that support the video game industry as I do, pass this story around. I’m sure many would be interested in knowing about the dark undercurrents in an industry which is supposed to be about fun. Posts like the example below are a clear indication of how much these people hate their customers. If we identify jerks and vote with our dollars, maybe we can help motivate them to find a new line of work.
March 17th, 2007 on 5:33 PM
K0NY has our support
The readers of Caltrops are shocked and dismayed at the depths to which some will sink just to troll people they don’t know.
March 17th, 2007 on 9:28 PM
I enjoyed reading the post, and was not aware of this. I thought they would show some respect towards the gamers just because we buy the games they make.
also Garry Witta name sounds familiar, wasn’t he a chief editor of Pc gamer few years back?
March 19th, 2007 on 12:49 AM
I can’t believe those bastards at QT3! If I wasn’t so busy with the “curious teen” chatrooms every night, I’d write the admin a scathing email to inform him of his wrong-doing.
-Ray
March 19th, 2007 on 4:27 AM
Hey guys, thanks for all the moral support. Though honestly, it’s not that big a deal. I’ve been sitting on this article for a while now. A friend mentioned that they still talk about me at QT3 to this day, so I figured I’d go ahead and post it.
March 19th, 2007 on 10:22 AM
Oh, please, man. You provoked and dwelt within your own personal wank spiral for months on end. I saw you do it time and time again.
The reason nobody stepped in to stop the personal attacks on you is because you provoked them so routinely that it almost seemed deliberate.
March 19th, 2007 on 10:35 AM
[...] Those bastard game industry insiders at the QT3 forums are meanies to fanboys/trolls that behave like douchebags in there. However, there is hope! All hail K0NY for trying to expose them! [...]
March 19th, 2007 on 11:00 AM
Thanks, K0NY. Would read again.
March 19th, 2007 on 11:18 AM
Ah, K0NY. Still the drama queen. Remember, kids, K0NY was banned because Tom Chick is evil! K0NY’s behavior played no part in it!
March 19th, 2007 on 11:21 AM
K0NY, you poor put upon bastard. It’s so hard to be you.
This is horribly silly shit. I can’t defend QT3ers, because they are insane, just like you and I and everyone else that posts on the internet.
But only a few of us post cries of “woe is me” on our blogs about “unfair” treatment.
I hope you don’t cry yourself to sleep at night….
March 19th, 2007 on 11:29 AM
Not that big a deall?! Don’t you fucking let this go. This is the Iraq war to your Cindy Sheehan. This is the brain stem research ban to your Christopher Reeves’ spine. This is the seat on the back of the bus to your Rosa Parks. If you let this go, you’re turning your back on justice, and more importantly, fame.
March 19th, 2007 on 11:51 AM
I’m a member of Qt3(relatively new, just joined a while ago), and I have nothing to do with games. I’m a molcular biologist/programmer/analyst. I’ve never been flamed for stating my opinion. Of course, I’ve tried not to be a raving idiot – that helps.
March 19th, 2007 on 12:16 PM
You got banned from some chatboard and then write a whiny rant about it like it’s some sort of exposé on the sordid underbelly of the games industry? I’m sorry that you didn’t fit in there, but I really don’t care if Sid Meier himself calls gamers mouthbreathers.
Every occupation bad-mouths the dumber and more annoying of their customers. Ever heard of PEBKAC? You probably don’t want to know the sorts of things paramedics say about their patients.
I’m sorry that you got bullied by a bunch of nerds. That’s gotta suck for your self-esteem.
March 19th, 2007 on 12:23 PM
Two things, KONY…
1) I’m a Qt3 noob (post count
March 19th, 2007 on 12:46 PM
Before forming opinions about Qt3 based on this blog post, I suggest people go there and read around a bit, and form their own opinions. Don’t just read the individual messages linked in this article, read the threads.
A good place to start is K0NY’s posting history: http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk/search.php?searchid=372926
March 19th, 2007 on 1:16 PM
[...] So I haven’t been updating as much… I know that. I know that you, my one loyal reader, probably don’t care, but I feel the pull of the site when I don’t post something in a couple few days. Problem is, nothing has really made me cranky in the past couple of weeks. Sure, there is drama on the internet still and lawsuits, but nothing is really hitting my “that sucks!” button. I’m too busy playing SupCom, Company and WoW (I know) to rant/worry that the PC game industry is dying (it is, slowly), or that games are/aren’t art (they are). [...]
March 19th, 2007 on 2:31 PM
Dear K0NY,
i too have been victim of the QT3 hate. I have been kicked from #qt3 multiple times, even after i said i was going to ask for your help.
Please, K0NY, save me. You’re my only hope.
March 19th, 2007 on 3:03 PM
The internet is hard.
March 19th, 2007 on 4:27 PM
As a developer and poster on QT3, I’ve spent my share of time both supporting and not supporting K0NY, depending on how his beliefs mesh with mine. That’s pretty much how it is. There are those who enjoy the dogpile, but you have to understand where these people are coming from. Merely search through his post history there (it hasn’t been deleted, unlike most of the comments fellow QT3′ers have been trying to post here) and it really tells its own story.
I will tell you this: I don’t hate gamers. I work 80+ hours a week at a fairly low salary to make these games so that people will enjoy them. I could easily move on to other sectors of the software industry, get 40 hour weeks with higher pay and less pressure, but I don’t. Because I like games. I am a gamer. All of my friends are gamers. I don’t hate them, and they don’t hate me. I love talking to fellow gamers at conventions about what’s new and what’s good, what they’ve played recently, talk about the games I’m working on, etc.
So please, K0NY, do not lump the entire development industry into your rage against the QT3 machine. It’s not fair, and you know it.
March 19th, 2007 on 4:32 PM
You’ve never actually paid attention to anything in the Octopus Overlords forums, have you?
March 19th, 2007 on 4:36 PM
Reality check:
I encourage anyone to visit Qt3 and just do a search for K0NY’s posts. Decide for yourselves whether he was merely an innocent who was wronged by a gang of internet toughs as he implies or was actually booted for being a belligerent, foul-mouthed poster whose contributions included asking for advice on how to have a threesome.
March 19th, 2007 on 5:35 PM
As one of the oldest and most active members on Quarter To Three, I would be interested in you finding a single comment from me over the course of the past 5 years that even remotely implies I have some problem with gamers.
I make PC games for a living because I enjoy making games and I enjoy interacting with gamers on a day to day basis (see http://www.galciv2.com).
Similarly, I have never seen anything that remotely comes across as a snobby atmosphere on Qt3. Sure, you can pick out out of context or isolated comments on a forum — that’s true of any forum.
If someone there made you mad, that’s unfortunate but hardly worthy of justifying a smearing of an entire forum community.
Brad Wardell
Designer of Galactic Civilizations series
Stardock
March 19th, 2007 on 7:09 PM
Brad makes a very good point. Certainly, not everyone at the site falls into my categorization. There was enough interesting discussion to keep me coming back for over six months. QT3 and the game industry aren’t all bad. However, a few bad apples are enough to spoil the bunch. If you needed any more proof, just have a look at some of the comments these people are leaving. I’ve deleted some of the nastier ones because there’s no reason for them to have been posted in the first place.
March 20th, 2007 on 8:58 AM
Just wanted to comment that I completely disagree with your characterization with Quartertothree. I’m a regular visitor, as a gamer, not a developer. The closest I’ve been to the industry was writing a few things for gamespy over 6 years ago, which probably puts you and your blog closer to the game industry than I am. I have my share of disagreements with folks there, of course, but overall I find the signal to noise ratio to be far above that of the vast majority of internet forums, particularly on gaming subjects.
March 20th, 2007 on 2:34 PM
Hey, Kony I am not a registered poster on QT3 because I didnt get approved, but you dont see be bitchin about stupid stuff like this. I feel QT3 is a great place to get peoples opinion and thats the reason I visit once a day. I remember reading your posts before and I have to say if you cant take being banned like a man I would hate to see how you are in real life (not on the internet) You are the type of person that would want someone fired if they made a small mistake in anything that has to do with you. Grow up if you have a kid from what I read I hope he is nothing like you when he/she grows up. Now grow some balls and leave this topic die already.
March 20th, 2007 on 3:54 PM
LOL! I’ll do my best to “take being banned like a man” whatever that means. Perhaps QT3 should just take being trashed by me “like a man” as well and stop whining about my blog entry on these comments and in their own forums?
Just remember, this article was posted almost three months after I was banned. It was well behind me. Had I not been informed that the QT3 folks were still talking about me all this time later, I wouldn’t have bothered to post it.
Aren’t you secretly glad I did though? Just look at all this drama everyone is enjoying so much.
March 20th, 2007 on 7:34 PM
This is all a bunch of reverse-psychology viral marketing for QT3, isn’t it? Next you’ll be telling me you want your Mom to buy you a PSP for Kwanzaa (you racist).
March 20th, 2007 on 10:43 PM
For the most part, I shifted back to lurking over there a long time ago. I still look it over to see what they’re playing and such, and I have seen many of your posts. You weren’t really contributing to the discussion. The posters there (who are by percentage journalists, not game designers) are pretty sensitive about the often-true knock on their profession that their work is just used to shill software. So when they have to go into their little safe harbor of a website and see someone relentlessly pushing one company or platform without any restraint or objectivity for months on end, you’d get a little testy, too.
A long time ago I and others called out Dave Long for his complete blindness to Nintendo’s limitations (the company and the product), eventually he eased up a bit, difficult for him as that was. You showed no such capacity for change.
Any private community, even a free one on the internet, even one with significant flaws, has the right to apply some standards for its membership. You could have made some effort to meet those standards, or you could have found another, probably IGN-supported community where your relentless cheerleading would have been seen as a valuable contribution. Or you could have spent more time lurking Qt3 before posting, which is a good way to discern what is acceptable to a community and what is not.
Ultimately, any person reading your blog can see clearly why Qt3 wouldn’t want you shitting up their forum. However, it looks like you’ve made yourself a comfortable place here, your blog has a snazzy green color, so things are definitely looking up for K0NY on the internet.
Best of luck in your future endeavors.
March 23rd, 2007 on 1:03 PM
As someone who has been on QT3 for some time, and completely out of the game development line, I got bashed every now and then for my views just like anyone else. But I’ve never ever felt that the developers and writers on QT3 looked down on the gamers. There were occasions where you were given a hard time, but you certainly did your part to earn your own banning. As the others have mentioned, readers are free to visit the site to see what you did to get yourself removed.
April 25th, 2007 on 8:50 PM
dude, you are right in one aspect, a lot of developers can’t stand fanboys, but I have no problem with level headed gamers because I am also a gamer. Where we get ticked off is when some sweaty pit fanboy that hasn’t come anywhere close to making a game, tries to critisize a game thats about %60 done.
What I get pissed off at is that these fanboys think that we work day and night just to please them which isn’t true at all. We make games for gamers, not fanboys that complain if a game isn’t 400 hours long.
My favorite faboy story is when i was at a Gamestop and Rock star table tennis had just come out. People were complaining that it wasn’t like the rest of R*’s games……………..yet these are the same CHUD’s that complain about no innovation in gaming today.
That’s it, I’m going to go lift some weights, you got me all worked up.
April 28th, 2007 on 10:02 PM
Amen, Kony. Amen.
You have my support.
October 14th, 2007 on 9:43 PM
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