At the ending of Blizzcon a Death metal band invited by Blizzard said some pretty...nasty things about Alliance and those that play it. There is a HUGE uproar going on now about what he said and how Blizzard shrugs it off as being "funny". ALOT of people are angry about this.
I still don't get the tie in between Warcraft and death metal. Nothing against metal, but I consider warcraft a thoughtfully crafted, elegant user experience. I am pretty sure metal is not generally considered 'elegant' - but that's me. So I kind of think it's funny as well.
Anyway... One way to market something is to create controversy around it -when that happens you may like it, you may not, but you will not ignore it. That then leads to pushing it more into the limelight (the universal dream, Kev) which leads to more attention/sales. I am not sure if there was any level of planning in his commentary (it seemed there was), but it certainly created controversy.
Just the fact we are discussoing it here shows that... I clicked the link listened to the band, rocked out for a couple of minutes. If I really liked them off to iTunes I would go!
I'd be willing to bet the bands sales are going up significantly after that speech.
George Fisher is...how can I put this...a very outspoken individual. I would just chalk his comments up to the following: 1) He's an angry little man (that's an understatement, listen to their music), and 2) Like Jay said, controversy sells
I think his goal was to get the crowd fired up. Cannibal Corpse is a loud, angry, and energetic band and ETC wanted the group pumped - they just wanted the crowd to be in the right frame of mind for the show.
First of all,Jay I agree with you completely. How metal/rock found it's wa into WoW is beyond me. The game is fantasy...yet when I watch videos on WoW 99% of the time it's metal/rock. I do as well find it funny.
Second,I personally was not offended by what he said...to a point.
As someone whom has played this game for many years and active in Wows forums and several message boards it is very clear Alliance is looked at in a negative light. Seen as pansies. Idiots,pathetic, and children. Not just the faction but those that play it.
I understand this sloppy gentlemen is entiled to his opinions. Was it merely a plublicity stunt? Maybe so. But the video was pre recorded. Blizzard allowed it to be aired. Though what he said afterwards was his own choice Blizzard didn't apologize for what he said. They shurgged it off as a joke. And anyone who takes offense silly. I can understand why so many are upset by it.
From a game point of veiw Alliance since BC has been beated down. From Blood elves taking the lime light in BC. Great Alliance heros turning neutral. Like Tirion,Khadgar,The Kirin tor, Malfurion. Alliance is losing their greatest allies.
Cataclysm was a major blow to Alliance. The lose of zones such as silverpine and Hillsbrad. Th destruction of Southshore,Hillsbrad feilds. Auberdine,Ru'theron,Old Shendrelis stronghold,Quel'lithion lodge,Thalanaar,Ashenvall as a whole with Astrannar and Sential hill in a blaze. Losing Anderhol. The Alliance looks like weak jokes. And Thrall,the former Horde warcheif made the hero and saviour of the world. Orgimmar rebuilt and looks amazing...Stormwind still devestated By deathwings attacks. Goblins get all of Azshara while Worgens home of Gilneas left in ruins.
As someone who loves the lore of the game...Alliance looks pretty messed up.
And now it seems in 5.0 Theramore will be destroyed by the Horde.
Playing wise Blizzard employees opening say they prefer Horde. Chris Metzen,head of the story writing of Blizzard states his heart lies with the Horde.
Blizzcon, Alliance players are booed and made fun of. At the opening of Blizzcon Blizzard yells "For the Horde".
Blizzard has added and allowed to the atmosphere of Alliance hate. And someone who is a die hard Alliance player...this really bothers me. There is no more pride.
They make Alliance sucky and Horde Amazing. Faction tranfers have left servers,....Inculding Hyjal unbalanced from Horde overpopulated. Horde wins PVP zones and BGs 90% of the time.
This is just another example of a company allowing and turning the other way while a massive protion of their player base is disrespected. And THAT bothers me.
So yes,I can understand why so many are angry.
And keep in mind I never forget this is just a game. I'm merely speaking from a broader scale. And we all here take this game to an extent of seriousness as we have invested so much in it.
I agree the the alliance is in shambles - but that was planned. Hence 'cataclysm'.
If you look back though, the horde are more spread out, live in non-populated areas etc. I think the effects of Cataclysm 'show' more on the Alliance side than on the Horde side. Which is going to look more devistated: a beautiful new Alliance glass and Pyrium spiral tower that got blown away or a horde grass/adobe hut that was burned up.
For me at least, I don't identify at all with Horde races - it's not something that interests me... even if they have more awesomeness. Yeah, we loose PvP a *lot* on Hyjal, but it's not that way on all realms. I have a friend on another realm and they have something like an 80% Alliance victory rate.
Here's an interesting statistic comparing Alliance vs Horde population Density accross all US realms:
57% Alliance
43% Horde
Back in the day, it was something like 70% Alliance and 30% on Hyjal, being one of the oldest servers. Now-days, that has completely flipped and 26% Alliance and 74% Horde. (those horde just keep breeding, sheesh)
At the ending of Blizzcon a Death metal band invited by Blizzard said some pretty...nasty things about Alliance and those that play it. There is a HUGE uproar going on now about what he said and how Blizzard shrugs it off as being "funny". ALOT of people are angry about this.
I was curious as to what you guys think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keJ8SDVyYn0&feature=related
You can't spell damage without Mage.
My magical managerie: http://www.warcraftpets.com/account/profile.asp?user=kaldoran24
Well -
I still don't get the tie in between Warcraft and death metal. Nothing against metal, but I consider warcraft a thoughtfully crafted, elegant user experience. I am pretty sure metal is not generally considered 'elegant' - but that's me. So I kind of think it's funny as well.
Anyway... One way to market something is to create controversy around it -when that happens you may like it, you may not, but you will not ignore it. That then leads to pushing it more into the limelight (the universal dream, Kev) which leads to more attention/sales. I am not sure if there was any level of planning in his commentary (it seemed there was), but it certainly created controversy.
Just the fact we are discussoing it here shows that... I clicked the link listened to the band, rocked out for a couple of minutes. If I really liked them off to iTunes I would go!
I'd be willing to bet the bands sales are going up significantly after that speech.
- Jay
George Fisher is...how can I put this...a very outspoken individual. I would just chalk his comments up to the following:
1) He's an angry little man (that's an understatement, listen to their music), and
2) Like Jay said, controversy sells
I think his goal was to get the crowd fired up. Cannibal Corpse is a loud, angry, and energetic band and ETC wanted the group pumped - they just wanted the crowd to be in the right frame of mind for the show.
First of all,Jay I agree with you completely. How metal/rock found it's wa into WoW is beyond me. The game is fantasy...yet when I watch videos on WoW 99% of the time it's metal/rock. I do as well find it funny.
Second,I personally was not offended by what he said...to a point.
As someone whom has played this game for many years and active in Wows forums and several message boards it is very clear Alliance is looked at in a negative light. Seen as pansies. Idiots,pathetic, and children. Not just the faction but those that play it.
I understand this sloppy gentlemen is entiled to his opinions. Was it merely a plublicity stunt? Maybe so. But the video was pre recorded. Blizzard allowed it to be aired. Though what he said afterwards was his own choice Blizzard didn't apologize for what he said. They shurgged it off as a joke. And anyone who takes offense silly. I can understand why so many are upset by it.
From a game point of veiw Alliance since BC has been beated down. From Blood elves taking the lime light in BC. Great Alliance heros turning neutral. Like Tirion,Khadgar,The Kirin tor, Malfurion. Alliance is losing their greatest allies.
Cataclysm was a major blow to Alliance. The lose of zones such as silverpine and Hillsbrad. Th destruction of Southshore,Hillsbrad feilds. Auberdine,Ru'theron,Old Shendrelis stronghold,Quel'lithion lodge,Thalanaar,Ashenvall as a whole with Astrannar and Sential hill in a blaze. Losing Anderhol. The Alliance looks like weak jokes. And Thrall,the former Horde warcheif made the hero and saviour of the world. Orgimmar rebuilt and looks amazing...Stormwind still devestated By deathwings attacks. Goblins get all of Azshara while Worgens home of Gilneas left in ruins.
As someone who loves the lore of the game...Alliance looks pretty messed up.
And now it seems in 5.0 Theramore will be destroyed by the Horde.
Playing wise Blizzard employees opening say they prefer Horde. Chris Metzen,head of the story writing of Blizzard states his heart lies with the Horde.
Blizzcon, Alliance players are booed and made fun of. At the opening of Blizzcon Blizzard yells "For the Horde".
Blizzard has added and allowed to the atmosphere of Alliance hate. And someone who is a die hard Alliance player...this really bothers me. There is no more pride.
They make Alliance sucky and Horde Amazing. Faction tranfers have left servers,....Inculding Hyjal unbalanced from Horde overpopulated. Horde wins PVP zones and BGs 90% of the time.
This is just another example of a company allowing and turning the other way while a massive protion of their player base is disrespected. And THAT bothers me.
So yes,I can understand why so many are angry.
And keep in mind I never forget this is just a game. I'm merely speaking from a broader scale. And we all here take this game to an extent of seriousness as we have invested so much in it.
You can't spell damage without Mage.
My magical managerie: http://www.warcraftpets.com/account/profile.asp?user=kaldoran24
Interesting thoughts.
I agree the the alliance is in shambles - but that was planned. Hence 'cataclysm'.
If you look back though, the horde are more spread out, live in non-populated areas etc. I think the effects of Cataclysm 'show' more on the Alliance side than on the Horde side. Which is going to look more devistated: a beautiful new Alliance glass and Pyrium spiral tower that got blown away or a horde grass/adobe hut that was burned up.
For me at least, I don't identify at all with Horde races - it's not something that interests me... even if they have more awesomeness. Yeah, we loose PvP a *lot* on Hyjal, but it's not that way on all realms. I have a friend on another realm and they have something like an 80% Alliance victory rate.
Here's an interesting statistic comparing Alliance vs Horde population Density accross all US realms:
57% Alliance
43% Horde
Back in the day, it was something like 70% Alliance and 30% on Hyjal, being one of the oldest servers. Now-days, that has completely flipped and 26% Alliance and 74% Horde. (those horde just keep breeding, sheesh)
(Side Note: There are only 310 Gnomes on Hyjal)
to all the Horde out there...Shut Up.