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We probably shouldn’t be saying this, but…

Microsoft versus Sony, Battlefield versus Call of Duty and Forza versus Gran Turismo. These are some of the rivalries that can get people talking about console wars. “Game On or Game Over” is your place to get inside the minds of Nicholas and Andy as they seek to find the true meaning of gaming and tackle some of gaming’s most controversial subjects. Both are award winning authors – although the awards haven’t been mailed or created yet — but trust them. Would they lie to you?

Andy: Late last week there were a couple stories that broke fairly close to each other. Both were related to each other and I think it’s only natural that we take some time this week to talk about them, what they mean and anything else we can think of. I am of course talking about the leak, first of screenshots, then of actual video, of the beta testing going on for the Xbox One remaster of Gears of War.

To give a brief synopsis for anyone that missed anything here’s what happened. A third-party testing service, VMC, was contracted by Microsoft to provide beta testing for an Xbox One remaster of Gears of War. Now, one thing that happens with testing a game – and reviewing it for that matter – is the idea of a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA). In a nutshell, NDAs mean that you can’t really talk about, take screenshots of, or capture video of whatever it is you are testing. In review cases they are usually combined with some type of embargo, as to when you can do those things. So, back on track, with beta testing underway for Gears of War, one member of this testing team Snapchatted a screenshot of the game to a friend. That friend then posted it online and the ball started rolling. Shortly after that, a couple videos popped up of actual gameplay. This threw Microsoft into damage control mode. Of course the damage (is it really damage though?) had been done.

Between Microsoft and VMC they were able to figure out who was responsible for most of the footage and screenshots and as a result, they were removed from their positions in VMC. More importantly, Microsoft permanently banned the XBL accounts of those involved as well as blocking their Xbox One consoles from all services. Essentially turning them into giant bricks. Right away on message boards and social media most people supported the punishments as “That’s what they get” however, there were a few dissenting voices who wanted to focus on the fact that Microsoft has the ability to do that to a system. Even though Microsoft has done that same thing to people who are caught modding their consoles, but that’s another article for a later day.

Before I go too in-depth of my thoughts and feelings on this I thought I’d ask you. What’s your opinion on it? Did the punishment fit the crime? Was Microsoft perhaps a little too heavy handed in how they dealt with it?

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Nicholas: First things first, people need to understand the reason behind NDAs. Publishers and companies issue them because they (understandably) want to control what information is released to the public and when. They are extremely common within the video game industry and it makes sense that a business wouldn’t want the masses to know about a game or reveal opinions/reviews until they are ready. It can be as innocent as wanting to announce a new game through a reveal at a conference like E3 or as (arguably) scrupulous as not wanting sales to be hampered by review scores. Regardless, each reason is valid as the next. Secondly, people need to respect them. As in the case with attending any preview event or even with receiving a review copy of a game, it is a privilege to be able to play these unreleased games early, and such a privilege should be honoured. As far as my opinion goes on this, as much as I understand wanting to share to the world that I’m playing a new game early, you simply can’t if that’s been requested by the publisher. Simple.

Does the punishment fit the crime? I think the short answer is “yes”, but consider this. Microsoft may (and still might) have had grand plans to announce this remake officially at E3. People have been/are working on announcement speeches and testing the game thoroughly to ensure the gameplay demo works flawlessly on the day. People have been making announcement trailers and press releases to go along with it. Going further, I’m sure Microsoft spent a considerable amount of effort deciding to work with VMC on this and not do testing in-house. Now because of this leak, the relationship between VMC and Microsoft may be strained. The reputation of VMC might be tarnished. This could in-turn affect future business opportunities. When we consider these impacts in relation to two or three $500 consoles not working, does the punishment still seem excessive?

In asking whether Microsoft were too heavy handed in how they dealt with this, I think the answer is a definite ‘no’. Employees (read: people being paid) specifically broke an agreement they made and released information about a game they were playing early to the masses. Whether it was intentional via that initial Snapchat or not is irrelevant. They knew the rules and they broke them. Some people might agree with banning their online accounts but at least letting their consoles work offline but in my opinion, they took the risk and they suffered the consequences. How about you though? Do you agree with what I’ve been saying above, or is there perhaps a less excessive route that Microsoft could have taken?

Andy: As those who read our articles every week (hello lone reader!) know, with us living on completely different continents we email our responses back and forth and after a series of emails we have a full article. During the time I sent my opening and you replied, Microsoft clarified that those consoles that were used – and subsequently punished – can still be used offline. They simply cannot access any Xbox LIVE services. I just wanted to clarify that for those who were reading our first two responses and screaming at their screens that we are idiots. I mean we are idiots, but just not for that reason.

Back to the point at hand, I have a real hard time feeling any modicum of sympathy for someone who knowingly breaks the rules and gets caught. I haven’t seen a copy of the NDA that those who work for VMC signed and agreed to, yet I have to assume it being from Microsoft that it was pretty cut and dry what would happen, or at least what could happen if the NDA was broken. I think you nailed it when you spoke about the reasons why NDAs are there and the reasons they exist. Microsoft, rightfully, wants to be the one to announce the what’s and when’s of games. Especially console-exclusive titles. No matter how I try to spin this in my head, I just can’t find any compassion for those few who screwed up and are suffering the repercussions of it. I obviously don’t know how many testers there were, or the ins-and-outs of how it works, but it couldn’t be that hard to track down who leaks came from.

I think the big thing to keep in mind here, and it’s something you touched on, is the people who got punished for this were being paid to test it. It’s not like some kid got access to the Titanfall closed beta and posted footage of it. This was a paid employee(s), for a company contracted by Microsoft that breached a contract. I can’t think of any profession where something like that would be OK. We seem to agree that the punishment, while severe, fits with what happened.

So, lets shift a little bit and talk about leaks in general. They are everywhere in the gaming industry. It’s a rare week that goes by without some talk of something being leaked. Whether it be a game in development, *cough* Fallout 4 *cough*, or a game being listed on an online site for sale at a later date. Now the cynic in me believes that there are way too many “leaks” for some not to be manufactured by the developer to drum up conversation – but a lot of them are legitimate. I have always wondered how all of these leaks get out there, it just seems like there are so many. With Microsoft’s quick and heavy response to this latest leak, why is it that we don’t see this type of response more often from developers/publishers? As it stands a leak happens, a developer does an interview and usually says “We don’t have anything to announce at this time.” This response by Microsoft seems vastly different than what we usually see. What do you think is the reason behind that?

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Nicholas: I’m thinking it was to make an example out of VMC given they are an external company and the fact these consoles weren’t owned by the business but ones owned by gamers themselves. If the leak appeared to be internal or if there was no real way of tracing back the source of the leak Microsoft could have just dismissed the claims like most companies do, but given there were a specific group testing the remake and given they seemed to be able to trace it back to who were responsible, Microsoft wanted to hit them hard. In that regard it sort of makes sense.

There have been times when I’ve spoken with PR folk at preview events over leaks of their upcoming games however no-one has ever advised that they are intentional (although I guess such a response is to be expected). You raise an interesting question though on whether some of them are planned to generate hype. Everyone knows that big announcements happen at events like E3, but on a slow news day with nothing else competing for attention, a ‘leak’ by an anonymous source on Reddit is a good way to generate buzz. There’s just something about finding out information that you weren’t supposed to know that gets more people talking.

Returning to the correction you made, now knowing that their consoles still work offline, it only solidifies my opinion that the action taken by Microsoft is justified. As a matter of fact, I’m even slightly disappointed that it isn’t enough now, however I shouldn’t be finding satisfaction in other people’s misfortune. Not being able to use your console ever again does suck. Not being able to use it online because you were stupid enough to leak information you shouldn’t have, well, tough tits as we sometimes say. Well, as I sometimes say.

So far we’ve both agreed that Microsoft have taken an understandable stance towards these individuals (and rightfully so, we are always correct), but let’s turn our attention towards those gamers who are suggesting otherwise. Are there any reasons other than it’s cool to hate on a big company like Microsoft that justifies those opinions who think MS is in the wrong? Are these leakers just the gaming equivalent of Edward Snowden? Perhaps they’re national heroes?

Andy: I don’t think it’s that they are ‘heroes’ or anything like that. The vast majority of those suggesting this is unfair almost always try to spin it in a way that Microsoft is evil and Sony is the choice to go. Comments like “I’ll never get a Microsoft console knowing they can do this” or something similar. Well, newsflash… Sony can (and has done) the exact same thing, as has Nintendo. This is not a Microsoft specific punishment. Hackers, cheaters and other undesirables have been banned from games and consoles countless times in the past. Heck, just last week World of Warcraft banned 100,000 (not a typo) accounts for using bots. These bans were for 6 months, I don’t see any talk about how evil Blizzard is for that.

So, I think the hate being circulated about this is really more about fanboys wanting to get their two cents in and make some noise. I think most gamers are familiar with that by now. Something newsworthy happens for one console or the other and there’s a certain group of people on each side that are like little yippy dogs that have to run around in a circle making noise so people pay attention to them. In a lot of ways, that’s pretty similar to the people who leak this kind of stuff isn’t it? We’ve talked about how many leaks there are, and that they seem to happen at every developer to some extent.

I think we would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the “why” behind the leaks. Just looking at it for what it is, the actual leaks don’t really matter. What I mean is, gamers don’t really benefit from the leaks. Hey, we now know that the original Gears of War is being remade… um… yay? Let’s say the Fallout 4 rumours are correct as well. So what? It doesn’t make the game come any faster. Furthermore, at times the leaks even provide wrong information given we’re in preproduction and things will be changed. Maybe I’m just old school, but I like reveal trailers and surprises. For instance, a couple weeks ago when Deus Ex: Mankind Divided was announced. I had one of those “Holy crap!” moments because I hadn’t heard anything about it until then. All things considered what is the appeal or motivation for those people who leak this information out there? If they aren’t being paid by a site to get that information (not saying that’s the case mind you) then why? It really doesn’t do much to leak anything out there does it?

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Nicholas: I think there are multiple reasons for this. For starters, people love to find out about new stuff. If gamers are talking about and hoping for a remake of Gears of War or a new Fallout title, and then someone comes out with near proof that these are actually happening, then gamers will absolutely wet themselves – in much the same way that they’d do the same if it was announced officially. I’ve been wishing for Need For Speed Underground 3 for years now, and if EA announced or a source leaked that this was on the horizon I’d probably wet myself. In addition to just wanting to know more there’s also a want for gamers to be reassured that things are happening and on the way.

You asked why leakers leak information when they mightn’t be paid for it, but for most of these sites (if not all), information and being the first to provide news is worth far more than any monetary reward. Everyone at Stevivor works their butts off to get our reviews out on time for the break of embargos so we’re at the forefront of providing gamers with the latest reviews and the latest news. We don’t do it to get paid, we do it so we’re with the rest of the sites online giving gamers what they’re after as soon as we possibly can. If a site can break news before the rest, that gives them a significant advantage and boost to traffic. Money can’t buy that. If those leakers don’t write for sites though and they do it via Reddit or their social media accounts then it’s all for bragging rights and popularity, and for some, that’s something they crave.

You mentioned above that gamers don’t benefit from leaks in that it doesn’t bring the games any faster to our disc trays, but surely you would appreciate knowing if a game you’re after is on its way, right? In the case of Deus Ex, if that same trailer was leaked by an anonymous source or by the developers, wouldn’t you be just as excited? Surely finding out that Fallout 4 was potentially on its way made you a little giddy?

Andy: I’ve had to really think about your last question. On one hand, you’re damn right I’d be excited by it. Yet, on the other hand I’d rather see a full proper reveal that Bethesda has planned too. With Fallout, the reality is there will be another one. That’s not a series that will disappear, so we have reason to believe there will be another one. Then when it shows up is a different story. It’s really a Catch-22 though, we live in an age of instant gratification and immediate results. We want to know everything, right now. I saw something last week that the average human’s attention span is now less than 9 seconds. One second less than that off a common bee. So, in that context I can understands leaks (especially those developer created) because it keeps that game in the forefront and keeps us talking about it.

I also understand the desire to be “first”. I mean look at most articles with comments enabled and invariably more often than not you’ll see a message that says “FIRST!” It’s like a badge of honour. I mean, hey congrats buddy you are the first person ever to post that on a thread. I’m sure you’ll want to include on your next job application that you were the first one to comment on a random internet article. It makes sense that sites want to be the first ones to break a story because of the uptick in views, and click-backs. Yet, even with all that said, the kid gamer inside me doesn’t get it.

I miss the days of big announcements that people had no idea was coming. Those “Holy sh*t!” moments during a presentation when something blows you out of your shoes. It’s much like waking up on Christmas morning and running into your parents room to wake them up, so you can open your presents and see what Santa brought. Imagine if in September your parents sat you down, listed off the things you were getting. It would totally lose the special moment. Normally, this would be the place where I’d ask you if things will ever go back to how they were, but you and I both know this is how it will be. There’s no going back to how it was. Leaks are part of the process now.

It seems that certain developers have a better track record in terms of keeping leaks minimal, while others seem to have a fax machine in every office because they can’t keep anything from anyone. Microsoft has proved that there can be swift and deliberate sanctions for those who leak information. Granted, it’s not always that easy to track them down and identify them. But, with as many leaks as we see on a weekly basis, they are either intentional or the developer/publisher doesn’t care overly much because of the free advertising they get as a result. In that sense, I can see why we have so many leaks now – and it’s not just for games, movies are just as bad. So to wrap things up this week, for better or worse leaks are now part of the landscape we live in. Like anything else, we can always scroll past and not click the link if we don’t want to see it. The devil inside me though, if I was a developer I’d give different pieces of information to different people and see what was leaked. Then you know who you can’t trust. Do you have any final thoughts either on the handling of this Gears of War leak or other leaks that don’t seem to get a response in general from developers, is it really something the developers want to nix entirely even?

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Nicholas: Like we discussed initially, I think Microsoft took appropriate action with those who were responsible for leaking the remake information. There’s really no argument to be had that their actions were excessive – those that took park willingly would have known not to share the information, but they did it regardless, got caught and are now suffering the consequences. It’s unfortunate that Microsoft won’t be able to announce the Gears of War remake in the secrecy that they initially planned, but that’s just the way things work out. It’s the risk Microsoft took going external and they too unfortunately paid the price.

I think you’ve summed up the final points quite well at the end there. As inconvenient as it may be sometimes, I’m sure some developers/publishers appreciate the free publicity and hype train that a (intentional) leak might provide. They don’t need to engage websites for coverage and they don’t need to pay for it either – they’ll willingly litter their sites and social media pages with all the information for free.

 

In the end, there’s always a risk that information will be leaked. For those super-sensitive projects they just need to beef up the security around them. Not everything is leaked so there has to be measures that work (and work regularly). Perhaps the question we should ask next time is not whether leaks or not should happen, but rather, how much did the publisher not want them to happen?

Tune in next time for the next instalment of Game On or Game Over. If you have any ideas for our next article, feel free to contact Andy or Nicholas on Twitter.


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About the author

Nicholas Simonovski

Events and Racing Editor at Stevivor.com. Proud RX8 owner, Strange Music fan and Joe Rogan follower. Living life one cheat meal at a time.

About the author

Andy Gray

From the frozen land of Minnesota, I was the weird kid that begged my parents for an Intellivision instead of an Atari. My love for gaming has only grown since. When I’m not gaming I enjoy ice hockey and training dogs. I’m still trying to get my Elkhound to add to my Gamerscore though, one day this will happen.