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[NullPointer]

It's very, very clear after those articles' publications. Don't offer press a right of reply, put the head down, focus on games, and hope the policy talk peters out.

I get the idea, but the policy talk won't peter out since it affects everybody who plays the games, how you can play the games, how you can acquire the games, how feasibly you can collect them, and how you can dispose of them after you're done with them.

Its kindof relevant stuff to the whole games thing.

 

[RobotRocker]

Heh, that video did not impress me in the least. Seems sort of "oh shit we kind of dropped the ball covering or caring about the consumer concerns about the impact of the DRM of XB1, lets save face and pretend to be concerned in this video".

Even the cancellations of the meetings still did not clue Jeff in that something might be afoot as he is boiling it down to a regular occurrences while it is clear MS is saying fuck all, we are intentionally limiting talking about any of this as much as possible. Everyone started picking up on how fucking shady it all is, meanwhile someone from GiantBomb is again making excuses.

I think the problem is that Giant Bomb's taking the stance of "We'll see how this plays out and put Patrick on the case, but make fun of it in the meantime" instead of jumping to conclusions and it really pisses people off because everyone's out for Microsoft's blood at the minute and they want a full fire and brimstone condemnation like everyone else is doing. On top of that, good journalism takes time and if they are saying "Patrick is going to investigate more now and during E3" then that's pretty good in they are willing to be patient and have an investigation first before publishing a conclusion.

Plus, Jeff has been to 15 E3's and knows the score at this stage. If he's not concerned on those cancellations, he likely has a reason (That reason very likely being "Seen it all before").

 

[robertsan21]

man If Xbox one is not a failure I dont understand people. If it is a success people really are stupid and likes getting shafted big time. Dont buy this anti consumer product from MS. be smart people, stand up for your consumer rights.

 

[maquiladora]

Nah, Polygon is just coming to the conclusion why the interviews were canceled.

Polygon's interviews were canceled too.

 

[Stimpack]

That's how people do memes, right? I think that'll be my first and last.

Anyway, nothing can be as funny as the way Microsoft has handled all of this so far.

 

[GribbleGrunger]

Pologon got ditched too?, so we pretty much know the excuse is utter shit now. One two three four even five conflicts but pretty much every one getting ditched now its pretty clear they are making the excuse up.

Is that why Polygon had that outburst recently perhaps? Many people considered this proof that their TLOU review wasn't biased after all, but it could have simply been sour grapes.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

This wouldn't be a big deal if MS just promised a reschedule - but it just looks like they dropped interviews altogether. They really need a better media relations director.

 

[gofreak]

While that does make sense, I really hope people don't forget about the policies in the long run

I get the idea, but the policy talk won't peter out since it affects everybody who plays the games, how you can play the games, how you can acquire the games, how feasibly you can collect them, and how you can dispose of them after you're done with them.

Its kindof relevant stuff to the whole games thing.

I agree. Just talking about what Microsoft is trying to do. They can't stop what's going on in terms of people talking about it, but they can stop themselves from adding fuel to the fire. The more interviews MS does the more chance there is for defensive soundbites and stupid-sounding statements around policies to grab headlines and pour fuel on the fire. So what to do? Minimise interviews. Hope the message they want to put out around games can get some column inches on its own.

The feedback on the whole policy stuff has been so huge that I'm sure it'll be a talking point through E3 and beyond. But MS can try to avoid making it worse.

(On a side note, they're probably also hoping for policy talk from Sony to grab some attention at E3. MS execs also talking policy to journalists at E3 wouldn't help to realise that situation.)

 

[Danj]

Microsoft, your PR is bad and you should feel bad.

Also I've seen a few XBONE banner ads on GAF, but no PS4 ones so far.

 

[sirpilf]

so what sites or journalists HAVEN'T had their interviews cancelled so far?

 

[aygomyownroad]

Microsoft are struggling badly and its their pride that is letting them down, rather than delay the console and have a positive launch with changes they are pushing towards a measure of failure.

They should be doing interviews and highlighting why these controversial and down right wrong policies and build problem rumours mean nothing when the games arrive.

my friend is sold on it. Nothing will change his mind, he saw the COD demo and has the money ready, he is a big gamer but isn't bothered with follow the online news about the next gen console.
he has always seen xbox live as the pinnacle of online gaming and all his friends are on it. It is these people who will buy an Xbox One, out of habit, and they will be the ones to push xbox one from sega Saturn failure (still play mine), to a relative success

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

I think the problem is that Giant Bomb's taking the stance of "We'll see how this plays out and put Patrick on the case, but make fun of it in the meantime" instead of jumping to conclusions and it really pisses people off because everyone's out for Microsoft's blood at the minute and they want a full fire and brimstone condemnation like everyone else is doing. On top of that, good journalism takes time and if they are saying "Patrick is going to investigate more now and during E3" then that's pretty good in they are willing to be patient and have an investigation first before publishing a conclusion.

Plus, Jeff has been to 15 E3's and knows the score at this stage. If he's not concerned on those cancellations, he likely has a reason (That reason very likely being "Seen it all before").

The issues are real, and things like lending amongst friends are gone.

This is kind of a line on the sand thing and GB are happily sitting on Microsoft's side ignoring the concerns of customers, just like IGN and others.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

We're reading this all wrong.

They are scheduling the conflict. Smart. Thats how Sun Tzu would do it.

Sun Tzu's most famous statement in The Art of War reads roughly as follows:

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

Currently, it seems that MS doesn't have any idea what the competitor is doing, judging from the way Sony is remaining silent. Sony would not be silent if they suspected MS knew anything of their plans. The fact that Sony has literally not said anything since the Xbone reveal strongly implies their confidence in whatever they have planned, and that MS has not learned of it.

It also seems that MS has no idea what they are doing, judging from the confused and contradicting remarks made after the initial Xbone reveal by different people. Then they issue a detailed explanation of their DRM scheme which is even more confusing and alarming, and now they are canceling interviews and the Q&A session after their E3 event.

Sun Tzu has already predicted the outcome of MS's battle.

 

[ChosenPredator]

Microsoft should really get these interviews out of the way before E3, even if it's a lose/lose situation they'll get all that shit out of the way so people have their answers and it won't co-mingle with all the gaming news they get because regardless of how much amazing games are possibly shown all these guys are going to ask those questions they tried to avoid...oh boi lol

 

[NullPointer]

Sun Tzu has already predicted the outcome of MS's battle.

I like the way you think.

 

[JDSN]

Its sad that journalists are able to properly express the feeling of unfairness and callousness that MS is inspiring only after they cancel their precious E3 interviews.

 

[mrklaw]

It's very obvious what's going on after they published the articles on licensing, privacy etc.

Microsoft wants to put all that behind them and talk only about games at E3.

Journalists, on the other hand, will primarily want to talk about those policies.

So to avoid outlets cluttering up their Xbox One coverage with fresh policy talk, they're cutting out contact with journalists altogether.

All that'll be left on these outlets is the carefully crafted pr from their conference and booth bots who can't answer policy questions. That is, if the outlets choose to play along with this strategy.

It's very, very clear after those articles' publications. Don't offer press a right of reply, put the head down, focus on games, and hope the policy talk peters out.

I hope the media doesn't play ball and instead fills the space they would have used for interviews with either opinion/editorial about used games, or just a blank space with 'Microsoft won't talk to us' in giant letters

 

[commedieu]

Its sad that journalists are able to properly express the feeling of unfairness and callousness that MS is inspiring only after they cancel their precious E3 interviews.

aren't?

 

[RobotRocker]

The issues are real, and things like lending amongst friends are gone.

This is kind of a line on the sand thing and GB are happily sitting on Microsoft's side ignoring the concerns of customers, just like IGN and others.

There is no "line on the sand" and it's somewhat ignorant to think so. They said "Patrick's going to look into this more" during their DRM breakdown video and he started contacting publishers for comment. They are actually being patient and trying to get down all the facts before concluding on it instead of rushing straight to a condemnation article. Being patient and investigating doesn't mean someone is in bed with a manufacturer. It just means they believe they can do a better article by using a bit more investigation instead of running out and publishing a fire and brimstone article after reading a webpage and they are primed to do it at E3 because they will have a lot more face to face time with industry people. Even if it isn't MS execs.

I'd rather have a properly investigated article than ranting hyperbole and kudos to GB for having the patience to actually look into this further and discuss it instead of just shoving up a popular "This sucks" article straight away, even if it means accusations of bias against them.

 

[Saint Francis]

Microsoft is hitting the eject button on their execs doing PR during E3. DURING E3!!!
You have REALLY shit the bed when your biggest talking heads with the most power in their division (and the nicest shoes) have to NOT talk to the enthusiast press. That's the ONLY reason they booked flights to LA, but they royally fucked up introducing their device. They need to dial back or preferably remove these stupid policies and find some miraculous way to salvage XBone's coming out party. Here's why they won't...

Games: the long con
Microsoft is simply executing their business plan, seeking to 'control the living room' god bless 'em. Windows isn't really killing it on the worlds newer, smaller devices/screens. Hell, they're just looking for a new screen to OWN the FUCK out of . Games were ALWAYS just the the lube, guess what the DRM is. They never were a very nimble or innovative corporation, thanks to Windows' steady stream of BILLIONS, they've never really had to learn how to skillfully apply public relations-so here they are, (at E3!) and they can't do interviews. They dealt themselves a very shitty hand, so after their conference they just gotta shut up and let their developers talk about games, and stammer about how they don't yet know what their particular publisher's policy is regarding DRM, grab the popcorn I guess.

The uncomfortable position this imposes on the gaming press
I love the GiantBombcast, they love games and their take on the industry and it's games are witty and opinionated and often well observed. But I have no illusions; they are just part of an ENTHUSIAST PRESS, not to be confused with journalism. They are as much a part of the games industry 'eco-systyem' as EGM, GameTrailers, Penny Arcade Report, all are merely content providers for us, the gaming enthusiasts and a revenue stream for the one's who write their checks.
Remember the blowback poor Jeff Gerstmann got for not giving Kane & Lynch a review with a corporately mandated happy ending back in '07? I'm sure many/most of them are truly passionate about gaming, not questioning that, but ask any or all of them; the honest, clear-eyed ones understand they are neither journalists nor consumer advocates. Most of their careers are to some extent accountable to the industry they cover.
I laugh at the Geoff Keighley Doritos pics too, but among his peers, he's just easier to spot.

The degree to which our enthusiast gaming press will hold MS accountable will be in direct proportion to how much MS is now perceived as a threat to the ongoing financial future of the gaming industry rather than it's more recent role as a big moneymaking platform. This is very awkward for everyone sent to cover a much beloved trade show


GiantBomb and every other member of gaming-enthusiast press at E3 next week were never meant to spend one second of their energy working as a consumer advocate or representative. Often I'm usually just hoping the smarter/better ones ask, say, Peter Molyneux a less dumbed down version of "How awesome is your game?", because I truly enjoy lurking & laughing at NeoGaf's whip smart, creative, funny critiques, gifs, etc.


I love gaming, a happy owner of all 3 platforms these past three generations.
I've spent a big part of my teen years and a buttload of quarters at arcades, I turn 50 this July,
I love gaming, been at it for around 35 years,but that doesn't mean I think Sony or Microsoft are in it to make me happy.
I support the consumer protests, technology provides us with excellent tools to organize and be heard. also VOTE with your DOLLARS. If you love gaming, put up or shut up.
Can't wait to see the conferences/games. Pass the popcorn & happy E3!

TLDR; "Old man yells at cloud"

 

[trinest]

It will be interesting to see how the resent PR and issues from Microsoft evolve over the coming week if not months. I'm getting a carefully planned PR approach dispite its articness. I'm thinking its designed that they are turtling in the hope that the end result is focus on the games so behind the scenes they can work out 100% what they want to do DRM wise and pitch it better to the consumer.

While I would love no DRM at all, it will be interesting to see if they remove it all, or slim line the original outline as to work better in many areas/be more consumer friendly/ease consumers into it easier.

 

[THE:MILKMAN]

Is it confirmed now that all interviews are now cancelled? I thought it was just 2 or 3.

 

[mrklaw]

God bless you Saint Francis

It will be interesting to see how the resent PR and issues from Microsoft evolve over the coming week if not months. I'm getting a carefully planned PR approach dispite its articness. I'm thinking its designed that they are turtling in the hope that the end result is focus on the games so behind the scenes they can work out 100% what they want to do DRM wise and pitch it better to the consumer.

While I would love no DRM at all, it will be interesting to see if they remove it all, or slim line the original outline as to work better in many areas/be more consumer friendly/ease consumers into it easier.

They could probably adjust the authorisation window easily - making it check once every 7 days or even 30 days would make most of the 'what if my Internet goes down' complaints go away (from a purely practical perspective at least)

 

[jjasper]

Microsofts whole business and marketing plan for xbone seems to be "let's wing it in the last minute and hope for the best".

I don't think they are winging it. Their strategy is pretty clear. It is to try and control/stop the flow of information and to keep as much of the buying public as ignorant as possible about the machine hoping the mass market will buy it without knowing the full details because of TV and Kinect and banking that the hardcore gamers will buy it even if they hate the policies because of the exclusives.

 

[Chittagong]

It's very obvious what's going on after they published the articles on licensing, privacy etc.

Microsoft wants to put all that behind them and talk only about games at E3.

Journalists, on the other hand, will primarily want to talk about those policies.

So to avoid outlets cluttering up their Xbox One coverage with fresh policy talk, they're cutting out contact with journalists altogether.

All that'll be left on these outlets is the carefully crafted pr from their conference and booth bots who can't answer policy questions. That is, if the outlets choose to play along with this strategy.

It's very, very clear after those articles' publications. Don't offer press a right of reply, put the head down, focus on games, and hope the policy talk peters out.

I think this is exactly the case.

And I believe it works. Like antenna gate, the press will get bored with the DRM thing pretty soon so all they are left with are games.

 

[Kolgar]

All of these issues are going to hang like a black cloud over MS this E3. They're not going away. I can't believe that a company the size of MS thinks it can get away with locking down its PR and saying nothing. It's Amateur Hour. And now that major mainstream news outlets are on the story, a plan of silence is a recipe for disaster.

MS is imploding before our eyes, being done in by their fatal miscalculation. It really is spectacular, and I think it's about to get worse.

Even if Sony HAD been planning a similar DRM scheme, they ought to be doing everything possible to change course now that they've seen what trouble their main competitor is in. Focus on the opportunity; they'll never have a better one to knock MS out of the game.

 

[Iacobellis]

Wow, I never would've thought you can go full Kutaragi again, but MS is proving me wrong.

Yeah, because making a super powerful console and a company making an anti-consumer console is the same thing.

 

[BruiserBear]

Heh, that video did not impress me in the least. Seems sort of "oh shit we kind of dropped the ball covering or caring about the consumer concerns about the impact of the DRM of XB1, lets save face and pretend to be concerned in this video".

Even the cancellations of the meetings still did not clue Jeff in that something might be afoot as he is boiling it down to a regular occurrences while it is clear MS is saying fuck all, we are intentionally limiting talking about any of this as much as possible. Everyone started picking up on how fucking shady it all is, meanwhile someone from GiantBomb is again making excuses.

I feel like there has certainly been a level of "oh, so now it's safe to talk shit about Microsoft?" happening since the official unveil.

The day of the unveil there was nearly universal acceptance of everything that was announced, and even some light praise. A few days later a few outlets began criticizing some aspects of the new Xbone policies and Microsoft's bumbling explanations of them. Only in the last few days, since interviews began getting cancelled, have many of them felt safe taking the gloves off.

So yeah, the Giant Bomb guys have only now started to talk some shit since their interviews got cancelled. It's only when you take away that access that people start speaking freely.

 

[wizzbang]

The issues are real, and things like lending amongst friends are gone.

This is kind of a line on the sand thing and GB are happily sitting on Microsoft's side ignoring the concerns of customers, just like IGN and others.

Don't be ridiculous, they are games journalists (sp?) not fanboys.
They'll call things stupid when they think it's stupid but harping on shit isn't going to get them anywhere. Also just because they say fuck and make you laugh doesn't mean that when push comes to shove they aren't professional in interviews.

There's little to no value in them being as 'angry as us' so to speak, furthermore the internet hype and whine the hell up over stuff. The reality is, if Microsoft announce some kind of game change feature or game - a SHITLOAD of angry people are still going to buy the console. Experienced people know this, smart people know this (Giant Bomb fits that category)

I can't believe I'm defending Microsoft but apply some common sense here, twirling up a blogesque style frenzy of angry readers isn't going to help GB in the slightest.

 

[grumble]

Yeah, because making a super powerful console and a company making an anti-consumer console is the same thing.

Super powerful? More like bloated. The ps3 had real problems.

 

[Feorax]

I think this is exactly the case.

And I believe it works. Like antenna gate, the press will get bored with the DRM thing pretty soon so all they are left with are games.

I think this depends. Every new scenario where this screws someone over is a new story.

There is no precedent in history where a platform holder shitting on gamers has worked out well for said platform holder, and I don't believe MS will be the exception

 

[Phat Michael]

man If Xbox one is not a failure I dont understand people. If it is a success people really are stupid and likes getting shafted big time. Dont buy this anti consumer product from MS. be smart people, stand up for your consumer rights.

nah. I'll get both consoles and lots of games. I like games and I want to play them on the new consoles. I have internet and don't buy used. doesn't affect me at all. I'm an early adopter so none of this stuff phases me.

 

[Ricko Suave]

nah. I'll get both consoles and lots of games. I like games and I want to play them on the new consoles. I have internet and don't buy used. doesn't affect me at all. I'm an early adopter so none of this stuff phases me.

I like your attitude.

I'm still cautious though. I hope MS proves me wrong. There is no reason to complicate things.
I just wanna pop my game into my console, and enjoy my experience.

 

[I H8 Memes]

So as a rough percentage, how many "scheduling conflicts" are we talking here? Half the promised interviews? Less? It could only be 4 or 5 and we are hearing about al of them so it makes it seem like a lot more than it is.

 

[Iacobellis]

Super powerful? More like bloated. The ps3 had real problems.

The PS3 was very powerful for the time, the Cell chip was just a bitch to develop for. The RAM issue didn't really appear until the final years of this generation.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Major nelson is really starting to disgust me.

pr mouth piece of the worst kind.

Agreed

 

[Iacobellis]

I like your attitude.

I'm still cautious though. I hope MS proves me wrong. There is no reason to complicate things.
I just wanna pop my game into my console, and enjoy my experience.

 

[Mikey Jr.]

It's very obvious what's going on after they published the articles on licensing, privacy etc.

Microsoft wants to put all that behind them and talk only about games at E3.

Journalists, on the other hand, will primarily want to talk about those policies.

So to avoid outlets cluttering up their Xbox One coverage with fresh policy talk, they're cutting out contact with journalists altogether.

All that'll be left on these outlets is the carefully crafted pr from their conference and booth bots who can't answer policy questions. That is, if the outlets choose to play along with this strategy.

It's very, very clear after those articles' publications. Don't offer press a right of reply, put the head down, focus on games, and hope the policy talk peters out.

This is pretty much it. I don't believe the "execs had scheduling conflicts" horseshit for a second.

 

[quest]

I think it is a huge mistake to try and hide from this. Worse to piss off the people writing about your product. I would not be shocked if this did not have the opposite effect. Gaming writers going full out attack on the DRM and writing articles like what is MS hiding. These interviews could of been used to just get the DRM out of the way instead it will linger even longer. I am not shocked they have handled the whole thing horribly so far.

 

[sleeping_dragon]

Sun Tzu's most famous statement in The Art of War reads roughly as follows:



Currently, it seems that MS doesn't have any idea what the competitor is doing, judging from the way Sony is remaining silent. Sony would not be silent if they suspected MS knew anything of their plans. The fact that Sony has literally not said anything since the Xbone reveal strongly implies their confidence in whatever they have planned, and that MS has not learned of it.

It also seems that MS has no idea what they are doing, judging from the confused and contradicting remarks made after the initial Xbone reveal by different people. Then they issue a detailed explanation of their DRM scheme which is even more confusing and alarming, and now they are canceling interviews and the Q&A session after their E3 event.

Sun Tzu has already predicted the outcome of MS's battle.

Sun Tzu got nothing on me. I can change the wind direction.

 

[Used-ID]

I'm thinking that the ms execs really might have scheduling conflicts. I don't think ms can change course now, they have already inked the deals with publishers. It'll probably take all their execs nob slobbing the publisher's execs during e3 to even make small adjustments to the DRM & used game policies.

I don't even want to think how they'd have to make it up to the use game store partners. But it might make for some YouTube laughs.

 

[Coxy]

Sun Tzu's most famous statement in The Art of War reads roughly as follows:



Currently, it seems that MS doesn't have any idea what the competitor is doing, judging from the way Sony is remaining silent. Sony would not be silent if they suspected MS knew anything of their plans. The fact that Sony has literally not said anything since the Xbone reveal strongly implies their confidence in whatever they have planned, and that MS has not learned of it.

It also seems that MS has no idea what they are doing, judging from the confused and contradicting remarks made after the initial Xbone reveal by different people. Then they issue a detailed explanation of their DRM scheme which is even more confusing and alarming, and now they are canceling interviews and the Q&A session after their E3 event.

Sun Tzu has already predicted the outcome of MS's battle.

"Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate."

 

[lowlylowlycook]

“In that case,” said Napoleon, “let us wait twenty minutes; when the enemy is making a false movement we must take good care not to interrupt him.”

That might be the more appropriate quote from military science.

 

[Forceatowulf]

There is no "line on the sand" and it's somewhat ignorant to think so. They said "Patrick's going to look into this more" during their DRM breakdown video and he started contacting publishers for comment. They are actually being patient and trying to get down all the facts before concluding on it instead of rushing straight to a condemnation article. Being patient and investigating doesn't mean someone is in bed with a manufacturer. It just means they believe they can do a better article by using a bit more investigation instead of running out and publishing a fire and brimstone article after reading a webpage and they are primed to do it at E3 because they will have a lot more face to face time with industry people. Even if it isn't MS execs.

I'd rather have a properly investigated article than ranting hyperbole and kudos to GB for having the patience to actually look into this further and discuss it instead of just shoving up a popular "This sucks" article straight away, even if it means accusations of bias against them.

Patrick is going to look into it more? Look the fuck into what exactly? Are you daff? What the flying fuck is he going to look into that we all don't already know because MS has already told us multiple times already for weeks? We've had most of this information since May 21'st and GiantBomb sat on the fence. We get a new statement, which is basically the same shit they said on May 21'st, and GiantBomb is STILL sitting on the same fence. This info comes straight from the horses mouth, what exactly are they waiting for and hoping to hear at this point? You telling me they can't write something informative about the information we've gotten straight from MS at this point? The fuck?!

I like how "patient" GiantBomb is with people asking them simple questions like "Does Microsoft canceling the post-E3 roundtable mean anything?" and getting all snarky about it. They can tolerate MS's bullshit for weeks, but as soon as a fan of theirs asks questions they get all agitated.

It also didn't take GiantBomb long to "Rush straight to condemnation" when they wrote off NeoGAF as nothing but a Sony fanboy outlet, did it? Did you enjoy that well balanced, thoughtful, and deeply investigative piece they did? I see they didn't have any problem puling the trigger on that bullshit with the quickness.

But no, let's all sit back and pretend like these "journalists" are just assessing a delicate situation. The same journalists who write off forums like Gaf as fanboy sites, make snarky replies to good questions from their fans, almost completely ignore the NoDRM movement, and give off the impression thus far that this whole mess is no big deal really. Let's pretend like they're just simply playing it cool... even though judging by their response to their fans and neogaf they clearly aren't about that "playing it cool" life.

 

[~Kinggi~]

We got Art of War up in this bitch. Thats it MS is dooooooomed!

 

[Jarmel]

Kotaku is still a go?

 

[~Kinggi~]

Kotaku is still a go?

You mean the interview? I dont know. What % of interviews did they cancel?

 

[Tripon]

If it is schedule conflicts, who is the flunky that arranged the 1 to 1 interviews in the first place then?

 

[Killthee]

If it is schedule conflicts, who is the flunky that arranged the 1 to 1 interviews in the first place then?

Secret Agent Phil.

 

[sikkinixx]

I know having MS do well, and all consoles doing well, is good for the industry.

I know that E3 will bring at some appealing news/games for the Xbone, and a lot of this fervour will quiet down a bit, especially if the console is sub $400.

I know no matter how insane some of their policies appear to be, people will still buy Xbone's en masse because of CoD/Madden/Haloz/whatever and such and many people simply will not care about all this.

But... man would be it fun to see them keep piling on the shit and go down in a blaze.