Support NeoGAF

[Boogalogist]

He got an interview with a top news site. Of course he hasn't learned. He's probably eating up all this publicity.

There is no such thing as bad publicity, right?

 

[The Technomancer]

Well, I for one have not used the term "defense force," at least I don't think so. I just think your characterization of the circumstances and behavior of those who continue to criticize this man is grossly inaccurate and off balance.

It's possible to possess the capacity to "comprehend any situation without a clear hero and villain" without agreeing that such an argument applies in this particular situation, you know.

What can I say. I think that after you've beaten someone, going around afterwards yelling "neener neener" at him is overkill.
I mean, I really don't think that we're ever going to get him to "change his ways" or anything, claiming that this is about helping him realize how much of an asshole he is just rings hollow to me. Do we honestly believe that we can change his behavior, turn him into a better person?

 

[MesserWolf]

Why does anyone think that not liking the way some people behave in situations like this is in any way, shape, or form a "defense force" for the guy? Can you really not comprehend any situation without a clear hero and villain, any situation in which maybe both sides are somewhat in the wrong?

I can, but this is hardly the case.

You are just seeing the results of a completely idiotic and unjustifiable behaviour from Paul part. That is it. And for once it is refreshing to see that there are actually bad consequences if you behave as an a**hole. He actually forced a legitimate customer to involve the press/ the media to have some "clear" answers on a paid order, and even at that point he went on being an a**hole.

You screw up badly? well here are the consequences .... in a spectacular scale.

Plus I think this will teach to the whole industry a valuable lesson on why customer service is really really important,

 

[The Technomancer]

I can, but this is hardly the case.

You are just seeing the results of a completely idiotic and unjustifiable behaviour from Paul part. That is it. And for once it is refreshing to see that there are actually bad consequences if you behave as an a**hole. He actually forced a legitimate customer to involve the press/ the media to have some "clear" answers on a paid order, and even at that point he went on being an a**hole.

You screw up badly? well here are the consequences .... in a spectacular scale.

Plus I think this will teach to the whole industry a valuable lesson on why customer service is really really important,

Oh yeah, ruining his reputation, slandering him across the internet, I'm all for that. During that phase of things there was a clear nature to the conflict.

 

[Ketch]

Press release from Avenger / N-Control:

See Paul, that is how you are supposed to react when shit goes bad for your company on the internet.

 

[elrechazado]

What can I say. I think that after you've beaten someone, going around afterwards yelling "neener neener" at him is overkill.
I mean, I really don't think that we're ever going to get him to "change his ways" or anything, claiming that this is about helping him realize how much of an asshole he is just rings hollow to me. Do we honestly believe that we can change his behavior, turn him into a better person?

I've asked like 20 times in this thread, so maybe you'll answer:

What do you object to specifically about what has happened?
Is it the public posting of his...public business 800 number?
Links to his public facebook profile?
Links to the youtube public videos that he posted himself?
Links to his tweets?
Comments in a gaf thread about how douchey he is?
Random youtube comments? (you have seen youtube comments before, right?)

Are you upset with him, that he keeps doing interviews, tweeting, and sending public emails on this topic?

Nail down for us exactly what is this objectionable behavior that's taking place, who is doing it, and why it's offensive, and maybe we can have a real discussion.

 

[Bit-Bit]

Wait a minute. Does that press release say that Christoforo wrote those nasty emails to his own wife and kids?

That's fucked up.

 

[Roto13]

There is no such thing as bad publicity, right?

I'm sure that's what he thinks now. Will he think that in a year when he hasn't been able to get another PR job because everyone who googles him finds this story online?

Spoiler

Probably, but he's delusional.

 

[The Technomancer]

I've asked like 20 times in this thread, so maybe you'll answer:

What do you object to specifically about what has happened?
Is it the public posting of his...public business 800 number?
Links to his public facebook profile?
Links to the youtube public videos that he posted himself?
Links to his tweets?
Comments in a gaf thread about how douchey he is?
Random youtube comments? (you have seen youtube comments before, right?)

Are you upset with him, that he keeps doing interviews, tweeting, and sending public emails on this topic?

Nail down for us exactly what is this objectionable behavior that's taking place, who is doing it, and why it's offensive, and maybe we can have a real discussion.

Of most of the stuff you listed, not much. The Facebook thing crossed a line for me, but not a very hard one. I think it was in more bad taste then anything else. What annoys me, both in here and on the wider internet, is that the popular opinion isn't "okay guys, we can go home now". There doesn't seem to be acknowledgement that the job is done. If people keep bashing him on here, on Twitter, on reddit, then I'm at a loss as to what productive thing they think they're accomplishing, and so I'm left with the impression that they're enjoying having a whipping boy.

If they really do think they can change his behavior, well...I can respect that more, even if I think its completely futile.

 

[elrechazado]

Of most of the stuff you listed, not much. The Facebook thing crossed a line for me, but not a very hard one. I think it was in more bad taste then anything else. What annoys me, both in here and on the wider internet, is that the popular opinion isn't "okay guys, we can go home now". There doesn't seem to be acknowledgement that the job is done. If people keep bashing him on here, on Twitter, on reddit, then I'm at a loss as to what productive thing they think they're accomplishing, and so I'm left with the impression that they're enjoying having a whipping boy.

If they really do think they can change his behavior, well...I can respect that more, even if I think its completely futile.

So you just don't like people reacting to news, in a way that has absolutely no effect on reality? Seems an odd thing to be so adamant about. I'm disappointed, I thought you might have some valid moral outrage here.

 

[TheSeks]

Well that about wraps things up.

I loved the "Thrown under a bus" comment.

 

[MiniBossBattle]

The game industry is small, I had not met/heard of publicity monsters in a while.

 

[MesserWolf]

Oh yeah, ruining his reputation, slandering him across the internet, I'm all for that. During that phase of things there was a clear nature to the conflict.

so .... your point is that then among millions of people that populate the internet and whose action are amplified by the medium itself there are some mean people who went too far in the "retribution"

well no kidding, that is why you don't want to risk to anger the public opinion, and why the threat of writing to the media / press is usually somewhat effective when dealing with certain situations. And you would expect a "marketing expert" to know at least this much.

It is like to complain that there are terrible damages after you blow up a dam.

 

[Jintor]

That's a pretty good and very comprehensive press release on N-Control's part. Kudos.

 

[The Technomancer]

So you just don't like people reacting to news, in a way that has absolutely no effect on reality? Seems an odd thing to be so adamant about. I'm disappointed, I thought you might have some valid moral outrage here.

I disagree with the bolded, but that's really a debate that's far too large for this thread.

However I feel I should point out that even in my earliest posts in this thread I've said that I think this is an extremely mild case of "internet mob". The only reason I've written so much on it is because people keep engaging me. I don't think anyone has done anything truly reprehensible.

 

[tenton]

Wait a minute. Does that press release say that Christoforo wrote those nasty emails to his own wife and kids?

That's fucked up.

Re-read it. It says Paul wrote those emails (the ones to the customer and to Gabe), not his family, so (just in case some numbnuts are harassing his fiance/family) leave his family out of it.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

Press release from Avenger / N-Control:

Ok based off that they've gained some respect back. They have acknowledged that they screwed up royally and that all this shit went down. They manned up and took responsibility and are working on making shit right. I respect that.

That's how you handle shit. Paul could learn a lot from that. Also reading that it sounds like he is making things hard on them and making it hard for them to get control of some of their shit. That's sad to read. Hopefully they can get all that fixed.

I will say though it was so damn stupid for the kid to do what he did. He didn't help them one bit by saying the things he did and pretending to take over their PR for them. He hurt them on top of what Paul did.

Re-read it. It says Paul wrote those emails (the ones to the customer and to Gabe), not his family, so (just in case some numbnuts are harassing his fiance/family) leave his family out of it.

Hell people should have been leaving the guys family out of it from the start. He did all those things and he should bear the impact. Not his wife and kids. All of us have been saying that from the start.

 

[Gary Whitta]

That's how you handle shit. Paul could learn a lot from that. Also reading that it sounds like he is making things hard on them and making it hard for them to get control of some of their shit. That's sad to read. Hopefully they can get all that fixed.

As I and others predicted, this was inevitable, it was really the only way N-Control was going to emerge from this firestorm alive - cut ties, distance, apologize.

 

[Neuromancer]

Press release from Avenger / N-Control:

Best press release of the year - 2011 - N-Control

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

Reress release

Okay, looks like this company may have a future after all. They just needed ACTUAL professionals to represent and run the company.

All dramatic readings sound annoying.

Except for the Ebaum's world emails. That has never been topped since.

 

[DrForester]

Press release from Avenger / N-Control:

“I can’t worry about the fact that there isn’t a bus big enough for me to throw Paul Christoforo under. The internet did that for me. I think they set him on fire too.”

Nice

 

[TommyT]

Reress release

Okay, looks like this company may have a future after all. They just needed ACTUAL professionals to represent and run the company.



Except for the Ebaum's world emails. That has never been topped since.

Amir0x's was pretty good.

 

[Phreaker]

As I and others predicted, this was inevitable, it was really the only way N-Control was going to emerge from this firestorm alive - cut ties, distance, apologize.

Yes and that Press Release did a pretty damn good job of it.

 

[RagnarokX]

All dramatic readings sound annoying.

http://sonicandtheknucklespart1read.ytmnd.com/
http://sonicandtheknucklespart2read.ytmnd.com/

You might want to turn down your volume.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

As I and others predicted, this was inevitable, it was really the only way N-Control was going to emerge from this firestorm alive - cut ties, distance, apologize.

Yup. It was a very detailed release too which covered everything. Hopefully they do recover and have learned from this. It appears so initially at least that they have.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Re-read it. It says Paul wrote those emails (the ones to the customer and to Gabe), not his family, so (just in case some numbnuts are harassing his fiance/family) leave his family out of it.

Yeah. I imagine having to deal with this jackass on a daily basis is punishment enough.

 

[Jintor]

Also, Eli Schwartz is a minor? Awesome.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

Also, Eli Schwartz is a minor? Awesome.

Yup. He was such a dumbshit doing what he did. He only made things worse for them. He's a kid though and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He still has a chance to grow up not to be an idiot.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Someone a ways back in the thread posted some variation of

1) fire the guy
2) Apologize and extend $10 discount to everyone
3) ???
4) Profit

Wish I could find it, because that's exactly what happened. My favorite line from the PR:

"I can’t worry about the fact that there isn’t a bus big enough for me to throw Paul Christoforo under. The internet did that for me. I think they set him on fire too."​

:lol

The whole PR is written in very good humor:

Contrary to how Mr. Christoforo may have presented events (in public or private), N-Control never directly endorsed nor had knowledge of his communication with customers in the manner found in his correspondence with “Customer Dave”, who still wants his Avengers, despite everything that has transpired.​

It reads like they have an actual professional in charge of PR now. Empathize with 'Dave', apologize to everyone, throw the asshat under the bus, extend discount to everyone, laugh at the hilarity of it all.

 

[Wario64]

Someone a ways back in the thread posted some variation of

1) fire the guy
2) Apologize and extend $10 discount to everyone
3) ???
4) Profit

Wish I could find it, because that's exactly what happened. My favorite line from the PR:

"I can’t worry about the fact that there isn’t a bus big enough for me to throw Paul Christoforo under. The internet did that for me. I think they set him on fire too."​

:lol

Thankfully search now exists on NeoGAF. I'm guessing this is what you're referring to:

1. NControl dumps that dumbass in the trash
2. Issues a heartfelt apology and refunds mistreated customers
3. Gets in contact with PA for a big contribution to Child's Play, maybe a donation of a stock of controllers to handicapped children
4. ????
5. PROFIT!!!!

 

[Puppet Shadow]

For the foreseeable future, N-Control requests that customers discontinue use of the toll-free phone number displayed on the AvengerController.com website, as well as any other means of contact found there.

Out of curiosity, I went to avengercontroller.com and noticed the glowing reviews on the main page. I took the one from Gizmodo:

Lightning reflexes, more kills. instantly accessible to your index fingers, like an extension of your nervous system, In a shooter like Call of Duty, that doesn't just mean you aim faster, without the micro-interruptions of button smashing: You can go prone, aim, and shoot, all at the same time. the Avenger's learning curve is surprisingly short. Afterward, you'll see no reason to ever take it off.

Then put that quote into Google to see if it really went to Gizmodo. Google only had 3 hits:

N-Control | Video Game Controller
www.avengercontroller.com/

The Avenger Controller | eBay
www.ebay.ca/itm/Avenger-Controller-/230661421435

The Avenger Controller | eBay
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avenger-Controller-/230673452585


I'm not a genius at these kind of things, but wouldn't it have a hit from Gizmodo if this was printed there, or could this have been a podcast or something?

 

[Jive Turkey]

Someone a ways back in the thread posted some variation of

1) fire the guy
2) Apologize and extend $10 discount to everyone
3) ???
4) Profit

Wish I could find it, because that's exactly what happened

Probably because that was the only logical way to handle the situation.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Thankfully search now exists on NeoGAF. I'm guessing this is what you're referring to:

Yeah that was it. Not as close as I was remembering, but still. Very good and comprehensive PR. Quite amusing to read.

Probably because that was the only logical way to handle the situation.

Ayup.

 

[Demon Ice]

Out of curiosity, I went to avengercontroller.com and noticed the glowing reviews on the main page. I took the one from Gizmodo:
Then put that quote into Google to see if it really went to Gizmodo. Google only had 3 hits:

N-Control | Video Game Controller
www.avengercontroller.com/

The Avenger Controller | eBay
www.ebay.ca/itm/Avenger-Controller-/230661421435

The Avenger Controller | eBay
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avenger-Controller-/230673452585


I'm not a genius at these kind of things, but wouldn't it have a hit from Gizmodo if this was printed there, or could this have been a podcast or something?

http://gizmodo.com/5814339/n+control-avenger-killer-appendages

That quote is pieced together from different areas of that review.

 

[Puppet Shadow]

http://gizmodo.com/5814339/n+control-avenger-killer-appendages

So why doesn't Google show it? I thought it caught text no matter how deep it was buried on a website.

Edit: The review is by Woody Allen Jang, name makes me laugh for some reason.

 

[Demon Ice]

So why doesn't Google show it? I thought it caught text no matter how deep it was buried on a website.

Edit: The review is by Woody Allen Jang, name makes me laugh for some reason.

No idea. If I had to guess, it's because that text doesn't appear in that direct sequence in the review. There is some filler they left out. I found the review by Googling "Gizmodo Avengers Controller". It was the 2nd hit.

 

[Puppet Shadow]

Did you know Woody Allen Jang holds the Guinness World Record for Typing on the iPad?

 

[SHAZOOM]

I've asked like 20 times in this thread, so maybe you'll answer:

What do you object to specifically about what has happened?
Is it the public posting of his...public business 800 number?
Links to his public facebook profile?
Links to the youtube public videos that he posted himself?
Links to his tweets?
Comments in a gaf thread about how douchey he is?
Random youtube comments? (you have seen youtube comments before, right?)

Are you upset with him, that he keeps doing interviews, tweeting, and sending public emails on this topic?

Nail down for us exactly what is this objectionable behavior that's taking place, who is doing it, and why it's offensive, and maybe we can have a real discussion.

What the fuck are you talking about? Seriously, you haven't let go of this Strawman for 20+ pages.

Almost nothing is wrong with posting the info above, but acting upon it (such as sending spam mail/making complaint calls) has proven to be:

1) Pointless, since its obvious he's lose the client/is a giant joke at this point.

2) Its gotten to a point that giving it more attention is just giving the guy more exposure/clicks in his mind, so basically not giving him hits/follows/retweets to work with will make it so that he doesn't have any "extra" follow/clicks/hits.

So have a laugh at the guy (which is totally deserved on his part) and move on to something more important with your day (I just finished up a couple job interviews during the 10+ pages that you've been spending on following the status of this Paul jackass)

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

Probably old but

"I don't know the mayor of Boston," he admitted. "That was taken totally out of context, I was just joking around. I am from Boston, though, and I know a lot of people people who own clubs. I know some influential people, like the guy who runs the door at the convention center.

This fuckin guy

 

[Parallax Scroll]

Did you know Woody Allen Jang holds the Guinness World Record for Typing on the iPad?

i bet he could type even faster with an avenger

 

[Kermit The Dog]

I've asked like 20 times in this thread, so maybe you'll answer:

What do you object to specifically about what has happened?
Is it the public posting of his...public business 800 number?
Links to his public facebook profile?
Links to the youtube public videos that he posted himself?
Links to his tweets?
Comments in a gaf thread about how douchey he is?
Random youtube comments? (you have seen youtube comments before, right?)

Are you upset with him, that he keeps doing interviews, tweeting, and sending public emails on this topic?

Nail down for us exactly what is this objectionable behavior that's taking place, who is doing it, and why it's offensive, and maybe we can have a real discussion.

Huh? Don't play stupid. Techno is clearly referring to the fact his immediate family is suffering the consequences of his stupidity. Now, if these consequences were simply that he lost his job and thus the ability to support his wide and kid, then that's almost fair enough because he was acting disgracefully.

However, the fact some morons have invaded his personal life and harassed his family and continue to taunt him despite the fact justice has been served (public humiliation, losing his job) well, I think that's pathetic. Nothing more than a bunch of lonely tryhards trying to fill their day.

 

[Neuromancer]

Probably old but



This fuckin guy

This fuckin guy *shakes head*

 

[Roto13]

I'm still not willing to take his family's suffering (aside from the misery of having a douchebag in their house) as a fact and not just even more lies.

 

[hteng]

this is the most epic internet ownage i've ever had the pleasure to read, so epic!

 

[Sullichin]

I'm still not willing to take his family's suffering (aside from the misery of having a douchebag in their house) as a fact and not just even more lies.

Yeah is there any evidence somewhere of someone actually threatening his family?

 

[Kadey]

After reading that msnbc article, I've lost even more respect for him if I had any. The guy keeps trying to come up with excuses and paint himself as the victim.

 

[Demon Ice]

Did you know Woody Allen Jang holds the Guinness World Record for Typing on the iPad?

Haha you really like that name don't you

 

[Cruzader]

Huh? Don't play stupid. Techno is clearly referring to the fact his immediate family is suffering the consequences of his stupidity. Now, if these consequences were simply that he lost his job and thus the ability to support his wide and kid, then that's almost fair enough because he was acting disgracefully.

However, the fact some morons have invaded his personal life and harassed his family and continue to taunt him despite the fact justice has been served (public humiliation, losing his job) well, I think that's pathetic. Nothing more than a bunch of lonely tryhards trying to fill their day.

Why are you trusting a liar asshole in the first place?

As far as I can tell, he is lying and placing his family into this to get some people to feel bad for him and to be believed to be a "humble, hard working man" who "made one mistake"! LOL yea right.

Everyone who gets caught doing something wrong, always, always is told to say something about their family in their little sorry speech to get some +1 pity points from everyone. I don't buy it and based on the recent interview (msnbc or so) he sounds like a total dick once again. What he says doesnt mirror any harassment being done but his ego coming out of his ass at full force.

 

[R_thanatos]

I loved the "Thrown under a bus" comment.

Same here .. Case closed for me i guess .. the makers will continue on with other partners ( surely better at the job ) and internet voice helped to correct a serious ongoing problem.

i was waiting for something like this ..

PS: the throw under a bus is perfect in that case ..

 

[Renmei]

Wow people still care about this? To think, if only I was more internet-famous I could have my own private army of nerds harass the racist troll messing with me last night on XBL xD