First, a brief note. I have culled a few lines and remarks from the previous page of my protest, the part after the exchange between myself and Blizzard. Nothing new was added. The bits that were removed were taken out for various editorial reasons, none of which require explanation. The essence of the piece, and the expression of my views, was not compromised or altered. Now... on to the matter at hand. The Last Word in this chapter of my protest.
After posting the response to my protest from Blizzard North's VP, Max Schaefer, the complete exchange we had, I received a lot of positive support via email. I may well decide to post some of these replies in a new Protest Mail Bag feature, but that's a decision for another day. There were, along with the applause and notes of support, two concerns raised by different respondants in a very few of these letters, which today I have decided to address.
The first criticism was that I unfairly recorded an off-the-record conversation, betraying Mr. Schaefer's trust. Some wondered if I had rightful permission to use his response. One even went as far as to accuse me of harming the very process by which game makers can relate and interact with gaming communities.
The second criticism was that -- perceptually at least, if not in fact as well -- that I seized an unfair advantage in the exchange by monopolizing the last word.
My answer to the first is that anybody who writes under the heading of Official Response is responding on the record. Period. This is a nonissue end to end. Laying claim to the advantages and authority of an official response, without accepting the responsibilities adherent to speaking on the record, would be entirely unprofessional. I object to any implication that would paint Mr. Schaefer as unprofessional in this exchange, as much as I refute the same implications being applied to me.
The second issue is more complex. I had the last word in the exchange, but that was by Max's choice. I did not say all that I had to say in my last post because I expected there to be more interaction forthcoming. I see nothing inherently unfair about me getting the last word here. Quite the contrary, I believe it would be unfair for Max to be able to unilaterally choose an end point to the issue with a well-timed departure, thus it is only right that I be allowed to finish my presentation. However, I do concede that, in appearance at least, there is advantage to having the last word.
I believe I've handled this entire protest in an honest manner. I've been blunt at times, confrontational at times, and certainly both determined and opinionated. I could well stand on the points I've already made, which are (in my view) more than adequate to address these two concerns.
However, let it not be said anywhere that I was afraid to let my protest, my opinions, and my writings stand on their own merits. Let it not be said that I'm conducting in hypocrisy, by treating Mr. Scheafer and Blizzard North in a manner similar to the treatment I object to within their game. Let it not be said that I controlled and manipulated the exchange unfairly to promote my own agenda. There was a cordial, candid response to an honest protest, wherein two parties disagree within an overall framework of mutual respect.
You don't have to take my word for it. I contacted Mr. Schaefer again, and put these questions directly to him.
Sirian: Was that, or was that not, an official response on behalf of your company to my protest?
Max: "No, that was just an official response from me. I suppose I'm the most qualified to comment on the issue in our company, but we have not decided as a company to make any statements on the matter. I like to post in various places from time to time, however. As a game fan, I like to debate game features and their effects on both the public and the game itself. I find such topics fascinating, and my interest goes way beyond the PK issue."
Sirian: Do you have any objection to my posting that official response on my website?
Max: "Not at all. I posted it publicly on the LL forum, and have no objection to your posting it on your site. However, I will again emphasize that it was from me, not from Blizzard as such."
Sirian: Do you have any objection to the way I've handled your side of the exchange, the way I've portrayed you or your company or your product?
Max: "I disagree with your characterization of our motivations, but respect your right to a strong opinion on the matter. You printed my repsonses in their entirety, so I can have no objections there. Your editorials that accompany them are perhaps another matter, however. Your portrayal of us as indifferent corporate money-grubbers is so far off the mark it's laughable. And I would respectfully disagree that any of my points evaporated under scrutiny. My personal objections to your editorial style are irrelevant, however, as I don't think you should change anything you do based on my opinions."
I hope that answers that matter.
Max volunteered this statement, to which I responded. He said: "If we make a MMORPG, it will set new standards. I guarantee it. And I hope you'll buy it."
I answered with, "If you take care with it to offer the kinds of playing experiences I enjoy, without imposing on me the kinds I do not, I will consider it carefully. Please forgive me if I am doubtful, though. There are more ways to get it wrong than right, and many of those arise in aspects of game publishing that may lie beyond your control. I do believe you have the potential to make such a game, but it will take a lot of care to pull it off. Best wishes in that endeavor."
I offered Max an opportunity to speak to me off the record as well as on, with these questions. He opted to speak on the record, and gave me this statement in that regard:
Max: "I'll let you know when I'd like to be speaking off the record. Otherwise, you can consider anything I say to be public, and you should feel free to add it to your site."
I want to thank Max for responding promptly, candidly, and courteously to my followup questions. I hope this clarifies his position and puts to rest the few criticisms that have been voiced.
I offered Max the opportunity to add anything he likes to this record, before I close this exchange. He responded with the following statements. Let those who criticized me for having the last word now acknowledge that the advantage, if there is any, has been willingly offered up to Max to make of what he wishes. Here now is the Last Word, from Max Schaefer, senior designer and vice president at Blizzard North:
Max: "Diablo II: Lord of Destruction is the fastest selling computer game of all time. We currently have more online players than any computer game in history. Battle.net continues to grow in popularity, and continues to set records. Despite the onrush of incredible numbers of new players, the realms are more stable than they were prior to LOD's release. This, plus all of the favorable comments I receive from people all over the world, lead me to believe that the project was a complete success. When I said that the PK issue was "not a deal-breaker," I meant that those who disagree with our choice are either sufficiently compelled by the rest of the game to keep playing, or they do not constitute a large enough group to threaten our sales. I want people to like our games. I enjoy the fact that we bring entertainment and joy to millions of people. I am happy that once again we have succeeded in that pursuit."
Max: "I acknowledge that there are a number of people who agree with you that the PK situation is less than desirable. The fact that we feel differently ought not become an issue of morality or petty judgementalism. It's a game feature, and nothing more. Every game has rules, and people are always free to participate or not. Although as far as I'm concerned, the more sales the better, we don't make decisions about game rules based on public polls or focus groups. Like I said before, we know better than the public what makes for a good game. Just like car makers know better than I do how to make cars. Whether we're right or not is decided in the mart of competitive commerce."
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