Back in the OS/2 days, Microsoft got caught using what were called “Microsoft Munchkins” (coined by John Dvorak). Essentially these were guys whose job was to smear OS/2.
Anyone who has had to deal with these kinds of users whether it be on Wikipedia or some forum tends to be able to spot these guys since they usually create accounts only to smear a particular product or service (or boost a product or service).
As many people know, I spend a lot of time online and thankfully, I haven’t seen anything that struck me as peculiar until very recently when suddenly, comments on articles regarding Impulse have detractors appearing out of nowhere. I.e. they create an account specifically to smear Impulse usually saying things that really sound like FUD.
Now, I might think Impulse is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I would be the first to admit that the average person isn’t passionate about digital distribution or development platforms. Certainly not passionate enough to bother creating a new account just to smear something.
I’m inclined to chalk it up to just the usual Internet junk. Maybe people are more into this kind of thing than I thought.
So I thought I’d hand it over to you guys and see what you think.
Here are examples:
http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=62814
User called Gahenna creates an account on Shacknews just to smear Impulse Reactor.
“From my limited experience with Impulse, it's interface is garbage and slow, there's nothing worth purchasing (everything is D list or worse). It's not even close to the same league as Steam.”
Within 24 hours Gamautra puts up its Impulse::Reactor thing and sure enough, a user pops up who has never posted before anywhere as far as anyone can tell.
“While I appreciate the competition with Valve's service, Impulse seems to provide a much lower quality service”
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27687/Stardocks_Wardell_Details_Impulse_Reactor_Specifics.php
And on the same day or so 1Up puts up their article:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3178341
And a user called “Grizzt” (real name “dasd asd”) and writes:
“i tried there service before it wasnt quite up to par with steam or the other services i tried.”
Okay, maybe there’s just a dedicated fanboy out there. Or maybe it’s a different fan boy writing up the same points over and over. Thanks to the anonymity of the Internet, nobody knows. Heck, maybe Impulse just sucks in ways I never realized.
The writing style seems different to me. I’m no expert but it doesn’t seem like it’s the same person.
It’s probably just coincidence. But there’s a lot of news items on Stardock on various sites and it’s pretty unusual to see such…dedication.
What do you think?
irek-
As Savyg said, we do know that Impulse Reactor will not require the Impulse Client. That's one of it's advertised features is to offer the services of Steamworks without the requied client.
Also, Impulse is not required to start games. You can download/update a game and then remove Impulse and everything works fine.
Yeah?So will I get in game VOIP, anti cheat mechanism and 100 mb for every game I play on Reactor server to store my files?
Jus to be clear:
-Not fanboy of steam. Fanboy of testing games on rapidshare and getting originals later from cheapest source avaliable (its not my fault steam keeps coming on top)
-About demos. Where are they? Is it really hurt to put a small tab and extra page with demos listed? There is no way to get to them without digging every single game. If i can get demo i wont download pirated game, because i want to see what i am paying for. Coz online shops dont really want to give you money back just because you dont like the game.
-About margin. Sure digital distribution is not my area of knowledge. But the same rule apply you get % of your sale.
-Fanboy. It's simple one. Someone who wants to belong to any grup just to feel acepted. He dosnt really know what is it about but for him any reason is good.
-Monopol of steam. If it really exist. For now I just hear scary stories that they will control marked soon if someone wont stop them. Well so fat they are cheapest source of games (most of the time) so I see no reason why not use their services.
Oh lol about the THQ pack.
You guys swapped good shooter (frontlines fuel of wars) and funny as hell gta like (saints row 2) for:
-World of Zoo is the only life sim game that pushes you past the fences and into a world of your own zoo. Create and customize your zoo experience and develop hands on relationships to earn the trust and love of your animals.
-Supreme comander +exp.
I finished both saints row 2 and frontlines. They are way better then Word of zoo
/
Dammit, I thought this was about the card game and got excited.
Who said not to use Steam? It has it's faults (Steamworks, I'm looking at you, you not being the worst thing ever just due to things like Starforce, limited activations...; the user agreement includes* that they can ban you from your games without warning and without giving you any reason, in that moment or later, if they are in the mood for it;...) but surely it's a polished system that works. Advantage of more time in league, more games, bigger customer base (not a few forced though )... A big part of that customer base has been greatly benefited of competition for Steam. People can like Impulse, GoG, GamersGate or any other platform or not for whatever reasons they decide to use, but the possitive effects are there for anyone who wants to enjoy them to enjoy.
Impulse as platform? My favourite. Interface can be improved? Sure but Steam's too (even if it's actually better). It's not intrusive, has my favourite games and the only real problem it has for me is the regional restrictions some Publishers insists on. I know I could bypass it if I knew how to use some kind of USA proxy but I should be able to spend my money without resorting to tricks.
Does it sucks too have to use more than one client to buy games online? Yeah, it sucks that some games are PS3 exclusive, X-Bos 360 exclusive...
* could have changed, I haven't bothered checking lately but when I had to install Steam for Dawn of War 2, it was stated quite clearly and had me close to not install the game and ban Steam from my computer forever.
Have not read all the posts on this thread.
I'm not surprised to hear there are "Munchkins" posting negative stuff about Impulse. In Elemental, GalCiv or Sins you would do the same to beat a competitor and win. In real life some people are cruel, mean and disgusting in their pursuit of the almighty dollar, for them there is no distinction between fair and unfair practices. That Stardock won't stoop to such practices is awesome and also rotton because it will put you at a disadvantage.....
But I guess the best thing to hope for is that internet users are not silly and realise that "hearing" something on the web, especially on an anonymous posting, is not even as reliable, as say, FOX news.
Finally creating an account to post a positive review after such an obvious dirty trick is acceptable in my opinion, just don't get IP busted or anything like that.
Yes, avoid sock puppetry. It is fine to create a new account to reply to falsities, but don't try to create multiple accounts in order to "outnumber" your opponents.
Its likely demigod fallout too, If your name is on it people stop having to listen to reason. You know the good ole "somethings wrong, you rname is on the box I blame you" mindset.
Don't get me wrong, Stardock went above and beyond with fixing demigods problems, even gave out refunds. They have nothing to be ashamed of. Some people just don't want to be wrong.
The counterexample to this is that Nvidia really is putting out a dud card in Fermi. They're only giving review cards to their most trusted fanboy sites (ie: not the major sites that will do an honest comparison). They're keeping all specs quiet from the public as much as possible, because when people realize the cards need specially certified cases due to the insane heat production and yet still can't line up against ATI's top end card...
And yet the Nvidia fanboys are some of the most rabid on the net. They refuse to accept any of this, and believe the whole thing is some vast media conspiracy against them. People said similar things back during the bad chip scandal Nvidia had a while ago, and that was all proven true (and cost Nvidia millions).
Once the cards are in public and we see how they really perform, then we'll know which version is true.
Welcome to the wonderful world of regional pricing... I can't even buy that here in Germany...
As far as I knew, a "munchkin" was a tabletop RPG player who only plays to kill stuff rather than, well, roleplay (think Diablo except with pen & paper), while the paid campaigners were called "astroturfers" after a brand of artificial grass (in reference to the term "grassroot", which denotes a fan-based effort to publicize a given product).
As for the topic at hand, name *any* technology and I'll find you a loud, obsessive and grammar-impaired hater for it with ease. I mean, even things like debuggers and revision control systems have them, even though you'd likely need an university degree to know and have a reason to use them in the first place, so the fact that Impulse Reactor has some as well is hardly surprising.
Me? I love Steam and I love Impulse, all I hate is the OS they run on M$, from my parents' home in Wyoming, I stab at thee!
This sort of thing does go on, though. Here in New Brunswick (Canada), the government wants to sell the power utility to Quebec. To say it's gone badly for them in public opinion would be an understatement (76% opposition, the Premier now has 15% approval).
In response, they hired the PR firm Hill & Knowlton. Shortly after that, a lot of conspicuous posters appeared in the comments section of the local newspaper's website, all spouting comments that toe the official PR campaign. There's no doubt that some if not all of them are paid shills.
You're so right. And so wrong. These are the true munchkins! http://www.worldofmunchkin.com/
Brad you have nothing to fear from those Idiot Trolls! Your service kicks so much ass! I love it.
Yes there has been a few problems but you guys are always right on it to correct it. But serious theres no such thing as perfection! But it never hurts to try.
Ignore these jerks and just keep up the great job!
I suppose it's just Human nature in some people to pick a side and forsake all others regardless of logic.
Just look at Religion/Politics/Football Teams etc.
Im sure steam get their share of unbased negative comments, ive seen lots (especially on these forums)
I have steam & impulse, no problems with either.
Pathetic.
I found out back in the day while working at Origin that companies indeed DO hire people who's only job it is,was to make the competition look bad. Origin's people were really good at it too....I mean like, scary good. Kinda sad that people get paid to do this.
On the topic of demos: It would be nice if they were more convenient to find from Impulse. I searched "demo" in Impulse and only came up with two results. Steam does have a demo section, which is nice, but even then that's not what I'm personally want. For example, Capcom's Devil May Cry 4 (great to see that, I might add) has a demo plus benchmarking utility, but neither is made mention of on either service. Same with Demigod.
I would love to have a convenient "download demo" button for games if available. Now, I realize that having someone leave the store isn't ideal, but I also realize these things cost money (storage, bandwidth). So, if things were like Xbox Live where I could get buy the game or simply download the demo (and I realize that the XBLA demos are simply the full versions waiting to be unlocked, so its not entirely applicable to this situation)? Fine by me. If not, I completely understand.
As for making deals: I love Capcom, but MAN did they drag their feet getting DMC4 onto digital platforms! I do have half a mind to rebuy it (got the retail one) when I see it on a good sale, though. That's a tough thing there - I want to try and support local business when I can, but with PC gaming that often means I'm giving up the benefits of digital distribution (no stuff to end up in the landfill, no worries about discs/keys, etc).
Anyhow - ignore the schills (volunteer and paid) - as I've emailed Stardock a number of times, you guys are doing a fantastic job, I've no problems recommending folks to anything you guys do. Would love to see more software added in addition to games, such as FRAPS, but no biggie.
Oh, one more thing: I simply love how Impulse puts a lot of the important information up top, first and foremost: download size, protection, language, and territories (plus exclusions). This is highly appreciated.
While I like Impulse a lot and make purchases here now and then, actually, there is some truth behind such a statement.
There are some cases of games being never patched to the latest version on Impulse, sometimes lacking even critical patches (Iron Grip Warlord and Elven Legacy being the most painful examples). GSB DLC took ages to appear... et cetera.
Steam? Sometimes, but considering their vast stock - quite, quite rarely.
I really hope Impulse eventually improves on this front, since fear of getting the obsolete product with no updates is what sometimes prevents me from buying here...
Some of Steam's fans pretty much foam at the mouth if you ever mention anything bad about Steam or mention something positive about a competitor. Hell, I am not such a huge fan of Impulse that I only tell people about the positivesm and still I get tackled by these guys. I don't know about munchkins, but Valve can pretty much stop pumping money into marketing; steam fans are aggressive enough as it is. And yes, it does remind me about some Apple fans.
I think that all publicity is good publicity and in the end, you can only really "focus on making something excellent," to quote a fine businessman.
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