The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently discovered that back when the Xbox One first came out at the end of 2013, the YouTube network Machinima paid popular YouTube personalities, like Adam Dahlberg, money to talk positively about the Xbox One. At the same time, it told its clients not to say anything about the deal to the public.
After a recent investigation, the FTC decided that this was deceptive advertisement, and said that Machinima has agreed to a settlement and will be prohibited from using such tactics in the future. The organization wrote:
In numerous instances, Respondent has failed to disclose, or disclose adequately, that the individuals who posted the reviews were compensated in connection with their endorsements. This fact would be material to consumers in their purchasing decisions regarding Xbox One and the Launch Titles. The failure to disclose this fact, in light of the representations made, was, and is, a deceptive practice.
What are your thoughts on media companies using such practices? Do you trust YouTubers when they talk about games and their recommendations?
Essential Reading:
- YouTube Gaming Kinda Sucks
- The Clickbait Podcast Ep. 02: You Won’t Believe What Happens Next
- Versus – PS4 vs. Xbox One vs. Wii U Known Holiday Releases
Now Loading...Deus Ex!
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Now Loading…Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Pre-Order “Bonuses” Issue and What to Make of It
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Alex Co
I get what Square Enix is trying to do, but at the same time, I understand why people are mad at this. I mean, pre-order incentives and stuff are already getting out of hand, and this one -- if it works -- might just open up a whole new can of worms.
Do I support this? Nah, not one bit. Giving more pre-order bonuses is a good idea, but releasing Deus Ex: Mankind Divided earlier than usual IF people pre-order enough is just...I dunno, stupid? Just get the game out earlier if that's the case and don't act like you're doing gamers a favor, yeah?
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Heath Hindman
I love Square Enix's tier-based pre-orders with this game, because it means they can make more money while none of it is my money, because I don't pre-order. Good stuff!
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Cameron Teague
I will say that I don't see the reason for the huge uproar. If you want to get the perk of playing the game 4 days early, then convince all your friends to pre-order. If you don't care about that, then just wait until the game launches and purchase it. I understand that a lot of people aren't all that happy with Square Enix in general lately, but I see no real fault in this tactic.
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Tyler Treese
It seems like every three months the online community is set ablaze with people vowing to never pre-order games again. They even draft up petitions to feel like they are making a difference! However, this anger quickly subsides as they continue to pre-order games. This isn't the first time that fans vow to stop pre-ordering, and it won't be the last. Because how else will they get some meaningless side-quest in a game?
As far as Deus Ex's strategy is concerned, I find it to be pure genius. If this is what Square Enix has to do for the series to gain more first week sales than so be it. Deus Ex is one of the most critically acclaimed series of all time, and deserves to be played by as many people as possible. -
Zarmena Khan
I should just copy and paste Heath's reply. I don't pre-order so I don't understand the fuss. People need to vote with their wallets and be done with it. A certain group within the gaming community doesn't understand that actions speak louder than angry tweets. And if developers are successful in implementing these strategies then it means that a significant proportion of people are fine with them. In that case, the only advice I have is to shut up.
By the way, the game releasing four days early means nothing to me. -
Ben Tarrant
Cam has it on point there. If you care that much pay the extra. If you don't.. Then don't. It's an incentive thing for big fans, not a necessity?
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Tyler Colp
I usually leave the pre-ordering to people willing to take that chance, since, as history as shown, it's not always a safe purchase. The problem here is that Square Enix is essentially saying it's able to release the game four days early, but locking it behind a pre-order campaign. I think it's gross that they're asking people to earn something like that. It says a lot about the really troubling relationship game companies and game players have. It's the manipulative pre-order culture pushed a little further. I understand why it exists, but I just want to play the game.
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Chandler Wood
Incentives are a part of business. On the one side, we can call Square greedy and terrible people. On the other we can understand that games are on no way the only businesses that do this. In fact, if not enough people order, we're not out anything. Release goes according to plan and that's that. It's like a sales incentive. Do well, get a bonus. Don't, and maintain the status quo. Still don't want to pre-order games? Just don't then.
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Mack Ashworth
While I think the pre-order incentives for Mankind Divided are nothing unusual, especially if you look at the PC side of things, I can understand why people are annoyed. The trailer Square Enix released alongside the launch date announcement was fascinating to me. Here is a company that has the audacity to present pre-orders as a privilege that we gamers should be grateful for. We must look like complete idiots to them, and we have created that image through our blind support for games prior to their release.No, gamers shouldn't pre-order this game, and yet most of us will anyway.
