Comments on: Belgiumgate!

By: Comp This: A One-Year Anniversary Rant | LagORama

Comp This: A One-Year Anniversary Rant | LagORama — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:48:52 +0000

[...] I’ll admit this topic has been talked to death already. Scott talked about it. Mark Jacobs used the power of drama to discuss it. Jeff Freeman nailed it (as [...]

By: hitnrun

hitnrun — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:02:03 +0000

I can see comped game accounts affecting coverage theoretically. Maybe if they handed them out to medium sized bloggers or smaller that don’t normally get free stuff, that could be the difference between the blogger giving the game a chance (simple cognitive resonance) or not even playing it at all.

Also, I could see the comped accounts maybe affecting coverage in *reverse* of the sexy conspiracy theory, as in big sites who don’t get them could get pissy. That’s not really the dev or publisher’s fault though.

But are these effects significant enough to justify putting two words together about them? I don’t think so.

By: Slyfeind

Slyfeind — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:30:54 +0000

I don’t get it. It’s just a damn game. Now if someone got a lifetime supply of GASOLINE then that’s something to get upset about.

By: Rhoklaw

Rhoklaw — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:58:57 +0000

Hey Scott, I know we don’t have a long time standing, but I’m seeking some free lance advice on doing what it is you do best. Basically, I’m looking at trying to create or possibly join a squad of honest reviewees. Just like you, I started playing a long time ago, back in the MuDD Age. In fact, I miss playing Gemstone 3 from time to time.

I guess what I’m saying is, MMO’s and me feel watered down at this point in my life. So I thought maybe providing reviews might make things more interesting again. I’m sure over my MMO career, I’ve probably invested some 15-20,000 hours of gameplay. Thats a lot of mongbat generations.

So, lets say I’m not an expert at HTML or website design but need a comfortable home free of current “independent” gaming site restrictions. Any tips or maybe a finger in the right direction perhaps? As for a quick history about me, I’m almost 36, a combat medic in the Army and a rabid MMO fan. However, I feel compelled to help shed some light on this growing industry.

If you can’t help, maybe you could send me a mongbat to ease my conscious?

By: BadMisterFrosty

BadMisterFrosty — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:58:13 +0000

Mark Jacobs dialogue was a good read. But it was his blog avatar image, that got me thinking, isn't that an iron cross blend with a swatiska!?

By: A Blogger’s Ego and the Anatomy of a Phony Scandal | Wolfshead Online

A Blogger’s Ego and the Anatomy of a Phony Scandal | Wolfshead Online — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:46:50 +0000

[...] induction into the MMO press corps and somehow rises above it all. Finally, he’s awarded the imprimatur of the Don Corleone of MMO blogs, Scott “Lum the Mad” Jennings and becomes a made man. [...]

By: Triforcer

Triforcer — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:46:22 +0000

The outrage over this is simple. Most bloggers are 15-22, and live off mommy and daddy’s money. Since they have to cajole their parents for every cent they receive, $15 is a HUGE BIG DEAL. Thus, in 15-22 year old inflation-adjusted terms, Tobold is getting something like $1000. Quite simple, really.

By: Tinman_au

Tinman_au — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:18:21 +0000

I really doubt Tobald being able to avoid the whole “GOA thing” would make him change his mind about how he feels about the game, and Mark Jacobs personally vouches for him!

But seriously “free stuff” is a part of any industry. Once that’s disclosed, folks can form their own opinion about what’s being said (and at the end of the day, “your” opinion is the only one that really matters). At least Tobald has the nads to step up and disclose, kudos for that mate.

By: Tobold

Tobold — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:21:17 +0000

Just to destroy the first line of your post, Mark Jacobs posted his comments.

By: Athryn

Athryn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:00:11 +0000

I stopped subscribing to Tobold after he started advertising gold on his blog via an “interview” with a gold farming company. I’m not surprised he got a comped account either.