So it's basically a limited democracy? I'm pretty sure there's a correct term for that though. EDIT: actually is the correct term.
I don't think so. As "guests", or "members", we don't really have voice to change the course of this "state". If you want to take it to a political level, then we have to see touchArcade as an Oligarchy. Tho, it's a friendly oligarchy and the supreme rulers tend to listen to the mob on a constant level. Sometimes a chief might give you a headache, but hey - it's touchArcade, not touchyArcade. And if someone gets his ass kicked, that person actually was begging for it. I saw that on many occassions. If you think there's an harsh tone here, I always suggest to join a gaming forum for Sony or Nintendo handhelds. Daily drama at its best. tA is a Kindergarden compared to those forums. Something I really dislike is that fact, that some members think that Eli and maybe Arn have to constantly kiss their as... feet because they are here in all their glory. Wrong. It's more the other way 'round. tA is a FREE service where many people can learn and discuss about mobile gaming and meet like-minded people. I actually made a handful of very good friends and I am absolutely grateful that touchArcade has made me meet this people. So, if you think that Eli pisses off some people by raising his voice and shouldn't do that: nope. We are not paying customers. Eli is simply protecting the other people who appeciate what the tA staff is doing and I know that tA LOVES their dedicated fans (especially those fantastic guys supporting indie devs and helping them out), and - because of that - tries to sort the loons out, so the people can enjoy the time they spend on tA. Most people think that Eli should just shut up because he could lose readers. They even dare to tell him that sometimes. But it's HIS effin' business and he has the last word. I mean, Eli isn't dumb - he knows exactly the various types of reactions his words can cause. The other mods and admins are aware of that, too. Their voices are strong and can break stuff. I am just glad he (Eli) doesn't just shut up and speaks out what he's thinking. I don't agree with everything he says, no way, and I also don't think he's always right. But I like him because of the opportunities he's giving to all members, the small and the bigger devs and mobile gaming itself.
That's me! (Though I didn't use caps) I do feel that some of the staff here can sometimes write with and unjustified hostility towards people who don't want to spend lots of money on games (alongside justified hostility towards people who complain about prices) - and when it's pointed out, the responses can be quite rude. I don't think it's good business and is likely to drive potential readers away. That said, I've never felt in any danger of having my posts deleted.
People shouldn't confused an opposing opinion with hostility. And yeah, if someone can dish out but can't take in, maybe a vacation from the internet would be appropriate.
I admit I get annoyed with cheapskates. One minute we're moaning about freemium then the next the same person is begging for promo coded for a 99c game or waiting for price drops. That's why we have freemium. The likes of these people Games are SOOO cheap. Can't believe people whinge about prices. Depressing
I usually post comments under a different account, which has been sort of a fascinating social experiment. Posting virtually the exact same thing under a no-name account doesn't upset anyone. Disagreeing with anyone under my normal account brings about all the people who are upset with how hostile TouchArcade is towards them... ...When, in reality, it's like, no, sorry, your comment was just unbelievably stupid, shockingly incorrect, or otherwise just incredibly naive and you're getting angry because the world doesn't work the way you think it does. I've got over six years of experience doing this shit now, I not only follow developer blogs daily, but I've also quite literally travelled the world meeting the people who power this industry and growing my understanding of it all. When I disagree with someone in comments, it's coming from a position of experience, not because I just feel like being contradictory because it's a Thursday and I've got nothing else to do. The phenomenon of people wanting to treat me like I'm some kind of villain is kind of mind blowing, as the attitude people have towards me is often like how your classmates would gang up on your 2nd grade teacher because she wanted you to work on your multiplication tables. How dare she, right? But, hey, I don't mind. Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel
You know, I promised myself I would end the debate and not butt in my own post, but I see the content of this thread really flew over your head. I wasn't dismissing your career, or gaming capacity, or how your life takes you to fabulous places to meet super cool and awesome people. I was talking specifically about how you handle adversity and contrary opinions. A post above stated we are all guests in this site and it's very much true. I am stepping into your "home" and you set the rules. HOWEVER that doesn't mean that I can't have an opinion on them...at the risk of being thrown out. What you still don't understand is that personality, mental age, education and caracter all show through how you talk to people no matter what their opinion or "low status" they are compared to you. You want to be snarky, dismissive, abrupt and rud eto your visitos, but can't handle being responded in the same way. You are basically profiting from your position and abusing it to the point of deleting my comment and blocking after I simply stated "that was such a predictible and immature thing to say" when you said "Oh but being the main villain is sooo joyful and fun!". Why not keep my post and let me embarrass myself alone? Because you got confronted with the same calibre of wording and mentality you use, and it rubbed you the wrong way. How dare this internet person come on MY site and talk to me the same way I talk to everyone around here who doesn't get along and clap to my humour? That's the whole thing. It's really so simple and I am your post was just to muddle things and further the debate and take a convo to deeper depths. There ARE no depths to this whole story. I wanted to call you out for being infantile and entitled, but you found a way to diverge things elsewhere. I dare ANYONE to compare my posts and the posts of the Mod which were down-to-earth, polite, to-the-point posts that swiftly brought closure to a thread (I maybe shouldn't have started because this is honestly just making me look pathetic and bad to drag on and on), and your two posts which constitued in a Bugs Bunny Lover thing and a video of James Franco (really? Honestly how old are you to still root for this guy?) on "haters". I am no "hater". I am just noticing things and calling them out like they are. You can either take them (just like I have no problem admitting my faults as you've seen) or leave them. Just don't get surprised people are fed up with your BS sooner or later and no amount of "travelling, gaming expertise, or social position" would keep them from pointing out your mentality. You compared yourself to a a "2nd grade teacher". But I am sure no teacher would say to a dumb student "go home to your parents" when faced with an ignorant discussion. I really feel silly just writing this and have much better things to do. This may well be my last post on this site even since this is all just too much drama and high-school pathetic exchanges that will lead nowhere. But at least I got away of saying what's on my mind. You showed how you don't really care to better things or yourself when confronted with criticism. Because this is internet. Everyone is expandable. You are making the life you wanted and eff everyone who disagrees and decides to leave because you refused to act your age and be the bigger person. Cheers and best of luck.
Relax people we're talking about video games not peace in the Middle East. I think you'll find your internet experience as a whole will be a lot better if you take it with a sense of humor and humility. I make a fool out of myself on almost a daily basis but I'm not afraid to come back for more. #
The title of this thread contains an acronym for bullshit. I'm just saying, you set a hostile tone even before someone read your say. If you don't expect some hostility in return... well then I have no words.
I looked through his comment history before banning him from front page comments, and, like everyone we ban from commenting, it was filled with snide quips and other sassy one liners. The people we prevent from commenting on articles all have one thing in common, and it's not that they disagree with us. Disagreement is important in any discussion thread. It's entirely in the delivery and the toxic attitude towards TouchArcade, our team, and typically, mobile gaming in general just isn't really welcome here. Unfortunately, it's really hard to explain that kind of thing who someone whose MO seems to involve being an internet know it all then trying to call you on your "BS". Front page comments are moderated pretty strictly because shitty comments make the site look bad. That's really all there is to it. Getting rid of people like this is the least fun part of my day, but it's important when it comes to keeping things fun and exciting for my team.
Isn't that exactly what I was saying? And yeah, you're right, Blackharon. The tone was set before the thread was even open. I forgot to say that in my wall of texts. But that happens quite a lot and that's what I meant: people come here in all their glory and tA needs to be thankful. Some people act in a form of pure arrogance, like they own this website.
I had no idea he was banned... sorry for bumping the thread then! If I had a genie I'd ask for the power to ban AppStore reviewers like TA can ban article commenters.