Curse

TRUEgamer · Mar 24, 2006, 06:00 PM // 18:00

(I'm a humor writer that feels like bitching right now...I'm not meaning to be humorous but figured some of you might like this and/or agree with me... or want to kill me. It's a free country)

"FilePlanet Subscribers can defeat an ancient evil and join forces to conquer new territory in Guild Wars Factions!"

I've always had a problem with FilePlanet, whether it be their fascist system of control on the gaming scene through alliances and partnerships with GameSpy and IGN or their Direct2Drive system that gradually rapes game developers of the money they deserve from the production of hit games. But taking an event advertised everywhere like crazy and available to practically anybody who knows someone who plays Guild Wars and calling it a FilePlanet Exclusive? That draws the line.

This morning, I received an email, largely because I previously held an account at FilePlanet (a paying account for some time), talking about the FilePlanet Exclusive beta-test of Guild Wars: Factions this weekend, and how having an account at FilePlanet gets you in. They put it across to the mailing list entrees as if holding a paying account with FilePlanet is the only way to get into the event that, at this point, thousands are already engaged in, with many more to come over the course of the weekend.

But what exactly is a FilePlanet subscriber? Somebody who feels the need to pay for things that members of the gaming community offer for free, that's what. The FilePlanet subscriber pays a specific account-holding fee that can be broken down monthly to access files that you can get just as fast from other communities or download websites like FileFront (though they offer a similar and lesser popular payment service) and PlanetMirror.

FilePlanet regularly fabricates statements and advertisement campaigns to make it sound like it is an amazingly beneficial thing to be a member of FilePlanet. A paying member, I might add.

FilePlanet is like National Public Radio - it's free, though you're a sinner if you don't pay for it anyway.

And the truth of the matter is that this Guild Wars beta is NOT a FilePlanet exclusive. Even though the headline graphic on the FilePlanet website specifically details the event as being a FilePlanet exclusive, this couldn't be farther from the truth - it's a Guild Wars exclusive. Sure, you might have a way to get into a game you have no clue about if you hold a paying FilePlanet account, but if you actually own the game, you get in anyway... not to mention actually knowing how to play the damn game.

Clearly, FilePlanet is ruining this beta weekend event, and they should pay for this travesty... preferebly with the souls of their unborn children.

I bet all of the Luxon's are FilePlanet subscribers. At least that explains why Luxon mission-goers can't devote half an hour to an Alliance battle.

ZennZero · Mar 24, 2006, 06:16 PM // 18:16

I share your hatred for FilePlanet, but comparing it to NPR is blasphemy.

I <3 NPR.

TRUEgamer · Mar 24, 2006, 06:56 PM // 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZennZero

I share your hatred for FilePlanet, but comparing it to NPR is blasphemy.

I <3 NPR.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I love NPR. WBUR (Bostun University's NPR station) is the only radio station I listen to... Lately, though, they've been doing a hanus amount of fundraising and it makes it hard to listen to On Point when they're asking for money every five minutes.

Mordakai · Mar 24, 2006, 06:59 PM // 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRUEgamer

Oh, don't get me wrong. I love NPR. WBUR (Bostun University's NPR station) is the only radio station I listen to... Lately, though, they've been doing a hanus amount of fundraising and it makes it hard to listen to On Point when they're asking for money every five minutes.

The difference between NPR and FilePlanet, is NPR actually does deliver exclusives, and is worth the money.

GraceAlone · Mar 24, 2006, 07:45 PM // 19:45

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the definition of "exclusive" mean that it's only available through/from that person (like an exclusive interview)? Wouldn't this constitut false advertising and thus make them liable to lawsuits? I could be wrong but ...

TRUEgamer · Mar 24, 2006, 07:53 PM // 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceAlone

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the definition of "exclusive" mean that it's only available through/from that person (like an exclusive interview)? Wouldn't this constitut false advertising and thus make them liable to lawsuits? I could be wrong but ...

That's my point.

Feminist Terrorist · Mar 24, 2006, 08:25 PM // 20:25

Send a threatening letter to their customer service department, and cc it to guild wars support. Probably oughta cc it to Gaile Gray's pm box here too. She might not be aware of this. I'm sure she can bring pressure to File Planet to cease and desist.

G.R.R Martin · Mar 24, 2006, 09:00 PM // 21:00

You might want to go a page or two into the ad.

"If you are not a subscriber and would like to participate in the Guild Wars Factions™ Preview Event, don’t fret! The folks at ArenaNet have provided every Guild Wars™ player with three invitations to the event. A resourceful gamer like yourself could visit a fan site, and ask for someone to send you an invitation. *wink wink
Whichever way you choose, we can’t wait to see you all in Cantha for this landmark event!"

Although I do totally agree with you...the behaviour they have shown with that banner add is despicable(sylvester is my hero)...the declaimer that I found should have been on that banner add to avoid misleading people.

EternalTempest · Mar 24, 2006, 09:07 PM // 21:07

They used to be decent but when GameSpy bought them.

I rearely use them, I will use any download / game service that offer free public server's (w/o a login requirement) before I use file planet. I do have an account w/ broken e-mail address (no spam) that I do use to login if I need to.