<Boycott Activision!!...>

[yellowcard929]

PS3 and XBOX360 players both have to stop buying Activision games. It hurts me to stop buying these games. I was a supporter of Activision titles like Tony Hawk games, Call of Duty, and GH3!

We have to stop buying until a patch is made!!! We have to hit them where it hurts.. in the pocket!

[WiseOldUnicorn]

Already planning on it. And contacted them to let them know I'm doing so.

Luckily, I've never been a fan of Tony Hawk or Call of Duty. :D

[Ventura]

Yeah I too already have every intention of boycotting them.

You guys realise too that, now that they've merged, it's also going to mean boycotting Blizzard games.

[yellowcard929]

Yeah I too already have every intention of boycotting them.

You guys realise too that, now that they've merged, it's also going to mean boycotting Blizzard games.

i dont play any of those games anyway... my video card in my Laptop won't let me play them! :(

[Manda]

Well, I'm already boycotting the majority of SquareEnix's games, so why not? Although it will be hard parting with my WoW account, and I was looking forward to a W4... I was never very good a boycotting, but I'll do my best. Oh, and some things to keep in mind:

-Selling your current games will only benefit the the company if they include online content.

-Renting doesn't count towards a company's profits, as the game has already been purchased by the video retailer.

Anything else? Can't think of any more ways to help boycotters, aside from angry letters, emails, text messages, and possibly future picketting?

[King_Nuthin]

-Selling your current games will only benefit the the company if they include online content.
If someone buys a used copy instead of a new copy the game company only makes one sale instead of two.


-Renting doesn't count towards a company's profits, as the game has already been purchased by the video retailer.
Depends where you rent from, but if you were to pull all future Activision titles from your queue a place like GameFly might order less to begin with. And if a game is renting heavily they might be inclined to purchase more copies for rental or order more copies of a future title by the same developer.

Both these actions ultimately have a chance at striking Activision's bottom line especially if a large number of consumers actually followed through.

[SSPWOLF]

What world do you people live in where the 20 or so of you who will stand by your "boycott" actually impacts the bottom line of one of the more successful video game companies in the world?

Not trying to "flame" anyone...

but honestly, pick and choose your battles boys.

If it makes you feel better.. by all means, sally forth and fight the good fight.

The vast majority of people will continue to purchase products they enjoy (or at the very least expect to enjoy) and enjoy them.

Not tryint to rain on anyone's parade of indignation, but I just think your energies would be better spent on something that has a snowball's chance in hell of actually having some minor effectual outcome.

[Deeznutzs27]

Well this may have been a good idea a few months back but all of their games have hit the market and sold extremely well. They have already made their money in spades this year.

[Ventura]

What world do you people live in where the 20 or so of you who will stand by your "boycott" actually impacts the bottom line of one of the more successful video game companies in the world?

That's about all we can do mate, other than email our disappointment (which everyone has been doing anyway). Everyone says to vote with their wallets.

Still, if you have any other ideas, we're all ears.

[DoctorWho]

Also, if you're like me and a PC player (FPS mostly) then also make a stance and PIRATE Activision's games!

I'm not going to give you links, but torrent as many of their products as you can that you were going to purchase.

[SSPWOLF]

That's about all we can do mate, other than email our disappointment (which everyone has been doing anyway). Everyone says to vote with their wallets.

Still, if you have any other ideas, we're all ears.

I do.

Up about 5 posts or so.

[AcousticCitsuoa]

Use this link to contact Activision and express your displeasure:

http://www.activision.com/index.html#

Click on the "Contact Us" link in the lower right-hand corner.

[tolitz]

Also, if you're like me and a PC player (FPS mostly) then also make a stance and PIRATE Activision's games!.

good thing i live in the philippines..:D
games here cause about 2 dollars per game in
both ps2 and pc in xbox360 cost about 4 bucks

yeah! why the hell should i care about
there investments..

lets all go ahead and burn there fcking cd's
and send copies to everyone for free....:)

[SSPWOLF]

advocating illegal activity is probably another waste of time and energy too...

but then again, this all started with people wanting more than what they were entitled to to begin with.

[SSPWOLF]

I think this is an excellent thread, and you're actually doing something about the problem which is a great thing.

Though, I bet that within 24 hours this thread won't have as many views as the threads *****ing about this problem had in 12.

People want to *****, but most people don't want to actually DO anything.

;)

[Ventura]

I think this is an excellent thread, and you're actually doing something about the problem which is a great thing.

Though, I bet that within 24 hours this thread won't have as many views as the threads *****ing about this problem had in 12.

People want to *****, but most people don't want to actually DO anything.

;)

Actually I think you'll find the majority of people in those threads have already sent out their first round of emails, and are now venting to let off some steam.

Doesn't get more human than that.

[Nate Finch]

Contacted, plus sent an email to the CEO earlier.

[Ventura]

this all started with people wanting more than what they were entitled to to begin with.

Greed is good.

[bl4ckfl4g]

I want to boycott them but I can't... COD4 is too good...I'll just boycott GH and their DLC instead.

[gamingeek]

How come nobody is balming EA/HMX for not sorting this matter out before they shipped the game? Sure Activison are being *****s about this and I am all for supporting an open standard for theses guitar controllers, but that is not the reality yet. EA/HMX should have addressed the issue before the game's release. Instead they alluded to the fact that the game worked w/ most other controllers and even sold standalone copies of the game w/ no support. Is this what we paid for? A game that you cannot play?!

[SuburbanHell]

If for whatever reason you absolutely MUST buy an Activision product, make sure you buy it used from Gamestop or whatever game store you go to -- used game money goes to the game stores, not the developers.

[yellowcard929]

How come nobody is balming EA/HMX for not sorting this matter out before they shipped the game? Sure Activison are being *****s about this and I am all for supporting an open standard for theses guitar controllers, but that is not the reality yet. EA/HMX should have addressed the issue before the game's release. Instead they alluded to the fact that the game worked w/ most other controllers and even sold standalone copies of the game w/ no support. Is this what we paid for? A game that you cannot play?!

XBOX 360?:confused::confused::confused:

[Deofol]

Activision makes some great games. Who cares if they have segregated their guitar controlers to their own games. Quit being a cheapass and buy a harmonix strat when they're available. They're better guitars anyways.

I'm still with the hope that a patch becomes available, but if not, who really cares?

If you've already purchased GH3 they've already made their money from you, and don't really care what you have to say anyways.

[chupacabra24]

How come nobody is balming EA/HMX for not sorting this matter out before they shipped the game? Sure Activison are being *****s about this and I am all for supporting an open standard for theses guitar controllers, but that is not the reality yet. EA/HMX should have addressed the issue before the game's release. Instead they alluded to the fact that the game worked w/ most other controllers and even sold standalone copies of the game w/ no support. Is this what we paid for? A game that you cannot play?!

Y'know, Rock Band came out 1 month after Guitar Hero III, leaving Harmonix basically no time at all to change anything or test with the final GHIII guitars, right? They were probably assuming that the GHIII guitars would use the same tech as the GHII ones, or they could've been working with a prototype GHIII guitar. Either way you look at it, it was Activision that locked the Rock Band guitar out of being compatible with GHIII, and it's Activision that blocked the patch that would've made PS3's GHIII guitar compatible with Rock Band, so why don't you open your eyes just a little bit and think about what you're saying?

Harmonix didn't have to make their guitars compatible with anything or anyone else's guitars compatible with their game. They did it (or attempted to in some cases) because the fans wanted it. It's Activision that's being a bunch of greedy-ass bully punk b*tches, not Harmonix.

Activision and RedOctane have been greedy since GHII came out on the 360, forcing people to pay through the nose for DLC content (and before you say anything about Harmonix charging the same amount, consider that Rock Band tracks take over twice the programming- THAT I'll actually willing pay for) and lying about how much content was going to be available. Activision/RedOctane- a match made in gamer HELL.

[Xero314]

What world do you people live in where the 20 or so of you who will stand by your "boycott" actually impacts the bottom line of one of the more successful video game companies in the world?

Not trying to "flame" anyone...

but honestly, pick and choose your battles boys.

If it makes you feel better.. by all means, sally forth and fight the good fight.

The vast majority of people will continue to purchase products they enjoy (or at the very least expect to enjoy) and enjoy them.

Not tryint to rain on anyone's parade of indignation, but I just think your energies would be better spent on something that has a snowball's chance in hell of actually having some minor effectual outcome.

You sir are everything that is wrong with modern society. We all praise the idea of market economies and how they work themselves out but when it comes to actually asserting the control that the market should give us we are cowards. Well I'm not, I have boycotted most of the largest companies in the world and now we have just added Activision to the list (which I was already boycotting because of the craptacular job they did with the PS3 version of GH3).

Please everyone ignore people like this and stand by this boycott. If every Rockband player boycotts Activision they will notice, it will be millions in lost sales (dozens of games times over a million consumers, assuming RB sells as well as the GH franchise).

[Xero314]

If you've already purchased GH3 they've already made their money from you, and don't really care what you have to say anyways.

This is not at all true.

First if you sell your already purchased copy of GH3 it floods the used market. Most retailers will not buy new copies of games they have overstock of even if it is used. When someone comes and buys a used copy it screws the original company more than if they had not bought it at all since they get to play the game and the company does not make a dime (I am normally against used media sales because of this fact).

Second, media companies need continued sales to survive. Boycotting their future games (or better yet their current games with monthly fees like WoW) you hurt them pretty seriously. True it will take a few thousand people for them to notice, but a few thousand is not actually all that hard to come by.

Educate people of the practices of shady companies like Activision and support your friends and families boycotts. Yes sometimes it does mean giving up somethings you like (It's going to suck having t hear about StarCraft 2 when it comes out), but these are the things you need to do to teach corporation who is in charge, the consumer!

[Xero314]

I want to boycott them but I can't... COD4 is too good...I'll just boycott GH and their DLC instead.

Gee only boycott the products you weren't going to buy anyway (like anyone that owns RB still plays GH, and what GH3 DLC?).

Boycotts only work if you are willing to give up something, like a game you want, or convenience, or the cheapest price.

[SoulScreme]

PS3 and XBOX360 players both have to stop buying Activision games. It hurts me to stop buying these games. I was a supporter of Activision titles like Tony Hawk games, Call of Duty, and GH3!

We have to stop buying until a patch is made!!! We have to hit them where it hurts.. in the pocket!

Yes, is everybody on these forums boycotts the game that would decrease their profit by .01%. Who could ignore that?

Honestly, I'm not going to boycott their games. They already have my money for GH3 and the Foo pack. That was before I knew. I stopped playing GH3 when I got Rock Band and don't plan on going back to it. However, I sure as hell am not skipping Call of Duty 4 because of this. Let's be honest, I want this patch, but a boycott won't do anything. Not enough people care. And I don't care enough to deny myself quality.

Unless I hear the full story and it is all Activision's fault (which I doubt) I will not be boycotting anything. Except most EA games since I actually hate EA far more than Activision. Only things I will buy from EA are RB and Burnout. Actually, any game that they only publish. Nothing they develop.

[BShea]

I love CoD, but if I buy it, I'll make sure its from a 3rd Party seller on Amazon (used of course :D )

[drews97]

Go ahead and miss out on good games. I'll buy whatever games from whatever companies are the best. It's just a game, it's not like your fiance just cheated on you. The vast majority of the world doesn't know about these forms and the 20 or so people who actually stick to this boycott for more than a few months is insignificant. Ask yourself this question. If Activision bought the rights for RB 2 would you buy it?

[JackBNimble]

Many of you have posted threads stating that you disagree with what activision has done with blocking the patch and as consumers you feel mistreated by this.
So my question to all of you who feel that what activision is doing is B.S. WHY would you continue to support them?
And do you really feel that your one vote does not count?

America would be a different place today if every one who could have voted would have voted.But so many people think that their voice does not matter, and thoughs people are very very wrong.

I will BOYCOTT activision and I have sent emails.

But if you are to continue to support activision and not take a stand then stop coming onto these boards and complaining about them.

[WiseOldUnicorn]

Go ahead and miss out on good games. I'll buy whatever games from whatever companies are the best. It's just a game, it's not like your fiance just cheated on you. The vast majority of the world doesn't know about these forms and the 20 or so people who actually stick to this boycott for more than a few months is insignificant. Ask yourself this question. If Activision bought the rights for RB 2 would you buy it?

After seeing what happend with GH3 and RB, no. Absolutely not. I would wait for HMX's next game and buy it instead.

And I'm sorry, but people that think things like this are the kind of people that make it possible for companies like Activision to **** over consumers and get away with it.

[flatsinki]

I know this has been mentioned already but I'd like to re-emphasize the point. To those in this thread that don't want to give up the games from Activision/Blizzard but still want to somehow help with the boycotting... Only buy their games used/secondhand. They then make no money off your purchase. It might take a bit more time for you to get the games but in the end you've done your part to hurt them.

[silversurfer2k7]

Ok - i'm in. Those idiots at Activision arn't getting any of my money. Selfish b**tsrds. If this whole situation isnt resolved by xmas im gonna be really pi$$ed.

[Fortheloveofgod]

Quickly, trade in COD4!

Even though it's one of the GOTY it doesn't matter because I HATE ACTIVISION!!!1!:rolleyes:

[Ventura]

Only buy their games used/secondhand. They then make no money off your purchase.

It's better than nothing, but it's not true boycotting. You could beat someone else out for that second hand copy, who might then decide to pick up a brand new version instead.

If you're gonna boycott them, then you have to boycott their products. Typically, that means not paying for any Activision games ever, new or otherwise.

[RayRay]

To date i'm not aware of any game, game company, or game idea of this magnitude actually shipping to store shelves.

Stop and take a gander of what has been released and then for the next hour or so try to figure out what it is your really upset about.

You bought Rockband.
Do you realize you got a game which has been coded for 4 difficulty levels for 4 different instruments that not only allows you for the first time ever play with 3 other friends co-op. It also allows you to connect via. Online. My GOD!!! I was playing with someone from California, New York, Tennessee and I live in Florida.

This game brought together 4 strangers from 4 cornners of this Great Country and we ROCKED. We had fun and two of 4 added me to their Friends List.

PS2 had hardware failures at release.
Xbox360 had hardware failures at release.
Did you guys boycott them?

This software company has 3 peices of hardware in one shipment, if they didn't have some kind of issue with hardware it would be a mirracle.

Give it time and they will fix the issues and warranty should cover it if they can't fix it.

If you bake a apple pie and gave 450,000 people a bite of that pie.
How many of those people would say thats the best pie ever?

How many do you think would say thats the worst pie ever?

My opinion, people should be happy they even got a peice of pie.

later.

[Bluvox]

The problem you have with this is that you are hurting the developers more than the company itself. 8 MILLION people pay for WoW ever month. That's $120,000,000 a month in revenue coming in. Guitar Hero and Call of Duty combined would have to sell 1,200,000 copies to match the one month earning potential that Activision-Blizzard already sees. And Vivendi also has the old Sierra properties, which aren't as profitable as Blizzard or Activision, but still create games.

I agree that you have to make decisions, and I already intend to: I have ever only owned 1 Guitar Hero game - GH3. If the Les Paul no longer works on other games besides GH3 it will be on GameStop's "Used" shelf with a pre-order placed for a wireless StratoCaster.

I'd also start a campaign to Gibson, as well as Microsoft and Sony. Activision licenses the Les Paul's look from Gibson, along with the Explorer and SG. Make Gibson aware of the outrage, and have them place pressure on them. Microsoft and Sony do not want console owners upset, because it causes unrest in their user-base. I'd say pressure on Sony would be especially effective right now. If Sony believes that people would sell and/or stop using their PS3's because of Activision's policies and blocking a user-friendly patch for another game, I'm pretty sure they'll get more forcefully involved.

[flatsinki]

It's better than nothing, but it's not true boycotting. You could beat someone else out for that second hand copy, who might then decide to pick up a brand new version instead.

If you're gonna boycott them, then you have to boycott their products. Typically, that means not paying for any Activision games ever, new or otherwise.

I agree with you completely. However, there were a couple people further up who didn't really want to give up playing those games. At least going the used/secondhand route, those people might in a small way help out. There is a chance that it doesn't generate a new sale.

Personally, I'm going to stop buying their games entirely. Which sucks as I had been planning on picking up CoD4 with xmas money...but I can't give my money to a company who wants to treat its paying customers this way. My money is better spent elsewhere.

[DreamCycle]

To date i'm not aware of any game, game company, or game idea of this magnitude actually shipping to store shelves.

Stop and take a gander of what has been released and then for the next hour or so try to figure out what it is your really upset about.

You bought Rockband.
Do you realize you got a game which has been coded for 4 difficulty levels for 4 different instruments that not only allows you for the first time ever play with 3 other friends co-op. It also allows you to connect via. Online. My GOD!!! I was playing with someone from California, New York, Tennessee and I live in Florida.

This game brought together 4 strangers from 4 cornners of this Great Country and we ROCKED. We had fun and two of 4 added me to their Friends List.

PS2 had hardware failures at release.
Xbox360 had hardware failures at release.
Did you guys boycott them?

This software company has 3 peices of hardware in one shipment, if they didn't have some kind of issue with hardware it would be a mirracle.

Give it time and they will fix the issues and warranty should cover it if they can't fix it.

If you bake a apple pie and gave 450,000 people a bite of that pie.
How many of those people would say thats the best pie ever?

How many do you think would say thats the worst pie ever?

My opinion, people should be happy they even got a peice of pie.

later.

The idea here isn't to boycott the makers of Rock Band (Harmonix) or their publisher EA.. we're boycotting Activision for the blocking of a guitar compatibility patch they felt the need to object to.. not sure if you misunderstand the thread, or if your logic is just way off.. but I don't think very many people here are actually angry with Harmonix

[Gamemakerman]

You guys seem to forget the fact that we dont know the half of whats going on here with this entire Les Paul/Stratocaster thing. It could very well be the scenario where Activision is the big greedy company that wants to suck money out of everywhere, or it could be something else. You guys boycutting Activision over reasons you dont even know.

It could be EA, MTV and Harmonix who are to really blame here, so think of that option.

Its wrong (and stupid) to do a thing like this when you arent fully aware of the entire situation. Alo this entire fingerpointing game is becomming rather lame, you guys havent got other stuff to do while we actually get some clear answers to who is really to blame?

[CJ452]

check the link in my sig

[TigerVoss]

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/LesPaulpatch/index.html

here is a link to a boycott petition started I started a couple days ago.....needs more sigs!!!

Please sign

[Assault420]

I would sign, but rockband is the best game i have ever played. On top of that i have always loved the COD series and GH games. I guess i just dont really care enough to sign sorry. I have to much fun with those games, and how badly activision is screwing up... They still got my money for some of their titles.

[TreoRock_]

Freaking Activision wants $$$$ for the patch!! They are really lame!!! They didn't even make the patch, but they are messing with HMX asking for money

[dfjdejulio]

What world do you people live in where the 20 or so of you who will stand by your "boycott" actually impacts the bottom line of one of the more successful video game companies in the world?

I suspect that it's probably also the world in which some people actually cast their own lone, individual, small, insignificant votes at the ballots.

[Makomachine]

I suspect that it's probably also the world in which some people actually cast their own lone, individual, small, insignificant votes at the ballots.

Totally agree. Boycotting has its place and I'm on the list for sure. The effect isn't even the 'reason' for the boycott in a lot of cases - it's the principles you have to consider, no matter if something changes as a direct result of the action. I'm not going to get too deep into political rhetoric here but just remember that women and minorities didn't get the rights they have based on one protest, sit in, or petition. It amazes me how far we have let corporations go in dictating the 'rules' in our society...

[Credge]

You guys realise too that, now that they've merged, it's also going to mean boycotting Blizzard games.

No it doesn't. They are all part of a parent company; Vivendi. If you want to boycott anyone it would be Vivendi. This would also mean boycotting loads of other products including tons of music.

Boycotting activision is just that.

[dfjdejulio]

You guys realise too that, now that they've merged, it's also going to mean boycotting Blizzard games.

No it doesn't.
It can. Let each person decide for themselves what they think is right.

Some people are just boycotting GH3. Some are boycotting Activision by only buying titles used. Some are boycotting Activision entirely. Some are boycotting Activision and Blizzard. And some are boycotting everything Vivendi touches.

And some people think Activision is within their rights, and are boycotting Harmonix.

Do what you think is right.

[crabhammer]

Are you all serious...? Are you THAT consumed in fanboydom that you feel the need to boycott a publisher because they aren't bowing down to Harmonix? You act as if this is all on Activision. Is it so wrong if Activision wants some kind of reimbursement for putting out a quality controller that people would prefer to use over the Rock Band controllers, many of which are horribly defective. How many people on these boards are on their 3rd or 4th replacement? I know my guitar and drums don't work half the time. There is nothing wrong with Activision trying to be reasonable about their quality hardware. And honestly, it is pathetic that you even think boycotting Activision will do anything other than causing you to miss out on great games. *Puts on flame shield*

[Bluvox]

Is it so wrong if Activision wants some kind of reimbursement for putting out a quality controller that people would prefer to use over the Rock Band controllers, many of which are horribly defective.

Not wrong at all. They are getting reimbursement from the purchase price of the PS3 Les Paul + GH3. The controller is only available for the PS3 with the game, so you'd need to buy Guitar Hero in order to get the controller. So Activision gets reimbursed for the product. That's like saying you need to pay General Motors for the right to put a Pioneer stereo in your car, because Pioneer needs to get reimbursed for making a better stereo.



How many people on these boards are on their 3rd or 4th replacement? I know my guitar and drums don't work half the time. There is nothing wrong with Activision trying to be reasonable about their quality hardware. And honestly, it is pathetic that you even think boycotting Activision will do anything other than causing you to miss out on great games. *Puts on flame shield*

I'm sure several are. I'm sure there are at least as many on their first guitar/drums/whatever without any problems. I'd actually bet there are way more working out of the box than broken sets so far, otherwise EA wouldn't be able to replace them as quickly as they are.

There's nothing wrong with proper compesation. There is something to be said about exclusivity, especially on peripherals. It's not good business sense, as folks don't see value for their money.

Missing out on great games anymore is not an uncommon occurance. Back when 1-2 "AAA" titles came out per system, you had a chance to not miss anything "awesome" or "groundbreaking". Honestly I could spend all day every day playing all the "AAA" titles and still not experience all the good games. Just like I can't watch every sports game, movie or play on broadway. Everyone has to make their decision on how they spend their money, and if 10's of thousands of people decide "Activision is not a company I wish to support anymore", their numbers will dip.

The problem is that the real people to suffer will be the programmers, since they'll be out of jobs if their good-quality games don't sell...

[Shockz0rz]

The problem with boycotting Activision is that, even if we got a significant amount of people to put together a boycott, they are now pretty much invincible. Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero 3, all that is selling well enough to keep them going for quite a while...or at least until the merger with Vivendi, at which point they're going to be reaping the profits of World of Warcraft and will thus be utterly untouchable.

[Dissent]

Companies like Activision have very demanding profit lines that "need" to be hit on each individual project. Anything that becomes a stumbling block is a danger to hitting that line and consumer outrage is one of the number one fears of a consumer driven company. Boycotts work brilliantly all the time, so to say boycotting Activision surely won't make a difference is totally invalid.

Besides that I'm boycotting Activision on principle. Even if a boycott has no effect on them whatsoever, I personally would feel like a complete ***** putting my money in their hands after they have purposely connived and manipulated this patch situation to screw me and the other consumers over. For me it's simply a choice of never again patronizing a company that has shown such a seedy disregard for the consumer base.

As far as those who say we're just screwing ourselves out of good games? Frankly I think most of Activision's games are worthless, unfun, junk anyway but if they do manage to bring out a game worth playing I'll buy it used or I'll pirate it.

[Bluvox]

.. at which point they're going to be reaping the profits ... and will thus be utterly untouchable.

Yeah man Sierra (Atari? Sega?) is gonna rule the world!

Wait, they got bought because the games stopped selling so well, and they lost the faith of their fanbase. Just don't expect to see that the company folds in a week to pressure...