Yes, as expected, and in the manner expected: without being able to form an argument with any substance to save your life. Like @valeo and @beggary and @bladeofcreation demonstrated as well, it's all name calling and making false claims. "You're mean" and "you say that because she's a woman" hold no water and have no place in a civil debate, especially when my post history shows I've been critical towards other duders as well.
Also, I'm not a game critic any longer, but I was employed and paid full time to do so. So I mean 'professional' in the literal sense, not in the self congratulating manner.
As for the "left leaning bias"-bit: I'm annoyed by it because snarky comments about (for example) Ubisoft not willing to state their games are political, push people like me away. Why? Because they're dumb, yet GB in their ignorance make fun of Ubisoft, but no one is there to debate it. The GB crew can't make the distinction between a game 'containing politics' and a game 'being political'. Ubisoft uses political themes and tells stories, but they don't aim for a certain political agenda. When The Division 2 opens with "people who had weapons at home, had a better chance of surviving" that totally makes sense and isn't inherently a statement with a political agenda. That's just logic and consistent story telling. But no, the GB crew goes along with the Polygon/Kotaku-narrative and laughs about Ubisoft not willing to state a political standpoint. Which is not only a smart business move, it's their right as a company, and it's very possible to simply tell stories without pushing an agenda.
Also, I think the second amendment is nonsense, so don't go and claim I'm pro-guns, because I'm not. Again, I'm no conservative.
And you and the GB crew should be worried about this polarization and their contribution. Let's say that 15 to 20 percent of the users who've reacted here side on the "I don't like Abby's tone during these discussions"-side. If that extrapolates to the entire audience (I know it doesn't, it could be way higher or lower, but let's), that would be a serious hit to GB's revenue. And without that revenue, GB's future is gonna be tough.
It's not gonna happen within a year, but that's not how you run a company. It's an oil tanker and you need to adjust today for the events of next year. If this tone keeps up, I will guarantee you GB will lose people and feel it. Perhaps it's already happening.
I'm not saying this because I'm a conservative (because I'm not). I'm not saying this because Abby's a woman (because this isn't about gender). I'm saying this as well meant feedback with the hopes of informing Giant Bomb. I've taken the time to write all of this, which shows I care. And I have been nothing but polite and honest. If you think this is just someone 'venting' or whatever, then I hope this shortsightedness doesn't impact the rest of your life, because it's a dangerous. And it's dangerous for GB's long term future as well.
How does DazzaP's believe that Abby could harm GB in the long run contradict his stance on gender? That argument stands completely on its own and doesn't have to do with gender at all. If Vinny were to behave like that, HE would be the so called danger. In this case it's Abby.
And what DazzaP has proclaimed is exactly what's happening to me: the political jabs of people like Ben and Abby (and the crew letting those jabs slide because they most likely agree with them) is turning me off. Before 2019, I never missed a single episode of either the Bombcast and BeastCast. Because of the left leaning bias, I've mostly stopped listening. And I'm not conservative; I'm Dutch so I don't even play that game.
To me it's really weird seeing how offended people get because of the feedback aimed at Abby (in this instance). And there's a danger in this behavior and denial, because I'm certainly not the only one who's drifting away from GB.
I still love the duders, but moments like these make me groan and push me away. Especially because Dan is shouted down and not backed up. If there was a nice debate, sure, go ahead. But this behavior (as portrayed by Abby in this instance) is just not something I wanna sponsor.
I think that's very disrespectful towards Dan. He can be an idiot about cooking egg whites, but his career and success are clear signs of him being anything but weak. If you honestly believe this, I fear for your lack of insight.
@beggary
I think it's very interesting that you strawman, attack personally and react emotionally to a calmly stated opinion that I hold.
But you don't have to "bet" whether I was silent about the other guys. Look at my post history. Seriously, take a look and see for yourself whether I only speak up now because "I want to lecture a woman".
I don't want to play a game of reversal but it seems to me that you're projecting your feelings onto me, without justification. When you're a hammer, all your problems look like nails.
Also, being rude about this only serves to strengthen my earlier point, so that doesn't help your case either.
I would argue COD 1, 2 and 4 presented more than "wow, cool, night vision". All COD games after that, yes, agreed. But the origin was very much "gut punch roller coasters" in my opinion.
@valeo @fatwreck
I think it's funny how my criticism is answered with "you're mean!" and "that's like, your opinion man". Criticism means I care, I take the time to write this in the hope that Abby will reflect on how she is perceived versus her intentions. What I hope is that she'll look at someone like Vinny and goes "that's the level of criticism/debate I want to reach" (because usually he's the most level headed person in the room, even if he really hates something; and he's a 'producer').
Abby's arguments ring hollow. It doesn't go much beyond "because I say so". Even when Dan gives a factual argument and reasoning for an artistic choice, her reply is not only a blind refusal of a fact, it's also done in a dismissing way. "Yeah Dan, your argument is factually correct and shows a reason, but I don't care enough to refute your statement". Fine, but then don't debate. Don't make a claim if you can't back it up. Or use feedback to become better, which in turn would make GB better.
Seriously, there's no excuse: GB still has games in the center of it all, so everyone should be able to discuss them at a decent level. I don't know what that exact level is, but it should be to a degree that at least your viewpoints hold water. For example: I can give a thorough explanation of why I don't like the type of difficulty that Dark Souls presents. Doesn't mean they're bad games, but even a fan could go "yeah, I see what you mean, but I don't mind that." Yelling at someone for having more knowledge and a better argument, is the opposite of that.
Abby can dislike COD all she want. She can claim that she would like it to be something else. But take us through your process and how you got to that place. Don't shout people down and be pigheaded about it, because that's not gonna go well with most of the audience, I'd wager. I might come off as a mean something-something, but look at YouTube-comments and the reactions by @ervin080275 and @Conrad148, I'm willing to bet that there are many like me. Most people just don't care enough to respond, which actually is the greater danger. You should always want feedback and treasure it. This is why therapy, coaching, and consultancy costs money: feedback has value.
And if people respond to this message by claiming horrendous and untrue things about me, I'll just stop responding and giving feedback. Which would actually be a disservice to Abby (not saying I'm some high authority, just that anyone caring enough and writing rigorous feedback has value). But that's probably what's gonna happen: I'll get shouted down with hollow or emotional arguments, and then I'll stop caring. And if this trend bleeds into premium content - which will likely take several years, but still - I'll stop paying and visiting.
Here's to hoping I've contributed a tiny bit to the prevention of that occurrence.
I really don't like Abby on in depth gaming discussions. I don't say this lightly, because I love GB and I don't want to come off as mean, but Abby gives off an imposing vibe. "Games need to be a certain way, because they're dumb if they're not."
The way she talks about COD shows her lack of historica knowledge. COD campaigns originally were these roller coaster rides that punched you in the gut with the brutality of war. It's not a game of paintball. Yeah, they're not war sims, they're not meant to be. They're meant to be the Normandy scene of Saving Private Ryan, eight hours in a row.
"They should be fun, I don't like their artistic choices." I don't like the artistic choices that soap opera shows make, because I hate everything about them. That's why I don't watch them. They're not meant for me. I can tell you why, but claiming it 'should' be X and Y, would mean a change of genre, and a loss for all fans of Riverdale and shows of their ilk.
Abby is fun in videos that revolve around a group of colleagues/friends having fun with a game. Whenever she gives her opinions in videos like this and in the GOTY discussion, I genuinely cringe and turn down the volume.
I know I'm probably gonna be boo'ed off the stage here, so to speak. People will claim I'm an angry YouTube commenter, ignoring the fact I've been a premium member for many years now. Hell, I've been a professional game critic for several years because of Jeff and Ryan. So I cannot stress this enough: I don't say this lightly, but I honestly believe Abby has a lot of work to do on her criticism and conversing.
@theodoricfriede: Nope, same here. Mostly because of the story and the customization of items. ME2 is a great game, but it doesn't push the main narratieve forward AT ALL sadly enough.
One argument I want to cross off as a defense for Price: "artists should have the freedom to express themselves freely."
Yes. And if you do that in a public space, others will react freely, since that is how freedom and expression work. If you feel a comment doesn't help/advance you, then leave it or politely say "I wish it was as simple." People van claim you're being a dick by leaving their comment 'to the wayside, but it's totally acceptable to say that they're not familiar with all the details and that you don't have time to explain.
The moment you start being a dick like Price did to some guy on Twitter... man, it's real hard to defend that as artistic freedom.
I really like Abby as an addition to the GB crew. She's great on video, she goes with the flow, and it's good to have some diversity.
That's why I hope she works on her critiques. Listen to Vinny or Drew; they have this ability to dissect and analyze. Also, as someone said: don't let your opinion of a game influence your opinion of every aspect. Especially in debates this works against you as it results in blanket statements that ring hollow.
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