[Obsidian: An apology concerning Limerick change]

Instead of wading through thousands of comments, pages, and etc .. I'd like to jump right out and apologize to the folks at Obsidian.

 

In short - a portion of backer text in-game was changed at the REQUEST of the backer to spare Obsidian pain and suffering on what would otherwise be a lavishly-accoladed launch. 

 

Earlier, I was under the impression that it was the other way around, with Obsidian applying pressure to the backer. A situation, if true, worthy of such scrutiny - but that is not the case - an earlier post by Firedorn provides the details:

 

http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/74461-controversial-limerick-discussion/page-25?do=findComment&comment=1631723

 

To quote the above link for the non-clicks: (below)

 

"Firedorn: Actually, there was a choice.  They asked me if I wanted to change in light of what happened.  I chose to change it so that they can concentrate on the game instead of this PR nightmare.  They weren't going to change it, they asked ME if I wanted to.  I can find another platform to write my controversial crap, and I will.  They, on the other hand, did the right thing and allowed me to decide the fate of the epitaph.  I chose to turn into something that made fun of the ********** that were complaining. They went above and beyond what I would have expected them to do."

 

In light of that, I apologize for (vocally in a few posts) doubting the folks at Obsidian. 

 

Looking back: It's got to be hard to please such a wide spectrum of people who enjoy such rich storytelling (passionate people and what not)..

 

IMHO: They did right by their backer - AND allowed people to discuss the situation on their forums without heavy moderation ... something lacking in a lot of forums these days. 

 

Anyways, I'm waiting for the last patch to finish the d/l and am looking forward to getting back to Eternity.

 

Thanks for the game and backer support Obsidian - my apologies for doubting you - continued remuneration will follow. 

[Limerick edit thread]

I'm going to editorialize for just a moment. First of all, I don't see every post. If you report something from a member who doesn't need approval, I'm more likely to see it. ...But I think it's important to be charitable with one another. Only report things that rise to a reportable offense. That line will differ between members, but there is a line. The upshot, however, is that I mostly see posts by new (or newly posting) members of the forum. When I've gone through quickly, I've seen that most of the posts are actually pretty respectful even if clearly typed with some heat and passion. Fair enough.

 

Remember, after this game is done, we're going to have more games and hopefully a lot more from Obsidian. The person fighting on the 'other side' right now might very well be the person backing your side in the next big fight. Don't let this become an all out war. If you get to where you're seeing red, take a break. Look at other threads. Play the game. Talk to the spouse. Play with the kids. Have a bite to eat (or a beer if you're of age and so inclined). Then, when you're not so heavily invested, come back and rejoin the discussion.

 

Anyhow, I was originally surprised at how rancorous people were on this issue, but now I'm surprised that it has really actually remained pretty civil all things considered. Congrats, Obsidz forumites! Good for you!

 

Key quote here: "we're going to have more games and hopefully a lot more from Obsidian."

 

Only if people BUY said games - and considering the lack of SPINE being displayed today ... don't be surprised if people find their entertainment from companies that make games for ADULTS and who actually respect their customer base. 

 

And considering that "vetted" line from Feargus .. to quote Gabe Newell: "'Don't ever, ever try to lie to the internet - because they will catch you. They will de-construct your spin. They will remember everything you ever say for eternity.'

 

Mull that over for a little bit, eh?

[Limerick edit thread]

 

 

Why do u guys ever care the slightest ?

First u complain there are too many backers things in your game and now u complain that Obsidian decided to remove some backer content.

Just ... play your game and chillax ....

 

Why do people care? Because this reflects poorly upon the integrity of the writers of the story - If they bow down to such a pitiful and fundamentally flawed complaint, there's little hope for any wit and interesting dialogue in the future content (Remember that Expansion they've pledged to do?)

 

 

 

I didn't know that removing a minor thing from game (that makes a group of people hurt while not affecting everyone else), means that Josh Sawyer, Chris Avallone (and the rest of the gang) lost their integrity and wont make witty dialogues anymore...

 

 

It's called the 'chilling effect' ... essentially future content will be nerfed because Obsidian fears the irrationality of loose perpetually-outraged canons.

 

The Steam forums on on fire. 

 

People are pissed .. and they'll vote with their pocketbooks.

 

 

[Limerick edit thread]

I

 

If this is true, I will do my best - however small of an effect that will have - to undermine everything Obsidian does, forever, at least financially. Because this is just unacceptable on so many different levels it's crazy. Caving to the frivolous demands of lunatics that have turned the act of being offended into a for-profit artform is just.. wow.

Not only was there nothing remotely offensive with it, and not only were the accusations levvied by complete and utter lunatics without even a peg-leg to stand on, and not only was it unacceptable to remove it after someone paid $500 for it, but it was genuinely one of the more appropriate memorials by far. In a sea of piss and vomit, it stood out as a funny quib that'd fit on any tombstone of old.

I hate the memorials, I really do, but if they were to be removed, it would be for the betterment of the game. This has nothing to do with making the game better. This has to do with insane people with insane agendas, pushing their insanity onto others.

 

Word of mouth and customer loyalty fueled their Kickstarter.. now, watch it bury them.

 

"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to death your right to say it" - Voltaire

[Limerick edit thread]

Others are confirming it now.

 

This likely means since it wasn't mentioned in the patch notes that Obsidian thinks it's customers are idiots who wouldn't notice. 

 

So.. so disappointed.  

 

Oy vey.

[Limerick edit thread]

Like others have said, I hope that customer gets a refund.

 

Even if the backer was ok with it, and got a refund. It WON'T be ok with Obsidian's customers.

 

Will I have to worry about the color purple being triggering and removed in a future game? Will Obsidian honor future backer goals? Will Obsidian even approach mature topics in the future for fear of offending people?

[Limerick edit thread]

Allegations are being made online that Obsidian went ahead and removed the $500 backer's memorial w/o mentioning it in the patch notes.

 

Please see: https://twitter.com/ExcaliburLost/status/584074243048112128

 

Again, this is just an allegation. Could Obsidian please confirm?!

 

I certainly don't want to jump the gun - but if true - it is a very sad day for creative freedom and content.. and likely the last I'll be enjoying Obsidian titles. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memorials problem.]

 

 

If the premise is that things that offend people should be removed, then I think it creates a problem to remove a joke hidden in backer memorial, but to leave a story that depicts rape, torture, murder, etc.  It seems like a double standard to demand a joke be censored, but murder and torture are given a free pass. 

 

If Obsidian censors it, the backer should be refunded his money. 

 

edit: Priests spells burn people alive and some attacks have enemies explode into pieces.  How is that less offending to human life than a joke?

 

There's a difference between the in-universe stuff that fits with the general themes and that I trust Obsidian to handle sensitively, because they've done so thus far in my experience and because that is part of their job, and some out of universe backer message like this.

 

I agree that any change should go with the backer in question being offered their money back, and I'm sure if Obsidian decides to do so, they'll make such an offer.

 

 

There's nothing agreeable about removing content from the game because of the easily offended.

 

Nothing.

[Please Don't Censor The Game Or Backer Content]

Hey everyone at Obsidian!

 

Please don't censor the game. 

 

It's becoming harder and harder to find fun, mature games worthy of playing - Games that aren't afraid of risky topics or confused malcontents who seek to dictate morality through feigned outrage and threatened boycotts.

 

There are countless artworks that have been destroyed by the offended; mountains of "offensive" books have been lost to their burning pyres.

 

We your fans & backers love this game .. and to poison it (creating an atmosphere of pensive doubt) because of this nonsense from the easily-offended will only muddy your game and your reputation.

 

Stand true dear Obsidian and your fans will follow.

 

77,000 of us can't be wrong.