Comments on: Stalls, Crashes, Cheating — All For Free!

By: bluboru

bluboru — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:42:19 +0000

http://www.dharmawantsyou.com/site/?utid=228449964672556253338372395341#/qp this is my multiple choice test as part of the new DWY create your own test

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:19:27 +0000

So the new test is up…anyone actually play this “game” or just complain about it? Or just complain about people complaining about it, for that matter?

By: ITS FREE

ITS FREE — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:38:25 +0000

“However…. and here is the ironic part… you are complaining about a free blog. You are slamming and trashing Doc, whose services provided to you are free, harder than he ever slammed or trashed the ARG. So in effect, you are proving your own point wrong. If we shouldn’t complain about free things, then shut up. However, since you did, I will…”

/\ No. The difference is, JaLocke, we aren’t coming onto DocArzt forum and complaining about HIS free forum are we? No, we aren’t. So that entire argument is invalid.

By: forgiventhewarlord

forgiventhewarlord — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:57:28 +0000

CLAYB83-
I can’t help but accuse you of not reading my posts because you continuously accuse me of saying things that are nowhere in my posts.

And you said: “However, that doesn’t devalue anything that has been posted on the other side of the argument.” and you’re absolutely correct. That’s why I haven’t said ANYTHING that infers that the ARG isn’t jacked up. My only point is and always has been that the “It’s Free” people shouldn’t be picked on… but if you need to build a “sychophantic fanboy” straw man to make yourself feel better then have a party.

By: clayb83

clayb83 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:33:41 +0000

Please stop telling me that I’m not reading the posts, that’s the a lame excuse. And stop hiding behind this argument that your just pointing out the legitimacy of other posters comments. You want to defend the ARG, just admit it.

My previous post wasn’t directed at anyone but you. The “it’s free” crowd commenting here, I get it, they are indeed confronting the posters that they disagree with. However, that doesn’t devalue anything that has been posted on the other side of the argument.

Your “agrument” that the “it’s free” people are doing something more worthwhile is not only more ludicrous than the “it’s free” agrument itself, it’s completely esoteric.

Your willingness to continue this back and forth with me demonstrates that you’re a sychophantic fanboy that doesn’t want anything within the “LOST” bubble to be messed with or you’re more interested in creating these pathetic little internet squabbles because they provide you with some weird sense of empowerment.

Now, that I remember your handle from the Fuselage I’m leaning more toward sychophant. I’m done with your “argument about the argument.” It’s stupid and cyclical and I wont be rewarding your behavior any further.

By: papatimmy

papatimmy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:20:27 +0000

[Insert bong gurgeling sound here.]
….waaaait. whu? ..sorry I was [Insert more bong gurgeling sound here.]um, distracted. um.. I think, shoot, I forgot man…
[Insert even more bong gurgeling sound here.]

By: forgiventhewarlord

forgiventhewarlord — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:05:42 +0000

CLAYB83-
That’s your second consecutive post where you demonstrate that you’re not reading the posts that you’re replying to. You said: “I don’t care if other people disagree with it. What I find completely assinine is you playing the role of hall monitor telling people where they should post.”

My point (as it has been since the beginning) is that if you want to whine about the ARG, then whine. It’s your inalienable right. But, if someone takes issue with your whining then they have the right to whine to you about it. And it’s fully appropriate because they’re addressing you Directly as opposed to posting about it somewhere else in cyberspace hoping that you read about it.

By: clayb83

clayb83 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:50:17 +0000

Warlord
I’ve already complained “where it will do the most good.” A bunch. In fact I’ve complained in every possible complaint venue I can. I commented on this particular entry by Doc because it jibed with my opinion of the ARG.
Occasionally I like to commiserate. It’s carthatic. That’s all.

At least a I had a point to posting here in the first place. This is a blog about Lost. I liked the entry so I agreed with it. I don’t care if other people disagree with it. What I find completely assinine is you playing the role of hall monitor telling people where they should post. It’s a frakkin’ blog about Lost. I’m not raining on anyone’s parade by agreeing with an entry about how much the ARG sucks.

One could say that your mere presence in this thread is preventing my catharsis, but you’re not. You’ve only reinvigorated my disdain for this ARG. So I owe a debt of gratitude.

By: ForgivenTheWarlord

ForgivenTheWarlord — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:08:11 +0000

CLAYB83-

All that you’ve proven in your post is that you don’t read the posts that you reply to. If you had you’d know:
1. I’ve never said that Hoodlum might not pay some attention to this website… I’ve said repeatedly that it would be More productive to contact them directly.
2. Doc was included in my comments, and
3. I’m not one of the “It’s Free” people. I’ve never told anyone not to complain, only to complain where it will do the most good.

So your entire last post was meaningless. Thanks for posting it though.

By: clayb83

clayb83 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:12:47 +0000

Warlord
“My statement was the truth.” This is where you’re reality and mine seem to part ways. Again, if you think Hoodlum isn’t paying attention to this website and about a half a dozen others… well you’re entitled to an opinion and I’m entitled to mine. Unfortunately, unlike you, I have no ironclad copyright to the “truth.”
I’d also to like to remind you that we are having this discussion in a thread titled, “Stalls, Crashes, Cheating–All For Free!” Which is on a website where the main author/owner has expressed his own displeasure with the ARG many times. Yet you are under the impression that by me chiming in with a similar sentiment I am somehow “annoying” you and infringing on your “right” to enjoy the game.
And if my comments (and others) are simply a waste of time, doesn’t that make Doc’s whole take on the ARG business “pointless,” as well.
Yet you keep coming back, to defend you argument. After I’m done posting this comment I will have made my frustation clear on multiple Lost Blogs and podcasts (some specifically made for the purpose of the ARG), sent Hoodlum 3 emails, posted their contact info on the aforementioned blogs and left a voice message at their U.S. office.
I have done something productive, while you have merely expressed your “annoyance,” with people you have do not have to read, listen or talk to … literally.
I wish you well on your mission to thwart those people that are preventing you from enjoying the ARG.

By: joeblow

joeblow — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:37:53 +0000

the first one was ok… until it became clear that none of it would have any impact on the show. we learned that dharma were scientists. we could have guessed that!!

By: dragossh

dragossh — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:02:07 +0000

Okay joeblow, so would we have an ARG without us watching LOST? Would we have LOST in the first place?

I’ll stop arguing with you because you obviously don’t understand a thing I’m saying. And since you think the ARGs are shit and useless, why do you keep commenting on this post?

And please don’t tell me that the DHARMA backstory from TLE was useless. Thanks to it I know what the numbers are, why was the DHARMA Initiative founded, what they were trying to do on the island, I saw a couple of orientation movies and I learnt more about the Hanso Foundation.

By: forgiventhewarlord

forgiventhewarlord — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:15:24 +0000

CLAYB83-
My statement was the truth. If you take an issue with them, it’s more worthwhile to take it up with THEM than with people not related to them. Not sure what’s confusing you about that, but if you need to label it “idiotic” because you can’t grasp it, then have at it.

As for your questions about Hoodlum… why not actually try to find that info out? In a time where customer complaints and campaigns bring dead t shows back to life and keep crappy shows on for far longer than they should be, it makes the most sense to complain to Hoodlum because you have a chance to make what you see as crappy into something that you may deem worthwhile. Posting HERE about it does nothing, writing them has a chance to actually make a difference, so which will you do?

DRAGOSSH-
Don’t feed the trolls. )

By: joeblow

joeblow — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:14:35 +0000

sorry to keep posting, but i have more to say… speaking of how “we fans pay for the ARG by sitting through commercials, so they’d better treat us right” …. the most prestigious advertising audience in the world, the upper-middle class males 18-35 all watch the show with tivo and fast forward through the commercials.
so, if you have ever fast forwarded through a commercial you have STOLEN FOOD FROM AN ABC EXECUTIVE’S BABY’S MOUTH and this piss poor ARG is your punishment for it.

By: joeblow

joeblow — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:10:24 +0000

and what do you mean WE give them the money for this?? are you nuts??? when was the last time you wrote a check to ABC to thank them for the quality programming??? only a small handful of viewers play the ARG and if, by some impossible twist of fate, the ARG players grew so frustrated with the ARG that they STOPPED WATCHING LOST ALTOGETHER (which by the way would never happen ever ever ever and you know it) lost would carry on as usual with less than a million fewer viewers which wouldnt effect the show or advertising revenue or anything at all. the ARG is good for a little cheap publicity when the game launches and thats it.
you could maybe argue that our dvd purchases pay for the ARG, but the amount of money they make on dvd sales is negligible compared to advertising revenue, which the 10 million casual viewers make possible, not the 2-3 million supernerds who would watch the show no matter what.

By: joeblow

joeblow — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:05:47 +0000

you can say the ARGs are “canon” but its meaningless. the stuff in the ARG doesnt cross over with the show… so the ARG might as well be about buffy the vampire slayer as lost. its all irrelevant and pointless. complaining about the ARG not being updated fast enough is like complaining that the guy shoveling hot shit into your mouth isnt working hard enough.

By: clayb83

clayb83 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:30:18 +0000

Do I literally think it would be faster to post on blog than email Hoodlum? It really depends doesn’t it? I mean based on how long it took their company to recognize that their server needs were sorely lacking… I’m not sure how often they would check their inbox. I am exaggerating of course, to make a point. It’s often referred to as being sarcastic or sardonic. Or facetious. And for the record calling someone’s statement idiotic doesn’t make it reduce the argument to a child-like level. Your statement was idiotic. Which when you strip your statement down to its most base level, you are insinuating that the people confronting the people that are confronting Hoodlum’s ineptitude… are doing something more worthwhile.

I’m being serious. Does anyone know how many people Hoodlum actually has working on this? Is it three or four people in a room with a couple of servers? Do they have a receptionist? Maybe I could make an international call and leave a message with her. I’m sure that will get the message across.

By: dragossh

dragossh — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:21:41 +0000

joeblow: sorry, but TLE was written by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and WAS canon. Even Find815 had canon parts (Christiane I finding fake 815).

Zinc: Yes, no one is forcing them to do the ARG. But the problem is… they are doing it. For us. And to get more people involved with LOST. I think we have a right to complain.
Would you like season 5 to be boring? Since no one is forcing them, and we get LOST for free.

Oh, and who gives them the money for this ARG? Yes, us. If we wouldn’t watch LOST anymore, there would be no advertisements => no money.

By: forgiventhewarlord

forgiventhewarlord — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:16:06 +0000

CLAYB83-
“Idiotic”? Name-calling, how adult of you.

Your viewpoint is seriously that it’d be faster to reach Hoodlum and/or ABC to a fansite than it would be to contact them directly? Honestly, that’s what you believe?

So, if you have an issues with your internet provider you post it on a blog hoping that they read it instead of calling them directly? If someone gets your order wrong at McDonald’s you leave a poster on a telephone pole that the employees may or may not drive by on their way home because it’s faster?

If someone posts their rants here just to vent, that’s one thing… but I should Hope that no one is really buying what Clay is selling because that would never get anything done.

By: Zinc

Zinc — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:44:02 +0000

whats so bad about this ARG?

The game is what it is. I’m think that the die hard lost fanatics (those who commit hours a day to finding out spoilers, coming up with ridiculous theories and nitpicking at the most irrelevant and unimportant little continuity errors in the show) are too influential on the creators of LOST and its universe and are stopping it from being what it was intended to be. Who says that the tone of this game is all wrong? Perhaps it is meant to be like this to set the tone for changes coming up in Season 5?

I don’t get all the whining personally. Its a free game, and yes maybe it sucks to some but they have probably spent a lot of time and money getting this made to keep fans happy during the season break, which is more than you get with most shows. No one is forcing them to do it. They don’t really need to do it to promote the show either, the kind of people that play the ARG’s will always watch the show anyway. So take what your given and if you don’t like it, don’t play it I say.

By: joeblow

joeblow — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:32:57 +0000

doc’s complaining is like a guy who runs into a room and says “this pile of dog crap tastes TERRIBLE!” all the ARGs have been lame. each one has been worse than the previous. they are all dumb and pointless. the writers of the show dont write the ARG. so what you get is no different than FAN FICTION– and we all know the worth of fan fiction. i understand that doc is critiquing the game just for the website. fair enough. but if the ARG makers are only giving ARG players one update per month (or thereabouts) why is doc updating us several times a week with NO NEW INFO! THIS SUCKS! of course it sucks. its a lost ARG. one post on its suckiness would have sufficed. I AM GETTING A PSYCHIC VISION… PREDICTION OF HOW THE ARG WILL END… some dumb youtube-style videos of some terrible actor warning us about some eminent danger, then it just ends abruptly and none of it has any relevance to the tv show lost.

By: Jimmy Zer0

Jimmy Zer0 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:32:48 +0000

I have bailed on playing the ARG for now. Mainly because Doc has been pretty clear on here about how he feels about it, and I agree. That’s just me though.

What some of you people seem to be neglecting is the fact that Lost is almost unique in that its creators have a very active relationship with their audience. They often read these posts and posts on other blogs to see what works and what doesn’t. This is a fact. If the majority of the ARG players aren’t happy with the game but remain cautiously optimistic, then I am sure the creators of the show or game appreciate being able to come to these sites and find out quickly and easily what to fix.

Regardless of all that, the game is not free for exactly the reasons Doc listed above. Not only that, but why would advertisers or the network want to invest in a boring product? Do you people honestly think there would be no difference in hype going into season 5 if the ARG was exciting cool and even a little revealing/further-question-raising all the way throughout as opposed to just another mediocre web-based publicity game straight out of the dark ages of the year 2001?

By: clayb83

clayb83 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:55:16 +0000

For those interested here’s Hoodlums contact info. I’ve already sent emails to both the US and Australian offices telling them how much their ARG sucks. Mind you I did this long before “Forgiventhewarlord” made his idiotic suggestion.

United States
Street Address:
9701 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1000 Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Tel: + 1 310 601 7073
E: info@hoodlum.com.au

Australia
Postal Address:
PO Box 38 Paddington, Qld 4064
Street Address:
Unit 7/1 Fort Lane Milton, Qld 4064
Tel: + 61 (0) 7 3367 2965
Fax: + 61 (0) 7 3367 1734
E: info@hoodlum.com.au

Does anyone really think that Hoodlum isn’t aware of the bigger Lost blogs? I mean every time we have one of these ARGs people create blogs specifically to track and facilitate the game. So I hardly think discussing the horrible nature of the ARG on the bigger Lost sites is useless “whining.” In fact it’s probably a faster method of contacting a company like Hoodlum, since their very own website is bogged down with so much flash it took about 5 minutes just to load the contact page. Likewise, for ABC/Bad Robot. They’ve got staffers checking the blogs all the time.

Given that Javi wrote a forward to Doc’s book, I think it’s safe to say that the LOST staff is aware of his site. I’ll stop, since I might be raining on the parade of someone enjoying the Dharma SAT’s.

By: forgibenthewarlord

forgibenthewarlord — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:28:50 +0000

BEZMINA and DR.PHIL

No coughing… no irony. The truth is the “It’s Free” crowd at least are approaching the correct people. They take issue with something Doc says and they address HIM. Meanwhile, the people complaining about the new ARG have issues with the people behind the ARG and they address… who? The people creating it? Lost execs? No, they just try to rain on the parades of people who Don’t have a major problem with the game (78% of this blog’s readership if the survey is to be trusted).

The “It’s Free” posters are confronting the people they have issues with rather than just whinging about it on a blog that the offending parties will never read.

By: Pop Zeus

Pop Zeus — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:36:19 +0000

“It’s free? I could punch you in the face for free, but that wont make it enjoyable.”

Xeno, punching someone in the face isn’t free. First of all, if you don’t choose you’re target wisely you’re going to pay in blood. Then you’ll pay court fees, and damages. And then you’ll pay with jail time.

Gotta love Internet Tough Guys, because they’re so darned intelligent. You can tell people like “Xeno” have really thought things through. And you can tell they’re willing to punch someone in the face (or at least suggest it) over a lame internet-based “game” that’s really just a low-cost way for ABC to make YOU their promotions department.