Anyone following the drama with Steam and the credit card companies trying to censor games?

[qw90700]

we are violent sexual creatures and we should embrace it in it's entirety instead of suppressing it like god and nature intended

lolol

 

[bjork]

Lets hope its a temporary thing. As it has been proven in this thread, there are a lot of religious nuts in this world that have no problem on imposing their morality on other people. And yet they are the first to complain whenever the government imposes rules that go against their religion. They don't see the hypocrisy of their beliefs because they are lost in the sauce of fanaticism.

Again, look at the history of outrage in games. Look at stuff like Satanic Panic in the 80s. These things generally are temporary. The outrage stays until they coverage goes away, then it boils down to companies wanting to hit those fiscal numbers and that's what always wins. If the boss of Stripe suddenly missed a bonus because of this and can't buy a new boat because of these shout people, he probably has an assassin on retainer. You know?

Mind you, a world does not exist where I'd pay $199 to buy ass sniffing simulator or whatever, but they should be able to shoot their shot. No pun intended.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

Again, look at the history of outrage in games. Look at stuff like Satanic Panic in the 80s. These things generally are temporary. The outrage stays until they coverage goes away, then it boils down to companies wanting to hit those fiscal numbers and that's what always wins. If the boss of Stripe suddenly missed a bonus because of this and can't buy a new boat because of these shout people, he probably has an assassin on retainer. You know?

Mind you, a world does not exist where I'd pay $199 to buy ass sniffing simulator or whatever, but they should be able to shoot their shot. No pun intended.

I only care about the chilling effect it might have on the industry. I also don't want the industry to be afraid of tackling adult subjects or making games for adults because payment processors might block their payments out of nowhere. As an adult who games, I want to see more games for older folks and not every game be infantile. But if you add subject matter that might piss off one of these morality groups and a rogue payment processor might cut off your payments with no oversight or way to fight back, it is a really ugly precedent to set.

 

[bjork]

I only care about the chilling effect it might have on the industry. I also don't want the industry to be afraid of tackling adult subjects or making games for adults because payment processors might block their payments out of nowhere. As an adult who games, I want to see more games for older folks and not every game be infantile. But if you add subject matter that might piss off one of these morality groups and a rogue payment processor might cut off your payments with no oversight or way to fight back, it is a really ugly precedent to set.

We've gone back and forth on this so this is the last I'll say on it: you're borrowing a lot of worry about a problem that isn't here to the degree you feel it might, and it won't be. Even if it somehow came to pass tomorrow, "the industry" would find a workaround. The proof lies in 40 years of attempts like this on games, none of which have stuck. Idk what else to tell you.

 

[Pandaprewmaster325]

Yeah i agree with bjork on this it seems you are just being overly concerned about the future and where this might lead just give it time strategist in time things will be clear , whatever your stance regarding porn games they might only be effected for a short time , if they start going after more popular games the backlash would be so much they will settle down once they see it.

Censorship in games was always a thing and it will remain and there will always be workarounds for those who don't want it so really chill man cuz it's starting to look like fear mongering from here whether you intend it or not.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

Yeah i agree with bjork on this it seems you are just being overly concerned about the future and where this might lead just give it time strategist in time things will be clear , whatever your stance regarding porn games they might only be effected for a short time , if they start going after more popular games the backlash would be so much they will settle down once they see it.

Censorship in games was always a thing and it will remain and there will always be workarounds for those who don't want it so really chill man cuz it's starting to look like fear mongering from here whether you intend it or not.

Well, we shall see. You know how things are on the internet. Either this is the end of video games as we know them or a total nothingburger. No in between.

 

[bjork]

Well, we shall see. You know how things are on the internet. Either this is the end of video games as we know them or a total nothingburger. No in between.

That's a little dramatic. Just a little. It'll be okay!

 

[Nidstang]

Its just getting worse and worse guys. The free internet is dead.

Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps starting next year

Google says it’s no different than checking IDs at the airport.

arstechnica.com

This small change might kill emulation on Android phones next year

Google blocking sideloading of unverified apps means popular emulators for the PS2, PS3, and Nintendo Switch will no longer be available.

www.androidauthority.com

 

[Pandaprewmaster325]

This giving me the vibes of "europe has fallen" type of stuff as if your privacy didn't get fucked comprised and baked and then rebaked and remastered in 4k to be invaded again like who you kidding man

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

This giving me the vibes of "europe has fallen" type of stuff as if your privacy didn't get fucked comprised and baked and then rebaked and remastered in 4k to be invaded again like who you kidding man

if you give them a finger, they ask for the whole arm. Gotta say no to corporations if you want them to respect your rights.

 

[Mr. SyS]

Closely and that's only the start. Piracy is next. Two bills that are the re-incarnation of SOPA are worming their way through US Congress right now and nobody is talking about them. Big Tech is fully on board. There will be no blackout protests. I expect one or both to pass silently and only then will people care. FADPA and Blockbeard are their names.

 

[Clippy]

Would you look at that, suddenly standing up for freedom of speech and expression after the little tiff we had a few months ago. Obligatory jab aside, I've made my stance on things like that clear back then and you know I'm with you here.

Closely and that's only the start. Piracy is next. Two bills that are the re-incarnation of SOPA are worming their way through US Congress right now and nobody is talking about them. Big Tech is fully on board. There will be no blackout protests. I expect one or both to pass silently and only then will people care. FADPA and Blockbeard are their names.

The EU isn't faring better in that regard. Chat Control law is on the table and it's a blatantly obvious attempt at mass surveillance. They're trying to sell it as a measure to protect the children. Again. They really think we were born yesterday. All I can say is

Obviously, don't go out there killing anyone. I wouldn't want you to waste your life. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that we will continue to be tested with these attempts at crimes against humanity until we either finally accept mental slavery or revolt and bring the consequences to their doorsteps. Our politicians forgot that they're meant to be our representatives, not masters and it shows.

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

Would you look at that, suddenly standing up for freedom of speech and expression after the little tiff we had a few months ago. Obligatory jab aside, I've made my stance on things like that clear back then and you know I'm with you here.


The EU isn't faring better in that regard. Chat Control law is on the table and it's a blatantly obvious attempt at mass surveillance. They're trying to sell it as a measure to protect the children. Again. They really think we were born yesterday. All I can say is

View attachment 104302
Obviously, don't go out there killing anyone. I wouldn't want you to waste your life. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that we will continue to be tested with these attempts at crimes against humanity until we either finally accept mental slavery or revolt and bring the consequences to their doorsteps. Our politicians forgot that they're meant to be our representatives, not masters and it shows.

Well, I've never been for censorship. So we agree on this issue, at least. I think movies and books of all sorts should be allowed, even if they are controversial. We shouldn't erase history, but try to understand it in its proper context. However, you'll never get me to agree with promoting hate speech. I don't believe in thought policing but I don't think communities should have to tolerate this type of speech in their vicinity if they don't want it. Freedom only goes so far.

 

[Clippy]

Well, I've never been for censorship. So we agree on this issue, at least. I think movies and books of all sorts should be allowed, even if they are controversial. We shouldn't erase history, but try to understand it in its proper context. However, you'll never get me to agree with promoting hate speech. I don't believe in thought policing but I don't think communities should have to tolerate this type of speech in their vicinity if they don't want it. Freedom only goes so far.

And that's pretty much been my argument this entire time. I never stood up for hate speech because I like it but because not standing up for it, even if on principle alone, would lead to freedom of speech being eroded further.

Same here, you stand up for smut that you don't care for because you know not doing so will lead to further consequences

if you give them a finger, they ask for the whole arm. Gotta say no to corporations if you want them to respect your rights.

Like so.

I'm not your enemy and I've never tried to be one. I didn't get to say this back then because the thread got locked but I'm not into the idea of forcing private communities to accept anything and everything willy-nilly either. You won't see me going to other people's homes telling them what they should find acceptable in their abodes. That wouldn't be me exercising my freedoms, it would be me infringing on theirs and I consider RGT to be among places that would qualify. It's a privately owned place and what the owner says goes. However, when it comes to society or the Internet at large I will be a rabid defender of even the most vile things people say because if defending freedom of speech means anything at all it means defending things people don't want to hear. I'd rather have a few unsavory individuals spouting hate speech freely than let governments put digital balls and chains on us all 'just in case' or 'to protect the children' or 'to prevent terrorism' or whatever kind of excuse they choose to go with on any given day.

Frankly, I'd rather have this hatchet buried because I believe we're more aligned than either of us might think. Maybe it's that I don't know how to express my feelings on the matter properly. I stand against censorship of any kind. Sometimes that requires me to defend people and sentiments I don't agree with but if nothing else, I am a man of principle and do so regardless because I know what catastrophic consequences not doing so will entail in the grand scheme of things. It is what it is I guess

 

[Strategist's icon Strategist Strategist]

And that's pretty much been my argument this entire time. I never stood up for hate speech because I like it but because not standing up for it, even if on principle alone, would lead to freedom of speech being eroded further.

Same here, you stand up for smut that you don't care for because you know not doing so will lead to further consequences

Like so.

I'm not your enemy and I've never tried to be one. I didn't get to say this back then because the thread got locked but I'm not into the idea of forcing private communities to accept anything and everything willy-nilly either. You won't see me going to other people's homes telling them what they should find acceptable in their abodes. That wouldn't be me exercising my freedoms, it would be me infringing on theirs and I consider RGT to be among places that would qualify. It's a privately owned place and what the owner says goes. However, when it comes to society or the Internet at large I will be a rabid defender of even the most vile things people say because if defending freedom of speech means anything at all it means defending things people don't want to hear. I'd rather have a few unsavory individuals spouting hate speech freely than let governments put digital balls and chains on us all 'just in case' or 'to protect the children' or 'to prevent terrorism' or whatever kind of excuse they choose to go with on any given day.

Frankly, I'd rather have this hatchet buried because I believe we're more aligned than either of us might think. Maybe it's that I don't know how to express my feelings on the matter properly. I stand against censorship of any kind. Sometimes that requires me to defend people and sentiments I don't agree with but if nothing else, I am a man of principle and do so regardless because I know what catastrophic consequences not doing so will entail in the grand scheme of things. It is what it is I guess

There's no hatchet to bury. I get on my soapbox, but don't take it as a personal attack. I have my beliefs based on what I've experienced in my many years of life and you are welcome to take them as you will. But when I say something, I usually say it from something I've experienced or studied. There's no point in arguing it over and over, but I'll say that real deal hate groups (not internet trolls) aren't groups to take lightly. Defending their speech would be a reallly bad idea as they aren't a live and let live type of people. If you are terrorizing communities of people of color, you are a terrorist.

 

[Pandaprewmaster325]

if you give them a finger, they ask for the whole arm. Gotta say no to corporations if you want them to respect your rights.

They gonna keep getting away with it until action is taken in mass if we want corporates to fuck off then well boycott is an option or even vigilante action too hackers may play a role too comprising and stealing these corporates data once that happens the corporations may stop but who are we kidding there is people on the corporations side even among us gamers...