Virtual Legality

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Metro: Exodus' unexpected departure to the Epic Games Store has resulted in good takes, bad takes, and hottakes across the industry.

What does it mean for the escalating conflict between Epic and Steam?

Is the move really "unfair" as Valve and Steam portray it?

And is review bombing of different Metro games the right response?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/l0yRygqoGyk

#MetroExodus #Epic #VirtualLegality

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Metro Exodus will be exclusive to Epic Games Store, Valve says it's 'unfair'"

GamedailyBiz, January 29, 2019

(https://gamedaily.biz/article/553/metro-exodus-will-be-exclusive-to-epic-games-store-valve-says-its-unfair)

"Metro Exodus move from Steam to Epic leads to review bombing, internal conflict"

GameDailyBiz, January 30, 2019

(https://gamedaily.biz/article/557/metro-exodus-move-from-steam-to-epic-leads-to-review-bombing-internal-conflict)

"Rules and Guidelines For Steam: Discussions, Reviews, and User Generated Content"

Steam

(https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4045-USHJ-3810)

Metro: Last Light Redux Steam Page

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/287390/Metro_Last_Light_Redux/)

***

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050

Metro: Exodus' unexpected departure to the Epic Games Store has resulted in good takes, bad takes, and hottakes across the industry.

What does it mean for the escalating conflict between Epic and Steam?

Is the move really "unfair" as Valve and Steam portray it?

And is review bombing of different Metro games the right response?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/l0yRygqoGyk

#MetroExodus #Epic #VirtualLegality

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Metro Exodus will be exclusive to Epic Games Store, Valve says it's 'unfair'"

GamedailyBiz, January 29, 2019

(https://gamedaily.biz/article/553/metro-exodus-will-be-exclusive-to-epic-games-store-valve-says-its-unfair)

"Metro Exodus move from Steam to Epic leads to review bombing, internal conflict"

GameDailyBiz, January 30, 2019

(https://gamedaily.biz/article/557/metro-exodus-move-from-steam-to-epic-leads-to-review-bombing-internal-conflict)

"Rules and Guidelines For Steam: Discussions, Reviews, and User Generated Content"

Steam

(https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4045-USHJ-3810)

Metro: Last Light Redux Steam Page

(https://store.steampowered.com/app/287390/Metro_Last_Light_Redux/)

***

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050

In this episode, Richard Hoeg analyzes Epic Game Store's exclusivity strategy and its impact on the gaming industry. He explores consumer preferences, Valve's response to competition, and the effects of review bombing. The legal aspects of game companies and the future of PC gaming are also discussed.

(0:00) Introduction and disclaimer

(1:15) Analysis on Epic Game Store's exclusivity strategy and its impact on the gaming industry

(7:28) Consumer preferences and the impact of price difference between Epic Game Store and Steam

(10:01) Examination of Valve's response to competition and Metro Exodus's exclusivity

(13:07) Assessment of Epic Game Store's business strategy

(15:34) Exploring the organizational structure and legal aspects of game companies

(19:54) Deep dive into the concept of review bombing and its impact on developers

(26:08) Analysis of review bombing on Steam and its effect on the Metro Trilogy games

(33:23) Consumer perspective on game distribution platforms and game pricing

(38:48) Promotion of Virtual Legality on various platforms

(40:09) Future of Epic Game Store, Steam, and the PC gaming industry

Big news as Gamestop walks back its attempt to effect a corporate sale! And Variety's 2019 game industry predictions about that and so much more!

What does today's announcement from Gamestop mean?

And what are the biggest stories in gaming going into 2019?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/ClvA07Znsa4

#Gamestop #Fortnite #VirtualLegality

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Video Games’ 2019: Lawsuits, Streaming, Child Safety, Dying Retail"

Variety, January 28, 2019

(https://variety.com/2019/gaming/columns/2019-video-game-predictions-1203120374/#article-comments)

"Confirmed: GameStop in Buyout Talks"

Variety, June 19, 2018

(https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/gamestop-in-buyout-talks-1202850727/)

"GameStop Sales Slide as It Continues Looking for Buyers"

Variety, September 7, 2018

(https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/gamestop-second-quarter-fiscal-2018-results-1202932179/)

"Holiday Sales Dropped for GameStop in 2018 Compared to 2017"

Variety, January 18, 2019

(https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/gamestop-holiday-sales-1203111706/)

"GameStop Just Gave Up On Trying to Sell Company"

Variety, January 29, 2019

(https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/gamestop-just-gave-up-on-trying-to-sell-company-1203122042/)

"The Big Investment Firms That Lost $1.3 Billion In The Toys "R" Us Bankruptcy"

Forbes, September 19, 2017

(https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2017/09/19/the-big-investment-firms-that-lost-1-3-billion-on-the-toys-r-us-bankruptcy/#4b138288308f)

"GameStop Stock Dives Because the Company Isn’t for Sale"

Barrons, January 29, 2019

(https://www.barrons.com/articles/gamestop-stock-dives-because-the-company-isnt-for-sale-51548776908)

***

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050

Big news as Gamestop walks back its attempt to effect a corporate sale! And Variety's 2019 game industry predictions about that and so much more!

What does today's announcement from Gamestop mean?

And what are the biggest stories in gaming going into 2019?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/ClvA07Znsa4

#Gamestop #Fortnite #VirtualLegality

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Video Games’ 2019: Lawsuits, Streaming, Child Safety, Dying Retail"

Variety, January 28, 2019

(https://variety.com/2019/gaming/columns/2019-video-game-predictions-1203120374/#article-comments)

"Confirmed: GameStop in Buyout Talks"

Variety, June 19, 2018

(https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/gamestop-in-buyout-talks-1202850727/)

"GameStop Sales Slide as It Continues Looking for Buyers"

Variety, September 7, 2018

(https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/gamestop-second-quarter-fiscal-2018-results-1202932179/)

"Holiday Sales Dropped for GameStop in 2018 Compared to 2017"

Variety, January 18, 2019

(https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/gamestop-holiday-sales-1203111706/)

"GameStop Just Gave Up On Trying to Sell Company"

Variety, January 29, 2019

(https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/gamestop-just-gave-up-on-trying-to-sell-company-1203122042/)

"The Big Investment Firms That Lost $1.3 Billion In The Toys "R" Us Bankruptcy"

Forbes, September 19, 2017

(https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2017/09/19/the-big-investment-firms-that-lost-1-3-billion-on-the-toys-r-us-bankruptcy/#4b138288308f)

"GameStop Stock Dives Because the Company Isn’t for Sale"

Barrons, January 29, 2019

(https://www.barrons.com/articles/gamestop-stock-dives-because-the-company-isnt-for-sale-51548776908)

***

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050

In this episode, Richard Hoeg examines GameStop's business model, discusses key 2019 video game lawsuits, and explores the role of judges in IP disputes. He also delves into DMCA abuse, the Star Control IP battle, and predictions for the gaming industry. Richard further discusses GameStop's potential buyout, its failed sale, and the impact of the Toys R Us bankruptcy on its situation. The episode concludes with the challenges a future GameStop CEO might face.

(0:00) Introduction and Topic Overview

(1:32) State of GameStop and its Business Model

(2:51) Video Games 2019 Lawsuits, Streaming, Child Safety, and Dying Retail

(6:41) Role of Judges in Intellectual Property Disputes

(11:00) DMCA Abuse and the Star Control Intellectual Property Battle

(15:23) Predictions for the Gaming Industry in 2019

(17:08) Examination of GameStop's Struggles and Potential Buyout

(21:21) Role of Private Equity in the Gaming Industry

(25:04) GameStop's Failed Attempt to Sell the Company

(31:21) Impact of Toys R Us Bankruptcy on GameStop's Situation

(34:54) Challenges Faced by the Future CEO of GameStop

(37:08) Conclusion and Request for Audience Feedback

While one company scrapped its work on the latest in a long- running series, another delved deep into the problems plaguing the first public showing of its most ambitious project.

What can the respective messages from Nintendo and Bioware tell us about the two companies?

And why can't everyone be more like Nintendo, anyway?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/n-tymXSjh0k

#Metroid #Anthem #VirtualLegality

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Metroid Prime 4 - First Look - Nintendo E3 2017"

YouTube Video, June 13, 2017

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbDmTjS_MI)

"Development Update on Metroid Prime 4 for Nintendo Switch"

YouTube Video, January 25, 2019

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLIv_UXI_So)

Electronic Arts Anthem Pre-Order Page

(https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/buy)

"Anthem VIP Demo: an update from BioWare’s Head of Live Service"

January 26, 2019

(http://blog.bioware.com/2019/01/26/anthem-vip-demo-update/)

EA Help Twitter

January 25, 2019

(https://twitter.com/EAHelp/status/1088854720054210561)

***

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050

While one company scrapped its work on the latest in a long- running series, another delved deep into the problems plaguing the first public showing of its most ambitious project.

What can the respective messages from Nintendo and Bioware tell us about the two companies?

And why can't everyone be more like Nintendo, anyway?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/n-tymXSjh0k

#Metroid #Anthem #VirtualLegality

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Metroid Prime 4 - First Look - Nintendo E3 2017"

YouTube Video, June 13, 2017

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbDmTjS_MI)

"Development Update on Metroid Prime 4 for Nintendo Switch"

YouTube Video, January 25, 2019

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLIv_UXI_So)

Electronic Arts Anthem Pre-Order Page

(https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/buy)

"Anthem VIP Demo: an update from BioWare’s Head of Live Service"

January 26, 2019

(http://blog.bioware.com/2019/01/26/anthem-vip-demo-update/)

EA Help Twitter

January 25, 2019

(https://twitter.com/EAHelp/status/1088854720054210561)

***

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050

With the long awaited Kingdom Hearts 3 right around the corner, Gamestop today took the unusual step of canceling an unknown number of pre-orders for the limited edition Playstation 4 Pro designed to celebrate the series.

So what good is a pre-order, anyway?

And what can the terms and conditions of Gamestop (and other retailers) tell us about what a pre-ordering customer should expect (and not expect)?

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/enxS0DBle3E

#KingdomHearts #GameStop #VirtualLegality

***

Discussed in this episode:

"GameStop cancels Kingdom Hearts 3 special edition PS4 pre-orders, infuriating fans"

Polygon, January 25, 2019

(https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/25/18197902/kingdom-hearts-3-ps4-pro-gamestop-pre-orders-canceled)

Pre-Order "Help"

Gamestop Website

(https://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/Pre-orders.aspx)

In-Store Pre-Order "Help"

Gamestop Website

(https://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/In_Store_Pickup.aspx)

Terms and Conditions of Purchase and Use

EB Games Website

(https://www.ebgames.ca/Help/Index?section=HelpCenter%2FDisclaimer)

Terms and Conditions

Best Buy Website

(https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/terms-and-conditions/pcmcat204400050067.c?id=pcmcat204400050067)

***

THANKS FOR WATCHING!

FOR MORE CHECK US OUT:

On Twitter @hoeglaw

At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/

On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/

On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers)

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA)

Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050