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Comic for: May 20th, 2015
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H1Z1: "Chh Ching!"
Posted: Wednesday May 20th, 2015 by

As I was thumbing through my twitter feed last night I saw John Smedley, president of Daybreak Games (formerly SOE), talking about the number of hackers that had been banned from Daybreaks zombie MMO, H1Z1. He followed up these numbers with a caveat however. If the hackers posted an apology video they would be allowed back in the game.[more info][more info] He also said he'd tweet links to the videos.[more info]

True to his word, when the first one was posted, he tweeted it, but added that he wished it wasn't about the cash. [more info] I watched the video, the admitted hacker all but said he was posting the apology because he'd spent $260 on the game to date. The whole situation struck me as kind of funny. I get banning hackers. It's a product of the business. But, I don't understand the value of letting them return. Is it hack-shaming, an attempt at humiliating them? What effect does that have on their character in game? If the other players don't KNOW the character they see is a "repentant cheater", really, what has been accomplished? Unless it's about the money for Daybreak as well.

I don't want to point any fingers here. I gave Smed a lot of crap over the years about shoving his hand in our pockets to grab our wallets. But, I've met Smed and, as far as I could tell, he was a decent guy that loves first person shooters. One of my best E3 memories was just hanging out with Smed in a SOE conference room, drinking soda, and shooting the shit.

I don't know the intricacies and behind the scenes info for H1Z1. To date Daybreak hasn't "let me in" the way SOE did with EQ. So I could be very wrong about this whole thing. I just know how the situation FEELS to me.

Thoughts? (Including praise for H1Z1.)

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