Chinese Gamers Pressure Epic7 Developers with Unique Protest
Hey there gamers! I’ve got some juicy news for you today that involves Chinese players, a truck, and a whole lot of pressure on game developers. Buckle up and get ready for the ride!
A Protest on Wheels
So, here’s the deal. The developers of Epic7, Smilegate, were planning on making a change to the game that didn’t sit well with the Chinese playerbase. They wanted to introduce an imprint system, which would allow players to combine duplicate characters into more powerful versions. Sounds cool, right? Well, not everyone thought so.
See, this new system meant that future characters would have imprints, giving them an edge over older characters. And that didn’t sit right with players who had already invested a ton of time and money into the game. They felt it was unfair and would create an imbalance in the PvP gameplay. And you know what gamers do when they’re unhappy? They speak up!
The Truck That Roared
Chinese players took their dissatisfaction to a whole new level by hiring a truck to circle the Smilegate offices. Picture this: a truck driving around, blasting video messages from famous members of the gaming community who were also unhappy with the planned update. Talk about making a statement!
According to Reddit user Winterwish, who catalogued the protest milestones, the Chinese playerbase managed to raise around 30,000 Yuan (that’s roughly $6,000) to fund this epic truck stunt. Now that’s dedication!
Smilegate’s About-Face
So, did this truck stunt actually work? You bet it did! The pressure from the truck protest, along with a barrage of negative feedback from players, led Smilegate to backtrack on their decision. In a video apology to the community, senior employee Jae-Hoon Jung announced the cancellation of the planned update and even threw in a compensation package for all players, featuring a five-star character. Talk about a win for the gamers!
Now, you might be wondering, “Why is this such a big deal?” Well, my friend, it’s because this protest shows just how passionate and dedicated gamers can be when it comes to their favorite games. It’s like a boss fight where the players banded together and defeated the overpowered enemy. Epic!
A Global Trend of Protest Trucks
Now, this truck protest got me thinking about other instances where gamers took matters into their own hands. And let me tell you, it’s not just a one-time thing. This trend of using trucks to protest is spreading like wildfire!
In 2020, fans of the Korean League of Legends esports team T1 hired trucks to protest various issues they had with the organization. They wanted their voices to be heard, and what better way to do it than with a truck carrying their message?
But it’s not just esports fans who are truckin’ their protests. Fans of Fate/Grand Order paid for trucks to circle Netmarble offices in Korea when the company didn’t carry out a New Year’s event on the Korean version of the game. And even Kpop fans have jumped on the truck protest bandwagon. It’s become a powerful tool for gamers and fans alike to make their voices heard.
What’s Your Take?
Now, I want to hear from you, fellow gamers. Does the idea of hiring a truck to protest video games cross a line for you? Or do you think Western fans could learn a thing or two from their Korean comrades? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!
Remember, gamers have the power to create change in the gaming world. So keep gaming, keep fighting for what you believe in, and together, we can make the gaming industry even better!