How Not to Sell Adventure Games--Part 2
Our Readers Speak
A (Not) Playing the Game Followup

By Randy Sluganski

We asked for our readers' response to the "afterbirth" remark and we got it--by the truckload. Loud and clear. The resounding consensus was that yes, we should remove the Chips & Bits banner on our page, but only if we can supply an alternative. And we have. We are currently in negotiations to provide our readers with a link to an online store that not only provides great service, but also has a super selection of adventure games--new and budget-priced.

Many of our readers were extremely vociferous with their opinions; I shudder to imagine the emails that must have been received by the CDMag newsletter staff. According to responses received by our readers, apparently they still see nothing wrong with their "afterbirth" remark. We ask you to read part 1 of this article and decide for yourself. We would like to clarify that never have we said or even insinuated that no one should not write a bad review of any adventure game. We have said that a review should be fair and not bash a game just because it is an adventure game. We also see no purpose in providing a one-sentence summary of an adventure game that only ridicules the genre (especially when you work for a magazine that serves as a marketing arm for an online store). Let the readers decide for themselves.

Following, we have provided some excerpts from the many emails we have received. After our reader's comments, you will find a list of email addresses you may wish to use. Please read both parts of this article and, if you have not already done so, (Not) Playing the Game before you make your decision. If you think this is not an important issue now, then how will you feel six months from now if Cryo and Dreamcatcher decide to pull their adventure products due to poor sales caused by a careless remark? A remark that prejudged games that have not even been released. A remark that went out to thousands of subscribers. The following emails were all received by me in response to the "afterbirth" remark. I have left the authors anonymous, but I do have the full versions archived.

An industry friend referred me to your "afterbirth" remark and I must say that not only do I find it insulting, but coming from a "woman" I find it doubly insulting. Apparently, either Ms. Yans is extremely immature or extremely insensitive.

As one who is not close to the computer gaming industry, I do find it interesting that such insults occur, seemingly without response from the offended party. It is of little wonder that gamers have been shouldered with such immature, violent images.

I applaud Just Adventure for having the courage to take a stand on this matter. If more people in the industry were willing to go to bat for what is right, then maybe computer and video gaming could finally rise above its besotted image.

As for CGO, Cindy Yans' "afterbirth" comment is not very nice. And, I think Dreamcatcher might do well to send them a letter. But, I do not think this makes the whole site bad. I boycott links to certain of their writers but the site, overall, has some good coverage.

With further evidence which you outline in your column, you have confirmed for me my belief that there is--what seems to me--more unprofessionalism in business today than ever. Denigrating publicly others in your line of business is really, really not the way to be. In my mind that's tantamount to treachery. That's exactly what that article in Computer Games Online is doing, and it sucks!

However, I believe most of the general public is smarter than you give them credit for. If they see this article in Computer Games Online, most of them will see it for what it is, which is the childish whining of someone who probably doesn't deserve the job they have. I think they will see the article as unfair, and it reflects poorly on Computer Games Online; it's curious that the author's editor either didn't say anything or was unsuccessful in getting him/her to change the tone of the article.

I was on your page and was reading your adventure game bashing comments. Point and case it is blatant that the writer was not interested in any adventure games. As the creator of (game title deleted), I know how hard it is to get an adventure title taken seriously and published.

Though sending comments to Cindy Yans might seem to bring her to reevaluate the comments she made, I am not sure this will change her opinion that easily but it might just help her fill her email trashbox! This may seem rude but as we can clearly see, she won't even give a tiny chance to upcoming titles to be evaluated or considered.

To me, this means this person needs to be "refreshed" about her bad attitude toward a community of people that doesn't share her personal tastes and this can only be done by the ones who are in authority.

Mrs Yans didn't give her opinion on these games, she just blow the adventure out without even letting the new title be born (so much for the afterbirth) ...

Perhaps it would be more effective to send them a letter that starts out much on the positive note you strike in the first paragraph of How Not to Sell Adventure Games, and follow it with remarks like "... having said that, it will of course be very difficult for us to maintain a relationship with people of whom both we and our readers [point to readers reactions here] have the feeling that they do not take our business seriously." I too have been discouraged by the general game review sites who consistently bash the only games on which I personally have any interest in spending my hard earned money.

Now what to do with Chips and Bits ... DUMP THEM!!!!! They are using JA to get the Adventurer over there to buy everything but adventure games. They are not going out of their way to supply us a variety of adventures games when they are out there(JA's Upcoming Releases) nor do they give the right info on what games they do list. Maybe this is because of their affiliates writing such trash about our games ... DUMP THEM!!!!!"

I have ordered from Chips & Bits many times, so I'm still in shock over the whole thing. I think the link should be removed unless Cindy Yans retracts the comments and agrees to "play fair" with her comments about Adventure Games at cdmag and where ever else she writes. If she doesn't like Adventure Games, she should either quit reviewing them or keep her personal prejudiced opinions to herself.

The uncalled for "afterbirth" remark is the type of ignition point that if the major publications such as USA Today or the media were to pick up on it could ruin CGO and Chips & Bits. At the very least, the author of the newsletter owes Dreamcatcher and Cryo an apology. If none is forthcoming then maybe the issue should be more vigorously pursued.

Since adventure games are typically hard to find at the stores these days, most serious adventure gamers have already identified their supply lines without having to rely on the link from your web page. It may be only a small gesture, but a gesture nonetheless. We will only steer the market with our dollars, not our desires.

Well, I asked for it and I got it--full force. If you would like to voice your opinion also, the following email addresses should be very helpful:

cyans@mail.cdmag.com
editor@cdmag.com
cbi-webmaster@cdmag.com
cbiserv@sover.net
cbisales@sover.net
jmather@cdmag.com
jlubetki@cdmag.com
pabruzzo@cdmag.com

In closing, I would sincerely like to thank everyone who wrote for their support and ask that all of you continue to be "watchdogs" for the genre. We hope you will be happy with our new affiliate. The money we make is only used to pay our monthly server fees to keep the Just Adventure site coming to you on a daily basis, so when you do have that urge to purchase a new adventure game it is appreciated when you do so through a link from our site. We will continue to keep you updated on this and all other matters concerning the adventure gaming community.