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Osaka27159 Posts
Just to clairfy, I dont want this to be an attack on individual sites. I was hoping to discuss the greater theme of the proper use of information. I brought this up because until recently, most community sites had no connection to these big events other than what they did themselves when they got there. I was posting to see how this has changed.
I reworded some parts to better reflect that intention, as I don't think I did a very good job conveying that the first time.
This is something I am more and more concerned about as SC2 approaches. As someone who has an active role in maintaining this site, I am often approached with offers from many different companies regarding the promotion of eSports and whatever product they choose to promote. With the publicity of the TSL, it has been a real eye-opener for us, especially the core group of staff. These events will only intensify as the community swells in anticipation of the big event.
However I feel that some sites are not taking their responsibilities as seriously as they should. Because they have access to privileged information, information companies are trusting them with, they feel that it is ok for them to post it and grab a quick headline.
Obviously the latest incident is with replays.net posting the lineups for the WWI on their sites, which led to MYM and other sites following. There are many people who have known the lineups for more than a month now, but have managed to be quiet about it. That is because confidentiality was requested in the emails. However, what these spoilers don't know is that their actions cast suspicion and doubt over the entire length of community sites, staff, and players. Right now I am talking to people who are rightfully pissed off.
There is a difference between being a journalist and disrespecting the wishes of those who help you. I would hope that in the future, all sites have respect for their partners in the field. If they don't it will not only damage their site, but also this site, and the community in general who will feel the effects of the lack of trust between companies and communities.
This is my opinion, but it isn't everyone's. What do you think the obligations of community sites are in these situations?
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If confidentiality was requested it should have remained confidential.
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CA10829 Posts
this is a no brainer.
if it was stated that the lists were to remain a secret until a certain point in time, it should have remained so.
it's irresponsible of the community to not respect such basic requests.
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It should have remained confidential, like deadvessel said. Honestly, the secrecy an be fun for speculation and hype pruposes (TSL anyone?)
Imo blizz should get the TL staff to run their invitational tourneys, they would be so much better.
You guys rock.
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Hungary11305 Posts
I do not see a conflict here. The closest I could conjecture is the dilemma between satisfying the interests of the readers (post the news!) and complying to the request of the information giver (do not post the news).
Now, if Blizzard was a secretive, malicious company trying to withhold every piece of information they can, maybe being a "journalist" and unveiling the players participating could be considered a trait to the community. But seriously, if you are treated in a privileged way, given the information way beforehand and asked not to publish the information, you are basically abusing the confidence brought to you by posting it and thus biting the hand that feeds you.
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There should be a zero tolerance policy on this issue from Blizzard.
It should be open and obvious what is and isn't acceptable. If you cross the line Blizzard should ignore that site for a long period of time, if not indefinitely.
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Hong Kong20321 Posts
yea blizzard should just come to tl (only)
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Osaka27159 Posts
The other argument, of course, is that community sites are just that, community. Nobody gets paid (generally) and in that case the needs of the community should come first. You could also say (in this case) Blizzard is working off of an outdated business model, as community sites have shown themselves to be much more efficient at getting the word out than the official outlets.
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
I don't even see how this is debatable. Someone gives you information asking that it be kept private. There's no justification for someone (or some site) to release this information, or benefit in fact b/c do we really think similar information will be released the next time around?
edit: Losing trust is the fastest way to wrecking your "business alliance"
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confidential information should only be given to organized and trustworthy sites (other than teamliquid, none come to mind)
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
you'd have thought MYM would be such a site, considering they are rather large, organized, and professional. But I guess not ¬_¬
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Sydney2287 Posts
On June 24 2008 20:11 Manifesto7 wrote:
The other argument, of course, is that community sites are just that, community. Nobody gets paid (generally) and in that case the needs of the community should come first. You could also say (in this case) Blizzard is working off of an outdated business model, as community sites have shown themselves to be much more efficient at getting the word out than the official outlets.
I see that you're playing devil's advocate here. I don't think that the outdated business model deal applies, because they're still using the community sites to distribute their information, they're just asking them to wait until time period X before releasing it. As for the needs of the community, which is better?
a) Getting the information out that little bit earlier but jeapordising the communication channel with Blizzard for future information
b) Prolonging the suspense and keeping the existing arrangement pleasant.
I agree with your OP entirely. If this happens too many times then yes I do believe it possible that Blizzard might turn to avenues other than the community sites and then we'll all lose out.
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hmm
MYM.f91, i think we have both our chinese website source and our MYM website source in one, lol.
it's a treat to have chinese players at any event but in the future Blizzard may have to be advised that our good friends in the chinese community sometimes struggle with confidentiality, god bless their hearts.
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On June 24 2008 19:36 DeadVessel wrote:
If confidentiality was requested it should have remained confidential.
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51547 Posts
i don't even understand why mym tries to be a news site.
their a freaking team, not a news outlet. if they want to make a news outlet, make a new site or something.
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
tl kinda used to be like that too tho? :O
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On June 24 2008 20:15 thedeadhaji wrote:
I don't even see how this is debatable. Someone gives you information asking that it be kept private. There's no justification for someone (or some site) to release this information, or benefit in fact b/c do we really think similar information will be released the next time around?
edit: Losing trust is the fastest way to wrecking your "business alliance"
Bandwagoning this!
No one gains anything from spoiling this. All it does is upset your source for something very trivial. The only time blowing a source's spot would be acceptable would like if WCG admins knew so and so was hacking, or something to that extent. All this does is burn bridges in an already dying community.
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Taiche
France1963 Posts
I think it depends on the whole story and context.
If you're a community website with no official info or disclosure agreement, then you have the right to relay rumors and stuff. That's part of your business after all. As long as you warn the user it's purely a rumor you grabbed here and there, I don't see where the problem is.
However, if you're a pro site and have had access to inside info while agreeing not to reveal them, then you should stick up to the original deal, period.
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If a site wants to be considered a serious site, then of course it should abide by the unwritten laws regarding such confidentiality. I can't help but feeling the site who broke the silence or a site that starts spreading misinformation should get the limelight of the rest of the community back in the face.
It's sort of a low blow and kind of fingerpointing-ish, but in these cases maybe called for?
I'm glad to see you raising your voice about this one and setting your foot down on the spot.
I wish many other serious gaming sites will follow your example.
Good job.
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EPT
