[SailorDaravon]

Rebel FM took donations from people. They got a lot more donations than they could possibly spend on stuff directly related to producing a podcast. So they used a small amount of it to buy a gaming PC for someone who's been on literally 100+ episodes of the podcast, who couldn't afford the PC for himself, and has directly used that PC to talk about games played on that PC on almost every single one of those 100+ episodes. Bitch about Arthur Gies, Rebel FM, and Polygon all you want, but this "donation-gate" stuff is pure nonsense. They used their donations on a way that has directly improved the podcast for more than two years, on a person who uses the donation in the best way possible.

That maybe would have been acceptable if they had been up front about it, but up until a few months ago (I'm behind on Rebel FM) this was the first I had ever heard about this, and IIRC that PC was built what, like maybe 2 or 3 years ago at this point? And even in that case if they really have THAT much more than they need for possible future equipment and hosting costs for basically forever, they could have donated it to one of the charities that they do things for once or twice a year. Or used it to buy shit to maybe give away to listeners in contests. Or any of a million other things.

[Mister Saturn]

So wait, now we're claiming that anonymous donations to unemployed people working on a gaming podcast that anyone with a brain knows could leave for a job across the country at any moment, and those donations being used to directly improve the podcast for the people left, is "stealing" and "misappropriation"? Even if Phil and Nick were still there, they could have transformed the podcast into something you hated over time. Or they could have just stopped doing the podcast altogether instead of finding another group of people to do it after they found jobs in other states. Regardless, your donation, your risk. Instead of letting the donations just sit there unused, they decided to use a small part of them on a gaming PC for someone who couldn't afford one, and who went on to literally talk about PC games he's played on it for hundreds of hours. You might not like it, but tough shit - it's not "stealing" or "misappropriation" either.

You should end all your posts with

-Presented by Internet Explorer-

[see5harp]

I'm using Internet Explorer right now. It's really not that bad. Sony had The Verge stuff on lock for months.

[steadfast]

can someone re-edit it in the style of that farming simulator skrillex dubstep thing? preferably with the same music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEJHrmliVQw

Holy shit, my awareness of this video is the best thing to come out of this thread by far.

[Glix]

If only I could've filmed myself working on it so I could've made a follow-up How to Edit a Video

This is the best post.

[DaBuddaDa]

How To Press Reset: The Giant Bomb Story

I miss Civil War Beard Dave.

[Aselith]

That's not how the law works :(

I'm not calling for the arrest of Arthur Gies. I'm just saying that people's outrage is justified. It was a shitty thing to do.

[Air Zombie Meat]

I hope they don't can this documentary after all this criticism. I want to see it.

[Jasper Avenue]

I'm excited for all of the follow-up videos. If the teaser trailer is this horrible, the rest of the "documentary" should provide some pretty great (but sad) entertainment. Animated gifs for years.

[PaulLFC]

May have been beaten to this by now, but for those that were asking for it, here's a very quickly thrown together (and a bit shit) Remix in the style of that Farming Simulator Mad Skill video

[dLMN8R]

That maybe would have been acceptable if they had been up front about it, but up until a few months ago (I'm behind on Rebel FM) this was the first I had ever heard about this, and IIRC that PC was built what, like maybe 2 or 3 years ago at this point? And even in that case if they really have THAT much more than they need for possible future equipment and hosting costs for basically forever, they could have donated it to one of the charities that they do things for once or twice a year. Or used it to buy shit to maybe give away to listeners in contests. Or any of a million other things.

Actually, they talked about it years and years ago. Both on the podcast, and Arthur directly addressing it in the Rebel FM thread on NeoGAF.

Donating it to charities would be as much "misappropriation" by the definition of people on this board as spending it on something that has literally been used to drive hundreds of hours of conversation on the podcast. That's as direct and appropriate as it gets.

[EternalGamer]

Yeah, dude, the donations were to keep the podcast running. Using it to buy someone a computer for personal use is a perfect example of misappropriation.

I'm torn on that. I donated a few bucks to them and I can see both sides. Maybe especially because I still listen to Rebel FM (I suffer Gies to hear the other three) and I do agree that Tyler has put that gaming PC to go use and frequently has enthusiastically engaged in great conversation as a result. It definiately has facilitated good conversation.

On the other hand, they probably should have been more transparent about how and what specifically the money was going to be spent on and what was "out of bounds" from the start.

[graboids]

How To Press Reset: The Giant Bomb Story Unfortunately I didn't have time to do any color tinting in after effects or properly test the audio mix, but hopefully this is alright.

nicely done, perfect!

also... those beards....

[OMG Aero]

I hope they don't can this documentary after all this criticism. I want to see it.

That would be admitting defeat which, if their Twitter posts whenever internet drama happens are anything to go by, I'm pretty sure the Polygon guys are literally incapable of doing.

[AkuMifune]

It's almost like they don't realize they work at a videogame site. Again. That will probably fail. Again. And they're taking themselves so seriosuly. Again.

[7threst]

You should have released a trailer of you working on the video.

Nah, first a teaser to announce the trailer of course! But before that a mysterious tweet with a blurry screencap. Think of the buzz you'll be creating!!!

[XANDER CAGE]

Nah, first a teaser to announce the trailer of course! But before that a mysterious tweet with a blurry screencap. Think of the buzz you'll be creating!!!

.

[Chacranajxy]

I'm not calling for the arrest of Arthur Gies. I'm just saying that people's outrage is justified. It was a shitty thing to do.

My bad, then -- I misinterpreted. It definitely was a shitty thing to do.

[panda21]

May have been beaten to this by now, but for those that were asking for it, here's a very quickly thrown together (and a bit shit) Remix in the style of that Farming Simulator Mad Skill video

nice! it almost makes the video actually good

[7threst]

Perfect haha!

[BlazinAm]

That maybe would have been acceptable if they had been up front about it, but up until a few months ago (I'm behind on Rebel FM) this was the first I had ever heard about this, and IIRC that PC was built what, like maybe 2 or 3 years ago at this point? And even in that case if they really have THAT much more than they need for possible future equipment and hosting costs for basically forever, they could have donated it to one of the charities that they do things for once or twice a year. Or used it to buy shit to maybe give away to listeners in contests. Or any of a million other things.

They mentioned it years ago and then again on the podcast last year.

[Glix]

.

Thanks, gotta send that to this chick I've been working on. ;-)

[SailorDaravon]

I honestly don't remember them ever mentioning it on the podcast or seeing it mentioned here. I apparently feel like an idiot since this is old news (although I don't know why no one was linking specifically to the podcasts in question when people were asking about this). Outside of that I still don't feel any differently than before, unless you can somehow convince me that Tyler has done literally nothing on the PC but play games on it for the podcast specifically.

[chogidogs]

Actually, they talked about it years and years ago. Both on the podcast, and Arthur directly addressing it in the Rebel FM thread on NeoGAF. Donating it to charities would be as much "misappropriation" by the definition of people on this board as spending it on something that has literally been used to drive hundreds of hours of conversation on the podcast. That's as direct and appropriate as it gets.

I personally wouldn't have minded if they donated it to charity. I'm sure alot of people still like Rebel FM but I don't. So i personally don't care if it was used for hundreds of hours of conversation.

Money is still money though. So bitching about it helps with the grief. Leave us alone. It's all that we have.

[schwabdizzle]

Yeah, dude, the donations were to keep the podcast running. Using it to buy someone a computer for personal use is a perfect example of misappropriation.

That is why you don't donate people money......they will shit on you.

[dLMN8R]

I personally wouldn't have minded if they donated it to charity. I'm sure alot of people still like Rebel FM but I don't. So i personally don't care if it was used for hundreds of hours of conversation. Money is still money though. So bitching about it helps with the grief. Leave us alone. It's all that we have.

You personally wouldn't have minded, but others would.

I don't personally mind that they spent money on a PC for a good podcaster who's used it to create hundreds of hours of a podcast I enjoy.

I personally would have minded if they sent their donations on to Child's Play, actually. I love Child's Play, but the donations were made directly to improve the podcast - a PC for a guy who uses it to talk about PC games for hundreds of hours makes sense. Forwarding it on to another charity isn't what the money was intended for.


But regardless of my opinion, or your opinion of whether you like the podcast or not, calling it "misappropriation" is a stupid, absurd accusation.

[BlazinAm]

I honestly don't remember them ever mentioning it on the podcast or seeing it mentioned here. I apparently feel like an idiot since this is old news (although I don't know why no one was linking specifically to the podcasts in question when people were asking about this). Outside of that I still don't feel any differently than before, unless you can somehow convince me that Tyler has done literally nothing on the PC but play games on it for the podcast specifically.

Somebody asked them asked them in the fall of 2009, I remember because it was after Robert Ashley was on. As for the Tyler-PC situation, yeah he has discussed PC gaming heavily on the podcast. They also spent the money on food for guest of the show. They had a lot more guest in 2009 than now. The way they spent the money doesn't bother me because it gave me a new podcast to enjoy.

[Brad Grenz]

They should have punked that shit up. My version: http://youtu.be/5CfZrKfjLGQ

[Wario64]

Brad Shoemaker's (i think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8He3GIj9HU

[V_Ben]

Brad Shoemaker's (i think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8He3GIj9HU

He uploaded it to youtube, its so his :D

Also excellent.

[HotHamWater]

Brad Shoemaker's (i think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8He3GIj9HU

It is, he uses the username Rudds alot (including on GAF).

Good shit.

[Talon]

Brad Shoemaker's (i think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8He3GIj9HU

The best

[kassatsu]

Brad wins.

[Felix Lighter]

Now that's a trailer fitting for a video game website! Polygon, don't steal Brad!

[SerRodrik]

How To Press Reset: The Giant Bomb Story Unfortunately I didn't have time to do any color tinting in after effects or properly test the audio mix, but hopefully this is alright.

Brilliant! Man, I'm alright with a little pretension or indie flavor but you've gotta earn that shit. Good lord, that trailer just comes across as silly, and Arthur Gies sounds like a total asshole anytime I hear him say anything.

Also, I'm probably late to the party on this, but am I the only one that finds their current site layout completely incomprehensible?

[FStop7]

Anal Tattoos the next big thing?

Guess they were right!

[DaBuddaDa]

Brad won the internet today.

Giant Bomb's relentless teasing of them is exactly what they need. I feel like they're doing Polygon a favor. Definitely lightening up the mood a bit, while simultaneously showing why Giant Bomb's style is infinitely more likeable.

[GhaleonQ]

I don't necessarily disagree with anything you said. I thought it interesting that people would respond to a(n embarrassingly premature) doc attempting to prop up a website without a whole lot of personality as a personality-driven venture, by suggesting another outlet which I find equally white bread more deserving. Self-serious bloggers versus schlubby bros sitting around shooting the shit. I don't have a problem with either. Just an observation.

I actively dislike Giant Bomb, too, though I've otherwise shut up about it. Like here, I think they're at their least appealing when they lose self-awareness (game of the year discussion, when they act as blowback to blowback to be contrarian, any time there needs to be serious social commentary). I think, even so, they're more honorable for saying "White Bread" on the plastic.

do you see what you've done, insertcredit? do you see?

Right now, Insert Credit's biggest output is a really funny and silly (and, of course, well-informed) podcast. So, Polygon can't even top it on that end of the games writing spectrum, either.

[eznark]

Brad Shoemaker's (i think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8He3GIj9HU

Perfect capper to one of my favorite threads in months.

[XANDER CAGE]

Giant Bomb's relentless teasing of them is exactly what they need. I feel like they're doing Polygon a favor. Definitely lightening up the mood a bit, while simultaneously showing why Giant Bomb's style is infinitely more likeable.

[SerRodrik]

Brad Shoemaker's (i think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8He3GIj9HU

So good.

[Curufinwe]

God damn Brad killed it.

[inky]

Brad won the internet today. Giant Bomb's relentless teasing of them is exactly what they need. I feel like they're doing Polygon a favor. Definitely lightening up the mood a bit, while simultaneously showing why Giant Bomb's style is infinitely more likeable.

They saved their fucking asses from being ridiculed even more. <3 GB.

[Chacranajxy]

Oh, Brad.

[Backfoggen]

Brad Shoemaker's (i think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8He3GIj9HU

Lmao might as well close the thread after this one cause it doesn't get any better.

[NoirVisage]

you know your $##'s #@$%'ed up in the wrong way when another website entirely makes your newest venture seem absolutely unnecessary. :(

[Thoraxes]

This almost seems to be filled with a lot of...

hubris.

[Zaph]

I'm just imagining the Polygon guys watching these Giant Bomb edits while screaming "MARCIA, MARCIA, MARCIA!"

[FStop7]

Hopefully Polygon will take this, learn from it, and come back with something more sincere. Either that or they're going to double down on the haughtiness. Time will tell.

[7threst]

It is kinda painful though, although the GB edits don't seem mean spirited (which I think is good, to much negativity already in the gamingindustry), more like a slap of reality.