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Why I Don't Support Games Done Quick

Z

Zombie James

Banned
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG6hPJpxzm4

Not my video. The title of the thread is the video's title which is not my video.

Goes into some issues with the Prevent Cancer Foundation and the events themselves. Over the years I've noticed how tame both yearly events have become (mostly in language) but I didn't know about banning runners and all that. These events are still fun to watch but I agree that they could use some competition.
 
Can't hear because I am at work but some of the comments are saying that he mentiones BigJohn as being banned ?

Dude will play the mario bros race next summer games done quick O.o
 
I didn't start watching their marathons till about 2015, but I have noticed a serious change in tone and atmosphere for the event. While some enforcements are justified tuning into this event for long periods of time can often be boring without the humor, especially the awkward and forced interviews that are often bombarded with donation incentive showcasing...
 
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
 
There seems to be a lot of politics involved with these events. I was watching a Distortion2 stream, and he was really pissed about SGDQ because he was going to attend to run Dark Souls 3, but he was recently informed that they were not going to let him run the Ringed City DLC, so he backed out. He said they didn't have time (it would take him maybe 15 minutes to run this DLC) when they routinely allot 5-6 hours for JRPGs like Chrono Trigger or a Final Fantasy game.
 
I don't have time to watch the video right now, but it should be noted that while AGDQ money typically​ goes to PCF, SGDQ money goes to Doctors Without Borders.
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...
"Counts" how? No one at GDQ is playing for WRs. Almost every run has runners talking about playing safe because it's a marathon run.
 
Platy said:
Can't hear because I am at work but some of the comments are saying that he mentiones BigJohn as being banned ?

Dude will play the mario bros race next summer games done quick O.o
Click to expand...

I'm trying to recall what went down, but I feel like he essentially took a "temp" ban from running because he wanted to speedrun NES golf, GDQ staff always reject it, he flashed the cart back in 2015 on stream, staff took that as a personal offence, and essentially softbanned him by just rejecting his runs for a year.

I have no idea if any of that is true, I just remembered that was the narrative at the time.
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...

I fail to see how. They are putting on a show. If things go wrong a backup would be important cause you don't want to knock things off schedule
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...

You do realize that the point of it is to showoff skills/glitches of different games, right? GDQ is not a competition, it's a fundraiser.
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Nah, it's all about keeping people watching and donating, not to mention maintaining the schedule.
 
A charity event could use some competition. Are you serious right now?

The charity's overhead costs seem reasonable to me. People often have a misconception that not-for-profits don't need to pay staff and other costs somehow. A quick google has the Canadian Red Cross at 32% overhead and they are by no means disreputable.

The complaints about politics/whatever are dumb as well. Complaining about how a charity event is focusing on getting more viewership and donations over "letting streamers show their personality". Get a fucking grip.
 
Man, this video really hits the inverse pyramid hard. "PCF pays too much to executives," "the organizers get paid for it," "people were banned for various reasons," and then "I don't like the show anymore." We get it, you liked speedrunning before everyone else.

None of this bothers me, but to each their own.
 
Platy said:
Can't hear because I am at work but some of the comments are saying that he mentiones BigJohn as being banned ?

Dude will play the mario bros race next summer games done quick O.o
Click to expand...

Apparently he was never banned.

I'm really sick of the attitudes expressed in the video. And he exposes his true intentions by the end of the video, that his real problem is with the people running the show. It has nothing to do with the charity itself and trying to justify it that way is gross and dumb. Look into the plenty of resources who's focus is determining how legit a charity is and you'll know immediately that PCF is on the up and up.

I've heard plenty of times that the GDQ's can get cliquey and weird. But it's not a huge ask to just set your ego aside for the benefit of raising money for charity.
 
GDQ could be a lot better with transparency with regards to how it treats speedrunners, but a lot of this comes down to GDQ becoming a very big and visible thing. And that comes with cracking down on image both to media, other companies, and potential future fans.

And I'm looking at PCF's Charity Navigator page, and honestly it's not bad??? The amount spent on administrative expenses is pretty decent for a nonprofit.
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...
It's a charity event and showcase, not a competition.
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it would be much more fun to watch someone fuck up/lose all their progress and not be able to finish their run.

No one is trying to make a World Record, they're just having fun and trying to be entertaining.
 
That... seems to be a pretty poor excuse not to support the event. He basically just says that executives of PCF are getting paid perhaps more than they should, and that like 3 runners have been banned and/or harassed for trying circumventing the submissions process or the kinda family-friendly censorship rules.
 
gweemz said:
You do realize that the point of it is to showoff skills/glitches of different games, right? GDQ is not a competition, it's a fundraiser.
Click to expand...

At the same time, the competition is arguably part of what keeps it interesting. If everyone showed up to the event and only gave 50% of a fuck, I highly doubt you'd have as much attention (and donations) as if everyone there was competing as if this was a WR run.

Not that everyone has to. But treating it with a "lol who cares I'll just backup save it" attitude pretty much loses my attention on the spot.

Like my only genuine problem with GDQ is the problem all grassroots style events go through, it feels like it lost the soul it had when it was the smaller, looser feeling event.
 
Anytime discussion of charities paying executives or employees crops up I'm reminded of this TED talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong

Obviously there is charity mismanagement in the world but just grabbing those numbers without context and saying them out loud doesn't make them bad or suspicious.

It seems like his primary beef is that Games Done Quick has become a lot bigger and reaches a lot more people and along with that comes the need for PR and the need to keep it more family friendly.

I still love watching it, and this past winter my wife actually watched it with me and enjoyed it too.
 
rucury said:
That... seems to be a pretty poor excuse not to support the event. He basically just says that executives of PCF are getting paid perhaps more than they should, and that like 3 runners have been banned and/or harassed for trying circumventing the submissions process or the kinda family-friendly censorship rules.
Click to expand...

There's no censorship of any kind going on here. They're perfectly entitled to set family friendly rules for their charity event if they choose. That isn't censorship of any kind
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Maybe you didn't get it but these events are exhibitions for charity, not competitions. Saves are used when the run is FUBAR, it's never going to lead to a record.
 
Jebusman said:
At the same time, the competition is arguably part of what keeps it interesting. If everyone showed up to the event and only gave 50% of a fuck, I highly doubt you'd have as much attention (and donations) as if everyone there was competing as if this was a WR run.

Not that everyone has to. But treating it with a "lol who cares I'll just backup save it" attitude pretty much loses my attention on the spot.

Like my only genuine problem with GDQ is the problem all grassroots style events go through, it feels like it lost the soul it had when it was the smaller, looser feeling event.
Click to expand...

You do realize if someone gets a world record that way, it doesn't count right? Like...do you realize you're complaining about absolutely nothing?
 
I only watch Games Done Quick for those moments when shit goes

xcWC8di.gif
 
Messofanego said:
Yeah, not seeing the issue here.

Does the video maker have a personal agenda going on?
Click to expand...

There are definitely even bigger nonprofits that do way better (if we're just going by the percentage of funds used for administrative expenses) and 7-8% isn't AMAZING but it's perfectly fine. But most people don't know that and the video maker is definitely counting on using big numbers to mislead viewers here. No context, no mention of how much other nonprofits typically spend, etc.
 
Plumpbiscuit said:
Another problem with AGDC is that speedrunners are allowed to bring in a backup save should their run go wrong, so that they can continue playing. It's an arguable point, but it's a problem in that it means their speedrun is not legit and is pretty much forfeit once they switch to a new save. Not only this, but this backup save could be further in the game than they actually are, and guess what? The timer still counts in the end, so they could skip a big portion of the speedrun using their backup save, and the speedrun still counts.

Fucked up, if you ask me.
Click to expand...
Please explain to me what you mean with "counts". Should a runner fuck up a run and use a backup save, that run is not eligible anymore. Say, if I made WR but it was with a backup, that wouldn't make into the leaderboards. You know, there are moderators to ensure this sort of shit doesn't happen.
 
This dude going on about how charity events should be about the personalities and being allowed to say whatever vulgar thing you want.

mj-laughing.gif
 
Jebusman said:
At the same time, the competition is arguably part of what keeps it interesting. If everyone showed up to the event and only gave 50% of a fuck, I highly doubt you'd have as much attention (and donations) as if everyone there was competing as if this was a WR run.

Not that everyone has to. But treating it with a "lol who cares I'll just backup save it" attitude pretty much loses my attention on the spot.

Like my only genuine problem with GDQ is the problem all grassroots style events go through, it feels like it lost the soul it had when it was the smaller, looser feeling event.
Click to expand...

What competition, though? Unless it is a race, there's only one person playing a particular game. They aren't competing against anyone else during GDQ. They are showcasing their skills at the game.

I will agree I liked the events when they were smaller. Also I miss that Blueglass laugh.
 
lol, this guy. He has plenty reason to be salty, and bonesaw was banned rightfully. This guy also has a "narcissa wright sucks now because she's trans" video, so that he barometer for his opinion.

Gentleman Jack said:
Dude's channel is laced with videos about how Mike Uyama is bad and how Speedrunning isn't as fun as back when Werster could get away with saying 'nigga' during a charity stream.
Click to expand...

Yeah, he's a really shitty person.
 
So...the guy doesn't like that the prevent cancer foundation doesn't disclose how they're paying permanent employees of the company, and thinks that the admins of AGDQ are bullies, even though it looks like his prime example is participating in this upcoming SGDQ.

Okay.

I'll keep giving them my money. Thanks.
 
I support Games Done Quick. It's a positive event for a good cause that wants to be wholesome and inclusive. I never would have found out about speedrunning without it. Is it having growing pains? Sure, obviously, but that shouldn't negate all the good it brings to the world.
 
Personally, I do prefer to donate to SGDQ rather than AGDQ because the charity the former supports is more transparent.
 
I think they could improve the format amdake it more entertaining.

I would like to see two runners for every game. Team red v team blue. They run against each other split screen, winner gets the team a point.

I wanna see elajjaz v distortion. Running bloodborne at the same time.
 
It's a charity. It's for fun. It's political, but that happens with everything that gets big. This sounds more of a "AGDQ slighted me once, so here's a list of reasons I've found not support it anymore."

neshcom said:
Man, this video really hits the inverse pyramid hard. "PCF pays too much to executives," "the organizers get paid for it," "people were banned for various reasons," and then "I don't like the show anymore." We get it, you liked speedrunning before everyone else.

None of this bothers me, but to each their own.
Click to expand...

Yes, pretty much.
 
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