Using "superfans" as a means of avoiding backlash on major franchise projects.

[Captain_Fuzz]

Toxic Fandom: How Hollywood Is Battling Fans Who Are ‘Just Out For Blood’ — From Social Media Boot Camps to Superfan Focus Groups

The threat of toxic fandoms — from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to Bridgerton and Game of Thrones — has become an intractable headache for almost every studio.

variety.com

It's reported here that: "In addition to standard focus group testing, studios will assemble a specialized cluster of superfans to assess possible marketing materials for a major franchise project." And although it's regarding film and tv it could easily be superimposed onto the world of gaming.

Do you think this is a good idea in relation to games in particular? I feel like a greater respect, understanding and therefore translation of source material would more than often quell these small but loud retaliations.

 

[rshandle]

Toxic Fandom: How Hollywood Is Battling Fans Who Are ‘Just Out For Blood’ — From Social Media Boot Camps to Superfan Focus Groups

The threat of toxic fandoms — from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to Bridgerton and Game of Thrones — has become an intractable headache for almost every studio.

variety.com

It's reported here that: "In addition to standard focus group testing, studios will assemble a specialized cluster of superfans to assess possible marketing materials for a major franchise project." And although it's regarding film and tv it could easily be superimposed into the world of gaming.

Do you think this is a good idea in relation to games in particular? I feel like a greater respect, understanding and therefore translation of source material would more than often quell these small but loud retaliations.

I feel like this usually happens today but not sure how broadly. ACG has talked about getting pulled in to consult on games. FightingCowboy is regularly engaged to evaluate/give feedback on Souls games. Someone's upcoming multiplayer shoot game (can't remember which) said they were testing it with Tarkov streamers).

 

[Captain_Fuzz]

I feel like this usually happens today but not sure how broadly. ACG has talked about getting pulled in to consult on games. FightingCowboy is regularly engaged to evaluate/give feedback on Souls games. Someone's upcoming multiplayer shoot game (can't remember which) said they were testing it with Tarkov streamers).

Yeah this is a step in the right direction for me at least. If creators in a particular space have a huge following focused on one franchise then people obviously enjoy and agree with their content and takes on said game(s). I don't see a reason why devs couldn't use that feedback efficiently.

The article specifically mentions huge franchises like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings - both of which I have definitely seen criticisms of recently. I don't think that devs desperately need to have these focus groups of "superfans" to do those franchises justice - but a complete lack of respect for source material in these cases (where it is abundant and detailed in these mega franchises) must hurt when it comes to selling products to what you would assume to be their respective core audiences. Games in the LOTR universe for example should be about transitioning the awe and wonder of Tolkien's work to be playable; not ticking off a list from an executive -- when the gigantic core fans for these games enjoy them, the word inevitably spreads.

I imagine Space Marine 2 is even more exciting and enjoyable for fans of WH40K; and from that appraisal I picked up the game and am loving it. That wouldn't have been the case if I'd heard overwhelming negativity from long-time fans.

 

[rshandle]

Yeah this is a step in the right direction for me at least. If creators in a particular space have a huge following focused on one franchise then people obviously enjoy and agree with their content and takes on said game(s). I don't see a reason why devs couldn't use that feedback efficiently.

The article specifically mentions huge franchises like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings - both of which I have definitely seen criticisms of recently. I don't think that devs desperately need to have these focus groups of "superfans" to do those franchises justice - but a complete lack of respect for source material in these cases (where it is abundant and detailed in these mega franchises) must hurt when it comes to selling products to what you would assume to be their respective core audiences. Games in the LOTR universe for example should be about transitioning the awe and wonder of Tolkien's work to be playable; not ticking off a list from an executive -- when the gigantic core fans for these games enjoy them, the word inevitably spreads.

I imagine Space Marine 2 is even more exciting and enjoyable for fans of WH40K; and from that appraisal I picked up the game and am loving it. That wouldn't have been the case if I'd heard overwhelming negativity from long-time fans.

Could you imagine Sony doing this? Until recently I would have said they didn't need it. Xbox and Ubisoft definitely need it!

 

[Captain_Fuzz]

Could you imagine Sony doing this? Until recently I would have said they didn't need it. Xbox and Ubisoft definitely need it!

Assassin's creed seemingly hired people that ticked off MORE people

 

[rshandle]

Assassin's creed seemingly hired people that ticked off MORE people

Well they didn’t hire super fans that’s for sure!

 

[HexTheVoid]

Well Apple and Nintendo has those and it works fine.

But imagine defending a billionaire company for free, if you got paid and received free products i could understand, but for free? gtfo.

 

[Rhaegahr]

I think the 90% of the professional pitch-fork wielders on the internet do a huge disservice to valid criticism.
It's so easy to claim people are unhappy about Yasuke because they are racist. At the same time those same people glorify the "gaijin" protagonist in Shogun.
We all know why companies do it. It's so easy to hide behind hide bad press behind this shield, but it only works in the west. People in Eastern Europe and Asia don't care about this kind of stuff.

Most consumers don't even care about this anyway. They just see the ad somewhere and buy the game. A very small percentage of the customers spend time to make an account on a gaming forum or watch in depth videos on YT about it.