Daybreak CEO Publicly Challenges Lizard Squad… A Poor CEO Decision

GamerVet gives his opinion why John Smedley's recent public response to Lizard Squad is a bad decision.

[Ashlen]

What is this writer talking about?

He and every other CEO and gamer/citizen should be offended by the slap on the wrist these guys got. They cost society millions of dollars and were punished less than many misdemeanor crimes with damages less than $500.

[hockeyglory]

Lots of companies and CEOs and VPs have issues, you don't see many publicly rant on Reddit. It just shows weakness and lack of control.

[XboxOneX]

Do you think him saying Lizard Squad should have got more punishment is him being weak? They targeted him personally and went after his family.

He is far from weak.

[Yahdaree]

@hockey
So in your opinion Smedley should roll over and take it? I think hes playing it correctly. its highlighting the issue and bringing people together. In my opinion, your opinion sucks.

[DanielGearSolid]

I guess the writer wants ppl to bow down to Lizard Squad

[SilentNegotiator]

We should just give terrorists parole, too. And then give them backrubs to make sure they're nice to us.

[-Foxtrot]

Can't win can you. You either let them walk all over you while they get a slap on the wrist OR you stand up to them only to be targeted by them BECAUSE they know all they are going to get is a slap on the wrist.

Oh yeah and don't forget a high paying security job.

[hockeyglory]

You guys are missing the point. As CEO he should be handling it better.... more maturely and behind the scenes.

Ranting on Reddit about swatting, credit applications and also business issues shows he doesn't have things under control.

The last thing any CEO should be doing is publicly telling the world he can't handle anything.

[Ashlen]

I just disagree, I think people should be speaking out even if it makes them a target.

It needs to be shown that public opinion is that this was a poor resolution to the situation, even if that takes the form of angry reddit posts.

[hockeyglory]

You may be right. Maybe his approach is more effective than trying to resolve it behind the scenes.

But let's face it, this just attracts more attention. And I doubt people will suddenly support his cause by buying more games to help out Daybreak.

With that in hand, his company better be prepared for anything that comes his way because if things falter, he's got a big studio with lots of employees he's responsible for. And having LS hit Daybreak with a more focused attack just aggravates gamers. In turn, can lead to loss of games and jobs.

[Ashlen]

It's not about selling more games it's about proper justice to prevent this type of thing from happening again in the future.

The thing that will keep these attacks happening more than calling them out is apathy.

If we say hey you can cause society millions of dollars in damages and then be rewarded by the state your only encouraging this type of crime.

If this guy had been slapped with a 20 year sentence and 20 million dollars in fines I promise you other people who think like these guys would be having second thoughts about doing it.

Now there just like "Oh, I can do this type of stuff and basically there will be no punishment." "Why not do it?"

[OB1Biker]

He was straightforwards (and has nothing to hide) and gamers need to know they are not taken hostages without consequences for the criminals.

Instead of blaming the victim you should ask for everyone to support him with no 'fear' of retaliation from these... well terrorism is what they actually do

[hockeyglory]

The problem is much of his issues are coming from attacks on his personal side of things. Less so on the gaming front.

Not surprisingly, LS unleashed more DDOS attacks since his Reddit turning his games into a shytstorm. Check out Daybreak Games Twitter, they are going overboard on game service status.

That's why you don't air dirty laundry publicly as it affects the broader spectrum.... which is the company, games, gamers and employees.

[OB1Biker]

@hockeyglory

'The problem is much of his issues are coming from attacks on his personal side of things. Less so on the gaming front. '
Your contradicting yourself there since in the article you say Kaz Hirai or Phil Spencer dont go publicly challenging DDOS attackers. (well they have no reason to make it personal)
Im sorry but any one getting personally targeted has every right to complain publicly and like you said yourself in the article DDOS attacks happens all the time

[Christopher]

I'd agree with you if these guys hadn't:

- Downed his plane
- Sent him pictures of his father's grave
- Ruined his credit rating
- Ruined his family's credit rating
- Swatted him multiple times
- Had fake tax returns filed

None of this is "child on the Internet" stuff and the kid deserves to see hard time for what he's done.

[yewles1]

The father's grave bit should've been the last straw. This is no longer about hacking, this is now officially STALKING, and it's bordering on aggravated at this moment.

[MasterCornholio]

"Sent him pictures of his father's grave"

Holy crap.

O.O

These guys are a real threat then.

I take take as a death threat worth calling the police for.

[thejigisup]

He definitely didn't submit this on reddit

[slappy508]

Then go be a CEO and show everyone how it's done. You f*cking couch activists are staring to piss me off.
voted story quality as WTF like website? hell no!

[Yahdaree]

@hockey
You're way off. He needs to be as publicly vocal as possible, that's how support and awareness is raised.

[GameBoyColor]

A "bad decision" is giving them free stuff thinking they'd stop. This guy has the right as a person to let his feelings be heard.

[PSN_ZeroOnyx]

Perhaps he is baiting them in hopes the next time comes with a stiffer punishment.

[BubbsyKong]

REALLY LMAO!
This is retarded, J smedly is AMAZING and ill wait a month threw a Ddos to play H1Z1 no problem. He said how he and manny others feel about these scumbags that SHOULD be penalized, But are instead granted deals! Their are thousands of people goint to jail a month doing things that are questionable, and these people get off with a slap on the wrist for something like what they did! It's stupid af and I fully support smedly, If you dont stand behind him go play DayZ... I wish more people were like him, maybe we wouldent have to deal with so manny hackers. #WeLoveJSmed

[thejigisup]

Pretty positive he'd proof read before submission. This is fake.

[MasterCornholio]

If I was swatted, my identity stolen and my flight grounded because of a bunch of loser hackers I would get really pissed.

By all means sue away.

[hockeyglory]

Lizard Squad's twitter saying something big coming. Also, they just posted today some personal info about a Daybreak employee and details about Smedley's father's grave (with pics).

Told you guys John Smedley shouldn't have gone public.

[TheBrownBandito]

Still, at least you're alright.....