320°

Machinima settles deceptive advertising complaint brought by FTC

Machinima, the video gaming YouTube network, has settled a Federal Trade Commission complaint that it did not disclose that its broadcasters were paid to make enthusiastic endorsements of the Xbox One during that console's 2013 launch.

Aloy-Boyfriend2949d ago ShowReplies(1)
MasterCornholio2949d ago

Basically they paid some youtubers to say positive things about the X1 and some of its games.

That practice is allowed as long as they say that the review is paid for.

DefenderOfDoom22949d ago (Edited 2949d ago )

But when you watch videos thru your YouTube app on consoles , you get no description of the video , just the title.

I believe there is payola going on right now between video game publishers and YouTube contet makers.

DrKarateChop2948d ago

This is accurate but let's clarify who "they" are. Microsoft paid for the promotion, which is not uncommon and is totally lawful. However, Machinima failed to disclose that exchange in their videos.

IamTylerDurden12948d ago

It's amazing that ms takes no penalty or blame. Why would Machinima pay to YouTubers to promote Xbone and have ppl sign non disclosure contracts (YouTubers pretending they love xb1/not disclosing they were paid endorsements)? Machinima just has an interest in risking their company so they can further promote Xbone? Or they'd risk it for a social experiment?

MS clearly pay Machinima to do this and it was a ms idea and practice. MS deserves a large portion of the blame. Dirty , dirty business.

S2Killinit2948d ago (Edited 2948d ago )

The suit was settled by MS and now Machinima. That means they believed a lawsuit and the discovery period during a lawsuit would reveal that there was foul play. To prevent a hefty judgement, and lawsuit costs, a party in MS or Machinima's position would resort to settling to avoid 1) cost of litigation, 2) bad publicity when the information goes public and 3) a worst judgement and last but not least 4) PRECEDENCE which would prevent them from similar future conduct. (If they settle, there is no judgement on the merits, which means they can continue to do the same things should they decide the risk of being caught is outweighed by the benefits).

Kribwalker2948d ago

@tylerdurden

Sony as a company has been caught for this before

http://www.cbsnews.com/news...

Don't keep beating your kill MS drum. Companies do this all the way time. But it's hardly a MS exclusive

BG115792948d ago

@Krib So what if Sony has done this before? This does not invalidate that Machinima and MS acted wrongly. It's not because another company has done it that we should pretend that it's not wrong.
Stay on the subject in hand.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2948d ago
WilliamSheridan2949d ago ShowReplies(4)
quent2949d ago

They should learn its never worth it when your reputation is at stake, people don't forget.

Kalebninja2949d ago

They got to split 45k for 4 videos, it was definitely worth it.

KwietStorm_BLM2949d ago

Yea because 10k will get you that home in the hills for retirement...

Kalebninja2949d ago

@KwietStorm 10k? they both get half not 10k, and the fact is they made 2 videos each and with little effort got 22.5 grand... you're telling me that's nothing? thats more than half a years salary for quite a lot of people and thats just for making a few videos praising a product.

showtimefolks2948d ago

Kalebninja

they can make more by getting more views

so 22.5 grand isn't a lot of money if your videos are getting a lot of views/likes

Kalebninja2948d ago (Edited 2948d ago )

@showtimefolks Thing is if they're talking about the main Machinima channel the Youtubers wouldn't directly get the money, it would go to the company and they probably have a specific wage rather than commission based on views, but in this case the money was paid directly to the Youtubers. Even if that wasn't the case 22.5 grand is still a lot of money for the amount of work put in and to get 45k that would take well over 10 million views which isn't easy unless you're Pewdiepie

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2948d ago
joeorc2949d ago (Edited 2949d ago )

@XiKurapikaKurta + 2h ago Bubble vote added
"I mean I can't understand why would Machinima pay to do this for a product they don't own. Apparently, "

[MS has anything to do with that so I can't point fingers]

Lmao, you just cannot make this stuff up..why would Machinima do that? When they do not own the platform..hmmmmm

Very Good Question..LMAO

It could be :
http://www.computerworld.co...

Machinma gets $3.00 for every 1000 views , and they pay out $1.00 to the reviewer for every 1000 views the reviewer gets...funny things is no its not Microsoft paying the reviewer, its Machinma that's doing it for hits to their multi-channel video site.

DLConspiracy2948d ago (Edited 2948d ago )

Well it's entirely possible that they were getting large amounts of advertising money from MS on their website. Perhaps Machinima wanted to keep that ad money coming in by padding their own numbers and showing results to get more ad revenue?

In the link you provided it states very clearly that this was Machinimas Promition.

"Machinima’s promotional campaign of Xbox One Release"

Also in the FTC report it states very clearly.

"Microsoft was not cited for any wrongdoing."

Which means Machinima took the risk upon themselves and decided to go further for whatever reason. It doesn't necessarily mean they (MS) were directly involved with their decision. Although it looks really bad.

Just playing devils advocate here. People will think what they want anyway.

BG115792948d ago

As you say, now a days, this only mean that MS has very good lawyers that know how to write a contract to keeps them out of legal trouble...

Show all comments (53)
100°

Sony Launches BAFTA Game Awards 2024 PlayStation Store Section for Nominees

Sony has launched a BAFTA Game Awards 2024 section on the PlayStation Store that lists the different games nominated this year.

Bathyj7h ago

They did.
It's just empty.

I kid, I kid. 🙂

280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple1012d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref1d 21h ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde1d 20h ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander19721d 19h ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville1d 18h ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff21831d 10h ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos1d 9h ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 9h ago
isarai2d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref1d 21h ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan1d 21h ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis0071d 1h ago (Edited 1d 1h ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander19722d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

2d ago Replies(3)
Einhander19722d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

2d ago
2d ago
Zeref1d 21h ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde1d 20h ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander19721d 19h ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander19721d 19h ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref1d 17h ago (Edited 1d 17h ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier1d 16h ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto1d 18h ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff21831d 10h ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto1d 7h ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1d 7h ago
Hofstaderman1d 22h ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts1d 18h ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts20h ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic1d 4h ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

Show all comments (43)
150°

The Epic Games Store Weekly Freebie was a Run Away Hit

The Epic Games Store has another freebie ready for your library and it is a free runner.

Read Full Story >>
terminalgamer.com