Full Analysis of Emil Pagliarulo rant.

[Low Standards]

The numbers are the specific tweet. I would like to warn everyone up from that he clearly suffers from a chronic disease I have been suffering my whole life with and there is no cure. It is official called "Foot in Mouth" disease or technical assonitis.

So I will give my opinion at the end of each tweet. Please when responding note the tweet number. Oh boy, here we go.


(1/15) Funny how disconnected some players are from the realities of game development, and yet they speak with complete authority. I mean, I can guess what it takes to make a Hostess Twinkie, but I don't work in the factory, so what the hell do I really know? Not a lot

[me] I am a software developer and know about making software solo and in teams. The customer doesn't need to know if it is hard or easy. They don't need to know the realities. They want a product and they deserve it.

(2/15) Part of me really gets it. When you're a consumer and spend money on things, that gives you the right to complain about those things. I spend a LOT of money on games every year, and sometimes it takes a lot for me not to scream into the internet's collective consciousness.

[me] So you agree with me and contradict your first tweet. So why bother?

(3/15) I don't complain about games on social for two main reasons: 1.) I know how hard it is to make games, and have too much respect for my fellow devs. 2.) I work for a game studio, and it would be uncool and unprofessional for me to do so. But sometimes I want to. Oh boy.

[me] Most people who bought Starfield do not work in the game industry, so they can ♥♥♥♥♥ and moan if they want to. Even you say you do.

(4/15) Most people don't have these constraints, and are free to post whatever they want. The internet is a glorious wild wild west, and I wouldn't have it any other way. And there was a time when I exercised that right very freely.

[me] You agreed with me again. So what are you trying to say?


(5/15) When I was writing game reviews for the Adrenaline Vault forever ago, I was absolutely that person who would say whatever I wanted about a game, good or bad. Sometimes the good was over-enthusiastically too good. And sometimes the bad was me being a sarcastic asshat.

[me] You still sound like a sarcastic asshat.

(6/15) But throughout that time, I actually had no inkling what game development was actually like. How hard the designers, programmers, artists, producers, and everyone else worked. The struggle to bring a vision to life with constantly shifting resources. The stress.

[me] Many jobs have stress. It is no different for people making software for the medical industry like I did. Except bugs were not an option.

(7/15) This isn't me complaining about my job. I've experienced all these things, and will again. It's the nature of AAA game development. But I also have a great position, and am still gainfully employed after 21+ years. A blessing considering the thousands of layoffs this year.

[me] It sounds too me like you are complaining.

(8/15) I'm not trying to change anyone's mind, because the internet. But given my position, I can't not share the truth. And that truth is, nobody sets out to make a bad game. And most game devs are incredibly talented... even if the game they release isn't up to par.

[me] "I can't share the truth" means something really bad was happening there that he didn't like. He is also throwing his team under the bus by saying it isn't his fault. What isn't his fault? Making a bad game?

(9/15) See, I never knew this before, but if nothing else, video game development is a series of concessions and tough decisions. There's that perfect game you WANT to make... and then there's the game you CAN make. Sometimes, if the gods smile on you, those two are very close.

[me] So starfield isn't a perfect game. You didn't need to tell me that one.

(10/15) But in order to get there, in order to get it as close as possible to the vision, the team has to push itself harder and harder... often while dealing with devs being shuffled around (or leaving), looming deadlines, and creative decisions you wish you didn't have to make.

[me] I don't think this is a glowing review of your company.

(11/15) And "team" is absolutely the operative word there. Lots and lots of folks doing lots of lots of work. Writing, level building, making character models, coding game systems, trying to schedule it all so it can get done and folks don't burn out, and on and on.

[me] There are many, many, many games that people love. They have glowing reviews. It can be done and will be done again. I am sorry you and your company couldn't figure this out.

(12/15) So sure, you can dislike parts of a game. You can hate on a game entirely. But don't fool yourself into thinking you know why it is the way it is (unless it's somehow documented and verified), or how it got to be that way (good or bad).

[me] I have a thread about the development and what went wrong. Clearly you know, care to share? Please post on my thread.

(13/15) Chances are, unless you've made a game yourself, you don't know who made certain decisions; who did specific work; how many people were actually available to do that work; any time challenges faced; or how often you had to overcome technology itself (this one is HUGE).

[me] Throwing people under the bus again. Listen, you chose to work with team. Stop trying to remove yourself from it.

(14/15) So yes! Love games, buy them, play them, and complain to your heart's content! It's sort of the nature of the developer/player transactional relationship.

[me] You lost me.

(15/15) But... just know that the game you're playing is in some ways a freaking miracle in and of itself. Normal people have come together to work FOR YEARS for one goal - to bring you fun and happiness. So it helps to remember that... and them

[me] I have 200+ good games on Steam. I doubt they are all miracles.

oh boy.

[Low Standards]

Originally posted by Black Album:

Can you name any of the software and/or games that you have developed so we can compare …

Trying to shoot the messenger again. Off topic. Find someone else to bother.

[Low Standards]

Originally posted by Black Album:

No … it’s a serious question …
How can we really know if you really know what you’re talking about when you say you’re also a software engineer but we don’t know what level you are.
You may be a failed software engineer who has a grudge …

You make no sense. This isn't about me. You are trying to turn this subject into me. This is about Emil. I am not trying to criticize your beloved game. I also like Starfield but he doesn't sound like he does.

You didn't read the OP, you are just trying to cause trouble like you do in every one of your posts.

[struckat]

I do not develop software but I do understand what he thought he was trying to say.
I like the game a lot and believe it is not what the team wanted.

I have no doubt that most of what the team really wants to do gets squashed, filtered or cut by the powers that be. Its why small studios can at times make some outstanding products.

Once the machine takes over, all is lost. Since his post they have installed a working filter and you will never hear from him again.

[Low Standards]

Originally posted by struckat:

I do not develop software but I do understand what he thought he was trying to say.
I like the game a lot and believe it is not what the team wanted.

I have no doubt that most of what the team really wants to do gets squashed, filtered or cut by the powers that be. Its why small studios can at times make some outstanding products.

Once the machine takes over, all is lost. Since his post they have installed a working filter and you will never hear from him again.

A working filter?

[Alenfal]

Do you think he would've posted this tirade if the reception to Starfield was more positive?

[Low Standards]

Originally posted by Black Album:

I did read the OP …
I saw you commenting on everything that the person Emil had to say …. but I’m wondering if you are actually at a level where your critique is valued …

You don't need to be a developer to understand what he is trying to say.

[Aqualung]

Originally posted by Low Standards:

Originally posted by Black Album:

No … it’s a serious question …
How can we really know if you really know what you’re talking about when you say you’re also a software engineer but we don’t know what level you are.
You may be a failed software engineer who has a grudge …

You make no sense. This isn't about me. You are trying to turn this subject into me. This is about Emil. I am not trying to criticize your beloved game. I also like Starfield but he doesn't sound like he does.

You didn't read the OP, you are just trying to cause trouble like you do in every one of your posts.

Seems that the subject turned into you soon after your multiple
replies all stated the word (me):.

[Low Standards]

Originally posted by Alenfal:

Do you think he would've posted this tirade if the reception to Starfield was more positive?

Of course not. He is trying to save his reputation.

[Starbug]

Thread is a bit too self-aggrandizing imo. The equivalent of a YouTube reaction video.

[ChiefKief]

Larian also said that game development is really hard and has many challenges, the difference is that Larian delivered a good game. Just because its hard doesn't mean it has to be S***.

[Alenfal]

Originally posted by Low Standards:

Originally posted by Alenfal:

Do you think he would've posted this tirade if the reception to Starfield was more positive?

Of course not. He is trying to save his reputation.

I feel that most people weren't aware of this person until he posted this lol.

[Low Standards]

Originally posted by Alenfal:

Originally posted by Low Standards:

Of course not. He is trying to save his reputation.

I feel that most people weren't aware of this person until he posted this lol.

True I wasn't.

[Low Standards]

Originally posted by Starbug:

Thread is a bit too self-aggrandizing imo. The equivalent of a YouTube reaction video.

You never fail to be wrong in every way. LOL!

[Starbug]

Originally posted by Black Album:

Do we know if the user System105b has seen this article …

Yes, they posted the OP. Using their alt account.

[DeadPixelRefund]

Originally posted by Low Standards:

(3/15) I don't complain about games on social

Yeah, and neither do we. But when you create a marketing budget that is just as big as your development budget - and then falsely advertise the game for years - yeah, us consumers now have a right to complain. Good products don't need excessive marketing.