BGA yesterday, now and tomorrow

[N_Faker]

I think it would be appropriate for the publisher to address and take responsibility for the widespread misinformation caused by his public posts.

Which posts would that be?

[paramesis]

I think it would be appropriate for the publisher to address and take responsibility for the widespread misinformation caused by his public posts.

Which posts would that be?

On Reddit, I have chronologically ordered links to his public posts on BGA, Reddit, and BGG. The Reddit post to which I am responding is the one that I have seen most frequently cited. In the Update, he writes "In response to pointing out the inequity of their volunteer development program while selling to a giant investment firm, BGA has removed my games from their platform (though you’ll see I’d already told them that we’d remove them if they didn’t remedy this situation)."

https://www.reddit.com/r/boardgames/com ... &context=3

[N_Faker]

That didn't really clear up much, except for the 'user data' accusation.

Greg and Emmanuel sold the BGA user data and product of volunteer efforts to a megacorp.

And what is that even supposed to mean? By acquiring BGA, they have by extension also acquired the user data, no?

[paramesis]

This post takes place prior to BGA temporarily removing the game, but after he agreed to move it to premium.
https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewto ... =40#p79636
He makes the following claims:
1. "All of the work that has built this site has been volunteer."
2. "They've just taken a pile of money, and expect the folks on the site to continue producing free labor."

On a later post, also before BGA temporarily removed the game:
https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewto ... =60#p79701
He claims that "Greg and Emmanuel sold the BGA user data and product of volunteer efforts to a megacorp."

The first point is clearly untrue, and has been addressed in the FAQ thread posted by the admins. Before that, there were plenty of calls for paid work from publishers on the developers forum.

Regarding the second, the BGA + Asmodee post on the developers forum states that these new Asmodee licenses are available as "freelance missions". There is no statement that anybody is expected or coerced to provide free labor. Volunteers are under no obligation to start or finish any projects. We don't know what is in the deal with BGA and Asmodee, so we don't have evidence that "they've just taken a big pile of money" or that they now own the product of volunteer efforts.

The main point of the post was to demonstrate what first caught my attention, which are the widespread statements that BGA removed his game merely for "pointing out the inequity of their volunteer development program while selling to a giant investment firm".

And what is that even supposed to mean? By acquiring BGA, they have by extension also acquired the user data, no?

The OP of this post states that BGA remains an independent entity (legally and organizationally).

There is no shortage of cynical takes and skepticism about this statement, but no evidence to point to BGA having violated its own privacy policy and the GDPR by selling user data without notice or opportunity to opt out.

Edited to fix links

[N_Faker]

I wouldn't really take what intelekt said at face value, rather than as hyperbole. Which intelekt used extensively.

There has been volunteer work though: uncommissioned developed games, translations, moderation and playtesting.
As to its significance, I won't comment on.


It appears to me that intelekt is taking issue with how the userbase and publishers haven't been sufficiently informed about the acquisition, which seemingly means that volunteers may unwittingly work for Asmodee for free, by extension, and is therefore exploitative. And that licenses have been acquired by proxy without approval or compensation.

[yoyote]

If Asmodée brings Terraforming Mars on BGA, it would be a wonderful answer to scepticism

[intelekt]

It has been a few days since the agreement was worked out between BGA and the publisher of Stir Fry 18 to keep the game as a premium offering after removing it. I think it would be appropriate for the publisher to address and take responsibility for the widespread misinformation caused by his public posts.

The developer of Eminent Domain: Microcosm posted private emails with BGA admins around page 8, and also on BGG. The admin's email seemed appropriate and diplomatic, and contained no accusations of dishonesty. https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewto ... =70#p79720

I would agree that the admins don't owe a public explanation for the content of private correspondence posted in public, at least in this instance. My response didn't directly relate to that point, so it didn't make sense for it to be a quote response. Sorry about that.

In our agreement I asked them to point out anything that was untrue for consideration, they did not ask that anything be removed. Your conjecture skills are strong, however. What you've continued to link is my opinion about the situation and many facets of it, not different stories, nor any sort of misinformation. Had BGA ownership wanted anything removed, they would have asked and likely aren't in need of your vigilance.

I will continue to encourage them to find a way to monetize enough aspects of the site to pay (or compensate via products etc.) all developers who work on modules. Folks are welcome to disagree that free content brings in new users, but I feel it indeed does. We can be far more effective in helping to see that change happen by being part of the site than by leaving it. In general, this matter is settled for us, though we again encourage BGA to highly consider looking at models that might make what we proposed possible.

[dove2003]

Greg and Emmanuel,

Congratulations on the deal. I appreciate the effort and time you put in over the past decade to keep this site going. Whether this is a selfish deal or a deal for all, you truly deserve it for your hard work over the years. I have enjoyed playing on this site and has spent countless hours on it. I hope to continue playing on this site with minimal changes and I am truly happy for both of you.

[Fangame]

Si BGA reste BGA, avec un avenir sécurisé. Cela laisse imaginer que vous avez prit soin du bébé, j'ose croire que c'est vrai, car c'est bien une trop belle aventure pour qu'elle soit offerte à n'importe quel conditions au premier gros portefeuille venu.

Ma question est: est ce que nos données sont toujours aussi sécurisé de l'extérieur ET de l'intérieur ?

Je n'ai pas oublié ce fameux poisson d'avril, et j'espère que vous non plus.

[XyRtY]

Jusqu'à présent cela n'avait rien changer pour moi, j'avais autant d'affection pour BGA, mais ce matin...
J'ai testé SKULL, et après deux victoires j'ai reçu un mail de BGA pour l'informer que j'avais un code promo pour l'acheter sur Philibert ( qui appartient à ASMODÉE !!! Comme par hasard ! ). Honnêtement je ne voyais pas à quoi leur servait cet achat, mais maintenant je comprends que c'est pour généré du profit sur un autre de leur poulain.
Je resterai fidele a mon vendeur près de chez moi .