Square Enix Hates Viral Marketing

[joshdavis271]

SE does not want fun now get back to work and get those tomes and grind those fates peasants!!!

[Thagyr]

I suppose if any game could take pride in its music it'd be FFXIV, and perhaps that is what they are going for in order to draw in more players in addition to gameplay. It's the only MMO so far that I haven't turned the music off.

[Ri_ri]

Gotta admit I'm a bit disappointed in SE regarding this too, When videos like that get taken down, sometimes I wonder if companies have any sense of humor at all.

Making my game look silly certainly wouldn't humor me

[cotti]

Making my game look silly certainly wouldn't humor me

I can only lament for you in this case.

[Yshnal]

I think that the main problem was the glitch. It's their game and they're in their right to ask for the video to be removed if they don't want to get the possible word of mouth about the game having glitches and bugs everywhere. After all it's an unintended use of some game's mechanics, no matter if it's inofensive in-game.

However, I think that they should relax a bit in regards to other inofensive videos, like the music ones. The music of this game is great and it's ok if they want to advertise it, but I don't think that those videos would do any harm. Also, it would be great too if they were that draconian with those players that abuse the game's mechanics (and I'm not talking just about RMT and bots here).

[LiadansWhisper]

*facepalm*

First off, no you can't sue anyone for anything. It's called standing.

Yes, you can. Does that mean the lawsuit will go anywhere? Nope. But you can file it and have someone served, and the clerk just takes your money and the Petition. They don't actually review it until the Judge gets it. And even then, you can make statements that have no backing but still have to be defended against. It isn't until the process gets going that you have to start providing serious documentation. Prior to that, all you need is a Notary (for the sworn statements, anyway).

Second of all, SE clearly wants to control the tone and perception of advertising. They don't want to have to defend themselves over what someone else did. That is their right. This isn't just about impressions and getting the word out there about FFXIV. We are talking about a franchise and a very valuable brand image. Viral marketing / guerilla campaigns are best used to generate buzz and recognition of something new. While the 14th installment franchise is new, the franchise itself is not. The assumption being that they will continue the franchise, those branding elements are going to be closely defended.

I'm pretty sure that's not actually what's going on here, but you're allowed to think whatever you want.

Have you actually ever dealt with IP law or advertising in a professional setting?

I have 5 years of civil law experience under my belt. It's actually what I used to do for a living. You'd be surprised (or maybe not) at what I've seen sued over, how the petitions have been presented (I've seen hand-written lawsuits), and how far they've gone.

[Scamperoo]

*facepalm*

First off, no you can't sue anyone for anything. It's called standing.

Second of all, SE clearly wants to control the tone and perception of advertising. They don't want to have to defend themselves over what someone else did. That is their right. This isn't just about impressions and getting the word out there about FFXIV. We are talking about a franchise and a very valuable brand image. Viral marketing / guerilla campaigns are best used to generate buzz and recognition of something new. While the 14th installment franchise is new, the franchise itself is not. The assumption being that they will continue the franchise, those branding elements are going to be closely defended.

Have you actually ever dealt with IP law or advertising in a professional setting?

That comment isn't the point, is it. If this is your trump card to your post it's assuming much and accomplishing little.

Square is should be delighted the fans of the game have begun to have a little fun with it. Square has had a long history of allowing thousands of youtube videos to a variation of music and glitches. It kept FFXI going for 11 years, not one instance have I seen where there was any detriment to this franchise. We know about the brand image, it was nearly done to death from within the company, saved only by it's fan base. What is valuable about FFXIV is it's inherited customers. Those who gave the game a second chance are waiting for the magic to begin again, not having to worry about the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads if they make an unacceptable post in the forums or make an amusing video.
As to the 14th iteration of Final Fantasy, the first Final Fantasy was supposed to be FINAL! it did well enough to get to 13, all of those years the joy of this game was perpetuated through Youtube its videos and music. Now it seems this part of the fan participation is over, you are right the franchise is not new, it got this far because we loved the game and participated in everything, now you say they are defending their newest franchise...from their fanbase, I say that is a very unfortunate mistake to make.

[cotti]

As to the 14th iteration of Final Fantasy, the first Final Fantasy was supposed to be FINAL! it did well enough to get to 13, all of those years the joy of this game was perpetuated through Youtube its videos and music.

Yeah, 1987's Youtube was the best. Loved to see that Garland vs. the Imps YTP.

[Helen]

I wondering if anyone knows whether or not the removed video would fall under fair use?

[FinagleABagel]

Just going to leave it at this, pretty much no one is going to sue frivolously because all that happens is that you lose money. As usual, the argument boils down to "yeah, well I don't think you are right". Details, actual argument, facts? Hah, why would I ever expect that here.

No corporation in the world gives two craps about baseless lawsuits.