Home Gaming And Another Thing: How to overthrow the local media monopoly

And Another Thing: How to overthrow the local media monopoly

6 min read
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So yesterday I received the weirdest message via Facebook from a local online anime and geek culture  site who’re upset at the lack of local support they are receiving and who seem to think there is a great conspiracy between the larger media to control the advertising funds.

So their plan appears to be that all the smaller sites need to agree to group up and insist that if an advertiser wants to advertise on one site they must advertise on all the partner sites and the marketing spend needs to be split equally.

The original post has been taken down but by the power of the Internet we have it here

At the moment organisations like NAG / PC Gamer & the Government are running Gaming / Otaku / Tech in South Africa.

Wait what… First up PC Gamer isn’t a local website, PC Format was a local magazine but they went bankrupt. And the Government running gaming? The closest I can get there is that Telkom Gaming which is owned by Telkom and the government has some share in Telkom?

In essence, it is handful of people dictating the way that the community operates in South Africa.

After some considerable thought I had an epiphany and realized that the community is not the Corporates, the community is the thousands of Otakus, Gamers & Geeks that support the corporates without much choice.

Now, the corporates have a huge lead and in essence bully the start ups which are mainly made up of young folk in their 20’s with very little support or interest from outside investors of Otaku Communities.

To cut a long story short, Otaku , Gaming & Tech is still in it’s infancy whereby a monopoly is forming amongst the corporates & government.

This in essence destroys communities as it becomes more capitalist. An example of this is EA buying up everything in USA and destroying titles left right & centre.

But what about Epic, Valve, Activision, Ubisoft, 2K and many many others? EA is the typical publisher to bash on but to liken them to a monopoly is ridiculous.

The below communities found themselves without a voice and many abandoned their products.

This mentality has already become prevalent in South Africa whereby the community is largely not happy.

Historically speaking most of the community start ups have failed and will continue to fail due to one simple reason:

Everyone is in it for themselves.

But lets just do a simple calculation

20 Online communities boasting on average of 1000 members = 20 000 community members.

This is the equivalent of 2 Rages.

I hate to burst your bubble here but rAge had around 35 000 people this year. So your 20 tiny communities together aren’t even one rAge. Also we had over 35 000 hits to this site yesterday, do you think yesterday that Lazygamer was bigger than rAge?

With those numbers the obvious solution is to own the community and not become slaves of the corporate entities.

Our solution is as follows

What we propose is a contract that simply allows our companies to operate independently but to approach the market together and not individually.

This exact email word for word has been sent to several other mid level gaming / otaku & tech communities.

Together, our communities are bigger then NAG in numbers.

Possibly, but possibly not. Remember the 1000 readers you have may be the exact same readers your friends site has. Your 20 000 could in reality be 4 000 avid readers.

But how do we achieve a mutual amalgamation of our communities?

Very simply.

A contract is put in place whereby when one of our organisations is involved with sponsors or investors, that all of our organisations have to be included in every single campaign.

So if I come up with a great campaign and idea I have to share it with everyone thereby removing what makes me independent?

The idea is that we all run our companies independently and are responsible for our own companies as such. However none of us are allowed to be sponsored without all of us being sponsored. Yes, this will raise the cost to the corporate but the corporate gets more visibility. More importantly we control the price without creating a monopoly.

So walk me through this. Samsung want to sponsors our coverage of E3 but for them to get that privilege they also need to give money to a bunch of other sites that aren’t doing anything with E3? And while we know that will increase the cost to Samsung they will still do it because… why? Why would they now give us anything instead of going to NAG or IGN and giving them all the money they have? You want to stop monopolies…by creating a…monopoly?

In the words of our esteemed editor

Geoff Tim – Not to put too fine a point on this…but are you high?

As mentioned the original post is now gone and there are claims that it was a disgruntled web developer who put it up. However there is a post here which is written by a different person than the one who sent the Facebook messages. Now we all know that it’s hard being the little guy and that getting corporate sponsors is extremely difficult in any industry. Have you ever tried to get a corporate sponsor to give your community football team some cash to cover your uniforms? It’s hard, you are either good at it or not. However if you win the league it becomes easier, as you keep winning it gets easier and easier.

And this is exactly the same thing in the local media. How can you expect a corporate to give you R10 000 to advertise when you get 200 hits a day? It doesn’t make logical sense and for that same R10 000 they could get a million impressions from someone else locally.  Beyond that, trying and form an organised consortium to price fix the local sponsorship market is illegal.

And Another Thing

I’m all for people trying to work together for the betterment of all. But you haven’t put together a single logical reason why I would hobble my site. Yes it could force someone to give you a bit of cash but in reality it would just mean I would lose money. When I started this site we got called the annoying little university kids, or something along those lines, and we weren’t taken seriously at all.

It’s taken years of hard work to get to where we are now and I see absolutely no reason why we should just let you skip that. If you write good content and that content has a valid market, and you get a bit lucky, you will do well. Hoping everyone around you will carry you over the line because life’s not fair just sounds like the whining of an entitled youth. Stand up and sort it out yourself.

Also

And lastly, your lack of knowledge of the local gaming industry is probably why you are struggling to get any investment. The government has no say in the local gaming media, PC Format is dead and we get more readers than NAG so asking me to join your crusade is asking me to fight against myself.

I like what you guys and girls are trying to do with your content, keep doing that or quit. Either way there is no conspiracy against the little guys.

Last Updated: October 24, 2014

68 Comments

  1. Viking Of Divinity

    October 24, 2014 at 11:42

    Damn… Those guys must be high… It sounds like they want to compete with the big boys, without putting in any work?

    Amalgamate the Communities with a common interest? Sound an Awful lot like Nazism to me…. and look what that did to a country.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ in the shadow

      October 24, 2014 at 12:02

      That first sentence of yours just described our current government

      Reply

    • Kensei Seraph - Staff

      October 24, 2014 at 12:03

      Rebuilt a country that had been laid to waste during WW1 and forced to pay everyone else what little money they had left as reparations?

      Germany after WW1 had an economy that made Zim’s look good.
      Hitler turned that around and made Germany one of the greatest economic powerhouses of the time and then conquered most of the developed world.

      Reply

      • Viking Of Divinity

        October 24, 2014 at 12:06

        Exactly! wait..what…

        Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        October 24, 2014 at 12:08

        Yeah, he’s only folly was invading Russia without having conquered Brittan…. sorry I meant die nazi scum!

        Reply

        • Viking Of Divinity

          October 24, 2014 at 12:10

          To be Fair, Hitler felt cornered, and nobody puts Hitler in a corner!

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 24, 2014 at 12:13

            Bloody camper, all those kills an only one death!

          • Skyblue

            October 24, 2014 at 13:10

            Lol!

          • HvR

            October 24, 2014 at 12:16

            Unt had the time of mein life
            Nein unt never felt this way before
            Yes unt swear it’s the truth
            And unt ewe it all to the Reich
            ‘Cause unt have had the time of my life

      • RinceThis

        October 24, 2014 at 12:30

        He also happened to be a murdering fuckwit. *Just saying.

        Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        October 24, 2014 at 12:32

        Ah but remember they were only in such a terrible place because of the previous atrocities they had committed. Granted the punishment was too harsh as it led to the rise of Nazi’s but rallying an oppressed nation is not that hard and their growth from there isn’t something to be attributed directly to Nazism.

        Nationalism in itself is great for growth and economic power but it cannot be controlled and always ends up being something like Nazism, Apartheid or the Jewish state that exists now.

        It’s not a long term solution

        Reply

    • HvR

      October 24, 2014 at 12:11

      Think this is closer communism.

      Each comrade gets his share of the pie without actually doing the work or at least seem to be doing the bare minimum.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief 0

        October 24, 2014 at 12:12

        Missing a “to” in there buddy!

        😛

        Reply

        • Captain JJ in the shadow

          October 24, 2014 at 12:14

          closer communism is a real thing.
          It’s just in a tighter community.

          Reply

          • HvR

            October 24, 2014 at 12:22

            closer communism, where the comrades share more than just the land and wealth

          • Admiral Chief 0

            October 24, 2014 at 12:30

            TOOOIT LIKE A TIGER

  2. Cadis Etrama Di Umar

    October 24, 2014 at 11:42

    Seems like they want to piggy back off of LG. I too am all for forming a greater community (LG X Otaku would be great hehe) , but when it comes to the business side of things, LG peeps worked hard for this, and what is due to them, is only due to them. Why not just ask for help in building a larger community and work hard to make your thing a success….

    Reply

  3. R1ker

    October 24, 2014 at 11:43

    wait – what???
    Are these guys for real?

    Reply

  4. Jonah Cash

    October 24, 2014 at 11:45

    Hahahahahaha!!!…… Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!! Thank you for this, I’ve had a very shitty week and this post has made it all better!!!!
    This is what is wrong with this country!! People have what I call the Malema syndrome, they want everything for free without putting in the work!!!

    Reply

  5. Corrie

    October 24, 2014 at 11:47

    So basically it boils down to them wanting money instead of passion for the industry.

    Seriously every website starts from the bottom no one is given preferential treatment.

    Reply

  6. Admiral Chief 0

    October 24, 2014 at 11:47

    TWO Red Forman pics in one week?

    I LIKES!

    Reply

  7. Admiral Chief 0

    October 24, 2014 at 11:49

    I see Gavin worded this nicely to avoid any time in the [comment redacted]

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      October 24, 2014 at 12:30

      HAHAHAHA! XD

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief 0

        October 24, 2014 at 12:31

        Hehehe

        Reply

  8. Cadis Etrama Di Umar

    October 24, 2014 at 11:55

    Read the post now. I saw these guys launched recently. They debuted on the SA Anime and Manga page on Facebook. Content is okay, its just all over the show

    Reply

  9. Captain JJ in the shadow

    October 24, 2014 at 11:59

    Hear hear Gavin!

    Reply

  10. Kensei Seraph - Staff

    October 24, 2014 at 11:59

    And this is what is wrong with the youth of today (I’m 24).

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 24, 2014 at 12:00

      Rub it in why dontcha 😛

      Reply

      • Kensei Seraph - Staff

        October 24, 2014 at 12:04

        *grabs a baby*
        *rubs baby against @hammersteyn:disqus’s face*
        Do you feel old yet?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 24, 2014 at 12:06

          *Drinks the blood of the innocent
          That Hit the spot thanks XD

          Reply

          • Kensei Seraph - Visiting Alpha

            October 24, 2014 at 14:06

            Technically all animals except humans are innocent since they have no concept of sin.
            I actually want to ask a demon if the soul of an ant tastes better than the soul of a new born human baby.

          • Hammersteyn

            October 24, 2014 at 14:24

            But humans do have a concept of sin, that’s why their innocence is more potent

          • Kensei Seraph - Visiting Alpha

            October 24, 2014 at 14:30

            Good point.

        • Admiral Chief 0

          October 24, 2014 at 12:06

          O_O

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            October 24, 2014 at 12:31

            Double 0_O

        • HvR

          October 24, 2014 at 12:19

          *dials 08000 55 555*

          Reply

    • Captain JJ in the shadow

      October 24, 2014 at 12:05

      I thought you were forty. Huehuehue

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief 0

      October 24, 2014 at 12:06

      That explains quite a bit…

      Reply

    • Spaffy

      October 24, 2014 at 12:07

      Wow, you should call half the people on LG “uncle”

      Reply

      • Captain JJ in the shadow

        October 24, 2014 at 12:08

        Some probably gramps too. ;P

        Reply

        • Spaffy

          October 24, 2014 at 12:28

          Shhh, before you hurt Trevor’s feelings 😛

          Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 24, 2014 at 12:28

      That’s adorable *tickle chin*

      Reply

  11. Alien Emperor Trevor

    October 24, 2014 at 12:01

    OH LOOK! HE’S PART OF THE CONNIPTIONS! UM… CORRUPOTIONS! WE’RE YOU’RE ETHIK?!?! #WHINYHASHTAG

    Reply

    • Captain JJ in the shadow

      October 24, 2014 at 12:02

      Dude. Hashtagception. Are you trying to destroy the internet?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        October 24, 2014 at 12:03

        Every time he braais he destroys a steak. Emperor Trevor, destroyer of all things good.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ in the shadow

          October 24, 2014 at 12:04

          So no surprise there then.

          Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          October 24, 2014 at 12:23

          You’re forgetting the Kitten Kebabs, with honey & mustard sauce.

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            October 24, 2014 at 12:28

            O_o

          • Skoobaz

            October 24, 2014 at 13:06

            Unlucky braai’d kittens. Not cool Trev, not cool

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 24, 2014 at 13:49

            Gotta braai ’em all!

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        October 24, 2014 at 12:25

        I’m making it better!

        Reply

    • RinceThis

      October 24, 2014 at 12:32

      #gamersclosethegate no, #gamemakegates um… #gamecry no, #gamerfaints, gah! #gamezalldagamerz!

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        October 24, 2014 at 12:48

        #KILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILL

        Reply

  12. Guild

    October 24, 2014 at 12:03

    I read the “We declare War” post yesterday. My only thoughts was great we have more whiny crybabies on the scene. This Malema attitude of we want shit for free without working for it is becoming an epidemic sickness in SA. Why would anyone sane person who works hard to get where they are want to hobble themselves like this? And the whole idea of declaring war on a monopoly by creating a monopoly is the funniest crap I’ve read in awhile.
    I say “Good luck with your site, work hard and you’ll come right…..and maybe look at firing the dumb ones now before it’s too late.”

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 24, 2014 at 12:06

      It’s become part of SA culture to receive hand outs. a Hundred years from now our past will still be blamed for inequalities and it will as long as all the “wrongs” hasn’t been righted yet.

      Reply

  13. Kensei Seraph - Staff

    October 24, 2014 at 12:07

    • Rags

      October 24, 2014 at 12:38

      Awwwwwwwwwwwww.

      Reply

  14. RinceThis

    October 24, 2014 at 12:29

    Gavin must have loved writing this 🙂

    Reply

  15. RinceThis

    October 24, 2014 at 12:39

    It’s like ‘my milkshake isn’t big enough for the boys in the yard, so I’ll just take some of your milkshake, and make a NEWZ milkshake dat is totally my own!’ 0_O

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 24, 2014 at 12:47

      And if you don’t agree you hate milkshakes!

      Reply

  16. Leon de Bruin

    October 24, 2014 at 12:55

    Great read Gavin, I agree. I own a mid/small Gaming etc. website and we are struggling but at the same time we are improving and moving forward because of hard work. I think there are some minor issues locally but nothing like this. They were definitely on some good sh** to write and think that.

    Reply

  17. Sageville

    October 24, 2014 at 15:09

    I read the article…. I summarized it as follows: We want our tiny site to get the money we felt shouldn’t be going to the bigger sites.

    That whole “create our own monopoly” statement was silly, because even if all the tiny sites did band together that would not result in a monop….. pffft, the whole thing was riddled with silly, so i’m not even…

    Reply

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