There’s activism, then there’s terrorism. There’s fighting for a cause, and then there’s hiding behind one. There’s bravery, and then there’s stupidity. The men behind these DDoS attacks, Lizard Squad or no, is the latter in all cases.
We in the gaming community are well aware that what we perceive as strongholds like PSN and XBOX Live are not impervious to hackers and DDoS ne’er do wells like what we’ve dealt with lately. We’re also aware that there is a lot wrong with the gaming industry (and the entertainment industry as a whole) when it comes to meeting consumer needs and financial management. The same could really be said about any industry.
Yet whereas movie publisher scandals get wide media attention, the exploits of stars are blasted onto our televisions and LCD monitors, and the music industry can’t leave the limelight to save it’s life, it seems gamers are the only ones who try to solve problems by creating more problems. We revolt against the very companies we pledge our support and money to on a regular basis, then lash out at them with hacking, DDoS assaults, and what have you, for the consequences of our own actions as a market.
I don’t know if the Lizard Squad or whoever is behind these DDoS attacks will ever read this article, and I don’t know if they have any genuine reason for what these but if they do, I want to say something to them and anyone else who’s been ticked off at the gaming industry for their questionable and seemingly gluttonous actions.
I get it. I really do, guys. You’ve thrown dollars and time at these companies. For many of us, our childhood was based around the likes of Sony and Microsoft. We feel betrayed when they try and hold this against us, like we’re some kind of pack of wild dogs being thrown the bare minimum of food. On-disc DLC, misleading trailers, sexism, the prospect of fame- there’s a million reasons people can come up with to DDoS the hell out these companies. But this is NOT the way to make change happen.
If you want companies to change, simply take your business elsewhere, rather than cultivate a love-hate relationship with what you consider to be corporate scum. The only way to change an entity whose only desired commodity is money, you need to leverage money.
You don’t turn yourself into a wanted man through DDoS tomfoolery.
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” –Lao Tzu
