Is it ethical for TO to hype a pandemic?

[sensei_tanker 3,098]

If you think about it, the devs are sort of hyping a disease that's killed hundreds of thousands of people. I've noticed that the amount of players online have quintupled when I log on. The devs have also released a new event (quarantine 2.0) that involves coronavirus/disease related missions. They have even put a giant picture of a strain of coronavirus on the front page like it's some super cool event. Also, now the devs released an event where they get a virus tank running around killing people.

Personally, I find sound and rational business practices that don't harm anyone ethical, but I think the devs are kind of hyping a deadly disease too much. 

Edited April 15, 2020 by sensei_tanker

[featwasath 267]

Actually, this lockdown 2.0 event is cool. So was the first one. They help players enjoy their time in quarantine. But that virus tank can be too much for some people. I think it's better if they chose other names for that 2 paints instead of these.

[Troll 8]

I personally like the lockdown 2.0. It's quite fun actually and for the virus paint i don't mind the name of it.

[Maf 32,307]

For the vast majority of people this pandemic is less of a tragic disaster and more of a boring quarantine order with not much to do at home. For this reason many online services are giving special offers and doing special events to help people pass time at home. Tanki also jumped onto the hype train, for which I cannot blame them.

[sensei_tanker 3,098]

The virus is pretty bad where I'm from (NYC area) and I kind of see how TO, being a Russian game, wouldn't really feel like it's that serious 'cause Russia is doing pretty well so far. I must say myself that I have enjoyed the EXP boosts (so ranking up on my alt account isn't painfully slow) so I'm pretty happy for what TO is doing, but part of my inner conscience says that it's morally wrong for any game to take advantage of a threat to life. 

[Michael828 816]

17 minutes ago, sensei_tanker said:

The virus is pretty bad where I'm from (NYC area) and I kind of see how TO, being a Russian game, wouldn't really feel like it's that serious 'cause Russia is doing pretty well so far. I must say myself that I have enjoyed the EXP boosts (so ranking up on my alt account isn't painfully slow) so I'm pretty happy for what TO is doing, but part of my inner conscience says that it's morally wrong for any game to take advantage of a threat to life. 

But Russia is not doing that well, I mean compared to USA it surely is faring this pandemic much better. On its own though, 25k cases and 200 fatalities is pretty bad, especially with the exponential growth it's currently facing.

 

[Thomas11239 366]

I personally do not care, but I had the same thought when seeing the names of the missions etc

[dilsharox 11]

tanki is going with the flow

[Benefactor 6,888]

On 4/15/2020 at 7:57 AM, Maf said:

For the vast majority of people this pandemic is less of a tragic disaster and more of a boring quarantine order with not much to do at home. For this reason many online services are giving special offers and doing special events to help people pass time at home. Tanki also jumped onto the hype train, for which I cannot blame them.

I'm in the epicenter (NYC) and I am just waiting my turn since I am an essential with limited PPE. 

Until there is a vaccine, life is on hold.

Guys, please stay home. You tankers were built for this moment!

Stay safe!

[Benefactor 6,888]

9 minutes ago, TSY_the_crazy said:

It has stabilised though in NYC as of today?

Best of luck and keep well.

This is an example of what I mean by the end justifies the means. If this game gets you to stay home, it’s not wrong for it to capitalise on the virus.

Supposedly it is (I hope), but we still need to look at the numbers a week from now.

This thing is not a joke. Stay well-hydrated and eat food rich in antioxidants - keeps your lungs healthy.

[sensei_tanker 3,098]

1 hour ago, TSY_the_crazy said:

This is an example of what I mean by the end justifies the means. If this game gets you to stay home, it’s not wrong for it to capitalise on the virus.

I think it is a great thing that TO is doubling battle funds and MMS Exp, but I think a virus tank killing people and a mission titled "survive till may" is a little too much. I'm OK with them entertaining the players and keeping them indoors, but I disagree mainly on how they are selling virus bundles in the shop, directly making a profit from this. 

Edited April 16, 2020 by sensei_tanker

[ghost-guns 1,486]

They will do anything for money but soon this game will be dead like tankix.

[babyofRosemarysbaby 256]

Agreed with the op.

The games creative choises hardly have the power to downplay a global virus effectively and the developers are not in a place to exploit anyone without their consent in a free to play game. Without manipulative behaviour anyways, which i hardly think the corona related events, bundles etc. are... constant power meta shifts and some of the weard shop pricing they do being a topic of it's own.

I must say I was quite surprised by the tastelessness though, generally i like alot of the creative and artistic choises of the tanki team. They do have a history of basing events on global trends like movies, competitions etc. I just figured they'd choose good taste over trying to be trendy.

 

[Okami 3,041]

With the new Challenge, they added a new animated paint "Spreading Fast", which is a pretty questionable name if you ask me. It basically has little coronaviruses floating around. Imagine getting that from a Container long after this pandemic has ended. I would be disappointed.

Edited April 30, 2020 by GrayWolf8733

[ILiveOnTheChatBox123 936]

On 4/14/2020 at 9:04 PM, sensei_tanker said:

If you think about it, the devs are sort of hyping a disease that's killed hundreds of thousands of people. I've noticed that the amount of players online have quintupled when I log on. The devs have also released a new event (quarantine 2.0) that involves coronavirus/disease related missions. They have even put a giant picture of a strain of coronavirus on the front page like it's some super cool event. Also, now the devs released an event where they get a virus tank running around killing people.

Personally, I find sound and rational business practices that don't harm anyone ethical, but I think the devs are kind of hyping a deadly disease too much. 

[Picassoo 191]

On 4/15/2020 at 3:04 AM, sensei_tanker said:

If you think about it, the devs are sort of hyping a disease that's killed hundreds of thousands of people. I've noticed that the amount of players online have quintupled when I log on. The devs have also released a new event (quarantine 2.0) that involves coronavirus/disease related missions. They have even put a giant picture of a strain of coronavirus on the front page like it's some super cool event. Also, now the devs released an event where they get a virus tank running around killing people.

Personally, I find sound and rational business practices that don't harm anyone ethical, but I think the devs are kind of hyping a deadly disease too much. 

 

This is just another benign disease spread, no need to get touchy about it.

[sensei_tanker 3,098]

33 minutes ago, Picassoo said:

 

This is just another benign disease spread, no need to get touchy about it.

Tell that to the three hundred thousand people who are dead right now.

[Viking4s 10,791]

It is a theme to help killing the time. Let the easily offended be offended. If you stay in and play games, you save lives, if you go out... you increase the risk for all.

Making game where you kill people;s tanks for fun and use drug to survive is already beyond touch anyway. I hope you are not playing right now to show your discontent for such violent game (what about GTA5? - is that an ethical game?).

Edited May 16, 2020 by Viking4s

[GeorgeWBush 26]

Yes many things are unethical yet we are better off doing it.

[printing_now 59]

A bit weird I'll say, but I'll give you this: at least they are giving us two free containers.