Comments on: The Foresight Exchange (Sean Morgan)

By: Aquin

Aquin — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 02:45:04 +0000

It happens; I can think of a few indie titles that then got much scummier than this one (not sure this even really qualifies).

By: Bennett

Bennett — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 01:09:59 +0000

well, it was indie when it was first made. I think we could argue the ‘free’ point all day long, though

By: Antoine

Antoine — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:23:25 +0000

Well, I use neither facebook nor GMail. I do use Google, though, and I would gladly switch to another service with a comparable quality.

What I wanted to point out, though, was that this game was only “free” in a narrow sense, and not a very nice one from an ethical point of view (just because there are other unethical companies isn’t an excuse). It’s also unclear it’s really “indie”, if “indie” means independent: it certainly does not seem independent from the mothership software company.

Of course, the game itself could be interesting. But so are many non-gratis or non-independent games which don’t get any mention here (rightly so).

By: Bennett

Bennett — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:38:12 +0000

I also might add that whenever you use facebook or GMail or Google your behaviour becomes a product that is sold on to third parties. Is it really that terrible?

By: Bennett

Bennett — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:36:29 +0000

When I played it a few years ago the results weren’t being sold to anyone. But to be honest, I don’t think the experience of the game changes whether the results are sold on or not. What makes the game interesting is that it is – at least in theory – a game which predicts the future.

By: thecreepyhour

thecreepyhour — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:45:49 +0000

Yeah, that put me off a bit too. Clearly it’s a game made with the intent of making a profit, and (arguably) with a total disregard for art.

I still find it interesting though, pretty much in the way that the stock market or artillery weapons are interesting, albeit unintentionally.

By: Antoine

Antoine — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:14:01 +0000

Quoting the game’s page:

“Affiliated with Consensus Point (www.consensuspoint.com), the leading provider of business prediction market and collective forecasting solutions.”

“Prediction market software by Consensus Point. Visit ConsensusPoint.com for more info.”

I’m quite surprised (and, frankly, disappointed) to see advertising for such a game here. Granted, it’s technically free-to-play, but in a way where the player and his/her actions is actually the product sold to other companies.