Blue's News: Comments - GameShadow Metrics

GameShadow Metrics

[Jul 28, 2008, 10:02 am ET] - Share - Viewing Comments

GameShadow announces GameShadow Metrics, whereby they are doing a little more shadowing than before, offering analysis of gameplay trends through the data gathered by this service aimed at helping find current game patches. Word is:

28th July 2008. Oxford, UK. GameShadow, www.gameshadow.com, the leading independent, automated patch system today announced GameShadow Metrics. The Metrics service provides real time reports on PC gamers’ playing habits and preferences and is designed to reveal accurate and vital market trends giving detailed information on an unprecedented scale.

Tony Treadwell, Founder and COO of GameShadow commented, “Our engine checks all the versions of games users have loaded on their PC to deliver a one-click patching service. This enables us to build a great profile of the games they play and in return for providing a great service to our users we can report on how genres or sequels are connected. We can even track ‘unknown’ versions and review driver hardware.”

He continued, “We realized that this level of accurate data is an incredibly valuable marketing tool for publishers, developers, ISVs and hardware vendors to understand gamers’ habits. The data is structured to allow customers to drill down and perform analysis dynamically. And we fully protect our gamers so that nothing can be tracked backed to individuals. We’ve created an easy to use, online service that gives access to the core data – every publisher and developer can check up on their titles alongside the other 2600 titles in a matter of seconds.”

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10.	Re: Spyware	Jul 29, 2008, 12:08	Ballistix
	Hi there, we saw this and thought that setting some facts straight here might be in order. The first thing is, staff at GameShadow are gamers, we’ve come from a gaming background and are very passionate about games and equally passionate about privacy around gaming. We have a really fast and efficient patching service at the centre of what we do and have built upon that to provide demos, trailers, and editorial around new games. Our intention is to provide the Metrics service so that people can understand more things about the PC gaming customer base we have, a lot of this data is free to our Publishing partners. It is completely anonymous and we never give out game data relating to individuals. For example it tells us things like “x% of people who play Crysis, also have Doom 2” not “john@imapirate.com has 200 pirated games on his PC and he lives here...”. Or 15% of FPS players have high end NVIDIA 8 series cards. Just really interesting data that helps developers and publishers understand more about groups of gamers, but not individuals. We can show what’s popular and how titles and genres are connected, to help publishers see what excites gamers, us included by the way, so that they can develop more of the same stuff that our gamers enjoy and want. We are happy to hear any from forumites at Blues News, we’ve been totally clear about how we use data in our EULA and we have no intention of “selling private information off”. I’ve been playing games for 30 years in one form or another and share all the concerns of a typical gamer. We are simply being upfront and honest about what we do and have nothing to hide – that’s why we’re happy to send out press releases telling everyone. We really think this careful sharing of our data will benefit gamers. If anyone wants to email me then please do so, I’m happy to have an open dialogue. Regards, Tony Treadwell Founder and COO tony (at) gameshadow.com www.gameshadow.com This message was edited at Jul 29, 12:10.

9.	Re: Spyware	Jul 29, 2008, 06:17	InBlack
	Talisorn and Pointless, when someone is providing a service as mundane as "patching" and "updating", something that most games nowdays have automated and in-built anyway as an excuse to gather any and all information about which games I play, how often I do it, and then SELLING this information (notice I capitilized SELLING) to third parties, you are damn right I have fucking issues with this! Especially considering how powerfull spyware actually is, even good-natured beneficial spyware can gather any information at all without the users knowledge or consent. Its a simple and very small step from gathering information about games, to gathering information about which sites I visit, if I download porn, who I send email too, the content of those emails....etc. etc. etc. Now you might call me paranoid, but the right to privacy is a constitutional right even in a backward country like the U.S. This message was edited at Jul 29, 06:30.




	I have a nifty blue line!

8.	Re: Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 18:15	Talisorn
	wow you'd think from these responses the thing is being installed silently on your computer and is included on every game installation... a free optional program that automatically patches your games in exchange for sending your information about stuff you have installed...supposedly this information can't be tracked back to a specific individual (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt)...if it works as advertised then good for them...metrics are an important tool for anyone...it seems like you can't go to a site that doesn't have tracking cookies these days anyways... I understand wanting to opt out but they tell you what they do in their faq and press release...it's not like they're going behind people's backs or make it mandatory installation for certain games I couldn't agree more. So the company provides a patching service for all your games so you don't have hunt around finding the latest patches and all they ask is to gather some statistics? If that's all they are asking for, what's the problem? If you have warez installed, I can see why you'd would be nervous ...... but all of you Blues folks are good law-abiding people, aren't you? This message was edited at Jul 28, 18:15.

7.	Re: Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 16:12	PointlesS
	wow you'd think from these responses the thing is being installed silently on your computer and is included on every game installation... a free optional program that automatically patches your games in exchange for sending your information about stuff you have installed...supposedly this information can't be tracked back to a specific individual (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt)...if it works as advertised then good for them...metrics are an important tool for anyone...it seems like you can't go to a site that doesn't have tracking cookies these days anyways... I understand wanting to opt out but they tell you what they do in their faq and press release...it's not like they're going behind people's backs or make it mandatory installation for certain games

6.	Re: Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 14:33	Cutter
	When it's trying to install itself does it explain in detail that it's a massive invasion of privacy, or simply that it's just trying to help the gamer keep up with patches is the real issue. Personally I'd love to see these guys, and anyone like them, sued out of existence. "I couldn't stay away. Curse your rockin' tits!" - Gerald Broflovski




	The Ballad of Gay Tony

5.	Re: Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 12:55	DG
	Most people (ok, I assume) only have Steam games setup on Steam. I expect that to be a better source in many ways but if you want good info you cross-reference and validate. By definition, it can only be spyware if the information gathered is without the user's consent. From this PR that seems to be far from the case. A quick look on their webby though and I think at best they need an update: Q. Is my information safe? A. We only need a live email account to set up your GameShadow Social Network account and then the profile information reflects your gaming and nothing else.Â We will never release any information to a third party and only use it to increase your gaming fun.Â A later section is however up-to-date: Q. Will you use my personal information? A. GameShadow takes your privacy seriously and will not pass on any personally-identifiable information to a third party. We do reserve the right to use it to improve our service and to perform statistical analysis on software installations.Â Click here [http://www.gameshadow.com/privacy.php] to read our Privacy Policy. I didn't install the software so I can't say how open it is about the info use at that most important stage. The information gathering puts me off. I'm more familiar with Valve and either trust them or trust any slippage will be hung out to dry in an instant. But if Game Shadow users are making an informed choice about it well I don't mind someone else helping companies know more about what we want. This message was edited at Jul 28, 12:59.

4.	Re: Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 10:51	nin
	but how they can be proud to profile their users and sell the data to 3rd parties is beyond me... That was my exact thought... ------------------------------------------------ http://theslip.nin.com/ "The Bellic boys! Talking over your town, assholes!"




	http://www.ninja2009.com/

3.	Re: Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 10:50	Overon
	I say no to the few game installations that ask if they can install gameshadow. I have no use for the service at all. If I want a patch I go to the source and I won't have to wait for it to be come available on gameshadow. Also I'm glad that this spyware is not installed on my PC. They are stupid for bragging about profiling and selling the information to 3rd parties. Now they are in a deeper shitbin than before.

2.	Re: Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 10:34	InBlack
	Yeah unbelievable, I wonder who the dumb ass morons are that are bankrolling this.... Why buy this bloody info when Valve releases their statistics to anyone free of charge....




	I have a nifty blue line!

1.	Spyware	Jul 28, 2008, 10:11	Hazard
	This enables us to build a great profile of the games they play and in return for providing a great service to our users we can report on how genres or sequels are connected. We can even track ‘unknown’ versions and review driver hardware. I give them credit for being open about it, but how they can be proud to profile their users and sell the data to 3rd parties is beyond me...

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