Hi Keith,
What you’ve outlined is 100% spot on.
I’m generally an optimistic person – you have to be when your an affiliate.
What I’ve found if you go against the flow or more to the point, the politics, you’ll get slapped back into the stone age. Without blowing smoke up my own backside, I’ve been an affiliate since 2000 and I’m a good resource to have around. Although it’s blatantly obvious the industry needs people like me, being outspoken about issues and keeping the bastards honest. Yet that didn’t stop the GPWA pulling my private membership because I stood on some toes over there!
While I commend anyone who holds a similar outlook, the problem is these “cliques” you speak of, are so strong now, with so many fingers in so many pies (errr conflicts of interest), going up against them or trying to fight for the rights of everyone, is sadly a waste of time. Worse, it will likely get your character brought into disrepute with trumped up lies and what not.
FYI, CAP is the only place I hold membership at and the only place which seems to appreciate my candid input. The rest of the affiliate forums and CM has banned me.
The online gaming cartel has a monopoly over affiliates and players. The truth or lies, it’s all the same to them, to protect their self serving interests, they do and say whatever it takes.
Dave