I don't know why, but this image flashed in my head (am going through the Deus Ex Trilogy on Steam right now so that probably inspired me lol).

On topic, this is pretty awful if it is true, but I'll bet most companies do it. This is the first time I have heard of such a spin campaign for a video game system though. I don't recall anything like this even for the abysmal Playstation "599 U.S. dollars" 3 announcement.

This is what happens in a witch hunt.

Somini please update the title of the thread to "Microsoft Denies Hiring Marketers To Vote-Cheat Negative Xbox One Reddit Threads".

A bunch of posters were banned on neogaf because of this:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=60276093&postcount=352

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=61827242&highlight=#post61827242

Viral marketers are a real thing. I know this because I was one (kinda). It was for this sort of youtube knock-off website that was in its time, in its infancy. While my main task was to create my own video channel with my own videos, a major part of my responsibilitiy was to also pimp out my channel, and thus the website, by posing as an average user on sites like reddit, stumbleupon, etc and posting links. Now, if some low key video streaming site like that hires viral marketters, you better believe that a corporate empire like MS employs these tactics, especially in an industry where much of the information being exchanged is focuses on message boards.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are even some at this very website. I do find it curious that, despite this site being SO heavilly pro Sony and Nintendo and most of the Xbox people being relatively low key and quiet, a bunch of posters are now coming out of the woodwork, getting EXTREMELY defensive and in full damage-control mode about MS's anti-consumer tactics, making these huge write-ups. Makes you wonder.. It's like the agents in the Matrix lol.. They are  everyone, and they are no one O_o

To be fair, most big companies use PR agencies and sock puppets when a situation becomes too bad.

At least when the public opinion becomes too negative, the company's so called "useful idiots" (the people often referred to as "fanboys") are not enough and they hire professional companies to address this. They use all the social networks, write overwhelmingly positive reviews on sites like Amazon, try to manipulate every poll they can find etc. And from the company's economical point of view, this is indeed highly effective.

Do we have such people on vgchartz too? I'd be very surprised if not, because a basic sock puppet identify doesn't take much time. Think of a user like selnor. It seemed like most of his activity is/was simply creating new threads whenever there was a positive media report on something Microsoft-related, in which case he'd simply copy-and-paste the original text. Something like this takes very little time, one could easily post the same propaganda on multiple sites within minutes.
I don't claim that selnor was indeed a Microsoft sock puppet btw. His behaviour and opinions were so one-sided and predictable that many people believed he was affiliated with Microsoft in some way, while a professional sock-puppet would probably try harder to avoid that impression. I just wanted to point out how few time a single sock puppet identity would require.

bishoptl needs to make that thread...I haven't noticed it, but I only lurk on GAF every now and then since I don't have an acceptable email. I would love to see an updated list aside from the other one you linked, I mean...it's been a full day, haha.

I hope you mean that it is NOW much more pro Sony and Nintendo.....Nintendo side was absolutely abysmal for a long time. I have seen some VERY defensive MS people as well...and I think I've seen one of the huge write-up threads you are talking about. I can't bring myself to post in those because I'll just get all worked up and it won't be good for anyone...especially me, haha. Microsoft's reach probably extends farther than just viral marketers too (video I linked to above), which is a bit scary.

There is way too much negativity about the Xbox, for Microsoft to be able to do anything about it at this point. They can hire a horde of marketeers, but they still won't be enough. One company, no matter how big, can't control the internet.

You know what, right now it seems that ONE is the loneliest number.

Internet isn't a kind place for Xbox fans. The negativity is just unfounded. Its not like Sony don't do this stuff.Every company does this.

I did some minor research on this topic lately due to recent events.

I think this is a common practice and probably very normal. Its better than an add you can target your customer base directly and convince them of things.

And yes it only targets, a few hundreds to thousands (silent readers) at first, it might be small but its a very cheap way to address your customers directly. Pay a student a few bucks a month to be your PR messenger. People who go to forums like VGC/Neogaf/v/reddit etc. Are the most lucrative part of the market and easy to target through forums.

I think we have some shills here to

I am not going to call out anyone as I can not be sure but after reading this thread I think it might be interesting to see how people here think of it or maybe I am being just overly suspicious, this posters did catch my eye before so now I checked his post history.

I will make sure this can not be traced to the poster by shortening the quotes or altering the wording without changing the content. I think in light of recent events and this thread it maybe ok:

I start with the first post (the person has not many posts) and leave out similar repeating or unrelated posts.

Something positive about Kinect

"Sony ripping off another Nintendo idea."

" the 360 sold xx this month they will get any sales back the PS3 was winning back. MS is still shoving it in Sony's face"

" xx winning is as likely as PS3 fanboys accepting PS3 lost."

"There was nothing impressive about this, and if wasn't for the PS3 in there, I would have not realized what this was referring to"

"Good 360 is winning"

"PS3 lost already. Fanboys are just being delusional and think that PS3 will win when it ends up selling more"

"Sony can't compete with the new Xbox pricing" 

This doesnt mean that Person is a shill or anything. Maybe just a very enthusiastic MS Fan. Who does not really post much. Maybe an alternative account. Impossible to say but its weird that you can be so passionate about something but not enough to post alot. And also wait 1 1/2 years after the account creation to make the first post (praising Kinect) barely posting anything and once its time for the new Xbox slowly raising your post frequency.

Also I dont think its made to convince us of anything, I just think that neutral silent readers might be the main target. Also Companies giving arguments to the most vocal fans to use in real life or other forums might  also be a goal.

There is indeed a very similar tone from defenders of that business model. Steam is just as bad (It isnt it allows offline play indefinetly). Thats the future anyway it will be the norm. You are a fan of the oppossing company therefor your opinion is not valid, normal people are fine with it and you are just the extreme. You will buy it anyway because of the games in few months nobody even cares.  Internet is everywhere why even be bothered. I dislike the Disc medium all together. (MS doesnt want you to use Bluray Discs they just have to offer it to fit the description as all in one device). 10 Family members can now play my games this is somehow special because now they can just go to a friend login with their account and download the games you bought and play them.

Obviously MS will not allow you to install 10 times the game on 10 different systems which can then play it whenever they want, but I guess we need the specifics to know precisly.

I do think there are sleeper accounts made just as a precaution in every online community with a certain minimal amount of visitors. The people who then get to operate these accounts are advised to login from time to time write a couple of posts to appear normal. And once some things happen that the public doesnt like they get info on what to say. And what things to constantly bring up in their comments.

This is pretty obvious (albeit illegal here). And I think MS does this right now because they had to break the news of some pretty harsh decisions to the public.

Well the neogaf threads were interesting. This whole practice seems very fascinating. I did get my suspicions after reading very similar posts across alot of different sites in the Internet before the neogaf/reddit post. Before Xbox one I knew it existed but I didnt really think about it. I do look at forums and such a little differently now tbh. Also I saw an AVGN episode again (SNES vs Genesis) recently and he mentioned how Sega gave their fans the Blast Processing term to fuel their battles. I think thats whats happening here. Spreading arguments why its great what MS does. And basically fuelling the console war

Edit: I had to insert s instead of a space somehow something screwed up and I cant use spaces between lines.