Sony’s Nina Scherer, content manager for the SingStar team, is responding to questions and comments over on the EU Blog.
As you’ll know, if you’ve downloaded the latest firmware update for your PS3 and you’re in Europe, there’s now an icon for SingStar on your XMB, on the Games column.
It’s permanent, and people aren’t happy.
That’s fine, there’s no doubt as many people indifferent (or even delighted that it’s there) but the comments are fairly barbed, and it looks like Nina’s getting a fair bit of stick.
“Get the forced icon OFF our systems, WE DONT WANT IT!,” cries one commenter. “I would really consider getting rid of the numb nuts who’s making these decisions,” they add. Nina’s response? “IT IS STAYING!” she says, although the smiley face afterwards suggests it’s tongue-in-cheek, of course.
Another points to the way this is being handled as a deciding factor over their choice of next gen gaming system. “You Mizz Scherer have just made my mind up for next gen,” they say. The response from the only person at SCEE replying? “You’re welcome.”
Let the hate rage campaign begin,” comments another, who is apparently “shocked and stunned” by Nina’s comments. “Perhaps its time for another job,” they suggest. Not particularly nice to read.
Whilst we’re sure this is a frustrating session for Scherer, we’re not entirely sure these replies are really getting across the right message. Yes, it’s just another icon on the XMB, but it’s icon some people don’t want. Are these replies winding up the loyal PS3 faithful unnecessarily?
Or are people just over-reacting?
kjkg
To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was from a foreign country originally. This kind of PR seems more common and acceptable outside the UK. Basically a culture thing.
Just look at our very own Roynaldo and a lovely man at ShopTo.
Forrest_01
I too have had dealings with that fellow. Not to the extent that Roy did of course, but suffice to say the response i got was quite annoying & verging on sarcastic. At least that’s how it read.
I’ve sorted the issue now & its behind me, but it does baffle me when people are employed to communicate with others when they can’t do it well.
carson321
they could have made it like most other apps available, if you want to download and have it go ahead, if not, don’t.
Bilbo_bobbins
Can I just say that “YES IT IS STAYING” actually has a smiley face afterwards. The context you portray on this articles suggests the opposite and that she is getting angry, which doesn’t seem to be the case.
Her replies are very good compared to the barrage of shitty ones coming from everyone else. I suggest you amend this article so it states that.
DeforMAKulizer
I concur.
And some people have gone as far as personally attacking the woman.
Forrest_01
A smiley face does not make everything suddenly alright though, as that particular reply (along with a couple of others) is just antagonistic.
If she had just eased off the caps lock & replied along the lines of “Unfortunately, it will be staying where it is” it would have been a lot more professional.
Whilst some may see the rage as uncalled for, unfortunately on a lot of replies she is lowering herself to their level, which is never going to go well.
GregHorrorShow
I know Nina and I can almost guarantee that these responses are meant tongue in cheek. (Hence the smiley Bilbo mentions).
Obviously forum postings/texts/mails etc can lose their intended meaning and might not be the best way to express these sentiments to clients. But she’s done a pretty decent job of replying to the inital barrage of comments in a good spirited fashion with the limited info that (I imagine) she can give out.
Alex C
Amended.
Bilbo_bobbins
well done Alex
The Lone Steven
Replying in an aggresive is not the best way to handle PR. If Alex told us to eff off if we asked him to remove something, we would break into his house and kidnap him. It is still bad PR. Only, we are more dangerous. :p
If you can’t reply to the community in a proffessional manner, then prehaps you shouldn’t be allowed to interact with them? Plus, it’s just one icon. It doesn’t break the XMB.
GregHorrorShow
What would you do if Alex (for argument’s sake) replied to your request by saying ‘eff off’ with a smiley after it?
I get what Forrest is saying above, a smiley doesn’t make everything alright but it puts a completely different spin on the reply.
KeRaSh
Classic SCEE move. Pissing off their customer base is exactly what they need with a new console generation looming around the corner.
james123
ha, whatever….. why don’t people have better things to do with there life than moan about an icon.
Albeit unprofessional, i quite like the response she has given, keeps it light hearted.
TSBonyman
Taking her replies in context to some of the comments i can’t say i fault her too much – although she would probably have been better off not replying to some of them.
Tuffcub
If you dont like it, fine, piss off to Xbox Gold where you have to pay to have adverts shoved down your throat.
bunimomike
Stick it under Music/Audio or whatever it is. There’s multiple ways to advertise Singstar and this isn’t the smartest move for positive community feedback. ;-)
TSBonyman
Putting a game in the music section – now that’s crazy ! ;)
allen46
OMG it’s icon on the XMB are people serious about this
Danlisa
Apology posted:
Thanks to all of you for your comments. Apologies to anyone who felt my responses were inappropriate. It certainly wasn’t my intention to cause any offence! We will definitely take all of your feedback on board.
We’re all really proud of SingStar, and hope that you can all enjoy it with us in the future.
After post 201: http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2012/10/23/get-ready-for-singstar-on-the-xmb/comment-page-5/#comments
bunimomike
Best reply so far:
“Hey Nina, can you provide an address so I can send you some of my crap too?
You never know, you might enjoy it.”
Forrest_01
Haha – Gold star for that guy/gal! :)
Bilbo_bobbins
ha ha brilliant
stormy
LOL