Past Operations
GamerGate Operations that are no longer active.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, the actual impact GamerGate had with these Operations is unknown. The outcomes listed for each Operation simply outline the conclusion of the situation.
Operation Around the World
Background
In April 2017, following the English-language release of Persona 5, gaming company Atlus came under fire for the game's "localization problems," with games journalists and Twitter users decrying the quality of the translation stating that it seemed rushed and stilted, and that the characterization was weak.[1][2] GamerGate, wary of cronyism in the industry, was quick to notice that the same groups who denounced Persona 5's localization had defended Fire Emblem Fates' localization.[3]
Operation
Operation Around the World was started for gamers to email or tweet to Atlus their support and love of Persona 5 and its localization, and to convey their preference for accurate translations of Japanese games over censored and significantly altered Americanized localizations (such as Fire Emblem Fates (see: Operation: Torrential Downpour)). Participants were also encouraged to show proof of their support by showing photos of their owned copies and screenshots of the game being played.[4]
Outcome
Despite criticism leveled at Persona 5, the game's English version was a remarkable success, receiving high scores at various games news sites and, combined with Japan's sales, exceeding 1.5 million sales worldwide in the first month of release.[5]
Operation FairPay
Background
In June 2013, a lawsuit was filed against Gawker by three former interns for unpaid work.[6] In February 2015, Gawker attempted to limit methods of communication that the plaintiffs could use to contact other interns about the lawsuit including Facebook messages and Twitter hashtags considered inflammatory (e.g. #fairpay). Notably, Gawker also proposed a limit on discussing the lawsuit on KotakuInAction, acknowledging that they were a target of criticism by GamerGate on the subreddit.[7][8]
Operation
Operation #Fairpay encouraged reddit users to legally circumvent the social media block by taking information and updates from the plantiffs' websites and spreading them on KotakuInAction themselves. The intention was to spread the word about the lawsuit, show support for the plaintiffs, and attract other former Gawker interns who would have vested interest in the case.[9]
Outcome
In all, 17 former Gawker interns opted into the lawsuit.[10] However, the court ruled that the main plaintiff was the primary beneficiary of his time with Gawker and the other interns' claims were outside the statute of limitations, so the case was dismissed in March 2016.[11] The victory was shortlived, however, as Gawker filed for bankruptcy just three months later in June 2016.[12]
References
- ↑ - "Persona 5 deserved better: a translator's take on a subpar script - Molly Lee - April 20 2017" Polygon - (archive)
- ↑ - "Persona 5's translation is a black mark on a brilliant game - Connor Kramer - May 17 2017" Eurogamer - (archive)
- ↑ - "mombot - April 20 2017" Twitter - (archive)
- ↑ - "Operation :Around The World (Persona 5) - (Anonymous) - April 21 2017" 8chan - (archive)
- ↑ - ""Persona 5" worldwide sales exceeded 1.5 million! - April 06 2017" Persona Channel News Blog - (archive)
- ↑ - "Gawker Lawsuit: Media Company Sued By Unpaid Interns - Andrew Berry - June 22 2013" International Business Times -
- ↑ - "Lawyer Uses Social Media to Gather Plaintiffs in Gawker Intern Lawsuit - Georgina Young - February 19 2015" Tech Raptor - (archive)
- ↑ - "Gawker Tells Judge That #FairPay Twitter Hashtag Is "Inflammatory" - Eriq Gardner - Feburary 18 2015" Hollywood Reporter - (archive)
- ↑ - "Operation #fairpay - Kinbaku_enthusiast - February 18 2015" Reddit: KotakuInAction - (archive)
- ↑ - "New York District Court Grants Summary Judgment for Employer in Gawker Intern Case - Greg Mersol - April 5 2016" Employment Class Action Blog -
- ↑ - "Mark et al v. Gawker Media LLC et al" Justia -
- ↑ - "Gawker files for bankruptcy and puts itself up for auction - Tom Kludt and Brian Stelter - June 10 2016" CNN Business - (archive)