What’s in it for you leakers?
What do you get out of it?
If it’s the courtesy of letting people know early, then you aren’t doing a courtesy.
If it’s to lead the pack in excitement and hype, then you aren’t really succeeding in that, either.
So, what is it?
In many forms of media products, select content creators and other trusted people get to create content for the product they’re showing the world. It’s a huge time for them because they are being awarded an opportunity to promote themselves within a genre or medium. It’s one of the only times where people may get exposure to creators they may not have heard of.
And you’re taking that away.
Why?
Do you want the glory of breaking the news to the masses? Do you want to facilitate the feeling of excitement? If so, are you cool with taking it away from most people at the same time? Are you even thinking about any of that as you do it?
Do you enjoy the chaos and controversy of it all? Let’s not even talk about the morality of it, since it’s all too clear that isn’t a factor. Would you sing that same tune if you lost opportunities or money or exposure in your job or field because someone else took that away from you? Does that even cross your mind? If it does, do you care?
It’s cool either way. Not because you’re doing it, since it’s happened. I genuinely want to understand what it is that gets you going. I know the feeling of wanting to be the first to something. I know how it is trying to get that 15 minutes of fame, or the gratification of spoiling surprises for people. I totally get wanting to be in it for yourself. I just want to understand why.
It’s possible I’m off base here. I don’t particularly think that leakers or people who spoil are terrible people or anything, but I also don’t think it’s a noble action either. It’d be easy for me to say “What you’re doing sucks, stop it!” and call it a day, but you won’t, and I am certainly not of any influence, so understanding is the only thing I can attempt to do. I know you’re aware of the consequences of it all, both socially and legally. That clearly isn’t enough to dissuade you. I highly doubt there’s any material value for you, but with that assumed, is your goal just to hurt others? Is taking away from people’s work and creations satisfying to you? If so, what caused that? What did these people do to make you want to do that? Do you like the attention garnered by articles like these? Having people react accordingly and satisfying whatever it is you’re looking to take in?
I know you know it sucks, you don’t need me to tell you that.
For the people who lose out because of leakers, it’s okay.
It’s important to know that there are people who will still support, regardless of if what you were working on gets leaked or not. Your work is appreciated. I know writers in particular, especially those writing for established mediums, end up paying you regardless, which is great. I don’t know if there’s any form of contingency plan you all may have in place when leaks happen, but depending on your product, it may be worth figuring out what may work for you. Either way, your work is valued more than you know, and I hope that if you’re ever given more opportunities that you get the most out of it.
Because leaks suck.
Anthony Lowry (they/he) is a seasoned TCG, MMORPG, and FPS veteran. They are extensively knowledgeable on the intricacies of many competitive outlets, and are always looking for a new challenge in the gaming sphere.