This is why I hate shady sites that offer "Bounty" prizes for Game FAQ work.

Short story: I wrote a guide for Prey for Gamefaqs back in July, some admin dude from Gamerhelp.com asked me to contribute, saying I would be the winner of the "Bounty" system they have on the site for that game if I allowed them to host it. (Fun fact, the guy who asked me apperantly works for Gamepro). Well, I made a name, made a clame for a bounty, and contributed it. I was then told by the guy that I was the winner of the bouty, and that I would recieve a email at the end of the month with details how to get it (Thing is, Gamefaqs has a bounty system as well, so it isn't too far fetched)

Fast forward to today, and I have heard nothing about it. Logged onto the site, and found the damnest thing: Another Prey guide contributed after mine (Note the rules state that it had to be complete and be first, which mine was) was the winner. Sent a email (and since I am in a cheerful mood: Here is a copy of it):

Yeah, I had a feeling that a shady and poorly formatted site would pull something like this, and i'm not too surprised. Granted, I am sure I will either get no reply, or some lame excuse in why the "review board" for the bounties gave it to someone else (But oh my! They host it either ways, generating money out of their shitty ads!). Worst thing is, I was looking forward to the $50 so I could buy Phoenix Wright, but I guess that will have to wait now...

 

I can bet that the new guide author is just a borrowed name for someone in the site's staff and it's stolen content from somewhere else. Then they "pay" themselves and not you.

The mexican government pulls the same exact fraud with contracts and "privatised" public services.

It's just surprising/sad to see it applied in the Internet.

 

If they don't respond, contact their ISP and tell them that the website is illegally hosting copyrighted material (your FAQ). You may need to fax a statement to them, but having a website shut down due to copyright infringement would be powerful motivation to the admin to remove or pay up.

 

Only thing I am a bit worried about is that they are a part of a major company, and not some random kid. Granted, I will send a second email to the guy in 4 days if I don't get a reply by then.

 

The fact that they're part of a large company can work to your advantage. Find out who's in charge and send your complaint straight to them. Of course you'll have to corporate-up the language a bit, make it sound like you are not to be fucked with.

 

Jason> Do you have the original email from GH offering you the bounty? That sounds like the key thing there. And have to simply tried calling and speaking with one of the editors? Might be the quickest way to get things resolved.

Just some ideas.

-hl718

 

Yes, I do, actually. It's saved in my mailbox, and here is a copy of it

This one is after I submitted it:

So yeah, he said I was going to win it.

 

Gamefaqs has bounties? What bountys we talking about?

 

Obviously not any on the heads of all the dipshits that post in their forums. Otherwise, we'd be in a Utopia by now (and us mature gamers would be millions richer).

 

lol! Man that'd be a nice bounty. "BRING ME THE HEAD OF A JACKASS!"