Any comparison is going to fall short because this is a unique situation. So yes, you're right, the examples I gave are different. And yes, those people likely don't have non-association with competitor's products spelled out in a contract. But you'll also notice that they still don't do it, because in the real world…

Why worry about balance issues if it's based on Dota? It's not like the main game is balanced either.

Yes, it barred them from streaming competing games. Of course it barred them from streaming competing games. Does Iwata spent half of every Nintendo Direct stream showing everyone the latest Xbox exclusives? Do Manchester United players train wearing Arsenal shirts?

Oh come on, do you seriously think that "damage control" is what happens any time a company responds to community feedback?

MMOs, especially free to play ones, rely on a constant stream of content updates to keep players interested. That sort of rapid content delivery just doesn't work very well on a console where the lengthy (and expensive) certification process and low storage capacity really limits what an MMO is able to do.

Well, there's the four spinning blades for a start.

I'm cool with the idea of not working. It's the reality of not being able to buy food that I'm having trouble with.

You have it. It's called The Old Republic, it features eight interwoven stories, follows on the events of the previous two games and is receiving a constant stream of new content updates.

To quote the FAQ:

Right. But you can't run from it. So either you hit it and it hits you until you die, or you sit there not hitting it until you die.

Wobbuffet could certainly kill you. It just couldn't start the fight.

So like Shellos from Gen IV then?

Dota players needed to learn that Valve doesn't actually owe them anything and that they were massively overreacting. Instead, they got an apology and had their immature bullshit validated? Great. They now know that throwing a tantrum works, so they'll just keep on doing it.

It's really not that convoluted and it wasn't without reason.

Shinies are fine. They're rare cosmetic variations with no gameplay value whatsoever. There's no reason to get worked up about them.

lol.

I still can't quite believe that so many people are happy to pay for multiplayer on their consoles. Subscribing to individual games like MMOs? Sure, I can see that. But having to pay to play online multiplayer at all is absurd. Why are people are OK with it?

Twice as many viewers though :P

Well... why is Team Fortress 2 so popular? Why is Street Fighter so popular? Why are FIFA and Madden so popular?

Welcome to the real world, where beyond a slightly smaller stature and a more feminine face, females are pretty much the same as their male counterparts.