The dark secret behind getting good scores from game reviewers |
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We came across a hard-hitting editorial from Australian game site Game Arena and it was about some truths regarding the world of game reporters and how the trade goes about in their field. Many revelations were made, and some may shock you.Gaming has become a major industry in a short time frame. Billions are invested, lost and gained in the bid to create hots that will capture a hardcore audience. Naturally, the companies would like their investments to bear fruit, and like any other enterprise, some underhanded moves are sometimes employed.
Enter the press devoted exclusively for games. Writer Richie of Game Arena cited some serious attitude issues that the people from the industry have, but that's just the tip of the iceberg as he reveals some darker dealings. Here is his list of facts:
1. Games reviewers have been offered either sex or money to change a review score. To quote the PR person I am referring to: "I will do ANYTHING if you can change the score. Just tell me what it will takeÂ…"
2. Be careful when you read an "exclusive" review. You probably already know this, but they are much-more-often-than-not tied to agreements about coverage or minimum scores.
3. PR companies identify journalists they want to impressÂ… and go about in unashamedly. This includes campaigning them for better coverage by using elaborate gifts like dinners, overseas tripsÂ…
4. Small media operators hold and use the power of balance over their editorial staff. When all is said and done, it means that advertising agreements do help sway final game review scores.
5. Most game reviewers get paid little, which increases the likelihood that they will fall into the trap of temptation. This is not their fault, but a reality of the industry.
Are the revelations sinking in and making sense now? You can see the full editorial by clicking the read URL.
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Comments [refresh]
but who cares,IM FIRST!
I'm not really surprised at all since this is something that's going on in all businesses, i guess the ad-sales dont cover everything...
for many many years and that realy realy sucks!
I wonder if the same tactics has been employed to slander other game manufacturer's consoles...
There has been alot of slandering in this next-gen war...
God of War 2 was bribed?
=D
I used to write game reviews and I spared nobody! If the game sucked, it sucked.
now we no why xbox 2 gets (sum) good reviews !
Tut tut tut, wtf are you some sort of idiot?.
Just head over to gamespot.com, I beg you to find a case where they don't favor the xbox/360 system over others. I'm convinced of their biased views with their latest review for ESIV: Oblivion. The PS3 version while including the Nights of the Nine expansion pack and a noticeable graphical upgrade... still scores less points than the 360 version.
If I am interested in a game, I will look at more than one review for it. Another thing is to watch the trailers and learn about some of the story, if there is one. Also I will rent it first if I am unsure about it. These things work for me.
LOL!! The copyright from istock photo is still on the image that has been used on this article!
thanks for Qj for providing this story,this is what game reviews is all about
you can never trust a human for reviewing games,we are alwayz subject to bias,this is how the brain works,its the human nature
and if you ass money into the mix,even more reason to be biased,the difference between profesional and amatuer reviewers is that pro reviewers kow how to hide their bias
just look at gamespot,1up....i am quiet certain that the Entire negative press against sony is made by microsoft paying gamingsite....this is how the world works
P.S: dear Qj....it seems there is some sort of error,i am logged in as CHUCKINGROCKSAT SPACESHIPS ,even though i didnt type anthing
mind explainng how did i get logged in as that CHUCKINGROCKSAT SPACESHIPS
Horray for Gamearena!
Horray for Aussies !
Nah seriously... Gamearena took a big risk publishing that.. Some good aussie spirit there
its called a cookie.. duh.. keeps ur info and auto logs you whenever you come around
yes a Cookie stores information for a certain user,but why did i get a cookie for a different user...i am not CHUCKINGROCKSAT SPACESHIPS
i get his cookie and auto-logged,thats an ERROR
check out game-spot reviews for gloft's games and you will see that even the game is crap the score is very.
How much can it take?
stop pomping ***** on your sites.
lol I don't think ANY company has enough money to bribe everyone that gave it a 10/10
Oblivion scored .1 point less than the XBOX 360 version. Why is that? Because it's a one year old game with minimal improvments!
I think it depends more on the reviewer than the site itself. I've bought games that scored well but I didn't like before, but that doesn't happen often.
Every site is biased against the PS3 right? That's why most of it's games score poorly, huh? Have you ever thought the games just aren't up to par with the 360?
If you actually played both systems you would understand.
damn i wish i was a reviewer, I'd gather many sexual favours in my basket of goodies
but seriously this sucks. it never crossed my mind that this would happen. crazy
i'll be more vigilant with my next purchase. nice one gamearena
hahaha what a flidducking douchbag! and what the fudge is an xbox 2 and why are you on this website!
yu joyk
I noticed it before I posted and changed it. I'm on here using my PS3.
Yeah but you're a nobody. No one cares what you write about their games. lol
American websites sure are keen on giving Microsoft some love. It's a national pride thing - "Our home-made console is better than that Japanese crap"
The reviewer himself says that it looks better and it loads faster and yet he gives it a lower score. How is that possible. Gamespot has been tainted and I've lost all respect for them.
Ever thought that the games on the 360 that get good scores aren't even that good? Gears of War + SOCOM with flashy graphics. Halo + Cheap Sci-Fi shooter. PS3 games are just released and they're being compared to the 360 games that just came out this year. PS3 Launch titles > 360 launch titles.
Mister Common Sense IS A MORON!
Micro$oft (Wikipedia) we all know u *****ing dumb mother f@ggot coock sucking money hungry whore
Why would anybody want to compare XBOX 360 launch games to PS3 launch games? Does that matter in any way? You pay $60 for PS3 launch games and the 360's launch games are $30 and below.
I care about games available now. Why don't you? Would I want to play games that were considered good last year, when they just came out?
You can't call me a moron simply because I make a good point, that makes you the moron.
If you can prove me wrong, then I deserve to be called a moron.
So how long until that "Mister Common Sense is a Moron" guy shows up? He's a perfect example of how desperate you fanboys are getting.
I agree Mr Common Sense their answers to everything on the PS3 is almost pathetic they see it can do NO wrong no matter what, Oblivion is bound to get less score even if they have slightly improved it, its a year old Budget title on the 360 and PC and of course that is going to be taken into account in its overall score considering its meant to be a next gen title also the fact that it is being sold at FULL price on the PS3.
Oh no look ign just scored 9.4 and outstanding for XBOX 360 Guitar Hero..
http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/777/777444p1.html
Who can we blame eh ***** its eh eh oh ***** who can we accuse of conspiracy etc..
Well I do have both consoles and I can tell you that I prefer my PS3. For starters it's way more versitle
Huzza for fellow Australians!
Cool Guitar Hero is a fun game.
its not the xbox 2, its the xbox 1.5, xbox 2 comes out next year
Yea... kind of like how PS3 hasnt been released yet. It comes out in 2008 after FFXIII and MGS4 come out.
It scored a .1 less because the game is a whole year old now... oooh updated graphics, and a faster load... WOW I MUST SCORE IT HIGHER NOW..... not. The games new appeal has worn off. And many games in teh past released a year or more later on another system have gotten a slightly lower score. Get over it.
And would ya look at THAT... They said its the Best version of GH2.. YET the PS2 version got a 9.5 while the 360 version got a 9.4. OMG All these sites are Soooooooooooooo oooo biased against Sony because they hate Sony... yea thats it, not at ALL because the PS3 lineup besides 2 games sucks galore. Where the hell is FFXII and MG4 already.
lol nothing new there... ign.. qj gamespot and co have been doing it for years...
freewebs.com/edder2000
i wanna be a game reviewer now
Yes, Manny151's opinion is very important, however. He is somebody. lol
I have spent time with both systems and still don't see why 360 titles get higher scores. Also, I didn't say every game site, I only mentioned gamespot.
Honestly, here's another example. Perfect Dark Zero a launch game for the 360, (IMO an average game) got a 9.0 while resistance a launch game for the PS3 (which is so incredibly much better than PDZ) got an 8.6.
Also to "lolhushpuppy" - If a game, no matter when it's released, can reproduce the exact same result (and in this case with additions and improvements) then it should atleast get the same score as it did on other systems. Subtracting score points from a review because the game is available on another system at an earlier time is wrong because it doesn't mean anything to a person wondering about the quality of a game for their system. Instantly, if you check teh scores of Oblivion on gamespot you're lead to believe that It's the best on the 360 followed by the PS3 and PC, which simply isn't the case because the reviewer factored in the "the game's been out on other systems longer and at budget prices!
"its not the xbox 2, its the xbox 1.5, xbox 2 comes out next year"
and you won't own that one either...
^^^ lol me 2
***** or game review, hmm real hard decision there.
sex? they offer sex?? haha what, game companies have their own whore houses now?, i mean cmon. Ridiculous man.
its so stupid, who would take that bait? go out and earn the ***** hahaha
Man, PR is stooping looooooooww.
" American websites sure are keen on giving Microsoft some love. It's a national pride thing - "Our home-made console is better than that Japanese crap"
Again with this American-hating BS. Did you know Famitsu gave Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire for the PS3 like an 8? Have you played that game? I have a PS3 and I have played it, it is easily THE WORST game for it. One of the worst games I've played recently across all my consoles (360, PS3, and Wii) as a matter of fact.
Who couldn't have guessed this? Besides 5wizz, that is. It was pretty obvious to me a long time ago that reviewers are payed to write good reviews
Now I know why Zelda is supposedly the GREATEST game ever...
Miyamoto screwed the industry... mmmmm Miyamoto...
its not a secret, its real life
realise
real lies
open your *****ing eyes
noobs
peace out my fat *****es
Seriously, everybody KNOWS that gamespot favours the Xbox 360... The biggest example of how much of gamespot is in microsoft's pocket is how, the day after launch, the entire PS3 page was flooded with Xbox 360 advertisements. I wonder who Bill Gates had to sleep with to do that >_>
My point is that reviewers / review companies / review websites are businesses as well, why do u think gamespot and IGN charge for their premier memberships?? Money is always the first priority, and always will be.
i still say you are a moron just like in every other article i have posted in. the 360 sucks, get over it. if you really played the PS3 then you would know how much resistance: fall of man kicks halo's @$$. halo is so slow and boring once you've played resistance, and online is insane XD
i hate socom though, metal gear online is better, even though i dont play it anymore and the server is being shut down soon...
motorstorm is an amazing game, the graphics are insane and its a face-paced racer that gets your heart racing. resistance and motorstorm have to no doubt be the best games in their genre out for any system right now hands down.
fast-paced**
@Ah Ha
NEVER DISS THE ZELDA SERIES,THEYRE BETTER THAN YOUR MUM A$$!
CALM THE F*** DOWN AND SHUT UP GUYS.EVER HEARD THE PHRASE "ITS JUST A GAME" ???!
zelda is crap its the same as the origional