Ethics of Video Game Reviews

[gear02]

Taken from slashdot. http://features.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/04/11/153248&mode=nested&tid=127

First, read this LA Times article posted in some forum: http://www.game2extreme.com/forums/discussions.cfm?forumid=1&topicid=9065

Then this: http://www.ojr.org/ojr/ethics/1049994303.php

I never realized the stuff companies do for favorable reviews. APMiller, they're not sending you on trips are they??

I personally think that reviewers shouldn't get preferential treatment. Sending a reviewer in an F-14 will bias their judgement, even if they aren't reviewing that particular game. I for one appreciate GOOD game reviews. Like that ojr.org article says, $50 per game is high stakes.

[LPMiller]

Originally posted by gear02
Taken from slashdot. http://features.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/04/11/153248&mode=nested&tid=127

First, read this LA Times article posted in some forum: http://www.game2extreme.com/forums/discussions.cfm?forumid=1&topicid=9065

Then this: http://www.ojr.org/ojr/ethics/1049994303.php

I never realized the stuff companies do for favorable reviews. APMiller, they're not sending you on trips are they??

I personally think that reviewers shouldn't get preferential treatment. Sending a reviewer in an F-14 will bias their judgement, even if they aren't reviewing that particular game. I for one appreciate GOOD game reviews. Like that ojr.org article says, $50 per game is high stakes.

Hehe, he'd kill for a free mousepad, much less a trip.

It's part of the game though. Movie reviewers go to the Oscars and see free flicks; hardware reviewers get all the video cards they can eat, gamers get games, car guys go to NASCAR and get to ride in the GM pace car. But F-14 flights? That is damn close to payola. You can keep your perspective to a point, but that's well beyond it, I'd think.

[Blitz]

I GOT DIBS ON CONDITION ZERO!

Ok now, mr. apex! You can take the game staff (me!) to Afganistanz and hunt some Osama's...

Or North Korea, lets see how that ends up :rolleyes:
<pictures himself hunting Nuclear missles in N-Korea:fal:>

[mcs328]

Someone can pay me to test out DOA Xtreme Volleyball and take me out to some sand court on the beach with hot females so I can give the game a favorable review.

[Blitz]

Dam I should have thought of that..........

[apmiller]

Originally posted by LPMiller


Hehe, he'd kill for a free mousepad, much less a trip.

It's part of the game though. Movie reviewers go to the Oscars and see free flicks; hardware reviewers get all the video cards they can eat, gamers get games, car guys go to NASCAR and get to ride in the GM pace car. But F-14 flights? That is damn close to payola. You can keep your perspective to a point, but that's well beyond it, I'd think.


BAH! I don't hype nothing for free stuff.

Since I have yet to be offered anything from anyone it would be easy to trash things but then who would want me as a reviewer. You have to be honest without being insulting after all. If someone offered me a trip to some convention or free software just to review a game, they would have to understand I would give my honest opinion.

[gear02]

Originally posted by apmiller



BAH! I don't hype nothing for free stuff.

Since I have yet to be offered anything from anyone it would be easy to trash things but then who would want me as a reviewer. You have to be honest without being insulting after all. If someone offered me a trip to some convention or free software just to review a game, they would have to understand I would give my honest opinion.

Yeah I feel the same way. Yet, how honest and non-biased would you be if Microsoft or EA sent you on a trip to learn how to be a SWAT team member, sending you on board a F22, giving you the ride of a lifetime on board a NASCAR racing car?

Even if you TRY to be neutral, you couldn't because you'd have these nice feelings back in your subconscious.

[apmiller]

Originally posted by gear02


Yeah I feel the same way. Yet, how honest and non-biased would you be if Microsoft or EA sent you on a trip to learn how to be a SWAT team member, sending you on board a F22, giving you the ride of a lifetime on board a NASCAR racing car?

Even if you TRY to be neutral, you couldn't because you'd have these nice feelings back in your subconscious.

That's a good point but if they did that and then asked me to review a crap game like Bikini Karate babes then I'd have to shun them to no end for such a shameful attempt at winning my favor. Then I ask them to marry me...That NASCAR thing would be cool!

[Cantacuzene]

I was reading Gamepro Magazine today. Yes I know it is awful but the subscriptionw as free so I might as well read it. Anyway, they reviewed about 50 games. NOT A SINGLE GAME GOT UNDER A 3 OF 5! Thats less than possible to believe. There HAS to be some form of payola going on there, because their reviews as jokes if one has ever played any of the games then reads their reviews.

[gear02]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
I was reading Gamepro Magazine today. Yes I know it is awful but the subscriptionw as free so I might as well read it. Anyway, they reviewed about 50 games. NOT A SINGLE GAME GOT UNDER A 3 OF 5! Thats less than possible to believe. There HAS to be some form of payola going on there, because their reviews as jokes if one has ever played any of the games then reads their reviews.

Any examples?

Yeah gamepro sucks. So does Nintendo Power.

[apmiller]

Nintendo Power is sooooooo controled by Nintendo. I don't think there is a single game they have even not liked! :mad:

[Cantacuzene]

Originally posted by apmiller
Nintendo Power is sooooooo controled by Nintendo. I don't think there is a single game they have even not liked! :mad:

Im sure they didnt give every 3rd party game a great review. Especially one from some 3rd party they dont care about.

[gear02]

I actually get Nintendo Power (came with the Mario Sunshine Bundle) and I do see some bad ratings on some games. But it's like "this game sucks, but it's still great! Buy it! 1.5 out of 10."

It's really absurd, but it's still can-sitting reading material.