The strong arm of politics has reached it's ugly hand into the gaming industry and with it has come as much power as 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I'm not talking Republican or Democratic here. I'm talking video game previews and reviews.
We all know the feeling: anticipation and excitement when we get our monthly gaming magazines. We can't wait to see what new and wonderful games are in store for us. We turn to page 18 with a fever for information about game play, graphics and story line, only to be disenchanted by the gaming industry and the video game press.
It seems that the multi-billion dollar gaming industry and video game press have a problem with telling the truth. They tend to be more like politicians, telling us what we want to hear instead of being honest with us. Even some of our favorite websites lean on the conservative side of honesty. Case in point: Aaron McKenna of TG Daily admits his shortcomings regarding previews and reviews in an article called "The Pointlessness of Current Video game Journalism". He states: "video game journalists are mere extensions of the marketing machine, pushing even the most mediocre of games into a good light with the public in previews and then trashing them for sport to see how many good puns can be dredged out of the 500 words which the author really doesn't want to have to write."
We as gamers find this disheartening in some ways. We can understand the previews building up games until we are all in a frenzy awaiting their arrivals. This is, after all, how the industry makes their money. We all know, at least I hope we do, that the previews are printed to entice us. They promise us the best game play ever to get us to the store and spend our money. It would be nice to think that the previews are honest and that what we are buying is what we were presented, but that has become unrealistic.
The most discouraging aspect of video game press is the review of a game. As reported in the past from Aaron as well as the controversial editorial by Dan Hsu entitled, "Editorial Integrity," it is likely the gaming industry uses the fear of lost advertising money to thwart the honest review of a game. You don't say something nice we take away your privileges. Although it seems there is a bit more freedom in reviews, the strong arm tactics still exist.
With this being said, websites like ours (self promotion) and other self made sites like Gamerdad, blogs, and free journalists, have become more valuable to the gaming community. These communities offer honest, member based opinions regarding the newly released and most current games on the market. No strings attached. With reviews from actual site members and community gamers, you are assured you are receiving your video game reviews from peers, who like yourself, are spending their money on the games. These and their members have no attachment to the gaming industry and therefore can give honest and unbiased opinions without the fear of retribution.
What does this mean for you the gamer? It means you know what you are buying before you spend your money. No sugar coating, no reading between the lines and no lies. You are getting your information from a video game buyer, not a writer with his "honey due" list on his mind or the confines of the gaming industry placed upon him. It's simple, honest information from someone just like you with limited money to waste.
So just because we have recently seen the game review industry take a turn towards that hand that feeds them, doesn't mean there are not tons of other bloggers, start up sites, and journalist out there giving the public what it needs. A much deserved 4 out 10 when it's needed.
So where do you go for quality gaming reviews?
It seems that the multi-billion dollar gaming industry and video game press have a problem with telling the truth. They tend to be more like politicians, telling us what we want to hear instead of being honest with us. Even some of our favorite websites lean on the conservative side of honesty. Case in point: Aaron McKenna of TG Daily admits his shortcomings regarding previews and reviews in an article called "The Pointlessness of Current Video game Journalism". He states: "video game journalists are mere extensions of the marketing machine, pushing even the most mediocre of games into a good light with the public in previews and then trashing them for sport to see how many good puns can be dredged out of the 500 words which the author really doesn't want to have to write."
We as gamers find this disheartening in some ways. We can understand the previews building up games until we are all in a frenzy awaiting their arrivals. This is, after all, how the industry makes their money. We all know, at least I hope we do, that the previews are printed to entice us. They promise us the best game play ever to get us to the store and spend our money. It would be nice to think that the previews are honest and that what we are buying is what we were presented, but that has become unrealistic.
The most discouraging aspect of video game press is the review of a game. As reported in the past from Aaron as well as the controversial editorial by Dan Hsu entitled, "Editorial Integrity," it is likely the gaming industry uses the fear of lost advertising money to thwart the honest review of a game. You don't say something nice we take away your privileges. Although it seems there is a bit more freedom in reviews, the strong arm tactics still exist.
With this being said, websites like ours (self promotion) and other self made sites like Gamerdad, blogs, and free journalists, have become more valuable to the gaming community. These communities offer honest, member based opinions regarding the newly released and most current games on the market. No strings attached. With reviews from actual site members and community gamers, you are assured you are receiving your video game reviews from peers, who like yourself, are spending their money on the games. These and their members have no attachment to the gaming industry and therefore can give honest and unbiased opinions without the fear of retribution.
What does this mean for you the gamer? It means you know what you are buying before you spend your money. No sugar coating, no reading between the lines and no lies. You are getting your information from a video game buyer, not a writer with his "honey due" list on his mind or the confines of the gaming industry placed upon him. It's simple, honest information from someone just like you with limited money to waste.
So just because we have recently seen the game review industry take a turn towards that hand that feeds them, doesn't mean there are not tons of other bloggers, start up sites, and journalist out there giving the public what it needs. A much deserved 4 out 10 when it's needed.
So where do you go for quality gaming reviews?
