Interesting article/column about gaming reviews

[Nimrod]

Was over at Inside Pulse earlier today when I came across this puppy

Do video game publishers and PR companies extort, bribe, or bully video game websites into inflating their scores and dupe innocent consumers?Or is this entire thing just a fancifal creation brought on by the wonders of the Internet?

It's a long read so be prepared so take your time going through it but if you've ever read a review in a gaming magazine or on a website then its a must read.

I personally(as some here who know me already are aware of) don't put much stock in rating systems. This article just shows me even more the reason why I shouldn't believe the rating numbers.

I like that the writer didn't just go after the PR companies or the game reviewers but everyone involved in the whole mess.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[Vash]

I cant speak for all sites/magazines, but I know that IGN doesnt. The best proof of this is the fact that when some simpsons boxing game came out a few years ago (ps1 I believe) there were ads for it EVERYWHERE on the site, but IGN gave it a rating of like 4. Pretty clear they didnt accept a bribe to bump up its score :\

[Nimrod]

Didn't you it interesting how that one PR rep seemed to imply how they would like things to go rating wise?

I know its their job and all to pimp the game in question but still, pratically(will implied) blackmailing with promises of goodies and what not in order to get a higher review is rather scary to me.

Then again, I've seen this sort of thing in the past in other businesses so I shouldn't be as shocked as I am over this. Guess I'm just that naive sort.

[Mark064]

Looking up the Simpsons game (it was wrestling actually) IGN actually gave it a "1". Mostly everyone else gave it a low score except Gamespot which gave it a "6.4". I think it's clear that Gamespot was paid in this case cause reading the two reviews and even reading gamespot say "Smashing X button is the best strategy" then giving gameplay a 5 says it all.
But one example doesn't really sum it up. I'm sure searching around you could find multiple times where they gave awful games good reviews.

But I've discovered not too trust game reviews anymore. Before this article even. Game reviews are far too limiting. Esepcially in IGNs case for PC reviews. A while ago I remember wanting to read an IGN review for a PC game to learn about multiplayer more of course IGN doesn't even make much mention of it same with the map making feature. I've found game reviews too be too limiting in what they mention. More specifically what is good and bad about games. So reading something about how game companies pay people off is now big surprise. I've come to trust my instincts when it comes to games or rent it. Not trust review site A or magazine B.