What is Digg?189 Comments
- aldenhg, on 01/09/2008, -3/+227Maybe they should just make good games instead of trying to trick people into buying crappy games.
- elbriano, on 01/09/2008, -5/+226My respect for EGM and other 1up productions has grown over the last year. Props to Dan for this bold move.
...oh, and long live the Brodeo! - mrfreeziexp, on 01/09/2008, -4/+162This is scary, especially considering the offending companies. So it's been proven true, there IS in fact a lot of pressure of reviewers to deliver positive or else they will suffer. Props to 1up and EGM for staying true and shame on Ubisoft, Midway and Sony for their criminal like business tactics.
- Rendonsmug, on 01/09/2008, -2/+149I definitely have to give it to EGM, nice move! If companies are trying to get their products rated higher through bullying, go ahead and call them out.
- Zero2aHero, on 01/09/2008, -2/+111I want to hear a response from Ubisoft, Midway, and Sony Sports... this is ridiculous. I never tried Kane and Lynch because the whole Gamespot thing left a bad taste in my mouth, I will certainly remember this the next time I think of purchasing an Ubi/Midway/Sony Sports game.
It's a great idea for EGM to make these companies names public. Publishers think they are in control of the situation, but public perception has the ability to make them powerless. - Shogi, on 01/09/2008, -1/+71Yet another reason why EGM is my magazine of choice.
- samfishercell, on 01/09/2008, -2/+71Was Ubisoft unaware that they had more-or-less become the darling of the industry after everyone grew increasingly sick of EA's repetitive output and takeovers? They sure are working hard to ruin a reputation they should have been building.
If anything, this will make me pay more attention to EGM from now on. Apparently they too have no problem with stepping outside of IGNs 7-10 point scale. - Po0py, on 01/09/2008, -1/+65Kind of not surprised at all. During the Gertsman-gate/Gamespot controversy I got dugg down -20 or so because I stepped in and defended the 1up network (Egm. GFW etc) and said they were trustworthy bunch of honest gaming journo's after they picketed the Gamespot offices in support of Gertsman. Many people said they were just attention grabbing and trying to steal gamespot subscribers which was *****.
So I'll say it again:
For me the 1up network are the most honest and genuine people in the business. - psg188, on 01/09/2008, -2/+64I'm glad they didn't buckle under pressure like Gamespot did. Thanks EGM.
- bigfinger, on 01/09/2008, -0/+41I have no issue subscribing to EGM after reading this information. Props guys for keeping it real.
- Scopitone, on 01/09/2008, -0/+39Right on, EGM. Out those ***** for calling them on their ***** products.
- bigdoof, on 01/09/2008, -1/+37The problem is that reviews are in biggest demand when a game first comes out. If a publication buys a game on release day, it'll be weeks before it makes it through the editorial channels for internet publication, and even longer for print. By then, no one cares about the review anymore. Advance copies of movies/games/music/etc is essential for publications to produce relevant content that the public is willing to pay for.
- Monti0, on 01/09/2008, -0/+32Business is business. BUT, doing business means supply some product / service to consumers.
Consumers... remember them. That's us.
And gamer's are tired of having "Captain Bland's Really Monotonous Adventure 5" hyped down our troats.
Kudo's to EGM for calling a high production value piece of crap a piece of crap. - psg188, on 01/09/2008, -0/+30There's a thought that some companies need to take to heart fast before they get the large boot of capitalism straight up their ass.
- NSMike, on 01/09/2008, -1/+29You should still be able to read an EGM review, they just won't get review copies prior to release. The review will be late, but if you really value the opinions of the magazine and your own money, you can hold off on buying a game.
- yetAnotherCroc, on 01/09/2008, -4/+29criminal LIKE. Learn to read.
- inactive, on 01/09/2008, -2/+24Isn't it nice when the little guy stands up to a bully and gives the bully a bloody nose?
While this probably won't go past geek and hardcore gamer circles, those circles buy a lot of games. The bad publicity from this is going to be more expensive than a few bad reviews. - Monti0, on 01/09/2008, -1/+23Try reading the article.
- eightyd, on 01/09/2008, -2/+24989 Sports? Sure. Midway? Who cares. Ubisoft? Damn it, that sucks. I'm a big fan of some of ubi's games (rainbow six, splinter cell, others), and it sucks now that I won't be able to read a decent review before I blindly pick their games up. I wonder if movie reviewers deal with this much *****?
Holy *****, I just realized something. All these companies (the above mentioned, eidos) are starting to make EA look almost... GOOD?! WTF! - plhearn, on 01/09/2008, -7/+28The gaming media can review any game regardless of whether the publication company sends them a free copy. All this means is that EGM will have to go to the store and shell out 50 bucks next time they want to review a Ubisoft, Midway, or Sony game. Not much of a threat. More like another reason to flame their crappy games more.
- nhansen, on 01/09/2008, -1/+21I used to work for an online reviewer of camcorders and digital cameras, and I can say we were always harassed by the big manufacturer's (Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Canon) PR department after a less than stellar review. Not surprised to hear it happens in other industries.
- samfishercell, on 01/09/2008, -2/+21Agreed. Midway pretty much equals videogame poison in my book, as does Sony sports. Ubisoft, unfortunately, is heading down a slippery slope after their Assassin's Creed temper tantrums and their HORRIBLE (and I do mean HORRIBLE) Wii "support". They should pull up now before we slowly stop buying games and they're forced to sell out to EA. ::shudder::
Maybe Beyond Good and Evil 2 will be their saving grace :D - signal15, on 01/09/2008, -0/+19Yeah, but they won't have access to the games before they are released, and many of the other mags will.
- apothekari, on 01/09/2008, -1/+19Ok people the ball is in our court now.
Everyone needs to let these ***** know that this will not stand!
If their bottom line is so important to them that this "strong-arming" of reviewers is seen by these companies as a ok way to proceed, how long do you think it will be before they do other stupid ***** such as charging us for downloads of "patches" to make the game playable or making new types of controllers {guitar hero/rock band} incompatible so you have to have 2 different big ass controllers cluttering up your house.
You game companies HAVE NO RIGHT to my money you ***** earn it!
You exist at our pleasure NOT the other way around.
I for one will boycott these bastards!!!!!
I am sick of these corporate pigs growing fat on the apathy of lazy gamers who buy whatever stupid movie license or half assed release of "same-*****-gameplay-roster-update-08".
It's your money people, act like it! - inactive, on 01/09/2008, -1/+18It could be construed as blackmail, depending on how things were worded and how the "ban" came to be known to the magazine.
- inactive, on 01/09/2008, -0/+17Ahhh, the joys of the free market. An informed consumer is a dangerous thing.
- AndrewDB, on 01/10/2008, -3/+18..*Head desk* Thanks.
My burying is proper and deserved. Bring them on. - aoru, on 01/09/2008, -4/+17EGM is a great magazine. EGM has played as much of a role in my pooping as my rectum. How could I take a crap without it? Thanks EGM for keeping me on the toilet all that extra time and causing my anus to bleed on occasion. It's time someone stands up to these corporate bullies!
- Monti0, on 01/09/2008, -0/+13Also, good job EGM looking after the interests of your readers. All of the gaming sites / magazines that have game scores ranging from 70% to 95% for NEARLY EVERY SINGLE GAME they review can learn from EGM's example.
- thebaron2, on 01/09/2008, -1/+14Oh shut up.
- MeatBiProduct, on 01/09/2008, -0/+12any magazine with sean baby in it has my respect. Dan is a upfront guy and I'm glad to see him lifting the veil of 'backoffice' business and letting the truth out.
Hopefully Sean Baby does a write up on this for us :) - tommy7154, on 01/09/2008, -1/+12Awesome move by EGM. I'll be subscribing.
- Po0py, on 01/09/2008, -1/+12Hey, I got my 20 diggs back!
Cheers! - mdavis, on 01/09/2008, -3/+14EGM+1UP=the only trustworthy names in gaming journalism.
- Jeffler, on 01/09/2008, -0/+10EA is invested in Ubisoft but they don't have a controlling stake.
- inactive, on 01/09/2008, -0/+9This also means when any of those three send out a demo or pre-release game EGM will miss out. Everyone else will be running articles about hotly anticipated games but EGM will be in the dark. I've seen kids buy a magazine just because it has a review and screen shots of a game six months before it comes out. EGM will lose money by being blackballed by these magazines.
Then there are the sickly legal issues around fair use and screen shots... - SemiSarcastic, on 01/09/2008, -2/+11Coming from companies whom I haven't played a single game by since 2000, its good to know I won't have to make any huge livestyle changes anytime soon.
- TheNik, on 01/09/2008, -0/+9I don't care about the other two, but Ubisoft makes some pretty fantastic games and they better get over themselves before R6:Vegas 2 or SC:Conviction comes out. I don't want to have to not buy those games because some baby game producer can't take a bad review.
- slicecom, on 01/09/2008, -1/+9I have lots of respect for EGM. gamespot.com? not so much.
- MeatBiProduct, on 01/09/2008, -2/+10you fail andrew.
- inactive, on 01/09/2008, -0/+8It's really more blackmail than anything else. Let's take a look at a better business decision:
You have a game company and you find out a very negative review is coming out. You COULD be a jerk and demand the review be removed or you'll cancel your advertising, OR you craft an ad that minimizes the shortcomings in the game and touts any of the GOOD things the review says.
If the game was still in beta or you're planning a major service pack, then use plans to correct the issues found in the review as a jumping board for more advertising.
Encourage more people to download and play the demo. Use ad copy like "You've read reviews on both sides of the fence, be an individual and decide for YOURSELF!" or "Tired of elitist game reviewers telling you what to play?"
There are a lot of ways even a bad review can be used to your advantage. You don't even need to attack the reviewer or try to say they're wrong! banning the magazine form getting any more review copies of a game just makes you look scared of that magazine. Just look at how Bill O trashes the people who refuse to come on his show for being "afraid" of him. - EXreaction, on 01/09/2008, -0/+8"You must go through puberty before you can post."
^ we need that. - solid12345, on 01/10/2008, -0/+7I prefer Penthouse myself.
- kevro, on 01/09/2008, -0/+7The scary factor isn't them holding out there goods because of bad press but that they believe they have a alternative. A place they can go and get the reviews they want for there support.
- DephexTwin, on 01/09/2008, -1/+8He made fun of two countries... France and Poland.
- sgtpppr, on 01/09/2008, -1/+8Interesting that Ubisoft is named in this...I know they paid off some reviewers for Assassin's Creed ratings simply because a lot of outlets rated it a 6 or so out of 10 and some outlets gave it game of the year and piles of other awards. It's one thing to disagree a little on the rating, but damn.
- kalkin, on 01/09/2008, -0/+7i feel so mad at these ***** companies and yet so pleased that he has revealed them for what they are.
this age of the internet is great. we're really sticking it to the corporations. i will NEVER buy another ubisoft, midway or sony game again. we need more editors with a spine like Dan Hsu. flush these ***** out. if they want good pr then they should make good product. - DevinOlsen, on 01/09/2008, -0/+7Because of this article I literally just purchased a two year subscription for EGM, rock on guys!
Proof - http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a159/DevinOlsen/ ...
Much love - Nidy1, on 01/09/2008, -1/+7I think my sarcasm was too subtle. I don't care what you use, I use Windows myself, but whenever a picture comes up, people always feel the need to slam it.
- mattyice11, on 01/09/2008, -4/+10Gotta love the Brodeo. I barely play PC games, and I still listen to those guys every week.
Sort of off-topic, but not really - the EGM Live podcast from 10/08/07 went into details on some of these PR ***** the publishers have. It's definitely worth a listen: http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3149975 -
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