Category: Reviews

Is Spore Worth 49.99?

Paul

So I been doing a little digging and trying to find out what the heck people are complaining about and I found some great reviews telling me exactly why people hate EA.  They don’t necessarily hate Spore or Will Wright, but the Security around The Spore game.

So In a couple of these comments.  These reviews talk about Creating the creatures and All.  I’ll submit some of the reviews that I thought was relevant and let you decide for yourself.  I would however wonder the one big question?  Is Spore Worth the Money?   Here’s the details that I know of right now:

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  1. You can only install it 3 times before you have to call EA to get an override code.  (Although I heard rumors that if you unistall it, you will get a credit for an Install)

  2. You can not Install new hardware or upgrade your hardware because if you do, it’ll count as an install, According to this one person.

  3. The game only allows 1 login per Install.  So you can’t have more than one character and one universe according to this person.

  4. Part of the Copy Protection prevents you from taking your saved games off your computer and taking it over to your friends house, according to this Person.

  5. On the Mac Version, it tends to breaks subsequent versions of the system services according to this one person.

According to Amazon the reviews aren’t pleasant.  I tend to agree does this mean there are going to be even more people pirating it because they don’t want the DRM or Is EA going to send out a patch to fix this.  I am curious as to see how EA responds to all this NONE TOLERANCE to DRM.

After seeing all these reviews of Spore, I tend to agree with everyone.  I’ll probably wait and see before I buy my copy.  All the reviews however don’t look promising or even makes the games look like it wouldn’t be fun.

Some Kain And Lynch Reviews are inflated!

Paul

Official Kane & Lynch Website LIES About Its Scores
Some Important information:

Now here is my thought on this little rating gag, they are trying to advertise they have a good game but if all these people are saying different. Is this what they call thinking they had these reviews in there back pocket. I don’t think so, I hope people complain to them to let them know they will not stand for this!! With all this happening you wonder what is going to happen next but a source that I have read at Kotaku says this:

GameSpot May See “Mass Resignations” Over Dismissal

Speaking with a Gamespot employee yesterday who asked not to be named for this story, we’ve learned that, despite the neutral nature of the Gamespot news item on the matter, the editorial staff is said to be “devastated, gutted and demoralized” over the removal of former editorial director Jeff Gerstmann. While the termination of Gerstmann, a respected fixture at Gamespot, was pitched to his remaining colleagues by management as a “mutual decision”, it was anything but, we’re told.

The confusion over the reasons for Gerstmann’s termination, compounded with a lack of transparency from management has created a feeling of “irreconcilable despair” that may eventually lead to an exodus of Gamespot editorial staffers. “Our credibility,” said the source, “is in ruins.” Over the course of the previous days, a “large number of Gamespot editors” have expressed their intentions to leave. Tales of emotionally deflated peers, with no will to remain at the site, were numerous.

[Via Kutaku]

Go check out the full blog. I think I’d be willing to bet there will be something happening soon just not sure what. I hope they fix this before it’s too late or is it already!! I see the blogosphere is up in arms over this and there are even forums complaining about this. Is this the final straw for Gamespot editors or can something be done to fix the situation. Anyone want to comment on this?



The GameSpot controversy as a window into the world of gaming journalism

Paul

When GameSpot fired Jeff Gerstmann soon after his negative review of the heavily-advertised Kane & Lynch, no one in the gaming press was surprised. Now, keep in mind we’re not saying that Gerstmann was fired because of the review; he wrote the review, then was fired. The two events may well be unrelated. The fact that the entire GameSpot site looked like a Kane & Lynch advertisement at the time might have been coincidence. CNet, the parent company of GameSpot, released a statement claiming it takes its editorial integrity “very seriously.”

The fact that advertisers put pressure on sites and magazines isn’t exactly breaking news; companies spend much time and money trying to get the most people to give their games the highest scores. If you as a gaming writer want an exclusive, you had better treat the game nice in the review, thanks. You want that advertising campaign to run on your site? This preview better make the game sound perfect.

While gaming may look like a huge, scary industry from the outside, it can be a surprisingly cozy place once you know that world a bit. It’s easy to make enemies, and since public relations staffers change on an almost monthly basis, you never know who is holding a grudge at what company. If you anger one publisher or the wrong PR person, you could find yourself out of luck for information, interviews, or even invitations to trade shows for a long time to come. For sites that need fresh, exclusive news to function, it’s the kiss of death. Even without lording advertising dollars over your head, they know how to hurt you.

A good article on why Gamespot fired this editor but I am not happy with it. I think the review of games is a very good way to find out if I want to play it or not. I do not like the idea of someone pushing me to review something favorable. I will not do that, I will review it on my terms. Go check out this article at Ars Technica. I think you will get a better understanding of the gaming industry.