(02-15-2015, 11:38 AM)Kilborne Bloodbane Wrote: Just because they say it, it doesn't make it true.
Doesn't this kind of go both ways?
Also, game developers have been sending reviewers and media swag for years. People getting pissed about it now is kind of.. well. Late, don't you think? And this would all be solved if a bunch of neckbeards would stop getting their jimmies rustled because someone's opinion differs from theirs. The consumers give the media their power. Instead of fussing about X outlet, why don't they instead just preach that they're ultimately opinions and shouldn't sway anyone?
Not to mention a lot of their motives are counterproductive. And honestly? This is video game reviews. If people are so seriously concerned about ethics, why don't they move to industries that matter and actually effect the world/economy/environment itself? A quick google search is all they need to get started.Â
I swear, if people were as adamant about protesting that as they are "ethical opinions" then maybe things would get done.
EDIT: As an example of how silly their argument is, I'll give my opinion. I hate Grand Theft Auto. I've never liked it. Well, I take that back. I did when I was in high school. Then I sort of grew up and decided that I didn't really like that kind of game. Strangely enough, I really enjoy Saint's Row. I think it's because Saint's Row is incredibly ridiculous and doesn't try to be this serious thing. GTA flips back and forth between being satire and serious, and that just doesn't mesh well with me. It could also be because I work retail in a gaming store and the type of people that come in to purchase it really annoy me, but hey. That's life.
So let's say I write a negative review about GTA VI on a gaming site (I used to do that, too), and let's say that people get pissed and try to get me fired because of said review. Childish, don't you think? In expressing my personal thoughts on a game that I feel is flawed in its execution, which is what a review is (they do that with food and cars and.. well, anything really, but you don't see ethical "activists" pissed about that), people suddenly want me to lose my job.
As silly as that sounds, let's say I write a positive review about a game that is largely hated. Let's say that, for some unknown reason, I REALLY liked The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct. I thought it was absolutely amazing. Let's say Activision/AMC decided to send me a bunch of stuff for it. I got seasons for free, I got some figures, whatever. This.. well. This happens lol. And really, it doesn't change anything from above. In the end, it's still my opinion.
Let's say I'm good friends with an indie developer and he's designing a game that I want to do well. I write a review painting it in a good light, even if I don't think it's really the BEST thing out there:
1.) There's still a ton of other sources out there. Like the news/any media, anyone that reads one thing online and takes it at face value is an idiot.
2.) Again, despite the stance on things, it's still an opinion. I don't read reviews and say "Hey, that guy liked it so it has to be good." I read reviews and pick out the points they say about the game, watch videos on Youtube, check out the developer, etc. If it's a dev I know and like, then I'll probably purchase from them (CD Projekt will pretty much always get my business). If not, then I won't.
For that matter, what about the developer docs? The people working on the game in the videos that state how amazing it is/going to be? If they're working on a game and realize it's horrid, are they not morally and ethically inclined to simply say "Hey, this game sucks lol sorry guys don't buy it." What about review embargos?
The industry has a lot going wrong with it, but targeting people giving opinions isn't going to solve anything and it makes people look like children. My boss once told me, when reviewing a bad game, "And to think, someone was sitting around a conference room and said 'Guys. This game is AMAZING.'" I laughed it off, but yeah. Someone, somewhere, probably did. And that's okay. It's even more okay for someone to write about it, and get paid for it if they feel that way, even if you don't like it.