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Val · **02-15-2015, 09:20 PM**

(02-15-2015, 09:10 PM)Kilborne Bloodbane Wrote: The review of GTA 5 on the escapist docked off three or so points because the reviewer thought the protagonists were unlikable criminals and the perceived sexist writing. He didn't dock those points because the gameplay was clunky or unfinished and buggy, he docked points because of a subjective reason.Â

Or the Bayonetta 2 review on Polygon, which docked off a point because the reviewer thought Bayonetta was too sexy.

But the real issue is stuff like Depression Quest and Gone Home, where the reviewer knew the developer personally. Those games were given near perfect scores. Hence, collusion. It's not about "hurr durr your opinion sucks get fired." It's about "YOU KNOW THE PERSON WHOSE PRODUCT YOU ARE REVIEWING! PLEASE STOP THAT."

So the guy doesn't like the game because of that. You're asking a reviewer to give his opinion on a game. He does that. What's the problem?

I will admit that, personally, if the person knows the person that made the game, they shouldn't be the one to review it. I'm not saying you're wrong in that. But I will say that one review out of the many out there isn't going to change anything.Â

You act like this kind of stuff ONLY happens in gaming journalism, and you're ignorant to think so. It happens when people get invited to free sports games. It happens when people get invited to eat free five star meals. It happens when people get invited to free hotels. If companies fire reviewers for giving their truthful opinion, then honestly they shouldn't work for that company to begin with. I wouldn't. And when I want to review a game, you'd best believe I'm going to give my honest opinion on it. Friends close to me know I have zero problems dictating how much I dislike a game, and precisely for what reasons regardless of how popular or mainstream it is.

At no point did I say that it was okay. What I more or less highlighted is that if you're seriously trying to remove the corruption in journalism, you're fighting a losing battle. We're given the ability of choice and intelligence to use it. Where humans are involved, as well as money and businesses, there will always be corruption. That's not going to go away regardless of how much you fight it. Someone mentioned earlier that Nintendo Power was corrupt back in the day, and it certainly was. Every gaming magazine will pick and choose what it likes the most. Every reporter will review things they enjoy the most. Everyone is influenced by something.

In the end, a review is just an opinion. And if you honestly take that opinion as seriously as you seem to be doing so? Then there really is no help.

That new Law and Order episode

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes