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[Gaming] blog post
By Mike Hartnett at 2009-01-04 16:32:34, updated 2009-01-04 16:36:13
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The other day a story made the front page of N4G showing how Xbox360 fanboys went ahead and gave Killzone 2 terrible reviews when the game still has over a month before its release. PS3 fans then followed suit by bringing down the yet to be released Halo Wars down to a mere 0.8 rating. I went ahead and shot Metacritic a message regarding this issue and they did indeed respond.
Here's my message to Metacritic:
"Hi guys,
I was just wondering why game reviews are permitted to be posted before a game is even released, much less 2 months from said release.
The example that I'll use is Killzone 2 for the PS3. It's getting pretty low scores, mainly from Xbox360 fanboys no doubt, and I don't think that's the least bit fair. If anything it detracts from from the quality of Metacritic and the reason why people visit the site.
I'm just wondering if/when you guys might enforce some rules or tighten the rules when it comes to releasing early reviews. When it comes to the reviews that were already posted regarding Killzone 2, it's obvious that none of those people have played the game, and it's darn near impossible at that.
I would greatly appreciate a response from you guys, and I hope I contacted the right person(s). Thank you for your time and have a great day.
-Mike Hartnett"
Their response:
"Hey Mike,
They are no longer permitted. That game was added to our database a while back, and we suspended comments for future games in Nov of 2008. So while those votes won't go away, no future votes will be permitted until the game's launch.
Best,
Marc Doyle"
I must say thanks to Metacritic for such a prompt response and am glad to hear that early reviews are pretty much over whether it be on the PS3 or 360 side of things. Is it just me, or is this generation home to the most heated fanboy war of all time?
5 comments:
 |  Dana Olson
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The real value of Metacritic is not and never was the user scores, but the listing and averaging of reviews from the various credible critics.
| Mike Hartnett
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@Dana Olson: True. I rarely EVER use Metacritic, but most of the time it was the critics reviews that I would consider and very seldom the user reviews. If I want user reviews I usually check out GameFaqs, GameSpot or IGN.
 | TRUE_PS3
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Great work Mike! Finally somebody took a stand lol. I thought it was funny how halo wars somehow got a .8 though lol
| Mike Hartnett
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@TRUE_PS3: Thanks. =)
This is pleasantly surprising. Surprisingly pleasant! And to answer your rhetorical question, it's human nature to validate oneself. In a fanboy's case, to validate his investment in a game console. Some people are too stupid to accept the fact that their pride and joy console isn't the best thing in the whole damn world. It works all ways. And even if you say you're better than to have a platform bias, your lying. Of course, it's a white lie meant to make yourself feel better, but a lie nevertheless. That's what Christians call a "venial sin", if memory serves... And another thing, why this generation is most heaed? My hypothesis is that people, unlike past generations, can only afford one of the consoles (Or can only afford to support one), pretty much putting all one's eggs in one proverbial basket. I'm sorry for this quasi-philosophical rant...