FastForwardGames & Reviews: The Confrontation

[Dextra]

smileyed if you do, smileyed if you don't

This is an old argument that tries to demonize critics, by saying if you can't do it yourself, you're not allowed to comment on it.

You know, I *do* write, so I guess in certain peoples' minds, I would be more qualified to post reviews than Psion (LMAO).

I'm not going to start publicly critiquing products, because that's a no-no as well. It's just not considered professional behaviour. I guess reviewers just can't win.

 

[kingpaul]

Re: smileyed if you do, smileyed if you don't

I'm not going to start publicly critiquing products, because that's a no-no as well. It's just not considered professional behaviour. I guess reviewers just can't win.

So its really an ugly catch-22? I guess reviews should be banned them...the buyer beware!

 

[Ghostwind]

Re: Re: smileyed if you do, smileyed if you don't

So its really an ugly catch-22? I guess reviews should be banned them...the buyer beware!

Gee, THAT just freed up huge amounts of my time....

 

[DaveMage]

Actually if the reviewer made the review negative but had a lot of constructive criticism.... it would give the reviewer a plus on my side.....

heck I think we hired our current layout artist even after reading his specific comments about layout in a review.

Good point. But I think we've seen with recent events that not everyone views constructive criticism in a positive light.

 

[kingpaul]

Re: Re: Re: smileyed if you do, smileyed if you don't

Gee, THAT just freed up huge amounts of my time....

Glad you like it Steve. Now stop your reviews, you evil man you!

I am, of course, j/k

 

[Vigilance]

There is no such as an unbiased review because the review is at least in part subjective. The review includes, as you say above, the reviewer's opinions.

My opinions are influenced, consciously or not, by my biases. The trick for a reviewer is to not hide his or her biases but rather to explain what those biases are and how the product in question meets or fails to meet the criteria established by those biases.

If a reviewer cannot handle his or her biases, that reviewer is better off not reviewing the material in question.

Sure all reviews are biased. A review *IS* a statement of opinion.

But this applies to "professional reviewers" as much as it does to designers reviewing products.

All I meant by "unbiased" was that I think it would obviously be poor taste for me to review products of a company I have freelanced for.

Chuck

 

[Vigilance]

Re: smileyed if you do, smileyed if you don't

I'm not going to start publicly critiquing products, because that's a no-no as well. It's just not considered professional behaviour. I guess reviewers just can't win.

So when Monte posts reviews he's acting in an unprofessional manner?

I think not

It's funny that there seems to be a double standard here. perhaps because of the universal esteem in which we all hold Monte (or at least I do).

Other designers act like its dirty pool to review their peers, but Monte does it all the time and it's fine.

Personally, I love any review I could learn from. I have gotten several from fans and "professional" reviewers. However, when I get comments (publically or otherwise), from someone who has walked a mile in my shoes, it means even more, because I know they understand the whole process, and the personal investment involved in writing something and offering it to the public.

This doesnt seem to me to be a "no no" or unprofessional in any way.

Chuck

 

[Mark Chance]

All I meant by "unbiased" was that I think it would obviously be poor taste for me to review products of a company I have freelanced for.

Hear, hear!

And, depending on the review, it could be a good way to stop getting freelance work.

 

[Krug]

Here we go again:

http://www.fastforwardgames.com/900/900_31.htm

To continue a theme, I find all too many game reviews on our product to be shallow and rarely constructive. I say that in my column and in my message board, but I never go out to criticize these people in their forums. In the course of the three years of my company's existence, we have continually put out thought provoking, sound product that not only does will in the market place but delivers original material. When we hear about mistakes we move to correct the ones we agree with. We have hired full time editors and full time graphics people.

 

[Blacksad]

Reminds me of John Wick attitude (someone as professional as Jim Ward).