Opinion about Industry people

[JacktheRabbit]

Wanted to get everyones opinion on this. I do not have the interest nor the desire to keep track of who works where or what they do for them.

So at times when I read a bit in the forum I am left wondering. Is that the persons honest opinion about the product or do they have a special reason to rate the product that way?

Do you think there should be a small easy to access database that lists user names and what D20 companies they work for and/or if they are independent publishers?

I for one would like it since then I could check it easily and know whose opinions might happen to carry a bit of a bias in them.

 

[DungeonKeeperUK]

There is a list of some authors etc here at
Wizard Attic but nothing on teh scale to which I think you are pointing..

I know whne I plug things I have written for I make sure people know that I have a biased opinion...

 

[JacktheRabbit]

What I was hoping for was a list of ENWorld logins and their association in the gaming world. I know we like to let people be anonymous here but it is dishonest when people abuse that. (Which has recently happened)

 

[PrivateerEtien]

Well I know for those of us here at Privateer Press we always indicate our affliation. I know several other publishers do so as well. However, I think the d20 reviews portion is where you will be able to see more impartial information.

 

[der_kluge]

I've seen quite a few people (myself included) that might say soemthing like "hey, if you're looking for a great module, check out interludes", but then follow it up with something like "but, I could be biased, I helped create it", or whatever.

I'm with Dungeonkeeper, most of the Thunderhead people that post here having something in their tagline which indicates that we write for TG. Many others do as well.

But, I agree, if you write for a D20 publisher, it should be standard practice to include that in your signature.

 

[MEG Hal]

Pen and Paper has a list that you can search, a nice database, but i do know what you are referring to---ppl who do not have the title or initials of the company in their nickname or sig....I have both.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I guess it doesnt help that I have Tag line and personal images turned off so I wouldnt see any company affiliation that is listed in those.

I just hate how long it makes the threads and sometimes the tag lines can get rather long and annoying.

 

[Mystic Eye]

Ack-double post, sorry, having posting trouble again

 

[Mystic Eye]

We have a policy that none of our team, especially those that worked on a specific project , post any sort of review anywhere on our books. If they do, they must announce the affiliation. As an example, we have recently contracted with Jeff Ibach to do some mechanics/ conent editing. He has reviewed many of our products previously without bias but we liked his stuff so we contracted him last month. He now has his new affiliation with us noted at his site.

Here at EN World, we have a relationship (again, very new) with natural 20 press and Russ. Russ and I agreed that he will no longer personally review our products here at EN World.

I can't speak for the whole team but I NEVER post reviews on ANY products as I do feel bias. I will, in message boards, etc give my opinion of a product ( I commented on Strongholds for instance-I really liked it) I like but will rarely say anything bad. I figure, as a publisher, if I have nothing good to say about a book(which is very rare, all products have some value IMHO) then say nothing. Since I am not a reviewer but a publisher I figure that is the right thing to do.

To my knowledge, I have not seen any team members post a review of a product they worked on of ours, or for that matter, any of our products, so I think they are sticking to the unofficial rule. IF they choose to I would ask them to announce their affiliation. Also, like others have noted here, most of us have something in our tag line that identifies us. Expecially me, look at the blinking eye.

I don't know about everyone but that is our policy and I try my best to enforce it. All my fellow publishers ( and there team) all appear to be highly ehtical so I doubt they would intentionally slant reviews without saying who they are.
It is a shame that one person was not honest ( I have no idea who this is or what the reference is so I am not accusing anyone, just noting what was said below) but I feel 99% of the folks in the d20 biz are honest and don't need a external ethical policing here.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[tensen]

I don't agree with having to put the signature. After all. Most of my opinions are mine alone, and not those of my company. Being able to pull out the tag when you are specifically speaking for your company, or want to show your possible bias makes it easier to differntiate.