Rate the Reviewers (rant as well)

[Waylander the Slayer]

Here you go guys! I know I have left people out. I just hanve to rant about a trend i have noticed. There are reviews of products from certain companies that certain people always seem to give good reviews for (not refering to anyone on this list). This trend to me is disturbing. I feel as if some companies are having "fanboys" review their products on purpose for better PR. Be very wary. There also seems to be confilct of interest when playtesters/ contributors review the same products as well (ALL these reviews are positve bar none)

1. Simon Collins
2. Allan Kholer
3. Oyuind (Rpg United)
4. Jeff Ibach
5. Justin Bacon
   [/list=1]

 

[Crothian]

Ya, I know what you mean. As a consumer, I tend to stick with certain compaines because I have to shell out the money. From my understanding some of the reviewers get the products for free? I trust a few reviewers, but I don't listen to what they think, i listen to what they say. I like to hear about the content and I read many review of a product. I used to edit a book review magizine, I know what;'s it's like. A good review really can help a product, so people always want the best review possible.

 

[Psion]

Nitpick: the name is Alan Kohler.

In an effort to display good sportsmanship, I've picked Justin Bacon. Not that I have read many reviews by him lately.

I'm surprised you didn't put up some other frequent reviewers like trancejeremy or Tuerney.

 

[Nightfall]

I think the reason is...

You're the most stand-up guy around on the boards. Not that Tuerny and/or Simon aren't. Just you are VERY thorough and weigh all the aspects of a product. So yeah, I voted for you.

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

Sorry about the misspelling Allan Just have to add that i do consider you to be the most professional of all the reviewers I have seen. What do you think of playtesters etc reviewing their own products?

 

[Warchild]

damn!!

Hey, Alan, you have a following!!

I voted for you as i seem to usually agree with all of your reviews of the products that you've reviewed and i own.
Plus, we usually seem to agree in threads we've both posted in, as well. Not always, but usually.......

 

[Psion]

What do you think of playtesters etc reviewing their own products?

I refer you to the Quintessential Fighter thread.

At any rate, thanks everyone for the input. I had seriously considered stopping my writing reviews, for they eat up a lot of my time and I am modestly more interested in getting into publishing (and am working on something right now that may appear in print.) I guess I'll continue for now.

 

[bramadan]

There are reviews of products from certain companies that certain people always seem to give good reviews for (not refering to anyone on this list). This trend to me is disturbing. I feel as if some companies are having "fanboys" review their products on purpose for better PR.

You are probably (at least in part) refering to me and my consistently high reviews of Mongoose stuff. Fact is there is no relationship whatsoever between them and me other then the fact that I genuinly like each of their individual products so far.
I have started reviewing stuff before buying anything from Mongoose and I review about every d20 product I buy. Mongoose scores well because I like their stuff. If anyhing of lately I am holding them to a rather high standard because I have grown to except much from them. I have received no "review copies" or any other privileges from them (or anyone else) and have no contact with them outside this board.
If thinking their stuff is good and saying so to the world makes me a "fanboy" then so be it .