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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Barak" data-source="post: 2697416" data-attributes="member: 3028">Here's my opinion as an ex-"professional" reviewer.First, the background.  I used to be a regular at a pretty popular/high-traffic D&D website.  Nowhere near EnWorld or RPG.Net, but that second tier.  The owner of said website received -many- unasked for Comp copies, from small and big companies (including WOTC).  All D&D 3E, as that was the focus of the board.  Since the owner of the site barely had time to care for the site itself, or play D&D, he looked for reviewers.  Here I came.First of, I -do- agree that in most cases, reviewing a comp copy is more likely to make you harsh on the product than nice.  When you buy products, you chose what you buy.  "Pro" reviewers review what they are sent.  Chances are, you'll buy a product you figure there's a decent chance you'll like.  Not so when it's sent to you out of nowhere.  An example?  I hate elves, and half-elves.  So..  I'd never buy a product that centers on them.  I -could- have been sent a product that centers on them.  Would mky hat of elves color my review?  I'd like to think not, but chances are, it would have.Secondly.  There's always a price on a product. Even when I reviewed a product I got for free, at the end I gave my opinion as for value.  I can easily imagine having paid, say, 12.99$ for a book.  The fact that I haven't won't really change much.So, really, it's not a big deal if they got the product for free, stole it, or downloaded it off Kazaa.  What matter is the consistancy, and how close to your preferences the reviewer is.  Learn what they like, and what they don't, and judge the reviewers off that.P.S.  I wasn't paid for this post.  I did access the thread for free, however.</blockquote>

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