Staff reviews of EN P's books

[Dextra]

Actually, since you do not work for ENPub, I don't see the problem. It's like saying a newspaper cannot review a movie put out by a conglomarate that owns both the paper and the movie production house. Sure, people will suspect there might be something suspicious but there are always conspiracy theories no matter how tenuous the connection.

If you are really worried about how it looks. See if it can be programmed that Staff Reviews don't contribute to the averages of ENPub books. (If they didn't contribute to the averages of others' books then the top lists would be harder to get into. Of course, my having a top 10 PDF (1 of 2 not attributed to ENPub or Malhovic) thanks to 2 staff reviews may contribute to bias on my part. )

I think that so long as a reviewer openly states any potential bias in the opening paragraph, anyone should be able to post a review. Whether it's a disclaimer of "I've gamed with this guys for years, so I have some additional insight", "He owes me money from that hotel room at GenCon 2003 and still hasn't paid me", "My company put out a competing produtc", or "I hate prestige classes", it's only fair to the reader. Personally, it weirds me out that some publishers will post reviews of rival products. And I think that posting a review of a book that you worked on is lame, verging on pathetic. But so long as you are open about any potential conflict or bias, it's all good.

 

[Dextra]

ENP Reviewing its OWN STUFF!
Bad, Bad idea. Whether the reviews are totally accurate and fair, a lot people will look at them suspiciously. Rightly so, i might add because its just bad form. I don't read those reveiws simply because of the conflict of interest (even if its just a teensy-weensy bit). I know when i see that ENP's products dominate the charts, my first thought is riiiiiiight. Most of that is fanboy reviews, not ENW staff reviewers, i'm sure. But that doesn't stop idea (or possibility) of "contamination". Its just a bad idea. I'm not sitting here decrying the staff reviewers or accusing anyone of crimes against gaming.

But E.N.Publishing doesn't review it's own stuff.

ENWorld staff reviewers do, sometimes, though.

So when Librum Equitis 3.5 comes out, I'll expect Crothian to sit down with us with baited breath and wait for other peoples' reviews to come out.

It's like someone posted earlier, it's like saying that someone who works for a newspaper owned by the same media company that also owns a movie production company can't objectively review any movies they put out. I think that's bunk. The reviewers don't even get paid. Maybe if they were on the payroll, there could be accusations of impropriety, but it's not like we give them free beer and swag whenever we see them (oh. nevermind...)

As for fanboy reviews, personally, I'd rather have people who have done dozens, if not hundreds of reviews rip apart my products and let me know how we can improve rather than fanboys blowing smoke up my... well, you get the picture.

 

[Arcane Runes Press]

To be honest, I have more of a problem (if you can call it that) with non-staffer reviews of EN Publishing stuff. I trust the staff reviewers - they've earned the trust through consistently presenting reviews which, even if I didn't agree with them, were well written, consistent and well-reasoned.

Some of the non-staff reviews, though, strike me as a bit too much gushing, as though the reviewer's love for, and desire to show support to ENWorld overwhelms their objectivity.

I have no doubt that many of the EN Publishing books are very, very good, particularly Tournaments, Faires, and Taverns - but there's a "THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!" feel to some of the customer reviews which is a bit... over the top. Particularly given that those gushing reviews always seem to come out within a day or two of the product's release.

But I don't begrudge EN Publishing for their fan's enthusiasm. In fact, I think it speaks well of the company - it does mean I take the non-staff reviews of their product with a grain of salt, though.

Patrick Y.

 

[Psion]

Maybe if they were on the payroll, there could be accusations of impropriety, but it's not like we give them free beer and swag whenever we see them (oh. nevermind...)

Hey, I've never accepted a beer from you.

('gainst my religion and all that... )

 

[PJ-Mason]

But E.N.Publishing doesn't review it's own stuff.

ENWorld staff reviewers do, sometimes, though.

Its close enough for me, Dextra. Don't make the mistake thinking that i'm all excited about the issue, though. My blood pressure isn't up even one point.
It just looks bad it is all.

It's like someone posted earlier, it's like saying that someone who works for a newspaper owned by the same media company that also owns a movie production company can't objectively review any movies they put out. I think that's bunk. The reviewers don't even get paid. Maybe if they were on the payroll, there could be accusations of impropriety, but it's not like we give them free beer and swag whenever we see them (oh. nevermind...)

When its big companies with hundreds or thousands of employees, that dog might hunt. With so many people running around who might not even know each other, you could say there is little risk of a conflict of interest (or at least less of a chance). But when its just a handful full of people who are linked together (through ownership and/or close knit community relations), its way easier for contamination. Its just a bad idea.

If anything, i think that the fact that its a ENWorld/ENPublishing related issue, most people around here don't give it much thought. They trust you guys. I think if someone posted a message that some other RPG Company (or a part owner anyway) that made game books also owned a an RPG FAN/Review where his staff reviewed those same books...well, knowing the people around here ..there'd be some sort of noise made about it.

But really, i'm not all that hyped up about it.

EDIT: My spelling wus reel sukkee.