Why don't you post reviews?
- Thread starter Crothian
- Start date
Mouseferatu
Hero
Please do. I appreciate your reviews. Heck, I appreciate all reviews.Nightfall said:
Even if they're not "sterling."
I expect a negative review of my work to give reasons, and I won't always agree with it, but if someone has something to say, I want to hear it (as long as they're polite about it). It may bruise the ego, but while I do believe I'm a pretty good writer, I'd never claim that I've got no room for improvement.
Desdichado
Hero
For me it's a combination of things. It takes a long time to write a review, for one thing, most things I would review are already reviewed, and I buy much less than I used to.
francisca
I got dice older than you.
I wouldn't mind doing reviews, but I don't think they would be relevent by the time I got around to reviewing them. I just don't have the to get prepared for my regular game, let alone reading a product just to review it.
I do think I would be a good reviewer, in an "average Joe" kinda way. I'm not a walking encyclopedia of d20 rules, am not overly concerned with balance, and it's all about fun. I'm not out to push the state-of-the-art envelope, I'm just a guy who runs a weekly 3.5-ish game for fun. I sometimes read reviews and wonder why people are going on and on about some minor detail that is pretty irrelevent in all but very specific circumstances.
I do think I would be a good reviewer, in an "average Joe" kinda way. I'm not a walking encyclopedia of d20 rules, am not overly concerned with balance, and it's all about fun. I'm not out to push the state-of-the-art envelope, I'm just a guy who runs a weekly 3.5-ish game for fun. I sometimes read reviews and wonder why people are going on and on about some minor detail that is pretty irrelevent in all but very specific circumstances.
Ghostwind
First Post
I think there are two perceptions here that folks are confusing regarding the timeliness of reviews. If you plan to write reviews for a site as a staff member, such as EN World, GamingReport, my site, etc. then publishers have an expectation that a review of any given product will be written and posted within 30-45 days. However, if you are only writing reviews for your enjoyment and to give others the benefits of your experience with that product, then it doesn't matter how old it is. As Crothian points out, there are still people who buy older products and coudl stand to see reviews of those older products, especially as they compare to some of the newer products. For example, if Death in Freeport was released today, would it score as highly as it did when 3rd edition was first released? How about Creature Collection? Looking at those older products with more "experienced" eyes is certainly beneficial for those who are new or more inexperienced to the hobby. Even if you only write one review a month, time shouldn't be a concern if you are doing it for your enjoyment. 
Prest0
First Post
Just in case the point hasn't hit home yet, we don't mind "late" reviews nor do we fear bad reviews. We just want you to be honest. As a small publisher, each review means a LOT to us. One of our adventures has been out since last November and despite fair sales still hasn't been reviewed here (and I'm sure this isn't unusual).
Unfortunately, we've also been burned on giving away review copies and either not receiving a review at all or getting a non-review. Although we've been reviewed elsewhere, to date we only have 2 reviews here on EN World and one of them is a "non-review".
That puts us in an awkward position because we WANT our stuff reviewed but we don't want to hand out free product for no result. And even though it's common practice in music/movies/publishing, there's still the ethical question of whether we're "buying" a good review by giving away product. (For the record, we like to think we have high production values and thus our good reviews are earned.) As a result of getting burned by freeloaders, we've pulled back to only distributing product to established gaming/review sites. I suppose if a "freelance" reviewer with an established track record approached us we'd gladly provide a review copy--but thus far that hasn't come up.
So what's the solution? What else can we (as publishers) do to encourage honest reviews, without giving up the farm?
Unfortunately, we've also been burned on giving away review copies and either not receiving a review at all or getting a non-review. Although we've been reviewed elsewhere, to date we only have 2 reviews here on EN World and one of them is a "non-review".
That puts us in an awkward position because we WANT our stuff reviewed but we don't want to hand out free product for no result. And even though it's common practice in music/movies/publishing, there's still the ethical question of whether we're "buying" a good review by giving away product. (For the record, we like to think we have high production values and thus our good reviews are earned.) As a result of getting burned by freeloaders, we've pulled back to only distributing product to established gaming/review sites. I suppose if a "freelance" reviewer with an established track record approached us we'd gladly provide a review copy--but thus far that hasn't come up.
So what's the solution? What else can we (as publishers) do to encourage honest reviews, without giving up the farm?
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