Would you like to see game reviews on TPU?

[RCoon]

We're talking actual reviews, in depth writing, taking some time to write thoughts, some screenshots of the reviewers playthrough and possibly some videos. This is not a "sure I'll write a 100 word review on a game", it's more of a content rich idea, with at least some professionalism involved. Something to build more of a community around and bring more people to TPU for more than just tech.

Not many people are aware I'm a published author, and W1zzard noted that not enough discussion is being centralised around recently released games, and threads die within a week of the game coming out. Rather than make a million threads with the Official tag, I'd like to see things grow a little. I'll try out one run, I've got a lot of experience with photoshop, streaming and video recording, if you don't like it, or someone can do it better, we'll see what happens. Now is a good time, I don't have anything relying on my time besides a few more books to write. I'll leave it to stew for a while, and wait for @W1zzard and the other moderators take on this.

The more people who vote the better, gives us an understanding of what people actually want around here, and if you vote yes, drop your ideas down, and what you really don't want. If no, feel free to elaborate.

EDIT: Alternatively, if you'd prefer singular threads of discussion on recently released game titles as they come out with the Official tag, but in more of a formal and thought out layout (aka the OP gets updated with sensible and useful information), let me know.

 

[rtwjunkie]

I really like the idea of proper reviews of a game here, instead of going to other sites for that reading. It also makes sense that, after the review, the thread is open to comments, and THAT becomes a one-stop shop for TPU members' experience with the game good and bad. People can add playtips, and remark on bugs or "features". Overall, it would tidy the game section up, and be a great source of information and experience!

The downside, for whoever does the actual reviewing, it can be rather time-intensive.

 

[Frick]

I was going to say "HELL NO" but then I remembered most game reviews tend to be either shallow, dumb, bought, single minded or a combination of everything. So ... maybe. They would have to be really rather good for it to make sense though. I mean REALLY good.

 

[Toothless]

YEEEESSSSS. Proper game reviews! Please! All of the other sites I look at the do game reviews leave out so much stuff. I'd love to see details about a storyline and how well it runs on this or that combination of hardware.

 

[RCoon]

I remembered most game reviews tend to be either shallow, dumb, bought, single minded or a combination of everything

Those are the issues I have, I prefer reviews without scores, and I don't feel I can entirely trust any review sites bar places like RPS. Scores in games to me give me the personal scoring of one person, not an actual representation of how well the game plays.
I'm not going to submit anything to the gaming section outright. If anything I'd mock up something (again, if somebody feels better equipped, they're free to do so), review the text, send it to somebody, possibly w1zzard as to what they think, and then have it submitted. Not looking to make the Games section even more of a mess than it is.

I'd love to see details about a storyline and how well it runs on this or that combination of hardware

The hardware related stuff is what I was thinking. Not once in a review have I seen the reviewer state system specs and tell people what settings they're on and how smooth it actually plays on said hardware.

 

[Sasqui]

I like the idea. Currently, the tech reviews are done in a standardized canned fashion that make them quite credible and rather objective (a very good thing!)

The problem with game reviews is the subjectivity. You can go to IGN, Gamespot, Metacritic, where you have editors rating, then people voting en-mass. In a lot of cases, the editor rating and public rating can be quite different. How do you reconcile that?

The most subjective reviews I see here are from cmarris on audiophile equipment (and I'm not knocking him at all). Game reviews might be off the deep end and the ensuing comment threads could go south rather quickly.

 

[RCoon]

How do you reconcile that?

You don't write a rating/score. I have no intention of doing so.

 

[rtwjunkie]

What @Lightbulbie was saying about different hardware was what I was alluding to with being time-intensive. At least a portion of the game will need to be reviewed on a small variety of hardware, even if it's just a few GPU's, at 3 or 4 common resolutions, or overclocking a CPU to see what the minimum FPS increases to. Plus there is the obvious playthrough of the game. Of course, if it's a particularly long game like TES series, obviously not....we'd be waiting for weeks, LOL!

 

[patrico]

Yeah I do like the idea, reviews, user feedback, all in one place that people trust, plus I would tend to trust game review way more from here rather than a randomer from a random website.

Thx

 

[Frick]

I'd love to see details about a storyline

Good reviews don't spoil.

 

[Kursah]

I was a part of GamePowerUp! around 6 years ago, it didn't garner enough attention back then but was very promising. Maybe it could be revivied! I would love to see that happen!

 

[rtwjunkie]

Good reviews don't spoil.

I think it's very possible to give generalized ideas about plot and talk generally about content without giving away the storyline. I'm confident RCoon could pull it off!

EDIT: for instance, if I were to write a synopsis of the surprise megahit Ray Donovan (which is popular at least here in the U.S.), I'd write that [it is about a man with a sordid past, who gets a fresh start in L.A. by becoming a "problem-fixer" for rich clients. Along the way he becomes increasingly alienated from his family, and has the constant issue of his ex-convict father (superbly played by Jon Voight) threatening to derail his success and ruin his family with his constant schemes.] There. I've provided a synopsis (altho not a really good one), that encapsulates the core of the show without giving away the excellent writing and plot points that occur.

 

[RCoon]

I'm confident RCoon could pull it off!

I'm not as I've said a few times, there may be other members who feel they are well equipped for this sort of thing, I'd be glad to hear them. I just want to get the ball rolling if it's something members would like to see in the Games Subforum. I'll gladly start after a while of preparing drafts and deliberating with proof readers.

The game subforum is a little messy as it stands, this would be more of a streamlining excersize, while catering to what people actually want to read, not reading what they are given and have the OP abandoned after a week.

I was a part of GamePowerUp! around 6 years ago, it didn't garner enough attention back then but was very promising. Maybe it could be revivied! I would love to see that happen!

YHPM

 

[Conti027]

I voted no. Only because I don't care much about game reviews.

 

[RCoon]

I voted no. Only because I don't care much about game reviews.

This is a tech site, after all, one of the reasons I asked. Glad somebody mentioned it first.

 

[Conti027]

This is a tech site, after all, one of the reasons I asked. Glad somebody mentioned it first.

Oh I have no problem against game reviews on this site, especially if other people want it.
My "No" was more as personal I'm just not into game reviews.

 

[Guitar]

Sure, why not. I don't always read game reviews, mainly because I don't trust them. Not that I'd trust TPU's anymore than say I would Joystiq's, but I might read them. I've written a few myself.

 

[RCoon]

Not that I'd trust TPU's anymore than say I would Joystiq's, but I might read them

I don't think they'd be endorsed specifically by TPU, especially if they're not up to the grade of quality or are not particularly well received. Perhaps more of a NextPowerUp feature link, as W1zzard would prefer TPU's home to be about hardware, as it is a hardware site.

After a little discussion, they'd be a feature part of an Official tagged game discussion thread, as opposed to a full blown feature article with its own trappings. So a General Discussion thread about a game would be made, tagged, and then have a review reference link after the intial first post of game information, title image, and system requirements/features. That way the discussion can be kept to the game, and not an argument over the review. I can't take credit for this logic and sensibleness, as W1zzard kindly gave me the ideas and recommendations.

 

[Constantine Yevseyev]

No way. When you write about games, you're just expressing your opinion, there are no measurement systems getting involved (unlike in case with hardware). So it's never objective and can be heavily influenced by your current mood, your taste in games and, of course, the pressure coming from people interested in their product's success.
It will start off as a few Indie "games" getting rated enormously high just for the fact that "the idea was fresh", leaving all other aspects (like graphics, audio and controls) behind, which will effectively lower the author's expectations for every next title being reviewed.
The rating system will rot away since it won't mean anything, and all the hard work that new coming reviewers are putting into their articles will be overcast by the cloud of low standards and indifference.
Leave this stuff to bloggers (they tend to call themselves "game journalists", but whatever).

 

[Tallencor]

I for one am all for it. There are a multitude of members that surely would enjoy being a part of the reviewing "community". Here are my thoughts.
In order for said review to be viable it would need an early release to the reviewer. I honestly don't know how Wiz gets his hardware but maybe the review moderator could get his hands on 4 early 1.0 releases of the game in the same manner. It may be easier for Said moderator to recruit 3 more "gamers" ( genre players for instance ) with a variety of systems Low, mid, High, Sli/Crossfire that kind of thing. Once the overall performance is out of the way then said moderator could post all of the findings from his/her minions and develop the review that way with all findings included.
If just overall game impressions in a thoughtful manner with regards to diff in opinion is all were after then It would be easier to have Just a high end single card system for overall impressions of the game. This Rig however should be shipped to the reviewer at no cost from hardware companies ( Building a pc exp would be an asset ) with a promise to list said hardware in the test system portion of the review with a shout out and thank you to the hardware supplier.
I would love to be a part of something like this myself but fearing a divorce I would just opt for reading the reviews.

 

[Frick]

I think it's very possible to give generalized ideas about plot and talk generally about content without giving away the storyline. I'm confident RCoon could pull it off!

Agreed, but it sounded like lightbulbie wanted more details than a general idea... On the other hand, with all my heart I think the best experiences are the ones you have no prior knowledge about.

 

[Tallencor]

No way. When you write about games, you're just expressing your opinion, there are no measurement systems getting involved (unlike in case with hardware). So it's never objective and can be heavily influenced by your current mood, your taste in games and, of course, the pressure coming from people interested in their product's success.
It will start off as a few Indie "games" getting rated enormously high just for the fact that "the idea was fresh", leaving all other aspects (like graphics, audio and controls) behind, which will effectively lower the author's expectations for every next title being reviewed.
The rating system will rot away since it won't mean anything, and all the hard work that new coming reviewers are putting into their articles will be overcast by the cloud of low standards and indifference.
Leave this stuff to bloggers (they tend to call themselves "game journalists", but whatever).

Well I guess as long as the Reviewer is mature and open minded this should not be an issue. Game fuiditty and dynamics are what matters. Also whether the writing in game develops the plot or leaves open ended unanswered questions etc. This does however bring up the issue of not being intoxicated during the review either or during any illicit drug binges
Edit: Objections questions or concerns about said review can always be voiced in the comment section.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Agreed, but it sounded like lightbulbie wanted more details than a general idea... On the other hand, with all my heart I think the best experiences are the ones you have no prior knowledge about.

I certainly have no problem with someone having such a deeply held conviction!

 

[v12dock]

I would rather see Routers

 

[TheMailMan78]

Game reviews would be great. I would be happy to volunteer as a reviewer also. Got 34 years playing games under my belt and was gaming before the internet was even invented! I'm a gaming hipster!