Open Letter to Duke Nukem PR

[HentMas]

"They know that this is my own opinion, based on my experience of playing the game. They can trust that my opinion is my own and not being influenced by any one person or company."

That bolded phrase right there is why I can understand how much negative press the game got. Going off the SSBB Mailbag from Yahtzee, reviews are subjective. They may be professional or amateur, but they are always subjective.

Hence, I'm not letting my own opinions be swayed by reviews for this game, since I have played it for a good four hours now, and really want the BoS version I pre-ordered.

you give faith to this young heart

i have preordered the BOS and it didnt came the day it supposed to came

i was immensely disappointed by the reviews... but the game play looks good... i don t know what to think

but if there is people that still think it is worth it, i´ll go and pick it up today and give it a try, if anything i will have the collectibles

 

[VonBrewskie]

Open Letter to Duke Nukem PR

Trust is important. That's why threatening game reviewers is a dangerous game.

Read Full Article

Nicely done boss. I fully support your position, and I am thankful that you approached this potentially volatile situation like a consumate professional. I come to the Escapist before I go anywhere else on the web, because simply put, the Escapist is the most honest. You all never pull punches, and are quick with praise for good games. You go out of your way to bring quality programs like ZP and Escape to the Movies to the masses and you aren't afraid to give a dude like that Jim guy a forum to rant. (Don't like him myself, but it seems many do. The point of my mentioning Jim's show is that I like that there is a dichotomy here; I never feel like I'm being pandered to on the Escapist.) I appreciate all the hard work the Escapist staff puts into this site, and all of the time you spend defending common sense in an increasingly commercial industry. Keep up the good work folks! Much love from the bay area!

 

[John Funk]

Wow acting like a snob to show that the other guy is a complete dick. How mature. Well I hope I don't get banned. We all should have right to our opinions without fear of some higher power cutting us off if it thinks otherwise, right Russ?

You absolutely do. But by the same token, we're entitled to not allow certain ones on our forums

I think it's cute when you guys talk about honesty and trust in reviews, but give Dragon Age II a perfect score.

I'm not saying Duke Nukem's good, I'm saying it's not like the "honest opinion" of this site means a whole lot anyway.

We didn't say it was perfect, nor do we say that a 5/5 means a game is perfect. I don't claim to speak for the other reviewers here, but I've yet to play a perfect game, but I've certainly handed out a few 5/5s.

Those of us who played Dragon Age 2 genuinely did enjoy it that much.The review reflects Greg Tito's opinion of the game, and of course your experience with the game may not match his. "Not in agreement with your opinion" does not equate with "dishonest liars."

Whatever helps you sleep at night. The review was full of the euphemism I've come to expect from PR firms, not "honest reviewers." Roleplaying "however you want" does not mean "Mean, nice, or snarky." However you want to rationalize it, I can't help but feel like you folks are using the opportunity of a fairly bad game that is expected by most to be bad anyway as a painless way to appear legitimate to your readers. I never called you liars, I implied that the opinions in the reviews weren't particularly honest. I understand! It's hard to cope with the high profile that comes with hosting Zero Punctuation. You've gotta make nice with the sponsors. (It's actually funny that DNF is plastered all over the site right now. It makes you guys seem like real rebels.) Just don't make yourselves out to be something you're not.

Implying that opinions in reviews aren't honest is indeed calling the reviewer a liar. Ads and editorial are handled by two completely separate departments, and never the twain shall meet. Someone liking a game you didn't (or not liking a game you did) is a matter of opinion, nothing more.

 

[nexekho]

Sorry if I was unclear, I was referring to announcing they've been blacklisted. Banding together and boycotting is a bit silly in retrospect.

"Hello, Mr. Reader, have you come for a review today?"
"Yes"
"I'm sorry, but we don't have one because we have been blacklsited by corr -
*click*
Pop-UP

"Wait! Wait! We have an amusing cartoon for you to enjoy, it reviews a game!"
"When was it released"?
"Two weeks ago."

*click*

And you don't think that'd be miserable PR for the company who blacklisted said site?

 

[roostuf]

hmm, interesting but i cant help but feel sorry for the poor bastard now that he and his group are no longer working.

 

[Gaderael]

I can sort of understand it when game developers get upset when their product gets a negative review, but PR firms saying stuff like that is just sad. I'm glad that they apologized, and I love how Russ so graciously accepted it.

The way I look at it, the only thing worse than a negative review is no review at all. At least with a negative review, I can read it and decide for myself if I agree with the reviewer, based on the negativity be due to bugs, or bad gameplay, and then say take a chance on the game anyway if I disagree. As opposed to no review at all, where all I have to go on is the hype and PR spin, which means about as much to me as month old banana peel.

Simply put, I'd be more likely to buy a game with a negative review, than no review at all.

 

[Firehound]

I think it's cute when you guys talk about honesty and trust in reviews, but give Dragon Age II a perfect score.

I'm not saying Duke Nukem's good, I'm saying it's not like the "honest opinion" of this site means a whole lot anyway.

We didn't say it was perfect, nor do we say that a 5/5 means a game is perfect. I don't claim to speak for the other reviewers here, but I've yet to play a perfect game, but I've certainly handed out a few 5/5s.

Those of us who played Dragon Age 2 genuinely did enjoy it that much.The review reflects Greg Tito's opinion of the game, and of course your experience with the game may not match his. "Not in agreement with your opinion" does not equate with "dishonest liars."

Whatever helps you sleep at night. The review was full of the euphemism I've come to expect from PR firms, not "honest reviewers." Roleplaying "however you want" does not mean "Mean, nice, or snarky." However you want to rationalize it, I can't help but feel like you folks are using the opportunity of a fairly bad game that is expected by most to be bad anyway as a painless way to appear legitimate to your readers. I never called you liars, I implied that the opinions in the reviews weren't particularly honest. I understand! It's hard to cope with the high profile that comes with hosting Zero Punctuation. You've gotta make nice with the sponsors. (It's actually funny that DNF is plastered all over the site right now. It makes you guys seem like real rebels.) Just don't make yourselves out to be something you're not.

If assuming that someone who has a different opinion from yours is dishonest is what you need to do to sleep at night, so be it.

Honestly, I think Metacritic says something here about the honesty of reviews from any source. 1 negative 'reviewer' review versus 182 negative user reviews on the PS3, 414 on the xbox, and over eight hundred on the PC, almost double the positive user reviews on all of them and double for the PC and then some. Combined with my own incredibly negative experience of DA2, I would be hard pressed to find it believable someone could say anything other then 'mediocre game' when trying to be flattering.

In fact, the DA2 review was full of PR-talk. and your dismissal of his arguments by attacking the first sentence and that alone makes it incredibly obvious that this is the case.

 

[Koios]

...Threatening reviewers for telling it like they see it? Bad form, Gearbox. Bad form.

Except this guy isn't a member of Gearbox, he was merely a PR employee employed by Gearbox (and who was apparently let go). You might want to fact check first...

EDIT: 2K, not Gearbox

 

[Still Life]

This whole corporatisation of the industry has really created a cynical milieu throughout the entire community. It's common knowledge (however erroneous it may be) that publishers and PR firms put pressure on media outlets for a favorable critical response. I personally haven't seen anything that leads me to question the integrity of the Escapist, and reviewers often have varying 'scales' they use to measure the quality and enjoyment of a game. The actions of the respective PR group were highly unprofessional and damage the trust consumers have in the industry as a whole. With opinion comes responsibility and a company which deals with public relations should know better than to attack the consumer end of the market; this paints publishers as money whores instead of ethical business people.

...Threatening reviewers for telling it like they see it? Bad form, Gearbox. Bad form.

Except this guy isn't a member of Gearbox, he was merely a PR employee employed by Gearbox (and who was apparently let go). You might want to fact check first...

Employed by 2K.

 

[Still Life]

Honestly, I think Metacritic says something here about the honesty of reviews from any source. 1 negative 'reviewer' review versus 182 negative user reviews on the PS3, 414 on the xbox, and over eight hundred on the PC, almost double the positive user reviews on all of them and double for the PC and then some. Combined with my own incredibly negative experience of DA2, I would be hard pressed to find it believable someone could say anything other then 'mediocre game' when trying to be flattering.

In fact, the DA2 review was full of PR-talk. and your dismissal of his arguments by attacking the first sentence and that alone makes it incredibly obvious that this is the case.

Actually, it works both ways and I think in the case of metacritic the integrity of a good deal of those reviews are more questionable. I distinctly remember a ruckus over review bombing, specifically of DAII. I even witnessed it for myself. People who review bomb have zero credibility in my eyes because they're not even attempting a balanced -- therefore -- a more authoritative and informative opinion.

This is not to say that your experience is wrong: I don't question that. I just don't think the matter is as you say.

 

[John Funk]

I think it's cute when you guys talk about honesty and trust in reviews, but give Dragon Age II a perfect score.

I'm not saying Duke Nukem's good, I'm saying it's not like the "honest opinion" of this site means a whole lot anyway.

We didn't say it was perfect, nor do we say that a 5/5 means a game is perfect. I don't claim to speak for the other reviewers here, but I've yet to play a perfect game, but I've certainly handed out a few 5/5s.

Those of us who played Dragon Age 2 genuinely did enjoy it that much.The review reflects Greg Tito's opinion of the game, and of course your experience with the game may not match his. "Not in agreement with your opinion" does not equate with "dishonest liars."

Whatever helps you sleep at night. The review was full of the euphemism I've come to expect from PR firms, not "honest reviewers." Roleplaying "however you want" does not mean "Mean, nice, or snarky." However you want to rationalize it, I can't help but feel like you folks are using the opportunity of a fairly bad game that is expected by most to be bad anyway as a painless way to appear legitimate to your readers. I never called you liars, I implied that the opinions in the reviews weren't particularly honest. I understand! It's hard to cope with the high profile that comes with hosting Zero Punctuation. You've gotta make nice with the sponsors. (It's actually funny that DNF is plastered all over the site right now. It makes you guys seem like real rebels.) Just don't make yourselves out to be something you're not.

If assuming that someone who has a different opinion from yours is dishonest is what you need to do to sleep at night, so be it.

Honestly, I think Metacritic says something here about the honesty of reviews from any source. 1 negative 'reviewer' review versus 182 negative user reviews on the PS3, 414 on the xbox, and over eight hundred on the PC, almost double the positive user reviews on all of them and double for the PC and then some. Combined with my own incredibly negative experience of DA2, I would be hard pressed to find it believable someone could say anything other then 'mediocre game' when trying to be flattering.

In fact, the DA2 review was full of PR-talk. and your dismissal of his arguments by attacking the first sentence and that alone makes it incredibly obvious that this is the case.

I met a person the other day who swears that Mario 64 is a terrible game. People have different opinions and value different things in videogames; is that really so surprising?

There ARE positive user reviews for DA2. Clearly, it is not out of the question that someone had a great time with the game. This shouldn't be a matter for debate.

 

[ckam]

Oh, that response was rather funny.

 

[snfonseka]

Some say that publishers like EA, Activision had some behind the door deals to get better scores for reviews. I wonder whether it is true or not. If true, it is the safest way that Redner should follow.

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

Honestly, I think Metacritic says something here about the honesty of reviews from any source. 1 negative 'reviewer' review versus 182 negative user reviews on the PS3, 414 on the xbox, and over eight hundred on the PC, almost double the positive user reviews on all of them and double for the PC and then some. Combined with my own incredibly negative experience of DA2, I would be hard pressed to find it believable someone could say anything other then 'mediocre game' when trying to be flattering.

In fact, the DA2 review was full of PR-talk. and your dismissal of his arguments by attacking the first sentence and that alone makes it incredibly obvious that this is the case.

'Compared to my own experience, I can't believe anyone would say anything else.' Maybe you should try accepting the fact that other people have opinions that differ from your own. I didn't enjoy DA II, but it's getting slightly ridiculous that not a single thread goes by without someone harping on about how the Escapist has lost all credibility because Greg enjoyed the game.

 

[Firehound]

Honestly, I think Metacritic says something here about the honesty of reviews from any source. 1 negative 'reviewer' review versus 182 negative user reviews on the PS3, 414 on the xbox, and over eight hundred on the PC, almost double the positive user reviews on all of them and double for the PC and then some. Combined with my own incredibly negative experience of DA2, I would be hard pressed to find it believable someone could say anything other then 'mediocre game' when trying to be flattering.

In fact, the DA2 review was full of PR-talk. and your dismissal of his arguments by attacking the first sentence and that alone makes it incredibly obvious that this is the case.

'Compared to my own experience, I can't believe anyone would say anything else.' Maybe you should try accepting the fact that other people have opinions that differ from your own. I didn't enjoy DA II, but it's getting slightly ridiculous that not a single thread goes by without someone harping on about how the Escapist has lost all credibility because Greg enjoyed the game.

Wasn't talking about the escpaist not having any credibility, so kindly keep your words away from my mouth. I don't put any stock in industry reviews. It's something I have never done. As in not ever. However, the white wash of a game that is at best mediocre, makes the review look more like an ad for DA2 then a review.

It doesn't mention the worst parts of the system, or glosses over them if it does, and basically, it is more a press release then a review. DA2 is not something worthy of five stars. Ever. At all. Instead of pointing out EVERY DUNGEON IN THE GAME IS REUSED WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A TEXTURE SWAP, he mentions that a couple are similar. He doesn't mention that every battle involves at least three waves of enemies that pop out of thin air.

That is why dragon age 2's review is wrong. I am not going to demand heads and cease my premium subscription, but I will say that that review is just not even trying to be a good review. It is instead a press release.

TIme for the off topic brakes to be engaged and put this runaway thread back on track.

pay·o·la/pāˈōlə/
Noun: The practice of bribing someone to use their influence or position to promote a particular product or interest.

Nope, not a made up word.

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

That is why dragon age 2's review is wrong. I am not going to demand heads and cease my premium subscription, but I will say that that review is just not even trying to be a good review. It is instead a press release.

How can a review be 'wrong'? A review is a subjective personal opinion. Opinions can be misinformed, but they cannot be 'wrong.' If Greg didn't mention the copy-pasted dungeons, then he felt it clearly wasn't a dealbreaker for him the way it was for others. Just because you or I found them annoying doesn't mean he automatically should have. Stop demanding everyone conform the same tastes as you.

 

[DanDeFool]

I didn't know "payola" was a word.

Is it supposed to be a play-on-words with "Crayola", because they're using money to try and "color" a reviewer's opinions? If so, I like it. It's the sort of wordplay I'd be proud to have come up with.

EDIT: The guy probably just started throwing threats around because, as someone who whores himself out to corporations that (frequently) make shit games, he can't stand people that have actual integrity. Kind of like how

Spoiler

Lord Voldemort gets injured by Harry Potter because Voldemort has had to cut his soul into pieces in his quest for immortality.

 

[Firehound]

That is why dragon age 2's review is wrong. I am not going to demand heads and cease my premium subscription, but I will say that that review is just not even trying to be a good review. It is instead a press release.

How can a review be 'wrong'? A review is a subjective personal opinion. Opinions can be misinformed, but they cannot be 'wrong.' If Greg didn't mention the copy-pasted dungeons, then he felt it clearly wasn't a dealbreaker for him the way it was for others. Just because you or I found them annoying doesn't mean he automatically should have. Stop demanding everyone conform the same tastes as you.

Wrong is the incorrect word. terrible was what I should of used. I apologize. Writing at one or so in the morning doesn't help me much.

And stop white knighting. I have yet to demand greg stop liking DA2 this instant. I just think it is not a review but a press release. A five star review should not be given to a game that oversimplifies everything about the last game, for both good and bad, dumbs down conversation to 'dumbass' 'evil' 'good' 'question' 'MONEY'

I honestly can't see that as an improvement. I'm not saying the game was OMGTERRIBLEBAD, just that it wasn't digital Ambrosia. Reading over it, it sends up several buzzwords that reviewers don't tend to use. Pinnacle, as in pinnacle of success, is the biggest one. As in this is the ultimate game. It is the best. That isn't review speak, that is PR talk for- Buy it nowwwww.

The biggest issue is that it drips of fanboyism, which explains a lot of the issues I have for his DA2 review. Reviewers should take a step back and make sure they aren't being compromised by their love of a series, as is what probably happened here instead of some insidious PR company dropping bags and bags of money into the review copy's box. It's obvious that Tito likes Dragon Age, and when you like a series, your more likely to pave over the rough spots in a sequel when you talk about it.

But, seeing as you can't get past the whole 'he doesn't think it was a good review, in fact he thinks it was a bad. He must be trying to force opinion down throat. I can't let go of that, nor can I act like a rational being.' It was a bad review. Again, let me repeat the part that the review I don't agree with isn't going to make me stop my subscription and write angry letters. Better yet, so you actually read that part, let me write it again, IN CAPS. ONE REVIEW I DISAGREE WITH IS NOT GOING TO MAKE ME STOP MY PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION OR DEMAND HEADS TO START A-ROLLIN.

If you need me to put each word on it's own line for you to get that I seriously think it's a terrible review, that's a bit far.

 

[Charli]

I may not care much for the subject matter but I can still appreciate a warm, well cooked (written), slice of condescending pie.

Tastes delicious.