Down to business. (DTB?). I guess we can start with the actually reviews themselves first. The Prey one was my favorite of all of them. Incidentally, I still have my unfilled pre-order script from F.Y.E for the game. I wonder if its in some back self being stored for me? I plan on going there when Next-Gen comes out to reclaim my Prey Copy. Anyways, in that review in particular, the only part that I didn't like was your explanation of the story. Just felt kind of awkward out loud. Other than that it was a very good description of what the game has to offer, as well as a fair analysis of its material. I had no idea that the game was announced in 1995, I feel like finding 3d Realms and giving them one of these [http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/2/27874/600107-oh_you_super.jpg]
As for the Lord of The Rings, I guess its time to hand in a gamer card, a nerd card, and a man card and admit that I've only seen the first movie and read the first book. It was a good review, but it seemed like you got kind of lazy at the recommendation section, but the captions were great. The Elements review got me interested in a game I've never heard about, and thats always a good sign. The lack of pictures is a bit disappointing, though understandable because I couldn't find any. In that case I would suggest doing a couple standard pictures by simply googling cartoons of things like "fire" or "water", then specifying that there are no actual pictures. Gives you the best of both worlds.
The Trivia bit was a bit unexpected, but I guess I can be proud that I "scored" high. Then I immediately felt bad because other people are getting ignored and such. I wish I could do more for the User Review Forums, Like a PSA or something. Showing off hungry reviewers in mud huts. But now I'm babbling. And you know whats weird, I think you're right on the
It came from Netflix! point. Sometimes I feel bad for simply leaving him posts saying how awesome he is, because it sound so shallow. Not to mention I haven't seen a movie in ages, so I can;t even comment on the film to make my post more worth while. I try to advertise not only mine, but every good review that I come across, though I've been lazy at it lately.
Maet's interview said:
the common trend seems to be more towards establishing a name or brand as opposed to taking a serious approach with the material. So while there are fantastic folks like BlueInkAlchemist, domble and Pimppeter2 (as well as joethekoeller himself) maintaining a regular presence with a reliable series, you've also got a flood of users taking a cue from the aforementioned fellows who will trumpet their brand new reviewing series with no quality, experience, or pedigree to support them. What is this?
To be honest, I feel partially responsible for this. I started Pimpin Reviews with my first review with that name, though at the time, it was custom to have [Username] Reviews: _____. I felt like Pimppeter2 Reviews: ___ sounded wayy too stupid, so I shorted it. I didn't add the banned until my Fourth(?) review, becuase that when I decided I was going to seriously do this and try and improve. At the time, the only others with custom banners were Dom and Wanderfreak. But hey, it seems like not only banners but now pictures too have become standard, so at least its a good trade off.
So yeah, I have to agree with Meat. Try writing quality reviews first, name brand comes after. I'm sure people who read both mine and Maets reviews still have more admiration for Maet (seriously, my favorite film critic ever) than for me simply because he writes amazingly. Good writing will get you known more and remembered than popularity will. So novice reviewers, if you're reading this: Writing good reviews comes first!
So no, I don't feel like I've earned my popularity (which is why I always feel worse for getting more replies than someone like Maet's kick ass reviews). But hopefully one day I can at least work up to some sort of feeling of feeling like I deserve it.
Stranger of Sorts said:
given up ages ago.Has anyone else noticed that the review section has slowed down a lot now? Or is that because I'm no longer spamming it.... hmmmm.
It weird, it seems like every series of User review has suddenly come to a halt this week. I mean the only one of "us" that's posted a review this week is BlueInk. Strange.
Let me also use this opportunity to tell you that just the miniscule amount of message juggling I had to do during the interview process made me look at your Review War management in awe.
Yes, the Escapist PM system badly needs and overhaul. If anyone is reading this that has connection to the mods/site devs the option to create your own folders and send inbox messages to them would be extremely useful. Also get rid of the stupid word limit on PMs, and lastly give me the ability to send at least 10 Pms at once.
But I digress, this is why we will soon be switching to Email.
He told me he liked the idea and politely asked me if it was okay for him to take a little time and read through my entire back catalogue
Things like this remind me why Maet is so goddamn kick ass.
And now, for you Joe.
This is the first time I ever saw Joe, he commented on one of my Reviews. Here's the comment
joethekoeller said:
I wanted to say this since I started reading your reviews. You are the living example of what Sean Sands was talking [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/press-released/6885-Whos-Got-Next] about. Apparently the only difference between trying to be writing about videogames and writing about videogames is wearing a smug attitude. Don't take it personally, one half of my grudge is just envy and the other half consists of minor flaws in your style, flow and structure that I'm too incapable too actually phrase. I'm amazed though at how much respect you earn for being among the better reviewers here. Maybe if Gigantor had put his name in the title he'd be rich by now?
At first, I was a bit insulted by his comment (stupid me). But I was at the mall and on browsing through my cell phone (seriously, however first put internet on a cell phone deserves a Nobel) so I wasn't able to type out a response.
When I got home, I read the post again. And again. And again. I read the article twice. And I developed a respect for Joe from the first time I met him. That same day I sent him a friend request.
I have tremendous amount of respect for Joe, his reviews, and his opinion in general since that first comment that I've read by him.
Kudos Joe, you're one heck of a guy. Though you'd never admit it.