DylanGW

@dankempster: I think many people do use reviews as a buyer's guide, and there is value in that. However, I also think many people only [think] they use reviews as a buyer's guide. Especially those on a site like Giantbomb, there is less of a need for a buyer's guide. Besides obscure game's [surprise hits], we all know which game's we will buy...sometimes years in advance. I know I will buy the Last Guardian and Bioshock Infinite in 2012, and I don't need a review to tell me to. I think the same is true for many other people. It's come to a point where there's so much coverage and I have so much knowledge of video-game studios, that for the most part I don't need a review to assist my purchases.

When Shawn Elliott was a journalist [Games For Windows Magazine], he advocated the review as a conversational piece specifically for this reason, and that was reflected in his writing. Jeff Gerstmann differed from Shawn, and advocated reviews primarily as a way to assist the consumer. Interestingly, I still often find Jeff's reviews nice to read. I liked his [negative] review of Catherine because his experience differed so greatly from mine, and he described it well. Jeff Gerstmann's writing is not as haute as Kill Screen or Edge, but he can still grab me. I think his position that reviews are only a buyer's guide undersells the quality of his writing. On the other hand, I think the unpretentiousness of Jeff, and the rest of Giantbomb is part of the appeal. I enjoy the fun, laid-back approach to games as much as anyone else.

I think in the internet age there is less of a need for purchasing advice, and the direction Giantbomb has taken video-game journalism is reflective of that. Giantbomb is mostly a video centred website, and the podcast plays a big role too. The appeal of the site is primarily the personalities of the Bombsquad. People think Ryan, Jeff, Vinny, Brad, and Patrick are likeable, fun people, and they come for the atmosphere they create together. My girlfriend is not a hardcore gamer but she enjoys watching Quick Looks because she likes the Bombsquad; she even knows them by name. It creates an imagined reality where gamer's get to feel like they're enjoying a game session with likeable people who share their interests. I think Giantbomb taps into the need for a shared sense of community among gamer's more than a need for purchasing advice.

Shawn Elliot brought up this issue [and other issues to do with game's journalism] many times on GFW Radio. On his blog he moderated a symposium, which included commentary by game industry vetereans including Jeff Gerstmann. I found it interesting, so if you're interested:

Part I: http://shawnelliott.blogspot.com/2008/12/symposium-part-one-review-scores.html

Part II: http://shawnelliott.blogspot.com/2009/02/symposium-part-two-review-policy.html

Also, thanks for the compliments.

I'm wondering why people here read reviews. The reason I ask, is because I've often found there is a disconnect between why I read reviews and why it appears other people read reviews. Whether it be movies, video-games, or music, I've found people often get angry at a particular website because one of their reviewers gave a particular product a higher or lower score than they believe it should have received. For instance, some people I know [who dislike Drake] are angry because Drake's new album "Take Care" is receiving great reviews. This causes them to hate a website or reviewer. The same situation has occurred with Zelda: Skyward Sword. There has been backlash against Gamespot because one critic gave the game a 7.5/10.0.

For me, when a critic differs from my view, I find it exciting. It means their experience with the media was different from mine. I see a review as a conversation between the critic and the consumer, and I think difference of opinion, and talking about those opinions, is part of what makes art so interesting. If it's a product I liked that the critic didn't like, that raises some interesting questions. Perhaps something I enjoyed about the product, they found frustrating; why? Perhaps their life experience, and experience with other media influenced how they experienced the product? Perhaps they play games/watch movies/listen to music for different reasons than I do? Perhaps they value certain aspects of media more than others? Do the aspects they value differ from mine? Which are they and why?

I see it as a good thing when a critic disagrees with me, because it allows me to gain insight into how another person experiences the same product differently than I do. What do you guys think? Do you get mad when a critic disagrees with you? Or do you embrace it as a means of understanding the different ways people can experience the product?

I'm always confused when people get mad when a critic gives a game a lower score then what they would have given it. I mean do these people just read reviews to validate their own opinions? That seems silly to me; reviews are a conversation between critic and audience. It's differing opinions that makes them worth reading. If every critic and person had the same opinion on every game, what would be the point of reading reviews?

I like the game "Catherine", yet Jeff Gerstmann gave the game a 2/5. Do I think Jeff is stupid now? Am I mad at him? Of course not! How immature would that be? I'm glad he articulated his own position on the game, which highlights how his videogame preferences differ from mine. For me in particular, the fact that he disliked it makes the review worth reading. When I read a review, I treat it as a conversation between myself and the critic. Reading why Jeff disliked Catherine tells me something about what he values in a game, and tells me something about what I value in a game. Fans of Skyward Sword should be happy they have the opportunity to read a negative review for it helps inform why they like the game and other's don't. How boring it would be if every critic gave the game a 9/10.

I love pod-casts, and once 1up had all the lay-offs and there was exodus of talent, the podcasts were either cancelled or never the same. GFW Radio may have been the best podcast of all time. It was funnier than most podcasts which claim to be funny, and smarter than most podcasts that claim to be smart. It featured Shawn Elliot who you know from the Irrational Behaviour pod-casts who indulged with game-theory talk and personal stories from high school and childhood. I still enjoy Retronauts on 1up and 8-4 Play for retro-gaming discussion and Japanese gaming discussion.

Retronauts/8-4 Play: http://www.1up.com/do/minisite?cId=3144909

The Bethesda Podcast: http://www.bethblog.com/podcast/

Similar to Irrational Behaviour except for Bethesda studios

A Life Well Wasted: http://alifewellwasted.com/

A one of a kind podcasts by Robert Ashley (formerly GFW Radio) where interviews are spliced up with musical interludes. Each episode was lovingly crafted over a period of months. The downside is there's only a few episodes and there will never be new ones, however the ones that were made are timeless.

Chatterbox Video Game Radio: http://chatterboxgameshow.com/

Hosted by a couple of older guys with less-than-mainstream taste in videogames. They often provide interesting insight into the mechanics of games, what makes games worth playing, and legal issues revolving around the game industry. One of the hosts (Ara) was a lead designer on the videogame "The Red Star".

One Life Left: http://www.onelifeleft.com/

A British podcast where people familiar with games or not so familiar with games speak about their experiences with a particular game.

Game Business Podcast: http://games.ign.com/articles/119/1196870p1.html

The spiritual successor to the "Game Theory" podcast where the videogame industry is discussed at length.

Brainy Gamer: http://www.brainygamer.com/the_brainy_gamer/podcast/

A podcast hosted by a film studies professor who has a particular interest in videogames. He often interviews prominent indie developers and video game journalists.

Another Castle: http://gamedesignadvance.com/?page_id=1616

High level game design discussion.

Idle Thumbs: http://www.idlethumbs.net/archive

No new episodes will be created, but the humour in this podcast rivals GFW radio....though nothing could be as funny as GFW Radio (besides the Ricky Gervais Show).

Thanks guys.

I want to play Child of Eden on PS3 but I do not want to buy a 'Move'. If the game does support playing with just the controller, could someone link me to evidence? Or, if you have the game, please let me know. I can't find any information on this.

I realize this topic will probably not create much discussion. I won't be offended if it is deleted once I get my answer, but please keep it open until I do, because I'd really like to play Child of Eden.

@patrickklepek:

Whatever happens, I hope Dennis Dyack can return to being an outspoken creative in the industry. I felt he had a real-ness to him of a similar tone to David Jaffe. Putting aside the problems of Too Human, I liked the passion he brought to the table when speaking about the game. On the '1up Yours' podcast many years ago, he was invited to talk about (and plug) his new game Too Human. Instead he took the time to talk about how the internet is changing how humans interact. He was especially concerned about the lack of reciprocity in online conversations due to their anonymity. He cited several books and even related it all back to Too Human [in a round-about way]. It was all very interesting but most of all I loved how genuine he was. I was glad to have the opportunity to listen to him when Too Human was upon release, and so today I miss his presence.

I'd recommend Zomby, Scream, Joker, Darkstar and Burial, but my knowledge is limited.

It's subjective, but some people have greater knowledge than others. Video games are rather similar. Someone with little experience can provide an interesting take on a game, but when it comes to deciding which game's I'm going to buy, I'd pay more attention to the Giant Bomb crew.

I'm a university student in Canada and I only spend $80 a month on food. You should be fine. :)

Also, I just spent $90 on Ikaruga for the Gamecube. I've learned to eat off so little so I can afford to build my video game collection. :)