@MrOldboy said:
Its all about expectations. Even reviewers get caught up in hype sometimes. Sometimes they are so excited for a game based on the coverage they've provided during development that they cant help but think the game is great. Sometimes they expect so much and the slight flaws drag a score down a ton in relation to those same types of flaws in other reviews.
Scores are still important though, they still drive sales. They get people paid. Whether we like it or not, they are important to the industry. The most important thing they might do for the more enthusiast crowd is validation. This thread was created because of this. We want validation that what we like is actually great and what we hate is actually bad. That's why these reviews exist, we already know if we are probably going to buy a game, we just need that extra push at the end to validate that preorder we made.
I'll admit I also do this. I preordered Forza Horizon, I bought Dishonored and Xcom. I knew I would before any reviews came out. I still check the reviews, metacritic, etc to make sure that I spent my money well, at least how I define well.
Found the article about the power of reviews and metacritic: http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/the-power-of-review-scores-why-critics-have-more-control-than-we-think1
"Reviews are powerful things, and perhaps, from a purely business perspective, bonuses based on Metacritic scores are more rational than we thought. When a high score has this much power to shape the sales and success of games, why not reward teams that can deliver high scores, which are shown to lead to higher sales? It’s a cynical point of view, but the numbers speak for themselves. When reviewers sit down to craft that number, they’re wielding an incredible amount of power."
The reason I made the (accurate) prediction in the first place had a lot to do with the $$$ side of things. Review scores matter. As PA points out, they wield an incredible amount of power. If I were a Developer/Publisher AND if I were concerned about the quality of my game it seems reasonable to assume that I would want to make an embargo last as long as possible. If I were confident in my game, I would want to lift it ASAP for publicity sake. That was my main point. I guess I sounded like a Troll. Meh.
And sometimes bugs and glitches don't kill review scores: Skyrim = 96 (http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim)
It's all about the money. I am not saying basing purchases on review scores is right or wrong... It is just a fact that most people have limited resources ($ and time) and don't want to waste it on "bad" game when there could be another game they feel is more valuable out there.
And let's be honest. Before dropping $60, you want to make sure it won't be another Atari E.T. =)
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