I only use Gamespot rarely for those time I want to get an opinion on past games (e.g. PSX games), and I noticed something strange while looking up a review for Final Fantasy Tactics.
They completed deleted the Grid for how they scored they game under their old review system (Graphics, Tilt, Sound etc.) ! After some further checking, EVERY SINGLE review that I looked at that was scored under the pre-Gerstmann changes has the Grid removed. Why in the world would they do this? First off, it makes no sense. And second of all, its all kinds of disrespect to the system and to Greg. Furthermore, when you look at the review guidelines for Gamespot currently, they say "For more information on reviews posted prior to that date and the component scoring system used to score them, click here. " The link is dead. Completely dead. I've checked over a number of months and it's still dead.
It's like they are completing erasing history before the changes to the .5 system! In my opinion (and its perfectly fine to disagree) that system was both my favorite and the best system for reviewing games. I know there are a number of people who really loved that system, and this is like a slap in the face.
Seriously, what the fuck?
NOTE - I absolutely adored Gamespot under Greg Kasavin and Jeff, so yes, this does reek of fanboyism. My thread in the GS forum about this was deleted, and I had to vent somewhere.
Unless you count going into the bathroom for some more coconut oil as leaving, because Vinny will be the first to tell you that his buttocks aren't going to bronze themselves!"
Seriously Vinny, you're already depleting the GB funds with your unnecessary spending. I mean, you need three girls to fan you with palm fronds?! I think we need to let of of these servants go. Now I'm not suggesting that it's Paulo, but it's time we take a look at our priorities. Would we rather have A) another manservant to handpick grapes and feed them to Vinny, or B) some new talent to add more content?
"It would be great if some of the 1up/EGM staff could work under the GiantBomb umbrella but in these tough economic times there's barely enough room in the budget for Vinny's cabana boy, and I think we all now so long as Vinny has his say Paulo isn't going anywhere."
If only there was some way some of the 1up guys could join the Bomb, without having to make Vinny cry.
"Thank you guys for the well-wishes. At GameSpot, I used to think our readers' memories were pretty short on average, and that typical review-score controversies or staff departures or other things of that nature tended to be forgotten about in six months flat. So I'm flattered you still remember my work considering it's been a little while now. Hopefully I haven't been wasting my time since I moved on to the development side of things."
I think a speak for a lot of users when I say how influential you were to me. More so than just a game reviewer, I looked up to you. And you should definitely not sell yourself short. Even though the average Gamespot user might not know or remember you (in my opinion due to the average age of the users) there are still tons of people who have fond memories of your time as a reviewer. You were and are my favorite reviewer, and, in my opinion, elevated the reviewing process of games. Gamespot (under your helm) helped game reviews achieve a sophistication normally reserved for movies or art.
So basically, you rock. Best of wishes and I hope we see more of you (like on the giantbombcast!).
I'm up for it. Currently on break, so any day and time is fine for me. Hopefully we can find a decent server and have everyone get decent ping (e.g. a Euro poster hopping on a US server or vice versa).
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