So I can't read reviews from the enthusiast media anymore.  I just can't.  Whether it's GI saying GTAIV is perfection, or EGM changing their scores to grades and then giving B's to absolutely everything and hoping nobody notices, I just see no point in them anymore.  I wish demos were more prevalent.  If every game had one, there'd be no need for reviews at all, but as it is, the enthusiast media isn't writing reviews for users anymore, but for developers and publishers, and it's so obvious that it's like getting slapped in the face everytime I turn to the review section of a given magazine.

So I don't read them anymore.  At all.  If it weren't for podcasts, I don't know if I'd ever see or hear an honest opinion from a voice in the public eye, and that's sad.  What's even more sad though, is that these reviewers don't seem to realize that you can't write reviews for the publisher and developer.  It has to be for the audience, or else you're going to find yourself with no audience at all.  Those developers and publishers whos interests seem to be held so closely to reviewer's bosoms should also realize that sometimes mistakes are made.  If your game's sales aren't up to expectations, especially when it's a previously successful storied franchise, chances are you went wrong somewhere in the concept-design phase. 

I wonder if honesty will ever return to the media, and not just in games journalism, but journalism as a whole.  Do you not realize that your audience knows when they are being intentionally decieved or misled, and that your attempts to further confuse and distort the truth only reflects badly on you and your controlling interests?  Or is it that there are motives more important to you than trust and reliability and truth?  The secret, The play, and The centerpiece of each individual's psyche are in disharmony, and every attempt I see to address this is simply another spike driven into the heart of reality where meets perception and confidence.  Do us no favors, say no to the microchip, don't forget to tell your mom you love her, and try not to drool all over yourself when you finally realize life is bigger than human-meanness.