They aren't really 'large' press kits, are they? I'm really struggling to see the problem here, they look pretty tame compared to press packs in other media. if you think press copies should be on a blank disc in a white case just to stop them being some kind of collectible, I'm not sure what to say. No, I don't think it influences the writer, but yes, I do think such press kits should be numbered and media platform editors should keep track of who took what home.
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Why do press kits exist?
- Thread starter thequickandthedead
- Start date
People are definitely trying to make big bank with them
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Dark-S...001608?hash=item281cfc7f88:g:fv0AAOSwgY9Xfog-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Assassin-s-...549400?hash=item360cb6ef58:g:9kcAAOSwdzVXr3VT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Uncharted-2...952188?hash=item43efbd097c:g:wXsAAOSwLnBXVgbt
Jawbreaker
Member
I agree.
AusRoachman
Member
Every review / YouTube should be required to declare what the publisher gave them.
A free game copy , a free PS4 pro ,a free trip to do a preview build etc , it would at least allow everyone to judge there review on all the facts and if they were swayed.
I know if I was given a free PS4 and free games , I would definitely feel more appreciative to the company / game and that would probably affect my final score upwards .
A free game copy , a free PS4 pro ,a free trip to do a preview build etc , it would at least allow everyone to judge there review on all the facts and if they were swayed.
I know if I was given a free PS4 and free games , I would definitely feel more appreciative to the company / game and that would probably affect my final score upwards .
John Kowalski
Banned
They seem like the kind of thing companies give each other as a professional courtesy and precursor of positive future interactions.
Rndm
Member
I felt the same way when, funnily enough about a week ago, I stumbled upon Fluid Design's work. I always knew how great some press kits could be and remember looking at many of them in the past on databases that listed them and the contents but kind of forgot about them in more recent years.
Now looking at the Fluid's press kits of more recnet games, games I love and bought the biggest collector's editions of like TLoU and Uncharted 4, I can't help but feel a bit upset about it.
There is no way for regular people and fans of the games to get their hands on them unless some sc*m sells them on the web. Some of the contents in the is better than that of the editions you can buy (especially the packaging and design is a lot better, it looks like an experience to open them up compared to most collector's editions that simply include opening some cartons).
I, a big fan and many others who are in the same position, cannot get them but some guys from the press who sometimes don't even care about the games get them... for free. I get that they only make a certain quantity and I bet they are more expensive to make than a CE, which is still not an excuse imho, but it just seems like a dick move when looking at it from a fan's prespective. It's seems like impressing the press by making them feel special in hopes of better scores is worth more than pleasing the consumer who pays some good money for the CEs, money that they are very often not worth.
Long story short: If you know a guy who knows a guy that can get me in, that'd be cool. Or maybe I should just start my own site that operates like many others by reposting news from GAF and reddit. Maybe that will get me into the press world.
And no offense towards guys from the press, I know it's not your fault for getting them, it's the publisher's
Now looking at the Fluid's press kits of more recnet games, games I love and bought the biggest collector's editions of like TLoU and Uncharted 4, I can't help but feel a bit upset about it.
There is no way for regular people and fans of the games to get their hands on them unless some sc*m sells them on the web. Some of the contents in the is better than that of the editions you can buy (especially the packaging and design is a lot better, it looks like an experience to open them up compared to most collector's editions that simply include opening some cartons).
I, a big fan and many others who are in the same position, cannot get them but some guys from the press who sometimes don't even care about the games get them... for free. I get that they only make a certain quantity and I bet they are more expensive to make than a CE, which is still not an excuse imho, but it just seems like a dick move when looking at it from a fan's prespective. It's seems like impressing the press by making them feel special in hopes of better scores is worth more than pleasing the consumer who pays some good money for the CEs, money that they are very often not worth.
Long story short: If you know a guy who knows a guy that can get me in, that'd be cool. Or maybe I should just start my own site that operates like many others by reposting news from GAF and reddit. Maybe that will get me into the press world.
And no offense towards guys from the press, I know it's not your fault for getting them, it's the publisher's
sublimit
Banned
So we now value items based on their weight and size? lol
These are all collector's editions that obviously had a lot of great care went in making them and can not be found anywhere in the market.I'm failing to understand how they are not of value?
Should they had diamonds in them in order to make them "valuable" for you?
Well, it's attempted bribery regardless of value or quality. And in my experience, journalists see a lot of PR shenanigans over the course of their career and grow very cynical, very quickly. A shitty model might be worth a lot to fans on eBay but it really doesn't have the kind of influence you're suggesting. The assumption that all writers have zero integrity is a popular one but isn't at all close to the truth.
Honestly, if you want to talk games publisher influence on media publisher, I think the reliance on the ad spend of a handful of games publishers and blacklisting journalists is a far greater, and far more wide-ranging issue across the industry, than the weekly bag of PR tat sent to western journalists.
sublimit
Banned
http://www.ebay.com/itm/God-of-War-...817448?hash=item1a2076f868:g:VREAAOSwHoFXuGlH
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Last-of...638564?hash=item43f9ac7824:g:~xcAAOSwImRYK4On
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIOSHOCK-IN...247780?hash=item2ef7d24364:g:WP8AAOSwXeJYJ1EW
And there are tons more.
I remember seeing the original Ico press kit (with Yorda's cage) going for more than 600 dollars some years ago.
Maybe it will be in TLG but there are examples in the past of what he is talking about.
You replied to a post talking about 'large' press kits and supplied videos of steelbooks etc. 'Lol' indeed.
Yes, a lot of care went into them. They are beautiful bits of paperwork, design etc. They are clearly trying to present the game as a quality product from the outset. I'm merely saying that I think that's OK. Why does it matter that fans might want them? Fans go crazy over shitty amiibo if enough aren't made, fans would go crazy over a beermat with Master Chief on it if only 50 were mde. That's what fans do, and doesn't have much to do with the ongoing battle between PR and press. These editions you posted exist because it's PR trying to get around journalists who are perhaps more wary about accepting bigger gifts these days.
That's a good thing, if we said that journalists can only accept blank discs in white envelopes, PR staff would work out how to print lavish artwork on the internal bubblewrap instead, the outer brown envelope would have some lore that would sell for £50 on eBay and some white envelopes would be of distinctly better paper than others. Journalists get sent piles of this paper-based promo stuff- all this PR crap is trying to stand out from the crowd, not be viewed in a vacuum.
Ultimately what is of value to a fan, a hack and a PR is different. It's a side-effect of the battle for journalists/editors attention between a number of huge marketing agencies (in competition with each other for a small number of big accounts and awards) that makes fans want these.
ClosingADoor
Member
You are now just listing a ton of stuff from all years in your posts. The Rise of the Tomb Raider one is a disc in a different CD-case also.
No one is saying they don't exist. Just that they are not the norm for all games.
And you are really stuck in this "press kit = bribery" mode ignoring everything else. No one is saying that PR does not try to influence media. That is their job. They try to do it. There is little wrong with that.
Then it is up to the outlet to handle it. And I really, really, really doubt any website with a bit of a reputation to uphold is going to let this influence their scores.
Also note that the fact you see all these unboxings is 1) additional promotion for the game, so a reason to sent it to get coverage and 2) transparency from media that they have gotten it instead of hiding it.
We can of course judge all media by the fact that some people sell their press kits. But that would be very unfair. If a random Youtube channel run by one guy sells a press kit, does that mean that major websites are being bribed by them? You can't make that assumption.
Any journalist who has been active in this industry for a while just throws those kits aside anyway. Do you really think some postcards or artwork is going to influence them?
I still have my press kit from the Nintendo 64 reveal (well bits and pieces of it anyway - lost some of the slides) and it's one of my favorite bits of gaming memorabilia.
Thebeardofknowledge
Banned
I'm not sure they are so rare...
Mafia 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVRgVR8CRoE
Titanfall 2 (it even comes with a custom Xbox controller!!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhc70dGbMrA
Shadow Warrior 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zryP3Nykw
BF1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn82S-uk7IE&t=132s
Lego Star Wars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWWR9PCQpyY
Watch Dogs 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIekeSatS20
XCOM 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uydVsE17_pc
I don't really care about publishers sending them these goodies, and regarding Collector Editions if they were like these they would be much more expensive.
I do care about reviewers never showing that they are getting these things. Why IGN doesn't make unboxing videos of these?
EDIT: If a reviewer gives good scores based on goodies and not in the quality of the game, the public will realize the scores don't match up with how the game is and they will stop following that reviewer. If the supposed bribery effect is small enough that the public won't notice then the harm made isn't significant.
EDIT2:
More of them..
Uncharted Collection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzmam65PYtQ
Tearaway Unfolded https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ9VDa6B3wc
Until Dawn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUBgWB3sKdo
The Order https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgNeL1GtZXM
LBP3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59_upDqjKA
Driveclub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj7f_UojM0Y
Infamous Second Son https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dySOeihivAU
Mafia 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVRgVR8CRoE
Titanfall 2 (it even comes with a custom Xbox controller!!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhc70dGbMrA
Shadow Warrior 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zryP3Nykw
BF1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn82S-uk7IE&t=132s
Lego Star Wars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWWR9PCQpyY
Watch Dogs 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIekeSatS20
XCOM 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uydVsE17_pc
I don't really care about publishers sending them these goodies, and regarding Collector Editions if they were like these they would be much more expensive.
I do care about reviewers never showing that they are getting these things. Why IGN doesn't make unboxing videos of these?
EDIT: If a reviewer gives good scores based on goodies and not in the quality of the game, the public will realize the scores don't match up with how the game is and they will stop following that reviewer. If the supposed bribery effect is small enough that the public won't notice then the harm made isn't significant.
EDIT2:
More of them..
Uncharted Collection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzmam65PYtQ
Tearaway Unfolded https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ9VDa6B3wc
Until Dawn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUBgWB3sKdo
The Order https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgNeL1GtZXM
LBP3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59_upDqjKA
Driveclub https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj7f_UojM0Y
Infamous Second Son https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dySOeihivAU
Which is highly unprofessional, in my book. Either keep it, or as some outlets do, auction it off for charity, or as a give-away to readers. But trying to make money is pretty sad...
??
why would they show what they got? why should a site make an unboxing video for something that does not exist outside the office..? so that more people can envy their special kits.? more people can make threads and say sites are "bribed".?
I get why they don't show them.. and I also get why some chose to show them (stealth brag)..
ClosingADoor
Member
Does IGN receive them? This is a Polish channel I think? We can't assume the American PR agency works the same way and sent out the same things.
Glass Shark
Banned
It's not like outlets are going to publishers and saying, "Send me free trinkets, please." Most of this stuff is sent unsolicited. A lot of outlets throw it in the trash, and I've heard a lot of professionals in the industry say they wish publishers didn't send it because it's just clutter.
Transparency? Like how Sony made everyone disclose they got the PSVR for free.
Why would a publisher spend money for a Polish channel and not for the huge websites?
sublimit
Banned
I'm sorry but you keep missing the obvious here so much by trying to justify this practise,and make it look as "harmful" that i think it's pointless to try to reason with you.Maybe it's because you are part of the problem so i hope you continue enoying your precious "freebies".
Glass Shark
Banned
Because YouTubers with no scruples or professional ethics to uphold are much more likely to "play ball," so to speak.
ClosingADoor
Member
Because the same PR company handling the Eastern European publishing and distribution is not doing the American one. Depending on the company, budget available, market circumstances and how outlets handle these things, it might be worth it there and not somewhere else.
If IGN never gives any coverage about these press kits and the aim is to get coverage like with this channel, why sent it out.
You seem to think that everyone is putting as much value in these press kits as you do. That is simply not true and not something you can say like that. Do you even know how these things are handled at different websites? And can you see that it actually might not be a problem for most of them, due to how they have their editorial department set up?
"Wow, there's a feather in this TLG box! I'm going to add an extra point to my review score!"
Lol, come on man.
Lol. Look, I don't work in games press, I just know how PR, marketing agencies and journalists actually work. The total value of my 'freebies' over 18 years in editorial is a pile of cheap pens, small USB sticks and a few bottles of cheap perfume. Quite the haul (those bic biros are a quid a bag these days, times is tight
) If we're firing cheap shots here, I'm sorry that your sense of unfairness as a fan in seeing a journalist get some PR tat you desperately want that most of them have probably chucked in the bin is making you see a grand conspiracy that isn't there.Yes, some of these end up on eBay. That happens when marketing agencies fire out hundreds of them (it's not worth making any less) to people that didn't ask for them, only a fraction even cover it and fans go nuts yet again due to the rarity of yet more PR tat.
Lol. Look, I don't work in games press, I just know how PR, marketing agencies and journalists actually work. The total value of my 'freebies' over 18 years in editorial is a pile of cheap pens, small USB sticks and a few bottles of cheap perfume. Quite the haul (those bic biros are a quid a bag these days, times is tight
Yes, some of these end up on eBay. That happens when marketing agencies fire out hundreds of them (it's not worth making any less) to people that didn't ask for them, only a fraction even cover it and fans go nuts yet again due to the rarity of yet more PR tat.
Yep. This.
If your staff behaves like a bunch of fanboys falling for some gadgets and altering their articles because of it, then they're very, very bad journalists and they shouldn't work in this branch.
46min of PS3 media kits, I don't have time to go through them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vGyqoSOhfo
Maybe, but we can't know for sure. They made 2500 press kits of Uncharted 4, I find it hard to believe that none of the big publications got one.
I think it's more unethical that they get to keep the consoles for free than a couple goodies that cost less than USD 100. I would make them return the consoles after reviewing them.
If it's by zones, there is still IGN UK and other big publications in europe. I doubt they make these press kits only for Eastern Europe.
I doubt the aim is to get coverage. Is a treat for reviewers.
Maybe, but we can't know for sure. They made 2500 press kits of Uncharted 4, I find it hard to believe that none of the big publications got one.
I think it's more unethical that they get to keep the consoles for free than a couple goodies that cost less than USD 100. I would make them return the consoles after reviewing them.
If it's by zones, there is still IGN UK and other big publications in europe. I doubt they make these press kits only for Eastern Europe.
I doubt the aim is to get coverage. Is a treat for reviewers.
I own a media website .com (covering independent horror films), but we recieve press kits all the same. Usually include a private link to the film, some publishing material, background info on production, maybe a detailed synopsis and contact info for interview inquiries (delivered plainly via PDF)
All of that is actually incredibly beneficial in allowing me to deliver to site visitors the content theyre interested in, in a timely manner with prudent information including background stuff we otherwise wouldnt have been able to share. It helps the filmmaker as a result since things arent falsely reported on. Doesnt change whether they will be reviewed poorly or not.
This special edition, rare boxed set bullshit though...nah. It seems almost like a bribe. None of those bells and whistles help in delivering the review with maximum integrity and in a timely manner.
All of that is actually incredibly beneficial in allowing me to deliver to site visitors the content theyre interested in, in a timely manner with prudent information including background stuff we otherwise wouldnt have been able to share. It helps the filmmaker as a result since things arent falsely reported on. Doesnt change whether they will be reviewed poorly or not.
This special edition, rare boxed set bullshit though...nah. It seems almost like a bribe. None of those bells and whistles help in delivering the review with maximum integrity and in a timely manner.
Agree entirely with you on consoles. They aren't necessary and should be returned, and the PR agency reminded of editorial policy over receiving gifts. That's what I'd do, anyway.
Just as a brief aside, anyone who thinks nice
promo game editions are a problem would be
shocked to see the amount of PR tat that editorial sectors like the national press and fashion/lifestyle/tech mags get and throw/give away.
ShockingAlberto
Member
I am always baffled by the jealousy toward press kits.
It's like seeing someone being given a flyer on the street and getting mad you didn't get to throw it away.
It's like seeing someone being given a flyer on the street and getting mad you didn't get to throw it away.
ClosingADoor
Member
No, the zones don't work that way. Western European countries mostly have their own country office. And Eastern European ones share it or have local distributors still, depending on which ones. Nordic is also grouped together mostly.
But considering the views these videos get and the exposure on social media, I do think that thought goes into which outlet to sent it to. If IGN consistently does nothing with the kit, but Youtube channel X gets 50.000 views on an unboxing, which one is more interesting to sent it to.
Same reason that publishers sent games to some (local) celebrities, to get that Instagram picture with it.
mere_immortal
Member
Ditto. Print out a bunch of character art and bios then tea stain it, you'll get basically the same experience.
More_Badass
Member
Yeah, the vast majority of press kits are essentially ZIP files of this
http://no-mans-sky.com/press/sheet.php?p=no_man's_sky
http://dinopoloclub.com/press/sheet.php?p=mini_metro
http://variablestate.com/press/sheet.php?p=virginia
http://www.prunegame.com/press/sheet.php?p=prune
http://antichamber-game.com/press/sheet.php?p=Antichamber
http://34bigthings.com/press/sheet.php?p=redout
Skel1ingt0n
I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
Some journalist made $300 off of me when I bought their Bloodborne Press Kit off eBay.
I imagined that to be the case more often than not.
There are very rare times a special edition Blu-Ray is available for us to review as an option (which we could keep if we wanted to), but they're almost always given away in a contest (built to draw in more visitors).
Being a selfish prick doesnt even help yourself. Most decent outlets already understand that.
Two words: Sony Europe.
American press typically get download codes and/or retail copies right before release. There might be a printed fact sheet inside and a USB with assets, else there is a link to download assets from a FTP site.
Any recent fancy press kit very likely comes from Europe.
Gamers are jealous of paid reviewers in general I think.
Even then, most of them I think were sent to non-gaming (your Rolling Stone and such) mainstream publications who write about games from time to time.
It does work or these companies wouldn't spend the money.
Stallion Dan
Member
Cool, an item I can eBay for $600, gonna be a bit more forgiving than usual and hope I get more such things from this publisher to eBay.
Not exactly a stretch of reality for this to happen.
Sevket-Erhat
Member
I used to spend a ton of money on them on ebay...but not anymore
To be fair, the actual cost to create those individual press kits is peanuts compared to the ad spend. The agencies that create them are as interested in winning awards and accounts (and having a better one than their rivals) as much as gaining coverage.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
I like the two conversations going on here despite press testimonials.
This brings up a good point: this stuff will be gaming history soon and should be.
This brings up a good point: this stuff will be gaming history soon and should be.
ShockingAlberto
Member
Anyone who sells that stuff on ebay is probably breaching ethical guidelines and is likely risking termination.
If they're breaching that ethical guideline, what stops them from just straight up asking for money for reviews?
Yes, it's a stretch. Where are the journalists ebaying their press kits for big profits? Where are the outlets that are worth bribing that would be ok with this?
This is subconscious influence.