grimshawish
Banned
[If you want background information on the events surrounding games journalism and then Wainwright/Square Enix in particular refer to this thread and this post roundup]
Pages 39/40/41
The 'preview' in the recommendations section that follows doesn't quite meet what you might expect...
Wainwright opens up with a quick blurb on behalf of the publisher, it'd look great in a press release/the back of a box:
Sales pitch:
Weird shoe in of features, again very very 'press release' like:
Goes on to have quotes from a publisher (*cough**cough) discussing their big ads and everything for the game.
Finishing with this:
Has Wainwright played the finished game? She seems to indicate it, certainly her comments are either from someone whose played it or is playing an aggressive sales pitch. Her PSN/Live/Steam accounts don't indicate shes played a copy of the game, but maybe she has. However this was mean she and MCV are openly breaking the review embargo unless they have a deal for an early review.
However you don't agree a deal on an early review if you have to 'pretend' its not a review. Pure and simple this is nothing but a sales pitch, likely copied from a Press Release sent to MCV or to Wainwright herself.
You also have to question the logic of publishing this article after recent events. Wainwright shows no hints of a hands on the game.
It could have easily been written by another writer. Instead Michael French the editor of MCV decided to publish Wainwrights article.
Thats most of the article on a 2 page spread, the rest is a mix of images...and oh...four adverts:
The last of these four individual adverts is for a joint project between MCV and Square Enix:
Cross-promotions are nothing new, but it is still interesting to note that Square Enix/MCV have a direct business relationship and that a marketing deal between the two exists. MCV ofc looking to market themselves to the industry, SE just wanting to market Hitman: Absolution.
This is where things get murky for the two companies. Wainwright threatened to sue Eurogamer for libel after they pointed out she had actively participated in promoting products on twitter. Not only that Robert Florence specifically questioned her 'love' of another Square Enix game, Tomb Raider. All mention of this was removed due to her threats. It is also known her employers MCV directly approached Eurogamer to ask for the removal of the references to her employee. Robert Florence has since left Eurogamer and will no longer write his column for them.
Turns out...Wainwright was once employed by Square Enix, she then deleted this reference but by then detective-gaf had set to work; not only that, she posted on her blog about her friend Katrina and how she helped her get into PR events. Korina now works for Square Enix. Wainwright then claimed on twitter that she had never reviewed a Square Enix game. A lie, she had reviewed a number - and even posted a front page story on the new Tomb Raider game for IGN.
It now appears that Wainwright's relationship with Square Enix is not just through her friend but also through her employer. Bringing MCV even further under question as to their independence and integrity for their continued hiring of Wainwright as well as their relationship directly with Square Enix.
Michael French allowed for an article that is nothing more than a PR sales pitch, with no signs of critique or an actual play through to be published in his magazine by a writer who has worked for Square Enix, threatened libel to remove references to her promoting Square Enix, lied about her involvement with Square Enix and handed in this 'piece' which he might as well have asked Enix themselves to send in.
EDITED to ad:
Despite no explanation of writer Wainwrights relationship with Square Enix, MCV have continued to employ Wainwright as a writer. Not only that but shes been given the opportunity to discuss Hitman: Absolution for them - a Square Enix game. Now this article may have been written before the controversy, but it was published after [November 2nd edition].
Pages 39/40/41
The 'preview' in the recommendations section that follows doesn't quite meet what you might expect...
Wainwright opens up with a quick blurb on behalf of the publisher, it'd look great in a press release/the back of a box:
Sales pitch:
Weird shoe in of features, again very very 'press release' like:
Goes on to have quotes from a publisher (*cough**cough) discussing their big ads and everything for the game.
Finishing with this:
Has Wainwright played the finished game? She seems to indicate it, certainly her comments are either from someone whose played it or is playing an aggressive sales pitch. Her PSN/Live/Steam accounts don't indicate shes played a copy of the game, but maybe she has. However this was mean she and MCV are openly breaking the review embargo unless they have a deal for an early review.
However you don't agree a deal on an early review if you have to 'pretend' its not a review. Pure and simple this is nothing but a sales pitch, likely copied from a Press Release sent to MCV or to Wainwright herself.
You also have to question the logic of publishing this article after recent events. Wainwright shows no hints of a hands on the game.
It could have easily been written by another writer. Instead Michael French the editor of MCV decided to publish Wainwrights article.
Thats most of the article on a 2 page spread, the rest is a mix of images...and oh...four adverts:
- NOVEL IDEA - Hitman: Damnation looks to bridge the gap between 2006's Hitman: Blood Money and Absolution. It's written by Raymond Benson, who has penned novels for both Metal Gear Solid and James Bond.
- FASHION FIX - Smartly dressed Agent 47 even has his own clothing line with Trapstar. A premium blazer, cufflinks and T-shirts can be bought official from the Hitman store online.
- DELUXE PROFESSIONAL - The professional edition of the game contains a hardcover art book, making of DVD and Agency Gun-Pack DLC.
- SNIPER CHALLENGE - Pre-order customers are treated to a free game called Sniper Challenge. The game sees players take part in a mission to take out a target and rack up points. Turn to the 86 for details on MCV's top industry assassins.
The last of these four individual adverts is for a joint project between MCV and Square Enix:
Cross-promotions are nothing new, but it is still interesting to note that Square Enix/MCV have a direct business relationship and that a marketing deal between the two exists. MCV ofc looking to market themselves to the industry, SE just wanting to market Hitman: Absolution.
This is where things get murky for the two companies. Wainwright threatened to sue Eurogamer for libel after they pointed out she had actively participated in promoting products on twitter. Not only that Robert Florence specifically questioned her 'love' of another Square Enix game, Tomb Raider. All mention of this was removed due to her threats. It is also known her employers MCV directly approached Eurogamer to ask for the removal of the references to her employee. Robert Florence has since left Eurogamer and will no longer write his column for them.
Turns out...Wainwright was once employed by Square Enix, she then deleted this reference but by then detective-gaf had set to work; not only that, she posted on her blog about her friend Katrina and how she helped her get into PR events. Korina now works for Square Enix. Wainwright then claimed on twitter that she had never reviewed a Square Enix game. A lie, she had reviewed a number - and even posted a front page story on the new Tomb Raider game for IGN.
It now appears that Wainwright's relationship with Square Enix is not just through her friend but also through her employer. Bringing MCV even further under question as to their independence and integrity for their continued hiring of Wainwright as well as their relationship directly with Square Enix.
Michael French allowed for an article that is nothing more than a PR sales pitch, with no signs of critique or an actual play through to be published in his magazine by a writer who has worked for Square Enix, threatened libel to remove references to her promoting Square Enix, lied about her involvement with Square Enix and handed in this 'piece' which he might as well have asked Enix themselves to send in.
EDITED to ad:
