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[truly101]

Y'know, has anyone taken a sample survey to see how many game buyers consulted metacritic or gamerankings before making a purchase and juxtaposed that next to the top selling games for a particular period of time? It seems to me that the people who are so worried about metacritics damaging effects probably don't really know what effect metacritic actually has.....do they?

 

[Haunted]

That's an interesting point, actually. Why and when did publishers and companies suddenly decide to treat Metacritic as a site of such importance?

Producers always rant about metacritic ratings, but I can't really argue with it. I agree with them. Well, the review ones. The user ones are HARHARHAR.

So you agree that Time Crisis 4 is a 60/100?

 

[methane47]

So you agree that Time Crisis 4 is a 60/100?

low blow lol

 

[Shockgamer]

What if a dev makes a great game that gets only average scores?

Then it wasn't a very great game in the first place, was it?

I guess it's possible for 10-20 different reviewers to all be blind to the greatness that is game X. It's just not likely.

 

[dfyb]

That's an interesting point, actually. Why and when did publishers suddenly decide to treat Metacritic as a site of such importance?

when they wanted to save money on market research and have metacritic do it for them.

 

[JDSN]

On February 12th pswi60_2nd_account said:

thank god for Metacritic. It has exposed Edge for being "so far away" from everyone else that it shows who has the agenda. It also takes the power away from reviewers, to damage a game with a "final say", as opposed to being just another number in the bunch.

Edge, stop trying to change the industry to what you want it to be. Consumers run this industry, and if consumers want, need, and like what Metacritic does, then fall in line or become a fashion mag.

Someone here said that "Metacritic is killing originality"....are you kidding me? If being original is being a troll fanboy website then yes, Metacritic is killing originality.

But lets face it, the ps3 games with the worst review scores from Edge, those 20-30 points away from the Metacritic, all did something original, or tried to. Only once has Edge given a ps3 game with an original idea a good score, LBP. The other games, like Eye of Judgment, Lair, Resistance 2, Killzone 2, Folklore, all tried to be innovative, but Edge didn't like that innovation, and punished the game accordingly.

So the innovation and originality are there, it's just that Edge rewards innovation "it likes" and punishes what "it doesn't." But it doesn't punish Halo X, Gears X, GTA X, so again, we are back to the double standard.

Funny that this article is going to be included (or was already) to convince your own readers that its "Metacritic" that's ruining the industry, and not some fallout shelter for fanboys trying to ruin the hard work of developers who are pushing the limits and trying new things.

Good job Edge, the A+ content just keeps coming.

Oh and by the way, Marc Doyle isn't going to see things your way, or mine. He makes his own judgments based on what is happening in the industry, and when him and I spoke on the phone, the impression I got from him was that (and I am paraphrasing) "if there is a respected publication that carries a lot of weight with their scores, and they are not connecting with the public or are not being balanced, their weight can be adjusted down, and vice versa. It's all about tweaking."

Metacritic is here to stay, so stop your crying Edge and get used to it. Yes, there is a website that tracks what you do over time. I guess accountability is something new to this publication.

I see KZ2-age found the article.

 

[Haunted]

when they wanted to save money on market research and have metacritic do it for them.

Fucking stupid.

Then it wasn't a very great game in the first place, was it?

I guess it's possible for 10-20 different reviewers to all be blind to the greatness that is game X. It's just not likely.

That's a lot of trust you're putting into game reviewers.

With stuff like Gerstmanngate, the IGN advertising/cover story policies, the GTAIV review debacle... let's just say that I don't.

 

[soldat7]

Really, Metacritic is about as objective as you can get when it comes to reviews.

Unless a Metacritic score is composed of entirely subjective reviews...

 

[Guled]

hopefully Metacritic will become less and less important as demos become more common

 

[dfyb]

Then it wasn't a very great game in the first place, was it?

I guess it's possible for 10-20 different reviewers to all be blind to the greatness that is game X. It's just not likely.

it's not unlikely that 10-20 people could have a tilted opinion...? the number of opinions represented on metacritic is TINY and their sway is disproportionably large. you should also consider the fact that game reviewers typically represent a very narrow range of demographics.

too much stake is put into the reviews, and the error can be placed on many. reviewers for promoting their reviews like they are the be-all-end-all judgment (when they are more often written as two-bit editorial pieces, or for big games, sometimes they are more like promotional pieces), readers for accepting that, and publishers for basing decisions off it.

 

[truly101]

Wouldn't metacritc "exposing" Edge be like the Neilsen ratings exposing CBS or something? That doesn't makes sense. I've come to terms with the fact that video games just make some people very stupid.

 

[Jive Turkey]

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/4586.html

Killzone 2 needs to come out so fanboys can find something new to cry over. This song is getting real old.

 

[tino]

So I guess Egde is getting shit from its latest scores.

Personally, I don't have problem with developers getting bonus base on metacritic scores. At least it's better than getting bonus base on sales.

 

[Hellsing321]

Is this a veiled Killzone 2 thread?

Every thread is a veiled Killzone 2 thread.

 

[Peronthious]

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/4586.html

Oh wow. The idiocy there makes my head hurt.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Your sense humor (or lack thereof) is part of the problem

He's German.

Spoiler

Sorry, Haunted

 

[nib95]

I like Metacritic myself. You get a better sense of what a game is like. Collective opinion > one man's opinion. It's funny how Edge would write an article such as this of all media outlets, since their scores are often the one's that are most against the average score for whatever said game.

 

[Cruzader]

I like Metacritic myself. You get a better sense of what a game is like. Collective opinion > one man's opinion. It's funny how Edge would write an article such as this of all media outlets, since their scores are often the one's that are most against the average score for whatever said game.

This! x a billion.

 

[godhandiscen]

and what if they did? there's nothing wrong with drawing comparisons between the stature of good games and good movies, both relative to their respective peers.

Fuck no. The Godfather is one of the best movies ever. KZ 2 is a good game.

 

[HK-47]

Killzone 2 needs to come out so fanboys can find something new to cry over. This song is getting real old.

They already are swarming to Uncharted 2

 

[Jive Turkey]

They already are swarming to Uncharted 2

That's fine...At least the melody will change a little.

 

[Haunted]

He's German.

Spoiler

Sorry, Haunted

 

[Mama Robotnik]

I see KZ2-age found the article.

Thanks for highlighting this comment. I have a morbid fascination with this level of fervoured idiocy, with logic-jumps that couldn't argue their way out of a paper-bag that was already open.

I particularly like the notion that scores should be democratically decided by people who have not played the game, then magazines must follow and conform. At least, that's how I interpreted it. Rather tricky to follow.

I wish someone would just set up Fanboys Say the Darndest Things and be done with it.

 

[J-Rzez]

I like Metacritic myself. You get a better sense of what a game is like. Collective opinion > one man's opinion. It's funny how Edge would write an article such as this of all media outlets, since their scores are often the one's that are most against the average score for whatever said game.

This is true. Edge is trying to more-so damage the industry than anything else. All the latest drama was caused by them, getting called out by other sites even. They're a joke, and they've plummeted far below Eurogamer and such with the latest batch of snipes they took from agenda. It's hard to doubt that theory from "factual evidence P)" applied to them from other sites, and from other gamers.

 

[Orlics]

This is true. Edge is trying to more-so damage the industry than anything else. All the latest drama was caused by them, getting called out by other sites even. They're a joke, and they've plummeted far below Eurogamer and such with the latest batch of snipes they took from agenda. It's hard to doubt that theory from "factual evidence P)" applied to them from other sites, and from other gamers.

I fail to understand how Edge of all publications would want to damage the industry...

 

[Sibylus]

Wish List

1. Thumbs system replaces number system in the majority of reviews
2. A thumbs aggregate in the vein of Metacritic is created

 

[Haunted]

Wish List

1. Thumbs system replaces number system in the majority of reviews
2. A thumbs aggregate in the vein of Metacritic is created

3. Bonuses are awarded by publishers when games fulfill a certain thumbs-up quota.

 

[vanty]

Then it wasn't a very great game in the first place, was it?

I guess it's possible for 10-20 different reviewers to all be blind to the greatness that is game X. It's just not likely.

It does happen though. omg a 6 from edge wtfwtf

Kind of strange how KZ2 has the most insane fanboys of all. I thought it couldn't get worse than the MGS4 ones, but reading the comments on almost any Edge article is just appalling. The only thing about Metacritic that can damage the games industry is the fact that almost all of their sources for reviews do the 6-10/10 scale instead of an Edge-style scale when scoring games.

 

[Mama Robotnik]

This is true. Edge is trying to more-so damage the industry than anything else. All the latest drama was caused by them, getting called out by other sites even. They're a joke, and they've plummeted far below Eurogamer and such with the latest batch of snipes they took from agenda. It's hard to doubt that theory from "factual evidence P)" applied to them from other sites, and from other gamers.

Have you actually read Edge? If you have, then my apologies.

From my perspective, it seems to be written by some very smart people who care very much, passionately, about this industry. I may sometimes disagree, but their opinions are usually insightful and carefully justified. They tend to cover issues in the text of their reviews that I don't consider (and neither do most magazines/websites), and I value that.

Given the weighty content usually found in their reviews, the score is usually supremely irrelevant. I do wish they'd abolish them altogether, it lowers the maturity of the product. At least they do use the full-scale, and only a short range of numbers, but that is still trying to get the best performance from a faulty mechanism as far as I'm concerned.

In the text of their reviews, previews, editorials and articles, I'm failing to see this so-called agenda.

Oh, and just to add to the topic - anyone suggesting that this article is a response to the recent review discussions - it is worth bearing in mind that it was originally published in this month's magazine, before the review debate started. Worth bearing in mind.

 

[Sibylus]

3. Bonuses are awarded by publishers when games fulfill a certain thumbs-up quota.

Publisher dood: "John, your newest game fell below the minimum thumbs up to thumbs down ratio! You're fired!!"

John guy: ""

Spoiler

Basically, I still think it'd be an improvement, seeing as a number system is a shitty companion to subjective things like reviews.

 

[HK-47]

This is why everyone should have Rzez on ignore. He's batshit spin crazy

 

[Cruzader]

They already are swarming to Uncharted 2

Can you tell me something. When Halo 2 was announced and release, you're saying xbox fans didnt gush over their exclusive? Same with Halo3/Gears? I dont get this mentality that there are only PS3 fanboys and xbox/ninty fans can do no wrong.

 

[Zerodoppler]

If they're really giving that much power to some jaded man-children, they kind of deserve to crash and burn in sales.

 

[sprsk]

If you have a zit on your face, you don't pop your face.

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

This is why everyone should have Rzez on ignore. He's batshit spin crazy

co-signed

 

[vanty]

Can you tell me something. When Halo 2 was announced and release, you're saying xbox fans didnt gush over their exclusive? Same with Halo3/Gears? I dont get this mentality that there are only PS3 fanboys and xbox/ninty fans can do no wrong.

Of course there are Halo and Smash Bros fanboys, but they're not even close to being on the same level as the average KZ2 fan.

 

[HK-47]

Can you tell me something. When Halo 2 was announced and release, you're saying xbox fans didnt gush over their exclusive? Same with Halo3/Gears? I dont get this mentality that there are only PS3 fanboys and xbox/ninty fans can do no wrong.

Nintendo fans dont have anything to swarm over and Xbox fans seem to be surprisingly mild lately.

 

[outunderthestars]

I think the real issue is the absurd grading scale that exists on alot of gaming sites. Is a 100 point scale really necessary or practical?

I think a five point scale is much more reasonable. Something along the lines of:

BUY IT!
Wait for a price drop
Rent it
bargain bin fodder
skip it

 

[TheGreatDave]

This is true. Edge is trying to more-so damage the industry than anything else. All the latest drama was caused by them, getting called out by other sites even. They're a joke, and they've plummeted far below Eurogamer and such with the latest batch of snipes they took from agenda. It's hard to doubt that theory from "factual evidence P)" applied to them from other sites, and from other gamers.

...dude, what?

 

[methane47]

Of course there are Halo and Smash Bros fanboys, but they're not even close to being on the same level as the average KZ2 fan.

lolol KZ fan likes to post gifs in un-related threads.. = much more crazy than Halo and Mario fans who write hate mail to people who give bad reviews..

SUUuuuuRReee.

Exactly What is it that you think makes a Killzone fan crazy for pointing out a 7/10 and a Ninty fan not crazy for pointing out an 8.8?

 

[outunderthestars]

Exactly What is it that you think makes a Killzone fan crazy for pointing out a 7/10 and a Ninty fan not crazy for pointing out an 8.8?

They are both equally stupid.

 

[dfyb]

all consoles have retarded fanboys. all big games have retarded fanboys. all sports teams have retarded fanboys. there's no real quantifiable difference.

 

[watership]

http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/4586.html

"it's good, but there are better titles out there for your money." This...is...a...lie. That's right, a lie. Like it or not, opinions exist on a sliding scale, and we're not saying everyone is going to enjoy KZ2, but this review is akin to saying something similar about "The Godfather II" or "Citizen Kane." We all know that Guerilla's title is one of the best FPSs ever made; anyone who knows this industry and has a functioning brain will admit to this. They may not like it, but they will admit to its quality. This is what good reviewers do.

What a pathetic and embarassing article. Not everyone thinks Citizen Kane is the greatest movie of all time. Not everyone thinks Killzone is a great game. If this sort of thing keeps up Killzone 2 will be remembered not for the game but for the stupidity of fanaticals.

 

[Cruzader]

Nintendo fans dont have anything to swarm over and Xbox fans seem to be surprisingly mild lately.

Ok agree about nintendo fans but I saw what they did at Gfaqs site when the precious zelda got an 8 or something.

And you saying that 360 fans are "mild" atm is like saying PS3 fans are going "ape shit" because a very hyped and waited for game is about to release by months end.(aka VERY SOON) Whenever an exclusive AAA game is about to release, fanboys go buck wild, all of them no matter what. So for some of you to say PS3 fonboys are the worse, please.

Im not trying to "protect" or stand up for them nor anyone since I think all fanboys are alike thus all are annoying. But to say one type of fanboy is more intolerable then the others is just dumb.

 

[vanty]

lolol KZ fan likes to post gifs in un-related threads.. = much more crazy than Halo and Mario fans who write hate mail to people who give bad reviews..

SUUuuuuRReee.

Exactly What is it that you think makes a Killzone fan crazy for pointing out a 7/10 and a Ninty fan not crazy for pointing out an 8.8?

I'm referring more to the comments on any Edge article even slightly related to KZ2, not to the fanboys on GAF. Read the comments here, comments on the review in question, and this hilarious article and tell me you've ever seen that level of insanity coming from a not-perfect review of a Halo or Mario game. I can't recall the 8.8 being called a "disservice to game consumers" by any Nintendo fanboys.

 

[PepsimanVsJoe]

That's a new one. If you put together enough opinions they somehow become a fact.

I'll have to remember that next time I bash something everyone likes.

 

[HK-47]

Ok agree about nintendo fans but I saw what they did at Gfaqs site when the precious zelda got an 8 or something.

And you saying that 360 fans are "mild" atm is like saying PS3 fans are going "ape shit" because a very hyped and waited for game is about to release by months end.(aka VERY SOON) Whenever an exclusive AAA game is about to release, fanboys go buck wild, all of them no matter what. So for some of you to say PS3 fonboys are the worse, please.

Im not trying to "protect" or stand up for them nor anyone since I think all fanboys are alike thus all are annoying. But to say one type of fanboy is more intolerable then the others is just dumb.

Sony fans remind me of the super defensive GC era Nintendo fans, that I also despise. KZ2 remind me of TP, save the difference in fanbase and history of Zelda vs KZ2 makes Zelda backlash seem more severe

 

[Flynn]

“ If you look at family games and kids ’ games, they consistently score as many as ten review points lower for, dare I say, what’s similar quality, ” says Frontier’s David Braben. “ It’s actually really hard to make a really
good kids ’ game. ”

I found this quote kinda funny. Sure it's hard to make good kids' games -- when you consistently budget them at a fraction of what so-called AAA games cost.

Anyway, its moments like this that make me wish that game developers were unionized, because they could all get together and chose to ban the use of Metacritic scores as a bonus or residual determinant in their contracts. Sadly, many aren't in the position to negotiate their way out of something as distasteful as that.

Secondly, other folks in the industry, particularly PR are also pressured to deliver Metacritic scores. Worst case scenario means that code goes out to the outlets they can count (for the most part) to score predictable.

On a personal level I think the focus on scores detracts from the conversation. We're too wrapped up in the numbers and not about discussion of the actual game. I love when people compare one game to another, but they should be doing so in terms of story, play and setting, not splitting hairs over the one or two point difference in score the games got.

 

[Buttchin]

What if a dev makes a great game that gets only average scores?

screw that what if the developers make a game that gets shit reviews but sells 5 million copies and gets the publisher a ton of money in profit. Why cant the developers can't a bonus for that? They did there job in making a profitable game. And yes this scenario has happened mentioned in other articles similar to this one.

Why not have two bonus scenario one for meeting a certain sales mark and another for getting the sales and good reviews.

getting good reviews is great and all but this is a business first and foremost.

 

[Fafalada]

Interesting. Imagine developers getting bonuses based on the scores. What type of games would we be getting?

Looking at actual market results - better games then what you get when developers get bonuses based on actual sales, like what happens right now.