[Multiplatform] Midway, Sony Sports and Ubi Soft Hate EGM...

Reprinted editorial from EGM #225


The basic jist of this is that those three companies are pissed that EGM gave their games low scores and now they are effectively revoking coverage from the publication. Something similar to this has happened before like Acclaim pulling ads because of the low scoring NES game, Total Recall and Capcom doing the same when they didn't give Super Street Fighter II the stellar reviews that Capcom felt it deserved.

Honestly I'm pissed and disappointed with these companies. It really makes game journalism seem illegitimate and this doesn't help in the light of 'Gertsmann-gate'. This also prevents the video game industry from being taken more seriously. If many magazines are getting paid off for reviews then it just cheapens the medium and really prevents it from being bigger than it should. I'm glad that EGM is sticking to their guns by being honest in their reviews despite how much game companies or even other people might hate it. The truth hurts and at the same time, not everyone's opinion is the same however it is good to be informed about any issues involved with the games.

To the point I would like to propose a gamer wide ban on Midway, Sony Sports and Ubi Soft until they cut this childish act out and allow EGM to cover their games in a timely fashion. I'm going to sell off my Ubi Soft collection which includes Prince of Persia: Sands of Time unfortunately. I don't believe I have any Midway games but if I do I'll get rid of them and I've never bought any sports games, realistic ones anyway. I also plan on boycotting future releases from those companies and it really sucks because there are some good games coming from Ubi Soft, Splinter Cell: Conviction being one of them.

If you're with me, great. I want the corruption of video game journalism and video game PR to stop. I want EGM or any publication or anyone for that matter to really blow the lid off of this. I want it to stop and I want to see honesty in reviews and previews, not ass kissing.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Aardark

Another thing; it's not as if this is some shocking new development. Games journalism has been this way for a very long time, and it certainly isn't limited to the companies targeted here. The way EGM is bringing it up right after the Gamespot scandal makes it appear that they are banking on the readership going 'RAARH YEAH, FIGHT THE POWER, SUPPORT OUR FALLEN, ROTUND HERO GERSTMANN; YOU GO, EGM'.

Yeah because there is not such thing a coincidence.

Why should I accept it the way as it is? I'm sure there's more of it out there and I want it to be exposed. I want there to be change. Why not have honest video game journalism? Oh just shut up and game right? Yeah well unfortunately I don't always have the time nor money to dedicate towards gaming I'd like to know some of the points of the game before I get it and I'd like it as honestly as possible.

If those companies can't stand a few bad reviews then perhaps they should allow the developers a bit more time to finish the game so it can perhaps be better.

Originally Posted by Aadark

The only thing these companies can do is not send out preview copies and similar material, and they have a right to do that for any reason whatsoever. The reason they are providing that material in the first place is to get good publicity and consequentially raise sales. If they feel that EGM does more harm than good for their publicity, they are entitled to take an action in response to that.

And yet what comes with this coverage, especially exclusive 'good' coverage? Payouts. Bribes of some sort. Here is the game for you to preview it, say good things and you get a cookie. How does that make sense? Because it makes the money go round and round.

This is one of the few reasons why I have an overall problem with publishers. I've put out my opinion, laid down the facts and I really didn't expect much from here but I'm trying at least, and this will go to other places. Kind of sad that gamers as a whole can be pretty damn complacent.

There's nowhere I can't reach.