news
- Peter Molyneux Begs Reviewers to Consider the Following...
- Posted 2 months, 4 weeks ago by Coop
This is really strange, because my gut reaction is to attack, but I’m not sure what to rationally think. Some review copies of Fable II have arrived on the desks of game journalists, complete with a manifesto of sorts from Peter Molyneux. He has several requests to ask of reviewers, which is incredibly unorthodox. One is quoted below:
I have a favour to ask you — we build this game not only to appeal to gamers like yourself, but to appeal to anybody. So please, please, please, please, please find somebody who doesn't play games, watch them play it and see how their world turns out, because I think it's only when you see those differences that the unique experiences comes through.
I understand this, but the same could be said of literally any game. Non-gamers are bound to have different reactions than gamers to most titles, and the job of a game reviewer is to take that into account, regardless of the game or its target audience. It’s not an unreasonable request, it’s just not worth mentioning, and sounds condescending.
The second consideration he asks for, which is one I understand, loathe, and might follow, is to wait on reviewing the game until the patch brings online co-op. The lack of cooperative play at launch is literally detestable, but if the patch will be within the first week I understand his request. The point of a game review isn’t to punish a developer for a misstep, it's to inform gamers of a title’s value. If there is a significant update within the first week or two I understand waiting, maybe even doing an “impressions” article in the meantime. It’s not worth putting a review on the Internet with outdated material just to do it in a timely fashion. On the other hand, reviews don’t count DLC or anything like that, so this is definitely a strange case, and I’m not sure how to handle it.
How would you, as a game reviewer, handle the request to hold reviews until a patch, which is promised to be within a week or two of the launch? Remember, a reviewer isn’t supposed to be scornful when he goes into a review, and “updating” the text doesn’t change the Metascore for a title. Where do you stand on this?
Related Articles:
Fable II Pub Games Glitch - INTENTIONAL?!
Fable II Gets Solid Release Date
Fable II to Launch Without Online Co-Op
| Share this article: |
|
Comments
Damn, that's strange. Not as bad as Factor5's "How to review Lair" guide, but still...
Something is strange about releasing a game, hoping it does not get reviewed till the patch comes out. If you knew something was wrong delay the release again like you always do
This (along with the now lacking collectors edition issues) have scared me off from wanting to purchase this game, it now will sit close to the top of my gamefly queue and I will have extra money to put toward the ION drumset for Rockband 2.
Arrghh, Peter Molyneux, I dig your games, but please shut the fuck up! You are not only making yourself look bad, but you are destroying the credibility of Fable II, which for all we know could be completely awesome. I loved the first Fable and have been looking forward to the second for a long time, but every time something like this happens I cringe. Maybe he meant well, maybe he's just misunderstood, but almost everything he says makes me think that his PR people should tape his mouth shut until well after the game's release.
As for whether or not to wait on the review until co-op is added, that is a really tough call. You make a good point that the purpose of a game review is not to punish, but to inform. As much as it angers me that co-op play will not be included at launch (especially with Molyneux telling everyone that the game was done for months), if it really is included shortly after launch it might be a good idea to consider that in the review--assuming that this actually happens, and it better.
For once in an eternity, I agree with Voyou. Is he trying to cushion his game by saying that it doesn't appeal to casual gamers or is he vying for the opposite? With all the hype and depth, I hope he doesn't expect his title to be reviewed as a casual game.
Its definitely condescending for him to ask reviewers to take into account the casual audience, because most credible reviewers already do. It sounds like he has his head so far up his ass he doesn't expect to hear reviewers give it less than a perfect score and is like "Play fair with the other kids, so no one gets their feelings hurt."
Ha. I will buy your game sir, but I sincerely doubt that it is THAT good...
(Of course I could be eating my own words in a week, but that doesn't change the fact that this man is a pompous ass)
i really just think this guy should shut up. Its like he already knows it is going to bomb so he is trying to discredit any possible negative review right off the bat.