G4 X-Play's Matt Keil Debunks Mass Effect's Disappointing Preview

Matt Keil, a writer and producer of G4 X-Play, has posted in NeoGAF forums in response to Destructoid's PAX 2007 preview that "Mass Effect is disappointing, but nice looking". Matt has this to say:

Do not believe this preview. I had the first hour of the game played in front of me, and none of Destructoid's criticisms are valid. This is either truly awful taste or a pathetic attempt to get more hits. Possibly both.

Mass Effect has the most incredible facial animation of any game ever (at the time I saw it, anyway...Heavenly Sword tops it in cutscenes, IMO), and the voice acting is perfectly fine. The beginning of the game is all space navy "Sir, we have visual" shit, anyway. It's obviously not going to be Gone With The Wind.

There are plenty of things to worry about with Mass Effect without making up shit about the presentation. This preview is simply not describing the game I saw.

[jodonn08]

could g4 try and make it more obvious they are getting paid by microsoft

[Like a shadow I am]

As per N4G's submission guidelines:

"Also internet forums and message boards do not normally qualify as a reliable source. However linking to screenshots and videos posted on forums is ok. You can also link to forum posts if the post is made by a developer or other industry professionals."

Forum posts are okay ONLY IF they are made by known developers and industry professionals. Matt Keil is an INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL. He's not just a grip boy or runner -- he is a WRITER-PRODUCER at G4 X-Play.

Edit: Why disagree with N4G's Guidelines??

[ALI-G]

DOING PRETTY GOOD JOB

mass effect is must buy for me,it os from the legendary bioware just like bungi = you buy the game with confidance it will FU@KIN ROCK

big uppset for sony suckers

[ktchong]

G4 X-Play rarely produces any video reviews for Xbox 360 games, and close to never for Windows games.

Most of G4's reviews are for Sony and Nintendo's games.

[Bnet343]

Destructoid made it obvious that they were being paid by Sony. Doh! >_<

[the worst]

the game sucks
haha

[Jones Miller]

The title of this comment says it all. Unfortunately I could not just add a reply without writing a comment in this field. OK here it goes: OMG that is the dumbest comment I´ve ever heard in my entire life and I hear it often fanboy or no fanboy.

[Like a shadow I am]

"Also internet forums and message boards do not normally qualify as a reliable source. However linking to screenshots and videos posted on forums is ok. You can also link to forum posts if the post is made by a developer or other industry professionals."

Forum posts are okay ONLY IF they are made by known developers and industry professionals. Matt Keil is an INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL. He's not just a grip boy or runner -- he is a WRITER-PRODUCER at G4 X-Play.

[power of Green]

.

[Demon1980]

lol has this dumb motherfauker ever heard of an opinion? And how the hell do you debunk a preview lmfao?

[the_round_peg]

they carry weight when they come from an industry professionals.

Unlike you or me or Destroidroid, Mr. Matt Keil works in the gaming industry and has first-hand knowledge and experience in the industry. He has professional credentials and background to back up his opinions.

You do not. Destroidroid does not.

Professional credentials in the relevant industry. Professional credentials. Credentials. Credibility. That's what makes his opinions more important than yours or Destroidroid.

[Demon1980]

What the hell is your point? You cannot debunk a fauking rumor and everyone is entitled to their opinion. And what makes him an "expert"?

[B3YOND]

Other than his professional credentials in the video gaming industry, not much.

[Demon1980]

and his credentials are.......?

[Shaka2K6]

Nobody will listen to G4 X-Play's anyways we all know they are all a bunch of stupid xbots, im sure some of them post on n4flamers around here too or just lurk around you never know.

[Like a shadow I am]

Actually, the very fine G4 X-Play's host Morgan Webb is a self-professed Playstation fangirl.

Of course, unlike you obsessive fangirls out there, she has a life and a career.

[EZCheez]

On topic though, this is maybe the third story I have seen about Destructoid doing something weird to get hits, and I for one believe it. It could very well be the Destructoid writer's opinion, but an opinion like that that is that out of whack deserves to be kept to yourself. People who read the Destructoid preview probably made the same face as they would have if a friend told them they liked furries.

[EZCheez]

Double post

[ktchong]

a BLOG is not any more reliable and credible than a forum post, especially when the forum post is made by a writer-producer of a major, well-known video game website.

G4 X-Play or its writers, producers, and hosts > Destructoid

[Clinton514]

Interesting how some people play favorites with their sources of info.

Hmmm.

[the_round_peg]

I had never even heard of Destroidoid until today.

I'm sure most of you guys know G4 and have watched a G4 preview or review before.

[Clinton514]

Keyword: you.

[ktchong]

plus me, and I'm sure you can count the OP in as well.

[Clinton514]

Now when you guys can gather all the info of the gamers around the world, I'll be sure to call it in as a fact to Meriam Websters.

Don't keep me waiting too long. ;)

[ktchong]

Unlike you, Matt Keil is an *industry professional*. He actually works in the industry and has professional credentials -- he has first-hand direct and personal knowledge, experience and contacts in gaming industry.

You do not.

And that's what make HIS opinions worthier than yours (or Destructoid's.) Your opinions count for very little unless you actually have professional credentials to back you up.

[Clinton514]

We're living in the internet age where BLOGS, yup, blogs do have major influence upon MANY matters, including video games. To an avid reader of the Destructoid, Kotaku or even Major Nelson's blog...every bit of info counts.

Professional 'journalists' in such a young and confused industry are up against REAL gamers. You can't discredit our words. To have one ATTEMPT to discredit the other in such a manner says a lot about the accuser. We can all sit here and argue back and forth but the fact of the matter is this BS from X-Play(pros?) does not in any way discredit a thing, except possibly their 'professionalism'.

The end. Have a good night all. ;)

ps. I respect your opinions, all I ask is respect for mine.

[the_round_peg]

professionals who work in the industry are not.

"Gamers" is not exactly a credential -- it does not earn you any credibility or respect.

Industry professionals can and do often discredit the words of some random gamers. Industry professionals discredit rumors and speculation cooked up and spread by all the "real gamers" all the time.

[razer]

are you trying to hard to bring this game down? You've commmented over and over in this thread just trying everything you can to justify the one person who had something bad to say about this game?

Is it so important to you that this game is seen in a negative light?

Your a Sony fanboy so why do you even care?? You are never even going to own this game..

[ASSASSYN 36o]

http://www.xbox360rally.com...

[ngg12345]

It doesn't debunk destructoids opinion that this game isn't that impressive. Who cares, if someone has a negative perception about a game? Not one game has a 100% enjoyment. I was disappointed with the e3 2007 gamespot video of mass effect, but how can you debunk my opinion?

[Clinton514]

True story. Just take a look at our double standard green friend's writings below.

edit: razr. You're a nobody chasing down my comments because you probably got burnt by raw logic. Keep it up kid if this is what keeps you entertained.

[razer]

You are a Sony fanboy who has nothing but negative words to say about anything on the Xbox 360.. I don't think you even plan on buying this game you are just getting your rocks off being negative about this game..

Go back to defending Heavenly Sword and Lair that needs your attention more than this..

[Says you]

Considering you would have to talk alot in the game to just find a person or object in the game and plus what makes this game so great anyway the whole galaxy thing with you can choose planets has been done its called Star Wars BattleFront.

[Dr Pepper]

"I bet you Mass Effect has more dialog than actual play"

Since when has an extensive dialogue system been a bad thing (especially when it helps bring more realism and interactivity to the game)? It worked pretty well for KOTOR.

Also, I don't see how you can compare choosing a planet to fight on (for about 15 minutes, in a limit of about two streets) in Battlefront to choosing a planet to explore in Mass Effect.

[Bnet343]

I think you're confusing Mass Effect with Metal Gear Solid. :P

[Unknown]

you're not a fan of the Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy series as they have countless cut-scences to go along with their gameplay. And to take that thought a little further, you must not realize or be a fan of rpgs as they you a story, which usually involves vocalization or text, to "tell" the gamer.... the story. So yeah, the dialog is going to be longer than a puzzle game or action game to explain exactly what is going on and to immerse the gamer.

[power of Green]

They need for this game to be bad they wont shut them up untill many reviews start rolling in; all the other past positive feed back is now invalid because of Destructoid and Sony fanboy logic.

[EZCheez]

In fact, I want quite the opposite. This is definitely at the top of my jealousy list.

You could never convince me that Bioware would make anything less than an outstanding game.

[TheMART]

Destructoid should be publicly destroyed for saying that nonsense.

[power of Green]

You can not review games getting FPS's and 3rd person RPG's mixed up. He thinks the game is suppose to be like DOOM/RFOM but has boring FF like talking. lol

Look at how people NEED! for Mass Effect to be average this game could easily be right behind BioShock in scoring or more.

[ShiftyLookingCow]

IMO its unlikely that Mass Effect is going to score more than Bioshock but its probably going to be in the same league as KOTOR, averaging in the 90s.

[ngg12345]

It will score alot lower. If it has a good story it will score similar to persona 3, I doubt it will be getting very high numbers. I am almost certain it will be similar to jade empire quality.

[lebaneseprince1]

mass effect looked stupid from day 1 it looked like a bootleg star wars

[B3YOND]

Mass Effect is more like Star Trek than Star Wars.

[power of Green]

In the end it will be the real time or turn base action and explorering the Galaxy that will set this thing apart.

You can get a small taste from the walkthroughs that most 360 owners still have on their HDD's. If you have not seen these do not comment about this game game.

#13.1 I'm sorry BioShock gets beat in offerings by a bit, Bio will beat Mass in ways and Mass will beat Bio in others. Bio: one small and solid as hell package, MASS: bigger dam good package.

[tomfoolery]

KNOWS that Bioware rarely, if ever makes a bad game.
The bad review was Sony influenced,no question.
It's nothing but knob-slobbing Sony fangals trying to counter
what's been happening with their so called AAA titles!
Goofy Sony and their fanbase.
Mass Effect will be exceptional,to say the very least.

[ngg12345]

Just like how microsoft paid ign for the heavenly sword review? It may not be the greatest game ever made. Teh Bias..

[JokesOnYou]

Its more likely that the site was looking for hits just like G4Xplay said, because it makes alot of sense since this game has been well known as one of the best looking games coming, and has already been considered a GOTY contender and recieved many awards and the sony kids who now all over a sudden would like to believe Destructo as fact, ha ha come on this stuff is so obvious we know exactly whats going on=

Lair, Warhawk, and HS were all hyped by sony as huge AAA next gen games that will show the world what the ps3 and bluray is capable of, and after recieving plenty of praise from PREVIEWS many of the same sites final REVIEW showed that in reality those games turned out to be very medicore= now sonykids are seeing big AAA games like Bioshock getting rave reviews so they searching like a rabbid packs of wolves for anything negative about 360 blockbuster games=

unfortunately for sonykids ME is made by another tested company, Bioware who ALWAYS DELIVERS, not sometimes ALWAYS, and unlike sonykids once again I do not shoot the messenger= Destructoid or whatever their name is are free to their opinion, but Iam 100% confident that the REVIEWS for this game will prove that their opinion is waaaay in left field, in fact I will take any bet from any sonykid that ME will avg 9's or better when its all said and done.=

JOY

[power of Green]

LOL Sony fanatics still in here as if that one preview from the guy that thinks ME is a FPS's is proof this is a bad game and no one will see it any different. lol

Its not just talking you are interacting with living breathing AI's that have their own agenda and personalities AI's that should be a few steps above what we see in BioShock.

Your AI team mates will turn on you if they decide they do not like you etc. The story can end in many ways depending on choice making; the customization is off the hook. Theres no other RPG on Earth like it just stop it!.

You order your teamates; you do not jump in and control them. You can play this game like Chess or GoW.

I'm going to create a girl Shepard and I'm going to be the worst kind of human Any of those beasts have seen, hope you can pim out your ride.

[Ahhhh]

@jodonn08 - You're... stupid.
@PS3Fannies - Why are you in a 360 preview in the first place? The only two reasons I can think of is:
1. You have no life and like to bash on the 360, fans, and games.
2. You're jealous your not getting this game on the PS3, so again, you want to diss this game, the 360, and the fans.

For most of you, it's probably both #1 and #2.

[s8anicslayer]

who cares what being discussed in forums

[rhood022]

fanboys are funny that they can't see the circular logic going on here.

The first guy of Destructoid, having just watched the game being played formed a negative opinion of the game. 360Fanboys jumped down his throat saying things like, "he didn't even play it, how can he make an opinion.I'm not going to listen to him" --I'm not even going to go into the irony of this logic, especially when it comes to xboxfanboys trashing PS3 games they have never played.

Then this G4 guy steps up basically says "Don't trust that guys opinions. I WATCHED the game being played and that other guy is full of it." The response from the fanboys, not surprising, was "yeah, you tell him other forum poster guy. This game is gonna rock (even though I haven't played it either)."

Oh you funny fanboys.
---
Now, with that being said. I cannot wait for this game to come out. Bioware (with the exception of Jade Empire) has proven their medal on rpgs.

[medziarz]

the great "professional" debunking somebody's personal opinion :~D

i already lost one bubble posting a non-violating comment under a discrediting the negative impression Bloodmask's entry :/

[shysun]

Bubble 4u hood!

[Cat]

x-play is one of the most reliable reviewers, even if they are a bit biased of late. with few exceptions (sorry guys, but gears of war didn't rock my expletive laden world), i think their reviews are spot on. that said, reviews are only worth so much. demos are worth more.

[the worst]

yea yea

[shysun]

Oh look, two different "OPIONIONS"!

[Charlie2688]

WOW I cant believe someone will do damage control over...an opinion!

LOL he sounds like a lawyer defending its client! I just wonder what does he gain by trashing an opinion?

[ktchong]

G4 X-Play's Adam Sessler also came to the defend of Assassin's Creed after E3 2007, when everyone was criticizing the game after a preview of a work-in-progress, buggy version.

[Takanohana]

MASS EFFECT = C.R.A.P.

Well what did you expect ? A game develeped by a bunch of ex slave in the world fattest nation.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

Am I the only sane person who thinks this 'Takanohana' should be banned?

All I've seen him post are hateful anti-American posts.

Whats your deal? Do you hate Americans? Or are you just a fvcking dumb douchebag?

Your racist, extremist, anti-national remarks are really irking me. And I've only seen like 3 of your posts. All of them have nothing but blind hatred.

Apparantly you think all Americans are fat? Your an idiot.

Ex-slaves? What is that supposed to be a shot at black folks? Sorry but I didn't know the entire Mass Effect project was run by African Americans.

You are a complete idiot. I wish you would just drink some anti-freeze.

Even if you got banned, you could just make another account. Hmm couldn't they get your IP address or something so you could never use your computer to log onto this site again.

The world will be a much better place without you. So don't worry. Don't think twice, just drink the anti-freeze.

Die fvcktard, Die.

[tfur]

I am gonna put you in my belly!!!

[Gil]

I assume that was another slam at the US. Just FYI, Bioware headquarters are in Alberta, Canada.

[PS360PCROCKS]

Figured as much. I have seen the facial expressions and dialogue in the videos and it's very impressive indeed.