Can You Trust A Video Game Site That Runs Video Game Ads?

The recent firing by Gamespot of long time writer Jeff Gerstmann over a less than favorable review of Kane & Lynch poses a good question to video game enthusiasts, can you really trust a site that accepts advertiser money from the company making the game they review?

[MK_Red]

There is really no problem with having ads of the game you're going to review. The problem is if those ad providers/ sponsers DO affect the review.
I've seen this happen in some movie sites (Reviewer favoring a movie that they are advertising and praising it beyond it's worth). Is GameSpot's story the same case? Only time will tell.

[Charlie2688]

I think in the case of GS things are worse but at same time more obvious, for example in the majority of gaming sites you see adds of some sort but are usually "small" and you know they are just well..adds..BUT THEN you see GS where for adds they use the WHOLE F-CKING background of the site and you even have a sh!t load of "features" about certain games like in this case there was this Kane and Lynch trailer mixer thingy or the "meet the makers of Kane and Lynch" add that no matter what page you went it was there...you don't need to know rocket science to know a SH!T load of money has been invested on those advertisements and promos and like I said before the Publisher the more money he puts the more he will want in return...and CNET LOVES money

[MK_Red]

Good point. The whole GS is K&L now but I'm pretty sure it's from CNet's pressure.
Still, you said nothing but truth: CNET LOVES MONEY.

[gamesR4fun]

when the ads influence the reviews then your just another biased sack o poo..
GS is bad but so are a lot of the other big ones like 1up... they just arent has stupid tho dumb reviewers seem like the norm at these kinda shody review sites...

[INehalemEXI]

That game probably does blow ... Raises a mug to Jeff's review.

[Nostradavis]

I agree. I have heard nothing good about the game, and writers should be allowed to speak their mind. Consumer reports is successful because they have the trust of their readers.

If the big sites start getting exposed for stuff like this, look out.

[TheHater]

Who cares. Play a game or not play a game because you want to play it or not want to play it. Don't play or not play it because a video game "Review" site said it was good or bad. I buy my games them because they look fun to me, even if most people say it not, or a reviewers say it crap.
All reviews shouldn't be trusted, because they are using their opinion on a game as a review.

[Wolfmoonstrike]

How gamespot does it? No. For example though there is a T.mobile ad at the top of the page(currently) I don't think they are biased so I would trust them on T.mobile products(not that they do that here or ever should)but how gamespot does it is fill up the whole Fing background and site. sorry but I can not trust that.

[greenenvy]

that's why I stopped going to gamespot a long time ago and told everyone to keep away........

they're extra odd, review scores never match....

assassins creed a 9.0 was a payoff by ubisoft....

and u have to admit, despite kane & lynch being 7.8 worthy the review was awful it didn't deserve a 6 and gerstmann was absolutely terrible in the video review especially.....

there is no question sites like that are biased, often racist and are the last place you go to in order to get reviews.

if u want a REAL review, go to http://www.gametrailers.com

boycott everything gamespot. TIM is gone now too, hopefully the whole site just gets roto-rootered....

[QQcrybaby]

And the answer is no.

[BloodySinner]

I guess the truly honest writers are the ones who'll be thrown out. Talk about setting the standards for a new low.

[goldenxbox]

Jeff Gerstmann in my eye totally crossed the line with the way he bad-mouthed games like Kane & Lynch, I saw the OXM review and agreed with that one!!!

I have never agreed with any of Jeff's reviews, but as corrupt as I think Jeff is its the whole review system which needs to go!!!!

This will teach people one very important lesson!! You can't trust video game reviews from websites like Gamespot, one way or the other!!

They will either be too harsh on a game for some reason or give it a glowing review when its not deserved!!

Look for examples of the past, and look at when Gerstmann gave Tony Hawk a perfect 10 or Metal Gear Solid 2 with its flawed story!!!

I can't understand why nobody deleted them from their bookmarks years ago, they deserve to rot in my eye!!!!

The whole review system needs to go back to the 5 scale, an average for every game right? Or somehow go back to when only gamers did the reviews, not these rotten unprofessional toadies!!!

The review system has to be changed, its up to you and me to change it for the better!!!!

And some of their reviews were so terrible, I hope people saved them. Start a petition drive to get Gamespot deleted from the metacritic is what I suggest!!!!

[Vojkan]

Than they should remove that Fake azz Halo 3 review. Graphics are really really nice(640p), gameplay is really really nice, forge is really really nice. Thats what Jeff was saying through whole Halo 3 video review. Like it was enforced on him to give it high score. "Really really nice" is not 9.5, maybe 9 at best. Lets not forget back than Halo 3 add was all over that site.

[LinuxGuru]

I played Kane & Lynch for 15 minutes and turned it off.

It looks, plays, and in general FEELS like a PS2 game. Not a PS3 or 360 game.

The effects, gunplay, AI, sound, everything....it all sucked. The characters weren't likeable in any way, I felt no sense of attachment, and....

I s**t on Gamespot for firing this man.

That was horrible, and from this day forward, I will not be consulting Gamespot for any more reviews of any kind.

Screw CNET.

I'm starting to trust small user-owned websites for reviews now. They don't depend on huge advertisement revenue for their services.

Disgusting, this all is.

P.S. - I don't care what any of you say, Kane and Lynch sucks so bad. It really shows a lack of talent that I.O. Interactive has for creating anything except for Hitman games.

Hitman is what they should stick to. I might forgive them for this steaming turd called Kane & Lynch, ONLY if the next Hitman game is stellar in comparison.

They wouldn't dare continue the Kane & Lynch franchise...not after THIS debacle...

They need to take it out behind the barn and shoot it with a Remington.

Once again, Kane & Lynch was pathetic, and Hitman needs to be brought back to the front burner.

So help me God.

[aba]

Celebrating b/c jeff was fired, believing that cuz of this ALL of GS's reviews are tainted. That this somehow justifies your g@yass conspiracy theories about GS being anti-ps3. HELLO YOU MORONIC F**KS EVERYONE gave kane & lynch the sh*t score it deserved. Im with CoeusTitan, bring back Agent 47 already, and it better be a fresh new game not the same old crap since the first.

[Bleem360]

...you can trust a site 100% which carries adverts.

Which is exactly the reason why my own site (www.xbox360wire.co.uk - shameless plug!) has a policy of 'No Adverts - Ever!'

[PirateThom]

This is what everyone has been saying, but now it opens a can of worms... how many review sites have been paid off since the start of this gen to give average games good reviews?

What's the point in reviewing games if you're not going to give an honest opinion? Or worse, complain about the game in the review and then give it 10/10 knowing that's the only part the vast majority will read?

I think it's time to accept that the best reviews are going to come via word of mouth, demos and impartial (if there is such a thing), ad free blogs.

[rootEXT]

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!! i play the demo or rent the game and i give it my personal review. i dont trust other peoples taste

[Andronix]

OK, the facts need to be confirmed. But if a games writer is fired for giving an honest review, then the management have no ethics.

The website should be avoided. When we read reviews, we know that we might not always agree with the comments, or score. However as readers we TRUST the website/magazine that they are giving us their HONEST opinion.
Companies shouldnt treat consumers likes sh*t in a conspiracy of lies just to sell games.

I WONT BUY THIS GAME ON PRINCIPLE FOR THE THREAT IT POSES TO REVIEWER-READER TRUST.