70°

Should There Be A Standardized Format For Game Reviews?

PSXE says the way we review games is "all over the place," and in the interest of better serving the consumer, the industry should adopt a set critical format.

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psxextreme.com
RIPSKATEDESTROY4820d ago

no. because its all about the text and not the score

jacksonmichael4820d ago

Yeah, I agree. Although, those scores that are out of 4, 6 or 7 just seem stupid to me.

Crap_Turtle4820d ago

Its never going to happen

Its like asking all devs to agree on profit sharing

-Alpha4820d ago (Edited 4820d ago )

Ha, nicely said.

The other problem with universal scoring is just that it's an extremely unrealistic expectation, and it doesn't change the fact that subjective opinion will create variety in the scoring anyway. I never really understand what is meant by "standardized" scoring, it's not like you can clearly outline and categorize all games into intervals where they fail or succeed to meet a "standard criteria". You cannot standardize a person's experience or make it into a science

A review should be read, and the reviewer should detail his/her experience of the game, which is then sometimes stamped with a score that should be taken in its own context. This should be the only, case-by-case standard: if you read a review and think the reviewer has justified his reviewing, then that should be it. I really enjoy reading GameFAQ reader reviews as they offer more in-depth opinions from the perspective of a variety of gamers.

Emilio_Estevez4820d ago (Edited 4820d ago )

I wrote a blog about a better solution imo. To me, it's not the scores, it's the reviewers mostly. Not everyone can like every genre, so if you hate RPG's and have to review one then obviously the score will be crap. On the same side, if you love them, then maybe the score will be too high. Solution - 2 reviewers, with equal levels of taste/distaste for the genre/series.
http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...

A standard score system would work, but there is no way to make them follow it.

-Alpha4820d ago (Edited 4820d ago )

I always liked the two reviewers idea, but then you could say both reviewers missed the point of the game or whatever. Two reviewers' opinion on one site is not really different from two reviewers opinions from two totally different sites.

I honestly don't get why so much stock is put into one person's opinion. This was never a problem last gen, it's only now with all these fanboys warring and trying to 1 up each other that scores have been give so much more emphasis. I recall lots of scores I didn't like last gen, but people didn't blow things out of proportion as much. Honestly, if I didn't like a review, I just looked for a positive one. I've always viewed the process as shopping for a confirmation of what I want to hear, scores put things on a general scale, but people pay too much attention these days to the 0.1 differences.

fathoms4820d ago

The idea that reviews are all opinion is a complete fallacy, as is the idea that if a reviewer doesn't like a particular genre, the score will be "crap."

That's entirely untrue and if you're reviewing games that way, you're doing it wrong. There are both objective and subjective parts to a review; saying it's all opinion is an insult to the critics and presumes that anyone who plays video games can do it. I listen to music...doesn't make me a good music reviewer. I don't know enough about it.

There are indeed facts to consider, even in entertainment and art. Graphics, audio, and writing quality, along with depth and a variety of other factors are not as prone to subjectivity. One can say they LIKE the graphics of Skylanders more than the graphics in Uncharted; technically, however, the reverse is true. Personal opinion can't be quantified and everyone has preferences, including reviewers. But to imply that all of any review is opinion is both false and insulting.

300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj1d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent751d 10h ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils1d 2h ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

3d ago Replies(1)
isarai3d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning773d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher2d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor2d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde2d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z1d 18h ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey861d 14h ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

2d ago Replies(2)
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90°

The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative is close to its final deadline

Ross Scott—also known as Accursed Farms on YouTube—has been fighting tooth and nail for almost a full year to help spearhead game preservation. Starting after it was announced that Ubisoft's The Crew would be shutting down, permanently ending support for the game, Scott launched the "Stop Killing Games" initiative.

That makes a twofold deadline for the Stop Killing Games initiative. Or, at least, one headed up by Scott: The UK petition, which ends July 14, and the EU Citizens' Initiative, which ends July 3.

M3talDiamond6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

If you live in the EU then Please sign this or our game ownership rights and game preservation is
at stake. I know there isnt much time left but please consider signing the petition

-Foxtrot5d ago

I never knew Ross Scott was doing this

I love Freemans Mind

Inverno5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

People whine and in the end don't do a thing. Then whine more when they get screwed some more smh. If this makes it then it'll be monumental for consumers. That Pirate software guy was no help either smh.

GazCBG4d ago

The EU Date is the 31st July not the 3rd

Show all comments (6)
170°

Xbox June Update: Copilot for Gaming Available on Mobile, Aggregated Gaming Library, and More

There are many exciting updates this month for Xbox. Copilot for Gaming is available now for early preview on mobile and will be coming to PC soon. Xbox PC app introduces a wave of new updates: Aggregated gaming library gives players quick access to games from Xbox, Game Pass, and other leading PC storefronts, and with publisher channels players can browse their favorite franchises. Updates for the Xbox Console includes customization for Most Recently Used, free-to-play benefits, Game Hubs, and dialog improvements for game saves.

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news.xbox.com
darthv727d ago

"Players can now hide system apps, pin favorites to the list, and reduce the number of tiles displayed. This update is part of our ongoing effort to make Home more personal, flexible, and responsive to feedback."

This is welcomed, i like a less cluttered home screen.

Profchaos7d ago

Not everything needs co pilot ms

1Victor6d ago

Gotta be a slow news day when a 18 hours and 3 comments (now 4)makes it to the front page🤷🏿
.
Well anything that adds and help gamers is a good thing even if some don’t need it there’ll be more that will use it.

darthv726d ago

Well its MS news... those are usually pretty dry, unless it has something to do with another game being ported to PS. then its top of the pops.

Obscure_Observer6d ago

"Well its MS news... those are usually pretty dry, unless it has something to do with another game being ported to PS. then its top of the pops."

Oh look no further than the "Upcoming layoffs at MS" topic. It will easily top the Hottest of the week.

Special guests like Mr. Dead might also show up. You just watch.