PSXE Poll Update: Users Visit The PSN All The Time
See Full ImageWow. We sort of figured that most of you would log on once a week to check out the PlayStation Network, but you guys are clearly extra conscientious in your perusing.
The vast majority of PSXE readers say they log onto the PSN basically all the time, or at least once per day. The second largest group - which was a distant second - log on about once per week, usually when the Store has been updated with new content, and only a very small number don't normally count the PSN as a common attraction. This supports a few things: the idea that a free Network remains very attractive to current PS3 owners, and that because it was free in the first place, most new owners hooked their console to the Internet moments after opening the box. We'd be interested to know what most of you end up downloading most of the time; i.e., add-on content for games, new digital downloadable titles, PS1 classics, themes and wallpapers, new videos, or original content like "The Tester," but we've got a more important task for you this week.
We're looking to expand a bit and after taking your initial suggestions to heart earlier this year, I've narrowed it down to a few upgrades and enhancements we should target; this may or may not include things like user reviews, expanded User CPs and a promotion for the forums. For now, we just want to know: what's your take on user reviews? As you probably know, it's a common staple of many major sites and although they're typically unreadable on some of the bigger sites, I believe we have a community loaded with people who are fully capable of delivering intelligent, relatively well-written, and ultimately helpful reviews for their fellow members. This is why I think it could be a great asset for us...but what do you think?
5/9/2010 9:39:37 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (56 posts)
kraygen
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:20:20 PM
4 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:26:30 PM
If our "thumb" system is any indication, that may not really work out, lol. I think most people on this site can handle themselves and check their bias at the door, though. The ones who would take the time to read through user reviews and rate them, anyways.
Last edited by Kowhoho on 5/9/2010 11:27:20 PM
3 up, 1 down
spiderboi
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 8:43:29 AM
0 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 4:21:45 PM
I've always loved to write, and this would be a fantastic outlet for me! I also like the rating system where the most popular review is the first to be seen.
If we were to do a user rating of the games themselves, it would be nice to have it monitored mildly with at least a tiny explanation as to why. How many times have you seen multi-plats get badly averaged ratings on sites like IGN due to fanboys of a particular platform giving 10's for it's system release and 0's for the competitor?
0 up, 0 down
Jackyl
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 @ 12:34:34 PM
Will it be something as basic as a section of the forums where people will post topics with their reviews?
0 up, 0 down
hellish_devil
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:03:09 PM
Reply
Last edited by hellish_devil on 5/9/2010 10:06:21 PM
2 up, 1 down
Kowhoho
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:07:04 PM
It would probably surprise me.
Is he a hurly burly low voice or a normal-pitched, nasally nerd-sounding guy. My money'd be on the former but it's fun to speculate!
1 up, 0 down
Crudii
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:16:05 PM
I'll be honest, DON'T judge me but I was very keen to hear how he sounded like after I got to know he had a podcast! :$
Btw it's the former :p
Last edited by Crudii on 5/9/2010 10:17:05 PM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 1:44:07 AM
0 up, 0 down
Crudii
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:10:52 PM
Reply
I'm with you Kowhoho, I wouldn't mind giving it a shot but not sure if I'd be seen as a 'good' critic! :( Well we won't know until we try.
Ben, would the reviews go up on the home page or in the forums? If home page then, are all the reviews going to be put up or just selected by you guys?
1 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:31:41 PM
1 up, 0 down
booze925
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:17:21 PM
Reply
does that mean u read my suggestion?
0 up, 1 down
Snaaaake
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:38:00 PM
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Though I'd like to write a review, but I don't think I'm good enough to actually rate one, all I know for a game is enjoying it.
5 up, 0 down
Robochic
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:39:15 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:32:45 PM
1 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:41:59 PM
Reply
ALL ABOOOOAAAARRRRRD!!!!!
4 up, 0 down
FM23
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 10:58:25 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
dso8515
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:02:19 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Nynja
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 8:28:34 AM
0 up, 0 down
SnipeySnake
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:02:59 PM
Reply
But when you do expand the site, please make it so that when you get on this site it shows all the people who replied to your comment, it would make it so much more helpful.
3 up, 0 down
Milonakis
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:05:58 PM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:28:25 PM
Reply
Last edited by tes37 on 5/9/2010 11:28:55 PM
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:29:18 PM
Reply
It would be difficult to maintain for Ben because honestly reviews would need to be screened for outlandish language use, improper jokes, racism, things like that. While we have a very good community here there would still be those that would probably abuse an open system.
As for the rating system that also could be difficult, think of all the fanboys who show up just to thumb down everyone's comments. What happens when the spam a reviews rating just because it's for a ps3 exclusive game.
I'm not against user reviews, I'm just saying, reviews aren't all that easy to do properly and there would have to be some kind of strict setup. I hope there is a way to make it work personally. I know there are some people who could put out some fabulous reviews.
I look forward to seeing how this turns out.
1 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:43:42 PM
I really hope it works well/ is implemented. You're right that it should probably have a strict system, it's just hard to conceptualize how that would work... Lucky it's not my problem to think about it :P. I sound like a douche saying that but I don't have all the time in the world to come up with ideas for other people.
To anyone reading what I've written tonight, I apologize for the awful read. I'm tired as all hell, and bored.
0 up, 0 down
BTNwarrior
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 11:43:56 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 12:09:10 AM
Reply
If a user is particularly good, and reviews can be trusted, PsXeXtreme can then bestow a "Qualmark" to that user... a PsXeXtreme stamp of approval meaning that 99% of the time, that particular contributer will supply reviews that don't need to be checked all the time as they have earned the "Qualmark" or Quality Mark Of Approval... meaning his texts are usually approved automatically.
In addition, a user should score the game he/she is reviewing... and there should be an average score displayed, beside the individual score from PsXeXtreme and the user. The average score is derived from both the official review and user review/s.
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 5/10/2010 12:11:38 AM
1 up, 0 down
Gordo
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 12:31:53 AM
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I would love to see a few user reviews on older PS3 games such as MGS4, Fallout 3, Far Cry 3 and GTAIV for example.
There is a load of hype when these games were released and it would be excellent to have some sober and informed reviews a year or two later to say what is good/bad about the games and how they overcame the hype and if they are still good to play later.
The PS3 is mature enough now to have some two and three year old games which sometimes come up at a bargain price, so to get an up to date review of these would be worth their weight in gold.
Also a review for a full priced game when it is released is something, but a review for a $20 two year old game can focus on other things. Is it still good and worth picking up.
I've just picked up Fallout 3 for example for $20, and played it for 50 hours (loved it). Now picked up Oblivion for $10 and looking forward to another 50 hours.
Retrospective user reviews of these sorts of games would be great.
2 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 1:07:56 AM
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The great thing 'bout psxe is the psxe team (and its readers). But I think that when we all start writing reviews we might start to disregard the REAL psxe reviews
I'm ok with FORUM reviews. You know, people reviewing the game on the forum and just sharing how they liked a game.
But I don't know, that's just me
---
And the best part of the PSN store is EASILY the ps1 classics (no argument can be made against this, at all! AT AL!!!)
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 5:51:04 PM
0 up, 0 down
___________
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 2:26:20 AM
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when the hell are earthworm jim and joe danger coming out? im really getting tired of waiting for them!
wonder if earthworm jim is going to be a remake as in same game just spruced up, or a whole new game.
id like to see a whole new game, as much as i love the original (ive got it on my iphone and its one of my favorite games!) id rather see a whole new game to play around with.
looks like im going to be forced into getting a wii after all, it looks like a fully fledged sequel to earthworm jim is releasing exclusively for the wii.
why must all platforming games be exclusive to the wii?
only wii owners like playing platformers?
0 up, 2 down
cLoudou
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 3:15:17 AM
Reply
0 up, 2 down
WolfCrimson
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 3:42:19 AM
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1 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 5:53:26 PM
0 up, 0 down
Sonattine
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 3:52:59 AM
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I always read through the comments after a review on this site (which I never do elsewhere) for second opinions from the community. I would definitely read user reviews here. User reviews on older games are an excellent idea.
As for quality check, I'm sure they is a way we can regulate ourselves without burdening the staff too much. A "thumbs up, thumbs down" system should be fair. As far as I can tell that system is not generally abused in the comments. Kowhoho asks for a rating system. We could break it down to several points with thumbs. We could thumb up, thumb down" things like this for instance:
- quality of writing
- impartiality
- agree/disagree
- ...
"Thumbs down" wouldn't necessarily mean bad ( at least for points 2 and 3), but readers would know what to expect. If somebody hated Heavy Rain of GoW3 and argues his points, I would love to read it.
It depends on how all this could be implemented on the site and still be easily readable I guess.
4 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 6:02:28 AM
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lol, Yeah I'd read you guys' reviews. Sometimes our opinions differ to the pro's... as with Just Cause 2.
4 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 5:55:05 PM
Last edited by kraygen on 5/10/2010 5:55:19 PM
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 6:36:20 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
FullmetalX10
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 6:37:40 AM
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I'd love to write several reviews though, I'd also love to read a lot of the reviews.
1 up, 0 down
Nynja
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 8:20:30 AM
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I may submit a review from time to time. They can be fun, but very time consuming as well.
1 up, 1 down
Nynja
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 8:35:34 AM
0 up, 0 down
tridon
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 8:29:44 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 8:53:10 AM
Reply
Last edited by spiderboi on 5/10/2010 9:04:19 AM
2 up, 0 down
whooka
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 9:29:12 AM
Reply
2 up, 5 down
Underdog15
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 4:24:05 PM
Also, firmware never effed up my Dragon Age... Sure it's the network and not someone else? (nods head towards Whooka)
0 up, 0 down
coverton341
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 4:51:04 PM
That said, I have never had an issue with it.
Also, I think the whole lawsuit thing is a joke. I personally am more than a little upset to lose the Other OS option and made a big noise about it but in the end we all electronically signed an agreement and that's pretty much that. Get over it and update or don't and be unable to connect to the Network. I chose the former.
1 up, 0 down
coverton341
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 11:05:09 AM
Reply
And, I see some people worried about user reviews having personal biased in them, but isn't that really a part of having a "user" review instead of a professional review? I mean we all in the comments give our personal opinions of games and news topics and I think it adds to a feeling of connection within the community. We all have our own personalities and some of us agree on certain genres of games and other topics. I think that with user reviews a bit of personal gaming biased would be expected and even welcomed. Say we see a review from a user that we know we share common gaming preferences with, we would then know that if they are reviewing a game we would be more inclined to feel the same way as they do so we could put more stock into what they have to say.
Anyway, enough of my ramble, I hope this is something that is more than just a passing fancy.
2 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 11:41:16 AM
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I love the idea of user reviews. Especially on certain games like Dragon Age and MAG. I have invested hundreds of hours into these titles, and would love the chance to offer some feedback/reviews.
0 up, 0 down
nogoat23
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 12:39:48 PM
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I might post a review here or there, but they would all be based on my opinion of the game. This site does a well enough job of rating the technical aspects of each game that I wouldn't need to duplicate those efforts. I'd probably just rate games on a recommend/don't recommend scale.
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 4:25:34 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 6:00:19 PM
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It's a pretty common practice on a lot of sites, but I would be more believing of the user average score from this community than others.
0 up, 0 down
just2skillf00l
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 6:08:40 PM
Reply
It could also alleviate some of the burden placed on the administrators tackling review after review day-in and day-out. Maybe Ben you should administer a test-run for a week or so and verify whether or not quality reviews are being written and posted. I'd love to share some of my input on certain games I have in my collection.
I think user-based reviews will serve to display more character from the frequenters of PSX who choose to use this new feature if implemented which in turn will strengthen the bonds of the community.
0 up, 0 down
ReMiX
Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 7:16:51 PM
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No clue if this even goes with whats going on in the article but WE need to make sure we support SCEA with everything we do so that it does stay free. That is what makes Sony...Sony.
0 up, 0 down
Kowhoho
Reply
Sunday, May 09, 2010 @ 9:57:13 PM
I'd be happy to write reviews myself, my only reservation being that I'm not sure people would like how I write. :P
Edit: Oh and by the way, I think it would be a good idea to use a rating system for user reviews, to give researchers an idea of which reviews have been deemed most helpful. My two cents!
Last edited by Kowhoho on 5/9/2010 9:59:10 PM