Rumor: Bethesda Keeping Low Fallout Scores Quiet

'sigh' Not this again. Pretty soon, no gamer is going to trust any review anywhere.

You may remember the whole Gerstmann/Eidos/Kane & Lynch fiasco from a few years back and although this is slightly different in nature, the same unethical business practices sit at the root of the matter. It seems that Bethesda has been trying to keep less than favorable Fallout: New Vegas reviews from hitting the Internet. This as noticed by Duck and Cover citing Dan Hsu's recent Tweets. Hsu is the former Editorial Director at 1Up and now works at Bitmob. Here are the Tweets in question:

"One site was forced to pull its Fallout Vegas review because advertiser Bethesda was unhappy w/ score. Sad this crap still goes on."

"Heard (but haven't confirmed) two more sites delaying publishing poor review scores for Fallout Vegas until Fallout ad campaign is done."

"To clarify, the site's boss pulled that review because advertiser wasn't happy, against writer's wishes."

"RT: JustinHaywald @bitmobshoe To be clear, 1UP has not published a review because both the reviewer and I felt he needed more time with the game.

"@BenKuchera I did get a 2nd, independent confirmation on this, tho. The review was pulled by CEO, then put back up when ad campaign was over."

Advertising. Reviews. Both are necessary for everyone to stay alive and healthy. Without ad campaigns, you guys get nothing. Well, you might get something but it won't come from paid professionals, that's for sure. It's all well and good to talk about integrity and decency in business but then someone says, "don't publish this for a week or two until the campaign is over...everyone will have their money by then. No big deal." We understand why sites respond.

Whatever. We're hovering at that point where we're big enough to matter but not big enough to matter to most publishers. So if we want to post a less-than-glowing review of New Vegas or any game in existence, we'll do just that. ...just have to look for other ad campaigns, that's all.

Related Game(s): Fallout: New Vegas

Tags: fallout, fallout new vegas, new vegas reviews, bethesda

10/21/2010 10:53:28 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (101 posts)

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elass0wyp0
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:15:56 AM
Reply

Enraging but not surprising. I haven't trusted paid reviewers in a while-gaming is business. Most sites/mags are owned by one dominant advertiser or another. The man with the money calls all the shots.

Fellow gamers know and are usually brutally honest if something is up with a game. I trust them.

6 up, 3 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:18:47 AM

Er...that means you don't trust us, either.

3 up, 6 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:22:50 AM

I trust you guys! I'm curious though, who pays you? Is it Sony?

5 up, 8 down

elass0wyp0
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:24:00 AM

Sorry Benny. I read em, take em into consideration but I feel the true review is in the comment section. Taken with a grain of salt of course.

4 up, 5 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:35:40 AM

I feel that comments add more of a biased perspective... granted that can have its utility at times as well.

4 up, 5 down

Underdog15
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:44:11 AM

I prefer to read a variety of professional reviews and eat the meat but spit out the bones, so to speak. It's typically pretty easy to find bias. When someone has a legitimate point to make, you can tell by the thought that's gone into it. When there's bias, there's a sort of... sarcastic/half-assed/"If I act like I only kinda care about it, they'll believe me" sort of approach.

I read this site's reviews more religiously than any other because I'm more likely to believe what's written. Another good indicator that this site is legit, is the fact that their scores are often remarkably close to the overall metacritic average. To me, that's a good indicator of a journalist without bias.

3 up, 2 down

Nlayer
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:56:29 AM

The best review gives no score, in my opinion. I want to know what the game has, and how well it preforms.

I disliked many games that had high scores. I liked many games that had low scores. It all comes down to opinion, everyone has one and they are all equal. No matter how 'smart' someone thinks he/she is.

I am not saying I disagree with Ben and Arnold writing reviews however. They write very well. And I hope they continue forever. I just ignore the score is all.

That is my outlook on the matter. :)

6 up, 3 down

Nynja
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:15:05 PM

"Sorry Benny. I read em, take em into consideration but I feel the true review is found after playing it myself."

I fixed that comment for ya, free of charge ;)

3 up, 3 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:16:18 PM

laxpro: No, we're independent. Ads is the answer.

10 up, 6 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:59:16 PM

Thanks for clarifying Ben.

@Nlayer, I like reviews without scores as well. Scores are just numbers whereas words convey so much more.

5 up, 2 down

hellish_devil
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:12:19 PM

No score reviews was the reason I read Joystiq reviews and take them seriously (except for their Nier review though). Now they have a score system, but still nice reviews.

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 5:23:57 PM

@ Nlayer

All opinions are most assuredly not equal. It's that kind of thinking that allows idiocy to run rampant.

Egalitarian ideals are good and the law needs to treat all people equally, but the opinions of experts are worth more than those of the un-informed.

Would you want some dude off the street to diagnose your illness?

Last edited by Fane1024 on 10/21/2010 5:24:28 PM

0 up, 1 down

Mr Bitey
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:18:40 AM
Reply

Wow. That's really sad. Well the game's high scores makes sense now at least.

There's really no excuse for the game to release in the near broken state that it's in.

Sure patches are incoming, but what about people who don't have internet connected consoles? They were basically lied to, and duped out of hard earned money.

I do want to still play this really badly, but no patch, no buy.

4 up, 3 down

Alienange
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 7:56:45 PM

People who don't have internet connected consoles are losers. What does it matter if they're ripped off?

1 up, 3 down

Godslim
Friday, October 22, 2010 @ 12:53:10 PM

losers now thats no nice at all

0 up, 0 down

CH1N00K
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:19:33 AM
Reply

The fact that there are "Less than favourable" reviews for this game kind of saddens me. I loved Fallout 3, even though it had some less then stellar reviews for glitches. I had hoped that those issues would have been fixed for this game. As long as the glitches aren't worse then any of the minor ones I ran into in the last game, this game is a definite purchase for me, but if they've screwed up the storyline or the fun gameplay? Well I guess I'll have to wait for Ben's review to find out. What about you guys? Have any of you played it yet? What are your thoughts so far?

1 up, 2 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:26:15 AM

See, the problem is they went with a new fallout. Whereas they really should have focused on a new elder scrolls. Though I have warmed up to fallout considerably, the post-apocalyptic environment still annoys me.

Last edited by laxpro2001 on 10/21/2010 11:26:50 AM

1 up, 6 down

SirLoin of Beef
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:34:19 AM

I have about 6-7 hours invested in the game and so far I'm really liking it. The few things that frustrate me (i.e. certain critters seeming to be nearly unkillable) are more due to the haphazard character construction I did. The game did freeze up on me once and when I tried to get to do it again, it didn't happen. The most annoying thing I've found is that there a 1 second lags or something here and there, though those don't happen often, either.

Other than that, I've had no complaints. The non-player-being-stupid issues haven't been major and I've had a good time with the game.

NOTE: I'm playing the 360 version of the game. Not sure how much better or worse the PS3 version is.

Last edited by SirLoin of Beef on 10/21/2010 11:35:24 AM

2 up, 5 down

Fane1024
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 5:27:08 PM

@ laxpro

Bethesda is (probably) working on a new ES game. New Vegas was made by a different developer (but published by Bethesda).

1 up, 1 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:20:41 AM
Reply

Please do post your review Ben.... this is kinda bs. Mediocre games (like this? can't judge yet I guess.) get huge marketing campaigns and superb games like demons souls get nothing.

5 up, 2 down

Deleted User
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:32:25 AM
Reply

I DON'T TRUST ANY REVIEWER ANYMORE !!! NOT EVEN THIS SITE i'm sorry ben and the other reviewers on this site but i just don't give a **** any more.
D.T.A.R Dont trust any reviewer.

Last edited by n/a on 10/21/2010 11:40:18 AM

7 up, 13 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:34:28 AM

Why not this site? Especially if ben is considering putting up the review anyway?

5 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:39:47 AM

Remember that annoying dude in Family Guy who points and yells, "HEY EVERYONE, THIS GUYS A PHONY! HE'S A BIG FAT PHONY!"

yeah..... I wish you were a cartoon sometimes... Then there'd be an excuse.

4 up, 4 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:13:40 PM

Then leave. You rarely add anything to the discussion anyway. Most of the time your just trolling or making contradictory statements.

16 up, 5 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:17:55 PM

That's your call. But I got bad news- trusting the gaming masses might not be the best idea all the time, especially when the majority are casual gamers who know very little...and considering you're posting on a game site, I'm guessing you're not part of that group.

15 up, 2 down

coverton341
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:34:37 AM
Reply

So, Ben, quick question. Are we as users allowed to put up a review of a game before you or Arnold get to it? I have one for this game.

1 up, 2 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:36:34 AM

I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, though maybe wait for Ben to reply. You are't paid and you weren't given the game, you bought it so yea you can probably do whatever you want. Please post it! I look forward to reading it!

Last edited by laxpro2001 on 10/21/2010 11:37:08 AM

0 up, 3 down

Underdog15
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:38:17 AM

Do it. i love user reviews.

0 up, 2 down

coverton341
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:38:32 AM

I will write it up and submit it and if Ben or Arnold see fit they can post it then.

1 up, 2 down

Underdog15
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:40:21 AM

@Coverton
This site has a user reviews section. You can write and post up a review whenever you see fit.

0 up, 2 down

coverton341
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:14:16 PM

All right, so I wrote it up and sent it in for approval, and lol at the thumbs downer, probably someone who REALLY wants F:NV to be the next best thing since sliced bread.

2 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:18:52 PM

Approved. See how easy that was? ;)

8 up, 3 down

coverton341
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:51:18 PM

Lol, thanks Ben. I just got back from company meetings and such to find it up. I answered some questions for you guys that posted in there as well.

1 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:36:41 AM
Reply

This kind of publicity is enough for me. I doubt I need a review now... lol... Never a good sign when a publisher is scared of the reviews.... *cough FFXIV cough*

5 up, 3 down

laxpro2001
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:41:53 AM

lol good point, though I can see Kazunori Yamauchi doing this maybe if GT5 gets anything below a 10, after all he is a perfectionist, and GT5 will most likely be "perfect"

2 up, 3 down

Highlander
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 4:19:26 PM

Indeed, no company should be doping this to avoid a bad review score, that's simply ridiculous.

@lax

All the more reason for the game's makers to be muzzled during the launch period...

0 up, 1 down

Zorigo
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:16:49 PM
Reply

open mind and a pinch of salt... thats all i got.

0 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:18:11 PM
Reply

Ha, I won't buy games from companies that feel they need to bully people into giving their games favorable or fair reviews. Shows the lack of confidence in their own product. And from what I have been reading, New Vegas is quite broken. Especially the console versions. Pathetic that games are still released with such subpar standards. I don't trust too many review sites. Manly this one and PlaystationLifestyle. They seem to be fair too.

Keep up the good work PSX.

6 up, 4 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:19:25 PM

I've dealt with PSLS here and there. Don't have any problem with them.

3 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:26:32 PM

I only recently took notice of them. Their readership seems far lower than PSX's but so far they have given me no reason to cringe either. Still enjoy the PSX community and articles more. PSX seem's far more focused and I love your on schedule updates here. Dedication. :)

3 up, 2 down

Highlander
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 11:37:47 PM

Jawknee, PSX has a certain something, I think it's a combination of the writers, editorial independence ( Ben, I do think that you are ethical to the core and if you were faced with an ethical decision you'd make the right choice. That's based on my reading of you as seen through your writing.), the readership and commenting community. The tone is set by the quality of the writers and their articles and reviews, the editorial policy, and not trying to be first or quickest with every snippet of news. It's a nice balance because it allows more depth of discussion in articles and comments. Combined with the thinking and reading community who post, the result is a very readable and mature site with a lot to recommend itself. I haven't found that elsewhere, there's too much emphasis on re-reporting someone else's re-reporting of another site's story, too much emphasis on reaction and not enough thought or analysis.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:23:53 PM
Reply

I see the issue with both sides. I don't really see anything wrong with delaying a review (there are plenty of other sites out there with one) as long as the real review eventually makes its way to the readers.

3 up, 5 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:29:46 PM

I don't either, but the reason behind that delay is a little shady...which bugs me, to some extent.

5 up, 4 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:36:38 PM

They probably want time to patch all the bugs before major reviews start rolling out. Something they should have done before they released the game.

I like having patches open and available to us but these devs have started to use it to fix their broken games after the fact when they should have made sure it was running right before hand. Seems a lot of companies are taking the MS, "release now, fix later" approach just like they have been doing with their OS for years.

Last edited by Jawknee on 10/21/2010 12:37:25 PM

3 up, 3 down

Pyramid
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:34:58 PM
Reply

This issue reminds me of a magazine with a name like this site. A long time ago that mag talk sh.. about a Madden game and EA retire all ads forever.
And reminds me too Final Fantasy 13. How can u review a game that took months to finish it? Fallout 3 took me 70 hours and and i left a lot of things.

0 up, 6 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:38:20 PM

It can be done. I think that's obvious. Don't have to finish to game to know what's wrong or right about it.

5 up, 2 down

maxpontiac
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:38:00 PM
Reply

Well, it's why I take every review with a grain of salt. Even the ones here at PSX, even though I do have this site's reviews at a much higher standard.

I believe that a reviewers personal taste of games is easily seen when they decide to review any given title.

In my book, it's up to the individual themselves to take EVERYTHING into consideration prior to any purchase.

For example, I will generally not listen to a review of an airplane game unless I know the author shares the same passion for the genre as I do.

6 up, 3 down

JackC8
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:49:19 PM
Reply

Too funny, considering that if you click on Gamespot's review of New Vegas, you get a 404 page not found error.

0 up, 3 down

Snaaaake
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:58:43 PM

Well not only New Vegas, something is wrong with the site.

1 up, 2 down

JackC8
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:10:13 PM

I see now they're got a review up, but for the first time I can ever remember - no score.

0 up, 2 down

JackC8
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:29:40 PM

Oops, now it's got a score. 7.5

0 up, 2 down

telly
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 12:55:53 PM
Reply

It just makes me sick to my stomach to hear about such unethical business practices, both from some gaming sites and the game companies. There are certainly a lot of game reviewers I enjoy and trust, but as I've grown older and perhaps identify less as a HARDCORE GAMING MANIAC (like I did in my younger days) I see all sorts of questionable "stories," reviews, review timing, etc. I totally get that games journalism is a tough biz to make money in, but there's no point in any of it if the coverage isn't honest.

Oh, and Fallout: New Vegas looks like garbage.

2 up, 3 down

Highlander
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:01:12 PM
Reply

Hmm... Ben, an interesting issue for you I am sure.

Personally, I am bothered by the ethics of this. I understand the desire of the publisher to avoid adverse publicity, but at the same time, independent publications that review a game really should not be held hostage like this over poor reviews of a poor game. If a game is crap, it's crap, that's not the publication's fault, it's the publisher of the game. If they want to take the risk of putting out a crap game and trying to fudge that with a massive ad-campaign, that's their lookout, but interfering with the independent reviews just takes it all to a new level, and seems really unethical to me.

Seems like the publisher is effectively asking journalists to with-hold information from consumers that could prevent the consumer from making an unwise purchase. If this were a physical product with a design flaw, this would be cannon fodder for a class action law suit. But it's a video game, so no harm done eh?

6 up, 3 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:23:54 PM

Why do you always have to make sense and be right?

6 up, 2 down

Snaaaake
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:34:10 PM

Because he is the one and only Highlander.

4 up, 2 down

coverton341
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:52:07 PM

That's why I love the User Review section :-)

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 5:34:04 PM

Editorial and advertising should be separated by a Chinese Wall.

Assuming these reports are true, I have lost some respect for Bethesda and any publications which caved to the pressure.

That's what you get when you put marketing d-bags in charge of anything but marketing. ;)

0 up, 1 down

Snaaaake
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:03:42 PM
Reply

Review score means a lot to me, but I also know that I should look up more gameplay footage before I make my purchase.

Not that I care about Fallout or anything from Bethesda, but I do look forward to RAGE only because the leading guy in development is John Carmack.(Also only because he is one of the most respected developer and he made Doom 3)

0 up, 3 down

Hezzron
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:06:10 PM
Reply

I'm going to wait for the "Most Patched Up GOTY Edition".....that is, if it gets good reviews from the sites I like, after the adds for it are done.

6 up, 2 down

www
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:06:36 PM
Reply

I don't take just one site's review seriously, never. That's why I love Metacritic, if one site is seeking attention like 1UP who gave FIFA 11 a 75, whiles the majority of critics had it a 9, it makes that site stand out and look very stupid! So then I know I don't have to pay attention to that particular site's absurd review.

Metacritic exposes who's getting paid and who is not, who's hating on a particular publisher and who's not. Mafia 2 may be boring but giving it a ridiculous 4/10 makes it seem 2K put absolutely zero effort into the game, yes a 4 that's what the folks at Eurogamer had it. In the end they'll tell you it's an opinion.
It's very silly how critics mix their personal opinions with their work.

3 up, 3 down

Beamboom
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:14:23 PM

Ah, finally someone mentioned metacritic/gamerankings. For once I am not alone with my opinions :D
Reviews are great both for info and entertaininment, but nothing can beat the precision of the o'mighty gamerankbot once it got some numbers to crunch.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:13:08 PM
Reply

LOL! i think some bitter disgruntled troll you must have banned is logging in with mulitple accounts and thumbing everyone down. LOL!

7 up, 3 down

ace_boon_coon
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:05:32 PM

it's probably that infamousgod guy.

2 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:08:31 PM

LOL! Who ever it is, they have way too much time on their hands.

4 up, 2 down

ace_boon_coon
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:13:19 PM

it's someone just bein silly. oh well, i just they just want attention.

4 up, 2 down

Lawless SXE
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:13:46 PM

I think they must just be bored. SPEAK COWARDS!

4 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:23:39 PM

Speak up or go get a job. LOL!

4 up, 2 down

Lawless SXE
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:53:27 PM
Reply

Big surprise. Unfortunately, it seems as gaming is getting bigger, this is becoming a more prevalent problem. It's wrong. A game should be awarded on its merits, and if it is a bad game, what right does a publisher have to stop a reviewer from saying what he (or she) feels needs to be said in order to inform the masses. Advertising shouldn't play into it. I don't know what more to say.
Peace.

1 up, 2 down

ace_boon_coon
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 1:59:17 PM
Reply

i have this game at home, from gamefly, but haven't played it yet. i hope it's as good as fallout 3.

2 up, 3 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:01:42 PM

I'm impressed you got it so quick from Gamefly. It used to take me months to get new releases.

3 up, 2 down

ace_boon_coon
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:07:22 PM

i figured out how to get games as soon as they come out. you have to clear your que, and have the new game you want on the list by itself about 2 day before i releases and you'll get it. the people who have a lot of stuff on their list gets the giant shaft.

4 up, 2 down

Geobaldi
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:25:18 PM

I always timed my returns so I'd have an empty spot the day of release. Usually it worked for me a good 70-80% of the time. Less for games that they didn't get a good amount of quantities for.

0 up, 2 down

GuardianMode
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:15:02 PM
Reply

That would explain the incredible high scores on IGN and Kotaku. Its sad to say that its all about the money now. Yet,what can you expect. Even fanboy sites like those need revenue to survive. Its just probably easy for them to play along anyways.

2 up, 5 down

Fane1024
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 5:37:55 PM

Actually, it wouldn't. It would explain the lack of low scores, though.

0 up, 1 down

Deathb4Dishonor
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 2:58:03 PM
Reply

For some reason when i played Fallout 3, i didn't have any problems with glitches... just lucky i guess and hope New Vegas don't give me a problem either... But the only thing that pisses me off about New Vegas is that the developer didn't even try to improve on graphics... So it just looks like Fallout 3, 2 years later... Aside from that, the gameplay,exploration,and stories from Fallout have always been fun... And in New vegas, they continue that tradition... So with that said, if you loved Fallout 3, then this game is for you

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:04:35 PM

Maybe thats why its getting some what mediocre reviews.

1 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:54:55 PM

That could be possible Jawk, but anything could be in play.

1 up, 1 down

NazzyQ
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:19:13 PM
Reply

Bestheda is definitely approaching this situation in the wrong way.Mediocre review scores don't always translate to lower sales. The original Assassin's creed received a fairly lukewarm critical reception, yet it went on to sell millions of copies. I think we can assume that a large proportion of those sales came from people who don't frequent video game websites, and who were unaware of the game's mixed critical response. These people were no doubt intrigued by the AC's unique setting ( which Ubisoft was justifiably proud of), or were drawn in by Ubisoft's advertising. Similarly, Bestheda should be confident of the world they've created and bring that confidence into their marketing of New Vegas. If they can do that, then I see no reason why the game shouldn't see well.

1 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:44:40 PM
Reply

By the way, I've decided this-

It has never happened (I promise) but if a publisher ever approached us about changing the score of a review, or holding the review because they knew it would score low, I'll freakin' tell you. I'll do a whole big article on it.

Then I'll post the damn review.

18 up, 1 down

coverton341
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:54:25 PM

And that's one of the reasons I think so many people trust this site. Honesty and dedication to the community, not to the companies.

7 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:56:04 PM

@Coverton341

Indeed.

@Ben

That's why i trust this site, and i love reading the articles you put up.

Last edited by Clamedeus on 10/21/2010 3:57:51 PM

5 up, 1 down

Highlander
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 4:21:10 PM

Nice. Ethics and principle to not always appear to be the easiest or best path, but in the long run, they are, and they pay off. The trouble is that too many people have short horizons and can't look far enough ahead to see the benefit of being ethical.

4 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 4:41:40 PM

Ben,

Glad you're running the site and not me. By now it would be full of underground Russian porn and I'd for sure take cash for faulty reviews.

Oh come on, I'm just being honest.

5 up, 2 down

SixSpeedKing
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 6:01:45 PM

Ben, Great to hear that. Also just have to say I love the reviews and all the hard work you guys put in.

@LV Lol! That's awesome.

Last edited by SixSpeedKing on 10/21/2010 6:02:15 PM

1 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 6:17:45 PM

Thanks but it isn't quite so noble as it sounds. The worst a publisher can do to us is not send us review copies for something; they can't take money away because we have different ad campaigns.

I'd like to think I'd still hold the same philosophy, even if it was different...but who knows? ;)

4 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:52:17 PM
Reply

When I'm interested in a game, i ask friends what they think about it, i watch videos and see if anything interests me in the game, and of course my personal tastes in games also is a huge factor in my purchase, i look at some reviews but don't seriously take them as truth about a game because they might not be interested in what makes the game interesting to me or the tastes of what i like in a game that they might not like etc.

I try to borrow it from a friend, or try it at a store that might have it on display to play it and try it out.

But that's my way of doing things as anyone else has their own way.

1 up, 1 down

Deathb4Dishonor
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:58:43 PM
Reply

Agreed Coverton... This is the only site i trust on reviews... Ben has always been fair when reviewing games... Don't trust any other site though, especially IGN and Gamespot

2 up, 1 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 3:59:52 PM

I don't trust IGN as well, i really don't like them that much either.

2 up, 1 down

Deathb4Dishonor
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 4:04:28 PM
Reply

Yea... i use to go to IGN a lot b4... I don't even touch the site anymore... Just psxextreme for me now

3 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 4:22:02 PM

Me too. IGN used to be pretty good. Now...not so much.

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 5:49:13 PM

I find that IGN seems to engage in "group think". Peer pressure seems to determine what each reviewer thinks of the game before the game is released. I think that if it becomes de rigueur in the IGN offices to slag on a game or to think it's the next best thing, the review is affected.

Plus, they seem to have acquired a self-righteous attitude about the "integrity" of their reviews, as if they can't be questioned.

I can understand why, however, given the idiotic comments they receive on everything they post.

1 up, 1 down

Teddie9
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 4:32:43 PM
Reply

I want this game to be good. Sure it's a crazy thing that Bethesda did, but from what I've heard from friends who own it, it sounds like it deserves the praise.

*oooh just noticed gamespot gave it a 7.5 (ofcourse not a bad score, but not exactly bandwagon) mainly for it's bugs.*

Last edited by Teddie9 on 10/21/2010 4:35:44 PM

1 up, 1 down

Ludicrous_Liam
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 5:41:48 PM
Reply

Agreed...I know I'll sound like a fanboy but man...their reviewers for the 360 have their head so far up their arse its unbelievable. They were impressed with microsofts E3 this year. I mean WTF LOL! I honestly laughed hard at that one...atleast they do honest PS3 reviews though (see told you I'd sound like a fanboy :P) but I still consider Uncharted 2 atleast a 9.9, I mean I agreed with his review, and by the sound of it I was sure it was gunna be like 9.8 or even 10. Oh well, guess 21/20 will have to do XD

1 up, 1 down

ValdiPS3
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 5:47:15 PM
Reply

PSExtreme FTW!
this is my number one site for reviews, previews, news and everthing about gaming and playstation brand, the reviews are fair and compatible with my personal gaming tastes, you know all fits, so not leaving the house for a long time.

1 up, 2 down

FM23
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 6:58:49 PM
Reply

Playing Fallout New Vegas since tuesday...frooze once, one second lag every two seconds, and same mediocre animations and gunplay...but overall this game is good, but review scores reflect this games poor technical abilities. No game has ever freezed on me except Fallout 3 and now New Vegas. Dudes need to step it up. RDR runs smoothly and it doesn't have poor physical animations, excessive enviroment/inside load times, and weak gunplay outside of the VAT system. You know...this leveling up crap in RPG's is kind of annoying. If I shoot you in the head...you should die. My guns levels shouldn't be at a certain level so I can kill a human being with a headshot...dumb. Anyway, I love New Vegas, but it definitely isn't a sequel and isn't as epic as Fallout 3. Too bad they have to pay reviewers not to tell the public the truth about glitches...pathethic. They could have easily just said the game is as buggy as the first and plays exactly the same and I still would have purchased it because Fallout in my eyes is very unique and the formula works...just like GOWI-III, same formula, just enchaced for the sequel. Fix the bugs idiots. Two years and no success. Triple AAA titles are not suppose to be buggy like this. The game screams GOTY, but the glitches can tear down the experience from time to time.

1 up, 2 down

Alienange
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 9:08:53 PM

They did it with swords for generations. Why can't they do it with guns?

0 up, 1 down

FlyingKickPunch
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 7:25:09 PM
Reply

Well, it was made by Obsidian, so I'd have to assume it was a buggy mess, given their track record.

1 up, 1 down

Alienange
Thursday, October 21, 2010 @ 9:18:03 PM
Reply

Sad news if it's true. Of course it's hard to believe an ex-employee.

0 up, 2 down

___________
Friday, October 22, 2010 @ 2:05:17 AM
Reply

what ever happened to freedom of speech?
im sick of bethesda releasing buggy sh*t, so im through with there games.
they want my money they need to learn how to debug there games BEFORE there released, not after!

2 up, 1 down

JackC8
Friday, October 22, 2010 @ 6:58:06 AM
Reply

How does Bethesda find out what score somebody is going to give a game before the review is published? Do the reviewers call up Bethesda first and ask if it's okay? I'm confused.

The fact that somebody is thumbs-downing everybody is especially comical considering what we're talking about here :)

1 up, 0 down

TheOldOne
Friday, October 22, 2010 @ 8:17:20 AM
Reply

When will we see this site's review of Fallout:Vegas?

0 up, 0 down

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