Where do you go for game news and reviews?

Annette · #1 February 18th, 2005, 11:25 AM

I think it's been a while since we've asked this, so here goes. Where do you go for "unbiased" gaming news and reviews? Websites? Magazines? Forums?

Mephisto · #2 February 18th, 2005, 11:50 AM

Since there are no unbiased reviews I mostly check some online review sites like IGN and then most of the times the game website and its forum.
I always want to see screenshots of the game. Even if the graphic isn't pretty most of the time you can see buttons and options that give you some impression of the game mechanics.
The forums give me a good impression also because you can see if fan boys are pushing the product or if critical opinions are welcomed and considered by the developers. The involvement and feedback by forum officials/developers on the forum is also a point I consider.

Annette · #3 February 18th, 2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Mephisto said:
Since there are no unbiased reviews I mostly check some online review sites like IGN ...

I agree it's impossible for any human to give an unbiased game review - my bad . But do you think the bias is more a product of the reviewer's personal interests or is it influenced by the source of funding for the site (advertising dollars, parent company, etc.) Do you think the news content on such sites is biased? I'm glad to hear you go to directly to the game's site. I wonder how many else here do so regularly?

Rogue · #4 February 18th, 2005, 07:26 PM

I like www.gamespot.com, IGN, and PC-Gamer (mag) for a "quick glance" at a game. After that, if it captures my interest, I'll visit the main site like Mephisto mentioned and check their forums.

You can learn a lot about the game just from popular feedback and how good the support is.

Mephisto · #5 February 18th, 2005, 09:36 PM

Hi Mindi!
Though question about the source of the bias. Personally I think that most prominent sites are "aware of their customers", i.e. they believe that their readers are 13 years old and need to have nice graphics and a short attention span.
I do believe that money to an extend influences the news and previews of reviewers. News and screenshots equals more customers... Further, if you have a prominent name you get attention even if it isn't really deserved.

I think that there are many people how will check out the game website directly if they found a promising game in the preview news. Therefore I think it is a good idea to build a website for the game you are trying to sell (like the m...rix...g-company does ;

).

Atrocities · #6 February 21st, 2005, 10:35 PM

I hate to say it, but I go to Gamespot.

I used to go to the Cnet game source, but they folded with Gamspot back in 98.

www.gamespot.com Past that its Gamespy, 3dgamers, goinggold, and a few minor ones.

Captain Kwok · #7 February 21st, 2005, 10:58 PM

I don't surf much about games, so most of my game-related surfing is done here at Shrapnel or directed to a site/game by way of a friend.

Thermodyne · #8 February 21st, 2005, 11:05 PM

I don't. Sad to say, this is the only game I play.

Renegade 13 · #9 February 22nd, 2005, 02:03 AM

First I go to the website of the game and/or the developer (if different). Second, I visit the forums for said game and just generally check things out. Third, if there's a demo available, that's basically the single biggest 'unbiased' review that I can find

Fourth, I may from time to time visit various gaming sites, namely Gamespot and Gamespy, among others.

Fyron · #10 February 22nd, 2005, 04:27 AM

I really only come here. The mainstream industry in general is only spewing out crap these days, and it makes me sad to read about these "games"...

I never bother reading reviews, since they are generally always worthless. I don't care what some bribed writer wrote about the game. Or even if it is the rare review site where reviews are not purchased, it doesn't affect how good or bad the game is. Forums for mainstream games aren't of much use to me either, since they are either filled with flaming idiots or diehard fanboys... The Shrapnel forums are really a diamond in the rough. Well, there are still the diehard fanboys, but it isn't the arrogant newbie-flaming type.

Demos are the only way to go, and I only try the demos that friends (real life or internet) mention are for good games. So really, just word of mouth... And I never pay any attention to advertisements of any form, as they are the most useless thing of all.

Erm... so I guess that post was completely useless for you. Sorry.