Pre-April Fools warning: Trust no one

by Kyle Orland { Mar 30th 2007 at 10:45PM }

As you wander unsuspecting into your weekend, don't forget that the craziest game news day outside of E3 (well, maybe not anymore) is coming up. That's right, Sunday is April Fools Day, the one day a year where newsmakers and gamemakers everywhere stop making unintentional jokes and try to intentionally make up the most ludicrously believable fake stories that they can.

From BurgerCraft to real 1up mushrooms to cheat site shutdowns, no topic is safe. Heck, in the case of magazines, the actual joke can come in early March. Here are few tips to keep your coming weekend fool free.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is: We'd all love for Nintendo to suddenly give everyone who clicks a link a free Wii, but face it, it doesn't seem too likely.
Sourcing is important: If a blockbuster April 1 story comes from unnamed sources or a mysteriously dead web site, remain skeptical. The least they could do is forge some documentation for their joke; make them work for it.
It's Sunday: Big gaming news never comes out on Sunday. Then again, don't be surprised if some sites wait till Monday to spring their foolishness this year.
Sega is not re-entering the hardware business. Nintendo is not leaving it: Actually, this is good advice to remember year round.
Your favorite classic Sega franchise from yesteryear is not going to suddenly reappear as a Wii-exclusive title: Oh, wait....
When in doubt, don't believe it: If the story pops up again in a week, you're probably in the clear.

Tags: april, april fool's, april fools, AprilFool's, AprilFools, be prepared, BePrepared, pagan new year, PaganNewYear

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sensai @ Mar 30th 2007 11:07PM

Did you guys hear about Ninte--oh wait. I mean....SONY leaving the hardware business and Se--dammit! Um...Apple entering it?

Jeah mayns! It's true. My source? www.google.com

THE INTERNETS NEVER LIE!

gdogg @ Mar 31st 2007 2:34AM

it'd be great if the halo 3 beta goes online on april fools day. no one would believe it was true.

KC @ Mar 30th 2007 11:22PM

I just want NiGHTS2 to be true. Thats all I'm hoping for

Jay @ Mar 30th 2007 11:24PM

This has gotten out of hand. Its getting to the point where ANY news thats remotely big that comes out within 2 weeks of 04/01 is considered an April Fools joke.

The Take Two stockholder meeting dealt with replacing the CEO, talking about projections for Q2, and what to do on Aprils Fools. It was a very important stockholder's meeting.

Ytoabn @ Mar 30th 2007 11:55PM

Oh please, this is clearly an April's Fools day post.
God, try a little harder next time.

Kritz @ Mar 30th 2007 11:57PM

Well, thanks for ruining all the fun.

God. Someone needs to change the date for this. Tricking people is a lot less fun if everyone's so damn cautious.

Haha, oh wait. I live in Australia. I get to do April Fools 16 hours in advance (Of America). There's still hope! Now to find those Duke Nukem Forever videos...

Murdoink @ Mar 31st 2007 12:10AM

Also, Capcom is not getting bought by *insert company name here*

Brandon Johnson @ Mar 31st 2007 12:14AM

KC IGN confims that Nights is indeed coming out in todays podcast.

hvnlysoldr @ Mar 31st 2007 12:55AM

Hyrulander song Princes of the Universe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCvDFu9UWFs&mode=related&search=

KC @ Mar 31st 2007 1:59AM

"7. KC IGN confims that Nights is indeed coming out in todays podcast."

HELL. YES.

mike @ Mar 31st 2007 3:48AM

bill gates could release a video saying halo 3 will be released next week and I wouldent believe it. April first is a day when I just dont even read the headlines. Its a waste of my time and even the most credible sources turn to scum and stat lying. Ill be loggin off joystiq that day.

Oliver @ Apr 8th 2007 11:49AM

I think I have come across the most ridiculous attept at a even halfway believable April fool's. I recently picked up the April issue of the Australian games mag Nintendo Gamer, and it has an article stating that LoZ: Phantom Hourglass will be available on both DS and Wii, i mean c'mon! They even made the article about the unique motion controls the Wii version will have as if the whole idea is common knowledge, but honestly, i don't think anybodys fooled.