Ryan

Pick me! Pick me! I want me an unlocked iPhone!

Pick me! Pick me! Pleeeeeeease!

In reference to Dirk's comments (#8), a few of my own thoughts:

Media events and "freebies" like copies of the game, wearables, etc. are the nature of the beast, whether you like it or not. I'd like to think that most of us in the business of covering video games (and any other industry, for that matter) are able to attend these things and do our best to stay as objective as possible (read: not load up on freebies). Because it's so tempting to take the stuff, journalists do it. The marketing people aren't stupid.

While I can't speak for anyone else, I do my very best to be objective. But I'm far from perfect. I have free shirts from companies and munch on food at their events. Does that make me partial to their offerings? I doubt it. Events are part of the way they do business and easier than having 10 different on-site meetings with publications. Keep in mind that this is work for us. That doesn't justify the behavior, but hopefully helps put it in perspective. Keep in mind that we all have our own internal biases anyway.

Getting games for free is an issue I have mixed feelings about, but part of my job is familiarizing myself with as many titles as possible so I can write about a variety of topics with as much perspective as possible. Buying every new game out there isn't cost-effective or realistic. Keeping games long-term, on the other hand, is another issue entirely. Companies don't want them back, so I've taken to giving them to friends. I also have a big stack of them on my desk at work (where there are no game systems). But I work for a business publication.

Just my $0.02.

Gears of War, baby.

Lost!

Oblivion!

Haha. I notied the bra ad as well. Very strange. Being the male I am, I must admit I clicked on it.

Basic stuff.
$199
November 15
2 controllers + Super Mario Galaxy

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Wohoo! I'm in it to win it!