Don't kid yourself. It's the same game with a few new features and a few more polygons. Bioware took the same path Blizzard did: Follow the example of those who came before you, polish it up, and wrap an existing franchise around it.
It's not a bad thing, but it's patently obvious to anyone with even a scrap of objectivity.
I sometimes long for the days when it was pretty much just Lum the Mad and (to a lesser extent) Dr.Twister covering The Big Three: UO, EQ, and DAoC, in addition to the ten billion and one "in development MMOs" that never went anywhere... it was a simpler time, perhaps a better time. Of course Lum still blogs, but it's quite casual in comparison to the old days.
Overall, while some of the bloggers quoted here display some interesting writing chops, I'm a little disappointed in the attitude they display towards the final question regarding accepting gifts from the companies of games you cover or discuss. Claiming to be able to maintain objectiveness and stating that if the game is bad they'll label it as such is essentially lip-service; you've still accepted a gift from the subject you're attempting to observe in its natural environment. Even if you feel you are a non-biased, journalistic integrity-type, you've been "bribed" in plain view of the public and your opinion as such may appear tainted to your readers. You can't realistically claim objectiveness while being plied with drink at the enemy's table, after all.
To be clear, this is personal perspective based on my own years spent writing in both the commercial and private sector... IGN affiliates and blogging for my own outlet, respectively. When you're on a payroll and the site is running hideous background ads for some upcoming title, you take the review copies, in-house demonstrations and passes to private functions at E3 because you're already sitting in a den of iniquity. It's a job, the site's purpose is to show a profit, and as demonstrated in the past on major sites, you don't lash out at the hand that feeds that network. When you're writing for your own pleasure and the satisfaction of sharing opinions, I would think it's better to maintain a stricter standard and pay your own way. Accepting a beta pass should be the most a blogger can accept and maintain an entirely unblemished status.
When I was blogging, the rewards I received were being on a first-name basis with some of the most intelligent and influential people in the business, and being able to have an open, honest, and often critical discussion regarding the state of the game. Of course that's become more difficult as companies have shifted towards focusing on spin and information control in the years since, but it still produces the best results for both your readers and your own satisfaction.
To be clear, I don't mean to be disparaging by any means, nor am I slamming these bloggers for having different standards than my own. We all operate by our own personal moral compass, and I'm not about to judge a stranger based on a one-off question. Nor am I suggesting bloggers belong on some ivory pedestal, above reproach, as bias and favouritism are inherent to expressing personal opinion. But I would note that people generally go to blog sites for perspectives and editorials they can't find on the commercial sites, and an independent operator is best able to offer that service.
In any case, the subject got me into a nostalgic ramble.
Star Wars: The Old Republic early access starts today
Dec 13th 2011 3:11PM (Joystiq)That was a reply to the first unverified lauding WoW and criticizing Star Wars, not who had a pretty good time.
Star Wars: The Old Republic early access starts today
Dec 13th 2011 3:09PM (Joystiq)Don't kid yourself. It's the same game with a few new features and a few more polygons. Bioware took the same path Blizzard did: Follow the example of those who came before you, polish it up, and wrap an existing franchise around it.
It's not a bad thing, but it's patently obvious to anyone with even a scrap of objectivity.
Resident Evil: Revelations trailer masters the art of confusion
Dec 1st 2011 7:16PM (Joystiq)Making it as an MMO blogger: The bloggers speak up part 4
Feb 26th 2010 2:09PM (Massively)Overall, while some of the bloggers quoted here display some interesting writing chops, I'm a little disappointed in the attitude they display towards the final question regarding accepting gifts from the companies of games you cover or discuss. Claiming to be able to maintain objectiveness and stating that if the game is bad they'll label it as such is essentially lip-service; you've still accepted a gift from the subject you're attempting to observe in its natural environment. Even if you feel you are a non-biased, journalistic integrity-type, you've been "bribed" in plain view of the public and your opinion as such may appear tainted to your readers. You can't realistically claim objectiveness while being plied with drink at the enemy's table, after all.
To be clear, this is personal perspective based on my own years spent writing in both the commercial and private sector... IGN affiliates and blogging for my own outlet, respectively. When you're on a payroll and the site is running hideous background ads for some upcoming title, you take the review copies, in-house demonstrations and passes to private functions at E3 because you're already sitting in a den of iniquity. It's a job, the site's purpose is to show a profit, and as demonstrated in the past on major sites, you don't lash out at the hand that feeds that network. When you're writing for your own pleasure and the satisfaction of sharing opinions, I would think it's better to maintain a stricter standard and pay your own way. Accepting a beta pass should be the most a blogger can accept and maintain an entirely unblemished status.
When I was blogging, the rewards I received were being on a first-name basis with some of the most intelligent and influential people in the business, and being able to have an open, honest, and often critical discussion regarding the state of the game. Of course that's become more difficult as companies have shifted towards focusing on spin and information control in the years since, but it still produces the best results for both your readers and your own satisfaction.
To be clear, I don't mean to be disparaging by any means, nor am I slamming these bloggers for having different standards than my own. We all operate by our own personal moral compass, and I'm not about to judge a stranger based on a one-off question. Nor am I suggesting bloggers belong on some ivory pedestal, above reproach, as bias and favouritism are inherent to expressing personal opinion. But I would note that people generally go to blog sites for perspectives and editorials they can't find on the commercial sites, and an independent operator is best able to offer that service.
In any case, the subject got me into a nostalgic ramble.