Facepunch Review Discussion: We have absolutely nothing yet edition - General

[QUOTE=icemaz;45846333]I'd rather a piece about someone explaining why they love their favourite game, than read a review of a new game. I'd rather read a piece about why x game from the past was important to the history of the company as a whole, than read a review of a new game. It's this kind of opinion piece I love. Talk about why the controls of Y are amazing to use and feel great, give examples of it throughout gaming. Just something other than reviews[/QUOTE]But that is what this is about at least initially is giving genuine reviews. No one is saying those others won't be covered, but the focus is on providing a legitimately informative review site with an actual code of ethics and standards. Otherwise it will start as little more than Kotaku's hodgepodge of writers writing about whatever they want with zero consistency or standards.

[QUOTE=icemaz;45846333]I'd rather a piece about someone explaining why they love their favourite game, than read a review of a new game. I'd rather read a piece about why x game from the past was important to the history of the company as a whole, than read a review of a new game. It's this kind of opinion piece I love. Talk about why the controls of Y are amazing to use and feel great, give examples of it throughout gaming. Just something other than reviews[/QUOTE] The thing is, A.We haven't even started and B. We need to start small and work our way. Jumping right into opinions when we haven't proven ourselves just seems to be self congratulatory.

[QUOTE=Ganerumo;45846317]We're currently working to pick up a game to be test-reviewed. If you want to vote, [url=http://strawpoll.me/2456299/]head up here[/url]. The idea is that only games that were owned by 3 people or more were counted. The steam group is also up and available.[/QUOTE] How are review submissions handled, anyway?

[QUOTE=The freeman;45846347]For a test review, Borderlands 1 & 2 may be a bit much. Voted for Max Payne 3.[/QUOTE] I did Killingfloor because its strictly a small multiplayer game. While there's not a lot of content, the substance there definitely could make a review.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;45846378]But that is what this is about at least initially is giving genuine reviews. No one is saying those others won't be covered, but the focus is on providing a legitimately informative review site with an actual code of ethics and standards. Otherwise it will start as little more than Kotaku's hodgepodge of writers writing about whatever they want with zero consistency or standards.[/QUOTE] But those already exist, I posted one on the previous page. It's important to be something more than reviews, and I think starting off with something other than a review would be amazing for the site, and help set a standard of conversation and opinion pieces for the rest of the site.

I think Little Inferno could be a good game to start (yeah, I voted for it, but i voted for it precisely because I thought it would make a good one) It's not overly long or complicated and it's not got an indordinate amount of world building that you have to learn and catch up on to understand it.

[QUOTE=No Party Hats;45845771]im known to be an unbiased source, i give all games 4/10 hire me[/QUOTE] There's a difference between bias and neutrality, guys... You can put the guy who literally love all horror ever to review a horror game and it would still not be a breach in ethics. Bias is when either party is paying each other, or something similar happening in between journalist-developer.

[QUOTE=G-Strogg;45846414]There's a difference between bias and neutrality, guys... You can put the guy who literally love all horror ever to review a horror game and it would still not be a breach in ethics. Bias is when either party is paying each other, or something similar happening in between journalist-developer.[/QUOTE] Bias can also be a bit less grim and be "This developer has done some shit that sucks ass before" and then, even without realizing it, having a bias against the game simply because of the developer.

[QUOTE=icemaz;45846396]But those already exist, I posted one on the previous page. It's important to be something more than reviews, and I think starting off with something other than a review would be amazing for the site, and help set a standard of conversation and opinion pieces for the rest of the site.[/QUOTE] The site won't get big for a year. Let's just start with that basic assumption. If we rush things and try to grab attention before actually getting the groundwork done it's all going to collapse around our heads anyway. Best to proceed steadily and with caution.

[QUOTE=Mr. Scorpio;45846425]The site won't get big for a year. Let's just start with that basic assumption. If we rush things and try to grab attention before actually getting the groundwork done it's all going to collapse around our heads anyway. Best to proceed steadily and with caution.[/QUOTE] And that's why the site will ultimately fail, you're trying to go big. Just make some nice pieces, whether reviews, critiques or just opinion pieces for yourselves and friends and nothing more. If you make something worth reading, people will come to you. It's not about grabbing attention, I'm asking you to write critiques, history and opinion pieces because that's the most fascinating thing to read about. Reviews are dime a dozen, no ones going to come to a site where the content is ultimately something I can get elsewhere I've written for a few sites, and I've done some writing on [URL="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/09/interview_exploring_the_centre_for_computing_history_cambridge"]behalf of a museum[/URL] where I've tried to make it an interesting read beyond the questions I was asked. I'm just trying to help and offer my opinion, its honestly up to you all whether you listen or not.

Something else I think we should consider is what games that are upcoming in the next few months that would be good to review. Doing reviews of older games that are already out is a solid way to establish a system and get a few people on board, but no matter what in some form we'll be retreading old ground. It will depend on actually covering new games as well to garner interest and establish that its about more than just confirming or denying existing opinions about a game.

[QUOTE=icemaz;45846456]And that's why the site will ultimately fail, you're trying to go big. Just make some nice pieces, whether reviews, critiques or just opinion pieces for yourselves and friends and nothing more. If you make something worth reading, people will come to you. It's not about grabbing attention, I'm asking you to write critiques, history and opinion pieces because that's the most fascinating thing to read about. Reviews are dime a dozen, no ones going to come to a site where the content is ultimately something I can get elsewhere I've written for a few sites, and I've done some writing on [URL="http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/09/interview_exploring_the_centre_for_computing_history_cambridge"]behalf of a museum[/URL] where I've tried to make it an interesting read beyond the questions I was asked. I'm just trying to help and offer my opinion, its honestly up to you all whether you listen or not.[/QUOTE] In my experience, the people who worry about "going big" are the people who get the least far of all. That's such a long term prospect. It's like we're a band and we're worrying about record label contract details before we even have any songs written.

Can we just write reviews? I'd rather just write reviews. If people wanna do opinion pieces, that's their prerogative.

[QUOTE=Doctor Zedacon;45846471]Something else I think we should consider is what games that are upcoming in the next few months that would be good to review. Doing reviews of older games that are already out is a solid way to establish a system and get a few people on board, but no matter what in some form we'll be retreading old ground. It will depend on actually covering new games as well to garner interest and establish that its about more than just confirming or denying existing opinions about a game.[/QUOTE] Something to consider is getting the games. If it's going to end up being 3 reviewers for 1 AAA game, you need to be able to convince 3 people to drop $180 on a game that might be shit. If a reviewer resorts to piracy and it leaks that they are actually pirating games, it will be their head on a platter. It isn't cool.

If we're writing Dark Souls 2 reviews, I could start on my own right now. I feel like I actually kinda have something to say about that game so might as well, yeah? Where do we send reviews n' shit to?

[QUOTE=Mr. Scorpio;45846511]If we're writing Dark Souls 2 reviews, I could start on my own right now. I feel like I actually kinda have something to say about that game so might as well, yeah? Where do we send reviews n' shit to?[/QUOTE] We decided that a review has to be done by 2 people min, or 5 people max so unless you get a 2nd you can't do a review. Also we haven't started doing reviews yet, we still have to do a test review so no official reviews yet.

[QUOTE=The freeman;45846500]Something to consider is getting the games. If it's going to end up being 3 reviewers for 1 AAA game, you need to be able to convince 3 people to drop $180 on a game that might be shit. If a reviewer resorts to piracy and it leaks that they are actually pirating games, it will be their head on a platter. It isn't cool.[/QUOTE]With certain set ups, like Steam, family share could be used so that the other two reviewers can play the game without needing to buy it themselves while also being legal. It would mean only one person could play and review it at a time however.

[QUOTE=Xonax;45846534]We decided that a review has to be done by 2 people min, or 5 people max so unless you get a 2nd you can't do a review. Also we haven't started doing reviews yet, we still have to do a test review so no official reviews yet.[/QUOTE] Who is we? Nothing is exactly final yet.

Here is a dump of information that you people may want : • Only games with at least 2 people (preferably a minimum of 3) owning it will be reviewed. • Articles will be written on a TL;DR basis. A merged article will summarize the opinion of everyone, then the more detailed opinions on each core aspect of the game (graphics, gameplay, story) will be accessible for each reviewer. Furthermore, other reviewers who wish to give their opinion will have a 5-something line space on the bottom of the article to write their two cents on the game. • No scores. Articles will be short enough to not warrant one, especially since there's gonna be a merged TL;DR paragraph at the start (or at the end, not sure yet).

You can also get a list of people who volunteered for reviewing [url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eY4ccp4vFteCIh5f31xJDIm5Tqrmv-RObYGy0q8uCP4/]here[/url].

Something that may help if it pans out: Is there by chance anyone here who actually knows someone who does reviews for a publication of some kind? Not for games explicitly but just in general. They could possibly offer some advice and help with getting this better established.

In regards to co-op games, I think it would be prudent to discuss organized (with your friends) vs random (with strangers). I know some co-op (or multiplayer for that matter) play dramatically differently depending on who you play it with.

[QUOTE=Teddybeer;45846560]Really the only thing that might work is if Facepunch foruns gets a section that is heavily moderated and people can freely post their reviews. Having a site for it that doesn't have the proper staff you will have it slide into its own biases, cliques and drama in a few weeks.[/QUOTE] That's one good thing is how divisive we all are overall. So if thing start to get bad, there will be at least one person who will go "Fuck that shit, I'm going to to tell everyone about this." Transparency needs to be a big part of it. If a main reviewer is let go, it needs to be brought up with reasoning provided. If a new one is brought in, it needs to be announced and people informed about who they are and what their involvement will be. All these things.

[QUOTE=The freeman;45846546]Who is we? Nothing is exactly final yet.[/QUOTE] Ganerumo, Swilly and Me. I created the group, promoted Swilly to stop the bullshit going on in the chat if any, and promoted Ganerumo since he is organizing a lot of stuff and is really useful.

Do we have a list of games yet? I went to bed and this whole thing started taking off

[QUOTE=Ogopogo;45846615]In regards to co-op games, I think it would be prudent to discuss organized (with your friends) vs random (with strangers). I know some co-op (or multiplayer for that matter) play dramatically differently depending on who you play it with.[/QUOTE]Yeah, that will be something to keep in mind in the long run. Its a pretty much universal thing that any game will be better when played with friends. I mostly enjoy playing Dota 2 when playing with my boyfriend and our other friends, its more fun than when I just play on my own. Killing Floor works better if you've got people you know and can organize better. Planetside 2 is much better if you've got a good group in a squad. So it'll definitely have to be something kept in mind.

[QUOTE=Xonax;45846634]Ganerumo, Swilly and Me. I created the group, promoted Swilly to stop the bullshit going on in the chat if any, and promoted Ganerumo since he is organizing a lot of stuff and is really useful.[/QUOTE] Oh, there's a group? Didn't hear about the idea of making a site until now.

Just a heads up, we're not going to make a site for now - writing a decent review is a start. If it works, Facepunch and Tumblr will be our main outputs. It's free, tumlbr is easy to customize, and it's good enough for what we want to do. [editline]30th August 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=HumanAbyss;45846637]Do we have a list of games yet? I went to bed and this whole thing started taking off[/QUOTE] [url]http://strawpoll.me/2456299/[/url]

[QUOTE=Xonax;45846634]Ganerumo, Swilly and Me. I created the group, promoted Swilly to stop the bullshit going on in the chat if any, and promoted Ganerumo since he is organizing a lot of stuff and is really useful.[/QUOTE]I was the one who first said Facepunch would do well with its own review site. But I'm not trying to be bitchy, just making a joke about it. I can't pretend I have quite the time and capacity to so readily organize it. I'll just be the prerequisite ideas person.

I'll start working on a review today when I'm back at home