Comments on: This is Not a Game Review http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/ Creativity x Technology Sat, 17 Mar 2012 05:09:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ray http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4573 Ray Wed, 12 Dec 2007 02:32:04 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4573 One factor that seems to be always overlooked in discussions of video game reviews is that 99% of all websites operate on a volunteer basis, with often the "editors" simply being whoever owns the site. There's a reason why print reviews tend to be of higher quality, they pay their writers. And have things like writing guidelines, and real editors. If you're paying someone you're going to care about what they write. That's one thing that would help, more professionalism, less amateur hour stuff. One factor that seems to be always overlooked in discussions of video game reviews is that 99% of all websites operate on a volunteer basis, with often the “editors” simply being whoever owns the site. There’s a reason why print reviews tend to be of higher quality, they pay their writers. And have things like writing guidelines, and real editors. If you’re paying someone you’re going to care about what they write. That’s one thing that would help, more professionalism, less amateur hour stuff.

]]> By: Ben http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4581 Ben Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:41:16 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4581 Wow, I've never read any N'Gai Croal articles before, but if that is a representative sample he really is a terrible writer. Good writing says more in fewer words, not less in more words. EDGE has declined recently, they fell into the same trap of confusing complex writing with intelligent writing. George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language" should be required reading, I think. Wow, I’ve never read any N’Gai Croal articles before, but if that is a representative sample he really is a terrible writer. Good writing says more in fewer words, not less in more words.

EDGE has declined recently, they fell into the same trap of confusing complex writing with intelligent writing. George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language” should be required reading, I think.

]]> By: Alex Groce http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4576 Alex Groce Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:29:45 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4576 Film reviews are still the most-read form of film writing, but some of it is insightful, entertaining, or competent in a way game reviewing is not. Reviews are not inherently broken as a medium, I think. Film reviews are still the most-read form of film writing, but some of it is insightful, entertaining, or competent in a way game reviewing is not. Reviews are not inherently broken as a medium, I think.

]]> By: Nathan F. http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4575 Nathan F. Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:00:11 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4575 I thought there was some insightful analysis of Bioshock out there. I think the best analysis in the game industry tends to come from other developers. I attribute this to the relative youth of the medium. The construction of games is not familiar to the general public just yet. Most people, even game journalists, don't <em>really</em> understand the structure of games (or don't have the correct vocabulary for talking about it)--at least not in the way, say, film critics or book critics understand the structure their respective media. I thought there was some insightful analysis of Bioshock out there. I think the best analysis in the game industry tends to come from other developers. I attribute this to the relative youth of the medium. The construction of games is not familiar to the general public just yet. Most people, even game journalists, don’t really understand the structure of games (or don’t have the correct vocabulary for talking about it)–at least not in the way, say, film critics or book critics understand the structure their respective media.

]]> By: psu http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4574 psu Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:56:55 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4574 FWIW, I do not agree with Thomas. I used to subscribe to American Record Guide magazine the content of which was mostly reviews. And yet it had a lot of good writing about music. There is nothing about reviews as a form that force you to write crap. As for N'Gai, maybe he just had an off day. I'm willing to be convinced. FWIW, I do not agree with Thomas. I used to subscribe to American Record Guide magazine the content of which was mostly reviews. And yet it had a lot of good writing about music. There is nothing about reviews as a form that force you to write crap.

As for N’Gai, maybe he just had an off day. I’m willing to be convinced.

]]> By: Nohn http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4582 Nohn Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:53:46 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4582 This has to be a joke. I was actually following and agreeing with most of what you had to say up until the point where you called out N'Gai. He is, without a doubt, the only writer in the industry whose content rises above schlock. I was nearly knocked out when I first read his material, because I had never encountered competent writing about gaming. In fact, I had just accepted that fact that the writing was subpar, and decided to take it for what it was, despite its obvious limitations. Sorry, but your article loses credibility the minute it denounces the only writer in the industry who rises above the pack. This has to be a joke. I was actually following and agreeing with most of what you had to say up until the point where you called out N’Gai. He is, without a doubt, the only writer in the industry whose content rises above schlock. I was nearly knocked out when I first read his material, because I had never encountered competent writing about gaming. In fact, I had just accepted that fact that the writing was subpar, and decided to take it for what it was, despite its obvious limitations. Sorry, but your article loses credibility the minute it denounces the only writer in the industry who rises above the pack.

]]> By: Thomas http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4577 Thomas Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:31:30 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4577 As long as the review remains the dominant form of writing and reading about games, it's not going to get any better. As long as the review remains the dominant form of writing and reading about games, it’s not going to get any better.

]]> By: partial_charge http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4579 partial_charge Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:06:04 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4579 I have to disagree about N'Gai's writing. I'll agree that if he was writing straight-up reviews about a product I'd probably want a more concise style, but I find the level of erudition refreshing in his industry-analysis articles. For me, sometimes it's worth reading something challenging for the sake of the challenge. That he's writing about something I dig is gravy. I have to disagree about N’Gai’s writing. I’ll agree that if he was writing straight-up reviews about a product I’d probably want a more concise style, but I find the level of erudition refreshing in his industry-analysis articles. For me, sometimes it’s worth reading something challenging for the sake of the challenge. That he’s writing about something I dig is gravy.

]]> By: Alex Groce http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4578 Alex Groce Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:00:53 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4578 I'm not holding my breath until gaming gets a Pauline Kael or even a Roger Ebert, y'know? I’m not holding my breath until gaming gets a Pauline Kael or even a Roger Ebert, y’know?

]]> By: Richard Terrell http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/comment-page-1/#comment-4580 Richard Terrell Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:28:43 +0000 http://tleaves.com/2007/12/10/this-is-not-a-game-review/#comment-4580 I've noticed many of the same problems with the current state of videogame writing. I've written several reviews that highlight the cases that I feel have done a good job and discuss many of the things that they can do to improve along the vein of critical videogame theory. Currently, I'm developing around 7 different critical theories for gaming, and I update my blog to demonstrate them. I believe the theories would help game "journalist" or enthusiasts to better articulate their gut reactions and feelings towards a game. You've hit several issues right on the head. What game in particular would you really like to see top level commentary/critic on? I'm working on several writing projects over the Christmas break as noted on the right side of my blog. Thanks I’ve noticed many of the same problems with the current state of videogame writing.

I’ve written several reviews that highlight the cases that I feel have done a good job and discuss many of the things that they can do to improve along the vein of critical videogame theory.

Currently, I’m developing around 7 different critical theories for gaming, and I update my blog to demonstrate them. I believe the theories would help game “journalist” or enthusiasts to better articulate their gut reactions and feelings towards a game.

You’ve hit several issues right on the head. What game in particular would you really like to see top level commentary/critic on? I’m working on several writing projects over the Christmas break as noted on the right side of my blog.

Thanks

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