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[Gonzo The Great]

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/11/...m-rise-of-lyric-and-shattered-crystal-reviews

I think this deserves its own thread. This is an unprecedented move, as it's the first game in the history of the series to be effectively ignored by the games media because SEGA decided not to send out any review copies. Between the Assassin's Creed controversy, and now this, it's become clear that publishers are trying to hide the poor quality of their games by either having late embargoes or not shipping review copies entirely. Should they be held accountable? And by who? The consumer? I don't always take reviews as gospel, but it's never a good sign when the publisher isn't confident enough allow early reviews.

 

[MichaelFassbender]

I think the verdict is already pretty in.

 

[Maintenance]

What a mess.

 

[bob page]

This industry is hilarious.

 

[lt519]

That's like disowning your child

 

[Astarte]

I think the verdict is already pretty in.

Definitely; 9/10 game.

 

[VRMN]

I think they said it on the Bombcast last week. Embargos day of release aren't too weird. It's when they don't send them at all that you know the publisher knows the game is crap.

 

[Spinluck]

They can fuck off with that.

 

[meptrep]

Wow, Sega's trying to score extra sales by making game journalists pay for it. Those might be the only people who actually buy it.

 

[Kyzon]

They can just re-review Sonic 06 and call it a day.

 

[Spaghetti]

even from earlier previews it was made clear that sega cared more about the show and the merch than the game, so this is incredibly unsurprising

 

[Toki767]

SEGA needs those sales. Especially once reviews start coming in.

 

[oldmario]

guess the game will soon be sonic bomba either way

 

[hwy_61]

Hmmmm....

 

[chugen]

sound good

 

[Zalman]

Even Sega knows it's bad this time. They must not be happy with Big Red Button.

 

[Vidpixel]

 

[kirblar]

I think they said it on the Bombcast last week. Embargos day of release aren't too weird. It's when they don't send them at all that you know the publisher knows the game is crap.

They both indicate lack of confidence. If you're confident, there isn't an issue letting the embargo die a day or two before release. Same exact pattern here as with movies.

 

[mdubs]

Well let's be honest, SEGA doesn't have an obligation to send anyone review copies. That said, I find their lack of faith disturbing.

 

[WonderzL]

Even the 3DS version, which seems to be at least complete and totally functional? Oh my god...

 

[Eusis]

Sounds like similar is the norm in the movie business, where any film they know will be a critical bomb won't be screened in advance by critics. Not that this is the only reason they do it, some like Blizzard seem to do it just because, but from anyone else I definitely take that as a problematic sign. Although AC: Rogue seems to be a weird case in that it's actually gotten more positive reviews, but some could be rushing it out and Ubisoft may've gotten it in their heads that the older one was only there to placate those who didn't jump and didn't bother to think that maybe it'd also be better received over their latest, highest end one.

 

[Village]

OOooh nooooo!

Really though, its gonna make it worse

 

[Nibel]

What a time to be alive.

 

[Coffee Dog]

it really doesn't matter at this point

 

[AsfaeksBR]

So it's probably Sonic '06 levels of bad

 

[Corto]

Well, it would be great if outlets found a store breaking the street release date and then post early reviews with no NDA withholding them.

 

[NotLiquid]

Some people have already gotten review copies. It's just that they were sent to people on release day.

Not like it really matters.

 

[Amir0x]

These fucking companies. Jesus christ.

 

[kirblar]

Sounds like similar is the norm in the movie business, where any film they know will be a critical bomb won't be screened in advance by critics. Not that this is the only reason they do it, some like Blizzard seem to do it just because, but from anyone else I definitely take that as a problematic sign. Although AC: Rogue seems to be a weird case in that it's actually gotten more positive reviews, but some could be rushing it out and Ubisoft may've gotten it in their heads that the older one was only there to placate those who didn't jump and didn't bother to think that maybe it'd also be better received over their latest, highest end one.

Blizzard's stuff is in beta for months now anyway so the reviews really aren't even that relevant.

 

[NTom64]

I have missed a good, legit Sonic shitstorm. Haven't one a proper one since Unleashed.

 

[darkwing-buck]

Still waiting on that Biogamergirl review

 

[StoopKid]

Lmao

 

[Kouriozan]

Welp.
"We know our game is bad, if it bomb, blame the gamer!"

 

[User 479360]

I was wondering if they were doing this, as we didn't really hear much after requesting them.

 

[SSReborn]

The publishers are getting so bold.

 

[Velcro Fly]

Welp.
"We know our game is bad, if it bomb, blame the gamer!"

Sounds like Capcom

 

[shadyspace]

Why can nobody make video games all of a sudden?

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

Conspiracy theory:

We got VC on PC only to keep the heat off of this snafu and it went better than expected.

 

[SwiftDeath]

I have to assume this move by Sega is to try and limit the visibility of the game amongst media outlets so as to lessen any potential tarnishing of the brand for future games because I can't seriously believe Sega expects it to sell strongly on the Wii U and thus that some significant portion of sales would be at risk from notably lower reviews.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

more like Sonic Bomb amirite?

 

[Astral Dog]

No, they shouldnt, Publishers can do what they want with their games, they dont need to send it to reviewers, its the costumers that must be somewhat aware of what they are buying,sometimes a good game can have late reviews too (this is not the case,obviously).
I dont think this is unprecedented.

 

[Fantastapotamus]

Not really surprising.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Guess we're all gonna have to wait for GAF Impressions

 

[AuthenticM]

hahaha, this is funny

 

[VRMN]

So it's probably Sonic '06 levels of bad

Sonic '06 had advance copies, though.

...oh god.

 

[LegendofLex]

On the flip side of the coin, not giving journos games for free is the best way to get an honest opinion about whether they think it's worth its price tag.

But let's go on promoting the idea that the consumer watchdogs should receive expensive gifts from the same people they're supposed to be a check on.

I honestly think consumers would be better off if no journalist accepted the benefit of early exclusive content in exchange for their written review.

 

[Seik]

Everybody pretty much knows it sucks now though, anyway.

Even SEGA.

 

[Hugstable]

Boom?

 

[Orayn]

I think not sending review copies is a much more defensible practice than review copies attached to post-launch embargoes. Not going out of your way to help the press is better than "helping" them by only allowing them to play by your gross rules.

But yeah, kinda doesn't matter at this point. We've seen enough of Sonic Boom that actual reviews would just be rubbing salt in the wound.

 

[Crayons]

This industry is pretty shit in general now