Gentleman Jack
Member
The constant reminder that there is practically no wall separating paid PR employees and a nominally independent editorial agency covering the business ferments nothing but distrust and resentment in both parties.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Bethesda has an embargo on announcing the FO4 review embargo, are you kidding me
- Thread starter BiggNife
- Start date
The constant reminder that there is practically no wall separating paid PR employees and a nominally independent editorial agency covering the business ferments nothing but distrust and resentment in both parties.
GribbleGrunger
Dreams in Digital
Perhaps they don't want it reviews released before this patch?
http://gearnuke.com/fallout-4-rather-short-day-1-patch-ps4-xbo-requires-41-gb-install-full-game/
http://gearnuke.com/fallout-4-rather-short-day-1-patch-ps4-xbo-requires-41-gb-install-full-game/
Basileus777
Member
I don't understand why anyone would be angry at this. It's an odd thing for a PR person to insist on, but not something that matters for the consumer in any way.
I feel like some people are just looking for any little reason to be mad at Bethesda. I can't think of any other reason why it would be worth it to make a mountain out of a molehill like this.
Doubtful. Reviews have had it in their hands for quite a bit already.
Hahahahahahaah
GribbleGrunger
Dreams in Digital
I edited it. Perhaps there are a few technical problems that are resolved with the patch and they're scared the technical problems may bring the score down?
Gaf needs its daily dose of outrage.
As has been posted, all Bethesda games since Oblivion have had their review embargo end the day prior to release.
Or maybe a game with such a large fanbase is bound to have a proportionate amount of fans who see through the bullshit?
RichiRamjag
Member
Of course you do, you clicked the thread after reading the title.
These graphics thread on Gaf have Bethesda shook!
SlipperyFishes
Banned
What does the decision to define gender/pronoun have to do with anything? Almost feels like a KiA style complaint
Basically, CDPR done this with Witcher 3 (review embargo before release), plus fuckin youtubers shit.
pyrealnova
Member
This is not a new practice. You guys do realize that other publishers buy ads on the back of other AAA reviews, right?? And that websites drum up interest and money from those publishers by hyping up for their own review coverage??
Bethesda is simply trying to minimize the amount of chaff from competing publishers and controlling the one thing they have left in their hype arsenal: reviews.
Please stop acting like this is some big conspiracy.
Bethesda is simply trying to minimize the amount of chaff from competing publishers and controlling the one thing they have left in their hype arsenal: reviews.
Please stop acting like this is some big conspiracy.
I think it's just their marketing message. They've done it since at least Fallout 3 with a review embargo the day before release. Not sure on Oblivion.
Is this common in other industries? I know embargoes are a thing in the movie industry (RIP Fant4stic), but embargoes of embargoes?
It's kind of bizarre to me how muzzled video game reviewers are. Is it because metacritic scores are potentially devastating to sales? I know moviegoers really don't care about Rotten Tomatoes scores, and many of the movies that made a billion+ dollars are "Rotten."
It's kind of bizarre to me how muzzled video game reviewers are. Is it because metacritic scores are potentially devastating to sales? I know moviegoers really don't care about Rotten Tomatoes scores, and many of the movies that made a billion+ dollars are "Rotten."
Makes post about insider advertising deals between publishers and reviewers with zero proof.
Complains that people are acting like it's a conspiracy.
CelticVegas
Banned
People are angry since Fallout 4 has been revealed. Just ignore them.
Rentahamster
Rodent Whores
And you thought announcements of announcements was bad!
AndrewDean84xX
Banned
I don't think this is a big deal at all. My opinion and all that.
pyrealnova
Member
Is this a joke post?? Insider deals? Wow...
It's called business. Spoiler alert: websites make money from ads. Publishers want their ads to be seen by lots of people! Lots of people visit websites when big AAA reviews go live!
jormungand
Banned
An example: Polygon blasted Witcher 3 because there was no "black people" and the female characters were underdeveloped. Heh
LookAtMeGo
Member
Oh no!
Embargos happen in pretty much every field of journalism. From games to sports to politics.
AndrewDean84xX
Banned
If the people don't want this type of thing to continue, what can be done to prevent this from happening in the future? Not accepting games early for review?
BouncyFrag
Member
*throws ps4 into the Pontar*
MetalGearOnlineK
Member
I agree, it's odd, but as far as I can tell it's not pushing the review back or anything. As long as I can look at reviews the day that the game is released I'll be happy.
Ammogeddon
Member
I can't get my brain around this. Surely as long as reviews go up after the embargo then it's all good .......right?
I don't see what Bethesda are achieving by dictating when reviewers can tell us when the reviews are up. We know based on the embargo that they are no earlier than Monday 9th November. So how does this tactic benefit Bethesda?
I'm really looking forward to Fallout 4 but I hate this kind of corporate wankery.
I don't see what Bethesda are achieving by dictating when reviewers can tell us when the reviews are up. We know based on the embargo that they are no earlier than Monday 9th November. So how does this tactic benefit Bethesda?
I'm really looking forward to Fallout 4 but I hate this kind of corporate wankery.
What a time to be alive.
Vincent Grayson
Member
Would you say that all of these disparate entities work together to make this happen? Perhaps even...conspiring?
Ohhhh, I aplogize. The wording of the original post had me seriously confused when I first read it. It sounded like there was sinister dealing between the two and upon review I don't even understand why I thought that. My apologies
So basically, you're saying that Bethesda wants to know exactly when the reviews go up on each site so they can put their big ads up at the same time for the highest number of views. If that's the case then I still find that pretty slimy :/
AndrewDean84xX
Banned
What is scummy about it?
lukeskymac
Member
If the consumer is too alienated to care, apparently yes, it is.
AHA-Lambda
Member
Barakov
Gold Member
Someone in Bethesda's PR department is stomping their feet in abject frustration at this very moment.
SlipperyFishes
Banned
What's your point?
pyrealnova
Member
Please stop holding the industry to some ridiculous national security level standard. Despite what die-hard fans want to believe, it's not that complicated or mischievous. Bethesda wants to limit the flow of information re: the review embargo. They don't want to see huge Tomb Raider, Battlefront, Insert AAA game here, ads all over their day to shine. Would it be the end of the world? No. But they are a publisher and it's their job to minimize that shit.
Gentleman Jack
Member
It being common doesn't mean I have to be okay with it. That the extent of control extends to 'oh hey don't tell people you're on embargo until Friday, Love: The people who gift you review copies' leaves one with an uncomfortable sense that the press isn't even control over its own editorial scheduling at any level.
This is some of the most bullshit outrage I have ever seen on NeoGAF. This is a decision that doesn't affect the consumer at all, unless the embargo for other countries puts the reviews after purchase.
This says NOTHING about Bethesda's faith in their product, and everything about their desire to control the release of information. They are allowed to advertise their game their way.
Seriously this forum is embarrassing some times.
This says NOTHING about Bethesda's faith in their product, and everything about their desire to control the release of information. They are allowed to advertise their game their way.
Seriously this forum is embarrassing some times.
Tom Nook Sawyer
Member
The reaction in this thread really is horribly misplaced.
Geeze, do people just need to be angry at nothing sometimes?
They don't have to agree to the embargo though. They get an advantage, early copy of the game for more time, by agreeing to not release the review until X date. The sites can choose not to and Bethesda can just not send them a copy. It's something that happens so much, especially in entertainment, that it has little if any effect on the review.
Vincent Grayson
Member
Hi Tom, I'd like to introduce you to The Internet.