No Half-life 2 Review Again In Gametm?

[strider]

Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish. There's nothing to stop you - or anyone else - buying a game on the day of release and reviewing it online.

I never said there was, you're the one mixing up my quotes to justify your own points.

Sure we could post reviews up on a website before printing them in the mag, but what's the point? We're a magazine not an Internet games site.

Half-life 2 is going up because our readers complained about it not appearing in the mag. Honestly, there's no pleasing some people

[furq]

What? I said that you should have put a review online in the first place (once you realised the review code would miss the mag's deadline).

You said “we'd be breaching exclusivity deals.”

I said that's rubbish.

And it is.

Sure we could post reviews up on a website before printing them in the mag, but what's the point? We're a magazine not an Internet games site.

Yeah, what's the point of reviewing the best PC game of the year? What's the point of providing a service to readers?

F*ck it. Screw the readers! Screw those Valve/Vivendi guys! You really showed them, eh?!?

[strider]

What? I said that you should have put a review online in the first place (once you realised the review code would miss the mag's deadline).

You said “we'd be breaching exclusivity deals.”

I said that's rubbish.

And it is.

Yeah, what's the point of reviewing the best PC game of the year? What's the point of providing a service to readers?

F*ck it. Screw the readers! Screw those Valve/Vivendi guys! You really showed them, eh?!?

Well the review will be going up on our website, so we are trying to make amends.

[oorbroon]

Except that we'd be breaching exclusivity deals...

See above

a good idea if it wasn't for the above

Hang on. If you're so annoyed with the lack of PR support (your boss' words) as to NOT run a review, why do you adhere to other people's "exclusivity deals"? That simply doesn't make any sense. If you're going to treat the release of Vivendi/Valve's game as if it was a non-event, surely all the other coverage deals worked out by the other mags are are a non-event too, and have NO BEARING on your editorial. Surely a way to show your independence, your strength (which clearly you don't have) would be to have run a review from the retail code? You managed it for MGS3, which was out days after (and why review MGS3 and put it on your cover when the PAL version has all those unacknowledged new bits added?)

Here's a really weird thing. Nothing about the way your magazine is run makes sense when you guys try to explain it. MartTM once said that what goes on the cover is decided by someone above him, the deputy editor, and totally out of his hands; Cacophanus has explained that he was given scores to write reviews around; and now there's this. Honestly, you all look like fools. So I suggest you lot stop posting, stop trying to keep one finger in by pleasing everyone with your non posts, stop trying to make digs about people daring to say negative things about your magazine on forums, stop trying to hype your retro section, stop posting the scores for your *own magazine* on NTSC-UK (I'd love to see the Edge, EGM, OPM, OXM guys do that. But I won't because they at least seems to respect their publication), stop trying to pass the buck when people question you, just stop. Seriously, if you go on these forums and give the impression of answering comments/criticism, you need to do it make sense and be honest - or don't bother at all if you can't manage either.

Oh, and that thing about a comprehensive magazine reviewing every game released each month? It's doable - it may well be beyond your imagination, but all you need are some decent group of freelancers and staff writers (something that is clearly beyond Highbury's grasp) dedicated to the task.

[wavey]

What is more of concern is the only two articles in Edge this month to actually mention the mess of the installation through Steam and the stuttering are in Red Eye (who's views do not represent Edge) and Crashlander, a comic at the back.

Now, I've only skimmed the issue, but:

p20: "The launch of Half-Life 2 ... dogged with problems"

p24: In Continue / Quit - "Quit: HL2 authentication"

p27: An entire RedEye column about the installation (incidentally, so what if his views "do not (necessarily) represent Edge"? Are you imagining readers thinking to themselves "Hmm, RedEye is 'Installing Half-Life 2', is he? I'd be interested in reading some more about HL2, but I'll skip this as I don't want my brain sullied with possibly-non-Edge views thankyouverymuch"? They still printed it, didn't they?)

p126: Critical letter about Steam, with Edge's response: "Steam ... has made life painful for hundreds, if not thousands, of PC owners"

p128: Half-page cartoon entirely about Steam installation and sound stuttering problems

If Edge are trying to cover something up, they're doing quite a bad job of it.

[Stolly]

Here's a really weird thing. Nothing about the way your magazine is run makes sense when you guys try to explain it. MartTM once said that what goes on the cover is decided by someone above him, the deputy editor, and totally out of his hands; Cacophanus has explained that he was given scores to write reviews around; and now there's this. Honestly, you all look like fools. So I suggest you lot stop posting, stop trying to keep one finger in by pleasing everyone with your non posts, stop trying to make digs about people daring to say negative things about your magazine on forums, stop trying to hype your retro section, stop posting the scores for your *own magazine* on NTSC-UK (I'd love to see the Edge, EGM, OPM, OXM guys do that. But I won't because they at least seems to respect their publication), stop trying to pass the buck when people question you, just stop. Seriously, if you go on these forums and give the impression of answering comments/criticism, you need to do it make sense and be honest - or don't bother at all if you can't manage either.

Well said.

Games TM plug themselves on forums................ but negatively

[Beertiger]

Hang on. If you're so annoyed with the lack of PR support (your boss' words) as to NOT run a review, why do you adhere to other people's "exclusivity deals"? That simply doesn't make any sense. If you're going to treat the release of Vivendi/Valve's game as if it was a non-event, surely all the other coverage deals worked out by the other mags are are a non-event too, and have NO BEARING on your editorial. Surely a way to show your independence, your strength (which clearly you don't have) would be to have run a review from the retail code? You managed it for MGS3, which was out days after (and why review MGS3 and put it on your cover when the PAL version has all those unacknowledged new bits added?)

Here's a really weird thing. Nothing about the way your magazine is run makes sense when you guys try to explain it. MartTM once said that what goes on the cover is decided by someone above him, the deputy editor, and totally out of his hands; Cacophanus has explained that he was given scores to write reviews around; and now there's this. Honestly, you all look like fools. So I suggest you lot stop posting, stop trying to keep one finger in by pleasing everyone with your non posts, stop trying to make digs about people daring to say negative things about your magazine on forums, stop trying to hype your retro section, stop posting the scores for your *own magazine* on NTSC-UK (I'd love to see the Edge, EGM, OPM, OXM guys do that. But I won't because they at least seems to respect their publication), stop trying to pass the buck when people question you, just stop. Seriously, if you go on these forums and give the impression of answering comments/criticism, you need to do it make sense and be honest - or don't bother at all if you can't manage either.

Oh, and that thing about a comprehensive magazine reviewing every game released each month? It's doable - it may well be beyond your imagination, but all you need are some decent group of freelancers and staff writers (something that is clearly beyond Highbury's grasp) dedicated to the task.

nob

[angel]

14 pages is all very well - but if you dont review a rival mag's game of the year cos u didnt get an invite to an exclusive review session then you're a silly mag indeed.

You just know its in for a feint praise 8 or a manhunt style 3 on the website. The website that no one knew about despite it being in the letters page since issue 1. Albeit containing cutting edge comments like 'gamesTM is wicked when is final fantasy remake coming out? you guys rock! ps nintendo suxor!"

[Guest]

14 pages is all very well - but if you dont review a rival mag's game of the year cos u didnt get an invite to an exclusive review session then you're a silly mag indeed.

You just know its in for a feint praise 8 or a manhunt style 3 on the website. The website that no one knew about despite it being in the letters page since issue 1. Albeit containing cutting edge comments like 'gamesTM is wicked when is final fantasy remake coming out? you guys rock! ps nintendo suxor!"

/need internet to play Half Life 2

/need internet to read review

See what they've done there?

(I must be the only one who thinks this is funny)

[SeanR]

I'm not playing HL2 again until Games review it. And you can take that to the bank*

* Counter-Strike:Source not included

[Guest]

I'm not playing HL2 again until Games review it. And you can take that to the bank*

* Counter-Strike:Source not included

Where do you have time, between your 921.22 posts a day?

[angel]

HL2 dms not bad. not ventured into CS:S yet. My 1st game of DM had some kid who'd bound "you all sux" to his movement keys so it flooded the text. might aswell of said "welcome back to pc online gaming...it hasnt changed"

erm ..gamestm...um...HL2...Edge must be laughing at that one. Whats next? No free PSP so they wont review that?

I prefer mags to go out and bloody import their stuff just like me...or just buy it in the uk. Edges new hardware issues are always a treat where they dissect the entire package and get all excited about the new games.

I think i can see the thread topic still if i look through a telescope.

Games TantruM

[squirtle]

sorry - I didn't know that there was a definitive answer to whether i could like metorid or not...

I thought we were talking about the visuals. You kept bringing the bosses and what not into it. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is far more visually impressive than HL2. I honestly do not believe there is any argument here.

[angel]

I thought we were talking about the visuals. You kept bringing the bosses and what not into it. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is far more visually impressive than HL2. I honestly do not believe there is any argument here.

Its hardly cut and dried. Infact i think HL2 blows MP2 out of the water visually, despite MP2 being really sweet and incredibly hi res compared to the 1st one. Altho this is in 1280x1024 all effects full 6xAA, anisotropic etc etc.

Its all opinion tho. Opinions on the texture art and polys. Thats all. Theres no clear winner. This isnt even my argument. Sorry.

[squirtle]

Now, I've only skimmed the issue, but:

p20: "The launch of Half-Life 2 ... dogged with problems"

p24: In Continue / Quit - "Quit: HL2 authentication"

p27: An entire RedEye column about the installation (incidentally, so what if his views "do not (necessarily) represent Edge"? Are you imagining readers thinking to themselves "Hmm, RedEye is 'Installing Half-Life 2', is he? I'd be interested in reading some more about HL2, but I'll skip this as I don't want my brain sullied with possibly-non-Edge views thankyouverymuch"? They still printed it, didn't they?)

p126: Critical letter about Steam, with Edge's response: "Steam ... has made life painful for hundreds, if not thousands, of PC owners"

p128: Half-page cartoon entirely about Steam installation and sound stuttering problems

If Edge are trying to cover something up, they're doing quite a bad job of it.

Steam may be a problem. Strangely, this is the one thing I have had absolutely no problems with. I just turn steam off, disconenct from the net, turn off the anti virus and firewall and play in offline mode. Getting into the game has never been a problem.

Only Crashlander mentions the bloody stuttering which is the game's biggest bugbear. This is what I am arguing has not even been mentioned or covered.

But, I don't care any more. I feel Edge has set out it's stall and that's no skin off my nose really. I just like games brought to task for shit that's wrong with them. Problems with steam is neither here nor there. Problems in game which I have never experienced with any other game ever should really be covered, don't ya think?

[squirtle]

Its hardly cut and dried. Infact i think HL2 blows MP2 out of the water visually, despite MP2 being really sweet and incredibly hi res compared to the 1st one. Altho this is in 1280x1024 all effects full 6xAA, anisotropic etc etc.

Its all opinion tho. Opinions on the texture art and polys. Thats all. Theres no clear winner. This isnt even my argument. Sorry.

Maybe argument was the wrong word. I just feel MP2 is much more visually creative and interesting to look at. No doubting HL2 is very good, but I feel MP2 is such a massive accomplishment that it deserved something.

But like you said, opinion and all that.

[Boyatsea]

Hey, here's an idea.. maybe they just.. wait for it..

.. liked Half Life 2!

Boy At Sea in defending Edge shock!

Pfft.

I can't help who owns me.

Dawg. Street. Innit.

I like reading Edge. Full stop.

And I'll piss into a collander every hour if anyone says I'm wrong.

[biglime]

And I'll piss into a collander every hour if anyone says I'm wrong.

Here.

[wavey]

Only Crashlander mentions the bloody stuttering which is the game's biggest bugbear. This is what I am arguing has not even been mentioned or covered.

So it's only mentioned the once? How many times would have suited you?

Problems in game which I have never experienced with any other game ever should really be covered, don't ya think?

Actually, no. No I don't. Imagine seeing the following story five times every month:

"Small minority of players of latest ambitious PC game are experiencing temporary problems: patch and driver updates awaited"

Not interesting, and I think you can safely assume it holds true for all PC games, unfortunately.

[Stolly]

Maybe argument was the wrong word. I just feel MP2 is much more visually creative and interesting to look at. No doubting HL2 is very good, but I feel MP2 is such a massive accomplishment that it deserved something.

But like you said, opinion and all that.

Not really the right thread but I think I agree with you on this one Squirtle. The 'look' of a game isn't all about realism and high resolutions. I love the look of MP and MP2, both of which are truly beautiful games. The graphics in HL2 I sort of take as read if you know what I mean.

[Gabe]

So it's only mentioned the once? How many times would have suited you?

Actually, no. No I don't. Imagine seeing the following story five times every month:

"Small minority of players of latest ambitious PC game are experiencing temporary problems: patch and driver updates awaited"

Not interesting, and I think you can safely assume it holds true for all PC games, unfortunately.

Well for a start, the comic is an easy way out - it 's not an editorial comment, is it?

And the stuttering problem hardly affected a small number of players. And the patch that was meant to fix it didn't, IIRC. So the game is barely playable for a number of folks, and that is ignoring any Steam issues. As a prospective buyer I would be wary of that, if I knew about them.

[Chong-Li]

I didn't have any problems running this game. I think Games TM will give it 9/10. Which makes it not as good as Burnout 3.

[Guybrush]

I didn't have any problems running this game. I think Games TM will give it 9/10. Which makes it not as good as Burnout 3.

Burnout 3 was 10/10 Gold

For 2 weeks.

[Chong-Li]

Burnout 3 was 10/10 Gold

For 2 weeks.

I played it quite solidly for about two days. Then got horribly bored.

[Andy_Tanner]

*I distinctly remember, back in the prehistory, waiting faithfully for Syndicate's review in AP, despite it being in the shops. If AP had decided Bullfrog were big poopy-heads, I'll be waiting in Stafford's Smiths to this very day, wondering what was going on. This is because I trusted them, and believed in them. For them to *not* to have reviewed it would imply that Games TM don't actually believe anyone trusts or believes in them. Which is a shame, in all manner of ways. Christ - insult Vivendi as much as you like in the review, because that's always good fun for everyone, but *do your job*.

this man for editor of GamesTM. seriously. if you're gonna challenge Edge/Future/Whatever then get someone in charge who knows what they're doing.

[Jaysus]

I played it quite solidly for about two days. Then got horribly bored.

I play it on Xbox Live regularly to this day.

But then I'm actually quite good at it, so I guess that's why I bother...

Anyway, back on subject, it's amazing how many of you have got so hot under the collar and genuinely angry about this. It's sweet in a way - it shows that many of you care. Yes, even those of you who are threatening to cancel subscriptions in that oh so dramatic please-look-at-me-and-listen-cos-I-can-cost-you-one-whole-issue way that people invariably turn to when annoyed and frustrated about something a magazine has done.

The thing is, while it really is nice that so many of you care about gamesTM's opinion on Half-Life 2 enough to call everyone on the magazine "cunts", it would be nice if you would at least accept that Vivendi has played a large part in this too. If Vivendi had done its job properly and had a bit more respect for gamesTM and magazines in general, instead of trying to use them like simple catalogues, you would have had a review to read in what is quite obviously your FAVOURITE MAGAZINE a couple of issues ago.

[oorbroon]

It's not about Vivendi's respect for you. It's about your respect for your readers.

Anyway, didn't you used to work on PSW or XBW?

[MK-1601]

I play it on Xbox Live regularly to this day.

But then I'm actually quite good at it, so I guess that's why I bother...

Anyway, back on subject, it's amazing how many of you have got so hot under the collar and genuinely angry about this. It's sweet in a way - it shows that many of you care. Yes, even those of you who are threatening to cancel subscriptions in that oh so dramatic please-look-at-me-and-listen-cos-I-can-cost-you-one-whole-issue way that people invariably turn to when annoyed and frustrated about something a magazine has done.

The thing is, while it really is nice that so many of you care about gamesTM's opinion on Half-Life 2 enough to call everyone on the magazine "cunts", it would be nice if you would at least accept that Vivendi has played a large part in this too. If Vivendi had done its job properly and had a bit more respect for gamesTM and magazines in general, instead of trying to use them like simple catalogues, you would have had a review to read in what is quite obviously your FAVOURITE MAGAZINE a couple of issues ago.

Vivendi are stopping you going into shops now?

[Jaysus]

It's not about Vivendi's respect for you. It's about your respect for your readers.

Agreed.

[Andy_Tanner]

It's not about Vivendi's respect for you. It's about your respect for your readers.

it's also about having faith in your own magazine, and your opinion.