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Game Reviewers Face Odd Bribery From Publishers

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the stranger-than-fiction dept.

eldavojohn writes "You might be used to the idea that game reviewers receive games free and ahead of time, but Ars opens up a darker side to the mystery box. Like a $200 check from Dante's Inferno, reading, 'by cashing this check you succumb to avarice by hoarding filthy lucre, but by not cashing it, you waste it, and thereby surrender to prodigality.' Or how about a huge-ass sword from Darksiders. Or brass knuckles (illegal in some states) from the makers of Mafia II. Or rancid, rotting meat mixed with spent shell casings, teeth, broken glasses and dog tags from Bulletstorm. NCSoft gave out flight suits and trips to weightlessness. Nintendo apparently likes to send all manner of food, including elaborate cakes shaped as their consoles and games. Squeeballs sent a crate of stuffed animals. iPods from Activision and Zunes from Microsoft seem to be pretty tame bait for reviewers ... but there's one reason why this continues to happen: more news-starved review sites and blogs report on the extras and the publisher's game gets spread around just a wee bit more. Even if it is as freakish as bracelets from an insane asylum spattered with blood." I think we must be doing it wrong around here... we usually can't even get games before the release date, much less get free rotting meat.

8 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. Threats by grub · · Score: 2, Funny


    Publisher: Give our game at least 8/10 or it's Two Girls, One Cup for you.
    Reviewer: And if I refuse?
    Publisher: Three Girls, One Cup.

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  2. Reviewing specialists by Thanshin · · Score: 3, Funny

    In these dire times, were I a reviewer, I'd specialize in Dead or Alive spinoff games.

    Just in case they up the ante.

  3. Re:Not bribery; just PR stunts. by somersault · · Score: 3, Funny

    Brass knuckles make it easier to acquire your own cash!

    --
    which is totally what she said
  4. Here's the real question. by ACKyushu · · Score: 2, Funny

    Are they giving away Time Machines with Duke Nukem Forever?

    1. Re:Here's the real question. by geekoid · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, and the game was fantastic!

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:Here's the real question. by masmullin · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes, and the game IS fantastic!

      when you have a time machine, was and will be become is.

  5. Re:Bribe? by Anonymous+Cowpat · · Score: 3, Funny

    well, maybe not a Zune...

    --
    FGD 135
  6. Re:Don't take this wrong by interkin3tic · · Score: 2, Funny

    I hate it when my ass balls are on fire, but when they're hell balls it's okay.

    Do you have typing Tourette's syndrome?