Review The Escapist bitch-slaps The Witcher

[Xi]

The Escapist is just a circle jerk of self-perpetual retardation. I'm counting the days until they crash and burn. My experience with their reviews, previews, and just written material in general is that anything that deals directly with a video game tends to be greatly burdened with nonfactual, ridiculously opinionated bullshit. It's borderline TES forum, with decent writers.

 

[Kingston]

I thought the Half-life 2 Gordon Freeman deep analysation article was too painful to read.

 

[Xi]

I thought the Half-life 2 Gordon Freeman deep analysation article was too painful to read.

That's the ridiculous opinionated bullshit I was referring to. It practically has nothing to do with the game, and when you're done reading it, you aren't sure if reading it was worth the time. It lacks any real purpose or substance. What's the point? Lol, I was barely even entertained by it. /shrug

 

[DraQ]

*hammers Corvus*

8.9

 

[Futile Rhetoric]

What's the point?

Escapism.

 

[Corvus.E]

*hgis* When we fundamentally disagree with the philosophical underpinnings of each others' arguments, what is there to say really?

 

[bezimek]

IMHO Corvus.E is brave man to post here on RPG Codex.

 

[Kingston]

*hgis* When we fundamentally disagree with the philosophical underpinnings of each others' arguments, what is there to say really?

I don't think there is much philosophical underpinning in you saying stuff that is wrong. MarekBrutus made a big post to you, the least you could do is reply in kind. Or do you accept all his points?

 

[Xi]

What's the point?

Escapism.

Really? This theme fails on most of their written content, maybe it's time to change their name to "Opinionated Bullshit". http://www.opinionatedbullshit.com is still vacant and open for the nabbing it appears. Here

 

[Corvus.E]

I am neither interested in further arguing the definition of review, or what my "moral and professional obligations" are. Assumptions are being made about me, my character and the nature of my relationship with the Escapist. Any attempt to correct specific assumptions leads to further approbation and wilder speculation.

My masculinity, relevance, experience and honesty have been repeatedly called into question in less than flattering terms. Frequently, when I attempt to address any particular misconception, I am informed terms that I think too much of myself and that no one is interested in what I have to say on the matter.

Throughout this thread many of you have shown yourself to be immature, sexist, homophobic and nationalistic, if not outright racist. Typically, I do not find myself in the habit of worrying overly much about the opinions of such people.

There are those of you who have been very open, frank and respectful. Thank you. Please do not feel I am painting you with that same brush.

Finally, as far as the 10% issue goes. I was honest in my article about how much time I spent with the game. Period. End of story. I am of the opinion that if a narrative's first 10% is not representative of the entire game, than it is poorly designed. As I have reached that conclusion after 30+ years of critically assessing the media I consume, nothing you can say will sway that belief. All other discussions about falsehoods, morality, etc are semantic whinging and I, frankly, have already spent more than enough time attempting to address the same arguments repeatedly.

 

[Xi]

...

Here's a better solution. Finish playing the game! Invest the proper amount of time, maybe even play through it multiple times with different character builds, and then write a real review. If you still hate the game, back up your claim with facts and your balanced opinion based on these facts. That would only gain you respect here and everywhere else. It has nothing to do with liking or disliking the game and everything to do with blatantly being wrong. Your opinion is too shallow to have an accurate understanding of the game. Go back and force yourself to play the entire game multiple times, write a long winded article - involving some escapist ideas such as how the world either immerses or repulses, and than post it on your blog. People will respect you in spades. Just admit your own fault in this and recontribute something worthwhile. Is that so hard to do?

 

[vrok]

This is the Codex, your shitty journalistic integrity and writing has consequences here. Since you're known to us now, your future RPG related works will be thoroughly analyzed and/or mocked as well. If it's found to be of lacking quality the Codex will be informing you of so, harshly. The Codex never forgets. Until then, thank you for your time, and the second (or is it more?) revelation of Russ Pitts' asshatery.

 

[Herbert West]

Ah well, I was sure that this discussion is going to fail

 

[Hazelnut]

...

Here's a better solution. Finish playing the game! Invest the proper amount of time, maybe even play through it multiple times with different character builds, and then write a real review. If you still hate the game, back up your claim with facts and your balanced opinion based on these facts. That would only gain you respect here and everywhere else. It has nothing to do with liking or disliking the game and everything to do with blatantly being wrong. Your opinion is too shallow to have an accurate understanding of the game. Go back and force yourself to play the entire game multiple times, write a long winded article - involving some escapist ideas such as how the world either immerses or repulses, and than post it on your blog. People will respect you in spades. Just admit your own fault in this and recontribute something worthwhile. Is that so hard to do?

I think Corvus has already said he was going to play through the whole game and post updated impressions FWIW.

 

[denizsi]

This is the Codex, your shitty journalistic integrity and writing has consequences here. Since you're known to us now, your future RPG related works will be thoroughly analyzed and/or mocked as well. If it's found to be of lacking quality the Codex will be informing you of so, harshly. The Codex never forgets. Until then, thank you for your time, and the second (or is it more?) revelation of Russ Pitts' asshatery.

Oh please cut the "Codextapo" stuff. It's juvenile.

Throughout this thread many of you have shown yourself to be immature, sexist, homophobic and nationalistic, if not outright racist.

That's a retarded statement now, due to the bolded part. Just yesterday, we were discussing in another thread, how "the west" has retardedly transformed the concept of nationalism to be something to be afraid and ashamed of. I don't give a shit if you mean it to be the political correct way, ie. half brother of racism, because either way, it's an indication of giving up integrity at some point, intellectual or otherwise, for political correctness instead of pursuing a saner and more individualistic approach. "Nationalistic, if not racist"? But this is just semantinc whinging, right? As choice of concepts and words reflect absolutely nothing about one's character. What a joke.

Finally, as far as the 10% issue goes. I was honest in my article about how much time I spent with the game. Period. End of story. I am of the opinion that if a narrative's first 10% is not representative of the entire game, than it is poorly designed.

Which is a terrible, and very inconsistent (with what you refer to in the beginning of the review) attitude in my opinion, but fair enough I guess, since you made it clear.

All other discussions about falsehoods, morality, etc are semantic whinging and I, frankly, have already spent more than enough time attempting to address the same arguments repeatedly.

It figures, the statement about almost racist nationalism. However, with such an attitude, it would only be given if someone said that the way you base your opinions on %10 and the way you write about yourself to defend/explain, it's all rhetoric whinging.

All these said, I didn't find your review to be terribly unjust or biased, but rather stupid. Paragraph one and you were already spiraling down into inconsistence, with one of the most stupid statements: 20 years of tabletop RPG experience AND an antipathy for turn-based combat. That coupled with your insistence to play through those other games you mentioned in the review (despite their flaws), I get the impression that yours must be a life full of suffering and pain, and at least a little bit of inherent stupidity.

 

[vrok]

It's juvenile.

Working as intended, considering what it was a reply to. I appreciate your sharp eye though, really.

 

[HotSnack]

Be sure to check out Russ' new editorial to learn about what it truly means to have journalistic integrity.

I made a bold choice that balmy November day: I decided to put another few hours into Call of Duty 4 and hopefully finish it before moving on. I felt like a traitor at the time. I felt like I was betraying the trust of the Eidos representative who'd faithfully packaged and sent me a copy of the game, like I'd betrayed the review process, the integrity of my profession and the expectations of the audience. I felt like I was a failure as a game journalist.

It's times like these when, looking back, I realize I take things far too seriously.

That's right guys, if anything Russ takes his job as a journalist TOO SERIOUSLY and we should all stop being such big meanies towards him. :evil:

 

[caliban]

Throughout this thread many of you have shown yourself to be immature, sexist, homophobic and nationalistic, if not outright racist.

Wait... homophobic? What the...? Did I miss something or did he come out of the closet now?

 

[Brother None]

Throughout this thread many of you have shown yourself to be immature, sexist, homophobic and nationalistic, if not outright racist. Typically, I do not find myself in the habit of worrying overly much about the opinions of such people.

You were warned of this fact by multiple people when you entered this thread. People don't tape their mouths shut here. Either deal with it or don't, don't come to someone's house and complain about his manners, though.

Besides, people's personal attacks on you, no matter how deplorable, have absolutely nothing to do with the quality of your piece or the editorial standards of the Escapist. To switch to it as a topic when people point out these low standards again is just dodging to subject. Us being really mean doesn't make you right by default.

Finally, as far as the 10% issue goes. I was honest in my article about how much time I spent with the game. Period. End of story. I am of the opinion that if a narrative's first 10% is not representative of the entire game, than it is poorly designed. As I have reached that conclusion after 30+ years of critically assessing the media I consume, nothing you can say will sway that belief. All other discussions about falsehoods, morality, etc are semantic whinging and I, frankly, have already spent more than enough time attempting to address the same arguments repeatedly.

Just a few days ago, you tentatively agreed that naming this a review was a bad idea. Now you do a 180 and you're suddenly behind your piece and, I assume, its presentation all the way.

Do you honestly expect anyone to take you seriously if you flip flop like that?

You are digging your head in the sand. Dare I say it: called it.

That said, and remembering it's just alexa...ahahahaha.

 

[Claw]

I for one think Russ is completely right. It's virtually impossible not to take the job of a game reviewer too seriously.

I mean, who are we kidding? It's not like their existence makes any real difference. Doctor or architect or even cooking burgers, those are jobs with a real significance. You want someone who makes your burger take his job seriously. But game reviews? Whatever.

 

[cardtrick]

That said, and remembering it's just alexa...ahahahaha.

:shock:

 

[MarekBrutus]

I am neither interested in further arguing the definition of review, or what my "moral and professional obligations" are.

Well, I figured as much. You really have no rational arguments there, so you go into denial.

My masculinity, relevance, experience and honesty have been repeatedly called into question in less than flattering terms.

Mr. Corvus I TRIED to be civil, and yet you did not deem it necesary to answer me fully. Why was that? Moreover you have now backed down on the only thing that was an honest response from you - calling that piece of yours "opinion" not a review.

I admit that I do not know much about you Mr. Corvus, except for the things you said about yourself, but I will not tolerate a reviewer that has been notified about false content of his review and does nothing about it, if fact he does the opposite of admitting that he might have been wrong - he defends his "work". I call that lying through your teeth. And I do not know about you, but I have been brought up to loathe people who do that.

Throughout this thread many of you have shown yourself to be immature, sexist, homophobic and nationalistic, if not outright racist.
(...)
There are those of you who have been very open, frank and respectful. Thank you. Please do not feel I am painting you with that same brush.

Thank you for putting everything (both real and imaginary) in one bag.I understand now that all it takes is some negative posts about you, to prevent you from responding to any criticizm.

I was honest in my article about how much time I spent with the game. Period. End of story.

That would go as a response to point g) of my post, I guess. You know - somehow I am not convinced.

 

[Amasius]

Mr. Corvus, you just have to separate the dispensable bullshit from arguments. Ignore the former and deal with the latter.

...

See - it's easy to ignore bullshit.

Finally, as far as the 10% issue goes. I was honest in my article about how much time I spent with the game. Period. End of story. I am of the opinion that if a narrative's first 10% is not representative of the entire game, than it is poorly designed. As I have reached that conclusion after 30+ years of critically assessing the media I consume, nothing you can say will sway that belief. All other discussions about falsehoods, morality, etc are semantic whinging and I, frankly, have already spent more than enough time attempting to address the same arguments repeatedly.

But you haven't really addressed any arguments. You've only addressed the bullshit and ignored the arguments. Repeatedly. 10% of a game are enough for a gamer to decide if the rest is worth his time but certainly not enough for a reviewer to give a balanced and fair judging. Like I said before - it isn't the job of a game reviewer to decide if he likes a game or not, he has to describe it accurately so that his readers get enough information to decide if they'll probably like it or not. The personal opinions are just additional infos for the readers and a reviewer can't expect that they have a similar taste.

The last time a gaming journalist entered this stinking corner of the net to argue with us he finally got an adequate custom tag. It seems you are not much better than Patrick the

.

 

[denizsi]

Wait... homophobic? What the...? Did I miss something or did he come out of the closet now?

He's trying to provoke the real homos to reveal themselves, to invite them into his little secret <s>hole</s> club of fags.

I for one think Russ is completely right. It's virtually impossible not to take the job of a game reviewer too seriously.

I mean, who are we kidding? It's not like their existence makes any real difference. Doctor or architect or even cooking burgers, those are jobs with a real significance. You want someone who makes your burger take his job seriously. But game reviews? Whatever.

I agree, but I love how serious and melodramatic he is when he's having a moment of self-realization there. "I'm too serious, IAM TOO SIRIUS OH NOES!1THERE GOES MAH INTIGGRAETIE!1"

It's funny that we're having a series of reviewers with self-inflicted pain issues. The Escapist should make a competition: which The Escapist writer is in more suffering and pain? Russ Pitts: He's living the dilemma of being too serious and suffering for endangering his credibility and integrity for being too serious when he thinks of it too seriously. He is in a helpless loop of mental pain. Corvus Elrod: He constantly tortures himself with games he finds the most disturbing flaws with, and he plays them to the end despite it all. He puts himself in harder situations than Lars Von Trier puts Jorgen Leth in Five Obstructions, and above it all, he's been enduring the ultimate pain through 20 years of tabletop RPG experience with an antipathy for turn based combat. It's said that when Corvus reviews a game, he experiences bleeding orgasms, experiencing pain and joy simultaneously. This guy is hardcore.

One can only wonder what other gems are waiting to be unearthed at The Escapist.

 

[muds_animal_friend]

Throughout this thread many of you have shown yourself to be immature, sexist, homophobic and nationalistic, if not outright racist. Typically, I do not find myself in the habit of worrying overly much about the opinions of such people.

...

discussions about falsehoods, morality, etc are semantic whinging and I, frankly, have already spent more than enough time employing exactly the same tactics myself repeatedly.

Fixed.