Weekly Report: Don't spoil it
This week's report shares the member spotlight, latest user reviews and videos, along with details about possible spoilers in official editorial reviews.
Announcements
Upcoming Nintendo Event
Nintendo opens its doors next Wednesday to give us an advance look at some of the biggest games it's got coming out this fall. While the list of games in attendance is still shrouded in mystery, we're expecting a big lineup of first- and third-party games, for both the Wii and the DS. While we can't say for sure, we're hoping to see more on Metroid: Other M, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and, dare we hope, a new Zelda game! Check back next week for further details!
GameSpot AU Giveaways
GameSpt AU is giving away a Logitech, DVD, and Alienware PC for those of you who reside in Australia. Check the GameSpot AU discussion forum with threads entitled "competition."
GS UK Mag Game Night
GameSpot UK is hosting a MAG (PS3) game night on Tuesday, February 23, from 7:30 p.m. GMT. Note: If you live in North America this would occur on Tuesday morning for us.
Game Nights US Update
For those of you who live in North America, we’re interested in knowing what times and days of the week work best for you. We’re in the process of having a poll dedicated to your preferences! Vote for the best times and days today.
Emblem Alerts
If you viewed and discussed the Now Playing episode of the Starcraft II beta, you should check your profile sometime early next week for the emblem. Those of you who discussed and watched the replay or the live stream from February 17 at 4pm PT through February 23 at 4pm PT should expect the emblem. On a related note, the top reviewers emblems (top 100 and top 500) will be handed out to a variety of GameSpot members sometime late next week. Erebus also received TheHotSpot homework emblem.
Member Spotlight
This week's member spotlight goes to SuperfastSonic for his blog about game cliches. His blog highlights his top 10 worst game cliches.
Featured User Videos
- Mass Effect 2 Video Review by KO4U
- Modern Warfare 2 high explosive (veteran) by Shawcross
User Reviews
- Road Rash Win 95 (PC) Jedo
- Mass Effect 2 (PC) LGTX
- Ty the Tasmanian Tiger (PS2) ebbderelict
- BioShock 2 (X360) AK_the_Twilight
Staff Fingerprints
- Andrew Park posted a teaser about another "all-time greatest" interactive feature similar to the game heroes feature we held last year.
- Randolph Ramsey from GameSpot AU is asking GS AU members about any questions they might have on Final Fantasy XIII in an upcoming episode of GS AU Crosshairs.
Blog Bunker
- calvinsora tries to debunk gaming myths.
- subyman has thoughts about the future of mobile gaming.
- pakhair has a fourth anniversary on GameSpot blog.
- Transilvanien has a list of his top 10 miscellaneous achievements.
Tip of the Week
This week’s tip is about plot spoilers in official GameSpot reviews. This was taken from a comment made by Kevin VanOrd in a user’s blog.
Very rarely will you read an actual spoiler in a game review. It's our job to describe a game, and to do so without revealing any important plot points. It is true, however, that some readers and viewers are highly sensitive to any kind of description, no matter how trivial. Often, a developer or publisher will include a list of plot points they do not wish to be revealed, and we always adhere to those requests.
On the other hand, readers may complain when a review reveals information the developer had repeatedly discussed in previews and interviews.
It comes down to this: We are very careful to avoid spoilers, and each review goes through a quality assurance process that involves every member of the reviews team. However, every reader is different. If you feel particularly sensitive to this issue, you may want to avoid coverage of games you are certain you will purchase. We take great care not to spoil any game's story--but every reader has his or her own level of tolerance.
Let us know if this week's tip helped you out by posting in the comments. Until next week!
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