GameSpot's GTA V Review

"Video game reviews have always been based on the writer's opinion of a game. Keywords: "WRITER'S OPINION."

Carolyn is entitled to her opinion, just like all of you, but to attack her personally, calling her "it" and a "transgender slob" is downright disgusting - it's a dog act and you do nothing but reveal your own true character. While we're all gamers, we're human beings first - have a heart people!"

The above is a comment I tried posting on the GTA V review, but for some reason continues to be moderated.

After reading the majority of the comments on there, I am truly ashamed to think that this is what our gaming community has become. Since when did we stop respecting the opinions of others? Since when did we start attacking another human being for sharing her opinions on a video game? Some, if not many, have taken it a step further and have just ouright bullied Carolyn, disregarding her review altogether. 

It's sad, disgusting, and f**king immature... Where have people's hearts gone?

On a serous note now i agree. The personal attacking is wrong on many levels. 

But I feel that as she is employed by GameSpot it's not just her 'opinion' it is her professional opinion. I think she should have left her indispositions about the games misogyny as for the comments or forums, I think it unprofessional that way she went about expressing that.

On a serous note now i agree. The persona attacking is wrong on many levels. 

But I feel that as she is employed by GameSpot it's not just her 'opinion' it is her professional opinion. I think she should have left her indisposions about the games misoginy as for the comments for forums, I think it unprofessional that way she went about expressing that.

iampenguin

Indeed, might as well complain aboutt he game being racist, stereotypical, immature, etc, etc... It is meant to be those things.  It is satire.

On a serous note now i agree. The persona attacking is wrong on many levels. 

But I feel that as she is employed by GameSpot it's not just her 'opinion' it is her professional opinion. I think she should have left her indisposions about the games misoginy as for the comments for forums, I think it unprofessional that way she went about expressing that.

iampenguin

I still don't get how people say her mentioning misogyny is unprofessional. She gets paid to tell us her opinion about the game. And she's going to do that. We may not like her opinion or agree with it, but she'd doing her job.

Its also laughable that people are once again screaming about objective reviews. No review is objective. If you want a completely objective review then here you go.

You fail to understand me.

I'm not calling for those objective reviews nor am I denying her right to express how she feels but to mark a cultural element if we can call it that of the game as a bad point under the context of profesional review that is wrong.

To be more clear it's not her opinion which is my query it is her categorisation of her opinion. For me she could have said something like, 'i feel this game is misoginistic etc. and that for me would be fine. But she filed her 'opinion' under The Bad of the game. and The Bad of the gane section is general stuff like eye sore animation. And if misogony is going to be a factor in The Bad then racism should also and a whole host of elements in these games such as gore. Like if a very violent game that caters to that needs is gory and a reviewer is in disfavor of it is it right if they under The Bad put too much blood?

To be more clear it's not her opinion which is my query it is her categorisation of her opinion. For me she could have said something like, 'i feel this game is misoginistic etc. and that for me would be fine. But she filed her 'opinion' under The Bad of the game. and The Bad of the gane section is general stuff like eye sore animation. 

iampenguin

Yeah the second part of my post wasn't directly aimed at you, mostly at the people who have said (and will inevitably come in this thread and say) that reviews must be 100% objective.

Also, for some people, misogyny may really detract from the game for them. For those of us who know GTA and have come to expect it, we won't care and will still buy the game. But suppose a new fan wanted to know that? I've seen other reviewers who aren't Carolyn file other things like sexy character designs under "The Bad."

I understand.

Lol about the "sexy character designs".

My appologies to Carolyn Petit for trolling the review comments. But for the record I didn't partake in any of the personal remarks and attacks.

I understand.

Lol about the "sexy character designs".

iampenguin

Yeah. Three reviews that I can remember off the top of my head (though I know there are more). Their exact words were.:

"Some offensive and unavoidable character designs"

"Very young, all-female cast may be unsettling to some"

"Characters are disturbingly sexualized caricatures of young girls"

Once again, I wouldn't be bothered by these things in most cases. But I can't really get mad at the reviewer for mentioning them. What doesn't bother me may bother someone else, so sure, go ahead and put it in the review to warn them that the game's content may not be for them. That's the point of a review right?

I think the way guys (I'm assuming) have hankered on about how women make bad reviews etc may cause other women in GameSpot to be reluctant to review games like this and I think that is sad I don't want to only ever have one gender making reviews.

Yeah. Three reviews that I can remember off the top of my head (though I know there are more). Their exact words were.:

"Some offensive and unavoidable character designs"

"Very young, all-female cast may be unsettling to some"

"Characters are disturbingly sexualized caricatures of young girls"

Once again, I wouldn't be bothered by these things in most cases. But I can't really get mad at the reviewer for mentioning them. What doesn't bother me may bother someone else, so sure, go ahead and put it in the review to warn them that the game's content may not be for them. That's the point of a review right?

I don't mean to offend anybody but the first thing I think of with those lines is that they come froms ome religious text.

Agreed.

should have gave the game 9.9/10

but if there is a female lead character how am i suppose to pick up muh hookers :(

but if there is a female lead character how am i suppose to pick up muh hookers :(

gameme199

Male hookers exist. I think HBO had a show about it. Yeah. It was called Hung :lol:

"Video game reviews have always been based on the writer's opinion of a game. Keywords: "WRITER'S OPINION."

Carolyn is entitled to her opinion, just like all of you, but to attack her personally, calling her "it" and a "transgender slob" is downright disgusting - it's a dog act and you do nothing but reveal your own true character. While we're all gamers, we're human beings first - have a heart people!"

The above is a comment I tried posting on the GTA V review, but for some reason continues to be moderated.

After reading the majority of the comments on there, I am truly ashamed to think that this is what our gaming community has become. Since when did we stop respecting the opinions of others? Since when did we start attacking another human being for sharing her opinions on a video game? Some, if not many, have taken it a step further and have just ouright bullied Carolyn, disregarding her review altogether. 

It's sad, disgusting, and f**king immature... Where have people's hearts gone?

RichTheRookie

If you're wondering about GameSpot's reviews, you've come to the right place. In short, we take reviews of games seriously. Your time and your money are on the line when you're deciding whether or not you should purchase (or rent) a game. Our editorial staff consists of discerning, value-conscious game players, and it's been our mission since 1996 to provide all the information you need to decide whether a given game is right for you. Whether you quickly glance at our ratings and review summaries, watch our video reviews, read our full reviews in their entirety, or all of the above, I think you'll find us to be a dependable, entertaining source of honest information about how all the games out there really are

[QUOTE="iampenguin"]

On a serous note now i agree. The persona attacking is wrong on many levels. 

But I feel that as she is employed by GameSpot it's not just her 'opinion' it is her professional opinion. I think she should have left her indisposions about the games misoginy as for the comments for forums, I think it unprofessional that way she went about expressing that.

Lucky_Krystal

I still don't get how people say her mentioning misogyny is unprofessional. She gets paid to tell us her opinion about the game. And she's going to do that. We may not like her opinion or agree with it, but she'd doing her job.

Its also laughable that people are once again screaming about objective reviews. No review is objective. If you want a completely objective review then here you go.

but if there is a female lead character how am i suppose to pick up muh hookers :(

gameme199

Im guessing you've never been to a popular strip club. Women do part take in the services provided by the adult entertainment industry.

It was just a veryl poorly written review. Instead of getting a review on the game.. Half of it was used to complain about women being treated and political issues. Have to keep the personal beliefs out of the review, and review for what it's trying to accomplish.. Females being treated bad in the crime world is very common. I really didn't learn much from that review lol

When I first heard Carolyn was reviewing this game I warned everyone in the Best Game of the Decade forum. Be prepared for troll bait. No one believed me.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with her review. If you don't like something in a game then you will include what you don't like in your review. If other people dont mind it then they should ignore your opinion and seek the opinion of someone with similar tastes to them.

For example some people love graphics, others don't care greatly about graphics. I expect that someone who loves graphics will decrease the score of a game if it isn't cutting edge graphics while I and others will focus more on gameplay and narrative and my choice to by the game wont be affected by the negative opinion on the graphics

Carolyn cares strongly about the depiction of women and the LGBT community. If you have a fantastic game that paints women as sex objects or as weak or dumb then she wont enjoy that game and will point out that negative. Now if you dont care about the depiction of women in games then you can ignore that point in her review and focus on the parts you do care about.

Now you can question why GS has a feminist as a reviewer in the first place but while I may not always agree with her I do think she represents an underrepresented voice in the gaming community.

When I first heard Carolyn was reviewing this game I warned everyone in the Best Game of the Decade forum. Be prepared for troll bait. No one believed me.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with her review. If you don't like something in a game then you will include what you don't like in your review. If other people dont mind it then they should ignore your opinion and seek the opinion of someone with similar tastes to them.

For example some people love graphics, others don't care greatly about graphics. I expect that someone who loves graphics will decrease the score of a game if it isn't cutting edge graphics while I and others will focus more on gameplay and narrative and my choice to by the game wont be affected by the negative opinion on the graphics

Carolyn cares strongly about the depiction of women and the LGBT community. If you have a fantastic game that paints women as sex objects or as weak or dumb then she wont enjoy that game and will point out that negative. Now if you dont care about the depiction of women in games then you can ignore that point in her review and focus on the parts you do care about.

Now you can question why GS has a feminist as a reviewer in the first place but while I may not always agree with her I do think she represents an underrepresented voice in the gaming community.

Diablo-B

[QUOTE="iampenguin"][QUOTE="prokadiri"]The more opinion it has, the more attacking it shall receive. By "it" I'm referring to the review, obviously.prokadiri

The Funky Chicken

To the naysayers...really?

You guys are bitching over something small and insignificant to your lives?

Carolyn has a right to speak her mind on the way she feels about the game in any way, shape, or form. It is HER OPINION, not YOUR OPINION.

Just play the game and enjoy it. Reviews shouldn't have to bother you THIS MUCH and yet it does. Now that's pathetic, if you ask me.

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"]

When I first heard Carolyn was reviewing this game I warned everyone in the Best Game of the Decade forum. Be prepared for troll bait. No one believed me.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with her review. If you don't like something in a game then you will include what you don't like in your review. If other people dont mind it then they should ignore your opinion and seek the opinion of someone with similar tastes to them.

For example some people love graphics, others don't care greatly about graphics. I expect that someone who loves graphics will decrease the score of a game if it isn't cutting edge graphics while I and others will focus more on gameplay and narrative and my choice to by the game wont be affected by the negative opinion on the graphics

Carolyn cares strongly about the depiction of women and the LGBT community. If you have a fantastic game that paints women as sex objects or as weak or dumb then she wont enjoy that game and will point out that negative. Now if you dont care about the depiction of women in games then you can ignore that point in her review and focus on the parts you do care about.

Now you can question why GS has a feminist as a reviewer in the first place but while I may not always agree with her I do think she represents an underrepresented voice in the gaming community.

The_Lipscomb

True, but its not like she gave the game a 3/10 rating. She said its a great game but not perfect. People are mad cause she didn't say the game is perfect

True, but its not like she gave the game a 3/10 rating. She said its a great game but not perfect. People are mad cause she didn't say the game is perfect

Diablo-B

I agree if gta 4 got a 10 then this game deserved a 10 too.

[QUOTE="The_Lipscomb"]

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"]

When I first heard Carolyn was reviewing this game I warned everyone in the Best Game of the Decade forum. Be prepared for troll bait. No one believed me.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with her review. If you don't like something in a game then you will include what you don't like in your review. If other people dont mind it then they should ignore your opinion and seek the opinion of someone with similar tastes to them.

For example some people love graphics, others don't care greatly about graphics. I expect that someone who loves graphics will decrease the score of a game if it isn't cutting edge graphics while I and others will focus more on gameplay and narrative and my choice to by the game wont be affected by the negative opinion on the graphics

Carolyn cares strongly about the depiction of women and the LGBT community. If you have a fantastic game that paints women as sex objects or as weak or dumb then she wont enjoy that game and will point out that negative. Now if you dont care about the depiction of women in games then you can ignore that point in her review and focus on the parts you do care about.

Now you can question why GS has a feminist as a reviewer in the first place but while I may not always agree with her I do think she represents an underrepresented voice in the gaming community.

Diablo-B

True, but its not like she gave the game a 3/10 rating. She said its a great game but not perfect. People are mad cause she didn't say the game is perfect

I'm no moderator, but I'd like for this thread to be focused on the game itself. Not on the review, the attacks on the moderating staff, none of that crap. Just the game itself. Do you think we can achieve that from here on out?

I'm no moderator, but I'd like for this thread to be focused on the game itself. Not on the review, the attacks on the moderating staff, none of that crap. Just the game itself. Do you think we can achieve that from here on out?

Metamania

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

I'm no moderator, but I'd like for this thread to be focused on the game itself. Not on the review, the attacks on the moderating staff, none of that crap. Just the game itself. Do you think we can achieve that from here on out?

The_Lipscomb

[QUOTE="The_Lipscomb"]

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

I'm no moderator, but I'd like for this thread to be focused on the game itself. Not on the review, the attacks on the moderating staff, none of that crap. Just the game itself. Do you think we can achieve that from here on out?

Metamania

"Video game reviews have always been based on the writer's opinion of a game. Keywords: "WRITER'S OPINION."

Carolyn is entitled to her opinion, just like all of you, but to attack her personally, calling her "it" and a "transgender slob" is downright disgusting - it's a dog act and you do nothing but reveal your own true character. While we're all gamers, we're human beings first - have a heart people!"

The above is a comment I tried posting on the GTA V review, but for some reason continues to be moderated.

After reading the majority of the comments on there, I am truly ashamed to think that this is what our gaming community has become. Since when did we stop respecting the opinions of others? Since when did we start attacking another human being for sharing her opinions on a video game? Some, if not many, have taken it a step further and have just ouright bullied Carolyn, disregarding her review altogether. 

It's sad, disgusting, and f**king immature... Where have people's hearts gone?

RichTheRookie

I agree the transgender name calling is wrong but how can you give a fair review on anything if you have a tunnel vision political agenda, blurring the line between fiction and reality?

GTA V is clearly a game of satire and dark humor, meant to be played with an open mind and as an escape from reality. Caro even had a feminist view of The Last Of Us which seemed far fetched after playing it.Sounds more like self entitlement than anything else.

That's probably why Rockstar said GTA V was meant to be a masculine story. Who says a dev can't make a new IP with a game ridiculing men? If the story amd gameplay is good, I'd take it all as good humor and nothing more.

Comedians poke fun at women, sexuality, race and religion everyday and no one seems to have a problem with it. People in general need to ease up on the sensitivity and not take everything to heart.

I'm against the attacks directed at her personally. However, I have no problem with people criticizing the content of her review. 

The personal attacks against her are wrong, immature, and honestly, increasingly pathetic. 

However, I'll withhold judgment against the actual review until I play the game. I'm very interested to see what about the game, exactly, could fall under "misogyny". 

Caro also reviewed Max Payne 3, a story that is centered around the almost constant violence against women important in Max's life. Yet, she doesn't mention it at all in that review. I'm interested to see how GTAV can be characterized as such while MP3 isn't. 

[QUOTE="The_Lipscomb"]

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

I'm no moderator, but I'd like for this thread to be focused on the game itself. Not on the review, the attacks on the moderating staff, none of that crap. Just the game itself. Do you think we can achieve that from here on out?

Metamania