With Kevin V gone, will freelancers do all GS reviews now?

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deactivated-578f2053b4a13

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#1 deactivated-578f2053b4a13
Member since 2004 • 1671 Posts

Kevin was the last Gamespot employee to regularly write reviews for the site. Now that he's departed, is Gamespot just going to let freelance reviewers do all their reviews? It's sad to see the gradual shift away from written reviews, to just video content. I can't put the same level of trust in a review written by someone I've never heard of before, and that's become the new normal here now.

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Yams1980

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#2 Yams1980
Member since 2006 • 2866 Posts

Where'd he go? Did gamespot fire him for giving batman a 7?

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#3  Edited By The_Funyarinpa
Member since 2015 • 504 Posts

@Yams1980: he left to go write stories for a game company

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/games-discussion-1000000/the-fondest-of-farewells-32258851/#130

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#4 Yams1980
Member since 2006 • 2866 Posts

@the_funyarinpa: Ah, thank you. Good to hear he's heading onto better things. I always thought he was way too smart to be at gamespot writing their little reviews.

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illmatic87

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#5 illmatic87
Member since 2008 • 17935 Posts

I'm not even sure.

I think Kevin VanOrd was the one assigning and looking for freelancers to review alot of their games.

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onesiphorus

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#6 onesiphorus
Member since 2014 • 5469 Posts

No. There are still remaining staff editors that will do the reviews other than the freelancers. I am quite surprised that Kevin is leaving GameSpot as he will be the last of the older generation of editors.

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#7 loafofgame
Member since 2013 • 1742 Posts

Off the top of my head Peter Brown, Alexa Ray Corriea and Chris Watters are staffers who review on a regular basis, but they appear to be more specialized than Kevin, so their presence might not be as obvious. Also, a lot of the freelancers on GS are recurring. They're just not very visible in any other way on the website.

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#8 Jacanuk
Member since 2011 • 20281 Posts

@halvedlife said:

Kevin was the last Gamespot employee to regularly write reviews for the site. Now that he's departed, is Gamespot just going to let freelance reviewers do all their reviews? It's sad to see the gradual shift away from written reviews, to just video content. I can't put the same level of trust in a review written by someone I've never heard of before, and that's become the new normal here now.

What do you mean? Gamespot is still Giantbomb and have a few staff on their payroll.

Also who cares who writes the reviews, if you let reviews choose games for you, why would it matter who wrote them.

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#10 joe_b1_kenobi
Member since 2007 • 849 Posts

Thats the way most of these gaming sites are going. They focus more on building up staff to be in front of camera rather than writing. Its all about that yourube money.

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#11 Jacanuk
Member since 2011 • 20281 Posts

@CallMeDuraSouka said:

@Jacanuk:

@Jacanuk said:
@halvedlife said:

Kevin was the last Gamespot employee to regularly write reviews for the site. Now that he's departed, is Gamespot just going to let freelance reviewers do all their reviews? It's sad to see the gradual shift away from written reviews, to just video content. I can't put the same level of trust in a review written by someone I've never heard of before, and that's become the new normal here now.

What do you mean? Gamespot is still Giantbomb and have a few staff on their payroll.

Also who cares who writes the reviews, if you let reviews choose games for you, why would it matter who wrote them.

You can't be serious? So having a basic idea of how a person games, and their likes and dislikes plays no role in how you approach a review? Kevin was the first guy I read if it was a fantasy esque type of a game. The guy loved the genre, and it made it easier to understand his talking points, both the good and bad. At the same time, if the game involved shooting mechanics and he reviewed it, I would always look somewhere else.

Of course it does not matter. The way you put it here, you are not really following the reviews but the person who are writing the reviews. And that is something i would never do, since we are all different and how could some random person on the interwebs even remotely know what i like and dislike.

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deactivated-5b19214ec908b

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#12  Edited By deactivated-5b19214ec908b
Member since 2007 • 25072 Posts

@Jacanuk said:
@CallMeDuraSouka said:

@Jacanuk:

@Jacanuk said:
@halvedlife said:

Kevin was the last Gamespot employee to regularly write reviews for the site. Now that he's departed, is Gamespot just going to let freelance reviewers do all their reviews? It's sad to see the gradual shift away from written reviews, to just video content. I can't put the same level of trust in a review written by someone I've never heard of before, and that's become the new normal here now.

What do you mean? Gamespot is still Giantbomb and have a few staff on their payroll.

Also who cares who writes the reviews, if you let reviews choose games for you, why would it matter who wrote them.

You can't be serious? So having a basic idea of how a person games, and their likes and dislikes plays no role in how you approach a review? Kevin was the first guy I read if it was a fantasy esque type of a game. The guy loved the genre, and it made it easier to understand his talking points, both the good and bad. At the same time, if the game involved shooting mechanics and he reviewed it, I would always look somewhere else.

Of course it does not matter. The way you put it here, you are not really following the reviews but the person who are writing the reviews. And that is something i would never do, since we are all different and how could some random person on the interwebs even remotely know what i like and dislike.

Who said anything about a reviewer knowing what you like?

Lets put it this way. You have two friends who went to see a film. One who typically shares your views on films said it was terrible, the other who only ever watches Transformers and Twilight said it's the greatest thing ever. Who's advice are you going to take as to whether you should pay to go see the film or hold off until a different film comes out?

Reviews are not supposed to tell you what to think. They tell you what the reviewer thinks so you can use it as a reference point for your own views. A well written review doesn't require you knowing the writers taste, however it certainly helps.

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#13  Edited By Jacanuk
Member since 2011 • 20281 Posts

@toast_burner said:
@Jacanuk said:
@CallMeDuraSouka said:

@Jacanuk:

@Jacanuk said:
@halvedlife said:

Kevin was the last Gamespot employee to regularly write reviews for the site. Now that he's departed, is Gamespot just going to let freelance reviewers do all their reviews? It's sad to see the gradual shift away from written reviews, to just video content. I can't put the same level of trust in a review written by someone I've never heard of before, and that's become the new normal here now.

What do you mean? Gamespot is still Giantbomb and have a few staff on their payroll.

Also who cares who writes the reviews, if you let reviews choose games for you, why would it matter who wrote them.

You can't be serious? So having a basic idea of how a person games, and their likes and dislikes plays no role in how you approach a review? Kevin was the first guy I read if it was a fantasy esque type of a game. The guy loved the genre, and it made it easier to understand his talking points, both the good and bad. At the same time, if the game involved shooting mechanics and he reviewed it, I would always look somewhere else.

Of course it does not matter. The way you put it here, you are not really following the reviews but the person who are writing the reviews. And that is something i would never do, since we are all different and how could some random person on the interwebs even remotely know what i like and dislike.

Who said anything about a reviewer knowing what you like?

Lets put it this way. You have two friends who went to see a film. One who typically shares your views on films said it was terrible, the other who only ever watches Transformers and Twilight said it's the greatest thing ever. Who's advice are you going to take as to whether you should pay to go see the film or hold off until a different film comes out?

Reviews are not supposed to tell you what to think. They tell you what the reviewer thinks so you can use it as a reference point for your own views. A well written review doesn't require you knowing the writers taste, however it certainly helps.

I would go with neither and if i wanted to see the movie i would go watch it. And that is with friends where i respect their opinions. Critics who are random nobodies on the internet, well here i do not even read their reviews, i honestly couldn´t care less what they think about a game.

So sure reviews are a reference point, but why would you ever even use that? look at it this way, A new ride is coming to your local amusement park, would you rather go there yourself and try it out or have someone go there, try it and then tell you their experience?

I know which option i would go with

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#14 deactivated-5b19214ec908b
Member since 2007 • 25072 Posts

@Jacanuk said:
@toast_burner said:
@Jacanuk said:

Of course it does not matter. The way you put it here, you are not really following the reviews but the person who are writing the reviews. And that is something i would never do, since we are all different and how could some random person on the interwebs even remotely know what i like and dislike.

Who said anything about a reviewer knowing what you like?

Lets put it this way. You have two friends who went to see a film. One who typically shares your views on films said it was terrible, the other who only ever watches Transformers and Twilight said it's the greatest thing ever. Who's advice are you going to take as to whether you should pay to go see the film or hold off until a different film comes out?

Reviews are not supposed to tell you what to think. They tell you what the reviewer thinks so you can use it as a reference point for your own views. A well written review doesn't require you knowing the writers taste, however it certainly helps.

I would go with neither and if i wanted to see the movie i would go watch it. And that is with friends where i respect their opinions. Critics who are random nobodies on the internet, well here i do not even read their reviews, i honestly couldn´t care less what they think about a game.

So sure reviews are a reference point, but why would you ever even use that? look at it this way, A new ride is coming to your local amusement park, would you rather go there yourself and try it out or have someone go there, try it and then tell you their experience?

I know which option i would go with

And how do you know if you want to see it? The only true way to tell if you like a game is to play it, and in order to play it you need to buy it. So relying on what other people say is a must unless you have more money than sense.

Critics are skilled writers. They can describe stuff in much better detail than any of my friends can.

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#15 Jacanuk
Member since 2011 • 20281 Posts

@toast_burner said:
@Jacanuk said:
@toast_burner said:
@Jacanuk said:

Of course it does not matter. The way you put it here, you are not really following the reviews but the person who are writing the reviews. And that is something i would never do, since we are all different and how could some random person on the interwebs even remotely know what i like and dislike.

Who said anything about a reviewer knowing what you like?

Lets put it this way. You have two friends who went to see a film. One who typically shares your views on films said it was terrible, the other who only ever watches Transformers and Twilight said it's the greatest thing ever. Who's advice are you going to take as to whether you should pay to go see the film or hold off until a different film comes out?

Reviews are not supposed to tell you what to think. They tell you what the reviewer thinks so you can use it as a reference point for your own views. A well written review doesn't require you knowing the writers taste, however it certainly helps.

I would go with neither and if i wanted to see the movie i would go watch it. And that is with friends where i respect their opinions. Critics who are random nobodies on the internet, well here i do not even read their reviews, i honestly couldn´t care less what they think about a game.

So sure reviews are a reference point, but why would you ever even use that? look at it this way, A new ride is coming to your local amusement park, would you rather go there yourself and try it out or have someone go there, try it and then tell you their experience?

I know which option i would go with

And how do you know if you want to see it? The only true way to tell if you like a game is to play it, and in order to play it you need to buy it. So relying on what other people say is a must unless you have more money than sense.

Critics are skilled writers. They can describe stuff in much better detail than any of my friends can.

How i would know? well thats easy, i look at trailers and gameplay and see if it looks good.

And as to money, well i do not drink, smoke or spend cash on junk food, so i have enough to buy the games i want.

And yes Critics are skilled writers, no question about that, but they will never be anything but randoms on the internet describing their experience, And why would you let them "decide" anything?

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deactivated-5b19214ec908b

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#16  Edited By deactivated-5b19214ec908b
Member since 2007 • 25072 Posts

@Jacanuk said:
@toast_burner said:
@Jacanuk said:
@toast_burner said:
@Jacanuk said:

Of course it does not matter. The way you put it here, you are not really following the reviews but the person who are writing the reviews. And that is something i would never do, since we are all different and how could some random person on the interwebs even remotely know what i like and dislike.

Who said anything about a reviewer knowing what you like?

Lets put it this way. You have two friends who went to see a film. One who typically shares your views on films said it was terrible, the other who only ever watches Transformers and Twilight said it's the greatest thing ever. Who's advice are you going to take as to whether you should pay to go see the film or hold off until a different film comes out?

Reviews are not supposed to tell you what to think. They tell you what the reviewer thinks so you can use it as a reference point for your own views. A well written review doesn't require you knowing the writers taste, however it certainly helps.

I would go with neither and if i wanted to see the movie i would go watch it. And that is with friends where i respect their opinions. Critics who are random nobodies on the internet, well here i do not even read their reviews, i honestly couldn´t care less what they think about a game.

So sure reviews are a reference point, but why would you ever even use that? look at it this way, A new ride is coming to your local amusement park, would you rather go there yourself and try it out or have someone go there, try it and then tell you their experience?

I know which option i would go with

And how do you know if you want to see it? The only true way to tell if you like a game is to play it, and in order to play it you need to buy it. So relying on what other people say is a must unless you have more money than sense.

Critics are skilled writers. They can describe stuff in much better detail than any of my friends can.

How i would know? well thats easy, i look at trailers and gameplay and see if it looks good.

And as to money, well i do not drink, smoke or spend cash on junk food, so i have enough to buy the games i want.

And yes Critics are skilled writers, no question about that, but they will never be anything but randoms on the internet describing their experience, And why would you let them "decide" anything?

Trailers are showing only what the publishers want to show you. By making an opinion off a trailer you are still just going by what some random told you. So how is it any different? At least with reviewers you get their name and can easily find all their other work. Do you know who directs the trailers for your favourite games?

I'm sure you don't have enough money to buy every single game you see. The fact is that at some point before buying the game there had to be something that told you you will enjoy it. And for the games you don't buy there was something that told you that you won't enjoy it.

Again you seem to be putting words into peoples mouths. Who said anything about them deciding anything? The purpose of a review is not to decide if a game is good or not, especially not to say whether you specifically will like it. It's just a tool, like trailers to present the product to potential customers. However unlike trailers they can also highlight negative aspects that publishers would normally try to cover up. Gameplay footage only shows you a small segment of the game, so also won't work as an alternative to a review.

Why do you think that reviews have to be either the sole deciding factor of a games worth, or they are completely useless? All they are is an additional tool like trailers, videos and screenshots designed to present information to the public.

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Archangel3371

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#17 Archangel3371
Member since 2004 • 46956 Posts

Reviews are one of the resources that I use when I'm trying to decide on a game purchase. I really valued Kevin's so it'll take some time to replace that. There are some reviewers here that I still value though.

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#18 Jacanuk
Member since 2011 • 20281 Posts

@toast_burner said:
@Jacanuk said:

How i would know? well thats easy, i look at trailers and gameplay and see if it looks good.

And as to money, well i do not drink, smoke or spend cash on junk food, so i have enough to buy the games i want.

And yes Critics are skilled writers, no question about that, but they will never be anything but randoms on the internet describing their experience, And why would you let them "decide" anything?

Trailers are showing only what the publishers want to show you. By making an opinion off a trailer you are still just going by what some random told you. So how is it any different? At least with reviewers you get their name and can easily find all their other work. Do you know who directs the trailers for your favourite games?

I'm sure you don't have enough money to buy every single game you see. The fact is that at some point before buying the game there had to be something that told you you will enjoy it. And for the games you don't buy there was something that told you that you won't enjoy it.

Again you seem to be putting words into peoples mouths. Who said anything about them deciding anything? The purpose of a review is not to decide if a game is good or not, especially not to say whether you specifically will like it. It's just a tool, like trailers to present the product to potential customers. However unlike trailers they can also highlight negative aspects that publishers would normally try to cover up. Gameplay footage only shows you a small segment of the game, so also won't work as an alternative to a review.

Why do you think that reviews have to be either the sole deciding factor of a games worth, or they are completely useless? All they are is an additional tool like trailers, videos and screenshots designed to present information to the public.

I mean trailers with actual gameplay, do not worry i am not that stupid so i think the CGI made trailers are how the games are.

And of course i do not have that much cash i can buy every single game that comes out not to mention that even if i did i wouldn't do it, since i don't want every game coming out . I have enough cash tho to buy the games i want.

As to putting words, well you took it too literal , but it does not matter what people use, i will never get why people would decide on a game without having played it themselves. And i of course live by that, if its a game i am unsure about, i will either wait for a sale or rent it.

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#19 The_Last_Ride
Member since 2004 • 76371 Posts

@halvedlife: Chris Waters is probably the last one

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#20 yngsten
Member since 2011 • 463 Posts

Idk, with Kevin gone, gamespot is pretty much a wasteland as far as actual knowledge goes. I love Danny and he is pretty much the only one with integrity left. Just to pull an example though, I think it was a lobby episode with Fallout discussion, Kevin would've nailed it, but those who actually attended, was mediocre at best, an insult to the franchise, and they didn't even bother to read up on the subject to face it, we are talking about a beloved franchise with a franchise title being number one on the list here. Not good enough....If Danny shapes up to the role, he could replace Kevin, no one else.

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#21  Edited By Allicrombie
Member since 2005 • 26223 Posts

I still have no idea how they pick freelancers, I emailed Kevin awhile back, (twice) and never got any sort of response. You'd think they'd want people who were visible in the community to help with reviews, but I guess not.

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#22 deactivated-5c0b07b32bf03
Member since 2014 • 6005 Posts

Word on the street is that Eddie Makuch will be doing all GS reviews going forward.

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#23  Edited By yngsten
Member since 2011 • 463 Posts
@reduc_ab_ said:

Word on the street is that Eddie Makuch will be doing all GS reviews going forward.

If that's true, gamespot is history as far as reviews goes. Not gonna judge a book by it's cover and all, but Eddie has been gamespots clickbait for too long to have any weight in the community imo.

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#24  Edited By deactivated-5c0b07b32bf03
Member since 2014 • 6005 Posts

@yngsten: Yeah it was a joke. Good lord, if Eddie did the reviews this place would become a laughingstock. It already is in some ways, mainly due to the mass amounts of copy-pasting with articles going on. Honestly more than half the articles it seems are just taken from somewhere else, like Polygon.

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#25  Edited By verbalfilth
Member since 2006 • 5043 Posts

I would do it for them if they match my current salary...which I doubt they will. lol

In all seriousness, I think we will see freelancers doing reviews. a few of them will do quite fine and eventually get pulled in as regular GS staff.

@reduc_ab_ , @yngsten

Bring on Colin Campbell, I say.

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#26 Ariabed
Member since 2014 • 2121 Posts

Don't know :)

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#27  Edited By digitaldame
Member since 2006 • 5401 Posts

@Archangel3371: Like who?

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#28 Cloud_imperium
Member since 2013 • 15146 Posts

There are reviewers on gamespot, especially for Console games. What GS lacks is a good PC reviewer. Of course none of current reviewers are as good as Kevin was.

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#29  Edited By Archangel3371
Member since 2004 • 46956 Posts

@DigitalDame said:

@Archangel3371: Like who?

Danny, Justin, Peter, Chris, Erik, and Alexa.