*Sigh* Ubisoft cought trying to bribe reviewers for good Assasins Creed 2 score

http://www.destructoid.com/ubisoft-demands-high-assassin-s-creed-2-review-score--154456.phtml

We hear about these situations far too much, where a publisher is accused of attempting to broker a guaranteed favorable review from a press outlet. The latest to face such allegations is Ubisoft, having been named and shamed by German magazine Computer Bild Spiele for demanding a high score for Assassin's Creed 2. SCANDAL!

"Our reviews are tough, but fair. We will not give up our independent scores for the sake of a timely review," explains the magazine in its latest issue. "This holds true for Assassin's Creed 2. The publisher asked us to guarantee the score 'sehr gut,' otherwise we would not receive a review copy, thus we will publish our review in next month's issue. We'd be more than glad to give the game a 'sehr gut', but only if it deserves it."

Sehr Gut is essentially Computer Bild Spiele's version of an A-grade, meaning that Ubisoft was only willing to trade a game copy for an incredibly positive review. Of course, asking an outlet to guarantee something like that before they've played the game is asking them to trade in every ounce of integrity they've worked to build, and if these allegations are true, it's a shame that Ubisoft felt the need to barter against someone's self respect like that.

In any case, Computer Bild Spiele has probably ensured that it won't be getting any more games from Ubisoft. Good for them, and let shame rain down on any writer that actually agreed to such shenanigans.

I dont know if this is what I would call "bribing" though. Il still buy this game, it looks AAA material to me.

Sad, I bet they do this with Splinter Cell Conviction too.

Doesn't change the fact that they make amazing games.

Wow, I can't believe they would do that to some reviewers. They hype their own game up to heaven and back, but are afraid of reviewers slamming the game down to hell. If they are confident in the game they made, they shouldn't have to ask people to give it a high score. If they know their game is good, they wouldn't have done that. obviously something is wrong with the game where they have to force people to give it a high score. Such BS.

Destructoid? When did they become credible?PannicAtack

This is what I was thinking.

My god, if this was mw2 the haters would be having a hayday right about now.

[QUOTE="PannicAtack"]Destructoid? When did they become credible?Phoenix534

This is what I was thinking.

here ya go.

wonder why theyd bother to bribe some German mag noones ever heard of outside of Germany?

That's sad, but probably more common place than people think. I still might get the game.

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

[QUOTE="PannicAtack"]Destructoid? When did they become credible?kingman03

This is what I was thinking.

here ya go.

How about a reliable source?

After Gertsmangate I really don't trust anything but player reviews. I'll read the well-written player reviews regardless of the score they give the game so I can see all points of view. Sure beats going with just one opinion.

My god, if this was mw2 the haters would be having a hayday right about now.

TuRb0SxxT

When people hype games, it goes way beyond people's expectations of what they will truly get.

Destructoid? When did they become credible?PannicAtack

wonder why theyd bother to bribe some German mag noones ever heard of outside of Germany?

tikki25x

[QUOTE="kingman03"]

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

This is what I was thinking.

Phoenix534

here ya go.

How about a reliable source?

Whether it sucks or not they should stand by their product and not resort to such tactics. Oh well. I was considering getting the first and even getting it on PSP (whenever I get one), but now I'm not so sure.

[QUOTE="PannicAtack"]Destructoid? When did they become credible?Phoenix534

This is what I was thinking.

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

[QUOTE="kingman03"] http://www.wearetheinternetz.com/2009/11/07/ubisoft-demanding-high-scores-for-early-assassins-creed-2-reviews/comment-page-1/

here ya go.

kingman03

How about a reliable source?

How about realizing that I never said anything about anyone not bribing? I was just agreeing that Destructiod is anything but a reliable source.

Probably because it's just as boring as the first one:o

[QUOTE="kingman03"]

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

How about a reliable source?

Phoenix534

How about realizing that I never said anything about anyone not bribing? I was just agreeing that Destructiod is anything but a reliable source.

Same thing was claimed about Eidos and Batman AA... and we all know how good the game turned out.

Another reason why I don't trust reviews.

Why would they bribe one random German magazine? Unless they are bribing a lot of other places, which doesn't bode well for early scores on AC2. But I'm still doubting the credibility. Regardless, I'm cancelling my pre-order and going with a wait and see approach now. rolo107

Well, under new FTC rules, any online reviews for a product must disclose if they receive any gifts or payment for the review. Maybe FTC rules don't apply to sites and magazines outside of the country if they don't publish magazines in the U.S.

[QUOTE="kingman03"]

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

How about a reliable source?

Phoenix534

How about realizing that I never said anything about anyone not bribing? I was just agreeing that Destructiod is anything but a reliable source.

I wouldn't be surprised if they also used advertising as a way to bribe other websites. This is exactly why GameSpot gave the first game a 9.0 (despite all it's flaws) and IGN gave it a 7.7!!

[QUOTE="rolo107"]Why would they bribe one random German magazine? Unless they are bribing a lot of other places, which doesn't bode well for early scores on AC2. But I'm still doubting the credibility. Regardless, I'm cancelling my pre-order and going with a wait and see approach now. TREY_FOR_LI4E

Well, under new FTC rules, any online reviews for a product must disclose if they receive any gifts or payment for the review. Maybe FTC rules don't apply to sites and magazines outside of the country if they don't publish magazines in the U.S.

But AC2 looks great. They really didn't have to do this.mo0ksi

So did AC, and you know that's a love/hate game nothing in between... and many many peeps have gone with the "hate" side.

Aren't those the same people that said Eidos tried to bribe them into giving good scores to Batman: Arkham Asylum?

Assassin's Creed II looks great, I doubt it needs bribes to get good scores, especially considering bribes are given to give new IPs good reviews so people buy them. AC sold amazingly well, AC2 will as well.

They must be desperate or something. :lol:

Doesn't change the fact that they make amazing games.

Phoenix534

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

[QUOTE="PannicAtack"]Destructoid? When did they become credible?exiledsnake

This is what I was thinking.

Sad, I bet they do this with Splinter Cell Conviction too.

TREY_FOR_LI4E

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

Doesn't change the fact that they make amazing games.

treedoor

does it suck taht much

After Gertsmangate I really don't trust anything but player reviews. I'll read the well-written player reviews regardless of the score they give the game so I can see all points of view. Sure beats going with just one opinion.

br0kenrabbit

Oh my god, those things are hives of scum and villany.

http://www.destructoid.com/ubisoft-demands-high-assassin-s-creed-2-review-score--154456.phtml

We hear about these situations far too much, where a publisher is accused of attempting to broker a guaranteed favorable review from a press outlet. The latest to face such allegations is Ubisoft, having been named and shamed by German magazine Computer Bild Spiele for demanding a high score for Assassin's Creed 2. SCANDAL!

"Our reviews are tough, but fair. We will not give up our independent scores for the sake of a timely review," explains the magazine in its latest issue. "This holds true for Assassin's Creed 2. The publisher asked us to guarantee the score 'sehr gut,' otherwise we would not receive a review copy, thus we will publish our review in next month's issue. We'd be more than glad to give the game a 'sehr gut', but only if it deserves it."

Sehr Gut is essentially Computer Bild Spiele's version of an A-grade, meaning that Ubisoft was only willing to trade a game copy for an incredibly positive review. Of course, asking an outlet to guarantee something like that before they've played the game is asking them to trade in every ounce of integrity they've worked to build, and if these allegations are true, it's a shame that Ubisoft felt the need to barter against someone's self respect like that.

In any case, Computer Bild Spiele has probably ensured that it won't be getting any more games from Ubisoft. Good for them, and let shame rain down on any writer that actually agreed to such shenanigans.

I dont know if this is what I would call "bribing" though. Il still buy this game, it looks AAA material to me.

TheArmyGuy48

Already posted.

Still, probably every big publisher known to man does this. It' just that only a few small magazines and sites can resist the money.

Wait....wasn't it the first Assasin's Creed getting a mediocre score here that got someone fired? "Alledgedly." Which turned out not to be the case, but it still rose a stink on the Interwebs.

[QUOTE="TREY_FOR_LI4E"]

Sad, I bet they do this with Splinter Cell Conviction too.

delta3074

Wait....wasn't it the first Assasin's Creed getting a mediocre score here that got someone fired? "Alledgedly." Which turned out not to be the case, but it still rose a stink on the Interwebs.

rhaigun

Wait....wasn't it the first Assasin's Creed getting a mediocre score here that got someone fired? "Alledgedly." Which turned out not to be the case, but it still rose a stink on the Interwebs.