Quote from: Consonant DudeMy problem with that, is that a lot of time it seems to color people's impressions. There is a natural urge to be less critical of people we know.

Agreed.  It can be tough, especially when you really want a person to do well (you know they have a financial interest in what you're reviewing) but don't think it's a quality product.

On the other side, an established reviewer like Dan gives us something that others don't - comparison.  When you can look back over 20, 50, or 100 reviews you get a sense for what that reviewer thinks is important, what they think is a good game, and that sense is very helpful in making a decision on a product.

So, while there's always the concern that a reviewer is padding a review for a friend, the reputation also helps folk judge those reviews and take more away from them.

(and I take my review hobby way too damn seriously to present a review I wouldn't stand behind).

Quote from: C.W.Richeson(and I take my review hobby way too damn seriously to present a review I wouldn't stand behind).

  Fair enough... its tough to find a good series of chapter synopses.  You need to put your heart into that shit

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalFair enough... its tough to find a good series of chapter synopses.  You need to put your heart into that shit

I can see you feel very strongly about reviews, I think that's great!  If you think one or more of my reviews is of poor quality, I encourage you to post in a review thread either here or on RPG.net, or call my attention to something specific you think I could improve on.

This sort of commentary just isn't very helpful.

Relax... I'm just teasing you, I don't really read RPG reviews.  The only reason I made a dig at you is because you stuck your head about the parapet in that other thread.

I'm sure you're an immensely talented reviewer, I just have a problem with synopses in reviews.  I consider myself a sell-out if I include a proper plot synopsis.  Too much reading Sight and Sound.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalRelax... I'm just teasing you, I don't really read RPG reviews.  The only reason I made a dig at you is because you stuck your head about the parapet in that other thread.

I'm sure you're an immensely talented reviewer, I just have a problem with synopses in reviews.  I consider myself a sell-out if I include a proper plot synopsis.  Too much reading Sight and Sound.

That's cool, thanks!

I actually went looking through some of your movie reviews the other day and found them to be really well done.  Have you been putting out any reviews here at theRPGsite?  I'd certainly read them.

I'm glad you liked my reviews, I find they vary in quality based upon how inspired I am so I'm currently making a concerting effort to read and write more and review less.  Otherwise I get the impression that I'm on a chain-gang or endlessly repeating myself but I hope this approach will result in less burn-out periods and more fruitful reviews when I do write them.

A sizeable chunk of my disposable income actually comes from my reviewing.  Between the sites that pay me for my reviews directly, the uncredited stuff I do for a few places and the sheer amount of stuff I get, it's a nice little earner.  My blog is essentially there to "grow my brand" as it gets me known and gets me free stuff.  I'm not John Clute yet but maybe someday...

I've never reviewed seriously for the various RPG sites out there.  Partly now because they don't pay and I don't get free stuff, partly because the network externalities are different (the RPG, film, SF, fantasy and videogame critical circles are very different and don't massively interract) and partly because they're not really part of the plan.

It's comparatively rare that I buy an RPG and I don't really want what the RPG world has to offer.  I don't want free RPGs, I don't want to write RPGs and I'm not engaged enough in any RPG community to want to benefit from the gift economics that that kind of free content generally involves.  So the RPG scene has never figured in my reviewing really.

Though come to mention it, RPG sites don't demand exclusivity do they?  so I could probably put a few up that would otherwise just go on my bog.

Sorry... that probably came off really cold and cynical but even though most of my income doesn't come from my criticism I kind of consider it my day job.  Teaching undergrads is like making license plates... pays the bills but it's not what I do so I kind of look at it as a long term career somewhat weirdly.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalThough come to mention it, RPG sites don't demand exclusivity do they?  so I could probably put a few up that would otherwise just go on my bog.

Nope.  Cross posting reviews isn't unusual, and it means they get seen by an entirely different audience.

QuoteSorry... that probably came off really cold and cynical but even though most of my income doesn't come from my criticism I kind of consider it my day job.  Teaching undergrads is like making license plates... pays the bills but it's not what I do so I kind of look at it as a long term career somewhat weirdly.

*nods*  Makes sense to me.

Quote from: JimBobOzIt just seems courteous(Are you takin' the piss here?). Few gamer geeks online post to just one site. Also, I barely remember the different passwords I have, I'd never remember a bunch of different handles, too...!

And there was I thinking that TheRPGsite was the only place a delusional dunny licker like you would be tolerated.
Memory problems eh? Might want to get that checked out.

Don't know why I didn't reply to this topic sooner.  Guess my mind blanked it out every time I saw it.

My online 'identity' is probably more widely known than my real identity.  I've had several people say they thought it was actually my real name.  But then again I've gotten some credits in a few books under it.  

Sadly the only reason I used a different name than my own online is the fact that I don't actually like my name that much at all.  It's just so rather blah.  But I've also never went around saying that my real name is PeterAmthor or anything.

Anyways just my rambling two cents on the whole damn thing.

Y'all.

Quote from: AnthrobotAnd there was I thinking that TheRPGsite was the only place a delusional dunny licker like you would be tolerated.
Memory problems eh? Might want to get that checked out.

Man, seriously, WTF?  You jump into a thread purely in order to insult the guy, without even attempting to say something on topic?  That's pathetic.  Don't you have anything better to do than stalk JimBob from thread to thread?

Quote from: C.W.RichesonOn the other side, an established reviewer like Dan gives us something that others don't - comparison.  When you can look back over 20, 50, or 100 reviews you get a sense for what that reviewer thinks is important, what they think is a good game, and that sense is very helpful in making a decision on a product.

[SNIP]

(and I take my review hobby way too damn seriously to present a review I wouldn't stand behind).

Yeah, I appreciate Dan for that too! He's a favorite of mine.

And I've started noticing you the last few months. I confess I hadn't a clue who you were before that but I've grown to like what you are doing. I also feel you've improved recently.

We need more reviewers like you, Dan and James Hargrove!

Quote from: AnthrobotAnd there was I thinking that TheRPGsite was the only place a delusional dunny licker like you would be tolerated.
Memory problems eh? Might want to get that checked out.

I gotta agree with TonyLB on this one.  PLEASE DON'T BE NOX!

We get it that you don't like JimBob.  Really we do.  Now give this shit a rest and stop trying to derail threads with random attacks.


TGA

Quote from: Consonant DudeYeah, I appreciate Dan for that too! He's a favorite of mine.

  Dan's the John Clute of RPG Reviews.  I'm amased that he hasn't been snapped up by a dead tree gaming mag.  Something like Knights of the Dinner Table would so benefit from giving him a page a month.

I dunno about a reputation, as i'm largely pretty anonymous on the net. But it was only when i actually started making myself known on company forums, making fan material, and the like, that i started to get RPG work. Without internet access, it was all but impossible.

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalDan's the John Clute of RPG Reviews.  I'm amased that he hasn't been snapped up by a dead tree gaming mag.  Something like Knights of the Dinner Table would so benefit from giving him a page a month.

Every time you mention John Clute, I picture Donald Sutherland

Regards,
David R