My Judgement Day is almost here. Our humble studio is releasing its first commercial game, and with that we leave ourselves open to criticism from anyone and everyone, Ye Mighty games press, sympathetic friends, angry forumites, everyone.
For the sharp-eyed amongst you, you may notice I’ve been absent from posting here for a while, this is because I’ve been working towards the penultimate deadline: release date. Not only do I have the elusive release date to meet, I’m doing my best to fulfil my additional PR responsibility, and in a strange role-reversal, finding journalists to review our game. I’ve reviewed other peoples’ games for years; the good, the bad, the ugly and I’m feeling apprehensive as to how our game will be received. Despondent about our hard work – because I know exactly everything I’d change, if I was more experienced, more competent with the software, and had more time.
Looking back at my review style, I can be very cynical, adolescent and insulting, because that’s the kind of material I like to read in a review, even if it’s ridiculous and completely out of proportion. I’ve been more concerned with writing an entertaining piece that people will enjoy, rather than something factual and informative. When I buy a games magazine, I’m the person that skims to the poor 2/10 review before checking out any interviews or previews. I adore Yahtzee’s Zero Punctuation. I laugh heartily as the tiniest most insignificant aspect of a perfectly decent game is ripped apart and mocked.
I feel compelled to explain to people that we have been working on this title alongside our end of year assignments for university, I have been sleeping on a Thermarest with dead wood lice. I have sacrificed my social life and sunlight, been on a diet of caffeine, noodles and cornflakes… to be honest I could rattle off a giant list of problems, personal reasons, annoyances and frustrations. To get to the crux of this long-winded point, there is no valid excuse for the final quality of our game, not a single one. I cannot add on a message saying, “Sorry if you didn’t enjoy this experience, I was trying to resolve an argument combining 2am, Henry the Hoover and ants”, because it doesn’t validate or justify anything for the player.
A while ago, I called Final Fantasy XII crap. CRAP. I have to say that even if the game didn’t push my buttons due to the annoying, repetitive pathetic main character, near useless Espers, a story that flew straight over my head and a walkthrough guide with text so small I needed a magnifying glass to read it (stop it Emily! Stop!) this game is ‘crap’ in no way, shape or form. The soundtrack is magnificent, and for every plank of a character, there is a sturdy handsome male with a giant sword (and the only one insinuating something rude in that last sentence is YOU).
So with a heavy heart, it’s almost time for me to receive the kind of criticism I’m accustomed to both hearing about in other games, and in turn dishing out. I will take it on the chin. I will not be sticking my fingers in my ears, but it may be time to equip some heavy armour, cast Protect and receive a little less physical damage.
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April 30th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I know exactly what you mean. Once you’ve created something (anything) that is then set before the public eye; it completely changes your view of criticism and opinion. You stop seeing the end product as measured only against the finest experiences in its medium and genre. And instead see the amount of toil and thought and care that went into even the most unsuccessful end products. :)
As far as your game goes; Congratulations!! You’re nearly there, that must be wonderful for you! :D
And when you’re reading reviews, you’ll now be able to see which reviewers are trying to give an honest evaluation of your work, and ignore the ones that are only interested in appearing funny or smart.
Well done sister, well done. ;)
April 30th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I have to admit, when it comes to reviewing games I’ve been waiting for my chance to rip into a game and flay it to shreds – because it’s fun to write and fun to read too.
Sadly, I haven’t reviewed any truly awful games yet in my time here at RU so I’ve not had much chance to get my claws out, and I certainly won’t rip into a game that’s OK just for the fun of it…
April 30th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I really enjoyed reading this, and I rather like your honesty. Best of luck with the release!
April 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Oh, and for the record, I avidly watch Zero Punctuation, and I’m also one of those people who skips straight to the bad reviews. PC Gamer have traditionally been particularly good at laying into tripe with relish.
April 30th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Exactly, it’s boring hearing “there are 12 different levels, 3 new weapons, a bonus playabale character, and downloadable content”, I want swear words, cheeky comparisons and insults!
April 30th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Firstly, well done in the creation process for bringing a game idea to reality, I can only imagine how much time and effort will have gone into this.
Good luck with the release. Hope it all goes well and you get some positive results from it.
May 1st, 2009 at 10:14 am
There are two forms of critique, as you know… the personal opinion which centres mostly around the taste of the writer, and the informed opinion which is based on technical ability/functionality.
If your game is slammed because of glitches and a general difficulty then I’d say there’s some validity in that (providing the reviewer isn’t just trying to find ANYTHING to dig at) but if the review is just some person ranting about how it still “isn’t as good as Oblivion” then I’d be inclined to ignore it.
I’ve been a musician for the last oh.. 20 years (gosh, I feel REALLY old now) and in that time I’ve had the music compared to Metallica, Black Sabbath, Saxon and even The Who. I’ve also had my voice compared to Eddie Vedder, Geoff Tate, Robert Palmer and (more recently) Michael Buble.
None of those bands sound alike, and none of those vocalists sound alike… and yet people seem able to draw comparisons. It made me realise very early on that when someone is critiquing something of your own… several pinches of salt are required, as well as some thick skin :)
May 1st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Best of luck with release – just remember that if Yahtzee ever does review it, it’s a compliment in itself even if he rips you a new one. ;)
P.s. I agree about FF7…