Comments on: Game Junkets http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/ The mental ramblings of Sanya Weathers Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:58:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Trans Union WebLog » Blog Archive » Bukworld.com :: Play the game! http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-676 Trans Union WebLog » Blog Archive » Bukworld.com :: Play the game! Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:51:00 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-676 [...] Eating Bees » Blog Archive » Game Junkets Basic functionality is still similar, though, so the power gamers will win the second random contest to win a new PC from Alienware. They will also hit level 100 first (or have the longest beards) http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/?p=18 [...] [...] Eating Bees » Blog Archive » Game Junkets Basic functionality is still similar, though, so the power gamers will win the second random contest to win a new PC from Alienware. They will also hit level 100 first (or have the longest beards) http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/?p=18 [...]

]]> By: mandrill http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-675 mandrill Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:05:33 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-675 Having said the above I have just received my first invitation to an event as a member of the press. Fingers crossed I don't make a total fool of myself. Having said the above I have just received my first invitation to an event as a member of the press. Fingers crossed I don’t make a total fool of myself.

]]> By: mandrill http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-674 mandrill Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:38:05 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-674 Games magazines are not in it to be objective, honest, or informative. They feed on hype just like the publishers do. (devs suffer for this as they're the ones who have to work their asses of to live up to the hype put out by the publishers and magazines). If a mag gets an exclusive preview of the next hot game its going to get more readers. Its not important to the magazine whether what they're saying reflects any kind of truth about the final release as long as people buy the mag. You're right when you say that they have to be flattering about what they see at these junkets (which I'd love to be invited to) any hint of honesty will not get them invited to the next one, and so the hype builds. The mag gets more ad revenue due to increased readership, the publishers get more units sold when the game goes to retail (finished or not), and the devs get the headaches of having to delay the game to feed the hype and the criticism for releasing a buggy and unfinished game. Whats needed in games journalism is a standard of honesty, if we as journalists hold ourselves to that standard, the publishers will have to hold themselves to the same standard. Wishful thinking I know, there's no money in honesty. Games magazines are not in it to be objective, honest, or informative. They feed on hype just like the publishers do. (devs suffer for this as they’re the ones who have to work their asses of to live up to the hype put out by the publishers and magazines).
If a mag gets an exclusive preview of the next hot game its going to get more readers. Its not important to the magazine whether what they’re saying reflects any kind of truth about the final release as long as people buy the mag. You’re right when you say that they have to be flattering about what they see at these junkets (which I’d love to be invited to) any hint of honesty will not get them invited to the next one, and so the hype builds. The mag gets more ad revenue due to increased readership, the publishers get more units sold when the game goes to retail (finished or not), and the devs get the headaches of having to delay the game to feed the hype and the criticism for releasing a buggy and unfinished game.
Whats needed in games journalism is a standard of honesty, if we as journalists hold ourselves to that standard, the publishers will have to hold themselves to the same standard. Wishful thinking I know, there’s no money in honesty.

]]> By: Apache http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-673 Apache Sun, 08 Jul 2007 07:01:42 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-673 Edit- Sorry, I'm the dude on the very left. Edit- Sorry, I’m the dude on the very left.

]]> By: Apache http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-672 Apache Sun, 08 Jul 2007 06:59:43 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-672 In case anyone is wondering, i'm the dude in the orange shift on the very right in the video photo. While this PR junket may have sounded like a huge cash register clanging for anyone who went, keep in mind I still had to pay for airport transportation to and from PHX Sky Harbor airport, plus the oh-so much fun 7 hours of waiting at the airport for delays. Cost of hotel x3 days - $266 x3 $9 Gin and Tonics - Sorry, I lost count Airline tickets - $400 (coach, for the lose) Sounds like a big payoff, right? Sorry, but I doubt I broke even. Staying home posting news is often > going on press junkets. In case anyone is wondering, i’m the dude in the orange shift on the very right in the video photo.

While this PR junket may have sounded like a huge cash register clanging for anyone who went, keep in mind I still had to pay for airport transportation to and from PHX Sky Harbor airport, plus the oh-so much fun 7 hours of waiting at the airport for delays.

Cost of hotel x3 days – $266 x3
$9 Gin and Tonics – Sorry, I lost count
Airline tickets – $400 (coach, for the lose)

Sounds like a big payoff, right? Sorry, but I doubt I broke even.

Staying home posting news is often > going on press junkets.

]]> By: Grimjakk http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-662 Grimjakk Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:46:25 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-662 Honestly... what they said. =) I've been reading your rants since Lum was mildly annoyed... Honestly… what they said. =) I’ve been reading your rants since Lum was mildly annoyed…

]]> By: Tovin http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-661 Tovin Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:21:23 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-661 I loved ya long before you could say anything about WAR!! No one in their right mind expects it of you now! =) It's always okay to bash anyone for *trying* to push out something as a finished product when the developer, the coverage and the readers all know it's anything but. But to expect players to hear nothing for a year and half and then suddenly care is silly as well. Players are fickle. "Journalists" are interesting in this field. Annnnnd, I don't think I'm going to pursue that, having to work with (or previously worked with) many of them. At least where I am now, we cover things from a player perspective, not as journalists. Makes it way easier! And WAY more fun!!! I loved ya long before you could say anything about WAR!! No one in their right mind expects it of you now! =)

It’s always okay to bash anyone for *trying* to push out something as a finished product when the developer, the coverage and the readers all know it’s anything but. But to expect players to hear nothing for a year and half and then suddenly care is silly as well. Players are fickle.

“Journalists” are interesting in this field. Annnnnd, I don’t think I’m going to pursue that, having to work with (or previously worked with) many of them. At least where I am now, we cover things from a player perspective, not as journalists. Makes it way easier! And WAY more fun!!!

]]> By: Staryx http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-660 Staryx Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:56:10 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-660 "The nine of you reading this aren’t consuming responsible journalism, you’re sitting here hoping I’ll say something about Warhammer Online." No, actually I'm reading because you often have interesting things to say. Besides, I'm already in the Beta for WAR. ;) “The nine of you reading this aren’t consuming responsible journalism, you’re sitting here hoping I’ll say something about Warhammer Online.”

No, actually I’m reading because you often have interesting things to say.

Besides, I’m already in the Beta for WAR. ;)

]]> By: Lorna http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-659 Lorna Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:34:43 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-659 Oh no. I read this blog for the same reasons listed above by others, and more. You are interesting, funny, one hell of a good communicator and smart to boot. :) I'm a developer, though, sadly, I don't get to make games. But a lot of what you talk about pertains to all software development, not just MMO's. I am a fan of MMOs (UO, DAOC, WoW, being on the top of my list, not necessarily in that order) and this stuff interests me. One of my favorite things on Friday nights was to get some dinner and sit down to read another rip roaring addition of the Grab Bag! I don't do that now (no offense to Richard -- but he just doesn't have your style). Keep on doing what you do -- there are a lot of us out here in the world who appreciate your perspective and insight -- even when we don't agree with you sometimes:) Oh no. I read this blog for the same reasons listed above by others, and more. You are interesting, funny, one hell of a good communicator and smart to boot. :)

I’m a developer, though, sadly, I don’t get to make games. But a lot of what you talk about pertains to all software development, not just MMO’s. I am a fan of MMOs (UO, DAOC, WoW, being on the top of my list, not necessarily in that order) and this stuff interests me. One of my favorite things on Friday nights was to get some dinner and sit down to read another rip roaring addition of the Grab Bag! I don’t do that now (no offense to Richard — but he just doesn’t have your style).

Keep on doing what you do — there are a lot of us out here in the world who appreciate your perspective and insight — even when we don’t agree with you sometimes:)

]]> By: Parizad http://eatingbees.brokentoys.org/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-663 Parizad Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:55:22 +0000 http://eatingbees.wordpress.com/2007/07/03/game-junkets/#comment-663 Hrm. Wouldn't let me make the hearty-heart sign. Major love to you! ...or giant sac of balls. Whichever. Hrm. Wouldn’t let me make the hearty-heart sign. Major love to you!

…or giant sac of balls. Whichever.

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