This is a perfectly reasonable take. This part pretty much sums up my thoughts:
Still, it’s utterly ambiguous here where Vincke is drawing the line between “critical” and “hurtful” or “personal”. And in any case, it can be appropriate to direct some outright vitriol at the people making a game, inasmuch as art expresses the values of its creators. You don’t get a pass for making poison just because you poured your heart into it. Sometimes, utter scorn is justifiable. If Vincke is serious about this conversation, I would encourage him to actually cite some reviews, games and game developers and discuss the finer workings.
I don’t expect Vincke to call out any specific writers, but unless he does, I really have no way to tell what, specifically, he’s trying to argue against. He’s opening himself up to being misinterpreted, and a lot of people won’t even realize they’re doing it. His little rant is like a horoscope reading — so vague as to let you project your own ideas onto it and pretend they came from somewhere else.
But really, I have no idea what he’s talking about. Perhaps I just don’t read those types of publications, but I can’t recall the last time I read a professional video game review (as opposed to, say, Steam user reviews or randos on Reddit) that personally attacked creators. If anything, most professional reviews err heavily on the side of positivity to avoid angering fans and potential advertisers. The article touches on that, too:
I’ve received plenty of death threats for scoring things 8/10 or lower, and in a media sphere that depends on traffic volume, there is continual ambient goading to approve of, or at least acknowledge games that already have some kind of mass following.
Death threats. For an 8/10 rating. Completely insane, but sadly not surprising.
I think he’s just putting it out to the world hoping the right reviewer(s) will see it because he doesn’t want to call anyone out the way he’s seeing some of the devs called out. He’s got to thread that needle very finely because if he doesn’t then he’ll see himself as no better than the folks calling out and being jackasses.
I hope that along with the public statement he reached out privately. A quick “I reached out to the reviewer I was concerned about, but wanted to make my feelings known” would go a long way, I think.
And holy shit, death threats over an 8/10? I’d kill a good man with his own shoes for an 8/10 on any creative thing I’ve ever done.
I’d kill a good man with his own shoes for an 8/10 on any creative thing I’ve ever done.
Well who knows there might be a market where you can get 8/10 for killing a good man with his own shoes. :P
I know so called professional reviewers are not always the greatest but at the end of the day it’s all just opinions.
Just roll your eyes and post a roasting meme
Like with everything in life, it depends on the reviewer.
I would argue most experienced, professional reviewers know how to review in a diplomatic manner that highlights interesting elements, while warning about weaknesses.
I’m mixed. I mean at the end of the day, its just the reviewer’s opinion? I don’t mesh with SkillUp’s likes and dislikes but if he really didn’t enjoy a game well that’s his thing.
On the other hand, if you want to have opinions on people’s opinions, I guess that should be allowed too?
