660°

Eurogamer and Starfield

Late-arriving review copies are not uncommon, but access this far behind so many other outlets is extremely unusual - particularly for a game of Starfield's promience. It has, thankfully, been a very long time since Eurogamer was impacted by a similar situation, and cases such as this are very rare across the industry. We look forward to playing Starfield and providing the quality and breadth of coverage you expect and deserve.

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eurogamer.net
shadowT277d ago

Only 10/10 reviews are allowed :D

Obscure_Observer277d ago

"Only 10/10 reviews are allowed :D"

Eurogamer dropped review scores many years ago.

shadowT277d ago (Edited 277d ago )

Look like only selected media outlets received a Starfield review code. Metro and Edge Magazine also did not received one.

Sonic1881277d ago

Because they know metro would give it a low score

Simundo277d ago (Edited 277d ago )

Eurogamer switched to a five star scoring system in May this year.

Tacoboto277d ago

Eurogamer started review scores again with Zelda this year.

It also seems the exclusion affects most UK outlets; what is weird is that Bethesda went out of their way to make sure Digital Foundry got their code.

If tech-riddled Bethesda wanted to filter out bad reviews, especially for their engine's troubles and DF's call to arms recently over the lack of DLSS, they absolutely wouldn't give access to them.

fr0sty277d ago

They're obviously hiding something...

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 277d ago
crazyCoconuts277d ago

Either hand picking journalists in their pocket or retaliation for prior bad reviews. I can't think of other reasons for explicitly calling out Eurogamer like that, dunno

notachance277d ago

Most of the media impacted are based on the UK, MS probably still salty about CMA decision lmao 🤣🤣

Futureshark277d ago

It's almost like MS & Bethesda don't want Eurogamer's or Digital Foundry's opinion out there affecting day one sales.

Which would imply if they expected good reviews then they would have supplied game codes in plenty of time.

I mean, if it's as amazing as it's being hyped up to be, why not supply an early code to one of the more prominent Xbox flag waving review sites?

Simundo277d ago (Edited 277d ago )

DF have received code. But Bethesda told Eurogamer no other arm of Eurogamer could have access to it.

Tacoboto277d ago

Digital Foundry was specifically included by Bethesda - it was Eurogamer that wasn't allowed to use the review code.

To say it another way, Bethesda wanted Digital Foundry to have access to Starfield.

crazyCoconuts277d ago

Even their Red Fall review wasn't hateful so I don't know why MS would expect anything overly negative.

Lightning77277d ago

DF have codes and gave a small preview on their latest podcast.

Northpoint277d ago

What's suspicious to me is that Starfield has gone GOLD two weeks ago and didn't supply any code reviews to the media outlets but only to favorite streamers who are promoted by marketing. Then no review embargo until the day before launch.

Was there ever a high scoring game and positive reaction from the community with this type of strategy?

StarkR3ality276d ago

This is clearly false and multiple outlets have said they've got their reviews ready for 31st. Just because one outlet didn't get a code doesn't mean others didn't, and we don't know the reason behind it.

ModsDoBetter276d ago

Digital Foundry got a code.
Quit lying.

darksky276d ago

Some of the leaked videos don't exactly scream GOTY material. Can see the planet exploration aspect get boring real quick.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 276d ago
darthv72277d ago

DF got theirs... Eurogamer will just have to wait.

crazyCoconuts277d ago

Yeah..so weird:
"However, this was provided alongside instruction to me by Bethesda that no other parts of Eurogamer were granted access. This was an unprecedented request, but one I ultimately felt compelled to honour to ensure the access granted to Digital Foundry was not subsequently impacted by any other mandate."

StarkR3ality276d ago

It is strange, as that's the first thing that jumped to my mind, why wouldn't they want DF to get it, but they have so it's all good.

Maybe it has something to do with something Eurogamer has written in the past, or they've done something that Xbox or BGS don't like in the run up? Idk 🤷🏻

mkis007277d ago (Edited 277d ago )

I think this landing zone stuff is going to hurt the exploration amazment of the game, and lower review scores. This seems like an attempt to weed out critical reviewers from embargo day reviews.

Andrew336276d ago

I base how much i enjoy games on it's landing zone stuff too. Clearly it's a 2/10 game and they just want to hide it by releasing the reviews on the 31st at the start of early access and 6 days before actual launch. Sneaky bastards.

mkis007276d ago

Nah i say there will be more 9's than 10's though. Can you propose a believable reason why they would hold back codes?

InUrFoxHole276d ago

What codes are they holding back?

Andrew336276d ago

@mkis007 Bethesda doesn't have to give everyone review codes.

mkis007276d ago

Well then why did they send eurogamer a code with explicit directions it is not for eurogamer itself but for Digital Foundry? Then they gave eurogamer a code after this article...sure satisifies what "holding back" means to me...the instructions the code is for DF completely destroys any argument that it was an oversight.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 276d ago
Terry_B276d ago

Its Microsoft we talk about after all.

CrimsonWing69277d ago (Edited 277d ago )

I always feel like people are insecure about their product when they wait exactly till release to drop reviews, but then again, it’s early access. So, those who didn’t pay extra for a Digital Deluxe edition will get to see reviews and unedited streams to make up their mind before the “public” release.

Show all comments (58)
110°

Starfield's recent player spike is good, but it needs its Cyberpunk 2077 moment now

Starfield's recent player spike is a good sign, but Bethesda desperately need to line up their Cyberpunk 2077 moment.

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videogamer.com
ZeekQuattro8d ago

I feel like the second big update that releases late this year will do just that. Part of the story expansion is also new means of transportation on planets.

P_Bomb8d ago

A good DLC could turn some heads. The Destiny games got momentum that way too.

piher8d ago

What player spike?

I checked steamcharts through the link in the article and it went from 8,000 to 11.500, so yea 20% but when the game peaked at 330,000 It's safe to say that the actual effect of this update was negligible.

LostPotato7d ago

Doubt it'll ever get redemption. As many developers have said in various interviews it's beyond saving.

Just release the mod tools and expansion and move on.

Profchaos7d ago

Cyberpunk 2077 had some strong bones i disliked it on launch because I could see the potential I could see the strengths of what they wanted to achieve but it wasn't done yet

Show all comments (7)
70°

Starfield fans want mech piloting added after Bethesda teases "major features on the horizon"

Starfield fans are asking Bethesda to introduce mech piloting to the game after it teaser "major features" on the horizon.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
Jingsing8d ago

They didn't get the memo the game is dead and the Bethesdabots only want magic and fantasy.

Boy_the_CowRoy7d ago

Starfield fans? The game only has 9 thousand current players, worldwide! As a company you cannot waste time on creating "Major features", it is simply not profitable. Just move on.

80°

This Fan Just Turned Starfield Into Star Wars By Installing Over 100 Dedicated Mods

The YouTuber DeityVengy has transformed Starfield into an open-world Star Wars RPG, or The Mandalorian, with over a hundred mods.