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Can You Trust A Video Game Site That Runs Video Game Ads?

The recent firing by Gamespot of long time writer Jeff Gerstmann over a less than favorable review of Kane & Lynch poses a good question to video game enthusiasts, can you really trust a site that accepts advertiser money from the company making the game they review?

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Nostradavis - contributor
Published: 760 days 18 hours ago | Article | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360 | Gaming | Industry News

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MK_Red - 760 days 18 hours ago

1 -

There is really no problem with having ads of the game you're going to review. The problem is if those ad providers/ sponsers DO affect the review.
I've seen this happen in some movie sites (Reviewer favoring a movie that they are advertising and praising it beyond it's worth). Is GameSpot's story the same case? Only time will tell.

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Charlie2688 - 760 days 18 hours ago

1.1 -

I think in the case of GS things are worse but at same time more obvious, for example in the majority of gaming sites you see adds of some sort but are usually "small" and you know they are just well..adds..BUT THEN you see GS where for adds they use the WHOLE F-CKING background of the site and you even have a sh!t load of "features" about certain games like in this case there was this Kane and Lynch trailer mixer thingy or the "meet the makers of Kane and Lynch" add that no matter what page you went it was there...you don't need to know rocket science to know a SH!T load of money has been invested on those advertisements and promos and like I said before the Publisher the more money he puts the more he will want in return...and CNET LOVES money

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MK_Red - 760 days 18 hours ago

1.2 -

Good point. The whole GS is K&L now but I'm pretty sure it's from CNet's pressure.
Still, you said nothing but truth: CNET LOVES MONEY.

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gamesR4fun - 760 days 17 hours ago

1.3 - ads are fine but

when the ads influence the reviews then your just another biased sack o poo..
GS is bad but so are a lot of the other big ones like 1up... they just arent has stupid tho dumb reviewers seem like the norm at these kinda shody review sites...

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IDemonstalkerXI - 760 days 18 hours ago

2 -

That game probably does blow ... Raises a mug to Jeff's review.

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Nostradavis - 760 days 18 hours ago

2.1 -

I agree. I have heard nothing good about the game, and writers should be allowed to speak their mind. Consumer reports is successful because they have the trust of their readers.

If the big sites start getting exposed for stuff like this, look out.

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TheHater - 760 days 17 hours ago

3 -

Who cares. Play a game or not play a game because you want to play it or not want to play it. Don't play or not play it because a video game "Review" site said it was good or bad. I buy my games them because they look fun to me, even if most people say it not, or a reviewers say it crap.
All reviews shouldn't be trusted, because they are using their opinion on a game as a review.

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Wolfmoonstrike - 760 days 17 hours ago

4 -

How gamespot does it? No. For example though there is a T.mobile ad at the top of the page(currently) I don't think they are biased so I would trust them on T.mobile products(not that they do that here or ever should)but how gamespot does it is fill up the whole Fing background and site. sorry but I can not trust that.

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5 greenenvy | 760 days 17 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

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QQcrybaby - 760 days 17 hours ago

6 - Good submission

And the answer is no.

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BloodySinner - 760 days 17 hours ago

7 - Wow!

I guess the truly honest writers are the ones who'll be thrown out. Talk about setting the standards for a new low.

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8 goldenxbox | 760 days 16 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

9 Vojkan | 760 days 15 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

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LinuxGuru - 760 days 15 hours ago

10 - This game deserves horrible reviews.

I played Kane & Lynch for 15 minutes and turned it off.

It looks, plays, and in general FEELS like a PS2 game. Not a PS3 or 360 game.

The effects, gunplay, AI, sound, everything....it all sucked. The characters weren't likeable in any way, I felt no sense of attachment, and....

I s**t on Gamespot for firing this man.

That was horrible, and from this day forward, I will not be consulting Gamespot for any more reviews of any kind.

Screw CNET.

I'm starting to trust small user-owned websites for reviews now. They don't depend on huge advertisement revenue for their services.

Disgusting, this all is.

P.S. - I don't care what any of you say, Kane and Lynch sucks so bad. It really shows a lack of talent that I.O. Interactive has for creating anything except for Hitman games.

Hitman is what they should stick to. I might forgive them for this steaming turd called Kane & Lynch, ONLY if the next Hitman game is stellar in comparison.

They wouldn't dare continue the Kane & Lynch franchise...not after THIS debacle...

They need to take it out behind the barn and shoot it with a Remington.

Once again, Kane & Lynch was pathetic, and Hitman needs to be brought back to the front burner.

So help me God.

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aba - 760 days 14 hours ago

11 - Some of you are so pathetic.

Celebrating b/c jeff was fired, believing that cuz of this ALL of GS's reviews are tainted. That this somehow justifies your g@yass conspiracy theories about GS being anti-ps3. HELLO YOU MORONIC F**KS EVERYONE gave kane & lynch the sh*t score it deserved. Im with CoeusTitan, bring back Agent 47 already, and it better be a fresh new game not the same old crap since the first.

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Bleem360 - 760 days 14 hours ago

12 - No, I don't think...

...you can trust a site 100% which carries adverts.

Which is exactly the reason why my own site (www.xbox360wire.co.uk - shameless plug!) has a policy of 'No Adverts - Ever!'

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PirateThom - 760 days 13 hours ago

13 -

This is what everyone has been saying, but now it opens a can of worms... how many review sites have been paid off since the start of this gen to give average games good reviews?

What's the point in reviewing games if you're not going to give an honest opinion? Or worse, complain about the game in the review and then give it 10/10 knowing that's the only part the vast majority will read?

I think it's time to accept that the best reviews are going to come via word of mouth, demos and impartial (if there is such a thing), ad free blogs.

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rootEXT - 760 days 13 hours ago

14 - Simple Answer

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!! i play the demo or rent the game and i give it my personal review. i dont trust other peoples taste

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Andronix - 760 days 13 hours ago

15 - BOYCOTT THIS GAME.

OK, the facts need to be confirmed. But if a games writer is fired for giving an honest review, then the management have no ethics.

The website should be avoided. When we read reviews, we know that we might not always agree with the comments, or score. However as readers we TRUST the website/magazine that they are giving us their HONEST opinion.
Companies shouldnt treat consumers likes sh*t in a conspiracy of lies just to sell games.

I WONT BUY THIS GAME ON PRINCIPLE FOR THE THREAT IT POSES TO REVIEWER-READER TRUST.

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