190°

How to get the fabled review copies of games and become a reviewer.

"For anyone with a passion for games getting them for free sounds like a dream, and for myself getting to write about them as well was doubly so.
With my previous article on how to the these fabled free games proving so popular it made sense to write a new and better version compared to the hastily written previous one. So here we go."

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wolfsgamingblog.com
4953d ago Replies(1)
Sidology4953d ago

This isn't really for Joe Schmoe.

But being a reviewer isn't all about "HURR, FREE GAMES." Reps aren't going to want to deal with you if you're just some scab trying to score free games.

Your site has to encompass every aspect to reach as many people as possible.

Sidology4953d ago

That said, I think your article provides a lot of useful tips and gives a different insight to aspiring writers who may have been coming at it the wrong way.

I was real excited to get my first review copy (Lords of Shadow) just last month. Made sure I had my review done in five days.

Zinc4953d ago

So, ah... have you ever experienced someone literally saying, "Hurr.", in a sentence?

I only ask, because I'm interested.

ShadowJetX4953d ago

I do in fact happen to know people who've used such talk in real life situations. It doesn't make them look smart whatsoever.

Sidology4953d ago (Edited 4953d ago )

To answer your question, yes. Yes, I have.

Mockingly, most assuredly, but still.

guru95354953d ago

Its definitely not as easy as it sounds. Getting review copies takes some work. A blog or site takes a long time to build up the kind of traffic that most publishers want in order to send you their games.

I spend a decent amount of time on my site and we have a relationship with some of the big names, like Bethesda and Nintendo, but it's a job in itself keeping good relationships with publishers and my readers as well. Thats something a lot of the big sites seem to have lost hold of....responding to their readers questions.

250,000 hits a month is a pretty good amount of views. Sites like destructoid get between a million to two million a month, where IGN and Gamespot get over five million. My site hit 50,000 in it's first month, so we were still able to make some decent PR relationships, but we're still a work in progress....

While we're not trying to be the next IGN or gamespot, we've found a niche that works for us, in previewing and reviewing products and titles that the big sites ignore.

My advice to anyone out there is to have fun with it. Initially, don't go into it expecting to be the next big thing. It's great to get free games, but like this guy says, it's all about holding your end of the deal up, you've got to give a thorough review. Good luck.....good submission, I've read others like it, and this is pretty much the way to get started. Theres a few other pointers I'd give, but this is the basics.

vgn244953d ago

Sadly so many kids start up a wordpress or joomla blog (or worse CCMS) and think they'll be the next IGN within a month because they have 2 friends and they post as 8 different people on their new forums.

Suddenly they realize that hard work isn't fun and BAM - we have the hundreds and hundreds of dead and gone videogame sites littering the web.

Publishers (and the PR firms they use) know this and avoid "fly-by-night" and upstart blogs like the plague. Sadly this writer doesn't have a clue.

guru95354953d ago (Edited 4953d ago )

also, to those out there thinking that big sites need to give scores to certain games so they keep getting "free copies"....you're wrong. The big sites (like gamespot's parent co.) made over 400 million dollars last year. While it's true they need to get the copies early, they could care less if they get it for free and save $60.... if your yearly revenue is over $400 million, you're still going to get those review copies.....trust me on that....smaller sites need to get those copies for free, and they are going to (in some cases) stroke the developers ego and give a bad game a decent review, thinking that is going to keep them in good graces.

It's hit or miss and the best way in my opinion is to "Keep it real". Your readers will know if you're putting out BS reviews. If you gave Alpha Protocol an 8/10 or Crackdown 2 anything higher than an 8/10, when everyone, the developer included, knows that it was just a rehash of the first game, with actually less content...youre full of it.

Also, if you're going to run a site, learn how to use proper english, like using the word "too", "two" or "to".
I see big sites using those words wrong and it's pathetic.

xAlmostPro4952d ago

@trapperdan how does he not have a clue?

he pretty much stated what you did, that getting the blog is the easy part, but its not gonna happen overnight or anytime soon unless you have a real passion for games and are willing to put the work in..

maybe you should fully read it

Unbornkirkster194953d ago

First good article of the month, lets keep it going! I thought this was pretty interesting, i always wondered how you got a review copy of a game.

450°

Ubisoft say AC Shadows protagonists will be "romantically attracted to different types of people"

Ubisoft recently shared more details about Assassin's Creed Shadows protagonists, confirming that both of them will romantically attract and be attracted to different types of people.

Hugodastrevas2d ago

That should please everyone I'm sure...

RpgSama2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Feudal Japan DEI LGBTQ+ Samurai, sounds very accurate for the time period. Surely a decision made only with historical accuracy in mind.

Crows902d ago

Or even modern day accuracy.....

Lexreborn22d ago

You have no idea what you are talking about, bet you didn’t know nobunaga was bi-sexual. Or ran maru his is often depicted as androgynous was a “beautiful boy”.

So yeah, feudal Japan had tons of lgbtq and kawaii enough… A BLACK SAMURAI! All without the need of offending a Caucasian because the world is diverse.

VenomUK2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

This story has cracked me up so much! Bravo Ubisoft, bravo! 🤣. So last week everyone was upset that in the long-awaited first Assassin’s Creed: Japan game the protagonist is black. But NOW he is also LGBTQ+ ! It’s like the Ubisoft creative team sat around a table and said “How can we best impress our Kotaku/IGN/Polygon friends and antagonise gamers? Let’s make it woke x 100!’ And then they all silent clapped!

Just you wait until the Star Wars: Outlaws details come out, there better not be anybody complaining about Kay Vess’ dating preferences and the gay droid armies.

Christopher2d ago

It actually is.

Japanese were very Greek in their sexual experiences.

lodossrage2d ago

Lexreborn2 is right

Go read up on Japan's feudal era homosexuality and bisexuality was a very common thing in that time.

I just have to laugh because the same people complaining about this are the same ones crying about wanting "historical accuracy". When it's clear most of the whiners don't even know history themselves.

Christopher2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Facts don't care about downvotes, btw. You either claim to understand historical accuracy or you just admit you don't like the stuff people did throughout history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

thorstein1d 22h ago

Japan had no Christian stupidity about sexuality.

That's where your nonsensical puritanical view comes from: the Abraham's faiths.

It's feudal Japan, they don't believe in your religion's made up nonsense.

I mean, if you're going to embrace a particular viewpoint, you should at least be aware of where it comes from. Most of the world doesn't care about your ideals.

In those days, they certainly didn't care about your religion.

Get over yourself.

RpgSama1d 21h ago

All of you guys missed the point, I even said I'm very sure they did it ONLY because they wanted to be historically accurate. Stop defending this, we all know why they did it and who they want to pander, it's not out newfound respect for history.

lodossrage1d 20h ago

@RpgSama

Nobody is defending anything.

People are just pointing out the fact that after they just cried about the game not being historically accurate, when they SHOW they're accurate, they cry about it because they don't like certain parts of history

Not to mention you contradicted yourself RPGSama. You just pointed out you said they "ONLY because they wanted to be historically accurate". Then turn around and accuse them of pandering and/or having an agenda. Those two things are opposing statements

Cacabunga1d 18h ago

Dumbest decision ever.. always online was a pass for me but now not even for free I’ll try it..

LordoftheCritics1d 17h ago

It's made by Ubisoft Montreal.

Obviously we'll be allowed to bang anything that moves.

RiseNShine1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

Yeha pretty sure.

H91d 14h ago

People actually telling you that Japan had sexual deviancy which is correct however what's hilarious is that they will act as if it holds the same moral value that the LGBT community holds today, oh the things men used to say about themselves when they are attracted to other men, it's not empowering in the least bit

senorfartcushion1d 12h ago

It was more common to be attracted to the same sex before the crusades.

1d 9h ago
Tapani1d 9h ago

You are completely lost on Japanese history. Japan was one of the most liberal places in the world, and in many ways still is. You can slice and dice it from your western hubris and whatever point of view, but the reality is that history tells great stories about freedom of choice and people not being judgemental on this island. Also one of the reasons I want to raise my family here, no need to have those whatever Western woke bullshit here, because everyone just respects each other without using all that nonsense.

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CrimsonWing692d ago

Geezus, just make a good game… holy sh*t this is becoming insufferable.

Crows902d ago

Oh yeah!!!! What about being inclusive???

I'm sorry
..please replace the word inclusive with stupid.

Hofstaderman2d ago

You asking UbiSoft to make a good game? This is not 2002.

thorstein1d 22h ago

I thought you crybabies wanted "historical accuracy." Now that your going to get it, you're going to cry more.

PRIMORDUS1d 22h ago

It's past the point of retarded, everyone seems forced to do this bullshit now in games. 😑

Barlos1d 16h ago

Hell no. A good game or film is secondary now to the agenda and the 'message'.

It's not enough to be simply entertained these days, there has to be an overarching real world narrative. I mean look at Dr Who as a recent example. Disney have completely destroyed it all in the name of 'diversity'.

senorfartcushion1d 12h ago

You sound like you don't have a very active sex life ,😅

CrimsonWing691d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

Are you projecting? 😝

senorfartcushion1d 11h ago

It's the only thing that explains the incel crap. They can't simply be angry virgins who don't get any, so then a lack of a sex life i.e. a dad of three or something, is also a good additional explanation. They're either lonely and don't get any or too busy to get any. There's a horrible news for sexual control with incels, and they're angry because they simply aren't the right people to achieve that control. They're weaker animals.

notachance1d 10h ago

dude’s too busy commenting on other people’s sex life to actually stay on topic.

That or he’s angry but didn’t have half the brain needed to refute back so he went for the classic ad hominem fallacy.

senorfartcushion1d 9h ago

Notachance

It's a fact that remains true. The only way it can't be true is if humans were not greedy and heavily reliant on procreation.

Your username is fitting.

CrimsonWing691d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

dude, let’s be real, you’re on a video game news site going into the comments section and taking time out of your life to go to war with people you think don’t f*ck. You sound as much of a virgin as any incel does.

Let’s be real, bub you’re just as pathetic as the rest of them. Anyone who would look at this who doesn’t waste their time on a video game news site or video games in general probably thinks the only thing you f*ck is your crusty ass pillow.

C’mon, man. Anyone who f*cks doesn’t immediately go into a comment section claiming others have no sex life. It’s just one of those things if you are getting your d*ck wet. It just comes off like you’re projecting in hopes to god nobody figures out you can’t get any, so you try to flex, even though you’re completely full of sh*t.

I mean, that’s the only thing that makes sense to me 😅.

senorfartcushion14h ago

I'm engaged without children - I'm doing just fine.

This is just nerd sites now. Users are just so angry and for basically the same reasons. Most people go through phases with this type of stuff but it's scary seeing the same attitudes being regurgitated over and over again. From what I've seen it's a strange mix of sexual frustration, lack of proper financing and the need to have 100% control over both so that they aren't taken away from the users.

CrimsonWing696h ago

@fartcushion

Look, man, people are allowed to have opinions and show frustration with stuff. It has no bearing on them not getting sex or not making money.

I have no idea how people commenting on being tired of hearing about SJW sh*t being shown in the spotlight like some carnival sideshow where publishers are wanting some pat on the back for means they’re financially unstable and don’t have a sexual relationship.

What, are you on the spectrum? Like how do you come to that conclusion and make multiple responses to the discourse with “virgin alert” or “you need to have sex?” That right there is kind of sus to me.

I don’t know in what world you lived in where this hasn’t been a nerd site, but people are allowed to comment their thoughts on things and still have relationships. You’re just as much of a nerd as everyone in here.

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Hofstaderman2d ago

I take my hat off to you good sir. Brilliant.

Laskin2d ago

Thanks… I was originally going to write Samu-Bi but then I realized it was right there already so it works better

darthv722d ago

Is that genuinely a selling point for people?

RpgSama2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

They sure as hell want to see if it is, time and time and time again.

VincentVanBro2d ago

You have to understand they’re incapable of writing a good story so this is the best they could come up with

thorstein1d 22h ago

Well, after last weeks crying about historical accuracy. Now Ubi days, " Oh, okay, historical accuracy: here you go."

Now you're saying you don't want the accuracy? Can you guys just make up your minds?

1d 20h ago
notatallsurprisinggg1d 20h ago

It's a genuine click-bait snippet to rile up people like you to push traffic.

1d 17h ago
1d 16h ago
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80°

There are no "thoughtful" ads in video games, EA

There are no thoughtful ads in Video Games, EA. Leave them be.

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videogamer.com
northpaws8d ago

I think the only type of games that can gets away with it would be sport games, having those sponsors ads on the side like on real life.

But don't put freaking Doritos ads in Star Wars or something, it breaks the immersion. If it is a pop-up ads, then big no.

Hofstaderman8d ago

EA can thoughtfully eff themselves.

Makersbreath28d ago

EA coming back for the crown of being perceived as the worst company in gaming.

Chocoburger7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

One of my favorite series is the THPS franchise, and it was packed with ads, but it didn't bother me. Posters for skateboard companies, JEEP, and Nokia phones. It did sort of fit in with the game world, but that was the past, these days ad would be intentionally intrusive or unskippable loading screen type of imagery. Ugh, I know EA would do it in a horrible fashion. Screw them.

210°

Ubisoft to Focus on "Return to Leadership" in Open World Genre, Expand Live Service Experiences

Ubisoft says they are focusing on two "core verticals," and that's to return as a leader in the open world genre, and live service games.

enkiduxiv10d ago

Calling Ubisoft a leader in open world gaming at any point in time would be like calling Dollar General a leader in retail.

excaliburps9d ago

Well, to be fair, they did pump out good open world games before. It was used as a template so much that people now know what it means when you say it's like an Ubi open world collectahon.

shinoff21839d ago

What though? I can't think of one game they had where I liked anything about it. Atleast since the ps3/360 Gen

Kornholic9d ago

If they have never been the leader in open world gaming, then explain me this: why does almost every open world game follow the same tired old Ubisoft open world formula?

Follow the Leader.

Aphrodia9d ago

YO dont' talk bad about the General. There'll be problems...

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isarai10d ago

You were never the leader bro 🤣

shinoff218310d ago (Edited 10d ago )

I don't think they were ever the leader tbh. I've never really cared for any of their open world games. I do wanna try watch dogs 2 because it looks like it's set in San Fran. Looked interesting

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