Post by: Jonnyboy117 on August 27, 2007, 11:46:24 AM
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14303
You may have seen reviews for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption going up at some of the major websites yesterday and today. Unfortunately, Nintendo has decided that we and many other major websites are not worthy of joining the chorus of early praise for this game. You see, final review copies of the game were not shipped to the press last week, as is the normal practice at Nintendo and most other publishers. Nintendo decided, for some arcane reason that we may never know, to hold review copies of the game until this week. (We have been trying for two days to reach a representative and ask why this happened with such a major release, but we have been unable to get a comment from Nintendo's PR agency.) Those sites that have already published their reviews were given special "lock boxes" on which to play a reviewable burn of the game, before it was finished being manufactured at the disc factories. This means they have had two weeks to play through the game and write their reviews in time for the launch date. The rest of us were not so lucky as those select few. If Nintendo was worried about spoilers or anything else leaking, they could have simply put an embargo on coverage of the final retail copies, just as they did on the "lock box" versions. We have never broken a media embargo from Nintendo or any other company, and we never will.
We did finally get to start playing the game today, August 28th -- yes, the same day as all of you will be able to pick it up at the store. Playing at full breakneck speed and rushing through the writing/editing process, the soonest we could provide a review to our dear readers is probably Thursday. But you won't see a review on that day either, because we're going to do the job right and experience the game as it should be played -- the same way those "big guys" got to play it during the last two weeks. We thought it was bad when we didn't get Metroid Prime 2: Echoes until the Friday before release, giving us only two or three days to play the entire game and attempt to write a clear and fair review. The situation is much worse this time, and out of protest and sheer practicality, and because we'd like a chance to enjoy and experience the game rather than view it through a haze of Red Bull and self-imposed deadlines, we are going to take our time. To put it in a context that Nintendo and Retro Studios should understand very well, our review will be posted "when it's finished".
We don't want to come off as elitist or whiny just because we got the game the same day as all our readers. We strive to deliver our reviews as quickly as possible, preferably before or on the launch date for major titles. Unfortunately, Nintendo's actions have made that impossible for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. We just wanted to explain the delay, since we have had such extensive (and timely) coverage of this game for over two years preceding its release. Whether you're enjoying the game already or waiting to hear more before deciding to buy it, please check back this weekend for our non-rushed review.
Post by: King of Twitch on August 28, 2007, 06:54:13 PM
Screw them. No, make that Screw Attack em.
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on August 28, 2007, 06:57:53 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on August 28, 2007, 07:02:27 PM
This is sorta a joke post but seriously why does Nintendo do such blantantly dumb, OBVIOUS, easily avoided things. Even now when they're finally back in the saddle they're still the masters of doing dumb sh!t for no reason. Doing this seems to only have potential negative results and no potential postive ones. At best this accomplishes nothing and at worst pisses off some of their biggest supporters. SO WHAT SORT OF BRAINDEAD F*CKTARD WOULD EVER DO SUCH A THING?!
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on August 28, 2007, 07:07:41 PM
Post by: TheYoungerPlumber on August 28, 2007, 07:19:33 PM
Post by: Kairon on August 28, 2007, 07:29:41 PM
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 28, 2007, 07:57:36 PM
Post by: jayz79 on August 28, 2007, 08:43:24 PM
Quote
We don't want to come off as elitist or whiny just because we got the game the same day as all our readers. We strive to deliver our reviews as quickly as possible, preferably before or on the launch date for major titles. Unfortunately, Nintendo's actions have made that impossible for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. We just wanted to explain the delay, since we have had such extensive (and timely) coverage of this game for over two years preceding its release. Whether you're enjoying the game already or waiting to hear more before deciding to buy it, please check back this weekend for our non-rushed review.
Hmmm... while the sites might mean well for giving us this explanation but is it actually needed? You could have easily just posted impressions of the game which includes statements that you just got the review copy of the game. I together with my other friends also ran a fan site and are envy on sites like you that get review copies... I am just surprise with the explanation that is posted.
Again a article that you just got the game would be enough for your readers to understand why you don't have reviews up yet. It isn't like we will call in the Brotherhood of Nod to destroy NWR for not putting up a review early hehehe.
In summary, i am dissapointed on this article. For today NWR gets a thumbs down from me. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day
Post by: Ceric on August 28, 2007, 08:45:19 PM
Quote
I just wanted to let you know I don't like how you guys are jerking around your loyal review sites since Nintendo has become mainstream popular again. Heres the article for your reference http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14303
It just seems wrong. This is the community that has stuck with you though N64 and Gamecube. Not just the good times. Its already bad enough that Nintendo has bluntly come out and says that it will ignore the suggestions of its fans and the rewards program here in the States is a collective spit in the face. Even Europe has a better program, with Japan having the best. I mean NOA couldn't bother to bring over the minimal translation Bit series for the GBA which is only really selling strong in this territory now.
Don't take that as a compliment. The DS just overcame the Gamecube about 2 months ago. It had done that in other territories a long time before. What is really the salt in the wound is that the PR department want give a response on why this happened.
I know the strategy is now not to care about your fans and to grab a new pool but, sour milk makes for a bad cake.
I'm tired of sitting back so I'm now sending things to get ignored by customer service.
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on August 28, 2007, 09:03:35 PM
Post by: ThePerm on August 28, 2007, 09:56:55 PM
Post by: KDR_11k on August 28, 2007, 10:41:50 PM
Post by: Shecky on August 29, 2007, 12:34:09 AM
Post by: Mashiro on August 29, 2007, 12:48:31 AM
Post by: Mario on August 29, 2007, 01:26:15 AM
Post by: Nick DiMola on August 29, 2007, 04:04:51 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
I'm pretty sure everyone is going to buy it no matter what. I'm glad you guys aren't rushing the review
Totally true, however I'm a little annoyed by this situation for that exact reason. I'm sure Nintendo realizes that all of us will be buying the game anyway and aren't waiting on the review. But that is no damn excuse to turn a blind eye to your most loyal of fans. That pompous attitude is what got them in sh*t years ago and it will get them in sh*t again if they don't change there attitude.
Post by: Arbok on August 29, 2007, 05:40:07 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Perhaps something happened and Nintendo no longer trusts smaller sites to keep things secret. Yeah it may not be fair, but they may perceive it as safer.
Well Shacknews got an early copy... and I have never even heard of them before...
Anyway, it seems like a number of sites got early review access... just none of the Nintendo dedicated ones, which seems odd.
Post by: MegaByte on August 29, 2007, 06:12:04 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Anyway, it seems like a number of sites got early review access... just none of the Nintendo dedicated ones, which seems odd.
Actually, that's a trend I've noticed, particularly during the E3 press conference. Nintendo seems to be giving preferential treatment to more mainstream news outlets (and sometimes blogs) as part of their audience expansion program rather than the traditional Nintendo game sites. It's like they consider their previous fan base secured so that they don't have to spend the same amount of effort that they do with the general media and "the people." It's sad really, because with their increased success, they should easily have sufficient resources to keep all parties involved satisfied, but I'm afraid we're seeing the old Nintendo arrogance returning.
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on August 29, 2007, 06:22:46 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on August 29, 2007, 06:38:58 AM
The non-gamer focus affects us all.
Post by: that Baby guy on August 29, 2007, 06:49:42 AM
But yeah, they shouldn't have left out their non-profit lovers, either.
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 29, 2007, 08:05:50 AM
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on August 29, 2007, 08:51:30 AM
By the way, these late retail copies weren't just for Nintendo-only sites. It also happened to Wire's Game|Life, Kotaku, and lots of other places.
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 29, 2007, 09:06:27 AM
Post by: BigJim on August 29, 2007, 09:14:17 AM
Someone's dropping the ball amongst the marketing department chaos.
Post by: Pale on August 29, 2007, 09:53:29 AM
It's absolutely silly for publishers not to send review copies to every site that gets a reasonable amount of hits. Just the slight chance that they are going to mention it is enough reason to shell out the minute amount the pressing of the disc costs. That is why Kotaku and Wired get games when they don't officially review very many titles at all. If the editors of either site just put up one post that says "I threw in such and such game and was totally surprised how good it was." that has enough value to warrant sending them 50 games.
Take Penny Arcade for an example. Arguably the most popular video game related site on the Internet. I don't know if any of you caught Wired's recent article on them, but in part of it it talks about how they have a pile of games in the corner from publishers, much of which never really get played. Occasionally though, when they need a comic topic, they throw one in and see what they get. Then, as soon as one relatively obscure game get's a comic, sales are guaranteed to be higher than before. One great example, (though a lot of sites including NWR joined in hyping this game) is Puzzle Quest. They made a comic about it and talked a ton about it. That game sold through it's relatively small initial shipment EXTREMELY quickly. Taking this further, I'm not sure how many of you have seen the Eye of Judgement hype they have going on right now. That's based on play time at Comic Con, and I guarantee you they will be getting an early version of it. Publisher's can't pay for that type of hype.
So anyway, there is no reason for publishers not to send these discs out if they have them. About the only reason I think this particular case would make sense is if these suckers literally didn't come off the assembly line until Sunday because of some delay. That seems a little hard to believe though.
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 29, 2007, 10:05:56 AM
Post by: BwrJim! on August 29, 2007, 10:21:27 AM
they don't smile, they dont type, they dont even get to see that metroid fight....
hurt puppies arnt much fun...
Post by: Jome20 on August 29, 2007, 02:16:42 PM
And since it appears that NWR was not the ONLY site that missed out on getting an early copy of the game, I don't think it's anything personal to NWR and they shouldn't be offended or feel slighted.
There may be a possibility that the marketing relocation had something to do with this. I'm not sure who NWR works with when talking to Nintendo and getting early copies of games. But if it has anything to do with the marketing department / PR department than this definitely could have played a factor.
Overall, I hope that NWR doesn't take this incident and reflect on it while writing up their review. Although it's unfortunate, NWR should know that their audience won't be angry at them or stop going to this site just because they didn't have a MP3 review on day one.
Metroid Prime 3 is a great game, take your time and enjoy it. Then get that review to us when you've been able to soak it all up and enjoy the game.
Post by: BwrJim! on August 29, 2007, 02:24:49 PM
metroidiffic
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on August 29, 2007, 04:01:37 PM
Post by: 18 Days on August 29, 2007, 04:22:02 PM
Post by: Galford on August 29, 2007, 06:18:38 PM
NWR is the target audience for MP3.
What gives?
Post by: shammack on August 29, 2007, 11:56:19 PM
Post by: vudu on August 30, 2007, 06:47:10 AM
QuoteConfirmed: NWR is so unpopular Nintendo will make more money off the sale of the single game they would have given away as a review copy than by all the reviews/impressions said review copy would have generated.
Originally posted by: Pale
It's absolutely silly for publishers not to send review copies to every site that gets a reasonable amount of hits. Just the slight chance that they are going to mention it is enough reason to shell out the minute amount the pressing of the disc costs.
Post by: Ceric on September 10, 2007, 12:25:12 PM
Quote
Message(#6851-000607-2492\6072492)
Hello and thank you for contacting Nintendo,
We appreciate your bringing this issue to our attention. Your comments are important to Nintendo, so I will be happy to pass along your feedback to the appropriate personnel for further review. While we cannot respond directly to all forwarded feedback, I can assure you that your comments regarding this matter will be heard.
Sincerely,
Nintendo of America Inc.
Greg Hamilton
Nintendo's home page: http://www.nintendo.com/
Power Line (Automated Product Info): (425) 885-7529
I just got my response from Nintendo. I thought I share.
Post by: Shecky on September 10, 2007, 01:29:19 PM
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on September 10, 2007, 01:37:51 PM
Post by: Bill Aurion on September 10, 2007, 01:52:28 PM
Post by: NWR_pap64 on September 10, 2007, 02:05:08 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Bill Aurion
I blame it on Jonny's constant hate on NST...Yep, yep... =)
I think you mean Retro, Bill.
Post by: Bill Aurion on September 10, 2007, 02:11:41 PM
