• 1Dec 07

  Gerstmann Termination

  Gamespot is one of the biggest gaming sites on the net because of it's history of editorial integrity and reliable reviews. I can get game news and downloads from many other places. The reviews and features are what kept me coming back here, year after year. Whilst I sometimes didn't like Jeffs style (I think Rich was a better presenter for the video content) I always respected his capacity as a reviewer.

  The management at CNET have been grossly arrogant. Their advertisers only want to buy adverts because so many people visit the site. I only regularly visit sites I feel I can trust. In one act they've thrown away over 10 years work building trust in the Gamespot brand. At first I didn't believe that CNET would shoot themselves in the foot this badly, however the fact the Kayne and Lynch video review has been pulled and the total absence of any proper response from CNET over this debacle confirms the penny arcade story in my mind.

  Truth be told I've thought that things were going downhill since the great staff exodus of the last 18 months GregK, GregM, Carrie, Rich, Bob - all core, high profile, team members. Their departures left me thinking something must be going rotten behind the scenes at CNET. The manner of Jeffs departure is just the icing on the turd. My Total Access subscription is cancelled (it'll expire next July, unfortunately it doesn't seem possible to get a pro-rata refund on the remaining 8 months) and I won't be back here often.

  • Posted Dec 1, 2007 6:15 am PT
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• 21Dec 06

  Never had it so good?

  Recently I started building a wish list on Amazon of PC games I might want to play over the winter. As I did I got more and more surprised at the prices of the games. It used to take 18 months for a game to dramatically drop in price. Now it seems that within 6 months most games can be had for £5-£10, new ($10-$20).
  
  Have we never had it so good or does this indicate total desperation from retailers unable to sell even well reviewed games? I remember a time when PC games were £39.99, I rejoiced when average prices fell to around £29.99 but now I'm a little worried. Is anyone except Blizzard making money out of PC games?
  
  Whilst happy I can point indecisive relatives to very reasonably priced gifts, is this a portend of problems to come? There have been a good crop of PC games this year but if these price points continue will there be enough incentive for developers to make more top class PC games in the future?
  • Posted Dec 21, 2006 2:52 am PT
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• 5Dec 06

  Psychonauts.

  I bought this based on the good review it recieved and the apparent obsession Carries Gouskos has with the game. My first attempt at playing didn't go too well. Coming from other platformers like Prince of Persia that hold you to a linear path from the outset I felt a little lost in the relatively open world of the "campsite" you initially find yourself in (though I've felt quite at home in other far more open games such as Oblivion or GTA). I put the game aside for a few months.
  
  I've just picked it up again and I'm puzzled as to why I had problems the first time. This game rocks! I think it's a question of being in the right mindset when I play. I'm only about 1/3 through and really enjoying the experience.
  
  • Posted Dec 5, 2006 10:00 am PT
  • Category: Games
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