Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

November 25, 2008

When last we looked in on Eidos, it was over a little episode that came to be known as GerstmannGate.

The UK game publisher's ham-handed attempt to manipulate GameSpot's Kane & Lynch review scores unfairly cost long time journo Jeff Gerstmann his editor position and nearly brought the site down as outraged veteran staffers bailed one after another.

Recent reports indicate that Eidos is up to its old tricks, this time in regard to Tomb Raider: Underworld. Naturally, the Penny Arcade crew can't resist making Eidos the star of its latest cartoon.

Hit the link for the full version of The Truth is the New Lie...

Comments

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by JustChris on Wed, 11/26/2008 - 12:45.

Frankly, I think anyone outside of Penny Arcade, this site, or the Gamespot community actually cared much about Jeff Gerstmann's deal with Eidos, much less remember what it was.

GameSnooper

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Faceless Clock on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 21:02.

Eidos really is quite scummy sometimes. I'm trying to think of any games they've made recently that I've enjoyed. I'm having a hard time thinking of one.

The Honest Game - http://www.thehonestgame.org

The Honest Game - http://www.thehonestgame.org

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Shahab on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 19:38.
This is why I pirate everything I "own".j/k ;)

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Mr. Stodern on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 18:32.

This is why I don't read reviews. Ever. Anything I want to know about a game, online I go. Or I ask a friend who has said game.

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Arell on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 14:44.

For anyone that didn't read up on the issue (the comic doesn't really explain), Eidos didn't tell them how to rate the game this time.  Instead, a PR man for Eidos set out a email to review sites "demanding" that any score lower than an 8/10 should not be posted until Monday (after the game had been on sale for 3 days already).  He, of course, couldn't force them to hold back, since the agreement for early copies of the game only restricted reviews before Wednesday of the previous week (right before the game went on sale).  But he claimed he was in the right to ask this of them, because he wanted to manage the scores in a way that was favorable to his company.  He was a douche, but he was honest about it.

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by KN on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 13:37.

 o good he stopped drawing THE TEETH

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Shadow D. Darkman on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 13:07.

What is Eidos? A miserable little pile of bigots! But enough talk. Have at you!

(Castlevania SotN FTW!)

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Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Chaltab on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 11:51.

Dear Eidos: 

Here's a novel idea. If you want great review scores, MAKE A GREAT GAME. Don't try and manipulate review scores to say what you want them to.

Thanks for your time.

If you go crazy then I will still call you Superman.

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Father Time on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 14:50.

Hey man Eidos can still make some great games. Ever played Blood Money?

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Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Derovius on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 10:08.

 I've not trusted Gamespot for a long while, they were at best a good place to get some cheats back in the day. Now they are advert'ed up the ass and I can't stand those intermittent full screeners you have to click your way out of. I can only hope their greed digs them a nice deep pit to fall and die in, metaphorically speaking.

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by sqlrob on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 13:54.

There's advertisements on Gamespot?

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by ConnorM5 on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 09:44.

It's pretty sad that we cant get an honest review. I hate renting games, I have to buy the game and have there on my shelf, and I think it's a damn shame that my sixty bucks could be going to whichever publisher paid the magazine or website the highest. Especially when the game isn't even worth $20.

 

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"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedom

******************** "Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedom

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by JB on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 08:12.

I don't think I've ever let a "review" determine what game I will or will not buy. The only opinion that matters is usually your own - which is why I love demos and consumer gameplay videos on youtube. There's too much manipulation in reviews and this is just more evidence of it.

"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by DeepThorn on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 08:52.


Yeah, I go off of player reviews instead of staff reviews, and my own judgment,

I posted a review for Madden on GameSpot and they deleted it giving off a BS reason.  They didn't like how I was comparing it to the last version of the game or some crap like that.  It is pretty hard not to when all they did is change the lighting and some textures, with no real additional gameplay or anything else worth a hoot.

---
Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls

Nido Web Flash Tutorials AS2 and AS3 Tutorials for anyone interested.
How to set Xbox 360 Parental Controls

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Bill on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 09:32.

I usually play a demo or rent before I buy.  I do read reviews and I'm sure they have a subconscious effect on my decision to buy or not, but usually a review (or reviews) alone isn't enough for a purchase.

Re: Penny Arcade Lampoons Eidos' Latest Media Manipulation

Submitted by Wolvenmoon on Tue, 11/25/2008 - 12:24.

Good luck, they're attacking rentals and demos too now. Make sure you review every game you can and post up on amazon, newegg, etc. Most companies attacking rentals and demos are releasing crap games.

 
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E. Zachary Knight: I have no idea who either of those people are. However, I still don't see why making a business out of creating let's play videos is somehow evil or wrong.05/17/2013 - 8:04am
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