EDGE 150 Reviews

[averybluemonkey]

Given how many ghost writers are out there there must be a fair few who prefer money to recognition.

[fishbowlhead]

Writers deserve to be credited, and most if not all would agree with this statement. You said EDGE were doing the right thing by not crediting writers (quote: "good on them"). Ergo, my generalisation that writers are not going to like you for thinking this. It's not about maturity; no one who writes for a profession is going to pat you on the back and say: "Well done fishbowlhead for siding with those who wish to keep us down."

This video is more about the problem of paying the writers, rather than crediting them, but the sentiment is the same. Writers seldom if ever get what they're due. As he says, companies always want to pay the writer as little as possible, many write for free, and no one wants to credit the writer either. And, as Harlan points out, there's the problem that several places can't even be bothered to send you a complimentary copy of whatever you've contributed to*.

****, I actually hate writing.




* In fairness, Strider has always been very good about providing his writers with complimentary copies - I'm just talking in general.

When i said "good on them", i meant that it was good the magazine has been so consistent for so long, and kept its writing style the same all these years, since its inception, and still kept itself relevant. So i think you have taken that a little out of context there. Some of us like that particular publication the way it is, for what it is.

As for credit and getting whats due. I run my own business and fully understand where your coming from. I work 7 days a week (i havent had a full day off since last october) the days I've had off amount to 1.5 days in half days since then and i spend every waking moment scraping together wages for people that think their entitled to ten times the amount, and constantly whinge behind your back about how unfair life is and how badly they are treated (when in reality they are actually treated quite well). So you'll forgive me for not having the deepest sympathy for articles, stories etc that dont have your name on. You deserve to get paid accordingly on work that you have done however, and you should also get copies of the work you have contributed towards, be it magazines, posters, dvds, cd etc, thats just good manners.


Anyway, its a glorious day outside, lets all enjoy it (well i wont as i have to work yet again) but everyone else should.

[Adam Stone]

This is turning out to be an interesting discussion :-)

Of course much like everything, there is no clear right or wrong here, but I, much like fishbowl, say, 'good on them'. Edge have been consistantly well-written and portray that one, singular Edge style. It must take a strict editorial team to do so and i applaud that.

Also personally i like how there isn't an obvious sense of ego. I think about all the levels i make, all the environments that i pretty or the scripts that i write or the lighting tones that i create or whatever, and i wouldnt dream about stamping my name on them.... It is all part of the whole that i'm helping to create, that one singular stamp of quality. To me the personal satisfaction is enough and I think maybe the writers at Edge think the same, otherwise they wouldnt be there. In my opinion that attitute from the Edge writers is very admirable because not everyone can think so selfishlessly and that's why i say good on them.

Also, actually working in the industry, yes, Edge do hold a lot of respect from us developers and, in my opinion, rightfully so. One of the reasons why is because of this very reason we're discussing.

Like i said, there's no right or wrong, and as others have said, in many cases its great having the personal touch by getting to know each writer and their own unique style, yet equally its great to see a consistant quality , an established style that has been crafted and moulded by one singular voice. It's very hard to get that right and i think they've nailed it, so good on em.

[ETC]

This is turning out to be an interesting discussion :-)

Of course much like everything, there is no clear right or wrong here, but I, much like fishbowl, say, 'good on them'. I always liked how Edge aspire to a singular voice and it shows in the quality in their reviews. That quality is debatable but they all are consistantly well-written and portray that Edge tone. It must take a strict editorial team to do so and i applaud that.

Also personally i like how there isn't an obvious sense of ego. I think about all the levels i make, all the environments that i pretty or the scripts that i write or the lighting tones that i create or whatever, and i wouldnt dream about stamping my name on them.... It is all part of the whole that i'm helping to create, that one singular stamp of quality. To me the personal satisfaction is enough and I think maybe the writers at Edge think the same, otherwise they wouldnt be there. In my opinion that attitute from the Edge writers is very admirable because not everyone can think so selfishlessly and that's why i say good on them.

Also, actually working in the industry, yes, Edge do hold a lot of respect from us developers and, in my opinion, rightfully so. One of the reasons why is because of this very reason we're discussing.

Like i said, there's no right or wrong, and as others have said, in many cases its great having the personal touch by getting to know each writer and their own unique style, yet equally its great to see a consistant quality , an established style that has been crafted and moulded by one singular voice. It's very hard to get that right and i think they've nailed it, so good on em.

I would say giving Ridge Racer Unbounded a 9/10 is more a hiding behind a veil of annoninimity than a selfless collective opinion

Ill be honest though I stopped reading Edge a while back mainly due to prefering the writing style of Games TM, simple as that for me really my expectations of what I like when I play dont match Edge hence I dont read it but I can appreciate the quality of the prose pretentious though it is

[Adam Stone]

That's my point! :-)

You know what you like, and what you dont like. You prefer one writing style over the next. That's what makes it so brilliant - it's like an art style, or a song tone, or a music type.

The thing is review scores dont mean as much as people seem to think they do, they honestly truly do not. So of course, a review is still one man's opinion, for better or for worse, but how it is written, how it is portayed so consistantly is what gives Edge their 'voice'.

[ETC]

That's my point! :-)

You know what you like, and what you dont like. You prefer one writing style over the next. That's what makes it so brilliant - it's like an art style, or a song tone, or a music type.

The thing is review scores dont mean as much as people seem to think they do, they honestly truly do not. So of course, a review is still one man's opinion, for better or for worse, but how it is written, how it is portayed so consistantly is what gives Edge their 'voice'.

I wasnt bashing your point bud

I know the scores dont mean much either just having a lil joke

Im pretty sure I cant comment on the review writing quality with someone who has seen the dross drafts I can put out

[Adam Stone]

haha, i know man :-)