Back to the review scoring system

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codemonkey

So it seems a bit of you are totally with the "no scores, let them read" scheme (if your confused, read the blog below).  Others highly disagree with this method, stating that it does indeed help (esp. if you really have no interest in the game).

So, perhaps we can adjust the voting scheme to fall a bit into the compromise arena.  So rather then having something like:

Graphics: 5/10
Sound:     4/10
Game Play: 10/10
Replay Value: 8/10

To something like a few people suggested (including people not commenting in the last blog), a one line score.  I was thinking, much like the game reviews in Playboy Magazine, where they just use little bunnies to represent how good the game is... except we could use controllers or something.  So 1 controller would mean stay away, 3 would mean good rental, and 5 would mean BUY NOW.

Yeah? That way, if you want the details you read the article which typically covers game play, fun, graphics, etc.  If you just wanna glance down because you trust the authors opinion and he gives it 3 controllers then you know its only a "so so" game.

Any thoughts?


CodeMonkey

Comments (5)

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SirPoonga·
Maybe a method like the old G4 show Judgement Day did. They summarized with a score and pro and cons. Or maybe a simple summary like \"dont get it, rent it, buy it\" will do. Just something to compare how you expected the game to score. If it didnt score with what you expected you are going to read the article to find out why.
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SamBrick·
There is a magazine called EDGE magazine which has been running for about 10 or 15 years and is the industry standard for developers. Its quite hard to get in the US but some Barnes and Nobles stores do stock it. Their review system is really effective and very different to 99% of the garbage that is out there.\r \r They review games out of 10. A single score for an overall rating. In all their issues only 3 games have ever scored a 10. These are Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64 and Halo. A game scoring a 7 is a decent, solid game. Its, how i feel, games should be judged instead of every game scoring around 90% because publishers influence the magazines. Anyway, this kind of system requires a bit of front loading to set expectations in the readership but overall I think its a great system. Anyway, my 2 cents :-) Good luck with whatever you decide to go for....
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Brad·
I think its better to look at all the aspects of next generation gaming and judge each one. I am all for separate scores for graphics, sound, playability, online satisfaction, story, voice acting, load times, jewel case art design, and smell. Of course, we dont need to use all of them - but at least 4 would make a solid all-around review. These games nowadays have many levels and aspects, and just one score would only encompass if it is fun and entertaining or not... but theres more to it in reality. Whats wrong with saying a game has fantastic graphics (9/10) but a crappy story (4/10) and janky online modes (3/10). That makes a 5/10 game and explains why it got that score.
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bunsen27·
You mean you actually read Playboy for the game reviews?! ;) Im in favor of the non-numeric ratings scale of pass/rent/buy.
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codemonkey·
PASS|RENT|BUY works for me. Ill have to get the artist to draw up some icons for em, people like pretty pictures.