There’s nice coffee? I say that as someone who’s actually been brought to the brink of tears by having to choke down 2 cups of the stuff today.

Maybe we should follow the Joystiq model, and give away any free copies we get? After reviewing, of course.

Am I the only one disturbed by the box within a box, that was mailed to Wardrox in a box? Environmental existential meltdown! Urgh!

Put your conscience at ease Wardrox. Burn some cash equal to the amount of the RRP of Let’s Tap.

Damn Sega.

Hm… the issue with SEGA could be easilly solved. Just send the copy off to Pyroph or NJ or someone, and have them review it. Because SEGA can’t prove that you sent your copy of the game to someone on the staff, and someone on the staff just so happens to review the game, then they can’t say anything… or, just write up the review, and have someone else post it :D

That’s one dusty tower, messy sod!

Trade in free game and use funds to buy another game which you then review.

You can believe that the guys that write for the other game sites get plenty of perks, and we all know that you can indeed buy a better game review.

If you are growing a business then you will take the bribes and more, if you are a writer with integrity, then you wont, but if you are the editor-in-chief then you have to balance the whole trip.

I dont know what the fuck to do if you are all three…

I barely check out many reviews. Generally the sites I do check are ones by people who buy the games, I’ve mainly given up on the rest except for cursory glances, or in the case of Game Trailers (which I rarely check), some actual game footage so I can see what the reviewer means (more sites should do that, with at least an accompanying video to a review – but sadly it’s a lot of work, and making both text and video reviews at the same time are difficult).

Um, so anyway, I think Negab is right – business side, it helps to get preview and review copies, and that is what the “review industry” for lack of a better word is based around, while there is a growing niche for a more informed, at-release review for those who haven’t pre-ordered it or who won’t buy it immediately despite being a sequel ;)

Maybe you could do a quick editorial or investigation piece – um, if you do them here at all, I can’t remember – asking various review places where they get their games, and if getting pre-release ones influences anything (timing of reviews at a minimum!), and finally what they’d suggest to you. Unless you dislike them all for being sell outs in the first place, hah, which might not be a bad idea to start with if you’re asking this in the first place ;)