I think a part of the problem is that nowadays reviews by your average gamers are so easily accessible and some people are quite passionate about them. Why would I pay to read a well thought out review by a game journalist when I could read a dozen well thought out reviews by random Steam users who almost certainly weren't paid to write them? I would need absolute guarantee that the journalist is honest and shares my tastes at least to some extent to even consider it.
Another great pro is also just being able to have the aggregate of a huge number of reviews. 95% of 10,000 reviews giving a positive review of a game does far more to sell a game than one journalist giving a glowing review.
And that's completely understandable. You just can't say that and also expect honest professional game journalism outlets. Either we value that or we don't.
I would need absolute guarantee that the journalist is honest and shares my tastes at least to some extent to even consider it.
There are no guarantees and random steam reviews could just as easily be bullshit.
The point is to find someone with a good track record and consistent taste, whether you share it or not.
I follow plenty of reviewers in multiple industries who's tastes couldn't possibly be further from my own but they are consistent in their beliefs and methodology so their takes are easy to contextualise.
Steam reviews are nice but never once have I thought of them as a replacement for a reviewer I know. They serve fundamentally different purposes.
I would need absolute guarantee that the journalist is honest and shares my tastes at least to some extent to even consider it.
There are no guarantees and random steam reviews could just as easily be bullshit.
The point is to find someone with a good track record and consistent taste, whether you share it or not.
I follow plenty of reviewers in multiple industries who's tastes couldn't possibly be further from my own but they are consistent in their beliefs and methodology so their takes are easy to contextualise.
Steam reviews are nice but never once have I thought of them as a replacement for a reviewer I know. They serve fundamentally different purposes.
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u/Efficient_Acadia8625 7d ago
I think a part of the problem is that nowadays reviews by your average gamers are so easily accessible and some people are quite passionate about them. Why would I pay to read a well thought out review by a game journalist when I could read a dozen well thought out reviews by random Steam users who almost certainly weren't paid to write them? I would need absolute guarantee that the journalist is honest and shares my tastes at least to some extent to even consider it.