[Ninth]

Originally Posted by Jackal

We've discussed ideas like these before, and while we haven't ruled them out, we're just in no position to implement them any time soon. And before anyone says how simple it would be, I'll remind them that ideas are ALWAYS simple on paper.

Okay. Till next year, then.

Originally Posted by Jackal

To address the alternate opinion idea, I just want to say that two opinions equal twice the subjectivity, not some kind of magically balancing objectivity. And as has been noted, we try to address issues of subjectivity in the reviews, which is rarely present in second opinions.

I don't think that subjectivity adds up. If three persons (who are used to write review) says a game is great, I'll tend to believe them, but if they're opinion differ considerably, I'll know I need to investigate more.
I ran into a bunch of reviews I couldn't disagree more with, that either said a game suck without pointing out the qualities, or that it's great, without pointing out the flaws. For example, I've seen many reviews of Fahrenheit that don't mention the Simon thing, which is in my opinion its greatest flaw. Even a professional reviewer is only a man, and alternate views help put his perspective into... perspective. It's easy to be blind to the failings of a game that one loves.

Originally Posted by Jackal

Then there are credibility factors - our reviewers must COMPLETE a game before writing a review. I'd wager money that many second opinions you read are not based on finished games. Is that fair? I lost count of how many people raved about what a fantastic demo Fahrenheit had, or how great it was for the first few hours. I'd sure be leery of a second opinion based solely on that.

I wouldn't. Not if I considered a review as the official, and serious, stance, and alternate opinions as means to help recalibrating it.

Originally Posted by Jackal

No, we don't JUST play games we get for free, but we can hardly demand staff buy games to offer a second opinion. And a second opinion either comes with the review, or it's worthless. The fact is, there just aren't that many of us, and sometimes finding ONE reviewer is hard enough, let alone a couple others.

EDIT (after Ninth's new post): No, the second opinions couldn't just be sporadic (in practice). That'd be incredibly sloppy.

You see it as floppy, because you want to be as serious as possible as an editor, but I'm pretty sure people would forgive a teeny bit of sloppiness that would help them figure out the game.

Originally Posted by Jackal

The other suggestions are even more problematic, so I won't address them unless someone really feels slighted.

I'm really curious on what would be problematic in adding a forum poll to provide alternative grades, so if you feel like addressing that even though I don't feel slighted in the slightest... be my guest.

Originally Posted by Jackal

I'm... intrigued by the comments here, though. I'm seeing requests for summarized opinions for essentially the very reasons we write the reviews. Namely, to clarify potentially misleading information based solely on one person's score with pros and cons.

What I'm suggesting and what reviews are about is basically about the same thing, yes, but it's a different way to address this issue. As I said, I'm not fond of reviews in general; I'd rather read small summaries, and preferably have alternate opinions. Or even better, have review and alternate opinions, and all in the same place (as opposed to having to survey all the adventure sites).