SydLexia.com - The Forums :: View topic

Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:05 am

Somehow, I got on EA's mailing list for video game press media, and every so often I get offers from them. I was invited to a Dead Space press event in NYC, which I would have attended if the notice hadn't been so short and recently they've been pimping BattleForge, their new online CCG for the PC. I got an e-mail yesterday offering me a free copy of the game for review if I replied by the end of the day. Unfortunately, the e-mail came at 1:30, and I worked 7:30 - 7 yesterday, after which point I came home, had dinner, watched LOST, and passed the fuck out, not seeing the e-mail until this morning.

But the question is this: should I be more seriously pursuing a press relationship with EA?

On the one hand, FREE STUFF! On the other hand, if I accept free stuff from them, I am obligated to review it, and reviews of current games was never part of vision for SydLexia.com. Still, beginning an active relationship with a game publisher is a step towards legitimacy, a step towards being on Wikipedia, and a step towards my ultimate goal of getting free shit from Nintendo.

A Dead Space prequel for the Wii is due out in Q3, and EA will almost certainly pimp that in my direction in one way or another in the coming months. When they do, should I go for it? What are people's thoughts on this?

Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:15 am

Syd Lexia wrote:

[...] and a step towards my ultimate goal of getting free shit from Nintendo.

If it's going toward your ultimate goal, then who are we to say anything? Since you asked, I'll say something anyway:

Go for it!

I mean, why not? It'll get this site out there more, you'll get free stuff, and if you get in with EA, you can probably nudge yourself in to other smaller companies as well, while working yourself up to Nintendo™ status.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Syd,

Free stuff shouldn't be the reason to go for it, but a louder voice for someone who has something of worth to say is a good thing. Be honest, say things how you feel they should be said, and don't kiss anyone's ass. That is why your community respects you, and why you can respect yourself.

You don't owe us anything. If you will enjoy writing about current games then by all means please enjoy the life you have been given. I would hate to think that your community would hold you back from pursuing a happy path.

I vote, go for it!

Title: Titlating Joined: Dec 17 2007 Posts: 5042

I say go for it, maybe set up a sister to the site to post current reviews

Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:40 am

GPFontaine wrote:

Syd,

Free stuff shouldn't be the reason to go for it, but a louder voice for someone who has something of worth to say is a good thing. Be honest, say things how you feel they should be said, and don't kiss anyone's ass. That is why your community respects you, and why you can respect yourself.

You don't owe us anything. If you will enjoy writing about current games then by all means please enjoy the life you have been given. I would hate to think that your community would hold you back from pursuing a happy path.

I vote, go for it!

IMO GP eloquently summed up the thoughts of the community in this post, this is exactly how I feel and how fellow Sydlexians should as well.

That is very exciting news for you Syd, good work.

You are great at reviewing in general and as usual we will all be here (for better or worse) to give you feedback.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

Yeah, it might be a small deviation from the theme of the site, but it serves the ultimate goal of having a bigger stage for your main content. Plus, free stuff is nice, and life is too short not to enjoy yourself.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:47 am

This is a happy thread.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:54 am

Did they specify or do you think they will specify the way the review has to be presented on the site? If you can simply create another subdomain where you review more recent stuff, I don't see a reason not to do it. Adding another section to the site would have the added benefit of signaling to other companies like Nintendo that this is not purely a nostalgia site and that inquiries to review their games are welcome.

Even if they insist that your review of their game be prominently featured on the main site, that's not really something that should deter you from taking the opportunity.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 12:02 pm

Don't EVER be beholden to ANYONE'S vision, Syd. Not even your own. It might not be part of the "original vision" for the site, but you know what? Fuck it, frankley. Not, you understand, that I have *any* problem with your vision for this site, or how it is now. But things (even the best things) have to grow and evolve. If they didn't, America would still be a British colony, and humans would still be swinging around in trees.

Personally, I think this is too big an opportunity not to at least try on for size. If it doesn't work and you hate it, you can always stop; not like you're gonna be signing a contract with them. The absolute worst that can happen is that they stop sending free stuff, and even then you'll have had a bunch offree publicity in the meantime.

If you don't want the reviews in the same place as your pop culture articles though, maybe you could consider something like a "Syd's reviews" forum, and you can link to your reviews from the News page, or something like that. Either way, no one's going to fault you or call you a sellout for following up on something like this. And if they do, I promise that I will personally kick every single one of their asses for you.

Go for it, Syd. Go forth and conquer!! Cheers!

Posted: Mar 19 2009 03:05 pm

Yeah, I'd say it's worth a go myself, for as long as you can stand it, at least.

Joined: Apr 09 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3112

Hell, you can always just make a seperate blog or site for it, or maybe just make it part of your newsposts. Or just give me the game to review.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 06:53 pm

Just make a subdomain such as "videogames.sydlexia.com" that you can use to review material on.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 07:17 pm

Knyte wrote:

Just make a subdomain such as "videogames.sydlexia.com" that you can use to review material on.

I'd say that would be the best option, with a link on the sidebar at the top of the page. That way, you can have the front page for your typical content and still be able to review new games and fulfill your obligation, and such. Everyone's happy.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 08:21 pm

I agree with the sidebar thing, but more importantly..

You watch LOST?

Wait, okay, no, not what I meant. What I meant is can you handle it? You'll have a lot more work to do, and you can only milk Vald's old articles for so long.

And even more importantly.. do you want to do it?

Title: Titlating Joined: Dec 17 2007 Posts: 5042

Knyte wrote:

Just make a subdomain such as "videogames.sydlexia.com" that you can use to review material on.

boy that idea sounds familiar i wonder why Mad

Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:32 pm

GPFontaine wrote:

...and don't kiss anyone's ass.

This is key. My only concern with this is that you might be obligated to write good reviews, regardless of the actual quality. But other than that, go for it! Smile

Posted: Mar 20 2009 12:50 am

Short and simple: Yes, if I were you, I would do it.

Posted: Mar 20 2009 12:53 am

do it. if it compromises your values too much, just quit doing it. as long as they dont make you sign some f'd up contract, you stand to gain much and lose very little. maybe soon after, they might even ask you to beta test games. i have a friend who alpha (or is it beta) tested RA3 + the expand. paid for his ticket and hotel and everything.