[RPG]: Dark Stars, reviewed by indra (2/4)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/10/10721.phtml

Daniel Bayn's Summary:

Cthulhu... in SPAAAACE!!!

Go to the full review for more information.

Post originally by Tyler Adams at 2004-10-25 08:00:29
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that is available for sale? This seems more like a commercial than a review. It even includes a little blurb on where and how to purchase the work. I know that RPGnet doesn't have a policy against such a thing. I'm wondering if they should.

Post originally by Niall at 2004-10-25 08:12:33
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I agree, particularly when the review is piss-poor in any case, failing even as a commercial

Post originally by Ezekiel Black at 2004-10-25 08:26:48
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Niall wrote:
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I agree, particularly when the review is piss-poor in any case, failing even as a commercial
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Dunno if I'd call it piss-poor, but it is short and doesn't justify it's cost, so I suppose I agree on those counts.

Authors could review their own work, and I'm glad he was up front about it, but it doesn't really give an unbiased gamer's opinion, just the opinion of the guy who wrote the book.

If he saw anything wrong with it, he would have changed it, thus he definately automatically believes it to be a superior work because it's finished.

I don't like the idea of inherantly biased reviews.

Post originally by Clint Krause at 2004-10-25 09:13:28
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I don't see the problem. Dan makes it incredibly clear that it is a self-review. If you feel that such a review is inherently biased then you can take it with a grain of salt. Personally, I'd rather have a review from the author than no review at all. The more information about a game that's available to a potential customer the better right?

Post originally by Tyler Adams at 2004-10-25 09:29:33
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No, not right. Subverting the review system at RPGnet to promote one's own product in a review doesn't strike me as 'right'. I don't subscribe to the idea that 'a review from the author [is better] than no review at all'. That is just a silly statement to me. If the review section of RPGnet fills up with 'reviews' by such biased parties as the product authors, it will cease to have meaning or value as a resource.

Post originally by Count_Zero at 2004-10-25 09:32:29
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I have no problems with an author reviewing his or her own product, provided that he (or she) acknowlege that yes, in fact the is the author and is biased up the ying-yang.

If he or she doesn't acknowledge that, then he's subverting the review system and needs to be courtmartialed, shot and sent to the Russian front, in that order. ;-)

Post originally by Shanya Almafeta at 2004-10-25 09:37:36
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They're allowed, because it promotes sales for RPGnet.

They're *underused*, but allowed.

Post originally by smg13 at 2004-10-25 09:48:43
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I do not think it is proper for an author to review his own work. Of course they will give themselves a good score. And if they do not, it makes you wonder why they did not do a better job if they do aknowledge there is something that is wrong or sub-standar in their work?

However it is helpful to get more info about a product from the author. But maybe instead of a review it should be a designer's diary or designer's notes. Maybe authors should have their own section for themselves to discuss their own work? It would be interesting to hear their opinions and goals.

Post originally by Tyler Adams at 2004-10-25 10:17:57
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I agree with you completely. A designer's notes section of the site would be an excellent resource, for a whole host of reasons.