GameSpot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| URL | http://www.gamespot.com/<tr><th>Commercial?</th><td>Yes</td></tr> |
|---|---|
| Type of site | Gaming<tr><th>Registration</th><td>Free / Paid</td></tr> |
| Owner | CNET Networks |
| Created by | Pete Deemer Vince Broady Jon Epstein<tr><th>Launched</th><td>May, 1996</td></tr> |
GameSpot is a computer and video gaming website that was launched in May 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady, and Jon Epstein.
GameSpot presents video game and PC software and hardware reviews, previews, downloads, news, and other information. After starting out on its own, GameSpot was purchased by ZDNet. Later, ZDNet was purchased by CNET Networks, which currently owns GameSpot.
Contents |
History
At launch, the site focused exclusively on PC games. Its sister site, Videogamespot.com, was launched in December 1996 to cover console systems. In 1997, Videogamespot.com became Videogames.com for a short period, and by 1998, the PC and console sections were united under the GameSpot banner.<ref>"GameSpot History (under "A Brief History Lesson")". Retrieved on 2006-07-15.</ref>
On October 3, 2005, GameSpot adopted a new design similar to that of TV.com, now considered a sister site to GameSpot.<ref>GameSpot's official FAQ on the 2005 site redesign. Retrieved on 2006-09-29.</ref>
GameSpot UK (United Kingdom) was started in October 1997 by Ian Howie, Asher Rospigliosi and Suzie Daniels (nee Rundle).<ref>GameSpot UK contact page. Archived from the original on 1998-06-13. Retrieved on 2006-10-07.</ref> In 1999, the site's team was expanded to include Laura Jenner, Russ Willis, John Houlihan, and Justin Calvert. The site operated until mid-2002, offering Europe-oriented content which often differed from that of the US site. During this period, GameSpot UK won the 1999 PPAi (Periodical Publishers Association interactive) award for best website,<ref>"GameSpot UK Winner, PPAi Awards 1999". Retrieved on 2006-10-07.</ref> and was short listed in 2001.<ref>"GameSpot UK Short Listed, PPAi Awards 2001". Retrieved on 2006-10-07.</ref> Following the purchase of ZDNet by CNET, GameSpot UK was merged with the main US site. On April 24, 2006, GameSpot UK was relaunched, and is edited by Phil Elliott, with Guy Cocker as Staff Writer and Emma Boyes as news editor.<ref>"GameSpot UK launches" (2006-04-24). Retrieved on 2006-11-01.</ref> Of the former staff, Laura Jenner became site manager, Russell Willis became art editor, and Justin Calvert contributes to the UK operation.
Recently, GameSpot AU (Australia) has launched, with a specialized forum, local pricings in AUD, Australian release dates, and more local news.
Main site
GameSpot is one of the most popular gaming review websites on the Internet. In 2004, GameSpot won "Best Gaming Website" as chosen by the viewers in Spike TV's second Video Game Award Show.<ref>Results of Spike TV's 2004 Video Game Awards. Retrieved on 2006-06-09.</ref> Other gaming websites such as IGN, 1UP.com, and GameSpy have been their biggest rivals.
GameSpot's main page has links to the latest news, reviews, previews, and portals for the following platforms: PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Wii, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and Mobile. It also includes a list of the most popular games on the site, and a search engine for users to track down games of interest as quickly as possible.
GameSpot also covers the following platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, Neo Geo Pocket Color, N-Gage, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Color, among others.
Personalities
With the introduction of GameSpot Live, readers were introduced to some of the staff working at GameSpot. They are the people who write the features and reviews for the site. They include: Jeff Gerstmann, Greg Kasavin, Rich Gallup, Alex Navarro, Ryan Davis, Brad Shoemaker, and many more.
Features
GameSpot has separate sections for the current most popular consoles, as well as for the PC platform. There are other separate sections for various features such as reviews, previews, news, cheats, videos, tech, and downloads. GameSpot is well known for its original features, such as GameSpotting, a conglomeration of staff editorials usually posted on Sundays, but was replaced in June 17, 2005 by a new feature called Freeplay<ref>First Freeplay article. Retrieved on 2006-07-08.</ref>, a daily editorial in which a GameSpot editor writes about games, beginning his or her editorial with the last paragraph of the previous editorial. In turn, Freeplay later ceased to operate in this way, and began using the same system as GameSpotting had.<ref>Announcement of Freeplay changing formats. Retrieved on 2006-07-08.</ref>
On the Spot is a weekly show which airs live every Thursday at 4PM Pacific time for all members of GameSpot to watch. The show is hosted by Rich Gallup, Jeff Gerstmann, and Ryan Davis, with the rest of the GameSpot staff they play, preview, review, and interview the people and things of games. Recently On the Spot shifted from standard Full screen viewing to Widescreen. The show runs a basic template of events; the show starts out with a GameSpot staff member overviewing what will happen during the show. A major upcoming game will be previewed by a Staff Member, a short break will cut between this preview and the next preview (most of the time a "Rich Gallup Poll" and/or advertisement for sponsors of the website). Depending on the week, a handheld game will be previewed, while the rest of the show is used for any extra games to be previewed, and/or a trivia question where paid subscribers get a chance to win free gaming items if they answer a question correctly. Each show runs for about 60 minutes; however there are occasions where some shows go over or under that set time.
Another feature is Burning Questions by Alex Navarro, in which users write in and have their questions answered, usually in a sarcastic tone.<ref>Description of Burning Questions. Retrieved on 2006-07-08.</ref> The HotSpot is GameSpot's own podcast in which various editors discuss different issues and news stories in the gaming world. Button Mashing is a cult favorite among GameSpot's users, consisting of a three round game show involving games which the players generally have no experience with; it returned on July 25, 2006 due to high demand following a two year hiatus.
In 2005, a feature called "Today on GameSpot" was introduced along with the redesign of the site. It is very similar to an older feature, now no longer running, "Let's GameSpot." Sections of "Today on GameSpot" include "The Rorie Roundup," which gives tips and hints on the latest games; "That's Fresh," which details the newest releases; "The Last Word," a Friday feature hosted by GameSpot News that recaps the week's biggest gaming-related news; "The Lowdown," which describes downloads on the site; and "Top Notch Games," which names GameSpot editor's favorite games (often being inducted into the Greatest Games Of All Time<ref>Greatest Games of All Time. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2006-09-27.</ref>). Aside from "The Last Word" section of "Today on GameSpot" all of the other sections were discontinued due to the cost and time required to create each episode.
Every year, GameSpot holds the Best and Worst of the Year awards, which recognize achievements in the gaming industry, positive and negative.
Reviews and rating system
In January 2001, GameSpot introduced video reviews for games, which are released for all major games. Other games that the editors believe deserve special mention (for example, the very worst games) are reviewed by video as well. Video reviews mostly regurigate the written review text with clips of gameplay embedded.
GameSpot has a detailed guide on-site for the purpose of explaining their exact reviewing policies, as well as answering frequently asked questions about their reviews.<ref>GameSpot's guide to their ratings system. Retrieved on 2006-04-28.</ref>
When GameSpot Complete was introduced in late 2001, older reviews were restricted to Complete members; however, it was changed back several months later.
All games are judged on five different categories: Gameplay, Graphics, Sound, Value, and Reviewer's Tilt. Each category is assigned an integer score from one to ten, and these five integers are combined using a weighted average to arrive at an overall score. Should a game score at least 9.0, it is designated as "superb," and given "Editor's Choice" recognition. Although many games achieve this status each year, only four in GameSpot's history have ever received a perfect ten:
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time <ref>Gerstmann, Jeff. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64) review. GameSpot. November 23, 1998.</ref>
- Chrono Cross <ref>Vestal, Andrew. Crono Cross (PlayStation) review. GameSpot. January 6, 2000.</ref>
- Soul Calibur <ref>Mielke, James. Soul Caliber (Dreamcast) review. GameSpot. August 9, 1999.</ref>
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 (PlayStation 2) <ref>Gerstmann, Jeff. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 (PlayStation 2) review. GameSpot. October 29, 2001.</ref>
Seven games came close, achieving a score of 9.9:
- Tekken 3 (PlayStation) <ref>Gerstmann, Jeff. Tekken 3 (PlayStation) review. GameSpot. March 30, 1998.</ref>
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PlayStation) <ref>Gerstmann, Jeff. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PlayStation) review. GameSpot. September 20, 2000.</ref>
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Dreamcast) <ref>Gerstmann, Jeff. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Dreamcast) review. GameSpot. November 7, 2000.</ref>
- Perfect Dark <ref>Fielder, Joe. Perfect Dark (Nintendo 64) review. GameSpot. May 22, 2000</ref>
- Super Mario Bros. Deluxe <ref>Davis, Cameron. Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (Game Boy Color) review. GameSpot. January 28, 2000.</ref>
- NFL 2K <ref>Mac Donald, Ryan. NFL 2K (Dreamcast) review. GameSpot. September 1, 1999.</ref>
- NFL 2K1 <ref>Mac Donald, Ryan. NFL 2K1 (Dreamcast) review. GameSpot. September 8, 2000.</ref>
On the other end of the spectrum, Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing <ref>Narvarro, Alex. Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing (PC) review. GameSpot. January 14, 2004.</ref> is the only game to have received a 1.0, rated as "abysmal", the lowest score possible.
While games are rated mostly with regard to how they compare to the other games available on their specific platforms, games released simultaneously for multiple platforms are also compared between systems, which often results in differing scores being given to the same game depending on the system, usually due to the inherent strengths and weaknesses of each platform.
Criticism
GameSpot is particularly infamous for its review of Metroid Prime Hunters. A review with a score of 8.6 was originally put up, criticising the game for having only one mode playable online, as well as certain glitches. However, all 7 multiplayer modes are playable online with the use of "friend codes," and the glitches mentioned were actually supposed to happen. The errors were quickly edited. The revised review criticised the game for other reasons, and the score remained unchanged.
This falls in line with other critiques of GameSpot, including the infamous GameSpot 6.8. The original review for Shenmue was taken down from the site after they received many user complaints about the low score, and was re-scored and re-reviewed. GameSpot editors have since declared that no such exceptions will be made in the future.[citation needed] The score of '6.8' is now laughed at by message board enthusiasts who are quick to point out scoring mishaps that the site has had in the past, and is also considered an inside joke by GameSpot employees.
Forum community
GameSpot's forums were originally run by ZDNet. Later on, they were run on Lithium. GameSpot uses a semi-automated moderation system with numerous volunteer moderators. There are currently more than 50 moderators.
One distinct feature of the GameSpot community is the ability of GameSpot Total Access users to create their own user-created board, which can either be set to public or private. The board's creator can appoint their own moderators, and also can display HTML markup at the top of their board. Also, all users have the ability to create or join what is known as a "Union." A Union consists of a user-created board which is attached to an editorial front, as well as a homepage with news bulletins and members lists.
In addition to the traditional message board system, GameSpot has expanded its community through the addition of features such as user blogs (once called user journals) and user video blogs. Users can track other users, allowing them to see updates for their favorite blogs. If both users track each other, they are listed on each other's friends list.
In May 2004, the GameFAQs message boards and the GameSpot boards merged their game-specific boards together.
Profiles
Registered users have the privilege of having their own profile which they can make visible to only themselves, friends or everyone through their preferences. Profiles can be useful and convenient to the user themself and to others. In a profile a blog can be started and updated. The blog is shared with the user's TV.com and MP3.com profiles. When making a blog post the WYSIWYG box is identical to that seen on the forums. Other users can also report offensive messages in blogs as well. As of August 2006, a new section was launched called "My RSS" which allows the user themself and others to subscribe to the RSS feeds. So far there are feeds for "Tracked Games", "Tracked Unions", "Friends' Reviews", "Friends' Blogs" and "My Blog". Other elements on profiles include their latest videos, games, tracked blogs and ratings.
Games
Users can keep a games list within their GameSpot profile which allows them (and others) to track what games they own (or wish to own). Games can be added in four different categories. Users can keep track of news and updates by adding games to the "Tracked Games" list. "Collection" is used for games which the user owns. The "Wish List" is for games users want to try out or intend to buy in the future. Any game can be added to a wish list whether it is out or is pending for release in the future. Users can indicate which games they are currently playing by adding them to the "Now Playing" list.
Emblems
Emblems are awarded to users by completing various tasks. Some emblems show a user's status (free subscription versus paid subscription). Other emblems denote contest winners, voting participants, staff/moderators, and game aficionados. There are currently close to one hundred emblems available. GameSpot's sister site TV.com also has the emblem feature with their own TV-themed emblems.
Paid subscriptions
GameSpot had a paid subscription service known as "GameSpot Complete". On February 21, 2006, the paid subscription model was changed.<ref>"GameSpot revamps subscription model". Retrieved on 2006-07-08.</ref> It now maintains two paid membership services: Total Access and Plus.
Total Access is essentially a replacement of GameSpot Complete, as it is the same price of $5.95 per month or $39.95 per year, and offers the same basic benefits. According to GameSpot, Total Access offers high-speed downloads (compared to the non-subscriber downloads), less intrusive advertising, and access to subscriber-only contests, betas, and tournaments.<ref name="signup">GameSpot sign-up page. Retrieved on 2006-09-27.</ref>
The second premium service, Plus, is a cheaper, intermediate-level service. According to GameSpot, this gives subscribers access to high-resolution streams and downloads, downloadable game guides, and a chat service during some live events.<ref name="signup" /> Any paid subscribers can also choose from a list of colored usernames for the message boards.
One difference between the old and new services is the lack of GameSpot Complete's 10 percent discount at EBGames.com.
In August 2006, GameSpot reintroduced the subscriber-only "Ice" skin, which had been removed after a redesign in October, 2005.
GameCenter
GameCenter was a gaming service which allowed players to host their own customized servers, chat with their friends, and play an assortment of PC games online with players all around the world, all while tracking users' stats. As of March 6, 2006, the GameCenter subscription service has been discontinued and merged into the GameSpot Total Access service. As a result, GameSpot is discontinuing support of the GameCenter client, but will continue tournament events for Total Access members.
The most recent GameCenter has no relation to the original GameCenter, which CNET Networks ran from 1995 to 2001 as a competitor to GameSpot. Shortly after CNET Networks acquired ZDNet and GameSpot in 2000, the original GameCenter was disbanded.
Trivia Robot
Trivia Robot was a fictional character who appeared frequently in a variety of video productions on GameSpot. Speaking in a digital electric monotone, Trivia Robot rose to prominence as the character who would answer viewer mail sent in to the weekly webcast show Let's GameSpot, often in a sarcastic, irreverent, or desultory fashion designed for amusement.[citation needed] Trivia Robot appeared in a one-episode series entitled Time Trotters.<ref>Time Trotters. Retrieved on 2006-10-15.</ref>
References
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External links
- GameSpot (main site)
| CNET |
|---|
| Websites |
| Consumating | Download.com | GameFAQs | Game Rankings | GameSpot | Metacritic | Movie Tome | MP3.com | mySimon | Search.com | TechRepublic | TV.com | Webshots | ZDNet |
| Other |
| Buzz Out Loud | CNET TV | On the Spot |
