For as long as publications that rely on advertising video games have reviewed those very video games, there have been accusations of bribery, and bought reviews. In days of yore, magazines were accused of taking cash in return for positive news and reviews. Since the dawn of the internet, the same sort of thing has perpetuated – and I’m sure you’re all familiar with a certain animated Gif (that’s a hard G, by the way – always and forever) involving the flow of cash from a large publisher to a large website.
It’s led many to look for other sources of information and opinion – places like YouTube, where honesty prevails, and user reviews because they’re incorruptible and not subject to agendas.
In recent times, I’ve taken to looking askance at user reviews, because whiny, vocal gamers on the internet will do all they can to make things seem worse than they are, or give unnecessarily high praise because of their own fandom – but they’re still an important, and often useful metric. Which makes it pretty sad to see that they can be bought.
PCGamesN has done a good bit of investigation in to the shady world of bought Steam user reviews – where sites like Fiverr (a sort of Gumtree, but for services instead pf products) allow budding developers and publishers to get buy glowing reviews for $5 and a Steam key.
You really should head over to PCGamesN to read the whole thing – but they’ve been in contact with both the people selling their reviewing services, and those who seem to be paying for them. There appears to be an unspoken agreement that bought reviews will come with thumbs-up attached to them.
Not all review “sellers” seem to be quite so unethical. Of the 13 reviewers polled, only one said they’d not guarantee a positive review.
“I guarantee only that my review will be honest,” he replied. “If you’re looking for those kinds of fake reviews, there are plenty on Fiverr who provide such a service. However, I would suggest that you take great care because while in the short term such schemes may make your product look good, it usually ends up doing more harm in the long run.”
Others, who do promise positive coverage, don’t seem to think this is unethical in any way.
“No, there is nothing misleading or unethical about the reviews,” said one seller. “The review will be positive and will make other people satisfied about buying the game.”
It’s worth noting that none of the games dug up in the investigation are big titles, so the effect on the industry as a whole seems to be minimal. It is, however, both very interesting, and terribly disconcerting – because it’s impossible to really tell the scale of it all. Fiverr is just one of the many sites that offer services for a song.
User reviews exist for those who don’t trust the media’s critique, and also offer more insight to games post-launch. That they can be bought is a little unsettling.
Last Updated: March 3, 2016
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 11:42
I’m not surprised something like this happens. Sometimes you see some really weird stuff when it comes to user reviews on small games – it’s kinda obvious when you see a rave review with an hour’s play time.
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:48
Like that kak Broforce. You can just feel that they paid for their positive reviews.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 11:51
More like GUPTAFORCE #amirite
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:51
Ohhhhhh!
Jan Prins
March 3, 2016 at 11:51
Hey! Your Sister was kak! Or was that MY sister. I is very much confused now
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:52
Wow 0_O
Jan Prins
March 3, 2016 at 11:55
Hey! We are a family of cannibals. One day we had a fight and she said Bite Me! So I did. Medium rare and with some generous amounts of Tabasco sauce.
Turns out she wasn’t very tasty.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 12:01
Medium rare, also known by Trevor as still alive
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 12:03
Only vegan hipsters eat raw food.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 12:04
Indeed, hence why I prepare it masterfully to medium rare specifications
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 12:05
Also explains why I always see you farming online but never cooking online. Damn Warvegan.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 12:08
Explains why you run around with a flamethrower and I go around slicing everything
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 12:29
COOK ALL THE THINGS!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 13:02
xD
While wearing a pink dress?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 13:05
STRAWBERRY ICE-CREAM PINK RHINO PRIME!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 13:12
If they release a Pink Iron Skin MT, you’d be all over that like a well done steak eh?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 13:16
Cerise-ly!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 13:20
http://www.clker.com/cliparts/D/P/r/f/h/r/pink-rhino.svg
Geoffrey Tim
March 3, 2016 at 21:38
You shut your mouth BROFORCE IS AWESOME.
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:42
So uh. I’m getting into the review business. Anyone want a review. Totally honest. Satisfaction guaranteed. R50 a thumbs up.
Jan Prins
March 3, 2016 at 11:50
Thumbs up what???
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:50
Only you… *sigh*
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:51
Only him? 0_O
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:51
Isn’t his name Neo? O_o
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:55
I think if you put a thumb up him it’d be more of a NeOW!
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:55
I have small hands. I doubt it. :/
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 11:55
or NeOHHELLOSAILOR
Jan Prins
March 3, 2016 at 11:56
I do feel special. His thumbs are only for meeee!!!
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:57
OI. You only get one of them.. The other is for sucking bullshit out of so that I can comment here…
Jan Prins
March 3, 2016 at 11:58
But one is not enough. I am a big asshole, remember?
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 12:36
XD
Kromas untamed
March 3, 2016 at 11:54
Stick with dollars. By end of next year you can quite your job.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 11:43
Listen to Jeoffrey, it is a hard G
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:44
Actually, that made me think of a really cool alias. “Easy G”.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 11:46
https://media.giphy.com/media/SFf5PFcmviym4/giphy.gif
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:47
That is mesmerising.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 11:47
http://www.olsenhome.com/gif/pronounce-gif.gif
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:47
JET IN THE SEA…
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 11:44
I ONLY trust Lagz for reviews, since I know the
buggerswonderfulpoepolpeople working therePariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:45
Lies. It’s because you spend so much time here you don’t have time for anything else. And you’ve been indoctrinated. And maybe a bit of Stockholm Syndrome.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 11:47
Ever since JEOFF fondled my nipples the first time, I’ve got a soft (soft?) spot for him
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:49
The only thing Jeoff can make hard is a G…
*RUNS
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 11:50
xD
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 11:50
I heard the one hack is a real son of a bitch.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 11:50
He has scrodums though
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:47
Eish. This is so not cool
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:49
$5 and I’ll give you an ‘honest’ review!https://abootlander.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/nudge-nudge-wink-wink-o.gif
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:50
Best Jif ever!
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:50
Asian racist! It’s a Lif!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 11:51
It’s okay is he says it, he’s Caucasian.
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:51
Rubbish. he’s totally Caucantsian!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 11:52
You can put a cauc in it!
Pariah
March 3, 2016 at 11:52
Caucantsianring.
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:53
BWAHAHAHA! WIN!
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 11:54
…
RinceThis
March 3, 2016 at 11:57
BWAHAHAHAH!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 3, 2016 at 12:02
Lol
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 12:22
I am Commander Shepard and I endorse this site, Lazygamer.net
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 3, 2016 at 13:15
You’ve sold out, man! And for what? A small discount on news & reviews?
miaau
March 3, 2016 at 13:29
5% counts when you want to buy ALL the best guns for your comrades too.
Sigh. Had to be done. I did turn the volume on the TV down, though, as it annoyed me to hear it the whole time
Ryanza
March 3, 2016 at 12:59
This is the DRM world we live in.
Don’t Support DRM.
HvR
March 3, 2016 at 14:14
Hey indy boy good leview, fy dolla. Good leview looong time fy dolla
Lephys
March 3, 2016 at 22:30
*gasp*…! Humans can be insincere for money?! Nooo! But… the internet! How is this possible?!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 4, 2016 at 15:37
If only a huge consumer revolt existed? If only there was a group of like-minded gamers who fought against unethical and borderline criminal actions within the gaming industry and gaming media….
G..A..M..E..R..G..A..T..E…cough cough!