So it’s the end of year which means every media site and their dog are giving out their annual awards. We’re no different with our awards starting tomorrow and keeping you entertained during the quiet period that is the silly season. However it seems that retailers are now getting involved and while I’d normally ignore it I just felt this year’s list from Kalahari has some perfect examples of why you should never ever trust awards from anyone who is involved in profiting from the sales of games.
*Quick note, I made a magic piece of code that automatically changes all kalahari links to affiliate links to help bring in some cash, this is not a post for affiliate reasons.
Okay so onto the awards, now some of them I either agree with or can see as valid wins.
Best FPS Game
- Winner – Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
- Runner Up – Far Cry 4
Advanced Warfare is a very solid title and I haven’t played Far Cry 4 yet but from what I hear Far Cry is better, so no real problem here
Best Action Game
- Winner – Grand Theft Auto 5
- Runner Up – Assassins Creed Unity
Now this is a bit more controversial since GTA V was released last year and it’s just the new console versions that were recently released, but then again the game is incredible. Unity on the other hand is pretty poor and doesn’t really deserve the runner up spot.
But then things go pear-shaped.
Best Racing Game
- Winner – Drive Club
- Runner Up – The Crew
Drive Club? The game that had nearly unplayable multiplayer when it was released? Granted it’s better now but according to our internal review it only scored 7.5. However it probably won because we are a PlayStation country and letting it win over and above the solid Forza Horizon 2 is probably a business decision
But that runner up spot, The Crew? The game we just scored 4.6 and has been widely panned around the world for simply not being very good is their runner up?
Madness…
Best Sports Game
Unfortunately Apex never sent us a copy of Rugby 15 to review, which normally means the game is total horse manure and also seems to be the consensus from the proper reviews I’ve seen. But could you imagine a South African retailer giving the best sports award to a basketball or American Football game?
The entire idea of a retailer giving awards out is about as stupid as media giving awards to distributors or distributors giving awards to media. There are lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
Oh, and if you are buying something from Kalahari this month use the code wish100 for a R100 discount.
Last Updated: December 18, 2014
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2014 at 13:38
I remember the last time I used codes on Kalahari. Not saying it will happen again but you never know. At least @Admiral_Chief:disqus was one game richer
Gavin Mannion
December 18, 2014 at 13:39
This one isn’t stackable… which is what caused the last issue…
But yeah, we are not endorsing anyone here
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2014 at 13:51
Thanks anyways, appreciated as always.
Corrie
December 18, 2014 at 13:55
Not even Darryn’s transformation into Batman?
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2014 at 13:58
I remember the stackable fiasco, was kinda funny and sad at the same time.
Corrie
December 18, 2014 at 13:59
I really think it was a bit low to cancel them sure people exploited it, but it wasn’t the end user who should’ve suffered
DrKiller
December 18, 2014 at 14:19
minimum spent? R250?
Gavin Mannion
December 18, 2014 at 15:31
R350 I think
Reid
December 18, 2014 at 14:02
I use the codes all the time. I have saved over R1000 (mostly using R100 vouchers) this year on stuff that I would have bought elsewhere. Although the vouchers are the only reason I still buy from kalahari.
Corrie
December 18, 2014 at 14:10
Have to agree, Use em because of the vouchers else I’d do my business elsewhere also lazy to goto a shopping mall to get it
Skyblue
December 18, 2014 at 21:08
Never forget. Now I need a happy thought to get me through all those Kalahari nightmares I shall never endure again.
Admiral Chief Octacore
December 18, 2014 at 13:46
Kalahari se moer!
Hammersteyn
December 18, 2014 at 13:51
XD
Ottokie
December 18, 2014 at 13:53
Hahahaha true that!
Captain JJ the engaged
December 18, 2014 at 13:57
Their FPS of last year was probably Colonial Marines.
Rock789
December 18, 2014 at 14:16
I’m surprised “Rambo: The Videogame” didn’t win this years prize! **runs**
:p
Raptor Rants A Lot
December 18, 2014 at 13:48
Bwhahahahahahahahahaha
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 18, 2014 at 13:50
Or sporting organisations giving awards to the best journalist.
Mark Treloar
December 18, 2014 at 14:03
Or sporting disciplines allowing members of the controlling body to participate in regional and national championships.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 18, 2014 at 14:13
Good thing that doesn’t happen in our reputable organisations.
Richard Mackenzie
December 18, 2014 at 13:54
Hahahahaha, love the drawing 🙂
house_hero
December 18, 2014 at 13:55
The drawing rules!
Admiral Chief Octacore
December 18, 2014 at 14:25
It truly is magnificent!
Captain JJ the engaged
December 18, 2014 at 13:57
This is hilarious. Drive Club and The Crew.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 18, 2014 at 14:00
…
Travis
December 18, 2014 at 13:59
YuppieChef gave me 3 R150 vouchers no minimum spend and free delivery. R450 for free. So I got R450 worth of free stuff. A week later they said they noticed I was such a loyal customer they gave me another R100 voucher. So i got R550 for free, and thats all ive ever bought from them. Madness!
Xcalibersa
December 18, 2014 at 14:19
Actually, it would be nice to see a re-review of drive club. Apparently the game is brilliant now.
Admiral Chief Octacore
December 18, 2014 at 14:25
10/10 masterful paintwork!
CAE9872
December 18, 2014 at 14:36
OK so I am going to go on record and say “Driveclub is one of my games of the year”. Yes I know, I know!
So why not:
– that launch was horrendous
– any outlet giving it any GOTY award in any category is wrong
– its online is still f**ked
– promised Plus version is still MIA; perhaps never to be seen again
But why then:
– it handles brilliantly; just what I want in an arcade racer.
– it looks stupendous
– it has now sorted out its online…mostly!!!!
– they gave two decent DLCs in return for fiasco
– great track design
– lovely cars
– can be addictive as hell (see online issues)
EDIT : And now you see why I would never be able to review games 🙂
Captain JJ the engaged
December 18, 2014 at 14:38
I must say it does look great. Being exclusive and all poses a problem for me though. :/
SentientSlug
December 19, 2014 at 13:03
I must say i got the kalahari game awards email the other day and ALMOST sent it to you guys for a laugh, but thought na dont be pedantic. So glad you brought this up, it absolutely infuriated me. with each link leading you right to where you can buy the game. it should have read “presenting, a list of game stock that just shipped in”. did you notice the buy 3 for R299 link in same email? when you click on it it takes you to a page where you can get 2 for R299. ridiculous.