Basically, it is a Negative World review writing competition with free prizes! I'm mostly just going to copy and paste from last year's stuff, because barring any objections, I plan to run it the same way. It... worked... last time, right?!



What is it?

Negative World will be running a competition for review writers. Basically... write and submit a review for Negative World, and you're in! However, there are going to be two minor stipulations:

1. It must be a game that has not been reviewed on Negative World yet.
2. Whoever calls a game first, gets dibs on that game. You can only have "dibs" on one game at a time though, and I will keep an updated list in this thread.

NOTE: This contest is for Negative World members only. However, it is free and only takes about a minute to join us, so why not go for it?

What is the deadline?

All reviews submitted between right now and midnight (Pacific) January 1st, 2014, that follow the above stipulations, will be eligible. Of course, they must be for a game on a Nintendo console. From the classics to the virtual console (virtual console games on non-Nintendo platforms ok!) to the Wii U... anything goes!

Who can enter?

All members of Negative World! Members at level -2 and down can already write reviews. If you are -1 and would like to enter, let me know, and I will hook it up.

...except Zero. We hate that guy, so his reviews will not be eligible.

Don't get overly concerned about whether you are a "good enough" writer. If you're interested, get involved! Try your best! That's all we're asking!

How many entries can I make?

Hmm... let's say... 3? This is a soft limit though, if you really want to do more, just ask. Please make sure to keep the length and quality level at your best though, these are public reviews for our site. If we notice anyone just knocking out reviews left and right without much effort put into them, we may have to... say something. Besides, you probably won't win anything with a sloppy review.

However, as stated above, don't worry too much about your own skill level as a writer. Just try your best!

How will winners be determined?

1 winner for "best review" will be selected by you, the people of Negative World. We will work out exactly how based on how many entries there are. But it will involve a voting process using the polls. This will happen regardless of the number of entries, so if you are the only entry... you win!

IF we get at least 10 entries, 1 winner for "Zero's choice" will be selected by Zero because he has the power and it is his money being used for the prizes. He may include the other moderators in this decision. May.

More prizes may be announced in the future depending on the popularity of this contest.

What are the prizes?

Considering that neither Wii U or 3DS allows gifting, we'll have to think about this. Maybe I'll just buy a few eShop cards and email the codes to the winners? That could work. Prizes will be at least $10, probably more considering that I don't think there are $10 eShop cards.

How do I write a review?

If you are level -2 or below, it's easy! Just go HERE and search for the game that you would like to review, and then click on the title in the results. If the game is not in the database, you can add it using the "submit a game" form at the top right of the main database page. Anyone level -1 will have to let me know you are interested, as stated above.

You should also use the new file upload page to upload any images related to the review you will be writing. I will frown heavily upon anyone who does not use this.

SUGGESTION: I strongly suggest to write your review outside of Negative World (I use Google Drive, but you can just use Microsoft Word or something if you want), SAVE FREQUENTLY, and then copy and paste it in when you are ready to submit it. Otherwise, if the server hiccups when you submit, you may lose everything. That would suck, no?

What format should the review be?

We do not have a strict format for reviews, but prefer freeform reviews, with no "headers" for sections. If you're afraid of having a wall of text, break it up with images! We prefer that at least 1 or 2 images / videos / etc. be placed within the review (use the file upload page to upload and manage your images!)

How do I know if a game has been reviewed yet?

Just go to the review add page and search for the game that you would like to review. If the game has already been reviewed it will inform you under the column "reviews" in the results of the search, if not, it will be blank. If the game is not in the database, it has obviously not been reviewed yet, and you can add it using the directions above.

Can I review a game that I have already played long ago?

Sure! We are hoping to get some more "modern" reviews, but anything is fine. Just make sure to refresh yourself on it if you have not played it in awhile.

How do I call "dibs" on a game?

Just post your intention to review a game in this thread. First come, first serve. Make sure to mention the platform as well as the game name. You can change your dibs at any time, but if so, you lose dibs on the old game. Obviously, when you submit a review for a game that you had dibs on, you are now free to call dibs on another.

Do I have to call "dibs" on a game?

No, you don't have to call dibs, you can just submit what you want when you want if you like. However, if you don't call dibs and someone else gets to it first (either by calling dibs or releasing a review) then you're plain out of luck. For all of those involved, it is probably best to take advantage of the dibs system.

Last year's winners!

In the voting, we had a tie, so there were two winners...

Mr_Mustache for his review of Batman: Arkham City: Armored Edition and
TriforceBun for his review of Nintendo Land

But of course, that's not all! There was also a special Zero's Choice Award to give out! The winner was...

roykoopa64 for his review of Nano Assault Neo

So if you want to win this year, check these reviews out, they'll point you in the right direction!

"Dibs" list
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate (3DS) - deathly_hallows
Crystalis (NES) - chrisbg99
Professor Layton and the Last Specter (DS) - Amanda (username coming soon)
Rayman Legends (Wii U) - ludist210
The Legend of Zelda (NES) - Secret_Tunnel

Finished list
Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS) - DrFinkelstein
Babysitting Mama - Kris Wright
Batman (NES) - Mr_Mustache
Bike Rider DX (3DS) - Super_Conzo
Jeopardy! (Wii) - poguesquadron
Pokemon X / Y (3DS) - Pokefreak911
Super Mario 3D World (Wii U) - poguesquadron
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS) - sirmastersephiroth
Wheel of Fortune (Wii) - poguesquadron

Zero list (not officially in the competition)
I'll give you all a bit of time to pick first.

URL to share (right click and copy)

@Zero

I am. I haven't started it yet though, OF COURSE.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/14/14, 23:30

Better hurry up then.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/14/14, 23:36

@Zero

I have 5 days. I wrote last year's WINNER in 3 hours.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/14/14, 23:39

Fair enough. I take freaking forever on my reviews. Mostly because I spend hours just finding the "right" images.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/14/14, 23:49

@Zero

...I thought we were supposed to take our own....

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/14/14, 23:51

We are?! I don't think anyone takes their own. I've always just said make sure they don't have other sites' watermarks on them. I get some of mine from Nintendo.Com themselves, but they often have a limited selection. And some of their VC images are just plain UGLY, whoever was capturing them did a poor job.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/14/14, 23:55

@Zero

(Nikki) Took my own last year, will take my own this year.

We're trying not to get you in trouble, pal.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/15/14, 00:09

Clearly I used my own images also for my review, but then again it's super easy to do on the 3DS.

I don't expect anyone to have to use their own though. That's almost unfair to certain folk who might not have the ability or understanding for capturing good quality shots (though it's pretty easy with Miiverse now too if your game is on it). Nothing wrong with seeing what the internet has to offer for supplemental images which don't actually affect the review.

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 01/15/14, 00:43

I steal pictures all the time because I'm an embittered musician who wants to know what makes photographers so special.

Posted by

kriswright

on: 01/15/14, 07:00

@kriswright
Twist: The name kriswright is stolen as well.

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/15/14, 14:43

I stole pictures....but still used the NW File uploader!

Also Amanda won't be able to do a review I think so we're both finished. I just put up a Jeopardy review.

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 01/17/14, 07:20

Edited:

01/17/14, 20:03

I'll be doing mine tonight after work sometime. Probably in the wee hours.

--Sriracha Wings at BWW?! INTRIGUING.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/19/14, 00:29

Just need to get pictures now. Really happy with how it turned out.

EDIT:Drat, Pokemon X and Y don't have the Miiverse screenshot function for NO REASON at all. Gonna have to pull a Kris and steal from somewhere.

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/19/14, 04:46

Edited:

01/19/14, 06:37

Nintendo press site does not work in Australia. Can anyone see if they can grab some Pokemon pictures from there or something. Gonna search the web myself but most are watermarked.

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/20/14, 03:10

@Pokefreak911

Ah! Shoot! Some games don't seem to work with it. I presume because games that came out before Miiverse might not have been prepped for it.

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 01/20/14, 03:28

@DrFinkelstein
Some games do. It seems really scattered and doesn't make much sense seeing as Pokemon would be perfect for screenshots and things what with shinies and IVs.

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/20/14, 03:32

@Pokefreak911

Oh I know some do, but those might have natively been okay for it. Pokemon clearly does something different. I'm sure going forth this wont be a problem.

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 01/20/14, 04:27

@DrFinkelstein
Still saddening and something I wish Nintendo would fix.

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/20/14, 04:33

Review is live!

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/21/14, 03:08

So are we closed now?

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/21/14, 03:16