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)

@Mr_Mustache
I think mine was the last review.

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/21/14, 03:55

Yeah I think we're done.

How many did we end up with? I'm in too much of a rush right now to count. Somewhere around 8-10 I think? Not quite as many as last year. Can probably just do two or three initial polls and then a final poll?

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/21/14, 05:31

Not for this, but I would like to write a Steamworld Dig review... but I beat the Steam version twice and have yet to play the 3DS version... so I don't know what to do about that. Maybe I can work in joint with someone who has 3DS experience.

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 01/21/14, 05:33

@DrFinkelstein I can't imagine they are very different, I've played a bit of the 3DS game and it doesn't seem to have any 3DS-specific features other than the 3D graphics which aren't really a key part of the experience. Maybe look up somewhere and see if there are any differences between the versions like extra stages, gear, etc.?

Or hey just contact the developers, that one was hanging out here for a bit!

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/21/14, 05:35

@Zero

That's a good idea. I mean, I beat the game twice through, and so I have a full experience with it for sure. I just don't know the differences in the two versions. It couldn't hurt to ask. I might even gain a twitter response if not an e-mail. I'll think about that. For now I need to work on editing that podcast. I'll look into a Steamworld Dig review in the coming weeks.

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 01/21/14, 05:39

Ok, finished! Official list:

Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS) - DrFinkelstein
Babysitting Mama - kriswright
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

9 reviews. Hmm. I know I said 10 to get a Zero special pick too but 9 seems close enough. Maybe we'll do three sets of three in initial voting, and then the winner of each of those goes onto the final three? Or something like that? Is there a better way to do this?

There is also GelatinousEncore's review but since he stole Mustache's dibs it wouldn't make sense to include it, would it? Would be kind of weird if he went on to win for reviewing a game that someone else had called. So... have to disinclude (is that a word?) the review.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/21/14, 19:47

@Zero

All sounds good to me. And kudos to poguey for getting lots of numbers up on the board.

Posted by

kriswright

on: 01/21/14, 21:16

@Zero

I saw his score and it bummed me out (double bummed!). I'll probably have to write a "correction" eventually.

You can include him, I GUESS. Your call though.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/21/14, 23:02

You won't feel spited if he ends up winning? I mean, he did steal your game. But if you say it's fine, I'm fine with it. That'd make an even 10.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/21/14, 23:08

@Zero

Do what you want. And of course I'll be pissed! "Thems the breaks," I guess.

I haven't read any reviews yet, so he may've written a work of art.

Posted by

Mr_Mustache

on: 01/21/14, 23:15

@Zero I would've figured that Stache would still be eligible for an Arkham Origins review. It's not his fault GE reviewed it. Guess we have to call it at some point though.

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 01/26/14, 07:25

@PogueSquadron

I thought that the whole idea of calling "dibs" was silly in the first place. Yeah, it's better if Negative World has more diverse reviews. You know what's even better than that, though? More reviews, period. And if both GE and Stache had something to say about Arkham Origins, isn't it worthwhile for us to get both takes?

But that's just me. I don't run the place.

Posted by

kriswright

on: 01/26/14, 22:49

@kriswright

It might have something to do with Negative World as a property projecting "our" view of a game. Like how most sites only have their one review to represent them instead of having multiple people write reviews for the same game.

Being a forum though the more reviews the merrier. Stache should still write an Arkham Origins review IMO.

The dibs thing on this contest I think is more so the reviews are all different. If someone was working on a review for a game and then someone else released one for that game, it would kinda take the steam out of the contest for them. Now that the contest period is over, people should be writing games without dibs.

However in the same light, if someone calls dibs in the particular stickied thread for site content, I think it's fair to let them finish their review before trumping that territory. I dunno, this all makes sense to me. Doesn't seem particularly constrictive in the long run either.

That's my take on it.

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 01/26/14, 23:40

@kriswright I think dibs makes total sense, especially in the context of a review competition. Look at how crushed Stache was when the game he planned to review got reviewed first... it's just not going to be as exciting for a lot of people to release their review if someone beat them to it. So he went and picked a different game instead. Now imagine it is a constant free-for-all and you're ready to release your Super Mario 3D World review and 2 other people release it first. Or maybe 5 because really, Zelda and 3D World are the two biggest games of the last year easy, naturally people will gravitate towards them.

Plus if we're honest with ourselves half the people voting probably don't actually read through every review, they vote based on the reviews that they have read. Which means anyone releasing a review for a game that has already been reviewed probably gets less reads, and that lowers their chances of winning.

Finally there is, of course, the fact that everyone reviewing new and different games gets more variety on the site overall. Which is sort of the whole point of the competition from my end. I mean, I love you guys, but I'm not spending my own money on prizes just out of love.

Makes sense to me.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/26/14, 23:55

@DrFinkelstein@Zero

I hear what you guys are saying, but I respectfully disagree.

Stache was crushed because someone broke the rules and Stache lives for the rules. That's a big part of what makes Stache Stache and we've all talked about it at length with him in chat numerous times. I can't think of anyone else who'd have reacted quite that way. For my part, if someone else had (unbelievably) decided to write about Babysitting Mama, I'd have simply finished my review, published it and hoped it was judged as superior in the contest. In a better world, we'd have still gotten that review of Arkham Origins out of Stache, despite what anyone else posted. I for one was interested in hearing what he thought of that game, since he was so passionate about Arkham City. Instead, he got upset and didn't write it at all. There's this whole drama around who had the right to review the game because there's some list in this thread that says GE doesn't get to write down his thoughts on it. That strikes me as, indeed, silly and a little counter to the democratic nature of Negative World. I respect your point, Zero, that you didn't want 5 reviews of the same hit game - I can see why that'd be a concern - but I'd say worry about that issue when it actually happens. And isn't that the kind of problem you want, anyway? Too many contributors! It's raining reviews! Why must Zero have so many passionate writers in the service of his website?

Almost as an aside, I hope we don't think our reviews should be analogous to the shenanigans that go on at other websites. There's clearly no editorial voice here (and there really isn't anywhere else, for that matter - it's total malarkey) so I don't see why we should be afraid of more than one review going up of the same game. My reviews of, say, Boogerman and Dillon's Rolling Western certainly shouldn't be interpreted as reflecting Negative World's general opinion of those games. And if someone cares enough about one of the games I've reviewed to offer their thoughts, I'd encourage it. I don't see those reviews as my territory that no one else should trespass on.

Now having said all that, I respect that this isn't my site, contest or prerogative. Just offering an opinion when none was asked for. Which is basically the definition of posting on a forum.

But one idea I did have that I'd offer to Zero - if you plan on doing this contest again, would you be interested in making it a year-long contest? It would encourage everyone to write all year long and we could vote on the contributions a bit like we vote on Game of the Year. It wouldn't cost you anything extra, but it might get people motivated to write more right now. Just a thought.

Posted by

kriswright

on: 01/27/14, 04:51

Edited:

01/27/14, 04:59

Well, for one, Stache did write. How did you miss his review? For two, I'm pretty sure this isn't just a weird Stache thing. Even without the competition, in the past I've seen people talk about how they were excited to write a review and then someone else did it so they lost interest in doing their own.

I don't think the "rule" is really cutting into the amount of reviews going up, since it seems most people are willing to look at something else if their first choice is taken. And it helps keep some order to the whole thing. I really think we would end up with a few sad pandas if we had people planning, for instance, to do Mario and then a couple others beat them to it.

I think a year long competition is interesting in theory, I wonder if it would just lead to no one doing more than they were planning on though.

Posted by

Zero

on: 01/27/14, 11:15

If someone had done Pokemon X, I wouldn't have done a review full stop.

Posted by

Pokefreak911

on: 01/27/14, 11:17

@Zero

Agreed. Plus nobody is stopped from doing a review for a game already with a review. They can post one but it's just discouraged to do so while someone else is writing a review for that game. That said, a year-long competition is interesting but if you're worried about participation, perhaps every three months? A prize incentive each quarter? Is there a way you could do a featured on the front page kind of thing? I wonder how the board would respond to "What would make you want to write more reviews (or start writing them)?"

Posted by

DrFinkelstein

on: 01/27/14, 13:36

Well, that's 3 on 1. I can accept if I'm in the minority on this one. Speaking personally, something like a dibs list is useless because it's very much putting the cart before the horse. In general, my review writing process goes one of two ways:

Scenario A

1.) Play Game
2.) Enjoy or Don't Enjoy It
3.) Have Nothing To Say About It
4.) Don't Write Review

Scenario B

1.) Play Game
2.) Enjoy or Don't Enjoy It
3.) Have Something To Say About It
4.) Turn Into Werewolf
5.) Wake Up Next Day With Torn Clothes And Fully Written Review On Computer Screen
6.) Publish That Review On Negative World
7.) Take Credit

If I had to call dibs on every review I was going to write, I'd never write anything. Or I'd be calling dibs all the time on games I didn't end up writing about, thereby preventing other writers from giving their take. My favorite bit of writing I've done for this site is my NSMB2 review, and that's definitely a game I hadn't planned on reviewing until the last minute. If someone else had called dibs on it... well, sorry. I had no idea I even wanted to write a review on that game until I did. And I wasn't NOT going to write it because someone's name was on a list.

But, again, that's just me. I realize I'm not the only one under consideration, here. So that's all I'm going to say about it.

Posted by

kriswright

on: 01/27/14, 13:57

@kriswright

lol, Werewolf.

Nah Kris, I agree. It's a review competition. So you end up with 15 reviews of SM3DW? Guess what. You can still pick the best review.


And in this case there's still no indication GE even visited this thread. I'm guessing he didn't even know there were 'dibs' on it. Because as Kris rightly points out, outside this thread, the concept doesn't even exist as far as reviews go. GE wanted to write a review and he did. There was absolutely nothing stopping Mustache writing his review for the competition as well.

I don't buy this view that every review has to be some unique creation. Pick any reasonably popular game, and it will have reviews from hordes of people across the internet & gaming media. People have individual viewpoints. That's the point of a review. Heck that's the entire point of this forum.

Posted by

Shadowlink

on: 01/27/14, 14:47

Edited:

01/27/14, 14:52