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 7th, 2013 (new deadline!), 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 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... 5? 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?

Each winner will receive one WiiWare / eShop game of their choice, $15 or less. Considering that eShop doesn't allow gifting on 3DS, if one of those games is selected, we will probably just use a download code or Paypal or whatever works for everyone involved.

Anyone who wants can throw some N into the mix or whatever.

How do I write a review?

If you are level -2 or below, it's easy! Just go to the game database and search for the game that you would like to review. If it is in the database, click on it, and on the top right side of the page for that game (above the game's image) you should see "add a review". 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 can also use the new file upload page to upload any images related to the review you will be writing.

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?

Here at Negative World we like to let our reviewers have their own sense of style. Whether you want to structure your review with sections, write freeform, etc. is up to you. We do prefer that some images / videos / etc. be placed within the review (use the file upload page to upload your images), but this is not a requirement. Just go with what makes the most sense to you!

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

Just go to the game database and search for the game that you would like to review. If it is in the database, click on it, and if there are any reviews for it they will be listed at the bottom of the game page (example here.) 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?

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.

More to come

If I think of anything.

"Dibs" list
Chrono Trigger DS (DS) - sirmastersephiroth
Fractured Soul (3DS eShop) - anon_mastermind
ZombiU (Wii U) - gamewizard65

Finished list
Crosswords Plus (3DS) - ludist210
No More Heroes - GelatinousEncore
Kirby's Pinball Land - roykoopa64
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle - GelatinousEncore
Nano Assault Neo - roykoopa64
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - sirmastersephiroth
Nintendo Land - TriforceBun
Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward - Ploot
Assassin's Creed III (Wii U) - roykoopa64
Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS) - VickiL
Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (3DS) - deathly_hallows
NightSky (3DS eShop) - ludist210
New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U) - DrFinkelstein
Batman Arkham City Armored Edition (Wii U) - Mr_Mustache
Adventure Time: HIKWYSOG (3DS) - vinniebrock
Crimson Shroud (3DS eShop) - VickiL
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA) - eccentricplayer

Zero (not officially in the competition)
The Denpa Men: They Came by Wave - Zero
Monster World IV - Zero
Starship Defense - Zero
Little Inferno - Zero
Art Style: Orbient - Zero
Chasing Aurora - Zero
Monster Tale - Zero
Trine 2: Director's Cut - Zero
Gunman Clive - Zero

URL to share (right click and copy)

Oh noessssssssssssssssssssssssss.

But love / hate relationships often make for the most interesting reviews!

@Zero
I don't know how to translate that into writing though! It's my biggest problem with writing is translating my jumbled thoughts into words.

Write it however you'd like, or however it ends up! That's the brilliance of this 'contest'. It's just to encourage the variety of writing styles for a variety of games and to get voices out there.

@DrFinkelstein
I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to writing. If i'm not happy with it, I get rid of it. Plus i'm really busy in the next couple of weeks getting ready for christmas.

Pokefreak911 said:

Okay I'm backing out of this. Partly due to time and partly due to me being unable to gather my thoughts about AC3. Sometimes I love it, other times, I despise it.

Aren't you the best person to review this game then?? Stick with it, brother, sounds like you have a good handle on this thing, really. And we've got weeks? until the "contest" is over. You can do it, we believe in you!

@Mr_Mustache
I'm really busy though. I might still do it if I have time, but I doubt it.

It's ok, do it if you can, don't if you can't. No pressure.

If I get Tank! Tank! Tank! for Christmas I will knock up a review by the New Year. Of course I can't guarantee that I get it.

About 1 more week to get your reviews in! I know it is busy time right now, but don't forget!

I've already got some thoughts typed up. I'll be home on the 25th and can get serious about it then. I'll try to get it in early in case I need help with the configuration and stuff, it being my first review and all. Hopefully I won't.

Sweet! Can't wait to read it, that's the main game I'm playing right now and I think there is a lot to say about it. It's a kind of weird game, when you think about it... sort of an RPG, but sort of not.

I'm recalling my dibs.

@Pokefreak911

Hhmm, in that case, I call dibs on Assassin's Creed III (Wii U).

Assassin's Creed III review posted!

Yessssssssssssssssssssss.

Despite being a -1 user as of right now, I'd really like to get in on this. Is that okay?

And if it is, dibs on Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga for GBA.

Sure it's ok! And you're -2 now, so you can write a review using the instructions in the OP.

BTW I think I will end up pushing the deadline back a bit... maybe a week or so? January 7th? I'm going to be a bit busy in the new year and won't have time to set up the voting / etc. right away so why not give people a bit more time?

Which means Nate, you would totally have time to do Fluidity...

@Zero Yeah, that about sums up the review draft I have. Hope to have it up by the end of the weekend, even with the deadline being pushed back. Depends if I can escape the vortex that is Professor Layton. Help! I'm trapped in a Christmas gift!

I'm think I'll throw my name in the Review-a-thon hat. Trying to decide what to review, it's a toss-up between Mighty Switch Force, Adventure Time: HIKWYSOG (3DS) and Art of Balance TOUCH!. To be safe, I guess I'll just dibs Adventure Time. And I'll be sure to inform you ahead of time if I can't make it...in time.