You'll Trust IGN After This Wii Review? The Shark Has Been Jumped

Shaun White Snowboarding has been all the rage, pretty good game and the first to get exclusive content.

Today IGN rates the special Target version and give it the same score as the regular version?

Huh?

Here's what they say about their ranking of the game...

"Of course, this SKU is also five dollars more than the others. So sure, you can pay more to get more, if you like. For that reason, the Target Edition of Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip is receiving the same score as the retailer-neutral game."

Which makes zero sense, let's break it down...

The extra content is 5 dollars, the content adds one entire mountain that has features found nowhere else. That mountain adds 1/5th to the game.

Now they say it's a wash because you're paying for the extra content, same score, case closed.

But AHA! One truth prevails!

If 5 dollars is the going rate for a mountain in the game then the "regular" version of the game with 4 mountains should cost 20 dollars right?

Oh no readers, you're out 50 bucks (less or more depending on your area and sales savvy)

That means everyone is paying 12.50 a mountain in the game 

If you get the Target version you're getting one extra mountain at almost 1/3rd the price!

Yet they score it the same?

Anyone else see this as being completely wrong and more proof they hand out scores for Wii games as they see fit and not because of the actual make up of the game?

Knowledge is power!

If 5 dollars is the going rate for a mountain in the game then the "regular" version of the game with 4 mountains should cost 20 dollars right?

Oh no readers, you're out 50 bucks (less or more depending on your area and sales savvy)

That means everyone is paying 12.50 a mountain in the game 

If you get the Target version you're getting one extra mountain at almost 1/3rd the price!

Yet they score it the same?

Jaysonguy

No, because the game is not composed merely of mountains. It has an engine, all the game mechanics, all that labour that went into building the game's interface. That's what you're paying for. You can't just divide it out per mountain like that. After all, they didn't sit down to work on this game and go, "Bill, Sue, Jim, you get Mountain #1 and #2. Tom, Mary, Suzanne, you get Mountain #3 and #4. We'll meet back in a year."

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

I have a better question. I'm canadian. We don't have Targets in canada. So does this mean i don't have the choice whether to have the new content or not?nintendoman562

i'm asking the exact same thing. lol

So it's confirmed that this will not be available in Canada?  Zellers is owned by Target, is there the possiblity of it coming here?

So it's confirmed that this will not be available in Canada?  Zellers is owned by Target, is there the possiblity of it coming here?

 

DDRMom

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

clicketyclick

Do they give special editions higher ratings? Yes, yes they do

MADDEN 09 Regular version = 8.8, retailed for 59.99

MADDEN 09 SPECIAL EDITION = 9.1, retailed for 89.99

[QUOTE="clicketyclick"]

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

Jaysonguy

Do they give special editions higher ratings? Yes, yes they do

MADDEN 09 Regular version = 8.8, retailed for 59.99

MADDEN 09 SPECIAL EDITION = 9.1, retailed for 89.99

If you actually read into the review,you might discover that there is more to the Madden Special Edition than just a few maps.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"][QUOTE="clicketyclick"]

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

VGobbsesser

Do they give special editions higher ratings? Yes, yes they do

MADDEN 09 Regular version = 8.8, retailed for 59.99

MADDEN 09 SPECIAL EDITION = 9.1, retailed for 89.99

If you actually read into the review,you might discover that there is more to the Madden Special Edition than just a few maps.

Didn't need to read it since I already own it

Didn't need to read it since I already own it

Jaysonguy

Oh.Then you should already be aware that your comparison between Madden 09 and Shawn White Snowboarding is bogus,as the Madden 09 Special Edition offers much more content than the special edition of Shawn White Snowboarding.

This kind of stuff happens all the time.

Think of Downloadable content. Do reviewers re-review Rock Band each time the download service comes out with a new song? Or do they re-review Call of Duty when a map pack is released?

Or think of game patches. Rarely does an editorial site change their review after a patch is released that fixes a bug in the game.

How about expansion packs? How often is it that an expansion pack reviews higher than the original game? It has to do something incredible to justify a higher score.

IGN is simply saying "you can buy this version, but it's five extra dollars and it doesn't really make the game significantly better to warrant a better score. You get what you pay for".

Maybe this mountain is only worth exactly five dollars. Did you think of that?

So it's confirmed that this will not be available in Canada?  Zellers is owned by Target, is there the possiblity of it coming here?

 

DDRMom

[QUOTE="clicketyclick"]

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

Jaysonguy

Do they give special editions higher ratings? Yes, yes they do

MADDEN 09 Regular version = 8.8, retailed for 59.99

MADDEN 09 SPECIAL EDITION = 9.1, retailed for 89.99

I think your overreacting. It's not that bad.

How much did Gamespot pay you to post this?

I think your overreacting. It's not that bad.

 

How much did Gamespot pay you to post this?

m00cherman

2 bags of Skittles and the ability to ban one member of my choosing

[QUOTE="m00cherman"] Just called them. They don't even have the game in stock at least where I live. And Zellers isn't owned by Target, so abandon all hope. [QUOTE="Jaysonguy"][QUOTE="clicketyclick"]

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

Jaysonguy

Do they give special editions higher ratings? Yes, yes they do

MADDEN 09 Regular version = 8.8, retailed for 59.99

MADDEN 09 SPECIAL EDITION = 9.1, retailed for 89.99

Case Closed

But AHA! One truth prevails!

Jaysonguy

That show is so amazing...

As for worth, the Target advertising team spent money directly into production of this mountain, so that front end made the content cheaper to the consumer.

So if you can stomach the Target ad, then you can get this content for $7.50 cheaper than wholesale.

Shaun White Snowboarding has been all the rage, pretty good game and the first to get exclusive content.

Today IGN rates the special Target version and give it the same score as the regular version?

Huh?

Here's what they say about their ranking of the game...

"Of course, this SKU is also five dollars more than the others. So sure, you can pay more to get more, if you like. For that reason, the Target Edition of Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip is receiving the same score as the retailer-neutral game."

Which makes zero sense, let's break it down...

The extra content is 5 dollars, the content adds one entire mountain that has features found nowhere else. That mountain adds 1/5th to the game.

Now they say it's a wash because you're paying for the extra content, same score, case closed.

But AHA! One truth prevails!

If 5 dollars is the going rate for a mountain in the game then the "regular" version of the game with 4 mountains should cost 20 dollars right?

Oh no readers, you're out 50 bucks (less or more depending on your area and sales savvy)

That means everyone is paying 12.50 a mountain in the game 

If you get the Target version you're getting one extra mountain at almost 1/3rd the price!

Yet they score it the same?

Anyone else see this as being completely wrong and more proof they hand out scores for Wii games as they see fit and not because of the actual make up of the game?

Knowledge is power!

Jaysonguy

Whoa whoa whoa.. waiiit waiit... *scratches head*

Ok, Let me get this straight:

You complained (practically crusaded) that Megaman 9 was "incomplete" because its DLC was ready to go at launch.   Now wouldn't that same complaint apply here?  But NOOOO here you defend having to pay an extra $5 for content that was equally readyto go at launch.  

I think the real story here is that Jaysonguy tries to find whatever reason he can to convince people that something popular is bad (in this case IGN).  He's like some kind of self engineered trend-killer-wannabe.  Ever notice how the things that most people like, he tries to trash?  And the things that most people don't like, he praises?

The IGN reviewer's point was that you'll get the same bang for your buck, regardless which version you purchase.  Obviously that means the exclusive content isn't impressive enough to warrant passing up the normal copy (unless you're a real fan or have OCD). 

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

Shaun White Snowboarding has been all the rage, pretty good game and the first to get exclusive content.

Today IGN rates the special Target version and give it the same score as the regular version?

Huh?

Here's what they say about their ranking of the game...

"Of course, this SKU is also five dollars more than the others. So sure, you can pay more to get more, if you like. For that reason, the Target Edition of Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip is receiving the same score as the retailer-neutral game."

Which makes zero sense, let's break it down...

The extra content is 5 dollars, the content adds one entire mountain that has features found nowhere else. That mountain adds 1/5th to the game.

Now they say it's a wash because you're paying for the extra content, same score, case closed.

But AHA! One truth prevails!

If 5 dollars is the going rate for a mountain in the game then the "regular" version of the game with 4 mountains should cost 20 dollars right?

Oh no readers, you're out 50 bucks (less or more depending on your area and sales savvy)

That means everyone is paying 12.50 a mountain in the game 

If you get the Target version you're getting one extra mountain at almost 1/3rd the price!

Yet they score it the same?

Anyone else see this as being completely wrong and more proof they hand out scores for Wii games as they see fit and not because of the actual make up of the game?

Knowledge is power!

Mike1978Smith

Whoa whoa whoa.. waiiit waiit... *scratches head*

Ok, Let me get this straight:

You complained (practically crusaded) that Megaman 9 was "incomplete" because its DLC was ready to go at launch.   Now wouldn't that same complaint apply here?  But NOOOO here you defend having to pay an extra $5 for content that was equally readyto go at launch.  

I think the real story here is that Jaysonguy tries to find whatever reason he can to convince people that something popular is bad (in this case IGN).  He's like some kind of self engineered trend-killer-wannabe.  Ever notice how the things that most people like, he tries to trash?  And the things that most people don't like, he praises?

The IGN reviewer's point was that you'll get the same bang for your buck, regardless which version you purchase.  Obviously that means the exclusive content isn't impressive enough to warrant passing up the normal copy (unless you're a real fan or have OCD). 

Completely false

Target paid millions in an endorsement deal to get this done. That I have no problem with.

The makers of the game do not have some sort of Target store fetish and this game allowed them to finally put it on display.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

If 5 dollars is the going rate for a mountain in the game then the "regular" version of the game with 4 mountains should cost 20 dollars right?

Oh no readers, you're out 50 bucks (less or more depending on your area and sales savvy)

That means everyone is paying 12.50 a mountain in the game 

If you get the Target version you're getting one extra mountain at almost 1/3rd the price!

Yet they score it the same?

clicketyclick

No, because the game is not composed merely of mountains. It has an engine, all the game mechanics, all that labour that went into building the game's interface. That's what you're paying for. You can't just divide it out per mountain like that. After all, they didn't sit down to work on this game and go, "Bill, Sue, Jim, you get Mountain #1 and #2. Tom, Mary, Suzanne, you get Mountain #3 and #4. We'll meet back in a year."

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

[QUOTE="clicketyclick"][QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

If 5 dollars is the going rate for a mountain in the game then the "regular" version of the game with 4 mountains should cost 20 dollars right?

Oh no readers, you're out 50 bucks (less or more depending on your area and sales savvy)

That means everyone is paying 12.50 a mountain in the game 

If you get the Target version you're getting one extra mountain at almost 1/3rd the price!

Yet they score it the same?

CasioTeck

No, because the game is not composed merely of mountains. It has an engine, all the game mechanics, all that labour that went into building the game's interface. That's what you're paying for. You can't just divide it out per mountain like that. After all, they didn't sit down to work on this game and go, "Bill, Sue, Jim, you get Mountain #1 and #2. Tom, Mary, Suzanne, you get Mountain #3 and #4. We'll meet back in a year."

Do they give special editions higher ratings? No. Why? You do get extras, but it costs more money. It's up to the consumer whether the extra content is worth it to them.

You may want to scroll to where I show that IGN does show different scores for different versions of games.

I'm going to have to call you out on this one clickety :P This is because when you said "it adds a whole lot more than "another mountain"". It isn't a valid segment to your argument because when you stated they do not give special editions higher scores, it certainly sounded like you were referring to special editions as whole. And just because the Madden Special Edition adds much more content than "another mountain", that does not mean that it segregates itself from other special editions in the way you were referring to such special editions because as I said before, it certainly appeared that you were talking about all special editions. Sorry ;) scar-hawk

It isn't called a "special edition" like Jaysonguy called it. It's called the "Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition". It contains far more than a couple features here and there. As I mentioned, it contains a whole other game in addition to Madden NFL 09, along with the standard special edition "exclusive video content" stuff. To call this just another special edition is like calling The Orange Box simply a special edition of Half-Life. And that comparison is valid for me to make because that's the exact comparison IGN makes in reviewing the Madden 20th Anniversary Edition.

In any case, my point still stands, because what's at issue is not whether every single kind of edition of the game got the same score, but that it is common and widespread to give special editions the same score as the regular game (GameSpot doesn't even seem to bother giving a separate rating to the special editions.) This question comes up: in light of this long history of giving special editions the same scores as the regular game, why is it all of a sudden now jumping the shark to give this paltry Target edition the same score as the regular game?

Presumably, the reason why special editions have commonly been given the same scores as the originals in the past is because they don't add so much to the game that it makes it the significantly and definitively better version, keeping in mind the added cost. If this is the case for swanky and spiffy Special Editions of AAA games like Fallout 3, GoW2, and the like, why is it such an intolerable shock that this minor addition (relative to those special editions I mentioned) of a few courses plastered with corporate branding to a game like Shaun White receives the same score as the original?

Did anyone really expect the Wii to be treated differently from the other platforms? Does anyone really want the Wii to be treated unfairly?