New Games Journalism

This week we looked at New Games Journalism and how it differs from Old Games Journalism. New Games Journalism (here out referred to as NCJ) is essentially reviews and opinion based conclusion upon games, in my opinion this segregation if flawed as it is nigh impossible to keep all personal thoughts on a game locked up in any type of review (saying the world is beautifully made IS an opinion, not a fact (it's subjective)).

One article that especially stood out from the rest was Ian Shanahan's 'Bow, Nigger'. This article delved into the players emotional and immersive journey through a game of JK2: Jedi Outcast. He starts off in a more 'professional' old games journalism type role, but quickly descends into the depths of feelings and the experience. The problem with this story is that he contradicts himself; he starts off saying he won't stoop to the level of the other player but quickly descends into the common profanity and abuse that he has sworn to 'rise above'. He speaks of some common courtesy and refers to it like its law. He forgets that it is a players choice to how they act, and while he may choose to be an honorable Jedi, some people only wish to watch the world burn as a dishonorable Sith. I also found that what started as his epic journey, soon became his quest for a lust of greater acknowledgement; to become unto a Jedi, to be a hero. The problem I have with this is he is prior to this quite opposing in his views; he points out that it is just a game, that he doesn't really care and that while it's important to some, it is not to him. Then we reach the point where he refers to himself in all the manners of the Jedi, personally I found him to contradictive to enjoy.

Following on from this we began to look at Old Games Journalism, we observed reviewing sites and their approach to referring to things more technically; summing things up in short technical points and giving a rather standard specification for a review. However I found the attitude these methods used to be flawed; they're still opinionated just like NGJ, whether we like it or not; 'professional' reviewers in the end are still simply giving their opinions.

I personally prefer NGJ; because it tells you a lot more. Finding technical specs and details on a game can be interesting, but its rather easy, the real challenge is finding a good opinionated review that takes you on a journey. A review that defines an experience that you can understand and enjoy is much better than finding out a game has a 'great UI'