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Community Discussion: Blog by MaximusPaynicus | BRIBERY! THEIVERY! TREACHERY!Destructoid
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About
Konnichiwa!

My name is James. By day I am a freelance copywriter and editor. While the perks of this job are getting to sleep 'til 2pm and working in my underwear, I've learned far more about hemorrhoid cream and proper swimming pool chlorination than I ever care to.

I guess you could say I'm a "former" video game "journalist" (though I wouldn't call myself the J word). I am the former Editor-in-Chief of Binge Gamer and I spent time writing at other blogs. I gave it up because while I love gaming and the gaming industry, I just didn't have the constitution to run my own business.

Not at the age of 23, anyways.

Let's see... apart from that I'm prior service US Army (Military Police), a stand-up comedian, a connoisseur of soft drinks and I once wrestled a cheetah.

I was victorious.
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So get this shit, dudes and dames. You know how publishers will send reviewers and journalists tons of swag along with the game that's supposed to be reviewed? If not, I assure you -- they do. They usually wind up being used as giveaway prizes. However, one guy wasn't particularly pleased with his grab [duffel] bag of goodies.

Dean Takahashi of the San Jose Mercury News in his video podcast accused Microsoft of out-and-out bribery. In response to such an outrageous insult to his journalistic integrity, Takahashi has vowed to return the entire bag to Microsoft.

...I've heard of looking a gift horse in the mouth, but this is the first time I think I've seen someone kick it in the teeth.

This is absolutely ridiculous. First of all, I don't think it can be a "bribe" if they don't, you know, state any terms. But more than that, what a douche bag move by Takahashi. Return it? Gizmodo, Joystiq, Kotaku and a dozen other sites received the same damn package. They took it, and either gave it to their readers or are currently in the process of doing just that.

..except Gizmodo. They threw it off a porch, or something.

What do y'all think? Is this Microsoft trying to bribe people into giving Halo 3 a good review? Or is this just them going all out on the swag bag?

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plus, according to gizmodo, they HAVE to return the whole bag when they are done with the review... they only get to keep the MREs and dog tags and stuff like that. All game hardware and software had to go back when they were done.
You sure? I know another non-Destructoid website is giving away a prize package that contains everything Takahashi received, minus the tags and MRE.

Which, as someone who has served in the US Army... you wouldn't give a MRE to your worst enemy.
Actually I hear the new MREs are pretty decent, so say my friends in Iraq atm.

But digg you?

No Tanks.
@balth
I would say something, but I am captivated by your avatar...
Well, lets put it this way...


As the end consumer, will you be getting a bag with over 3 grand in stuff when you play the game?

Why should someone who is expected to be reviewing (supposedly without bias) the same game as a consumer, get all this stuff?


As human beings we are fickle creatures with our normal flaws, and if you think for one second that some reviewers weren't swayed by all that stuff than your full of it. It would be EASY to buy into all that crazy hype and not objectively review the game (all the 10/10's anyone? H3 may be good, but it's not perfect).

I'm pretty much dislike Halo, but if I got that bag in the mail, I'd be more than willing to say a few nice things about it. One thing is sure, the reviewers didn't NEED that bag to review the game. It's not out and out bribery, but it does make for some very biased reviews...
I can understand his point of view. Think of it like this, you and I both hand in essays in every way equal to a teacher, but at the same time I buy him a new chair to sit in while he reads the test and a jewel encrusted pen to write the grade. Does that seem a bit questionable?

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