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?
Video
Digg if you love me.
Which, as someone who has served in the US Army... you wouldn't give a MRE to your worst enemy.
But digg you?
No Tanks.
I would say something, but I am captivated by your avatar...
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...