Are there any real life examples of merits that anyone wants to share? I've scoured the comments section of the games in search of merit examples for a ridiculously long amount of time, and only found page after page of spam.
One of the purposes of Merits is to set examples for other posters. This is a somewhat improbable idea, as personally, I've never even seen an actual Merit, and I'd rather not spend another half hour searching through comments filled with spam.
If you find a noteworthy Merit, or have previously earned a Merit, please feel free to post it.
No, that does not prove they're appreciated. Merits are given by mods, not game developers.
Ehm... I must disagree there Tharos. Is it not that when a 'bad review' gets merited, it is shown that it's not only when you write a praising review on a game, that you could only receive a merit? In my opinion, this distinctively prooves that honesty is a 'key ingredient' in writing reviews...
I actually think most merits are given to generally negative comments, by the way.
Well, looking at my own received merits, I can say it's the other way around. From the ones I received (all reviews) only 1 of them was written "to notify the developer that I really disliked his game and it included a little list of what I thought was wrong with the game"... did I say that nicely? :/
That's why it was, some months ago when I just joined AG, that I thought that only 'good praising reviews' would receive a merit... later on I learned that (said again) the 'key ingredient' in writing reviews is being honest about the game...
Would it inspire you to better yourself, or would it crush your spirit? No one benefits from hurting a game developer's self esteem.
In reply to this I can only say that this will involve a large 'grey area' in which we then find ourselves...
You see, every person reacts in his/her own way to certain events or words. With this I mean that when one person is offended by something, it could very well mean that another person is not, maybe the latter person even finds it amusing! You can never predict how someone reacts upon what you are about to write... you said it yourself there! If you think his game stinks and write it in all honesty, the develoepr of the game can either be -pleased with the comment, learn from his mistakes and make a new better game, or he -can be offended (since he thinks it's the best game he ever made), then gets angry/bittered and gives up on making games alltogether!
It's both the extreme possible outcomes I provide here...
You actually think someone can be pleased with a comment that their game stinks? Come on!
And I never said to be dishonest about anything. I said to look for the good in a game, not make up good stuff about a game.
The only reason I even have this viewpoint is because I so often see nasty comments getting merits. Maybe I'm wrong that these comments are predominantly negative, since I obviously can't read every comment. But I'd rather not see people go nuts grinding games into the ground.
Is it not that when a 'bad review' gets merited, it is shown that it's not only when you write a praising review on a game, that you could only receive a merit?
Yes, it does show that bad reviews can get merits, but that's different from them being "appreciated." I was talking about them being appreciated by developers, not mods. The developers may never even read those.
No one benefits from hurting a game developer's self esteem.
Except for the game developer themself. The comments may sting at first, but it will most likely motivate the developer to improve the game by installing newer versions, and it will encourage them to try harder when they make their next game.
The comments may sting at first, but it will most likely motivate the developer to improve the game by installing newer versions, and it will encourage them to try harder when they make their next game.
And that, is the only reason to comment (and vote) a game. We want developers to become better, for making greater games. Of course, if in the process a merit is awarded, we will not spit on it; But we have to make developers know what they did right and what they did wrong.
You actually think someone can be pleased with a comment that their game stinks? Come on!
If this person is 'open-minded', it very well could! Only depends on how he reacts to critcism on his game... just like I stated in my previous post!
I said to look for the good in a game, not make up good stuff about a game.
I know and understand that Tharos, and it's what I strive for too! I just said the same thing you did, in another sentence... that's why I keep hammering on the whole 'be honest topic'...
But I'd rather not see people go nuts grinding games into the ground.
Agreed, people shouldn't go nuts while reviewing a game, just state the facts (even if they are bad in their point of view) in a nice civilized way! And I seriously doubt reviews that demolish a game in an un-friendly way are rewarded with a merit...
I was talking about them being appreciated by developers, not mods. The developers may never even read those.
Well, I've had some reactions from developers in the past on reviews I made on their games, but those were minimal in count. So, I guess you're right about that, unless a lot of developers do read them, they just don't take their time to comment a reply to the person giving the review...
The comments may sting at first, but it will most likely motivate the developer to improve the game by installing newer versions, and it will encourage them to try harder when they make their next game.
But we have to make developers know what they did right and what they did wrong.
Right! That's the whole idea of the reviews... pointing out to the developers what's good or bad about the game to stimulate them in making better games in the future! =D
[quote]You actually think someone can be pleased with a comment that their game stinks? Come on!
If this person is 'open-minded', it very well could! Only depends on how he reacts to critcism on his game... just like I stated in my previous post! [/quote]
So you're pleased when people insult you? Even if you are, it hardly seems a reasonable thing to expect from other people. Open-mindedness has nothing to do with it.
And that, is the only reason to comment (and vote) a game. We want developers to become better, for making greater games.
Oh please, comments are not private messages to developers. Everyone sees them, developers, mods, other gamers. Gamers read comments and see other aspects to a game they hadn't noticed. Gamers see the results of voting and decide which games they wanna play.
And I know the value of feedback! Everyone does. But don't go thinking you're being somehow noble by going through the game and summarizing what was good or bad about it. Everyone else knows that stuff already if they've played it. And the developer should be even more familiar with it because they made it!
It's not negative comments I'm against here. It's the same old negative comments that anyone can easily point out in a game. The more insightful and unique a comment is, the more valuable.
So you're pleased when people insult you? Even if you are, it hardly seems a reasonable thing to expect from other people. Open-mindedness has nothing to do with it.
Constructive criticism is valid, but not mindless criticism. One points out flaws and provides suggestions as to how to fix it or make it better, and one just throws out "THIS GAME IS GAY" all the time.
and one just throws out "THIS GAME IS GAY" all the time.
Aw, I like the comments where people c/p their about into the comment... Ooh, or those three times in that game, where the walkthrough was posted. Or the person that c/p'ed the comment two comments below his. Or the "hard", "stupid", "4.223546545/10", "9", "*insert chain letter here*", "bdsjkbvfja<kbrjgvabkvndlbjlk" or perhaps the "I am only posting this to gain AP." /unrelated vent.
First... @Cenere: you seem like you could REALLY need a good strong cup of coffee like I mentioned in the other thread?! Bouncing off the walls there buddy? :S
So you're pleased when people insult you? Even if you are, it hardly seems a reasonable thing to expect from other people. Open-mindedness has nothing to do with it.
No, not exactly like that... *grins* It's what I mean with criticism being vented to the developer about the game and when a really bad game is submitted (and the developer thinks the world of it) he might (mind you 'might' get some pretty harsh reviews on it... wouldn't mean he should like it, but at least he gets an honest opinion on his game and then it's up to him how to deal with it...
Oh please, comments are not private messages to developers. Everyone sees them, developers, mods, other gamers.
Actually, in a way they are just that! If a developer makes a game, he would likely want to know what the gamers out there think of it and maybe wants to get the flaws in the game pointed out to him... at least I would want to know if I submitted a game I made... wouldn't you want to know that?
>>> Would you like to know more?!? <<< 'click'...
If you guess where I got that from, you're good... REAL good... =D
The more insightful and unique a comment is, the more valuable.
No argument there... point taken and agreed on it! =)
Constructive criticism is valid, but not mindless criticism. One points out flaws and provides suggestions as to how to fix it or make it better, and one just throws out "THIS GAME IS GAY" all the time.
It's always mind blowing to read those 'intellectual reviews' some users post... 'bad', 'sucks', 'like it', great!'... *facepalms* The suggesting what can be improved or how to fix a problem in a game, is vital when you write out the flaws in a game... it's just that a lot of users prefer those 'mindless comments' over a well written review... alas...
It's what I mean with criticism being vented to the developer about the game and when a really bad game is submitted (and the developer thinks the world of it) he might (mind you 'might' get some pretty harsh reviews on it... wouldn't mean he should like it, but at least he gets an honest opinion on his game and then it's up to him how to deal with it...
I assure you he'll get those reviews whether or not you choose to append to them.
[quote]Oh please, comments are not private messages to developers.
Actually, in a way they are just that![/quote]
No, private messages are private messages. Comments are comments. They are not private.
Aw, I like the comments where people c/p their about into the comment... Ooh, or those three times in that game, where the walkthrough was posted. Or the person that c/p'ed the comment two comments below his. Or the "hard", "stupid", "4.223546545/10", "9", "*insert chain letter here*", "bdsjkbvfja<kbrjgvabkvndlbjlk" or perhaps the "I am only posting this to gain AP." /unrelated vent.
It's a good thing you have the power to get rid of those!
i recently (yesterday) got a merit on a comment i posted back in november 2008, i think its pretty good that it was found. i used to think that if it wasnt caught in 2 days im never going to get a merit for it. but i was wrong, they still give out merits to old comments and what not.
So keep posting thoughfull comments insted of "ie pie pie pie" "apple apple apple" "yo" "good game" "10/10" "sucks"
So you're pleased when people insult you? Even if you are, it hardly seems a reasonable thing to expect from other people. Open-mindedness has nothing to do with it.
Like I said, the comments may sting at first, but chances are, the game developers will aspire to avoid being stung a second time. If the developers simply lived in a blissful ignorance, and instantly assumed that their game would be amazing, then they wouldn't endeavor to make their future games better.
I agree that non-constructive criticism is detrimental to the comments section and the confidence of the game developers. However, this is not a valid excuse to entirely inhibit all negative comments.
I assure you he'll get those reviews whether or not you choose to append to them.
I know, that's the result (wanted or not) you get when you submit a game... it simply comes with the 'job'!
No, private messages are private messages. Comments are comments. They are not private.
As I see it, comments to a game are directed to the game developer, thus being a private message directed to him/her... that's what I meant with it...
@gameingkid:
So keep posting thoughfull comments insted of "ie pie pie pie" "apple apple apple" "yo" "good game" "10/10" "sucks" And youll eventually get a merit.
Ehm... there's a little flaw in your hypothesis there... allthough keeping up the making of sensible reviews is something you have to do (and is wanted of course), it will not mean that you automatically get a merit for it... it's still up to the admins/mods to decide whether your review is worth getting one!
@BeastMode10:
Agreed, the whole purpose of reviewing a game stays the same allover... letting a developer know what your thoughts on the game in question are and, when they are bad, provide him/her with a means to do it better the next time they make one! And the confidence of the developers is something that has to be handled by them personally... like I said, some people learn from the criticism and do something with it, some people get irritated or even discouraged by it... all depends on the character of that particular person!
As I see it, comments to a game are directed to the game developer, thus being a private message directed to him/her... that's what I meant with it...
"Thus being a private message"? They are not private! How can you say they are private? Comments could be like messages, but messages do not equal private messages! RRRAAAARRR!!
And besides, I've seen plenty of comments directed at other players, and I've written a few myself. Sometimes there's something in the game you want to point out that obviously the developers know is there but you think not many gamers will notice. Also sometimes people are just responding to other comments and don't wanna do it on their profile.
I agree that non-constructive criticism is detrimental to the comments section and the confidence of the game developers. However, this is not a valid excuse to entirely inhibit all negative comments.
"Inhibit all negative comments"? How could anyone possibly interpret anything I've said to mean I wanted to inhibit all negative comments?
Agreed, the whole purpose of reviewing a game stays the same allover... letting a developer know what your thoughts on the game in question are and, when they are bad, provide him/her with a means to do it better the next time they make one!
You keep talking in absolutes! "The whole purpose of reviewing a game stays the same allover..." Maybe you're the one who needs to be more open minded. There are lots of reasons to review a game!
Look, if everyone's just gonna ignore everything I've said, fine. Just fine.
