April 25, 3:41 PM...A message board post on neogaf forums leaks supposedly insider information:
Some people would say that the way Bethesda ended that sentence means there is some hope for a PS3/PSP Oblivion.
To me, it looks more like, "THERE, that's the answer you wanted, right? Now, will you leave us alone??"
Unfortunately better judgment is preceded by hyperbole and hopes and dreams, and in this case, the blatant bias of some of these gaming web sites rears its ugly, deformed head:
It can't get any more clear than that, right? Wrong. The headline of the 1up article reads:
Now imagine how many people out there really bother to read the details of any type of news, and you'll realize that 1up is clearly misleading its readers and sensationalizing what is essentially neogaf videogame fanboy drivel. Either that, or they really just favor the Playstation, and want to see a triple A class game like Oblivion be ported to their beloved PS3 as soon as possible. Knowing that they hold some influence over the decisions that game developers make (since they control perception and public opinion), an article saying that a game *can* get released for a platform increases the likelihood that it will happen. To be fair, that *is* the way it is.
But there's no denying that the gaming press is blowing out of proportion what is essentially a clearly unreliable source of information -- a message board post! Yes it's NEOGAF, supposedly the insider gaming information mecca. But with quality posts like this posted daily:
Pfft! Oh please! Since when did NO translate to MAYBE?
That's just gaming journalism at its finest, fairest, and most balanced. It adds more fuel to the mudslinging that happens day in and day out on console gaming message boards.
Surprisingly, the best among all three examples I cited is Gamespot. Not only did they properly label their article as RUMOR CONTROL (so that the people who don't really read entire articles aren't misled), they also fairly presented what 'really' happened and presented all the sides of the story, more or less. Bravo, Gamespot. Lately it's turning out that they're the only reliable source of gaming news out there on the 'net (that isn't tainted with fanboy bias or corporate partnerships...)
Supposedly the neogaf/gaming age forums is a famous source for insider gaming information. Truth be told, a lot of things that are *revealed* there are usually half-truths and part of its credibility is only because there are supposedly real game developers who regularly post there. Given that developers frequent the neogaf forum, a lot of gamers, including the less intellectually blessed, are registered on that forum, and if you ask me, a lot more false news gets posted there because of that. It doesn't take much observation to conclude that the vast majority of neogaf posters are illiterate children, together with a much, much larger population of plants and shills than other dedicated-console forums. It's the fame of the NEOGAF that also makes it the worst place to get any kind of decent gaming discussion.
Bottom line: Keep your guard up during these days leading up to E3 2006. There's going to be a LOT of bullshit.
I just got a release list from Bethesda....first one in a while. I gave it a quick glance then did a double take and spit take with my morning coffee.....take a look:
PS2 AMF Extreme Bowling 2006 (Mud Duck) 9-May-06A few hours later, this simple message board post becomes news all over the internet:
XBX AMF Extreme Bowling 2006 (Mud Duck) 9-May-06
PS2 IHRA Sportsman Edition 9-May-06
XBX IHRA Sportsman Edition 9-May-06
PS2 Pirates Of The Caribbean:Legend of Jack Sparrow 1-Jun-06
PS2 Star Trek - Battlestations 6-Oct-06
360 Star Trek - Legacy 6-Oct-06
DS Star Trek - Tactical Assault 6-Oct-06
PSP Star Trek - Tactical Assault 6-Oct-06
PS3 Oblivion 6-Nov-06
PSP Oblivion 6-Nov-06
IGN - Oblivion on PSP and PS3?Apparently I didn't get the memo, messageboard posts now qualify as news on the Internet. This is Gaming Journalism at its finest....taking forum speculation and blowing it out of proportion and turning a reply of a flat out NO into a MAYBE. That's exactly what happened when Bethesda staff were questioned about this news. In order to make one of these 'professional' journalists shut the fuck up, they just had to leave the answer a bit open (but essentially, Bethesda's answer clearly *was* a NO):
1up - Oblivion Heading To PS3, PSP? Bethesda's epic RPG is getting cozy with Sony.
Gamespot Rumor Control - Oblivion coming to PS3...and PSP?
1up:
When contacted, Bethesda didn't categorically deny the information. "At present we have no announced plans to bring Oblivion to any other platforms than PC or Xbox 360. We'll certainly let folks know if that changes," says VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines.
Some people would say that the way Bethesda ended that sentence means there is some hope for a PS3/PSP Oblivion.
To me, it looks more like, "THERE, that's the answer you wanted, right? Now, will you leave us alone??"
Unfortunately better judgment is preceded by hyperbole and hopes and dreams, and in this case, the blatant bias of some of these gaming web sites rears its ugly, deformed head:
1up:
Of course, the key word there is announced. There's plenty of wiggle room for the company to come out swinging with both games at, say, E3. What a coincidence that would be!
Let's ask Bethesda again just to make sure. Maybe they'll slip up. "I'm saying we have not announced any plans to do a PS3 or PSP version of Oblivion. I don't know who that person is or where they came up with that information," he said.
It can't get any more clear than that, right? Wrong. The headline of the 1up article reads:
Oblivion Heading To PS3, PSP?
Bethesda's epic RPG is getting cozy with Sony.
Now imagine how many people out there really bother to read the details of any type of news, and you'll realize that 1up is clearly misleading its readers and sensationalizing what is essentially neogaf videogame fanboy drivel. Either that, or they really just favor the Playstation, and want to see a triple A class game like Oblivion be ported to their beloved PS3 as soon as possible. Knowing that they hold some influence over the decisions that game developers make (since they control perception and public opinion), an article saying that a game *can* get released for a platform increases the likelihood that it will happen. To be fair, that *is* the way it is.
But there's no denying that the gaming press is blowing out of proportion what is essentially a clearly unreliable source of information -- a message board post! Yes it's NEOGAF, supposedly the insider gaming information mecca. But with quality posts like this posted daily:
"Teh M3GAT0N!!1111!!! OMGLOLLERS!!21!!"...Should you really trust the NEOGAF?
IGN:
We contacted Bethesda and sadly they had very little grist to add to the rumor mill. Their official reply: "At present we have no announced plans to bring Oblivion to any platforms other than PC or Xbox 360."
Thankfully, this response is just cagey enough to keep hope alive....
Pfft! Oh please! Since when did NO translate to MAYBE?
That's just gaming journalism at its finest, fairest, and most balanced. It adds more fuel to the mudslinging that happens day in and day out on console gaming message boards.
Gamespot:
So is a PS3 port and PSP spin-off of Oblivion in the works? For now, the answer is officially "no." "At present we have no announced plans to bring Oblivion to any other platforms than PC or Xbox 360," was the carefully worded response from Bethesda. "We'll certainly let folks know if that changes."
Bogus or not bogus?: Officially? Bogus for the time being. Unofficially? It's within the realm of possibility.
Surprisingly, the best among all three examples I cited is Gamespot. Not only did they properly label their article as RUMOR CONTROL (so that the people who don't really read entire articles aren't misled), they also fairly presented what 'really' happened and presented all the sides of the story, more or less. Bravo, Gamespot. Lately it's turning out that they're the only reliable source of gaming news out there on the 'net (that isn't tainted with fanboy bias or corporate partnerships...)
Supposedly the neogaf/gaming age forums is a famous source for insider gaming information. Truth be told, a lot of things that are *revealed* there are usually half-truths and part of its credibility is only because there are supposedly real game developers who regularly post there. Given that developers frequent the neogaf forum, a lot of gamers, including the less intellectually blessed, are registered on that forum, and if you ask me, a lot more false news gets posted there because of that. It doesn't take much observation to conclude that the vast majority of neogaf posters are illiterate children, together with a much, much larger population of plants and shills than other dedicated-console forums. It's the fame of the NEOGAF that also makes it the worst place to get any kind of decent gaming discussion.
Bottom line: Keep your guard up during these days leading up to E3 2006. There's going to be a LOT of bullshit.