In a blog post today, Valve announced a pretty simple change to the way Steam games get a review score, to help with review bombing.
What is Review Bombing? To put it simply, tons of users going to a Steam page and leaving a negative review that's not always to do with the actual game in question. It's been something of a hot topic, since it became a tool for users to show their feelings about various things, most of the time something directed at the developer or publisher.
A recent example, would be how the Metro games on Steam got waves of negative reviews when Metro Exodus was announced as a timed-exclusive on the Epic Store.
So what are Valve doing? Well, they're going to remove what they say are 'off-topic review bombs' from the overall review score for that time period. However, the reviews themselves will still be left up for all to read and users on Steam can actually opt out of this removal system to continue seeing a review bomb as normal.
In a two question Q&A at the end of the blog post, Valve also mentioned a flaw in the system being that any review made during this period will no longer count if you leave this system turned on, which presumably means positive reviews too.
Valve did say they're working on "some other features around User Reviews" but they wanted to get this out as they thought it was "worth shipping by itself".
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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This is definitely needed. Atm Beat Saber is being review bombed, because the mods broke with yesterday's update and people can't dowload songs for free and complain about having to pay for songs. m( (that's the facepalm smiley)
1. they could easily downgrade
2. mods will be upgraded
3. song creators want to be paid for their work
Those negative reviews aren't helpful at all... mods are modding the current code, of course they don't work with a different/updated code. Also, those mods are inofficial. And the game is still in early access, so updates are expected... oh man :-/
1. they could easily downgrade
2. mods will be upgraded
3. song creators want to be paid for their work
Those negative reviews aren't helpful at all... mods are modding the current code, of course they don't work with a different/updated code. Also, those mods are inofficial. And the game is still in early access, so updates are expected... oh man :-/
13 Likes, Who?
Segata Sanshiro Mar 15, 2019
I definitely have mixed feelings on the whole review bombing thing.
On the one hand, a bunch of entitled and over-excited little kids (or grown men who behave as such) going on some crusade because their favorite Youtuber told them to really doesn't help anyone. There's games that have years of work put into them and get absolutely panned for no reason. There's often no second chances and with smaller companies it can ruin them.
On the other hand, it's pretty clear to some of the big developers and publishers that they can't get away with some of the abhorrent business practices that they have been able to in the past. In these cases it's often companies throwing their toys out of the pram because they can't get away with carving-out content and charging for it later or pay-to-win nonsense or just making crappy generic games for a quick buck. It's no coincidence that the Epic Store et. al. don't have reviews. How pro-consumer.
On the one hand, a bunch of entitled and over-excited little kids (or grown men who behave as such) going on some crusade because their favorite Youtuber told them to really doesn't help anyone. There's games that have years of work put into them and get absolutely panned for no reason. There's often no second chances and with smaller companies it can ruin them.
On the other hand, it's pretty clear to some of the big developers and publishers that they can't get away with some of the abhorrent business practices that they have been able to in the past. In these cases it's often companies throwing their toys out of the pram because they can't get away with carving-out content and charging for it later or pay-to-win nonsense or just making crappy generic games for a quick buck. It's no coincidence that the Epic Store et. al. don't have reviews. How pro-consumer.
11 Likes, Who?
The approach seems like a pretty fair compromise. The reviews don't disappear, nothing's being censored. And, if you're the kind of person who thinks review bombing is often justified/relevant, you can turn the feature off.
16 Likes, Who?
Schattenspiegel Mar 16, 2019
So if a game is buggy on release and immediately gets "review bombed" for it, you will not see any score at all for that time period? - Well, I guess no press is better than bad press... . On the other hand one wonders why publishers/developers complain about lack of exposure constantly then... . Or maybe creators/publishers of consumer content should try to not constantly find new ways to anger their customers.
I think the business looks at the reviews the wrong way. They are indicators that something is wrong with the product and needs to be changed. Hiding the reviews/scores does not help solve this problem.
Last edited by Schattenspiegel on 16 March 2019 at 5:14 am UTC
I think the business looks at the reviews the wrong way. They are indicators that something is wrong with the product and needs to be changed. Hiding the reviews/scores does not help solve this problem.
Last edited by Schattenspiegel on 16 March 2019 at 5:14 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
doomiebaby Mar 16, 2019
The approach seems like a pretty fair compromise. The reviews don't disappear, nothing's being censored. And, if you're the kind of person who thinks review bombing is often justified/relevant, you can turn the feature off.
Yeh, I do think it's a mix, but it does seem to be the most fair attempt at a hands-off compromise I've seen thus far from anyone with half the investment, influence and control of valve. I actually think a better solution would be to consider this notion of "topic" more thoroughly, and work to make their system reflect legitimate consumer concerns. Since Steam hasn't even had a big problem with joke reviews, but gave users the option to mark them as such; "helpful", "unhelpful", "funny". I really liked the ability to mark them as "funny" ..what a great way to let a community be natural.
I think something as simple as labeling and sorting reviews would be best, and maybe less biased as pertains to importance. A 10 point system in categories could help a meta score as well, for things like graphics, sound, install experience, level of support from the dev- and most controversial of all, but should not be hidden by default: ethics. why not? Then you could have a metascore for gameplay AND consumer experience. But I don't make millions selling "privileges" to play games, so what do I know? *le shrug* :P''
1 Likes, Who?
Keep in mind that you can opt out of that blind spot!
I like that a lot, but with time it could turn the whole feature useless. The same riot starters that rally the masses to review bomb a title will simply add the request to change this option in the settings. The more people see review bombs again, the more "victims" will complain.
What will Valve do at that point? Turn off the whole thing or just take away the opt out? Which side will they take, being a developer and publisher themselves?
And IMO the timing of this announcement and the recent Artifact news is noteworthy.
I like that a lot, but with time it could turn the whole feature useless. The same riot starters that rally the masses to review bomb a title will simply add the request to change this option in the settings. The more people see review bombs again, the more "victims" will complain.
What will Valve do at that point? Turn off the whole thing or just take away the opt out? Which side will they take, being a developer and publisher themselves?
And IMO the timing of this announcement and the recent Artifact news is noteworthy.
0 Likes
A sad day for consumers.
1 Likes, Who?
Doc Angelo Mar 16, 2019
A sad day for consumers.
Huh? Why?
2 Likes, Who?
walther von stolzing Mar 16, 2019
Another automated system to contain highly erratic behavior?
How about adding a 'complaints & suggestions' box to the product page, in addition to the reviews? And moderating that space for high profile releases?
How about adding a 'complaints & suggestions' box to the product page, in addition to the reviews? And moderating that space for high profile releases?
0 Likes
wintermute Mar 16, 2019
While the default is having the reviews hidden.
No, the default is not having the review bombs count towards the overall score, all the reviews will still be visible.
4 Likes, Who?
The approach seems like a pretty fair compromise. The reviews don't disappear, nothing's being censored. And, if you're the kind of person who thinks review bombing is often justified/relevant, you can turn the feature off.That's more or less my view of it. Although I've occasionally sympathized with review bombs (never to the point of taking part, I should add), it's a very blunt instrument which makes life difficult for potential purchasers who don't care about whatever issue it is that the bombers are excited about. Valve had to do something about it, and this seems like the least intrusive solution. It doesn't hide the fact that some buyers of the game are upset - the bad reviews will still be there - while making sure that the game's long-term rating is unaffected.
And I like that fact that they're not trying to automate the process beyond alerting them that a review bomb might be taking place. Whether it's off-topic or not is a fine distinction, and it's right that it should be actual humans, who can be held responsible, who are making the decision.
3 Likes, Who?
Can't say I like this. While there are quite a few extremely silly reasons for down-voting games that make no sense whatsoever, it's now in the hands of Valve to judge and decide what reasons are legitimate.
Or it could turn into a tool to please publishers.
And I'm not in the slightest interested in 'critics' reviews, averaged user scores so far were far more useful and reliable than paid reviews.
If there were a way to see the overall scores without what's deemed 'review bombing' removed I'd have no problem with it, but if I understand it correctly you can only opt-in see the reviews themselves.
Last edited by poisond on 16 March 2019 at 4:36 pm UTC
Or it could turn into a tool to please publishers.
And I'm not in the slightest interested in 'critics' reviews, averaged user scores so far were far more useful and reliable than paid reviews.
If there were a way to see the overall scores without what's deemed 'review bombing' removed I'd have no problem with it, but if I understand it correctly you can only opt-in see the reviews themselves.
Last edited by poisond on 16 March 2019 at 4:36 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Is there any example for a title that got review bombed and those reviews get filtered now?
0 Likes
stretch611 Mar 16, 2019
While initially I was not happy about this change, after some thought, I can live with the change.
For the most part, I do not rely on overall rating which is the only thing that this truly affects. I prefer to read the reviews to make my decision. In fact, if a an overall rating is "Overwhelmingly Positive" I make it a point to find and read the negative reviews for some objectivity.
As long as all of the reviews are out there, I do not expect a big difference to how this affects my evaluation of titles.
For the most part, I do not rely on overall rating which is the only thing that this truly affects. I prefer to read the reviews to make my decision. In fact, if a an overall rating is "Overwhelmingly Positive" I make it a point to find and read the negative reviews for some objectivity.
As long as all of the reviews are out there, I do not expect a big difference to how this affects my evaluation of titles.
Another automated system to contain highly erratic behavior?I doubt "complaints & suggestions" will ever happen. What publisher would ever be willing to put up an area of "please feel free to trash our game here." Most probably don't want an unbiased review section which is probably why Valve is doing this. (and as mentioned in a different comment why Epic Game Store doesn't have reviews.)
How about adding a 'complaints & suggestions' box to the product page, in addition to the reviews? And moderating that space for high profile releases?
2 Likes, Who?
So, Valve is fighting with anti-consumer Epic Games Store by ... getting more anti-consumer? For me, major reason to use Steam are the reviews, ratings and big selection of games. For a few months now they are ramping up random censorship of games (no rules and one standard really, games "breaking" same rules as others (which were banned) are allowed to stay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL4Eex7JZT0 ) and now they are starting to manipulate ratings? Marking arbitrary things, like DRM, Eula and publisher's/dev's behaviour as "off-topic", worthy of losing your vote and voice?
Maybe time will come to stop rejecting Epic (because Steam will be on a same level of garbage) and use other means to get non-manipulated more reliable reviews and ratings, e.g. Metacritic or Dissenter...
Maybe time will come to stop rejecting Epic (because Steam will be on a same level of garbage) and use other means to get non-manipulated more reliable reviews and ratings, e.g. Metacritic or Dissenter...
1 Likes, Who?
Well, before just putting out pitchforks, we should remain objective. There are instances with games being review bombed and these reviews having nothing to to with the quality of the game. For example Metro series because Metro Exodus is an Epic store exclusive. This has nothing to to with the quality of the game and should not be taken into consideration for the rating in the store. Another example being Shadow of the Tomb Raider because it got a sale soon after release. Some other games because of some Youtuber.
Because of that, this feature might be not necessarily anti-consumer, but actually pro-consumer. So, if anyone has info which games' ratings were purged, it would be nice to know. Because then we can see if this system is used in a sensible way.
Because of that, this feature might be not necessarily anti-consumer, but actually pro-consumer. So, if anyone has info which games' ratings were purged, it would be nice to know. Because then we can see if this system is used in a sensible way.
4 Likes, Who?
Ah, just found a good example for the Youtube-Review-Bombing:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/822240/Animal_Jam__Play_Wild/
Here it makes absolutely sense!
(Tomb Raider and Metro are not filtered, btw.)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/822240/Animal_Jam__Play_Wild/
Here it makes absolutely sense!
(Tomb Raider and Metro are not filtered, btw.)
0 Likes
Another example being Shadow of the Tomb Raider because it got a sale soon after release.Price and value of the game is definitely part of my ratings and reviews. This is IMO deserved, they should have not cut price so soon after release resulting in ripping off fans. I consider behaviour of studio/publisher relevant to the game's ratings (e.g. being rude to customers when publicly discussing their game) and in this case their actions directly negatively impacted customers - devaluing merchandise - the game. Why shouldn't be publisher punished for this?
I think too many people is confusing review bombing (organized) with unsatisfied customers (organic, usually in response to some *** publisher and/or devs did).
0 Likes
chris.echoz Mar 16, 2019
Good thing it's optional
1 Likes, Who?
Another example being Shadow of the Tomb Raider because it got a sale soon after release.Price and value of the game is definitely part of my ratings and reviews. This is IMO deserved, they should have not cut price so soon after release ....
Hmm, but every one looking at the game a few month after release, will see a negative rating. And this does not help these customers. They want to know if the game is good if it is fun to play. They do not care, if someone thinks, the game was lowered in price to early.
So it is a point of view. If I want to inform me, if the game is fun to play - what does the reviews help me, that rate the game down, just because it was going cheap to early (and this is just a feeling of the ones, who bought it at a higher price).
4 Likes, Who?
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