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.
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 :-/
Segata Sanshiro Mar 15, 2019
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.
Schattenspiegel Mar 16, 2019
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
doomiebaby Mar 16, 2019
Quoting: Purple Library GuyThe 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''
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.
Doc Angelo Mar 16, 2019
Quoting: MalA sad day for consumers.
Huh? Why?
wvstolzing Mar 16, 2019
How about adding a 'complaints & suggestions' box to the product page, in addition to the reviews? And moderating that space for high profile releases?
wintermute Mar 16, 2019
Quoting: GuestWhile 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.
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