Paradox sponsoring every video, are there any real reviews?

[Bony]

Since Paradox is (only slightly exagerated ;)) sponsoring every youtuber on this planet before the release of age of wonders 4, my question is: Are there any unsponsored reviews out there besides ign (I hope they are not sponsored)? Or is Paradox sponsoring everybody who has a pre release copy? I really want to hear unbiased opinions.

[spolokh]

So you want to listen people that just stole the game?

[Noin Trongaz]

Originally posted by Bony:

Since Paradox is (only slightly exagerated ;)) sponsoring every youtuber on this planet before the release of age of wonders 4, my question is: Are there any unsponsored reviews out there besides ign (I hope they are not sponsored)? Or is Paradox sponsoring everybody who has a pre release copy? I really want to hear unbiased opinions.

You can watch Turin's streams. He is sponsored by Paradox, but he is a very reputable streamer who is very open about his personal opinions and criticisms. I watch his videos for years. He only plays RTS and TB strategy games as well, so he is VERY experienced in this genre.

[Bony]

Originally posted by spolokh:

So you want to listen people that just stole the game?

I think the videos are sponsored by more than just the access to the game.

[spolokh]

Originally posted by Bony:

Originally posted by spolokh:

So you want to listen people that just stole the game?

I think the videos are sponsored by more than just the access to the game.

How do you think anybody get an access to game other then by Padaox sponsorship?

[Blanch Warren]

Originally posted by Bony:

Since Paradox is (only slightly exagerated ;)) sponsoring every youtuber on this planet before the release of age of wonders 4, my question is: Are there any unsponsored reviews out there besides ign (I hope they are not sponsored)? Or is Paradox sponsoring everybody who has a pre release copy? I really want to hear unbiased opinions.

Why, some of them are critical enough. Looks "unbiased" apart from the individual reviewers opinions and ignorance.

[Bony]

Originally posted by spolokh:

Originally posted by Bony:

I think the videos are sponsored by more than just the access to the game.

How do you think anybody get an access to game other then by Padaox sponsorship?

There is by example a german game media (gamestar) who normally gets access to all games earlier (because its their job to cover games) which has a "sponsored" video about AoW4, and this video looks exactly like a review (but without critisism and rating).
So normally they get access to a game and then write a review. I don't think I would call this behavior "sponsored" (and they don't call it sponsored normally, when they write a review with an early access copy). But this video they call "sponsored". So it's obviously different then normally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyEplGw0qHI

[rjafarrow]

Depending on how much time you have there is plenty of gameplay to watch. There really isn't any need to get someone else's opinion when you can see exactly what the game is like yourself.

[aclyte]

I think the point is: all this streamers stream the game online - so you can see all the real gameplay by yourself on youtube from start to finish. I watch couple of them and couple of reviews also and i agree with all praises and criticism i saw in this reviews because i saw game too.

[⎝Wyrd Deofol⎠]

The reason the streamers are sponsored is so they can show off the game, but have to be void of any huge praise or critique or final verdict. Until the embargo lifted on the 29th. I think that's vey fair

[Bubbles]

Check out ACG's review.

[Astasia]

Official critic reviews aren't "supposed" to be "sponsered," obviously, it's hard to say whether that is always the case or not for any given game. You can always check metacritic for a list of critic reviews for a game though.

https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-wonders-4

To some extent most of these critics get the game for free, and early access to the game to give the review, and that could always be classified as sponsership. Beyond that some companies like EA or Activision might be adding extra wads of cash, a bunch of fancy merch, or even flying reviewers out to special events to play the game in their office while covering the plane and hotel costs (actually happens, and if you don't give the game a good enough review you don't get invited back). I don't think Paradox is really on the level to be doing that though, I don't think they have the pockets or expected sales to entice major sites like PC Gamer or IGN.

[Zarquon]

Worthabuy is a cynical old grouch who always speaks his mind regardless of if he has been sponsored (and that's why people love him). He gave it a positive 8/10.

He's doesn't get sponsored by a lot of the big AAA companies any more because he negatively reviewed their games

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFUjqL8jWM0

[The Former]

It's important to understand how "sponsorship" in this case works. Basically the Youtubers are sponsored in the way that a TV network is "sponsored" to run an ad. Anytime a Youtuber says "This video is sponsored by Paradox Interactive," it's code for "This video is an advertisement for Age of Wonders 4." Any review videos that have this in the title are quite probably biased.

However, a Youtuber who has been sponsored to run AOW4 content who's reviewing the game in a separate video isn't necessarily lying to you, because that specific video isn't sponsored. It's all a matter of how that Youtuber sees sponsorship. Big channels with a lot of incoming cash probably don't find sponsorship to be a very special thing, and are more likely to give unbiased reviews in spite of having been sponsored. Smaller channels, maybe not, who can say for sure?

Anyway all that to say, you won't find any reviews outside of gaming journalism that don't come from Youtubers who've been sponsored by Paradox. Not until later today.

[Testikles]

Originally posted by Lockfågel, Paradoxriddaren:

It's important to understand how "sponsorship" in this case works. Basically the Youtubers are sponsored in the way that a TV network is "sponsored" to run an ad. Anytime a Youtuber says "This video is sponsored by Paradox Interactive," it's code for "This video is an advertisement for Age of Wonders 4." Any review videos that have this in the title are quite probably biased.

However, a Youtuber who has been sponsored to run AOW4 content who's reviewing the game in a separate video isn't necessarily lying to you, because that specific video isn't sponsored. It's all a matter of how that Youtuber sees sponsorship. Big channels with a lot of incoming cash probably don't find sponsorship to be a very special thing, and are more likely to give unbiased reviews in spite of having been sponsored. Smaller channels, maybe not, who can say for sure?

Anyway all that to say, you won't find any reviews outside of gaming journalism that don't come from Youtubers who've been sponsored by Paradox. Not until later today.

One important part of the "sponsorship" you forgot are the embargos / NDAs which basically block creators from speaking their minds - be it positive or negative. So, while watching a creator it is important to take note when they state that a certain embargo has dropped. Those embargos are not a matter of interpretation, they are binding and greatly influence the way certain videos are made.

The power of said embargos was apparent - for example - at the release of Total War: Warhammer 3. Many creators knew of the deplorable state the game was in but were legally bound to be silent about it. This created a good ammount of rather awkward videos of usually quite vocal and critical creators in which they had to hold back a lot of vital information.

It's a dangerous dance, such a sponsorship. In the end, if you are not sure, don't preoder and look at the forums, videos and reviews 1-2 weeks after release. That's a tried and tested way and can save a lot of tears and money.

[Overlord Byron]

Read the critic reviews. Plenty on Metacritic.