It's a cute enough introduction to the game, and an inventive way to promote it to the press outside of the standard press release. But the salutation at the bottom of the page gave me pause. Check out a scan below:
Yes, the fictional character that wrote this note apparently signed it as well.
In keeping with the tone of the letter, I'm sure that big, blue, cursive S is supposed to add to the tongue-in-cheek, "written by a character" feel. But all I could think of when I saw it was a poor PR person (or, likely, a PR person's intern) being forced to sign hundreds of letters from Scott so the press would get to feel that "personal touch" that is lacking in so much of game publicity.
And that got me thinking further... how much real value do these press notes add to a review copy of a game? Do they actually influence anyone's opinion? Should we as reviewers care what features the publisher particularly wants to promote? Do these notes merely provide easy ideas for lazy writers that don't necessarily want to play the game? Do reviewers even read them most of the time? Are they worth the paper they printed on? Is this post?
Personally, I think the answers to the above are: None, no, no, yes, no, no and no (in that order), but I'd love to hear what you readers think. Hit the comments link below.
Maybe the Nintendo PR person in question just thought it would be a fun little touch that would be appreciated by the bitter hoardes who got stuck with the joyous job of reviewing the title?
ReplyDeleteGet your thumb a little wet and wipe it, see if it smudges. Maybe it's an imprint that LOOKS like a signature. Either way, there are people all over the country slinging meat for $5.15, so you'll forgive me if I don't get weepy for the carpal-tunnel sydrome of a PR person pretending to catch 'em all. I don't think that these letters add much...usually. But this is from a POKEMON TRAINER. I'd be chomping at the bit to learn any piece of advice he wants to pass along.
ReplyDeleteSincerly,
Justin McElroy
It's a cute little touch from the PR firm. Why do you even care?
ReplyDeleteIt's a cute little touch from the PR firm. Why do you even care?
ReplyDeleteEasy copy?
Out of curiosity, is this kind of thing common?
ReplyDeleteseems like a neet little thing to do. Reminds me of Star Tropics for the NES when you had to take the letter that came with the game, and get it wet just to get the code for the Submarine.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, gaming journalists get tons of free games. Smart PR firms do whatever they can to make their message heard. Some write a snazzy headline. Others pack in some swag. I'd say the pychology behind this mailing was an attempt at personalization. You imagined the intern that had to sign every one? I always try to imagine the guy that paperclips every PlayStation 2 press release to that cardboard backing.
ReplyDeleteHonestly it does little harm to the company i'm sure but it does make nintendo look like their alittle to into the whole pokemon expericance now... i mean back a few years ago sure it might have been ok, when it was even bigger then it is now, but its kinda out of hand. You might know better then i do about how well these games are still selling but i think this maybe a sign of them feeling the down turn of the franchise and are looking for ways to distract from possible bad reviews.
ReplyDeleteIt's cute and harmless and could make reviewers think well of the publisher/developer if not necessarily of the game. Paradox has sent me a medal and neat packaging folder (with HoI2) and a T-shirt with a bloodthirsty slogan (for Knights of Honor). Neither made think the games were any more than pretty good, but they do make me think that Paradox wants to make sure that they are noticed. It's a little general goodwill, but nothing more.
ReplyDeleteDo they expect these tchotchkes to affect the review? I hope they're not that stupid. So it's just a harmless PR move and nothing more.
Having received numerous PR type items alongside games, this is one of the more interesting ones. Often they are appropriate to the game (such as the bat Midway sent along with MLB Slug-Fest one year) while others are... insane (like the stickers that came with Sly Cooper 2 or the candle for Rise of the Kasai). This one is rather neat, but as for the appropriateness, I have to say that with a title that has as high of a profile as Pokemon Emerald, it isn't needed. Most games come in a plain yellow envelope (or a FedEx packet) unadorned and unaccompanied by anything other than a press release and a fact sheet. Frankly, I usually try to pass off these things to my staff. unless it's a T-shirt, I'm not interested in it. Though I did keep the Sonic figure from a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt's not fair for you to say that their technique of promotion isn't worth the paper being used. Hey, it's pretty clever in my opinion. It also gives personality to the promotion. So what's the problem with it?
ReplyDeletehow much real value do these press notes add to a review copy of a game? Do they actually influence anyone's opinion? Should we as reviewers care what features the publisher particularly wants to promote? Do these notes merely provide easy ideas for lazy writers that don't necessarily want to play the game? Do reviewers even read them most of the time? Are they worth the paper they printed on? Is this post?
Well here's what I think:
None (because the general public who might be intrigued don't see it), yes (i'm sure there are plenty of people that are influenced by it. Think of how much Pokemon is out there. And look, a new game. Honestly, who really cares? But oh...this is cute, the promotion is written by one of the characters.), yes (if the publishers want a specific aspect promoted that may verywell sell their game, why ignore them? That's not being very fair or just to the publishers.), maybe (but again...I think the question its'elf is a pretty negative thought. Yeah, it's a long game. But jeese, have a bit of faith in other writers.), maybe not (but again...that's a fault of the reviewer, not the publisher. They're just creating new methods.), I think so (Yes...a clever idea deserves credit. Something it's obviously developing a lot of criticism for.), I don't know, but most likely, no.
It got you talking didn't it?
ReplyDelete