EGM Names Coverage-restricting Game Publishers

But what does Sushi-X have to say about all this?!

This makes me want to subscribe to EGM.

I'm impressed that EGM had the balls to do this. That was a pretty cool move on their part.

But I still don't understand why people are basking Assasin's Creed so much... I think it's an excellent game.

I wonder if this is how the movie review industry works. Do you think Ebert gets big bags full of swag to review movies?

Thank you Hsu. We need truth even if it is close to extinct in todays media. I have been subscribed since 98 and hope to continue to see this theme in EGM.

I have always firmly believed that the games industry is one which takes itself way, way too seriously. It's about time someone reputable started calling publishers on their bullshit. From the perspective of a journalist, EVERYTHING about certain procedures needs to change.

- It is bullshit to be told that a review can run early so long as the game's score is an X or above.

- It is bullshit to have to play a game under rigorous conditions such as: X hours to play, must play at X location. Hey publishers: we're not making medical history, here. You're not safeguarding the cure to cancer or AIDS--you're making a GAME. Stop acting like it's a government secret and send us, the reviewers, the ones somewhat responsible for YOUR GAME'S SUCCESS (again, I said "somewhat") the review code at our office (or respective place of work) so that we can at least attempt to play the game as the consumer will: in a moderate degree of comfort, without tiny windows of opportunity for sleep and food, and without having to drive out of our way, without having to sit in a room full of other people who aren't considerate enough to use headphones or maintain proper hygiene.

According to Hsu, Midway’s Mortal Kombat development team, Sony’s sports game division, and Ubisoft have all allegedly banned EGM from further coverage of their products.

1. Sony sports titles? What are those?

2. The biggest question is to what degree are they saying they have been banned? Have these publishers said they are not allowed to view games behind closed doors? Are they not sending EGM preview builds? Banned sounds pretty harsh, but I would love to know more specifics.

Bottom line: bad news for publishers, whether it is true or not.

what this tells us is that midways mortal kombat games are now so crappy even EGM knows it.

it also tells us that sony sports games are ... RUBISH.
it also tells us that EMG has no idea when it comes to assassins creed

Anyone placing bets on when Dan Hsu gets axed?

Wow big props to Shu for this one. I've been liking the ZD games division coverage a lot recently mostly because a lot of the editors there are well spoken, thoughtful and seem to be true hardcore gamers. I'm curious how these companies are going to explain this, and what else they're going to do to punish Ziff Davis for it.

Wow. This seems pretty damning.

good things can come of this for us gamers.

And great things can come of this for the gaming press.

Good find!