One of the things that I'm still uncomfortable about when covering smaller games is that sometimes they don't agree with me (or even kind of suck) and I'm not sure how to do anything with that. Running negative words about a game that gets limited coverage feels shitty. - ThreadSky

errant-signal.com • 1 day ago

One of the things that I'm still uncomfortable about when covering smaller games is that sometimes they don't agree with me (or even kind of suck) and I'm not sure how to do anything with that. Running negative words about a game that gets limited coverage feels shitty.

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jarenth.bsky.social•1 day ago

My thought on this was always that publicity is publicity. I might not like a certain game, but if I describe clearly why I don't like it and what about that is on me versus on the game, people who might be into it can read that and make their own judgment, and that way at least they've heard of it.

darktwinge.bsky.social•1 day ago

I have absolutely streamed games that I thought weren't very good and still had people tell me they bought it because they saw me stream it.

hyphinett.bsky.social•1 day ago

The best thing you can do in this situation imo is try to recommend an audience it might strike more of a chord with, while framing criticism as constructive and encouraging the devs to keep making better games. Just finishing is usually an achievement and when you make something new you get better.

hyphinett.bsky.social•1 day ago

Could also be helpful to acknowledge your own production timelines/creative workflow and that you wouldn't be where you are without having made everything that's in your past.

triggthedisco.bsky.social•1 day ago

As an indie dev and a viewer, I'd rather you focused on what you're excited to write about over everything else. If someone wrote a negative but thoughtful piece about my work I'd be ecstatic. And thoughtful negativity usually makes for compelling critique as a viewer/reader.

dwoboyle.bsky.social•1 day ago

There are so many times I hear negative discussion on a game that makes me go "ohhhh then this game is for me but not them!"
Just talking about a game is good enough.

archivistshepard.bsky.social•1 day ago

It's taken some doing, but I've tried to just leave it be. AVGN's origin and popularization of "angry coverage" tilted me towards not feeling the need to contribute to that any further. And there's something different about dunking on massive devs versus the smaller indies; punch up, not down.

flatluigi.bsky.social•19 hours ago

I'd still cover it if you think there's stuff in it worth picking up and playing through -- but if there's not even that then I wouldn't do any coverage. maybe some dev feedback directly if they reached out for coverage in the first place

drkuro.bsky.social•1 day ago

If I were in your position I'd probably say don't cover games that suck. It's hard to be productive with that. Maybe do discuss ones you don't like but find interesting.

thegammelier.bsky.social•1 day ago

I take a ‘Don’t say anything at all’ approach cause yeah, feels wrong

katieandcatburger.bsky.social•1 day ago

I have a personal rule not to cover anything I don't love. Less out of some principled position and more because I think it makes me grumpier.

authorfunction.bsky.social•1 day ago

As long as a game isn’t ethically sucky, I think it’s fine to frame it as an interesting deviation from the norm. Most people looking for smaller games just want something different, anyway

theotherspeakman.bsky.social•1 day ago

It depends on why. Because if you hate, IDK life sim games like Animal Crossing, and you're up front with not liking a game for having those traits, it can have the opposite effect for people who love those things.

dominictarason.com•1 day ago

I usually choose to say nothing at all about the stuff I bounce off, unless I can provide what I feel is actionable feedback.

critdumom.bsky.social•1 day ago

If they have the resilience to release a video game in this day and age, you can muster the courage to talk sincerely about said game. You already master the art of good criticism. We know you can do it.

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