I'm afraid that, like swearing, press releases have debased the currency with over-use.  Friends know that I seldom swear but when I do I mean it.  It's not some sound bite to fill the empty airwaves while my brian flounders about for the next word.  If you only ever use superlatives they become the new norm.  Aion was recently reviewed here and scored an 8.7, a score that proved controversial.  Out of 10, I would consider score of 5 or better as worth a look and, with a personal score of 7.4 out of 10, I consider it a new game worth playing.  However, based on how some other games score the reviewer seemed a little bit harsh with only an 8.7.  Being old and cynical, I've come not to expect anything to live up to the PR hype.  I'm seldom disappointed and occasionally pleasantly surprised if it does.

While I'm a real pedant when it comes to grammar, spelling and syntax, a smile flits across my face when I read Amerenglish [just made that word up] writers claiming the high ground as if English is a single language and theirs is the Authorised Version.  Unfortunately, your Noah Webster so disliked Samuel Johnson and his works, together with Johnson's illogical spelling of words that, in 1828 he published An American Dictionary of the English Language with different spellings to Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language, 1755.  Webster is solely responsible for nearly every variation in how English is spelt either side of the Atlantic [apologies if I've upset and Canadians].  Before Johnson's arrogance setting it all down for us, we had no standardised spelling either side of the Atlantic.

Love it or hate it, English is the new Lingua Franca as a legacy of the former Bristish Empire, where it has further diversified  regionally in the Carribean/ WIndies, East /South Africa, India and Australia/New Zealand.  While we can understand each other fairly well as long as we avoid too much dialect we have to remain open-minded to alternative spellings.  English is an easily learnt  language to communicate on a basic level so I accept that when someone says "pedanticisms" they mean "pedantry"; they don't need a lecture from me on making up a word because they didn't know the correct one.  While a nightmare to foreigners learning English, I love having a language so illogical that there are nine ways to pronounce "ough".  "A rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling in a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."  Even in Britain the English we speak today would sound strange to the ear of that literary legend, William Shakespeare.  Like it or not, the language will continue to grow and diversify.  Bear in mind that amongst the millions of non-native english speakers grappling with the language, many speak it better than you or I speak their native tongue.  Any communication really should only stand or fall on whether or not it is understandable.

Originally posted by Rhayadder

I'm afraid that, like swearing, press releases have debased the currency with over-use.  Friends know that I seldom swear but when I do I mean it.  It's not some sound bite to fill the empty airwaves while my brian flounders about for the next word.  If you only ever use superlatives they become the new norm.  Aion was recently reviewed here and scored an 8.7, a score that proved controversial.  Out of 10, I would consider score of 5 or better as worth a look and, with a personal score of 7.4 out of 10, I consider it a new game worth playing.  However, based on how some other games score the reviewer seemed a little bit harsh with only an 8.7.  Being old and cynical, I've come not to expect anything to live up to the PR hype.  I'm seldom disappointed and occasionally pleasantly surprised if it does.

While I'm a real pedant when it comes to grammar, spelling and syntax, a smile flits across my face when I read Amerenglish [just made that word up] writers claiming the high ground as if English is a single language and theirs is the Authorised Version.  Unfortunately, your Noah Webster so disliked Samuel Johnson and his works, together with Johnson's illogical spelling of words that, in 1828 he published An American Dictionary of the English Language with different spellings to Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language, 1755.  Webster is solely responsible for nearly every variation in how English is spelt either side of the Atlantic [apologies if I've upset and Canadians].  Before Johnson's arrogance setting it all down for us, we had no standardised spelling either side of the Atlantic.

Love it or hate it, English is the new Lingua Franca as a legacy of the former Bristish Empire, where it has further diversified  regionally in the Carribean/ WIndies, East /South Africa, India and Australia/New Zealand.  While we can understand each other fairly well as long as we avoid too much dialect we have to remain open-minded to alternative spellings.  English is an easily learnt  language to communicate on a basic level so I accept that when someone says "pedanticisms" they mean "pedantry"; they don't need a lecture from me on making up a word because they didn't know the correct one.  While a nightmare to foreigners learning English, I love having a language so illogical that there are nine ways to pronounce "ough".  "A rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling in a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."  Even in Britain the English we speak today would sound strange to the ear of that literary legend, William Shakespeare.  Like it or not, the language will continue to grow and diversify.  Bear in mind that amongst the millions of non-native english speakers grappling with the language, many speak it better than you or I speak their native tongue.  Any communication really should only stand or fall on whether or not it is understandable.

Wow, that was... without point in this thread. We're not talking about accepted variations on the English language. We're talking about unaccepted use of the language.

Also, I'd like to point out that, as the author of this article, I'm Canadian, not American.

All I can say is I agree fully. Well put.

I honestly am not sure anyone can produce a game that is innovative or ground breaking anymore. Somewhere I am sure someone could find something like it just maybe they have improved on it but it is not new.

Originally posted by FarOutFish

If you think game press relieces are bad, try looking at press relieces from polititians and  political organizations. I did for 25 years and my head exploded, well not exactly but it felt that way. If you think game companies over hype thier games, check out the bovine scatology from polititians. It's like a voice from the heavens, the clouds part and the voice of God, sounding like Charlton Heston, announces how great new taxes are, paying for more bureaucrats to make things worse. Game hype is nothing compared to what you get from Washington. Hyping games may cost you a little money and aggrivation, while Political BS can cost more than money, it can cost you your freedom. Remember all Polititians are Guilty untill proven Innocent..

Wonderful little euphemism there =P.

But yea, over-hyping things is just part of human nature. When you know your product or message isn't good enough to sell, make it seem like it's much better than one that would be.

Next thing you need to look at is these ridiculous prearranged question and answer sessions MMORPG posts.

Some of them stretch absurdity to the limit with the canned responses. 

If you are going to post these things, you should at least comment on the replies to the questions.  As you post these things now, it seems that MMORPG accepts these answers as fact when it is quite obvious some of the replies should be questioned.

Granted it does not give the company a chance to reply to the comments, but gobbledygook should never be acceptable for any answer.

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by Rhayadder

I'm afraid that, like swearing, press releases have debased the currency with over-use.  Friends know that I seldom swear but when I do I mean it.  It's not some sound bite to fill the empty airwaves while my brian flounders about for the next word.  If you only ever use superlatives they become the new norm.  Aion was recently reviewed here and scored an 8.7, a score that proved controversial.  Out of 10, I would consider score of 5 or better as worth a look and, with a personal score of 7.4 out of 10, I consider it a new game worth playing.  However, based on how some other games score the reviewer seemed a little bit harsh with only an 8.7.  Being old and cynical, I've come not to expect anything to live up to the PR hype.  I'm seldom disappointed and occasionally pleasantly surprised if it does.

While I'm a real pedant when it comes to grammar, spelling and syntax, a smile flits across my face when I read Amerenglish [just made that word up] writers claiming the high ground as if English is a single language and theirs is the Authorised Version.  Unfortunately, your Noah Webster so disliked Samuel Johnson and his works, together with Johnson's illogical spelling of words that, in 1828 he published An American Dictionary of the English Language with different spellings to Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language, 1755.  Webster is solely responsible for nearly every variation in how English is spelt either side of the Atlantic [apologies if I've upset and Canadians].  Before Johnson's arrogance setting it all down for us, we had no standardised spelling either side of the Atlantic.

Love it or hate it, English is the new Lingua Franca as a legacy of the former Bristish Empire, where it has further diversified  regionally in the Carribean/ WIndies, East /South Africa, India and Australia/New Zealand.  While we can understand each other fairly well as long as we avoid too much dialect we have to remain open-minded to alternative spellings.  English is an easily learnt  language to communicate on a basic level so I accept that when someone says "pedanticisms" they mean "pedantry"; they don't need a lecture from me on making up a word because they didn't know the correct one.  While a nightmare to foreigners learning English, I love having a language so illogical that there are nine ways to pronounce "ough".  "A rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling in a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."  Even in Britain the English we speak today would sound strange to the ear of that literary legend, William Shakespeare.  Like it or not, the language will continue to grow and diversify.  Bear in mind that amongst the millions of non-native english speakers grappling with the language, many speak it better than you or I speak their native tongue.  Any communication really should only stand or fall on whether or not it is understandable.

Wow, that was... without point in this thread. We're not talking about accepted variations on the English language. We're talking about unaccepted use of the language.

Also, I'd like to point out that, as the author of this article, I'm Canadian, not American.

Really?  I pointed out that over use of superlatives debases them and reduces them merely to average.  I was countering several previous posters complaining about poor english in press releases implying their spelling and syntax was more important than the message being conveyed.  I also realised that I had erroniously lumped english speakers on your side of the Atlantic into Webster spelling; alas, I had a typo in [apologies if i've just upset ANY Canadians].  While I agree whole-heartedly with your rant in the main article, like defending standards in English usage generally we are fighting a battle that is already lost.  If getting up-tight about something achieves nothing it is a wasted emotion; better to get over it and go placidly on our  way.

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by Rhayadder

I'm afraid that, like swearing, press releases have debased the currency with over-use.  Friends know that I seldom swear but when I do I mean it.  It's not some sound bite to fill the empty airwaves while my brian flounders about for the next word.  If you only ever use superlatives they become the new norm.  Aion was recently reviewed here and scored an 8.7, a score that proved controversial.  Out of 10, I would consider score of 5 or better as worth a look and, with a personal score of 7.4 out of 10, I consider it a new game worth playing.  However, based on how some other games score the reviewer seemed a little bit harsh with only an 8.7.  Being old and cynical, I've come not to expect anything to live up to the PR hype.  I'm seldom disappointed and occasionally pleasantly surprised if it does.

While I'm a real pedant when it comes to grammar, spelling and syntax, a smile flits across my face when I read Amerenglish [just made that word up] writers claiming the high ground as if English is a single language and theirs is the Authorised Version.  Unfortunately, your Noah Webster so disliked Samuel Johnson and his works, together with Johnson's illogical spelling of words that, in 1828 he published An American Dictionary of the English Language with different spellings to Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language, 1755.  Webster is solely responsible for nearly every variation in how English is spelt either side of the Atlantic [apologies if I've upset and Canadians].  Before Johnson's arrogance setting it all down for us, we had no standardised spelling either side of the Atlantic.

Love it or hate it, English is the new Lingua Franca as a legacy of the former Bristish Empire, where it has further diversified  regionally in the Carribean/ WIndies, East /South Africa, India and Australia/New Zealand.  While we can understand each other fairly well as long as we avoid too much dialect we have to remain open-minded to alternative spellings.  English is an easily learnt  language to communicate on a basic level so I accept that when someone says "pedanticisms" they mean "pedantry"; they don't need a lecture from me on making up a word because they didn't know the correct one.  While a nightmare to foreigners learning English, I love having a language so illogical that there are nine ways to pronounce "ough".  "A rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling in a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."  Even in Britain the English we speak today would sound strange to the ear of that literary legend, William Shakespeare.  Like it or not, the language will continue to grow and diversify.  Bear in mind that amongst the millions of non-native english speakers grappling with the language, many speak it better than you or I speak their native tongue.  Any communication really should only stand or fall on whether or not it is understandable.

Wow, that was... without point in this thread. We're not talking about accepted variations on the English language. We're talking about unaccepted use of the language.

Also, I'd like to point out that, as the author of this article, I'm Canadian, not American.

I disagree with you Jon... not that that really matters :) but I thought the post was very relevant albeit delivered with an overly academic tone. And to be honest, it does seem a little out of place here :). Anyhoo, I learnt a thing or two so thanks Rhayadder for posting.

Jon, I consider your piece quite ironic.