Anyone else ever look at recent reviews or just browse the mud listings here? They are horrible and I'm wondering why the TMS admins don't take them out. A lot of the mud listings don't even exist as muds anymore. I searched Star Wars and half the muds were taken down months ago. Just something to muse on.

-Delerak

I'm going to guess the following:

1) Lack of time for the admin.
2) Lack of effort required to write a review.
3) Lack of obstacles for listing a game.

I think as long as TMS is a *free* service, we're just going to have to suck it up and cope with the occasional "bad" review or dead listings. Just like The MUD Connector.

Requiring anything more substantial is time- and energy-intensive.

Alright, thanks.

Just as an observation, although I don't read all the recent reviews, I've found that most reviews that I do read seem to fall into two categories: (1) those with a grudge against a particular MUD and go out of their way to trash it, or (2) those who are only interested in hyping a MUD. Since it is my understanding that reviewers are not dedicated TMS reviewers (rather, anyone can write a review), the majority of reviews end up being from players (or admins) who have a stake (either positive or negative) in publicity, which makes me question the usefulness of these reviews. I notice that in the review dialog box, it states, "Negative reviews will be removed unless they fully explain their reasons and leave a valid email address, as will reviews that have little or no substance to them." But, as Brody pointed out, as a practical matter, the time constraints on the admins probably prevent close scrutiny, especially on a free service.

That's not to say I haven't read some well though out, balanced reviews. Indeed, I have. But I certainly understand why some MUDs choose to forego the option of receiving reviews.

Don't they make money from the advertisements?

Heh, you're right! TMS must be rolling in the dough! Let's demand they hire professional reviewers! Muhahahaha!

As someone who advertises here, I think I can safely say: Synozeer isn't making anything close to the amount it would take to pay for a reliable reviewer or site-liveliness checker. The ads run about $25 a month. He has expenses. The advertising sales may cover those expenses.

I'd love to do reviews of various muds, but I'm afraid I'm too biased in favor of level-less/class-less/RP muds to do anything else justice. And thus I'd end up giving almost everything a negative review simply because there's very few muds of the type I'd like to play around, heh.

Yeah, same here Onyx.

I've written one full-fledged review of a game for TMS before, and submitted it to Synozeer. It was published as "Blood and Sand" in the articles section, about Armageddon.

I suggest that, if you really want to put your keystrokes where your mouth is: Pick a game that does interest you, other than your own, write about it in some even-handed detail, and turn it in as content for TMS.

On one hand, this will give you a good taste for what kind of effort would be required for someone to do quality reviews on a regular basis. On the other, it will give you some publicity and show others how they might be able to do the same.

I'd LOVE to do mud reviews for TMS! I recently written one on Dark Hope (talk of the town here it seems). There have been some others that I can't recall atm.. But anyhow, if you like my style of review, drop me an email or log onto Seasons and lemme know how you feel.

7..8.. (wow) 9 cents!

I like your style of review, Grey. However rather than "Immortals", how about something like "Atmosphere", so as to encompass both the staff and players (both of which are equally important IMO) as well as the general feel of the place (some muds can be well written, designed and balanced, but still not really be "fun"). Just my thoughts, anyway...

I tried to write a good review, but like Onyx and a few other's I can be very bias. But I do try to tell the truth and not sound like a advertisment for the MUD. The very last one I reviewed, (the best review I've done so far, in my opinion) was Dark Legacy.

One thing I wish we had here is a "Comment about this Review" link. Even if that couldn't be done, what about adding a folder here in the forums?

Real,

I think that's a pretty good idea - perhaps that could be used to stop the reviews from turning into little spitefests between game-haters and game-owners. Let the reviews stand on their own, but allow a forum here for folks to respond to them.

Of course, that COULD just be a Tavern of the Blue Hand thread.

Up to Synozeer, ultimately.