Spam appearing in reviews

[ipmarks]

Here's an odd one...

Last night many of my reviews received a comment from a new Retrobate....
unfortunately the comment was of the come to my online shop spam type... see one here:-
http://www.retrogamer.net/show_image.php?imageID=4153&page=1
I've deleted most of them, but some I haven't found yet.

Now I'm happy to receive comments anytime on my reviews, but I prefer the constructive type.

[Phoenix]

This spam is still happening, its appearing on all new reviews, not sure if this is being removed and then reappearing, but it makes the site look unloved and amateur. There are also duplicate reviews appearing, Metal Slug being a good recent example.

Its been fun, and I have been lucky enough to have several games of the week, and be featured in the magazine twice, but I shant be uploading any more reviews until the site is shown a bit more love.

[ipmarks]

This spam is still happening, its appearing on all new reviews, not sure if this is being removed and then reappearing, but it makes the site look unloved and amateur. There are also duplicate reviews appearing, Metal Slug being a good recent example.

Its been fun, and I have been lucky enough to have several games of the week, and be featured in the magazine twice, but I shant be uploading any more reviews until the site is shown a bit more love.

Have to say I agree with you...
I have recently uploaded a review, but it may be my last for a while as the site is pretty much dead. When the only comments any review gets is from a Japanese Spam merchant you know a site is in trouble. I wish something could be done, or someone could be found to take it over. The common line from up above is that they don't have enough time as they are putting together a magazine. This does not always sit well with me... the magazine started the website and wanted contributions, the magazine still advertises the website and asks for contributions, yet the magazine cannot be bothered to maintain the website properly. Spam, duplicates, stupidly short reviews are all still appearing, game of the week is game of the three months, featured retrobates is still a joke as it hasn't changed in a year. There have been regular complaints of this type by Phoenix, Clarance, myself and others but nothing really gets done, it is just patched up in the short term. I think the magazine needs to make a decision, does it want a website like this or not because there is no point in having a poorly maintained one as that is a rubbish advert for an excellent magazine.

I am in the process of copying all my reviews off the site, and putting them on my own website - that way when what I fear the inevitable happens and the site closes due to lack of love and interest, I shall still have a record of my work.

[clarance]

Same old same old isn't it.

Can't help thinking that the retro guys and gals that frequent the retro forums are more concerned with all things Facebook and Youtube these days. A plain review of a retro-game on a website just doesn't seem to engage quite as much, which is a shame, as I used to spend a not inconsiderable amount of time making sure some of my reviews were 'just right'.

[ipmarks]

I think you are absolutely right.
As I say I am currently in the process of putting all my reviews on my own website... because when the inevitable happens I don't want the site to disappear overnight taking all my work with it.

That said I hope it picks up and stays around a lot longer, there is still a buzz with reading a good review of a game I've never heard of.

[Phoenix]

Funny you should mention that ipmarks, I have just created my own site for this very purpose. I have added a few test articles to fine tune the format, and I am about to copy across all my retro gamer submitted content.

You can see the site here

http://www.retrogamesnow.co.uk/

I am hoping that the format, which allows for screenshots and video content to be added, as well as social media (I hear you Clarance, got to be down with the kids) will make for a more interesting visit for anyone who accidentally stumbles across the site.

Or maybe no one will ever see it, but it makes me happy.

If anyone wants to join me as contributor on the site, let me know and I will set you up in wordpress.

[ipmarks]

Funny you should mention that ipmarks, I have just created my own site for this very purpose. I have added a few test articles to fine tune the format, and I am about to copy across all my retro gamer submitted content.

You can see the site here

http://www.retrogamesnow.co.uk/

I am hoping that the format, which allows for screenshots and video content to be added, as well as social media (I hear you Clarance, got to be down with the kids) will make for a more interesting visit for anyone who accidentally stumbles across the site.

Or maybe no one will ever see it, but it makes me happy.

If anyone wants to join me as contributor on the site, let me know and I will set you up in wordpress.

Really like the look/content of the site Phoenix, better than my current effort to shoehorn all my reviews into my personal website, I may look into setting up something similar myself. Will check back to your site regularly for new content. Also if you really do want contributors then I'd be happy to add something... let me know.

My plan is to get all my Retro Gamer reviews up on my site first, and then add new content there, rather than the RG site. Personally I'm quite sad about that, because I did love the RG site when it was working well, as I say though can't see it being around long term.

It's a shame no-one from RG has commented on this threads concerns... perhaps their silence is deafening.

[Phoenix]

Thanks for the feedback, I've been playing around with the site format for a while now, and I now have a reason to launch it on an unsuspecting public. I may well take you up on your kind offer of contributions once I have loaded up my own content...so that will be at least 2 visitors to the site!

[ipmarks]

As a follow up to the sites problems, 7 reviews went up today. One was mine - probably my last at this rate - but the other 6 were all by the same retrobate, and were all 6/7 lines long. Why are these reviews accepted? In the old days you could have reviews rejected, but that seems impossible today. Duplicate review... come on in anyway, six line review... that'll be fine. Does anyone actually read the reviews that are uploaded? Or does somebody just press YES and it goes live... ridiculous, but I'm really not surprised.

[boggyb68]

Nice site Phoenix, nice easy layout, straightforard menus, and some interesting reviews.

I like it and hope it goes from strength to strength..

Cheers

B.

[Phoenix]

Thanks Boggy, I have enjoyed putting it together, and seeing the interest that certain reviews generate. It's fascinating watching the web hits rise over time, as I start to promote through twitter, and I'm currently on around 50 visitors a day.

Not exactly facebook but not bad for a part time blogger! If I had more time I would be adding a lot more video content and some reviews of retro stores, but will have to wait until work commitments permit.

[ipmarks]

Your website has really developed very quickly. Excellent design and content. Well done.

[Phoenix]

Your website has really developed very quickly. Excellent design and content. Well done.

Very kind, if you want to contribute some of your great Spectrum reviews let me know, I will set you up as a contributor.

Cheers

[retrosportsgmr]

This probably explains why that Richard Scarry game has 23,000 views (double any other) - that's a shame. I really like the contributor setup and hope they continue with it. I like clicking on everyone's profile to find their own individual sites. Shame for that to go away.

[RetroBob]

Hello to you, retrogamers! I was searching for some detailed review of Conduit 2 for the Nintendo Wii. Can anyone help me with this?

Regards,
frisky

Conduit 2: A Review, By RetroBob(age 32)

I like nice graphics but this is on the wii so it has censored graphic's and everyone on podcasts said Condoit 2 was poo so I am going to put that in this reivew.

7/10