From: [email protected] (Jacob Solomon Weinstein)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.int-fiction
Subject: Re: IF Criticism (or, Review of Review: The Light...)
Date: 1 Apr 1996 11:08:15 -0800

Jacob's Guide To Giving Constructive Feedback on IF
---------------------------------------------------

1) Discuss the game, not the author.
Wrong: The latest game from Jane Doe proves, once again, that she needs
to pay more attention to grammar.
Right: In "Mr. Bily's Real Good Game," the numerous spelling and
grammatical errors give an unprofessional appearance.

2) Be specific.
Wrong: I didn't like the plot of this game.
Right: I thought that the idea of giant ants terrorizing the populace was
kind of silly, and I found it unbelievable that the President would ask a
kindergartner to help solve the problem.

3) Offer suggestions on how to fix things.
Wrong:  Captain Ahab wasn't a very interesting character.
Right: Captain Ahab wasn't a very interesting character. I would have liked
him to react to being shown or given more objects. He certainly should react
when you show him the sword you stole from his cabin.

4) Phrase your criticisms politely.
Wrong: The prose sucks.
Right: The prose needs a great deal of polishing.

5) Don't be afraid of criticising.
Wrong: (said to oneself) "Well, gee, I really didn't like this game, but I
don't want to hurt the author's feelings, so I'll just say how much I liked
the title and leave it at that."
Right:  (said to oneself) "Well, gee, I really didn't like this game, but if
the author doesn't get feedback from players, he'll never be able to
improve, so I'll post some polite and constructive criticism. And I'll be
sure to include some mention of what worked in the game, so he'll know
what he's doing right."

6) Don't be afraid of praising.
Wrong: (said to oneself) "Well, gee, I thought this was the greatest game
since Zork I, but it's a traditional puzzle-oriented game, and I'm afraid
that if I say how much I like it, people will make fun of me, and,
besides, just telling the author how great the game is won't help him
improve."
Right: (said to oneself) "Well, gee, I thought this was the greatest game
sinze Zork I, and so I'm going to post specific and detailed comments
about what I liked. This will let the author know what his strengths are
as a writer. And if those avant-garde anti-puzzle types don't agree, they
can post responses, thereby provoking an interesting and useful discussion."

7) If you disagree with another poster, let the world know.
Wrong: (said to oneself) "Oooh, that Jacob Weinstein makes me mad. I'm going
to sit at the keyboard and fume silently."
Right: (said to oneself) "Ooh, that Jacob Weinstein makes me mad. I'm
going to swallow my anger and post a polite and thoughtful response
disagreeing with him."

8) Admit to your biases.
Wrong: I thought the section in the labyrinth of Crete was the best part
of the game.
Right: I'm a sucker for clever variations on the old maze puzzle, so I
though the section in the labyrinth of Crete was the best part of the game.


-Jacob