From: jweinste@castor.usc.edu (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
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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