Hey Everyone. I don't mean to get preachy, but there has been an issue plaguing the mod reviews. There are, as we all know, some mods on the Mod Repo which are either unfinished or just plain terrible. Most people on the forums are sensible and would like to let people know that they've made something bad! But I've been noticing some people who will leave 5 star reviews on TERRIBLE mods, saying something like "Ignore the haters, this is amazing!" Most likely without even testing the aforementioned mod. Now, I don't agree with saying something like "This is the worst fucking thing evarrr, kys f*ggot", but negative reviews are necessary. Here's what happens when you post something saying "Ignore haters, good job". 1. You set a standard for negative content. 2. You don't give any ways they could improve. This does need to stop, but don't just give a shitty review and say "sucks dick, fuck you", give them ways to improve it in the future. For example, give realistic figures, designs, etc. Help out people who need help. Also, if you make a mod (which you've never done before) and it doesn't have much effort put into it, don't release it onto the repo, or don't release it at all! Wait until it's done. One thing I've seen people do is upload an early alpha in the form of a file, not on the repo. I don't mean to sound like an asshole, but we need a repo filled with exciting, brand new content such as cars, maps, engines, or paintjobs. Not a config.
Generally speaking: reviews should be used to rate the actual mod, and should always be motivated. In particular when one is rating low, as that would help the author were his fault was, and try to improve the mod based on that. All of this is nothing new, as it's summed up in the review-box itself: Reviews should not be used to: - Ask for help / Report problems | Especially if the mod works out for everybody else, your review is going to be unfair, as based on a problem on your side. That's why we always invite people to use the mod's discussion thread for problems, so that the author can help you, and you can get the mod to work properly before leaving your review. - Show your non-sense hate to a user. This is the internet, and you cannot pretend everybody like each other. But for common sense's sake, don't use reviews as an excuse to show your hate by leaving a non-sense low rating. - Only for suggestions? (Ie. 5 Star Review: Pls add X to mod). That does not explain why you are giving it that rating. (Feel free to report them, so we can review the uhm.. 'reviews') Basically all of this can be summed into using common sense, like everything else. Any site that let you review something would ask to you review/rate something fairly and explain why you gave it that score. That's not for 'lulz', but because the review are meant to categorize a mod by their quality and let other users how's the mod before downloading. (ie. When you purchase a game on Steam / Something on the internet, don't you give a quick look at the reviews? Would those be of any help if they were not based on the actual game, but other non-related things?)
A link indeed... and... I was just... kidding? Just a little bitter humor, I know about 10 reviews to my mod were removed for these very reasons... and still people are using 1-star reviews to report issues caused by improper installation.
Nah, I was just suggesting the quote system (for above reasons), and trying to inform nadeox about these options, as his post made it sound like he thought you were copying and pasting the entire post.
You know what? When I get back home, I'm going to write some very descriptive reviews for some mods. That would set a standard and allow the OP to improve. Work with me, and spend a few minutes to write a nice, helpful review.
I forgot about a reasoning, but that as well. I'm just addressing the people who (most likely) don't even use the mod, yet give it a 5 star review assuming all of the well-deserved negative reviews to be haters. I do agree with giving a reason. Also, what you said about not explaining the reason for a rating: That would apply to the "Ignore haters" comments, right? As I said, I don't agree with being a douchebag, but I also don't agree with being a kiss-ass who thinks everything is perfect. There needs to be a median in which all reviews can exist within harmony. In my opinion, every mod uploaded to the repo has the potential to become something indistinguishable from official content, (ninetynine didn't start making mods the same day he got featured), but everyone starts somewhere. Hell, everyone on the repo is still better than me, I don't have the time nor patience to learn how to make content (I might try maps, but there's some tough competition out there, such as ATE or [The Guy who Made Green Valley and Crimson Valley]. And, in terms of reporting reviews, I believe that people should take just a mere couple of seconds out of there day to get rid of any unjust hatred. Also, @Nadeox1, is it required to have a reason for reporting a review if the reason is obvious? For example, a one-star on the ETK-K Series saying something like "It isn't fast enough".