The Reviews on Amazon.com are trickling in...

[mayorgeek 18]

 

I think a lot of people have spent a long time looking for reasons to hate this game, and now they get to rate the game and give it 1s like they've been fantasizing about.

 

When everyone is done having their tantrum, the ratings will improve.

 

It doesn't make sense - why would people "want" to downrate a product they wanted to buy?

 

By the way, it sounds like another "blame the consumer" argument - take their money, they have legitimate concerns and when they can't use a product they paid for - blame them on top of that. 

 

What legitimate concerns?

 

The server issues will be fixed and everyone knows it (or should know it).  Anyone downrating based on the server problems are using it as an excuse, or if they're too blinded by their tantrums they're just giving it a reactionary negative vote.

 

What other legit concerns are there? 

 

Or, a better question, is what other legit concerns inspire 10 paragraph rants about why EA sucks and they ruined SimCity?

 

What other legit concerns are there that can bring the rating down to 1 star, instead of down to, say, 3 stars?

 

 

For me personally, I haven't bought it yet (I don't really have the money to anyway), and if I did have the money the main reason for buying it would be to understand the game better so that I'm better prepared when modding is possible.  Right now out of the box there are some deal breakers that prevent this from being the SimCity that I want it to be, but I still understand that this should be a 4 or 5 star game.

Yeah, I have a rare couple of light weeks during medical school and want to spend some of my extra time using something that I paid for... But my concern is not legit... I am merely a child throwing a tantrum.

[Jasoncw 11,949]

  "I hope Maxis sees this fuster cluck and releases a proper Simcity."

 

 

I hope not, but leave the SC creating to folks that are more competent.

 

mrb

 

 

Yeah!!  They should bring back the people who made SC3K and SC4!!

 

 

oh... wait....

 

[GenXisT 127]

 

I think a lot of people have spent a long time looking for reasons to hate this game, and now they get to rate the game and give it 1s like they've been fantasizing about.

 

When everyone is done having their tantrum, the ratings will improve.

 

It doesn't make sense - why would people "want" to downrate a product they wanted to buy?

 

By the way, it sounds like another "blame the consumer" argument - take their money, they have legitimate concerns and when they can't use a product they paid for - blame them on top of that. 

 

What other legit concerns are there that can bring the rating down to 1 star, instead of down to, say, 3 stars?

.

 

1) No terraforming

2) Map size is too small (and the only size option)

3) No local saves

4) No actual single player

5) can't build highways

6) can't connect to the region the way you want to

 

These are fundamental aspects of Sim City now, and this isn't the full list.

 

I'm not going to really bother with the online thing since that's been exhausted.

[Xenocity 343]

@Blunder

Every time a game gets a good score, gamers claim the reviews have been bought.

This happens every time.

 

Out of the 659 1 star reviews, roughly 150 users had bought the game.

 

~150/659 ≈ 22% (Thus less than 1/4 of the reviewers actually bought the game)

 

5-star: ~7/16 ≈ 43% (Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

4 Star: ~4/12 ≈ 25% (Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

3-Star:  ~6/15 ≈ 40% (Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

2-Star: ~17/43 ≈ 39.5% Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

This really pokes a big hole in  the review system if the majority of the users didn't buy the game.

[Camlon 50]

Ok, lets remove the people you claim didn't buy the game. 

 

5 Star: 7 

4 Star: 4

3 Star: 6 

2 Star: 17

1 Star: 150

 

You think that looks better? 

 

BTW: I also would like to know where you get your statistics from.

[GenXisT 127]

A "review" without actually using whatever product is speculation, at best.  That's shady as hell too.

People would discredit such behavior from Car & Driver or Motortrend if they reviewed a car they didn't actually drive.

 

If I were to review this game now, after playing for 2 nights, using a 5-star scale.  I'd probably give it 3.5 out of 5.

For the negatives i posted above, they added some awesome stuff that offsets it.

This is by no means a "horrible" game.  Stuntman was a horrible game.

 

The ploppable building expansions are ace!

Also, the fact that you can turn these off if they're costing you money is another cool decision making item.

And I really love the 3D upgrade.  I feel like I'm more IN the city.  

Despite the map being small, the scale seems to be large because you can get so up close and personal.

 

These types of things a person who hasn't actually played are totally going to miss.

[Xenocity 343]

Ok, lets remove the people who didn't buy the game. 

 

5 Star: 7 

4 Star: 4

3 Star: 6 

2 Star: 17

1 Star: 150

 

You think that looks better? 

That wasn't the point.

 

The thread is about all the Amazon reviews.

 

You lose credibility when the majority of the reviews are from people who haven't bought the game.

If the majority of the reviews were from people who bought the game, then we would something to debate.

[blunder 1,080]

@Xeno:

 

Yes it does.  However there is a difference from something happening and that same something being representative of the entire sample.  This is especially true when you take an entire population of data points into effect, not just for a single game.  Do the things you mentioned happen?  Abso-frickin-lutely Yes.  Does that mean that those same things are the norm across the entire board? No it doesn't; yet that's the generalizations you're making.  If you're trying to make an argument for or against something you have to support it with real evidence; you need to SHOW people that your opinion is based on fact and matters, not just TELL them they're wrong.  That's the very nature of intelligent discussion and debate.

 

Take your numbers you just posted for instance.  I applaud you for the effort of using math; i really do-math is a tool sadly ignored these days.  However the numbers themselves invalidate the point you're making.  Let's break it down:

 

 

This really pokes a big hole in  the review system if the majority of the users didn't buy the game.

 

 

You say that just because the sample is saturated with bad data that the whole thing should be thrown out.  Yet amazon already allows us to throw out the bad data and keep the good by acknowledging which reviewers have purchased the game from amazon.  (it's also possible other reviewers have purchased the game from other sources and formed such a strong opinion they reviewed elsewhere, so throwing out all those datapoints isn't strictly sensible, but we'll do it anyways).

Counting just the people that are confirmed to buy the game from amazon, using your own numbers, that's:

5*= 7

4*= 4

3*= 6

2*= 17

1*= 150

 

In other words, only 17 out of 184 reviewers that are confirmed by amazon to have paid money for the game think it's average or better.  That's 9.24%

[mayorgeek 18]

Ok, lets remove the people who didn't buy the game. 

 

5 Star: 7 

4 Star: 4

3 Star: 6 

2 Star: 17

1 Star: 150

 

You think that looks better? 

That wasn't the point.

 

The thread is about all the Amazon reviews.

 

You lose credibility when the majority of the reviews are from people who haven't bought the game.

If the majority of the reviews were from people who bought the game, then we would something to debate.

You're right, that wasn't your point. That was his point. His point showed that your point was not valid. It is not difficult to follow...

[mack73 2]

Ok, lets remove the people who didn't buy the game. 

 

5 Star: 7 

4 Star: 4

3 Star: 6 

2 Star: 17

1 Star: 150

 

You think that looks better? 

That wasn't the point.

 

The thread is about all the Amazon reviews.

 

You lose credibility when the majority of the reviews are from people who haven't bought the game.

If the majority of the reviews were from people who bought the game, then we would something to debate.

 

My bet is that the majority of people reviewing on Amazon bought it through Origin. They simply apply their rating to Amazon since it has larger visibility.

[Camlon 50]

Also, I tried to write an review. I got this message 

 

 

Want to write a customer review?

To submit a customer review: you need to use an Amazon account that has successfully been charged for the purchase of a physical or digital item. Free digital downloads don't qualify. You don't need to have purchased the product you're reviewing. There's a 48-hour waiting period after your first physical order has been completely shipped, or your digital item has been purchased, before you'll be able to submit your review. Learn more about writing customer reviews.

 

If your purchase was completed more than 48 hours ago, let us know here.

If you have another account and you have already used it to make a purchase, you can sign into that account to write a review. 

 

So, I feel he should explain how he got the numbers.

[Xenocity 343]

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

 

You have to have at least bought one item from Amazon in order to be allowed to submit reviews.

[bipolarzebra 23]

I think a lot of people have spent a long time looking for reasons to hate this game, and now they get to rate the game and give it 1s like they've been fantasizing about.

 

When everyone is done having their tantrum, the ratings will improve.

Not true. when i heard of simcity coming out, i looked for many reasons to LOVE it, becuse my initial emotion towards simcity, duh, would be love. after reading the limitations and other aspects of the game, i decided not to purchase. I posted this thread to show all the people who DID NOT look into it and now our fellow simcity lovers are being thrown under the bus by EA.

[Camlon 50]

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

[Xenocity 343]

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

 

From Amazon's customer service page:

 

Does the reviewer have to buy the item from

Amazon.com?

No. It doesn't matter where an item was purchased, or if it was a

gift, or if the reviewer just borrowed it for a weekend. If someone feels moved

to write a review of an item, and they are a registered Amazon.com customer,

they are welcome.

 

Forbes explains it here in this article titled Fake Reviews: Amazon's Rotten Core.

 

 

I took the number (people can edit their reviews) of Amazon verified users and divided it by the total number of reviews in that ranking.

 

You can count yourself if you'd like.

You don't have to believe me, but at least believe Amazon.

[arcology 224]

And this is fake?: EA refuses to refund user for SimCity, threatens account ban

http://www.gamechup.com/ea-refuses-to-refund-user-for-simcity-threatens-account-ban/

[mayorgeek 18]

 

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

 

From Amazon's customer service page:

 

> 

Does the reviewer have to buy the item from

Amazon.com?

No. It doesn't matter where an item was purchased, or if it was a

gift, or if the reviewer just borrowed it for a weekend. If someone feels moved

to write a review of an item, and they are a registered Amazon.com customer,

they are welcome.

 

Forbes explains it here in this article titled Fake Reviews: Amazon's Rotten Core.

 

 

I took the number (people can edit their reviews) of Amazon verified users and divided it by the total number of reviews in that ranking.

 

You can count yourself if you'd like.

You don't have to believe me, but at least believe Amazon.

 

Are you saying you think someone is paying a bunch of money for people to write hundreds of fake negative reviews?

[Xenocity 343]

 

 

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

 

From Amazon's customer service page:

 

> 

Does the reviewer have to buy the item from

Amazon.com?

No. It doesn't matter where an item was purchased, or if it was a

gift, or if the reviewer just borrowed it for a weekend. If someone feels moved

to write a review of an item, and they are a registered Amazon.com customer,

they are welcome.<

/p>

 

Forbes explains it here in this article titled Fake Reviews: Amazon's Rotten Core.

 

 

I took the number (people can edit their reviews) of Amazon verified users and divided it by the total number of reviews in that ranking.

 

You can count yourself if you'd like.

You don't have to believe me, but at least believe Amazon.

Are you saying you think someone is paying a bunch of money for people to write hundreds of fake negative reviews?

 

There is a chance some have been payed off.

I mean people do get paid to write positive reviews for products.

 

Most of the reviews as I have posted are from people who are angry fanboys, or just angry at EA who had no intent of buying the game.

So instead of actually playing and buying the game, said people decided to spout off on Amazon and other sites.

 

The main point is, you don't have to buy the product to post a review.

[Districtopia 23]

 

 

 

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

 

From Amazon's customer service page:

 

 

> 

Does the reviewer have to buy the item from

Amazon.com?

No. It doesn't matter where an item was purchased, or if it was a

gift, or if the reviewer just borrowed it for a weekend. If someone feels moved

to write a review of an item, and they are a registered Amazon.com customer,

they are welcome.<

/p>

Forbes explains it here in this article titled Fake Reviews: Amazon's Rotten Core.

 

 

I took the number (people can edit their reviews) of Amazon verified users and divided it by the total number of reviews in that ranking.

 

You can count yourself if you'd like.

You don't have to believe me, but at least believe Amazon.

Are you saying you think someone is paying a bunch of money for people to write hundreds of fake negative reviews?

 

There is a chance some have been payed off.

I mean people do get paid to write positive reviews for products.

 

Most of the reviews as I have posted are from people who are angry fanboys, or just angry at EA who had no intent of buying the game.

So instead of actually playing and buying the game, said people decided to spout off on Amazon and other sites.

 

The main point is, you don't have to buy the product to post a review.

Which brings up the question: Why is Amazon allowing people to review something they didn't even purchase. Seems kind of stupid to me.

[Xenocity 343]

 

 

 

 

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

 

From Amazon's customer service page:

 

 

> 

Does the reviewer have to buy the item from

Amazon.com?

No. It doesn't matter where an item was purchased, or if it was a

gift, or if the reviewer just borrowed it for a weekend. If someone feels moved

to write a review of an item, and they are a registered Amazon.com customer,

they are welcome.<

/p>

Forbes explains it here in this article titled Fake Reviews: Amazon's Rotten Core.

 

 

I took the number (people can edit their reviews) of Amazon verified users and divided it by the total number of reviews in that ranking.

 

You can count yourself if you'd like.

You don't have to believe me, but at least believe Amazon.

Are you saying you think someone is paying a bunch of money for people to write hundreds of fake negative reviews?

 

There is a chance some have been payed off.

I mean people do get paid to write positive reviews for products.

 

Most of the reviews as I have posted are from people who are angry fanboys, or just angry at EA who had no intent of buying the game.

So instead of actually playing and buying the game, said people decided to spout off on Amazon and other sites.

 

The main point is, you don't have to buy the product to post a review.

Which brings up the question: Why is Amazon allowing people to review something they didn't even purchase. Seems kind of stupid to me.

Because they want you to post how you feel about the product, if you have used it. (That was the original reason)

 

People have been abusing the system for years and it is no big secret.

[arcology 224]

Again, it is funny, with all of the "control" exerted by EA in their marketing attempts - ANY negative or constructive feedback or criticism is considered a "tantrum" or invalid or just someone paying someone off. 

 

EA cannot control every single consumer's voice, who actually paid money. 

 

They are acknowledging that they screwed up with the servers - you buy any product and it does not work, right off the bat - what do you do - regardless if it is a game or not?!  You complain, you want it fixed - and you are telling me that people being threatened to be banned because they want THEIR money back is also a "tantrum"?

 

Who is throwing the tantrum, there?

 

When is a complaint considered legitimate by EA? 

 

So, people pay, are told to "shut up" and wait and EA will tell you how to think of this game and how to feel about it and then once everyone "falls in line" - and praises EA, it is ok?

 

How would EA react if they could not receive the money people paid for this game?  I find it very hard to believe they would sit quietly by, while waiting for the banks to fix it - they would raise holy h*&^(&ll!

[bipolarzebra 23]

 

 

 

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

 

From Amazon's customer service page:

 

 

> 

Does the reviewer have to buy the item from

Amazon.com?

No. It doesn't matter where an item was purchased, or if it was a

gift, or if the reviewer just borrowed it for a weekend. If someone feels moved

to write a review of an item, and they are a registered Amazon.com customer,

they are welcome.<

/p>

Forbes explains it here in this article titled Fake Reviews: Amazon's Rotten Core.

 

 

I took the number (people can edit their reviews) of Amazon verified users and divided it by the total number of reviews in that ranking.

 

You can count yourself if you'd like.

You don't have to believe me, but at least believe Amazon.

Are you saying you think someone is paying a bunch of money for people to write hundreds of fake negative reviews?

 

There is a chance some have been payed off.

I mean people do get paid to write positive reviews for products.

 

Most of the reviews as I have posted are from people who are angry fanboys, or just angry at EA who had no intent of buying the game.

So instead of actually playing and buying the game, said people decided to spout off on Amazon and other sites.

 

The main point is, you don't have to buy the product to post a review.

"angry fanboys" need I remind you that we are all posting on a message board exclusively for SimCity. I think that would make us fanboys. thus calling all the negative reviews on amazon "angry fanboys" seems a bit hypocritical.

[Bergrar 9]

i bought the game on origin and rated 1 star on amazon, am i a real consumer?

[mastorofpuppetz 199]

@Blunder

Every time a game gets a good score, gamers claim the reviews have been bought.

This happens every time.

 

Out of the 659 1 star reviews, roughly 150 users had bought the game.

 

~150/659 ≈ 22% (Thus less than 1/4 of the reviewers actually bought the game)

 

5-star: ~7/16 ≈ 43% (Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

4 Star: ~4/12 ≈ 25% (Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

3-Star:  ~6/15 ≈ 40% (Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

2-Star: ~17/43 ≈ 39.5% Majority of the reviews are from people who didn't buy the game)

 

This really pokes a big hole in  the review system if the majority of the users didn't buy the game.

 

I dont see how amazon knows if you bought it from eb games or origin.....pokes holes in your entire argument...Also, you dont need to buy it to know right now it is a mess.  try harder. Amazon has NO WAY of knowing who got their copy from where except amazon, if I buy it from future shop, and leave a review on amazon it will show up as not owning it, but that is false. Meaningless stats.

[Districtopia 23]

Not sure if anyone has posted this yet but Amazon has added this to the purchase page for Simcity 2013:

 

"Important Note on "SimCity"

Many customers are having issues connecting to the "SimCity" servers. EA is actively working to resolve these issues, but at this time we do not know when the issue will be fixed. Please visit https://help.ea.com/en/simcity/simcity for more information."

[arcology 224]

i bought the game on origin and rated 1 star on amazon, am i a real consumer?

 

 

+1

 

also, they just pulled it from amazon.com due to the server problems - it is currently unavailable - i guess that is "fake", also. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Arts-41018ted-Edition2-SimCity/dp/B007VTVRFA/ref=cm_rdp_product%5B/url%5D

[SirChick 184]

The sheer number of reviews and the sizable portion of the reviews being certified Amazon purchasers means that one can reliably infer that SimCity is currently not doing well.

--Ocram

 

Finally someone who actually looked at the reviewers and realised they are worth believing rather than just assuming its people having a hissy fit!

i bought the game on origin and rated 1 star on amazon, am i a real consumer?

 

 

+1

 

also, they just pulled it from amazon.com due to the server problems - it is currently unavailable - i guess that is "fake", also. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Arts-41018ted-Edition2-SimCity/dp/B007VTVRFA/ref=cm_rdp_product%5B/url%5D

 

 

Yes. You still played the game you can still rate the game. But you wouldn't have "Amazon buyer" on your account so....most will skip over your review.

 

 

 

 

Count these: Amazon Verified Purchase

 

You get the Amazon Verified Purchase next to your name when you have bought the product you are reviewing.

 

I'm allowed to submit a review, thought my cousin bought me the game on her account (she owed me money).

I think you have to have record of buying something on Amazon.

It says there you bought the game. I have bought something on Amazon. That does not give me the right to reviews things I haven't bought. 

 

Can you tell us how you got your percentage? If not, why should we believe you?

 

From Amazon's customer service page:

 

 

> 

Does the reviewer have to buy the item from

Amazon.com?

No. It doesn't matter where an item was purchased, or if it was a

gift, or if the reviewer just borrowed it for a weekend. If someone feels moved

to write a review of an item, and they are a registered Amazon.com customer,

they are welcome.<

/p>

Forbes explains it here in this article titled Fake Reviews: Amazon's Rotten Core.

 

 

I took the number (people can edit their reviews) of Amazon verified users and divided it by the total number of reviews in that ranking.

 

You can count yourself if you'd like.

You don't have to believe me, but at least believe Amazon.

Are you saying you think someone is paying a bunch of money for people to write hundreds of fake negative reviews?

 

There is a chance some have been payed off.

I mean people do get paid to write positive reviews for products.

 

Most of the reviews as I have posted are from people who are angry fanboys, or just angry at EA who had no intent of buying the game.

So instead of actually playing and buying the game, said people decided to spout off on Amazon and other sites.

 

The main point is, you don't have to buy the product to post a review.

Which brings up the question: Why is Amazon allowing people to review something they didn't even purchase. Seems kind of stupid to me.

 

 

Well its still reliable SC4 has almost 5 out of 5 stars .... so as long as the game is good people are going to vote it a good game. Else they won't, if you felt the game sucked and was unhappy im sure some will go out of their way to make people aware.

Also amazon no longer sells the game because of all the problems, concluding most of the reviews made a very good point specially if Amazon also agreed.

[RyanMorgan95 144]

 

Because reviews on Amazon are completely reliable, right?

just as reliable as anywhere else i suppose. Like most retailers you can rate/review a product without owning/buying it.

All you need to do is create an account to review any product you want.

this is why Xbox 360 has higher reviews than PS3 and Wii.

 

 

I'm almost certain you can only review a product after purchasing it Amazon; does Amazon allow you to review once you've pre-ordered but prior to release? That's pretty silly if so.

[SirChick 184]

  "I hope Maxis sees this fuster cluck and releases a proper Simcity."

 

 

I hope not, but leave the SC creating to folks that are more competent.

 

mrb

 

 

Yeah!!  They should bring back the people who made SC3K and SC4!!

 

 

oh... wait....

 

 

You mean Will Wright ... cos this is the first SC game he has not been involved in. I'm not including SimCity Societies but i also think he wasn't involved in them either.

[Foley803 2]

You have to remember that the Limited edition (pre-orders) and the standard edition (post-release) are different items in Amazon's database, so everyone that has pre-ordered now has to review on the standard edition. Therefore, the "Amazon verified buyer" tag is not reflecting the amount of actual people who bought the game from Amazon.

 

If I wanted to write a review right now, even though I pre-ordered, I would not be listed as an Amazon verified buyer, since the item I purchased doesn't exist on AZ anymore.