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Welcome to Digital Entertainment News.
The site was founded to allow quality news and reviews from a perspective that isn't often found in videogame coverage - that of the average gamer. While there are many hardcore gamers on the staff, we understand that not everybody can afford, or even are interested in, all of the games that are being released. Everybody has different tastes - and that is reflected in our coverage.
While it is possible to compare Final Fantasy to other role playing games, it isn't fair to compare it to a racing game. Games are different - with some being intended for different audiences. Should games as different at Silent Hill and Mortal Kombat be judged using the same Criteria? We don't believe so.
We also understand that graphics are relative to the game itself. Sly Cooper and Jet Set Radio have a specific look, quite seperate from Gran Turismo. They also appeal to different people for different reasons.
When a game is reviewed, we take into account who the intened audience is, and if the game accomplishes what it set out to do. A budget racing game isn't (nor should it be judged the same) as a full priced RPG. Expectations are much different for each game.
We judge games on a 10 point scale, with 10 being a game that is perfect - but that is a relative term. While there may be a few flaws, they could be so minor that they do not detract from the game whatsoever. It is very rare for a game to reach this level. Anything above a 9 should be a shining example of the genre on the platform. Expectations for Xbox games, graphically, are a little different from PS2 games, especially when it is the same game - though sadly many developers and publishers don't see it that way.
A score of 5 means that the game is merely "average" - a game that is still fun, but nothing makes it stand out.
Bad games are easy to spot, and the scores will reflect that. Anything less than a 5 should be avoided, usually, but there will be exceptions.
While 5 may be "average" don't look for an equal number of games to be scored above and below. Since games are constantly being released, the expectations will constantly shift as new games and technology change the face of gaming.
The basic rule is: Does the game accomplish what it sets out to do for its intended audience?
We try to give the general consumer a bit of insight into videogames without preaching or coming accross as gaming snobs. We're just like you - we put our pants on one leg at a time.
Press releases and genreal correspondence can be sent to: daniel[at]digitalentertainmentnews.com
Review/preview materials should be sent to:
Digital Entertainment News
121 NW 82nd St
Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 992-7706
Let's meet the staff, shall we?
Daniel "monk" Pelfrey - Founder and Editorial Director
Daniel actively remembers when Pong was a living room marvel. With a son in high school, one child in pre-school, a toddler, AND an infant, he comes from the perspective of a longtime gamer reconciling what is good for a gamer in their 40's (yeesh) with what is appropriate for children - things that are not necessarily the same. Daniel formed Digital Entertainment News after leaving a long-held Editorial Director position at another site with the intention of giving the "average" gamer an option - informed, yet acessable, news and information about videogames that doesn't talk down to its readers nor considers itself elitist in any way.
Jake McNeill - Editor-In-Chief
After contributing off and on for various fansites, Jake got a position at the site where Daniel was Editorial Director as a staff writer. When many of the staff opted to form Digital Entertainment News, Jake came along, and now does a little of everything. Jake has sometimes been accused of being a Nintendo fanboy. And a Sony fanboy, a Square fanboy, and once even an Xbox fanboy. He's also been accused of being biased against Microsoft, Sony, Sega, and oddly, Nintendo. In short, Jake is the most biased individual in the world, being simultaneously biased towards and against everybody.
Craig "American Idle" Hansen - Senior Editor
Too many hours of reality television and wrestling programs have made Craig's brain slip into another dimension where there are nothing but survival horror and RPG games. Playing videogames since before there was a console war, Craig is perhaps the most opinionated of the staffers and willing to let everybody know just what the best games are.
Mark "MadMup" Zwolanek - Staff Writer
An "old-school" gamer, Mark grew up scamming quarters from people to play Q*Bert, Pac-Man, and Tutankham at the local gas station. When the NES was popular, Mark became convinced that the Sega Master System was superior, and has been an avid Sega fanboy ever since (he owns three Sega Saturns to prove it). Not the most talented gamer in the world, he looks for the one important factor in every game: fun.
Mike Hanning - Staff Writer
Mike McConnell - Staff Writer
Mike was born in the land of beer, cheese, and 25in snowfalls. Being the only person in the entire frozen tundra to not like football, video games were a good sunday activity. He is also that elusive "hardcore" gamer, who equally enjoys both Black Flag, and his DS.
Tracy Erickson - Staff Writer
Having learned the fine art of mashing a keyboard with his forehead, Tracy comes to Digital Entertainment News after running two gaming sites of his own. Now, he’s content with whittling away the time reviewing aged Chinese liquor while playing the odd PC adventure game. Having studied the language and history, he has an appreciation for Japanese games that goes beyond Final Fantasy fanboy lust. Just a few of his favorite games include Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Silver Tequila, Devil May Cry, Secret of Evermore, a nice amber ale, and Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem.
Brian Arnold - Staff Writer
A refugee from another planet, Brian "Your Mama Wasn't Saying That Last Night" Arnold has been instrumental in the implimentation of WWII strategies in the reviews here at DEN. An avid polar bear wrestler, Brian likes nothing more than to curl up in bed with his Game Boy Advance and have dirty dreams.
Laura Root - Public Relations
One of the few "non-writing" members of the team Laura helps the site run smoothly and acts like a den mother and task master to everybody.
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