Much as I like a good Pachinko joke as the next guy:
Konami Still Committed to AAA Gaming and Metal Gear Solid
It reeks of bulltrout, but still.
They got themselves covered in a scumbag way. A Dutch journalist source did an item on review embargo's and what developers/publishers try to do with them and Konami played a big role in it. Here's the breakdown:
- Konami sent an agreement proposal to all major media
- In it it promises early review embargo's and review copies to those who agree to the agreement, as well as "sponsorship" (money, goodies, could be anything).
- The catch is Konami is allowed to sue any who have agreed and then publish a (negative) review or criticise the game in a way that would hurt sales.
- Those who have agreed will get their early reviews, and they will be positive or they can face lawsuits.
- Those who do not agree to this agreement (and thus doing the right thing) do not get early (and free) review copies, nor the early review embargo, and therefor not the clicks to their website when the game launches.