Reader Reviews Guide

One of the most useful features of the site is the ease with which users can post comments, suggestions etc. An extension of this is the ability of readers to post their own reviews of maps and mods. This guide provides some guidelines for posting reviews.

• Firstly, write your review, preferably in a normal word processor (like Microsoft Word, Open Office Writer, Abi Word or Google Documents etc). This is to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes etc.
• Then proof read it one last time to ensure you are happy with it.
• Consider using the format listed below in the appendix but that’s your choice.
• Now copy and paste your review into the comment area of the relevant map or mod.
• Click the submit button, and relax

Your review will be immediately visible, assuming it doesn’t get caught in the spam filter. This doesn’t happen often but it is possible. I will check it when I next visit the site and ensure it meets the guidelines listed below.

If you post enough high quality reviews I will also put a link to the review in the main post, meaning readers will be able to quickly jump to your review.

I may even tag the map or mods with your name, meaning that readers will be able to quickly find all your reviews.

There are lots of review sites available but often they take a while to produce a review or becoming a reviewer for them is difficult (submit previous work etc). Well, at PlanetPhillip everybody, anywhere, anytime can write a review of a map or mod. This is your opportunity to improve your writing skills and get some exposure.

There are a few guidelines you need to follow but nothing to draconian! I want everybody to express their opinions and thoughts in clear, polite language.

• Consider splitting the review into two sections: technical and gameplay etc.
• Don’t insult the author or use offensive language.
• Don’t bother submitting reviews like “It’s crap”. I will simply delete them!
• Be fair and professional.
• Don’t spoil the ending for readers. (I will definitely delete those!!)

There is no editorial control over the reviews except to ensure that reviews contain no links to inappropriate sites, insults and offensive language. I reserve the right to make minor changes if necessary. You retain copyright over the review.

When writing a review I always believe that the author should be able to learn something from it. Telling them what you didn’t like or what they did wrong is easy. Try to offer solutions or at least explain why you didn’t like something. That way everybody benefits, the reader and the mod author.

Please add your recommendation image (If you choose to use one) first and then add your review. This ensure the layout of the post is easy to read.

I prefer you don’t include other images i.e. screenshots in your review but if you feel it is important then please contact me and we will organize it.

Please consider separating your review into sections. This often makes it easier to read and write. You can use HTML code as the title of the section. For example:
<strong>Introduction</strong>
<strong>Gameplay</strong>
<strong>Visuals</strong>
<strong>Summary</strong>
<strong>Conclusion</strong>

The exact title are entirely up to you, as is the choice of whether you even use them.

There is also an optional section for a Five Word Review. This is a feature that challenges the reviewer to summarize a mod in five words or less.

This page was last updated on Tuesday 08 April 2008.