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IGN's Review Removed Due to Claims of Plagiarism

At some point, any major journalism site is going to come into some form of issue with plagiarism. Today IGN got that when their video review of Dead Cells was, at points, word for word copies of a Boomstick Gaming YouTube review from a week earlier, and at the other points minor differences in them.

IGN has since removed their review with a notice that they are investigating the issue.

N4G's policy is to remove plagiarized content, and we have. If the source refuses to remove it or doesn't take note of it, we tend to ban them as well. Luckily, IGN has recognizing the issue and, hopefully, is taking the necessary measures to prevent it from happening again as well as recognizing the seriousness of the offense.

You may watch the Boomstick Gaming video detailing the similarities below.

2766d ago
UltraNova2766d ago

Too much plagiarism 6/10: IGN

NewMonday2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

LOL! XD

I never got caught in highschool because I change the whole sentence structures and make deliberate mistakes, also proof read my plagiarism. turns out to be good training for my job as an editor.

Da12RespectA2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

Haha! XD

People never got caught in school because they'd change the whole sentence structures and make deliberate mistakes, also proof read their plagiarism. Turns out to be great training for our jobs as editors.

darthv722766d ago

I watched that last night and clearly IGN used the majority of the same verbiage in the same context as well.

Mr_Skyfish2766d ago Show
RyanShutup2766d ago

"Students seldom get caught due to changes in their sentence structure. If an aspiring writer can make deliberate mistakes this also helps, and in turn will provide great training for future jobs as copy writers."

NewMonday2765d ago

@RyanShutup

that's great work, completely omitting "roof read my plagiarism" is a pro move.

you qualify for a job at IGN, they have an opening now.

thorstein2755d ago

Then why else did you fail my class?

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 2755d ago
OB1Biker2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

It's kinda sad they can't even do it in a clever way now. I guess that's what happens when reviewers keep checking others reviews and get over confident.

Crazyglues2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

copy and paste much..... complete fail... dude get's an F / IGN step your game up...

RyanShutup2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

edit: quote the wrong person... ah man!

-Foxtrot2766d ago

"If the source refuses to remove it or doesn't take note of it, we tend to ban them as well"

Lol...this site would never ban IGN

IGN would go mental at Newsboiler

They can't even ban Kotaku

OB1Biker2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

Not a chance.
I've already seen it n twitter the recurring trend of blaming the gamers to deflect the BS.
For this one it's blame the gamers who blame IGN.

Christopher2765d ago

If they refused to acknowledge content theft or plagiarism, yeah, I would. I'm certain the owners would override me, but I have no issues treating them the same as other sites in this regard.

Thomaticus2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

That's a high score. 4/10 imo. I guess you gave extra points for IGN using their own gameplay footage.

UltraNova2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

Nope, its just the fact that IGN's lowest score seems to be around the 7/10 marκ, oh and the fact that they had the balls to post such a blatantly plagiarized review like that ;-)

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2755d ago
TerminalGamer2766d ago

I see similarities, but it's the same game so it might just be coincidence. I wouldn't call it outright plagiarism, though.

Kaze882766d ago

the whole structure of the review and bullet points are the same, only the wording is a little different.

TerminalGamer2766d ago

If the reviewer uses that same structure for all of their reviews, as most reviewers do, then it's coincidence.

You could look at past reviews of the IGN reviewers and see if it matches up if you wanted too.

GottaBjimmyb2766d ago

I agree terminal, could be plagerism, but could also just be that there are only so many ways to describe a game, especially the more specific/niche it is.

Not saying he did not steal the format and wording, just saying maybe he did not do so intentionally and that the differences seem pretty reasonable enough to see it as possibly just a similar writing style and take on the game.

Christopher2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

The similarities are too similar, with even parts of it utilizing exact words. The probability of that happening is extremely low. There are so many words you can use to describe elements, but they both use the exact same ones and in the exact same order.

@below: Terminal, I'm not sure you understand this well enough. If I had you play the game and asked you to describe the game in a few sentences as well as hundreds of other people, the probability that any of you would use the exact same sentence is lower than the chance that you would win two lotteries in a row. There are so many ways to describe every game, but they utilized words that aren't commonly used in general to describe the exact same thing about it.

TerminalGamer2766d ago

You can only describe gaming stuff in so many words. A reviewer can't license a phrase and get mad if someone else uses it.

TerminalGamer2766d ago

Not if both were game writers that play a lot of the same games and you're describing a 2D platformer that is using an old stale format.

Christopher2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

***Not if both were game writers that play a lot of the same games and you're describing a 2D platformer that is using an old stale format.***

He copied things that have nothing to do with the specific game, though. For example, why would both bring up "Most games limit your most useful skills with long cooldown timers or limited mana system" word for word, at the exact same point in the reviews. What are the chances they would both make that exact same reference, at the exact same point in the review, referencing the exact same systems from other games?

"Fights are fast, fluid, responsive and hands down one of the..." is clearly plagiarism and no way in heck would two people come up with that description exactly in the same order and utilizing the 'hands down' in that specific instance as well.

And nothing in this review is old or stale, that's the whole point of the review. It is the opposite of old or stale. So you saying that makes me question if you understand what the reviewers are saying, let alone whether you understand plagiarism and how likely it is to have these number and level of similarities.

UltraNova2766d ago

Terminal,

Watch the video again. Its definitely plagiarism. Don't forget its people who write these reviews and people react to each game/experience differently. The fact that IGN's matches words for words, lows and highs all with the same prologue, main body and conclusion elements/structure is quite telling.

RoseSapphire2766d ago

Terminal, you're grasp of plagiarism is tenuous at best. Turn back.

Damrock2766d ago

Did you even watch the video? Either your a huge IGN fanboy or you work at IGN not to see they ripped of this dudes review.

Structure, Bullet points and even using 99% of the dudes words yet your still defending IGN......

Loadedklip2766d ago

^ this. If you look at the reviews, it is bullet for bullet the same exact review.

It's way too similar. Easy to spot rip off.

As for the game itself, played it on Steam Early Access, it is fantastic.

admiralvic2766d ago

Here is the thing. While I get where you're coming from, as I've seen a fair amount of witch hunting/demonizing -a great example being someone calling attention to IGN saying almost every level having a timed door and pointing out it's actually only around half-, there are too many similar things.

Like, even if we consider structure a coincidence and similar experiences, the two reviews read less like two separate experiences and more like an editor rewrote the other. I mean, they didn't even change the order things were mentioned, nor is there different information found in one of them. This is particularly interesting, since there is a lot of things left out.

These include optional paths, hidden blueprints, daily events, higher difficulties with special doors, unusual mechanics and other things that could've been covered. I'm not saying either are bad, it's just too much of a coincidence that they're basically the same for me to believe it isn't a case of plagiarism. The IGN writer could've added something, honestly anything, to make it seem different or at least change the order and/or swap something out.

Like, removing the time gate point and talking about daily events would've made this more ambiguous, where as this is more like 'do you really think two people out of a small handful played the same game, had similar thoughts, expressed them relatively the same way and exact order independently of one another?'

zodiac9092766d ago

@TerminalGamer What department of IGN do you work for? And how much did they pay you to say this?

Kran2766d ago

Did you even watch the video?

You say you seem similarities but if you'd watched it fully, you'd notice it's almost a carbon copy... heck EVEN SOME OF THE SHOTS THEY USED ARE SIMILAR.

I_am_Batman2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

That's what I thought a minute into the video as well. But with the same bulletpoints appearing in the exact same order and being articulated in a suspiciously similar way it would've to be one hell of a conincidence. Statistically it seems more likely that the reviewer just copied the other review.

To be completely fair though it is obvious that the video only cuts to the very similar parts (of which there are quite a few). It also leaves out some of the parts (probably parts that are different). Unfortunately the ign video has been taken down so we can't compare the full videos to each other.

Thomaticus2766d ago

Send me all your college papers please. I'd like to make some similarities.

Gh05t2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

I was all ready to come to the defense of IGN (not because I like them but because I believe plagiarism has a pretty high bar) Then I watched the video and I dont know how you can defend it. They clearly took one persons ideas and passed them off as their own. He clearly copied words and Idea from the other source and gave no credit. This is clearly plagiarism.

"All of the following are considered plagiarism:
-turning in someone else's work as your own
-copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
-changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit
-copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work,
whether you give credit or not (see our section on "fair use" rules)"

(Source: Plagerism.org, lest people accuse me of plagiarizing of the standards for plagiarism. XD)

MegaMohsi2766d ago

Dude are you being serious? If that isn't plagiarism, I don't know what is.

Dragonscale2766d ago (Edited 2766d ago )

@terminal, there must be something in it or ign wouldn't have removed it, some people seem to have a very loose definition of plagiarism. Tbh its lazy journalism on behalf of ign and they got rumbled. Anyhow whats with the defense of ign, didn't realise they had fanboys as well lol.

2766d ago
CorndogBurglar2765d ago

"I see similarities, but it's the same game so it might just be coincidence. I wouldn't call it outright plagiarism, though."

I see similarities, but it's the same game. It might just be a coincidence. I wouldn't accuse him of plagiarism, though.

There. I just plagiarized your sentence and did it by only using similarities. What happened here is no different.

+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 2765d ago
AspiringProGenji2766d ago

Colin and Greg were right to leave that place. Ever since that the die has been going downhill

coolbeans2766d ago

Are we really supposed to pretend they were the talent though?

showtimefolks2765d ago

Cool

Yes Colin is awesome but Gregg since leaving has become too big and obnoxious

And the first chance he got to stab Colin in the back instead of standing up for his friend

coolbeans2765d ago (Edited 2765d ago )

@showtime

-Eh...I can admit to being a bigger fan of Colin's more political-oriented work. He does put in a great effort for his Colin's Last Stand gig. But in respect to being a game reviewer (what I was focusing on in 1st comment)? Both have never struck me as being insightful, and both have been a part of the IGN that handed out 9/10's like they were candy throughout the 7th gen--and still continues.

And in regards to the meat of their reviews, the memory of Greg Miller's Dead Space 2 review is still seared into my brain: http://calmdowntom.com/2011... .

I'm just not sure how someone who's been paid for years to review games thought that was a satisfactory end-product. Obviously that's just ONE singular example but my memories of IGN during 7th console gen are filled with disappointment, especially as prominent YouTubers made their way on the scene.

-"And the first chance he got to stab Colin in the back instead of standing up for his friend"

Agreed. That was a crappy move.

2766d ago Replies(4)
generic-user-name2766d ago

Keep an eye out for drama involving Marty Sliva next.

FinalFantasyFanatic2765d ago

Are anyone major news outlets worth their salt these days? I find smaller Youtube reviews to be a better bet and even then I can cross reference with half a dozen or more.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2765d ago
RoseSapphire2766d ago

Hella plagiarized. The IGN reviewer should be fired and I suspect Boomstick is going to gain himself a lot more followers.

OhMyGandhi2766d ago

reviewer should be fired and replaced by Boomstick.

dillydadally2766d ago

Dead Cells is a relatively smallish indie game. Usually these games only get reviewed by interns or non-staff freelancers. My guess is that's what happened here. Either an intern or freelancer sumbitted it, it looked good, so IGN published it. Probably the last time IGN will accept anything from him.

porkChop2766d ago

Filip reviewed it. He's the host of their Nintendo podcast, and is not just some intern or freelancer. To make things worse, this appears to be his first review for IGN since he joined them 9 months ago.

dillydadally2766d ago

@porkChop

Ouch. In that case, dude should know better and is likely to be in big trouble.

Show all comments (151)
70°

Report: Sony Is Turning Its Back on Porting PlayStation Games to PC

Sony is said to be pulling back on releasing PlayStation games on PC, and this starts with Ghost of Yotei and Saros.

Elda5h ago

If true then the PC elitists will no longer be saying..."I'll wait to play it on PC where it'll play best" I'm guessing the money Sony spends porting & profiting from PC isn't worth it. Making PS first party solely exclusive again to their consoles will make their consoles more relevant to buy especially if their output of first party titles are good.

Outside_ofthe_Box5h ago

A certain spamtastic account will not be pleased if this is true.

This is another basic logic scenario. We've seen both extremes playing out right now. Would you rather be in Xbox's or Nintendo's position right now? Sony already had a working formula, stick to it.

fr0sty32m ago

Sony released games on PC to try to make a few extra bucks... Valve (and possibly MS, if the new Xbox ever sees the light of day) attempted to use this to allow you to play PlayStation games on other consoles, so instead of making Sony a few extra bucks, it's now costing them good money... so this only makes sense.

CrashMania4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

All those players who claim they were happy to wait an eternity for every game, will now suddenly be saying all those games are/will be crap and they were never interested.

Elda2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

Of course they will...lol. It looks like they'll never get to play PS exclusive games or they'll give in & buy a PS.

Ojo222h ago(Edited 2h ago)

PC gamers got by for decades without PS games. They will be just fine

Sonys copy paste first party games aren’t worth buying a console for for most PC gamers

Also “an eternity” lol, DS2 came in about half a year… Sony are all in on PC porting and the dates are getting earlier and earlier

CrashMania1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

Sure, keep coping obscure, suddenly Jason Schrier is super unreliable too I guess? lmao.

Ojo221h ago(Edited 1h ago)

I’ll believe it when Sony announce it - or a year from now if Yotei isn’t on Steam.

Schrier is wrong on a lot of things. Sony literally just held a showcase where they announced more PC ports lol.

But either way, who cares? PC was fine for decades without the 1-2 annual Sony games. Nothing changes really.

PC was the biggest platform before Sony, it will still be after Sony.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1h ago
Ojo222h ago(Edited 2h ago)

Zero chance this is true. Sony likes free money.

They are third party and that won’t change now.

Elda28m ago(Edited 28m ago)

XB is solely a 3rd party company, they hardly have any solely XB console exclusives anymore especially from most of their generational first party ips. 90% of PS first party titles are on PS gaming consoles only.

SimpleDad22m ago

Yeah and PC gamers like free games.

Ojo2215m ago

Elda. Sony are the exact same, they hardly have any PS5 exclusives

Any they do, are timed.

Inverno38m ago

More like people were realizing what wasn't worth it was buying a PS5 to play games that eventually came to another platform. The constant excuses the entire gen to try to lessen the butt hurt y'all were feeling. Let's be for real here ladies and gents y'all were bothered by the fact most of these games were making their way to PC and judging by the replies y'all STILL butthurt. Trying to make it sound like waiting 6 months to a year was the worst thing when most people don't care cause why should they? Who's in a rush to play mostly SP games when they know they can play it on the platform they prefer? How exactly does it hurt y'all personally? Besides getting your pride hurt cause SONY making you look childish for being so loyal to a brand?

If they're pulling support it's because they know that long term they can't convince people to buy a PS if they can get their games on PC. It's that simple. You really think having an extra platform to gain more profit from somehow hurts them financially? Nah, it's cause they can't convince people to throw another 600-700 bucks at new hardware when their current console gen has barely been taken full advantage of. All the conveniences of a console are on PC now, and you aren't locked into a cycle where the hardware you buy becomes obsolete every 6 years. And the new hardware you buy receives games that are built off software made for the gen before.

Of course people rather buy these games on PC if they already own a PC, makes no sense at all to invest in a console if this continues. And it will infact continue if dev cycles keep taking most of the gen to complete development.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 15m ago
Ojo222h ago

Duplicate:

N4g.com/news/2685624/sonys-sh ift-in-strategy-will-lead-to-fe wer-playstation-first-party-gam es-on-pc-it-is-claimed

dveio21m ago

Well, we have the data in front of us, don't we. Not to mention how extensive Sony's data's got to be.

They've tried.

Huge revenue wasn't generated (don't get me wrong - they did make billions, but you get it), Steam got a cut, Xbox got a cut, PS5 is trailing ~2 million units behind PS4.

The paycheck for, but also potential harm to the remaining years of PS5 and the release of PS6, just wasn't it.

It's absolutely logical if true.

And people shouldn't forget Sony'd simply return to the strategy they've been following for 4/5 of Playstation's history.

Ojo2215m ago

Poor nixxes will get shut down if this is true

dveio9m ago

Hey Obscure, how's it going?

20°
9.0

Ride 6 review - Milestone Series Entry | TechStomper

"For long‑time fans, Ride 6 feels definitive - For newcomers willing to take on a steeper learning curve, it’s a rewarding gateway into the intricate world of motorcycle racing."

- Stuart Cullen, TechStomper

Read Full Story >>
techstomper.com
30°

Crimson Desert hands-on report: four hours in the RPG’s massive open world - PlayStation Blog

A huge world awaits in Crimson Desert, with plenty to do and explore starting March 19.

Read Full Story >>
blog.playstation.com
Christopher6h ago

This gives me the feeling of Forspoken with an empty world except enemies and puzzles. Gameplay could be much better, though, which would be nice. Definitely not looking like a world you live in, just explore to grow in power.

Eonjay3m ago(Edited 1m ago)

So there it is... it uses PSSR 2 for those wondering. In addition, it also uses the Pro's High CPU mode.