Hey, I don't understand how magazine stuff works and all but isn't this suspicious?

Arcanum has a PCGamer Editor's Choice sticker on it.

I heard that there was some kind of embargo on reviewers? You couldn't put up your review until, like, some day this week? And then PCGamer comes out a bit before that day, right? And in there is a 90% review of Arcanum? Right?

Did Sierra pay PCgamer for an Editor's Choice? Cause, how'd they get the sticker on the boxes so damn fast? Do they have PCGamer Editor's Choice stickers laying around Sierra?

Or are we supposed to believe Vederman the Editor sat around a couple weeks ago going "i like arcanum. i give it an editors choice!" and then the EIC said "ok! send sierra the stickers! and thank them for having that embargo that made sure our review was first!"

Am I being paranoid?

-DormOnkey

Yes?

Arcanum has been done for months now. It's conceivable that the PC Gamer editors have been playing what Troika has claimed to be a completed version since, when, like May?

--- Alan

Yes, you're being VERY paranoid. I received a final copy of Arcanum about two months ago. I played all the way through the game and then reviewed it. After the magazine had already gone out for duplication, PR people from Sierra called to see if we (PC Gamer) had liked the game and if they could use a quote or two for their box if we did.

They didn't end up using any of the quotes (probably because the boxes were already finished) but I guess they still had time to put the PCG Editors' Choice sticker on them before the game hit shelves.

That's all there was to it.

Greg Vederman
Senior Editor/Technical Editor
PC Gamer Magazine
[email protected]

It actually seems odd to read something from you Greg, without seeing a goofy picture to go along with it... ;>

Seriously though, you PCGamer guys really should post more often on these boards. We've got CGM and CGW well represented, and freelancers out the kazoo.

Cheers,
-Andrew

And the dread Informed Consumer or two. ;)

...and if they weren't informed before they came here... hoo boy... they are now. =)

--Dave

True. It's an education for me at least. :)

I prefer the title that Tycho Brahe (yes, I know that's not his real name) gave me in an email: multi-classed gamer/lawyer.

All the pubs have had the final Arcanum (printed discs, even) for months. Good thing, too, or you wouldn't be seeing a review until November or so (it's a long game). There was an embargo on reviews, but it ended early last week.