About Hard Reset
This is Hard Reset, an independently run video game website. Hard Reset was founded in 2011 by two friends from the UK who just want to create awesome stuff about video games. Over the last months, the founders, Dan and Ben, have joined forces with similar people not just in the UK, but the US and Canada too, to create what you see before you.
//Video games… Serious business.
Hard Reset is not looking to take over the world. A very small editorial team that’s very focused on covering the things they want covered and that’s it. This concept is based on focused, personalised, conversational coverage and wanting the byline to matter.
We attempt to compete with large established gaming websites as focusing on the top percentage of games editorially while functioning in a curator role to direct users to lesser known games through video features. Our focus will be on commentary and perspective on the significant goings-on in video games. And, you know, fun! We don’t want to run sales numbers stories. There’s enough business out there in the game press, everyone trying to be serious journalists.
//We know consoles
In the current day and age, everyone you know plays games. While your Grandma maybe not be sitting down with Call Of Duty, she may pick up Angry Birds at the Bus Stop. You probably have a little cousin who plays Minecraft. I bet your dad loves a little Bayonetta. Your mum probably plays with her Wii. There is so much to gaming these days but, sadly, we cannot cover it all. So we focus on consoles. We know those shiny boxes tucked into your entertainment centres like the backs of our hands. Which means we are leaving PC, iOS and the rest of the cacophony at the door. Sorry!
//Proud Of Standards
CONDUCT:
If we review a game at a publisher-sponsored event, we’ll disclose it in the review.
Our writers will not accept gifts (including food and drinks) in excess of $50 in value.
REVIEW SCORES:
We don’t discuss review scores with publishers or developers prior to the review being published.
Hard Reset will adjust its assessment of games and hardware over the life of those products. These changes will always be explained and transparent.
CONFLICT:
Hard Reset staffers do not cover companies (1) in which they have a financial investment, (2) that have employed them previously or (3) employ the writer’s spouse, partner or someone else with whom the writer has a close relationship.
SOURCES:
It is our policy not to pay sources. On rare occasions, we may contract with a source as a co-creator of content. Anonymous sources must prove their identity to Hard Reset to be cited in a story. We protect the identity of our sources.
CORRECTIONS:
Hard Reset makes every effort for stories to be completely accurate upon publication. Inaccurate stories will be corrected but not removed.
ADVERTISING:
We have advertisements on our site, and they are our main source of revenue. While we do not have a separate company securing advertising deals, the team responsible is entirely separate from the direction of the editorial staff.
We do not accept money or other consideration from companies as a condition or incentive to write a review or story, whether favorable or unfavorable.
All reviews and other editorial material on the site are based on our editorial discretion, and not based on the desire of any company, advertiser or PR firm.
Advertisers don’t ask us to cover their products, and we don’t comment about their ads.
We will endeavor to clearly mark any advertisement or “infomercial” (videos, Flash animations, etc.) shown on Hard Reset as an advertisement or sponsored post.
GIVEAWAYS:
From time to time, we will conduct contests and giveaways for readers on the site. We will post rules for each contest, which will be binding on contestants who decide to participate.
Giveaways of products are not, and should never be considered, endorsements of the companies involved or their products.
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCES:
If the occasion arises where editors and news writers are asked to appear in a professional capacity as experts on various television, news, radio, or other media. These appearances do not constitute endorsement of any products, companies, or services discussed; it is possible that we may accept reimbursement for our travel expenses associated with one of these professional appearances (as long as the media outlet is not affiliated with any game company or other company we cover).
PRODUCT SAMPLES FOR REVIEWS:
Companies may send games or other products or samples to our editors in order for our staff to review such samples and determine whether we will provide a review of the product on Hard Reset. We do not accept any samples on any preconditions, such as, that we will agree to provide a review simply because the company sent us a sample. Please note that companies may provide these samples before the product is commercially available, in which case, we may agree to an embargo with the company or its PR firm. This means we agree not to publish the review or associated news until a given time.
Occasionally, we decide to review something which has not been provided to us by a company. In this case, an editor will purchase the product for themselves.
//How We Review…
As previously mentioned, we don’t have the time to review every game that is released. Instead, we bring give you our opinion on the games with most hype. Expect us to give you facts, thoughts, metaphors, hyperbole and a mandatory number for everything from the biggest franchises to the most compelling new IPs. Of course, every now and again, we’ll bring you the small indie game that shines bright.
We chose a five star review system for many, many reasons. Firstly, 5 shiny little stars is the universal system outside of games. From Amazon or Play, to the film reviews in your local paper; 5 stars give the most amount of information, simply and at a glance.
Five stars is also more precise than the more granular rating systems. When you rate something out of 10 or even 100, the lower numbers become pointless and unused. Anything under a 7 out of 10 is automatically classed as awful. How to you justify the difference between a 8.7 and 8.8? You can’t.
We also give 1 to 5 scores based on graphics, gameplay, sound and replay value to let you know if any part of a game is better than the rest. The final score is not an average.
Five Stars: While we don’t believe a game can be perfect, this is a game you have to play. Without a doubt worth your time and money.
Four Stars: While still a very good and easy to recommend, it doesn’t quite live up what it could be.
Three Stars: A nice halfway point. While we appreciate the game’s specific style, narrative, subject matter, it isn’t as good as other similar titles. Recommended for people who love the franchise or gameplay style.
Two Stars: The bad outweighs the good. Not recommended but hell, you never know!
One Star: Just bad. Don’t buy it. Purchase is reserved for the criminally insane.
Want Hard Reset To Review Your Game?
Send a email to the below address, We will consider all games but it does not guarantee a review.
Press contact (for review copies/press releases)
press@hardreset.co.uk
Please note that Hard Reset cannot work with preview/debug code
We have retails units of all current consoles