What To Do With Free Games I Didn't Request

[Jared Newman]

Over the last month, I've received two video games from a PR rep that I don't have the time or inclination to review, even though they're in high demand.

What happened is, I requested a game last year, back when the outlet I write for was doing more reviews. But they weren't big traffic drivers for the site (a general tech blog), and I'm the sole games writer, so we've backed off the sporadic review.

So now the question is, what do I do with these games that I didn't ask for? I don't like the idea of keeping the games for personal use because that's not what they were sent for. I see a few possible options:

1. Play them on my own time and write obligatory reviews on my personal blog.
2. Send them back.
3. Talk to my editor about doing a giveaway on the site.

No matter what, do you think I should politely request that the PR rep stop sending games to me? He's not even sending them to my current address, so at some point I'll have to say something. Your thoughts, please, and first one to say "send them to mee!" gets a beatdown.

[Andrew Groen]

From time to time I'll get an unsolicited copy of a game, and I usually will not write a review about it. Mostly because I'm a freelancer and don't just have a place to write whatever I please. It could of course be a mistake that they sent it to you without asking, but it could also be a ploy in order to guilt you into coverage.

I always send a polite reply to the PR agency that sent the game thanking them for sending it, but making sure they know I probably wont be able to write about it. You can also offer to send it back, but I've never had anybody take me up on that. Review copies are pretty valueless to the publisher. They're worth whatever it costs to print the disc.

As long as you're upfront, they'll probably understand. After all, they can't just expect you to automatically set aside valuable time in your day to review their game. And if they do, then send them a link to your blog and ask them to read every one of your entries and write an 800 word critique without pay. (Not really.)

[Mark Brown]

If you're a member of the GamesPress forums, they have a section where people offer up review copies in trade of work. The content gets generated and someone gets a free copy of a game and a link for their portfolio.

I really like it - non committal freelance can be hard to find these days! People are always looking for writers and staff for their blogs...

[Pat 'iTZKooPA' Mulhern]

I do 1-3, basically in that order. Although if 2 isn't accepted I'll do a personal giveaway or just Goozex it and get a game I actually want.

[Nathan Meunier]

If I wind up with games that I didn't request or expect, I try to pitch coverage around to different sites and pubs. I can usually find somewhere to write about it. Of course, that only works if you have a lot of different outlets you write for.

[Andrew Hayward]

Yeah, it just creates a potential opportunity for coverage, but (in response to others' comments) there's absolutely no obligation at all. If I'm sent a game I didn't request for assigned coverage, then great -- thanks. If I choose to seek coverage for it and successfully do so, I'll certainly cover it, but otherwise I'll hold onto it for research purposes.

[Pat 'iTZKooPA' Mulhern]

I should have mentioned this before, my last ditch effort is #5, write for a free place and then cross post that to my personal blog as well. It's win-win then.

[Brian Rowe]

I informed every publisher and PR agency when I initially contacted them that I will send a request when a game is needed. If they send one anyway:

1. Ask your editor, "Do you want a review of this (probably steamy) game that came in (probably three weeks late)?"
2. If not, contact the publisher. Remind them of your original statement and briefly offer to send it back. They will refuse. Say "Thanks!" for +1-Friendly points. The exclamation point is mandatory.
3. If the game rocks, write about it anywhere you can. Let the publisher know how great the game is and how you've been spreading the word. If the game sucks, remember, you can sell anything but porn on ebay. If the game doesn't sell, you could write an article on the eye-gouging dangers of shattered discs.

[Pat 'iTZKooPA' Mulhern]

"remember, you can sell anything but porn on ebay"

Incorrect, you CAN sell porn on eBay!