Am I a Professional Reviewer? - with Tom Vasel
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- čas přidán 22. 06. 2024
- Tom Vasel discusses what it means to be a "professional" in board game media. Does he fit the definition? What is the definition?
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If Tom is not a professional reviewer then nobody is.
It's funny, I view Dice Tower content every week, not because I believe they're the foremost experts, but because I think they're kind, humble, and fun. I really love that about The Dice Tower crew.
Yeah, I feel very cozy watching this channel
The thing I love most about the Dice Tower is that you have become trusted friends when it comes to your opinions on board games. Maybe my board game tastes don't always line up with Tom, or Zee or Mike, but listening to you discuss a game helps give me an idea of whether or not I will like a game. With games being so expensive, I hate to pay out for an $80 or $100 game only to find that it doesn't work for me. I love that you have added Chris and Wendy, Milla, Roy, Joey, and all of the other people who come on to join you occasionally. I developed a deep appreciation of Jason during his top 100 games. His knowledge and ability to talk about games is, well, awesome. Professional - not professional - I don't care. I welcome you into my home and, while I may not have the same tastes in games as everyone, I trust that your discussions and wonderful banter will provide me the information I need to spend my hard earned money on a board game.
This video gets an 8.5 from me, awarding it the seal of excellence.
You sell out.
You ARE a pro. I am not sure a reasonable argument to the contrary could be made. Rock on, Dr. Vasel. Rock. On.
I always seek out a Dice Tower review first when checking out a new game and find great value in the service you provide to our community.
The fact that you have reviewed numerous games which many of us wouldn't give them a single look make you a professional reviewer with a wealth of experience. This experience doesn't make your review relevant to my tastes and purchases but certainly it is nice to have (re)views from a veteran in gaming about a product than non at all.If you disclose how this copy of a game was obtained or if it a sponsored video or if you participated in the making/testing of a game then i think the review is valid.Sometimes even when i have finished a game (loving/hating it) i will go to forums and check even "amateur" reviews, they may give a different perspective that i haven't thought. In any case i am grateful for the contribution of Dice Tower to the medium and fun times consuming your content.Stay safe and healthy.
I think people mix up being a professional with the colloquial term of having professional behavior. Those two ideas may have started out together, but they’ve diverged through common usage. You said it in the beginning: if you get paid to do it, you’re a professional, doesn’t matter how you approach it.
Heh. Even "professional behavior" is questionable. A lot of companies do horrible things while maintaining that veneer. Plus, it is still a subjective term. What one person thinks it professional behavior may simply be a way to try to force others to behave as they prefer.
In my opinion, you have that exactly backward.
Being paid means only.. that you are paid. To define "professional" that way is in the narrowest sense.
Plenty of people get paid who are not professional.
This is not colloquial.
"Professional" means more than remuneration.
@@brucebakken5687 There are multiple definitions of the word, you're not disagreeing, you're just choosing a different definition to discuss. Per Oxford:
"engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime."
vs
"worthy of or appropriate to a professional person; competent, skillful, or assured."
There are other definitions too, but saying one of the definitions is "wrong" is just talking past each other.
I have watched many, many hours of reviews and Dice Tower episodes. I appreciate all the hard work that has gone into the videos and consider the Dice Tower to be a professional gaming channel. Keep playing.
Love reviews with multiple people!! It’s the best!! Keep up the good work!!
You are clearly a professional reviewer, and the way you review games may not be for everyone. And that is A-OKAY; they should seek information/validation elsewhere. Keep up the important, honest work in our wonderful hobby!
Just take a look around your studio, anyone that takes whatever it is they do seriously, they put all of their thought and effort to it and try to improve everyday, that is a professional. You Sir are a well stablished professional and I very much appreciate it
The best advantage of watching experienced reviewers is that they can usually be relied on to be consistent. You can also refer to their opinion on games you have played and similar games they have reviewed. That allows me to use their opinion to filter what I spend my limited time and money on. Tom and Zee have been great benchmarks for me since 2017 when I started playing "hobby" boardgames, sometimes becasue they liked a game, sometimes becasue they didn't.
Great video, Tom. Love your honesty & integrity. Don't stop.
I say this ad nauseum:
Watch multiple reviewers. You'll eventually whittle your list down to the reviewers that share similar opinions to yours (who help you make informed decisions), plus the few you hate watch (because some people just enjoy being angry).
I've learned a lot by watching the channel and found a lot of games that I have come to enjoy and share with others, or play solo. And yes, it's more fun to invite people to your table and make them welcome. From the first video I watched I've felt invited, informed, and comfortable learning what all of the folks have to say. Thanks for all your efforts!
I've watched the Dice Tower for years. So many of the games i bought through out the years has been because I've seen a review or gameplay of it. I do like the four reviewers format the best since it's a good thing to hear multiple people's opinions.
I would say that you and everyone whom is part of the Dice Tower are all legitimate reviewers.
I’m grateful that the Dice Tower exists. I’ve made great decisions on purchasing games that I think my group of friends and myself would like because of you. If I’m interested in a game the first thing I do is see if it has been reviewed by you. The opinions are varying because of the amazing group you have and because I’ve watched for so long I can expect an honesty from each individual because I’ve grown to know their likes. So, I’m grateful. I’m glad you are backed financially so it can continue. Keep being awesome and genuine.
Having the reviewer played many games helps me as a viewer. 1. When I have watched a bunch of reviews of games I already own, I can tell which reviewer matches my own taste. For example, I have a >90% match with Zee. And, a reviewer who has much experiences can tell me if he just don't like the game or if it is a bad game because the rules are bad.
Yes. Yes, you are. The 80,000 hours thing.
For whatever it's worth:
80 000 hours is roughly the total length of a career. 10 000 is the rule of thumb that Malcolm Gladwell created out of Anders Ericsson work, which is more about expertise than professionalism, and also is quite more complex than "spend 10k hours doing something and become an expert"
These recent insightful views have been so great to hear, the really just reaffirm the quality of person, I had a feeling you were anyway.That said it really gives a really great peek behind the curtain at your thought process, how you feel and how well you manage despite some of the negativity thrown your way.
The value I get from the Dice tower is mostly from the quality of character you and your team provide and that speaks volumes towards the content provided.
Love it!
Kudos on maintaining such a fun space on the internet. The naysayers are wrong👍
Great vid and topic of conversations.
I love you guys at this channel and have been following your vids for years, whenever I can or whenever I need info on some board game. Lately I haven't been as interested in board game content and had time for it, so I watch rarely but am still subscribed and wanting to be on the top of your activities on the channel.
Keep up doing this great work, all of you in your team! Well done!
A beautiful, genuine, down to earth video. Anyone setting arbitrary standards of legitimacy or professionalism needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. Tom is 100% on point here. This is exemplar of the attitude and vision that MORE reviewers should take.
Tom; A professional and more importantly a gentleman.
Will someone over there at Dice Tower give Tom a hug from us?
You're a judicious individual, Tom Vassel, and I appreciate your work.
Yes, you are a pro. You've done it for decades, and you earn income from it.
I appreciate concise reviews: show me the components, talk about gameplay, and give me an opinion at the end. If you can have multiple people give multiple opinions at the end, even better. And, you do it that way over and over, so I know what I'm going to get in a DT review. Thanks for all of the work and enthusiasm!
Hey Tom, I appreciate your candid discussion. At the end of the day people play games because they want to have fun. Regardless of what someone else thinks, if I like and enjoy a game; I like and enjoy that game. And that is what I appreciate about the Dice Tower. You guys share what you think about each game, even disagreeing. And that has helped me and my family find new games that we now enjoy. So, keep up the good work!
I love the DT reviews. I don't always agree with the review. But you also don't always agree with each other. That is refreshing.
I appreciate that your reviews are honest based on your own experience with each game. I won't agree with your review maybe 10 or 20% of the time. Which is great, because I know that is always subjective.
I very much appreciate your channel and the content you provide.
I also greatly appreciate that you present a wealth of information on the various games you review while understanding that opinions can and should differ to offer a clear perspective on whether a game may or may not be right for someone.
Thanks again for your candor on this topic.
Very dears Tom , Zee and all Dice Tower Family you're guys are just the best!!! Originals, objective, honest and sooooooo FUN!!!!! Lots of love from Brazil 🇧🇷 ❤!
Oh man... I wish I knew who made those silly comments about paid versus not paid near the beginning of the video. Oh my word.
Seriously. Really would like to know...
I love your consistent frame for reviewing. I love the different opinions. I always go to Dice Tower reviews first. You're my #1 CZcams board game channel.
You're fulfilling an important and helpful purpose. I like that your reviews are short and practical and you all seem like normal, nice people who just want to share a love of board games.
I'm glad you seem to be taking those harsh criticisms of your reviews in your stride. I can see their point of view whilst at the same time feeling they're missing the point of a review. Your reviews are exactly what I want, short and well presented overviews of games without too much personal opinion. I want to see the game and know a little bit about it. I want to know how it plays so that I can judge for myself whether I think it would be fun to play. Your reviews are practical. I go over to Rahdo, Watch it Played, or Before you Play if I want to watch a full playthrough or watch something with more details on all of the rules.
One thing I love especially about Tom and zee is that since I've been watching for over a decade I get a good sense of their tastes and where they're coming from with their reviews
Your reviews are amazing, people need to play the games to make their our opinions and to be able to discover the intricacies of games on their own rather than to be given strategies and/or let them know every single detail.
You are more than a professional Tom. These new discussions really hit the spot.Thank you for everything.
I like Toms reviews because he hits the sweet-spot for me. He gives enough of the rules to give an idea of how a game plays without going into so much detail it fades into blah blah. He gives me enough information that even if he didn't really like it I can still tell that I might or visa versa. To me that is the best type of reviewer.
I think you run a professional, trustworthy, relatable, and kind organization. Small or not, what it does is huge for the gaming community. I think the best part is that you’ve surrounded yourself with amazingly fun and good people. Bravo and keep on gaming and spreading the word!
Tom and the guys at the The Dice Tower consistently deliver top-notch game reviews. Their approach is both coherent and entertaining, a great mix in my opinion. Their sound advice and witty feedback on board game titles have been invaluable to me over the years. If this isn’t the hallmark of professionalism, I don’t know what is!
First of all I play digital games. At 79 yrs old, I really don't have any group to play games with. Having stated that, I enjoy your podcasts. From what I can gleam from your podcasts, you understand that there is the real world out there and gaming is a form of fun and escape from reality. Therefore I enjoy your podcasts reviews and diverse opinions on a game. Some of these games are also digital games. So it gives me an idea if I would want that game to play or not. Every individual because of life's experiences has a different mindset. Therefore 3 people playing a game could have very different opinions on the same game. Again, I believe you understand this. Therefore, no opinion is right or wrong. Keep on doing what you are doing. I enjoy your podcast's content and the banter between all reviewers.
Nice review of the dice tower! Maybe you should review board games someday! :) in all seriousness, keep up the great work Dice tower crew! The evolution of the channel through the years has been great and I'll always be here for it!
I don’t think I would be better off if I was reading board game reviews on CNN. I value Dice Tower reviews to help me make buying decisions on board games.
Great video Tom! Very grateful for TDT, hopeful that someday I can make it to a con to thank you in person!!!
The name of this video is a clear deviation from Betteridge’s law of headlines! Seems like a no brainer that you (and the rest of the dice tower crew) are clear professionals in the field. You’ve been an incredible ambassador for the hobby and providing incredible and expansive coverage of games for literal decades.
Fantastic video. I love Dice Tower for the variety of content and opinions.
In most fields the people who want only the highest standards of critic are just another form of gate keeper.
First, you kicked this whole thing off and stuck with it the longest so those who come later should respect that you blazed the trail for them.
Second, you have a diverse crew so we can all find the folks we seem to jive with best and utilize thier opinions.
Third, these are games. Sure there can be artistic elements buuuuuttt... then there's Card Against Humanity. Games are about the enjoyment people get out of them.
Finally, hate always comes from below so ignoring it is the best practice.
Tom i've been watching your game reviews since you lived in Korea. The videos were low quality, but it didn't matter because we were there for the content! As long as someone is providing value to the consumer, there will be an audience. The quality increase over time is notable, but even if it was still just you with the same old quality, I would keep watching. Congrats on the success and who cares about the critics - there will always be critics.
Dice tower helped Foster my growth in the hobby. Now i watch them as entertainment, and when I'm in a game store I'll quickly pull up their review on the game to see what each person rated it and see what seal it was given. Makes purchasing on the fly much better and I've had less misses when spontaneously buying a game lol.
Like movie reviews, you find people whose tastes you understand and go from there
Being a professional about something has nothing to do with remuneration. It is all about one's approach. The dictionary definition I have, from Webster's New World Dictionary 3rd Edition.
Professional: "adj. 1 of, engaged in, or worth of the high standards of a profession."
Full stop.
It is obvious (to me) that you are professional about what you do.
In the field of genealogy (for instance), professionalism is determined by expertise, high standards, integrity and honesty. I am a professional genealogist, and I apply that approach to all the work that I do. Believe me, I don't get paid for almost all of it. But I feel that my approach would be recognized as professional by those who know the field.
Great video. I value and appreciate the reviews on Dice Tower. I get some negative feedback on games, I talk about, but I still talk about them :)
“Man only plays when he is in the fullest sense of the word a human being, and he is only fully a human being when he plays”
― Friedrich von Schiller
This is interesting. I have an accounting degree and accept that I am an accountant. I have spent more on learning photography than I spent on my degree, had a studio for a short while, know I do better work than most of the people in my area, and yet I don't consider myself a photographer. Friends and models I used, do consider me to be one.
To me at least, a good review is two things. Information and entertainment.
I watch or read a review to help with my decision making process whether it is time or money or both that I need to spend. A good review will help me with that choice. A good review will describe the product is such way that I will understand it and understand the reasons behind how and why I should spend on it. A random person saying the product is good is a review but a professional reviewer will tell my why it is good. And that is the real value. Understanding the product, the language and audience isn't achieved without work.
With Dice Tower you have reached that level and I can trust your word.
There's a lot of good reviewers out there. I like the subjectivity and objectivity. I also really like when reviewers disclose how many plays they have of that game.
I appreciate Dice Tower reviews.
Great topic and video.
Nice job! Keep sharing games and more importantly keep caring about people.
I watch DT because you are real board gamers. I’ve watch Tom since the begining. I’ve seen him get worked up on a board game but for me that’s passion. Tom is very different now comparwd to the early DT. It’s safe to say that Tom is a professional board gme reviewer. All the best to DT!🤘🏻
Love you guys and I love the old reviews too. Don't care a lick about production values, it's not a science fiction movie, it's a board game review. If it explains the game well and explains their review and why they give a game a certain rating, I'm pleased.
To me you are a professional, fundamented on years of practical experience.
Great Video! Would love to see "a long video about the importance of board gaming"! (8:15) Maybe a top 10?
I come here whenever I see a new game to me. What did these guys think and whats the quick n' dirty gameplay? Love you guys!
Great video!
You are an authority and a professional with great ethics! Especially in my country. Games that get poor review from you guys or no exposure is hard to find and when you want to sell it, there is no demand, price drop significantly.
Board Games are one of the most subjective hobbies. For me It's not about how expert they are, but what content they provide. I dont mind if they are paid by publishers, sponsored or not, the point is the content. I like this guy, seems nice and most of the team. Hope to meet them some day and meet the same people I see here.
Really interesting and encouraging video 👍
You're an absolute pro in my heart, Tom
Review and criticism are different things and both are valuable. I continue to check out Dice Tower reviews because they are professional. And the breadth of the reviews you provide is unparalleled in the hobby. That's valuable to me. Asking you to also do deep criticism is puzzling to me. I have no doubt you could if you wanted to do that, but then you could not cover the breadth of the hobby the way you do now. Thank you for doing what you want to do. Your authenticity is part of why I've been watching the channel for more than a decade.
Dice tower is my go to for all board game reviews by far than any other channel on youtube
Firstly: the Dice Tower is doing great stuff, so continue doing it !
Secondly: For me, a “Dice Tower Review” is totally irrelevant. There are so many reviewers out there which provide solid reviews and have great experience. However, as a gamer you realise quickly that whilst some aspects of games can be judged objectively, any review will come down to subjective aspects and personal tastes. So for gamers it is important to find which individual reviewers out there match one’s own taste best and go for that. Whilst my personal tastes don’t align well with many from the Dice Tower (most closely to Chris Yi and I hence trust his opinions), I however regularly watch your various videos. You are providing amazing entertainment around board games and the hobby more broadly. You have amassed some great characters (Zee Garcia’s dry humour is just priceless and makes me crack up every time ! 😂) and I love the banter during your reviews. Every format on board games out there provides something different but you guys have created something special which has helped the hobby a lot and is first class entertainment. Keep on doing it ! 🏆🥳🎲
DT is one of the first channels I got hooked on when I realised the scale of this hobby. And most likely it will stay that way cos I see DT more as a gaming family than a game review channel.
Very good vid. Can’t tell you how much you’re right.
Very cool hat. I like bright colour of it 👍
Perhaps when you started all those years ago it wasn't professional but now you are the team to go to for reviews and many trust your opinion. It is up to me to know what games I may like that you may not for example if I am looking for a trading in the Mediterranean you may not be the best to ask...
I usually open review videos- (prefer Tom Vasels reviews tbh), I scroll to the end of the video - If its a seal of excellence I buy its :D. In such cases, I watch the review video after I buy it LOL. That's how much I trust your reviews!
I like dice tower's content mainly for it's existence. I already got used to the folks reviewing and know what a 7 from Mike or a 7 from Zee means, given their personal tastes and opinions so far. The form is always secondary... In any case I would find it extremely funny if you would find a more "snob-like" reviewer that some critics seem to desire so much, to start a new video category called The Dice Tower Professional Review 😆
I always looked at The Dice Tower as professional, and I guess it is mainly because you work with so many people, you guys just seem like a company to me. Since I got into boardgames the review of The Dice Tower was always the one I wanted to see, even if I already saw 10 other reviews, because I consider the team of The Dice Tower as the professionals. When it comes to explaining games I consider Rodney Smith and Paul Grogan as professionals because they manage to simplify even the hardest rulebook and teach it like a professional teacher. When they are done explaining, you will be able to play the game.
I think what makes you and your outlet a professional is the combination of the experience you have and the influence you have on the board game market. I'm quite surprised that you and others didn't mention the influence part.
Herald of gaming
A lot of negativity towards reviewers in all fields seems to come from people who expect some kind of objective opinion and that it is possible to have a creative endeavour which is objectively good or bad. This is not possible.
However what is possible is knowing that a certain reviewers tastes align with yours or that a reviewer will give you an indication of whether I am likely to enjoy a game whether or not the reviewer liked it. In this the Dice Tower succeeds and I know that whether or not I agree with the opinions presented I will be better informed about a game after watching your reviews.
Keep up the good work everyone and don't let the haters get you down
I mean when I think Pro reviewer, you would be at the top of the list. Also while I watch a several other channels, if I am researching a game and you or several other members of the dice tower have reviewed it, that’s the review I’m watching first because I like how informative but straight to the point your reviews are. I don’t want to watch a half hour art piece where the reviewer talks in circles with a dozen locations/scene changes but never actually even really shows the game or gives me any idea what I might like or not about the game.
Love the "welcoming conflicting reviews". I search out multiple reviews for this reason.
Usually a professional is somebody that have been doing the thing in question for their full time job (for a reasonable amount of time).
But does that make you or that somebody a good reviewer? Not necessarily.
I say this: Reviewing board games is very much subjective, because tastes and games are very diverse.
If it's your profession, you're a professional. Simple as that. For what it's worth, I've been in film and TV production for over a quarter century, and when I got into board games several years ago, I was looking for CZcams channels on the subject, and gravitated toward Dice Tower because of the professional level of presentation. The theme songs, bumpers, animated transitions and headers, attempts to present the hosts with an old school "Introduce yourself and respect your co-hosts" sensibility, and the general attention to detail beyond what most CZcams channels bother with all speak to how seriously you take the job you and your team do, and that is the hallmark of a professional.
Very well said.
It kinda sounded like someone rubbed Tom the wrong way and criticized his reviewing. I loved this video and agreed with everything he said except for one thing. Their number 1 priority is the viewers. I’m not sure about that. This is a business. Families are supported. I gotta say, the number 1 goal of any business is to make money and be profitable.
Professionals or not, whenever im looking into a game ,ill always go for Dice Tower content when I can.
No question.
This is where I go to get a feel for games I'm interested in. i don't want fancy pretentious BS. I just want to learn about the games.
Thanks!
I think Tom's reviews one of the best
Nice video! I watch dice tower videos because I trust the opinions of the ppl there not necessarily thinking if they are profesional reviewers or not and sometimes their opinions clash and it's good because it gives you two or more different ways to see a game that's why I enjoy the top 10's sometimes I like Zee's opinion better sometimes Tom or Mike or Roy everyone there has their own and I have different views on a game!
You made us to become professional viewers and listeners 😌
Why do I watch The Dice Tower? I think fundamentally it's because it's good people with knowledge about the subject talking about something I enjoy. It's very welcoming and creates a fun atmosphere for something that is supposed to be fun.
Other reviewers can be good, but the folks at The Dice Tower come across like friendly people I'd actually want to sit down and play a game with and feel welcome.
Labels like professional or amateur really don't matter, you and your team are excellent at what you do - entertaining and informative.
I played a ton of games in the 1970s and 80s, then lofe happened. I started into gaming again 10 to 12 years ago. The first gaming videos I discovered were Wil Wheaton's TableTop (still miss it) and the Dice Tower. While I view many content creators now, The Dice Tower is still my first go-to.
I dont always agree with you, but you bring multiple opinions and, more importantly, tell us what the game is like (using your vast experience to compare it to other similar games) so we can decide for ourselves.
Keep up the fantastic work! I hope to meet you and your crew someday to thank you in person.
"People remember the game, not the review!"
True... Unless it's "Chupacabra: Survive the Night".
Anyone can tell you if they like/dislike something. Breaking down why and stating your opinions objectively as possible based on your own experience and delivering that information in a clear and concise way to someone else is very difficult.
In a sense I would like to come away from a review not only knowing more about the product but the approach the person takes in getting to those final destinations i.e their final thoughts on the product.
The depth and breadth of experience a reviewer has in dealing with certain products is a natural problem that I dont think could be solved as they would need to have a perfect perception of what its like at all levels of play and skill which is just not feasible. So stating your experience with a product of certain types honestly and without obfuscation, ego or deprecation can help me see where you are coming from. Dont boast or state I have played wargames, card games, strategy games for 10 years for instance when you have only play 40k/magic/chess. Essentially its down to approach.
Of course over time it becomes much easier to see how you align with someone else on certain products so that them simply stating they like/dislike it may go a fair way to informing you if you would like/dislike it but that is dependant on knowledge gained from past experiences and past knowledge is not something I should need for a review to be intelligible.
You are a master sir
Well said. DT is the best.
I think critic would be the more proper term maybe? Like a film critic.
Yeah, I don't think of any reviewers as professionals. There's no training or education needed, really. It's all opinions and subjectivity at the end of the day, and each viewer can decide to agree or disagree. This may be their vocation, but I wouldn't call it a profession.