14 DAY TRIAL // The German magazine Computer Bild Spiele has a bit of a scandal on its December cover. Apparently, Ubisoft might have tried some strong-arm tactics regarding Assassin's Creed 2's review score. The big “Assassin's Creed 2 SKANDAL!” denounced by the magazine's December title would be a backfired attempt by the company if this turns out to be true. The bad publicity could considerably affect the title, if other preview and review scores can no longer be regarded as trustworthy.
According to Computer Bild, Ubisoft demanded that Assassin's Creed 2 received a top-grade if the magazine was to get a review copy of the game. “Our reviews are tough, but fair,” the magazine said. “We will not give up our independent scores for the sake of a timely review. This holds true for 'Assassin's Creed 2.' The publisher asked us to guarantee the score 'sehr gut' [very good], otherwise we would not receive a review copy, thus we will publish our review in next month's issue. We'd be more than glad to give the game a 'sehr gut,' but only if it deserves it.”
It may seem like a truly dastardly attempt on Ubisoft's behalf, but it most certainty would not be a first in the industry. Eidos is known for several accusations of trying to influence a game's Metascore. The company is rumored to have undergone such endeavors with Batman Arkham Asylum, Tomb Raider Underworld, and there is even the GameSpot eerie coincidence. Apparently, Jeff Gerstmann, an editor for the site, was let go immediately after giving Eidos' Kane & Lynch: Dead Men a review score of six.
So, obviously, the Metascore is regarded as a highly influential force in the eyes of game publishers. It may not seem absurd for a company to try to increase its profits, so the possibility that Ubisoft did try to coerce Computer Bild into an agreement isn't at all unfathomable. Ubisoft was contacted by gaming site Kotaku regarding an official statement, but there is no answer as of yet.