Is this a scam email?

LewieP

Just looking for second opinions really, it looks pretty legit to me, but I am always wary of being suckered in.

I just received this email to my blog's email address -

Sony's Buzz! Hollywood - Review
Hi There,

My name is Romeo Corsi and I'm currently working with Sony on the launch of their new PS2 party game
Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz. You probably get pitched with a lot of gaming products, but I thought you
might be interested in testing out Buzz!

Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz adds a unique movie twist to the game that lets you make your own gameshow at
home. Challenge your friends or family to prove who's the trivia master - and “Buzz” your answer in
using the 4 unique joystick buzzer controllers that come with the game. If you're interested in giving
it a try, email me back and I'll mail you a free copy of Buzz! Hollywood.

For a chance for your readers to win prizes and see Buzz! Hollywood gameplay check out the minigame to
share on your blog, click here: http://www.rocketxl.com/buzzhollywoodquiz/asssets

Thanks for the time and definitely let me know if you're interested.

Thanks and Take Care,
Romeo Corsi

romeo@rocketxl.com
Rocket XL

Now, this rocketxl.com site looks legit, and lists 'Playstation' as one of it's clients, my concern was that the typographical error in the address he gave me to look at is a bit unsettling, the triple s in assets makes the link broken, but removing one S takes you here

So, can anyone think of any way that this would be a scam?

Farout Foolio

Well, I know the game itself is real because I sell it at my store.
I guess the key here is why are you being mailed? Are you on sony's mailing list?

LewieP

Farout Foolio wrote: »

Well, I know the game itself is real because I sell it at my store.
I guess the key here is why are you being mailed? Are you on sony's mailing list?

This is the first time I have ever been contacted by either Sony or Rocket XL, but I guess my blog has been experiencing a bit of an increase in traffic recently, it's not that hard for me to believe I came up on Sony's/Rocket XLs radar, or at least if they decided to track down "a bunch of bloggers" to review their game that they might have picked me.

Edit: although I have just noticed that Rocket XL are American, so unless they realise that I am British, this may end up going nowhere even if it is legit...

MagicPrime

I don't trust anything.

Unless you registered for a Beta test or something, I wouldn't trust it.

japan

Probably because of his blog. I'm guessing it's just some marketing person trying to get stuff plugged on gaming blogs.

It can't hurt to reply, but run a mile if they start asking for personal details.

Erandus

Google tells me that Rocket XL is a viral marketing firm. It also doesn't turn up anything remotely resembling your email, or anyone by the name of Romeo Corsi having anything to do with them.

I wouldn't trust it.

Gafoto

It says PS2 in the email, do they actually mean PS3?

LewieP

Nah, it's a PS2 game.

It's a 'casual game'

For 'casuals'

LewieP

I emailed him back, and asked how he got my email address, I guess I'll find out if it's a scam or not if/when he replies.

Thanks for the input, I guess this can be locked now, unless you guys want to find out how it goes...

LewieP

Well he just sent out another email, looks like he's not read mine yet -

Hi There,

I just checked the link for the mini game and it wasn't working, below is the correct link. If you think
your readers will dig it, definitely post it and send me a link to it. Remember the top three scores
will win prizes from Sony!
http://www.rocketxl.com/buzzhollywoodquiz/assets/

Let me know if you want to review the game as well?

Apologies, if I already spoke to you about this.

Best!
Romeo Corsi

Don't think it is a scam now, but I am also pretty sure he's going to be looking for North American bloggers. We'll see.

Szechuanosaurus

Well, even if it's legit it's still sort of a scam. They're trying to get you to give them free publicity on your blog. You could benefit from posting it if it increases traffic to your blog from people looking for the link or if it increases goodwill with your fanbase for sharing the link with them. But really, you have a model set up that generates huge amounts of goodwill, traffic and pays you a stipend from referral cash so unless rocket xl are going to pay you for exclusive advertising space on your blog, I don't really see the benefit in you posting the link. It's not even like you're going to get link-backs from them because it's not another blog or anything, so it isn't going to improve your google rank or profile on other sites.

Edit: oh, I missed the bit where he offered to send you an actual copy of the game. I'd guess that could be perfectly legit (although if they're looking for US bloggers then, yeah, he might not be interested when he sees your address). I'd contact Sony (SOE ideally) and ask them if Rocket XL handle the publicity for Buzz! and if this guy is the legitimate contact. Reviewers getting free copies of games is perfectly common if they are popular enough to merit it.

Willeth

This seems oddly weighted. They get publicity and more entrants for their contest, and you get just a game. Which you would presumably then review and give them more advertising.

It's a little hokey to me, but it does seem like it's from a legit source.

Szechuanosaurus

Willeth wrote: »

This seems oddly weighted. They get publicity and more entrants for their contest, and you get just a game. Which you would presumably then review and give them more advertising.

It's a little hokey to me, but it does seem like it's from a legit source.

to be fair, thats how games journalism works.

MC Mystery

These games never looked appealing to me, but a buddy of mine says they're great for attracting that Mario Party type crowd, or even, the gamers that are too casual even for mario party. I once met a girl who hated Mario games (but liked other platformers, and videogames in general). Does that even make sense?