Pay attention to the tone of the story. If it seems overly sensationalist, like using a lot of exclamation marks or making extreme claims without evidence, it may be a fake story. For example, if a story says a game will be the 'end all be all' of gaming and is the most revolutionary thing ever without any real proof, it's likely a 'game informer fake story'.
Look for lack of official sources. If a story doesn't quote any official statements from the game developers or publishers, it might be fake.
Check multiple reliable gaming news sources. If a story is only reported by one 'game informer' and not corroborated by others like IGN or Gamespot, it could be suspect. For example, if a 'game informer' says a game is getting a complete overhaul but no other major gaming news outlet mentions it, it's probably false.
Verify the story with the gaming community. Experienced players or fan groups often have a good sense of what's real and what's not. If a story goes against the general knowledge of the game within the community, it may well be a fake story. Additionally, if the story contains a lot of contradictions or lacks details that can be cross - checked, it's likely to be false.
One example could be false rumors about a game's release date. Maybe they say a highly anticipated game will come out in a certain month, but it's completely untrue.
Look for inconsistent details. If some parts of the story don't match up or seem to contradict each other, it could be a sign of a fake story.
Look for a lack of reliable sources. If they don't quote official statements or people directly involved, it could be a fake story. For example, if they claim a star said something but there's no quote from the star's agent or the star themselves.
Look for a lack of multiple sources. If a story is only based on one or two unnamed sources, it could be a sign of a fake story.
Look for extreme or outlandish elements. If a story seems too crazy, like a Florida man wrestling a giant squid on land, it's probably fake. Also, check the source. Unreliable sources are more likely to spread fake stories.
One way to identify 'fake fiction' is to look for inconsistencies in the story. If the plot seems to jump around without proper transitions or if characters' actions don't match their described personalities, it could be a sign. For example, if a character is described as shy but suddenly becomes extremely bold without any good reason in the story.
Check for consistency. Real news is usually consistent with known facts and other reliable news sources. If a Russian news story contradicts well - established facts, like historical events or current economic data, then it's likely a fake news story. For example, a story that claims Russia has always had a perfect economic record when in fact there have been historical recessions and economic challenges.
Examine the writing style. The New York Times has a professional and consistent writing style. If the language is full of errors, overly sensational, or seems unprofessional, it could be a fake story. Also, if the story is not covered by other reliable news sources, that's a red flag.
Look for lack of evidence. If there are no clear photos or reliable eyewitness accounts, it's likely a fake story.