Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Interview: EGM Now's Steve Harris]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/interview-egm-nows-steve-harris/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/interview-egm-nows-steve-harris/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/interview-egm-nows-steve-harris/#comments
Following the closure of Electronic Gaming Monthly by parent company Ziff Davis Media earlier this year (after nearly 20 years in the game industry), the magazine's original founder Steve Harris repurchased the rights and promised a rebirth for EGM. We ran into Harris at E3 2009 and cajoled him into speaking with us about his purchase. (He was a bit busy with business at E3, as you might imagine, thus we're talking a few months later.)

Though we're still a little ways off from the mag's December 1 "return," he gave us a few hints of what to expect, his explanation of how EGM Now will succeed financially where "old EGM" failed, and a few of his favorite games on the current-gen systems.

Hit the break for the whole thing.

Continue reading Interview: EGM Now's Steve Harris

JoystiqInterview: EGM Now's Steve Harris originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2009egmegm-nowelectronic-gaming-monthlyinterviewinterviewsjournalismmagazinesteve-harrisFri, 11 Sep 2009 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Pulitzer Prize winner George Will thinks gamers shouldn't be allowed to vote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/pulitzer-prize-winner-george-will-thinks-gamers-shouldnt-be-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/pulitzer-prize-winner-george-will-thinks-gamers-shouldnt-be-all/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/19/pulitzer-prize-winner-george-will-thinks-gamers-shouldnt-be-all/#comments
Washington Post columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist George F. Will really, really doesn't like denim. In an Op-Ed piece he wrote for the Washington Post this week, he condemns the fabric and in the process, harshly insults gamers, saying, "Seventy-five percent of American 'gamers' -- people who play video games -- are older than 18 and nevertheless are allowed to vote."

On the other hand, Mr. Will does, however, love making disparate correlations -- for instance, between "society's most slovenly" and video game players. In fairness, his tirade doesn't solely focus on games, as he also calls out the Indiana Jones series and television shows such as Seinfeld (a show which, ironically, he was lampooned on as "not too bright.") He says the two are "juvenelized,"and for "undifferentiated audiences," and justifies his assertion on the fabric ubiquity from child to parent. We're thinking of siding with Seinfeld on our opinion of this guy, how about you folks?

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqPulitzer Prize winner George Will thinks gamers shouldn't be allowed to vote originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>denimgeorge-willindiana-jonesjournalismopinionpulitzer-prizeseinfeldwashingtonpostSun, 19 Apr 2009 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sensationalized 'Top Gun' report blames pro gaming for death of Brandon Crisp]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/08/sensationalized-top-gun-report-blames-pro-gaming-for-death-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/08/sensationalized-top-gun-report-blames-pro-gaming-for-death-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/08/sensationalized-top-gun-report-blames-pro-gaming-for-death-of/#comments
The Fifth Estate, a Canadian investigative reporting program that's been on the air for over three decades, recently ran a piece looking into the untimely death of gaming enthusiast Brandon Crisp, who ran away from his Ontario home last October after his parents took away his Xbox 360, and was found dead three weeks later due to injuries sustained from falling out of a tree. Within the first few minutes of the short documentary, titled "Top Gun," The Fifth Estate's angle on the piece becomes clear: Some entity or cultural force is to blame for Crisp's death, and it's going to find out what it is.

It settles at first on Crisp's infatuation with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which is strengthened by his active participation on the MLG-owned clan-ranking site GameBattles.com. From there, it delves into the foul underworld of competitive gaming, showing how attaching cash rewards to intense, lengthy sessions with mature video games is creating an irresistibly attractive lifestyle for those who fall beneath such titles' age restrictions. All the while, it depicts the unimaginable violence present in said games, and explain the detrimental effects it has on the lives of otherwise normal youths.

We lay this outline of the 40-minute documentary before you so that you don't actually have to watch it, as the sensationalism it contains and factual liberties it takes will likely raise the gaming community's collective hackles to unprecedented levels.

Continue reading Sensationalized 'Top Gun' report blames pro gaming for death of Brandon Crisp

JoystiqSensationalized 'Top Gun' report blames pro gaming for death of Brandon Crisp originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandon-crispcbcinvestigative-reportjournalismnewsthe-fifth-estatetop-gunSun, 08 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[N'Gai Croal to leave Newsweek for consultancy career]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/ngai-croal-to-leave-newsweek-for-consultancy-career/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/ngai-croal-to-leave-newsweek-for-consultancy-career/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/04/ngai-croal-to-leave-newsweek-for-consultancy-career/#comments
That's right. Newsweek's N'Gai Croal - one of game journalism's most august statesmen - will be packing up his desk at the venerable (though not invulnerable) news magazine and heading out for waters uncharted, Gamasutra reports. Croal may be leaving games journalism but he's not leaving the gaming industry; instead, Croal will "pursue a career as a creative consultant to game developers" to help them reach that most mysterious of all gamers: the adult.

Croal has posted his final piece on his LevelUp blog, but if you want moar Croal, you'll still find his monthly column in Edge magazine, a personal blog at (the currently parked) ngaicroal.com and, of course, Twitter. If you had to read one piece of work from Croal's coverage of the gaming industry, the man himself recommends his investigation of the unfortunate Gerstmann-gate incident and (here's the good part, folks) "the contempt publishers have for the enthusiast press," calling it "one of the posts I'm proudest of." We're inclined to agree.

So, here we are ... from one editorial we to another, we'll selfishly miss your contributions at Newsweek but wish you the best in the new gig.

JoystiqN'Gai Croal to leave Newsweek for consultancy career originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JournalismNewsweekNGai-CroalWed, 04 Mar 2009 11:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Shoe: Game company paid for 'lady companionship' for journalists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/shoe-game-company-paid-for-lady-companionship-for-journalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/shoe-game-company-paid-for-lady-companionship-for-journalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/30/shoe-game-company-paid-for-lady-companionship-for-journalists/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dan "Shoe" Hsu has let loose another post delving into the nitty-gritty of games journalism, and if you thought the gift bags and free jet fighting school was extravagant, you're in for one eye-opening Tuesday morning. Among a litany of questionable activity from several companies, Shoe reports: "Tecmo in the past has treated their American journalist guests to evenings out at Japanese hostess bars, watering holes where women are paid to keep customers company (not necessarily in a 'me so horny!' way ... it's more of a 'let me keep filling your drinks and you are so funny and handsome and wonderful and let me hang on to your every word!' male-insecurities-nuking thing)."

Sure, it's not hooker-level scandalous, but it does clear up why so many reviews for Rygar included lines like "the most moving piece of interactive entertainment of this or any other time. There, Yuki, I said it! Now, will you please just ... love me for me?"

JoystiqShoe: Game company paid for 'lady companionship' for journalists originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>games-journalismjournalismsore-thumbstecmoTue, 30 Sep 2008 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryan Davis talks up Giant Bomb's explosive re-launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/ryan-davis-talks-up-giant-bombs-explosive-re-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/ryan-davis-talks-up-giant-bombs-explosive-re-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/ryan-davis-talks-up-giant-bombs-explosive-re-launch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When Gamespot Editorial Director Jeff Gerstmann was abruptly fired under controversial circumstances late last year, it set off a sort of domino effect. In the wake of the scandal, Gamespot staffers Ryan Davis, Brad Shoemaker and Vinny Caravella all decided to leave the venerable site to start a new project with Gerstmann: a project called Giant Bomb. A skeleton of the site has been up since March, but the project really got going Monday with an overhaul that mixes user-created, wiki-style pages with editorial reviews, videos and podcasts from the four-man ex-Gamespot crew.

We talked to Giant Bomb co-founder Ryan Davis about his thoughts on the new site and his departure from Gamespot, and game journalism in general. Some excerpts from our conversation (be sure to click the "Continue" link for the full interview):

On Gerstmann-gate and the state of game journalism
"Obviously we still have lots of friends and a ton of history there [at CNET], but we're so focused on the good stuff we're doing now. ... [Gerstmann-gate] certainly helped get our names in people's mouths in certain circles. ... Before [Gerstmann-gate] even happened, I felt like people needed to be more skeptical about what they read, with the massive influx of news-blogs giving little distinction between rumor and fact.

"We're not in the business of reporting news, but as far as the review process goes, we're being very open about a review being that person's perspective. We don't use fancy math to come to our reviews, we just go with what the reviewer feels the game merits. I think when a review has to represent an entire organization's perspective on a game, that's where you can run into trouble. Also, for what it's worth, I've never considered myself a 'game journalist.' I think they exist, but I'm a reviewer and a commentator more than anything."

Continue reading Ryan Davis talks up Giant Bomb's explosive re-launch

JoystiqRyan Davis talks up Giant Bomb's explosive re-launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversygamespotgerstmann-gategiant-bombjeff-gerstmannjournalismWed, 23 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IGN responds to concerns over exclusive GTA IV review]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/ign-responds-to-concerns-over-exclusive-gta-iv-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/ign-responds-to-concerns-over-exclusive-gta-iv-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/02/ign-responds-to-concerns-over-exclusive-gta-iv-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Earlier this week, Variety's Ben Fritz expressed concern over IGN's exclusive first review of Grand Theft Auto IV, asking rhetorically, "How can we trust a videogame review when the outlet running it has been given a major commercial favor ... from the publisher of the game?" Well, GameDaily Media Coverage Columnist Gus Mastrapa went the extra mile and asked that very question to some people at IGN. And he even got an answer!

"We in no way trade scores for an exclusive," said IGN VP Tal Blevins, adding that publishers have no access to or say in the text of a review before it goes live. That doesn't mean IGN didn't make any concessions to secure the exclusive, though. IGN Xbox editor Hilary Goldstein admitted the site used promotional placement on the site's top feature bar to secure the exclusive. "Our bargaining chip is to basically say, 'I will put it here if you let me have this,'" Goldstein said. Mastrapa likened the practice to an "exclusive cover story" in a game magazine.

As for Variety and Fritz, Goldstein seemed unimpressed with with his journalism bona fides. "Nobody from Variety called us and said, 'Hey, would you like to comment about this?'" he said. "He says in blog post, 'If I had the game right now I would have broken the embargo.' To me that goes against your ethics." Nothing like an I'm-more-ethical-than-thou battle to get your heart racing in the morning.

JoystiqIGN responds to concerns over exclusive GTA IV review originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 May 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben-Fritzcontroversyexclusivegta4Hillary-GoldsteinIGNjournalismPS3reviewTal-BlevinsVarietyXbox-360Fri, 02 May 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Print gaming journalism may be on its way out, says 1UP's Cox]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/13/print-gaming-journalism-on-its-way-out-says-1ups-cox/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/13/print-gaming-journalism-on-its-way-out-says-1ups-cox/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/13/print-gaming-journalism-on-its-way-out-says-1ups-cox/#commentsFiled under:

We can still fondly recall those afternoons during our formative years when, while returning from school, we would notice a rolled-up, plastic sheathed bundle of gaming journalism joy poking out of our mailbox. We're sure it's an occasion that most of you can warm-heartedly remember as well, whether your poison was Nintendo Power or Electronic Gaming Monthly. Unfortunately, in a recent interview with the mighty Ombudsman, 1UP's Simon Cox spoke about the closing of Games For Windows magazine, and how EGM (as well as print gaming journalism as a whole) may have an expiration date.

Cox explained that "dollars and eyes," particularly the beady, sunken eyes of PC gamers, are continually moving away from print media and towards internet publications, stripping the ink-and-papers of their subscribers, advertisers and, eventually, life. Cox remarked that while EGM still has a great deal of spunk, and is supported by a body of loyal readers, it too will eventually be crushed by the incipient, grim claw of new media. The fact that you're reading this right now may support his claim -- have your gaming news consuming habits changed over the past few years?

JoystiqPrint gaming journalism may be on its way out, says 1UP's Cox originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1UPEGMgamejournalismgamesforwindowsgfwjournalismmagazinesimon-coxsimoncoxSun, 13 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dan "Shoe" Hsu ends long career at Ziff Davis]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/dan-shoe-hsu-ends-long-career-at-ziff-davis/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/dan-shoe-hsu-ends-long-career-at-ziff-davis/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/dan-shoe-hsu-ends-long-career-at-ziff-davis/#commentsFiled under: ,

[Update: 2:20PM: Shoe has posted a blog about the move, noting that his departure is "my own decision; I'm not being forced out or laid off or anything like that." Hsu writes that he plans to take "some much-needed time off" before considering future career moves.]

[Update 2:17PM: Ziff Davis Vice President for Editorial Simon Cox has written a blog post on the departure, noting that the move will be effective Friday, April 25.]

Ziff Davis announced today that Dan "Shoe" Hsu, former editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly, will be leaving Ziff Davis "to pursue personal interests." Site Director Sam Kennedy will be taking over Hsu's current role as Editorial Director of 1UP Networks.

The abrupt departure, which comes after an 11-year career with the video game news publisher, follows a Tuesday announcement that Ziff Davis Games For Windows magazine would be going to an online-only format effective immediately. It's not immediately known what Hsu plans to do next. Kennedy will also maintain his current role as editor-in-chief of the online gaming news portal.

Hsu started working for Ziff Davis in April 1996. He briefly wrote for start-up Gamers.com from April 2000 - 2001 before returning to Ziff Davis and becoming editor-in-chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly. Hsu was promoted to editorial director last year, when former Editorial Director John Davison left Ziff Davis to start parents gaming guide What They Play.

JoystiqDan "Shoe" Hsu ends long career at Ziff Davis originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dan-HsuEGMElectronic-Gaming-MonthlyjournalismshoeZiff-DavisFri, 11 Apr 2008 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[British paper paying for game violence stories]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/british-paper-paying-for-game-violence-stories/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/british-paper-paying-for-game-violence-stories/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/british-paper-paying-for-game-violence-stories/#commentsFiled under: ,

Good journalism is almost always based on real shoe-leather reporting -- working the phones, hitting the streets and talking to people to find out what's really going on out there. Or, alternatively, you could just offer to pay people for a story that fits your preconceived notions of what would be "juicy."

That seems to be the idea behind this StarNow posting which bluntly asks, "Did computer games make you turn to a life of crime?" According to the posting, a national British paper will pay "hundreds of pounds" for the right tale of game-inspired crime. The site doesn't mention which newspaper is searching for the stories, and the free listing could well be a prank (we are dangerously close to April 1), but the whole thing seems entirely plausible to us -- checkbook journalism is pretty common among the English tabloids, as are sensationalist takes on our favorite hobby.

While other similar postings on StarNow insist submitted stories be "true" or "real," the video game violence offer simply promises that "if it's something we like, we'll call you straight back." We're almost tempted to encourage our British readers to write in with the most ludicrously false stories they can come up with, but that plans runs the risk of having a ridiculous fiction actually running as the truth in a major British newspaper. Decisions, decisions ...

[Thanks Randy]

JoystiqBritish paper paying for game violence stories originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britaincheckbookenglandjournalismtabloidviolencewritingWed, 02 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's most stylistic video: "video game" vs. "videogame"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/todays-most-stylistic-video-video-game-vs-videogame/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/todays-most-stylistic-video-video-game-vs-videogame/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/todays-most-stylistic-video-video-game-vs-videogame/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's a debate that's at least as old as our 2005 poll on the subject (which ended in a statistical dead heat) -- should the term "video game" be one word or two. Copy editors, designers, and journalists have all weighed in on the subject (as well as a certain book author and blogger). Now, finally, we have an official answer from a well-respected, authoritative source: the fine fellows over at College Humor.

The video does a great job of skewering the self-importance of those that obsess over such a pointless argument (present company included). But then they link to an official petition (currently down) that purports to support College Humor's preferred, one-word spelling. Are they taking themselves too seriously, or is it just another layer of the meta-joke? We report, you decide.

Continue reading Today's most stylistic video: "video game" vs. "videogame"

JoystiqToday's most stylistic video: "video game" vs. "videogame" originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>debatejournalismone-wordspacespace-bartwo-wordsvideo-gamevideogameTue, 26 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Future Publishing buys share of N4G.com]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/future-publishing-buys-share-of-n4g-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/future-publishing-buys-share-of-n4g-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/future-publishing-buys-share-of-n4g-com/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Editorial judgment? Original content? What are those? Everyone who's anyone knows the hot new thing is letting readers vote on what counts as news on sites like Digg, StumbleUpon and N4G, the last of which got a cash infusion from mega-publisher Future U.S., it was announced today.

The publishing giant behind all three official U.S. gaming magazines spent an undisclosed sum to obtain an undisclosed minority share of the site. It might be a sound investment -- according to the press release, "N4G received 3.65 million visits in January 2008, with 17.8 million page views and nearly a million unique visitors." Not bad for a site that makes its readers do all the work.

JoystiqFuture Publishing buys share of N4G.com originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FuturejournalismN4GnewsonlinepublishingwebTue, 05 Feb 2008 18:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryan Davis talks Gerstmann, Gamespot departure]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/ryan-davis-talks-gerstmann-gamespot-departure/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/ryan-davis-talks-gerstmann-gamespot-departure/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/ryan-davis-talks-gerstmann-gamespot-departure/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's fair to say that the controversial firing of Jeff Gerstmann was a contributing factor to Ryan Davis' recent decision to leave Gamespot. But it was far from the only factor.

"Jeff's firing just destroyed me, and I think it shed a light on the other stuff that I had been kind of rolling along with," Davis told Joystiq in an exclusive interview.

For Davis, who had worked for the popular site since 2000, the daily grind of working at such a large site was beginning to take its toll. "It's just that I had been at the job for a long time, and a lot of the stuff that made the job fun for me has dissipated," he said. "Sometimes you don't love the job, but you make your way through it by focusing on the good stuff. Gamespot is also a huge site, and an organization of that magnitude comes with a fair amount of bureaucracy, and everyone ultimately ends up spending a fair amount of time doing stuff other than producing the content."

Continue reading Ryan Davis talks Gerstmann, Gamespot departure

JoystiqRyan Davis talks Gerstmann, Gamespot departure originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CNetcontroversydavisgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismryan davisRyanDavisTue, 05 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamespot exodus continues: Ryan Davis to leave]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/gamespot-exodus-continues-ryan-davis-to-leave/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/gamespot-exodus-continues-ryan-davis-to-leave/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/04/gamespot-exodus-continues-ryan-davis-to-leave/#commentsFiled under: ,

Update: Davis discusses his departure with Joystiq.

Joystiq has confirmed with new Gamespot editor-in-chief Ricardo Torres that longtime staffer Ryan Davis has given notice that he intends to leave the site. While we haven't been able to get in touch with Davis directly, a source close to Davis inside Gamespot told us, on condition of anonymity, that the controversial firing of editorial director Jeff Gerstmann was the catalyst behind the decision. The planned departure follows similar decisions by freelancer Frank Provo and staffer Alex Navarro in the wake of the scandal.

In a Dec. 1 blog post, Davis spoke of his close relationship with Gerstmann since before he started writing for Gamespot in 2000. "Jeff Gerstmann has been a significant figure in both my personal and professional life for a long, long time," he wrote. "By my recollection, we were fairly fast friends, though I was also kind of pushy about it." The pair played together as part of alternative rap group Suburban All-Stars.

JoystiqGamespot exodus continues: Ryan Davis to leave originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyexodusgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismquitryan-davisMon, 04 Feb 2008 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Pro wrestler starts gaming column]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/pro-wrestler-starts-gaming-column/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/pro-wrestler-starts-gaming-column/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/pro-wrestler-starts-gaming-column/#commentsFiled under: ,


TNA wrestler Cristian Cage (a.k.a Jason Reso) is a hardcore gamer. That's not very surprising -- plenty of sports stars these days take their love of competition to the consoles. Cage is now writing a monthly column for GameTap. That's not too surprising -- gaming sites all over are looking for well-known names and original voices to speak to gamers in a new way. Cage's column is actually pretty good. That ... is kind of surprising.

No, Cage's first column isn't going to change the way you look at gaming or anything, but the introduction managed to hold our interest with tales of motion-capping, fame-coping and Top Spin 2 addiction/domination. Whatever you think of the writing, you have to admit it's decidedly different from most of the nigh-indistinguishable game writing out there. For that, we're very grateful.

JoystiqPro wrestler starts gaming column originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cagechristian-cagejason-resojournalismwrestlerMon, 28 Jan 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ricardo Torres promoted to GameSpot EIC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/ricardo-torres-promoted-to-gamespot-eic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/ricardo-torres-promoted-to-gamespot-eic/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/ricardo-torres-promoted-to-gamespot-eic/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ten-year Gamespot veteran Ricardo Torres has been promoted to editor-in-chief of the site, CNet announced today. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to help further GameSpot's position at the forefront of the industry," Torres said in a statement. "I'm eager to continue the site's tradition of excellence and I'm confident we can move forward into 2008 and set a new industry standard for how video games are covered."

The position has been unfilled since former editor-in-chief Greg Kasavin resigned to work in game development just over a year ago. Torres and Jeff Gerstmann headed served as co-editorial directors afterthat departure, until Gerstmann's controversial firing in December. In an official notice about the firing posted on the site, Torres said he and the rest of the Gamespot team "wish him nothing but good luck in his future endeavors."

JoystiqRicardo Torres promoted to GameSpot EIC originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyeditor-in-chiefEICgamespotgerstmannjournalismpromotionricardo-torrestorresMon, 28 Jan 2008 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Gerstmann to team with Gamespot founder Broady on new site]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/rumor-gerstmann-to-team-with-gamespot-founder-vince-broady-on-n/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/rumor-gerstmann-to-team-with-gamespot-founder-vince-broady-on-n/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/rumor-gerstmann-to-team-with-gamespot-founder-vince-broady-on-n/#commentsFiled under:

If you haven't perused it yet, 1UP's Sam Kennedy's piece on Gerstmann-gate is really fascinating. Not only do you get a not-quite-insider's view on the whole situation, but there are also some really eye-opening nuggets on the methods GameSpot uses both to track users and to cater to its marketers. If you like the inside baseball side of games journalism, it's a must-read.

There's also an interesting rumor buried within: Kennedy reports that "word on the street" is that ousted Jeff Gerstmann and GameSpot founder Vince Broady would be teaming up to create a new site to "take on GameSpot." We don't know if it's true, but we'd keep an eye on Gerstmann's blog for more info.

JoystiqRumor: Gerstmann to team with Gamespot founder Broady on new site originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamespotgerstmann-gategerstmanngatejeff-gerstmannjournalismTue, 22 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamespot staffer Alex Navarro quits in wake of Gerstmann-gate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/gamespot-staffer-alex-navarro-quits-in-wake-of-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/gamespot-staffer-alex-navarro-quits-in-wake-of-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/gamespot-staffer-alex-navarro-quits-in-wake-of-gerstmann-gate/#commentsFiled under: ,

Joystiq has confirmed with longtime Gamespot staffer Alex Navarro that he will be resigning his position at the CNET gaming site in response to the controversial firing of editorial director Jeff Gerstmann.

"I felt like it was just time for me to go," Navarro told Joystiq in an exclusive interview. " Certainly [the decision to leave] had a lot to do with the whole Jeff [Gerstmann] situation. ... I wouldn't have left if this situation hadn't gone down the way it did. ... Sometimes you just realize a place isn't for you anymore, you know?"

Navarro has been a mainstay on the site since early 2003, writing hundreds of reviews and appearing regularly on video podcast The Hotspot. His last day at the site will be Jan. 24.

Continue reading Gamespot staffer Alex Navarro quits in wake of Gerstmann-gate

JoystiqGamespot staffer Alex Navarro quits in wake of Gerstmann-gate originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CNETcontroversyfiredgamespotgerstmanngerstmann-gatejeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchquitMon, 14 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EGM editor Dan Hsu talks about 'blackball' editorial]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/egm-editor-dan-hsu-talks-about-blackball-editorial/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/egm-editor-dan-hsu-talks-about-blackball-editorial/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/11/egm-editor-dan-hsu-talks-about-blackball-editorial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Earlier this week we saw an editorial from Electronic Gaming Monthly Editor-in-chief Dan "Shoe" Hsu calling out Sony's sport division, the Mortal Kombat team and Ubisoft for purportedly blackballing the magazine. GameDaily's Media Coverage feature, written by Joystiq's Kyle Orland, talks with Hsu about the editorial to extract more insight into his decision to publish the editorial.

Hsu clarifies that these incidents are not common, despite the perception one might get from all the media around it. In talking about Ubisoft specifically, Hsu points out two previews for Assassin's Creed, which discussed worrisome design flaws. He also notes that Capcom had at one point in the magazine's history pulled support and have since become a prominent advertiser again.

Our favorite line comes at the end of the piece. Said Hsu, "I'd drag EGM down with me or quit before we compromise our integrity." You hear that, EGM writers who value paychecks over integrity? Get out while you still can!

JoystiqEGM editor Dan Hsu talks about 'blackball' editorial originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedblackballdan-hsuegmelectronic-gaming-monthlyhsujournalismmidwaymortal-kombatPS2PS3PSPsonyubisoftXbox-360Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Publishers allegedly blackball EGM for negative coverage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/publishers-allegedly-blackball-egm-for-negative-coverage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/publishers-allegedly-blackball-egm-for-negative-coverage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/09/publishers-allegedly-blackball-egm-for-negative-coverage/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



UPDATE: The full text of the editorial is now available on Hsu's blog.

In his latest editorial, Electronic Gaming Monthly Editor-in-chief Dan "Shoe" Hsu publicly calls out three companies that are allegedly refusing to work with the magazine due to negative reviews of their games. According to Hsu, the members of Midway's Mortal Kombat team, Sony's sports division and Ubisoft as a whole are refusing to give EGM access to early preview or review builds of their games (in the case of Ubisoft, Hsu specifically says "it seems our coverage of Assassin's Creed was the last straw").

As a result, Hsu says EGM readers will get "little, late, or no coverage" of these companies' games. "We won't treat these products or companies any differently, and we'll just cover them to the best of our own abilities, with or without their support," Hsu writes. "Because, after all, we're writing for you, the reader -- not them."

These types of allegations aren't anything new around the game industry water cooler, and stories of publisher reprisals in the form of pulled advertising or blackballed journalists occasionally bubble up in the game press. But editors are usually reluctant to publicly name names in these situations, for fear of pissing off publishers further. Are we seeing the beginning of a new age in game journalism, where journalists aren't afraid of standing up to publishers that try to push them around?

We'll be following up with Hsu and the companies involved and let you know what we hear.

JoystiqPublishers allegedly blackball EGM for negative coverage originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedblckballcontroversydan-hsuEGMelectronic-gaming-monthlyjournalismmidwaymortal-kombatsonyubisoftWed, 09 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Long-time freelancer leaves Gamespot over Gerstmann-gate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/long-time-freelancer-leaves-gamespot-over-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/long-time-freelancer-leaves-gamespot-over-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/long-time-freelancer-leaves-gamespot-over-gerstmann-gate/#commentsFiled under: ,

While the major developments over last month's Gerstmann-gate fracas kind of petered out in the midst of vehement official denials, the reverberations are still being felt around Gamespot. Frank Provo, a freelancer and major contributor to the site for nearly eight years, recently announced he would no longer be contributing to the site.

Provo made no bones about the reason for his departure. "I believe CNet management let Jeff go for all the wrong reasons," he wrote. "I believe CNet intends to soften the site's tone and push for higher scores to make advertisers happy." And Provo is in a position to know, according to an earlier post on his LiveJournal. "All the proof I need is in the way the staff reacted to Jeff's dismissal and to what went on in the closed door meeting that took place on November 30th," he said. "Any staffer that continues to work there once this fervor dies down does so with the fear that, one day, management will ask them to soften up their tone and scores... and they will either have to swallow their integrity and abide, or risk taking a stand and being let go," he added back in December.

All that remains to be seen now is whether Provo's will be alone in his action or whether others will follow his lead and depart what Provo calls "the ultimate soul-crushing work environment."

[Via GameDaily]

JoystiqLong-time freelancer leaves Gamespot over Gerstmann-gate originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CnetcontroversyEidosgerstmanngerstmann-gateGgamespotjeff-gerstmannjournalismKane-and-LynchMon, 07 Jan 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[IGN's Casamassina responds to conflict of interest claims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/igns-casamassina-responds-to-conflict-of-interest-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/igns-casamassina-responds-to-conflict-of-interest-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/igns-casamassina-responds-to-conflict-of-interest-claims/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Video Game Media Watch has a rather incendiary post up tonight "revealing" that IGN Nintendo editor-in-chief Matt Casamassina and Golin Harris Vice President Edie Kissko are married. This might not seem like a big deal, until you consider that Golin Harris handles public relations for Nintendo (and Kissko works on the Nintendo account). This isn't precisely a "breaking" story ... the marriage has been well known in some corners of the industry for a while. Still, isn't this the kind of thing that Casamassina and/or IGN should disclose to readers who might be worried about such a seemingly obvious conflict of interest?

Casamassina doesn't think so. In an e-mail to Joystiq, he confirmed that he and Kissko have been married for several years, though he says he does "prefer to keep my wife and kids out of the public spotlight." Despite the marriage, Casamassina said that both he and Kissko know how to keep their home lives and work lives separate. "Nintendo and IGN / FOX have been aware of our relationship since we first started dating," he said. "We're professionals. Both of us have signed strict confidentiality agreements with our respective employers and, incidentally, we leave what happens on the job at our home's front door."

Furthermore, Casamassina argues that readers can judge for themselves whether his personal relationship affects his writing. "The original article makes the suggestion that my marriage to Edie violates the trust of IGN's dedicated readership, but I think my body of work speaks for itself," he said. "Over the years, I have remained one of Nintendo's biggest fans and harshest critics and have also developed hundreds of reliable of sources within the industry, none of them Edie." (Kissko and a Golin Harris representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We'll update you if and when they do.)

While readers can indeed decide for themselves whether or not Casamassina is overly nice or harsh to Nintendo in his work (or gets more insider scoops than the average reporter), most had no reason to doubt his independence before now. Though his marriage to Kissko wasn't exactly a secret, it was far from well known to IGN's readers -- even some of us insiders at Joystiq were surprised by the revelation. As a general rule, if a situation could cause even the perception of impropriety, a journalist should disclose it.

Regardless, now that the information is "out there," so to speak, will it affect the way you read one of the industry's most visible Nintendo journalists? Let us know in the comments.

JoystiqIGN's Casamassina responds to conflict of interest claims originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CasamasssinacontroversyDSEdie-KisskoGameCubeGolin-HarrisGolinHarrisIGNjournalismKisskoMatt-CasamassinaMattCasamassinaNintendoWiiWed, 19 Dec 2007 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Casual games get bad reviews, no one cares]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/casual-games-get-bad-reviews-no-one-cares/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/casual-games-get-bad-reviews-no-one-cares/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/casual-games-get-bad-reviews-no-one-cares/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's a tale nearly as old as gaming ... critical darlings like Psychonauts and Shadow of the Colossus sell, like, three copies each while critically drubbed dreck like Carnival Games and Cars flies to the top of the charts. Why do people buy this stuff? Maybe because they don't care about the reviews.

"I get less concerned about game reviews because the casual gamers don't read any of those things," EA Casual president Kathy Vrabeck told Next-Gen. Don't casual gamers want to know what's good? Sure they do, but according to Vrabeck, specialist reviews don't cover the things casual gamers care about. "It's a little bit amusing, in that it's people reviewing games against measures that are important to core gamers yet are not important to casual gamers," she said.

So do reviewers need to change their outlook or do casual gamers need to get better taste? Maybe neither, with sites like Gamezebo and Casual Review looking at the casual space on its own merits. Or maybe we should just ask casual gamers to put down the phone. "The measurement [of a game's appeal] for women aged 25 to 34 would more likely be whether or not they'd hang up on their girlfriend to play this game," EA Casual Marketing VP Russell Arons told Next-Gen. "'Would you hang up a phone conversation for this game?' That'd probably be a truer measure for that target audience."

JoystiqCasual games get bad reviews, no one cares originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiencecascasualDSEAElectronic-ArtsjournalismreviewsWiiThu, 06 Dec 2007 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpot addresses Gerstmann-gate concerns in depth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gamespot-addresses-gerstmann-gate-concerns-in-depth/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gamespot-addresses-gerstmann-gate-concerns-in-depth/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gamespot-addresses-gerstmann-gate-concerns-in-depth/#commentsFiled under: ,

Update: Gamespot's Tor Thorsen weighs in with his personal commentary on writing the story: "I know many of you out there are going to see this as the latest in a series of attempts at damage control. Guess what? You're right. It is damage control, because--let's face it--GameSpot has taken a beating over the past week. However, just because it's damage control doesn't mean we're being disingenuous or misleading."

Original Story:
After nearly a week of non-stop rumor, speculation and discussion fueled by insufficient comment from all parties involved, GameSpot has finally opened up and answered many outstanding questions surrounding the Gerstmann firing controversy. Tor Thorsen's recently posted On the Spot Q&A contains official comment on numerous matters that GameSpot was unwilling or unable to address before. Among the important new information revealed in the piece:
  • Gerstmann's firing followed " an internal review process" by management.
  • Eidos did express displeasure with Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch review, though GameSpot is adamant that this displeasure did not cause the review to be edited, the video review to be pulled, or Gerstmann himself to be fired.
  • On why the text review was edited: "The copy was adjusted several days following its publication so that it better meshed with its score, which remained unchanged." (Is this fair? Read the edits and judge for yourself).
  • The Kane & Lynch video review was taken down because the "audio was deemed inferior due to a faulty microphone. There were also concerns about the limited amount of footage that was unrepresentative of the game in the review." It was not put back up immediately because the busy holiday release schedule left "insufficient resources to reshoot and re-edit the video review." The version that was reposted recently is identical to the original and was put up "in the spirit of full disclosure."
  • Eidos' Kane & Lynch ad buy was made weeks before the firing decision or the review were made. The prominent front page "skinning" of the site was automatically removed at midnight on Nov. 29, when the ad buy was previously scheduled to run out.
  • Tim Tracy's departure was "completely unrelated."
  • The company is coming up with this information now because of the "widespread misinformation that has spread following Jeff's departure."
While the full Q&A still won't directly address the specific reasons for Gerstmann's departure (citing "accordance with California State Law"), it does sufficiently explain almost all the outstanding issues surrounding the matter and should do a lot to quiet this controversy. Whether or not it actually will depends largely on whether readers can accept these explanations after six days of effective "no comments" left the rumor mill to grind out of control.

JoystiqGameSpot addresses Gerstmann-gate concerns in depth originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsCNETcontroversyeidosgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchreviewsWed, 05 Dec 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Gerstmann-gate: Wednesday update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gerstmann-gate-wednesday-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gerstmann-gate-wednesday-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/gerstmann-gate-wednesday-update/#commentsFiled under: ,

Editor's note: This post has been edited to point out the latest updates from around the web on the controversial firing of Gamespot editorial director Jeff Gerstmann (Further note: the post hasn't really been edited -- we just thought that would make a funny intro.)
  • If you missed it, check out Joystiq's analysis of the edits to Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch review.
  • Gamespot staffers have further addressed the controversy on the site's Hot Spot podcast.
  • After being taken down on Friday, Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch video review is back up on the Gamespot this morning. The reasons behind this move and the initial removal are still unclear. UPDATE: On the Hot Spot podcast mentioned above, Ryan MacDonald said that the review was taken down not because of pressure from advertisers but because "the quality was not what [they] do."
  • 1UP digs up another potential wrinkle to the story: "Our sources indicated CNET management had been dealing with a series of advertising vs. editorial issues on GameSpot -- Sony Computer Entertainment America came down on the site for scoring Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction a 7.5 just a few weeks prior to the Kane & Lynch incident -- and the Eidos Interactive situation was where they finally drew the line.
  • Kotaku hears rumors that there may be "mass resignations" at Gamespot over the whole incident: "Our credibility is in ruins," says anonymous source.
  • Also from Kotaku, the misleading "five star" review graphic on the Kane & Lynch site has been removed.
  • MTV's Stephen Totilo talked to Gerstmann about editorial standards in the game press: "As for the future of game journalism, you asked if it's realistic for readers to expect a church and state separation between editorial and sales. Realistic or not, I think readers should demand that from a publication."
  • Newsweek's N'gai Croal uses the Gerstmann controversy as a jumping off point to talk about the symbiotic/parasitic relationship between game publishers and the game press: "One would have to be naïve or foolish not to understand that there has always been a mutually beneficial relationship between journalists who cover consumer products or entertainment and the manufacturers or publishers of the goods in question."
  • The controversy was mentioned briefly during Tuesday's edition of The Kojo Nnamdi Show on Washington D.C.'s NPR affiliate, WAMU (discussion begins around 44:50): "Apparently [there's] no firewall there between editorial and advertising. ... It certainly looks and smells fishy."
  • Gamespot Associate Editor Kevin VanOrd, on losing a colleague: "It is confusing, upsetting, and hurtful. In the blink of an eye, my mentor no longer sits 50 feet from me. When I need advice and encouragement and shielding, my greatest advocate is no longer there to offer that kind of support."
  • Sarcastic Gamer isn't feeling too sorry for Gerstmann: "Getting fired was the BEST thing to ever happen to the man. He has become an instant internet celeb, without the taking the sleazy amateur video route, and can basically cash his own ticket anywhere he chooses."
  • Organizer Drew Watson talks to Audiogame about the in-person protests being planned for the CNET offices this weekend.
[Thanks again to all the tipsters sending in links. Keep 'em coming]

JoystiqGerstmann-gate: Wednesday update originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CNETcontroversyfiredgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchWed, 05 Dec 2007 11:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Comparison shows significant edits to Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch review]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/comparison-shows-significant-edits-to-gerstmanns-kane-and-lynch-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/comparison-shows-significant-edits-to-gerstmanns-kane-and-lynch-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/comparison-shows-significant-edits-to-gerstmanns-kane-and-lynch-r/#commentsFiled under: ,

The editor's note at the bottom of Jeff Gerstmann's controversial review of Kane & Lynch: Dead Men notes that "this review has been updated to include differences between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions and a clarification on the game's multiplayer mode." While this is true, a comparison between the original and edited versions of the review shows that the edits went significantly further than that.

An archived version of the review found in a Google cache of an EBGames page shows that, while the review's overall determination remained the same, significant changes were made to its tone and focus. Nowhere is this more apparent than the very first paragraph, which was changed whole cloth to remove references calling the game "ugly" and the artificial intelligence "clunky." While the new introduction still says the game "squanders much of its potential and just doesn't come together as well as it probably should have," the new version is unquestionably less harsh than the original.

Some edits to the text seem shoehorned in to point out potential positives for the game. Consider a post-edit addition that specifically notes the game "does a good job of moving the action around, and you'll see a variety of different environments ..." and another that suggests, "if you've been waiting patiently for a game to really dive into the whole 'crew-based heist tale' concept, you might be able to look past some of the story flaws."

Then again, there are other additions that specifically point out negatives, such as one that says the multiplayer mode "doesn't translate into a great or long-lasting experience," and another that calls the disappointing multiplayer a "bummer." But there are further edits that circumstantially seem designed specifically to placate Eidos, such as one clause that points out "how well this same sort of stuff worked in the developer's previous squad-based game, Freedom Fighters," and another that asks readers to consider "the somewhat unique nature of its story."

While the edits are interesting in and of themselves, it should be noted that they are not proof of any wrongdoing on either CNET or Eidos' parts. Many questions remain, such as whether or not Gerstmann himself was involved with the edits, whether Eidos specifically requested any of the edits, and whether or not CNET executives intervened in the editing process. Neither Gerstmann, nor CNET or Eidos representatives were immediately available to respond to requests for comment on this matter, but we will let you know if and when they do (A CNET spokesperson made an oblique reference to the edits in a previous public comment).

A full accounting of the differences between the original review and the edited version appears after the break. Read it over and decide for yourself whether the changes were justified and suitably covered by the editor's note that appears at the end.

Continue reading Comparison shows significant edits to Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch review

JoystiqComparison shows significant edits to Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch review originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewscontroversyeditseidosfiredgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkand-and-lynchreviewWed, 05 Dec 2007 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Gerstmann-gate: Tuesday update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/gerstmann-gate-tuesday-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/gerstmann-gate-tuesday-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/gerstmann-gate-tuesday-update/#commentsFiled under: ,



Official statement or no, fan reaction to the firing of Jeff Gerstmann continues practically unabated:
  • Gamespot readers have tagged the official Gamespot news story rather, er, harshly (see image above).
  • Not everyone is on the anti-Gamespot bandwagon, though. Check out IGN's Hillary Goldstein, CrushedBefore.com and the possibly satirical KeepGirthmanFired.com.
  • The story continues to drip slowly into the mainstream press. Check out Fishbowl LA, TheStreet.com and the Syracuse University Daily Orange.
  • GameBump takes Eidos to task for misleading "review" quotes and a "five-star" rating image in the intro. for the official Kane & Lynch web site. GameSpy and Kotaku are confused as well.
  • Pronet Advertising uses Gamespot as a case study in "How To Destroy Your Brand And Alienate People"
  • GameSetWatch's Kevin Gifford: "Game publishers ... don't care what Jeff Gerstmann or any reviewer has to say about their games. They care about the score, the Metacritic average, and it's been that way ever since the Internet became the primary vehicle for game media."
  • More from Gamespot freelancer Frank Provo: "Even if they don't get pressured to cut me loose because I've made a few posts here, I personally cannot write for a site that, for whatever reasons, wants to bring its review scores and tone more in line with the Metacritics/GameRankings medians, and is willing to pressure its writers to nudge in that direction."

JoystiqGerstmann-gate: Tuesday update originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyeidosgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchTue, 04 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpot posts official Gerstmann firing notice]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/gamespot-posts-official-gerstmann-firing-notice/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/gamespot-posts-official-gerstmann-firing-notice/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/gamespot-posts-official-gerstmann-firing-notice/#commentsFiled under: ,

It took nearly four long, controversy-filled days, but GameSpot has finally posted notice on their web site that editorial director Jeff Gerstmann has been fired. Or, as the notice itself puts it, "after over a decade in a variety of editorial roles, Jeff Gerstmann's tenure as editorial director has ended."

Besides praising Gerstmann's work and offering him best wishes, the notice echoes the company's earlier statement by saying that "details of Gerstmann's departure cannot be disclosed publicly" because of "legal constraints and the company policy of GameSpot parent CNET Networks." The posting also firmly denies (yet again) that advertiser pressure had any role in the firing.

"Neither CNET Networks nor GameSpot has ever allowed its advertising business to affect its editorial content," said Greg Brannan, CNET Networks Entertainment's vice president of programming. "The accusations in the media that it has done so are unsubstantiated and untrue. Jeff's departure stemmed from internal reasons unrelated to any buyer of advertising on GameSpot." Strong words, but ones that might come too late for many gamers who have already made up their minds about the controversy.

Oddly enough, Gerstmann does still appear on the site's About Us page, nearly a week after his termination last Wednesday. The notice about the firing currently appears on the front page of the site as the top news story.

Even with the posted statement, many questions remain surrounding the firing. Why was Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch video review removed from the site? Did Eidos (or any other company) bring pressure to bear on Gamespot, even if it was ignored? (Eidos continues to ignore repeated requests for comment from Joystiq). How does Gamespot plan on addressing the sizable outrage in the gaming community over the issue, justified or not? We'll keep looking for answers to these and other questions surrounding the controversy and will of course let you know what we find.

JoystiqGameSpot posts official Gerstmann firing notice originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CNETcontroversyeidosgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchMon, 03 Dec 2007 21:32:00 EST<![CDATA[CNET podcast hosts comment on Gerstmann controversy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/cnet-podcast-hosts-comment-on-gerstmann-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/cnet-podcast-hosts-comment-on-gerstmann-controversy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/cnet-podcast-hosts-comment-on-gerstmann-controversy/#commentsFiled under: ,

While today's episode of CNET's Buzz Out Loud podcast was delayed for a "mandatory meeting," (hmmm, we wonder what that might have been about ...) the wait was worth it, as hosts Molly Wood, John (Update: Typo fixed) Tom Merritt and Jason Howell were able to comment on Gamespot's firing of executive editor Jeff Gerstmann from a somewhat insider perspective. Their overall impression? As Merritt put it, "Wow does this whole situation suck."

While Merritt did say up front that "there are things that we're not allowed to talk about because they're internal matters," the team said they weren't sitting on any super-secret information about the reasons behind Gerstmann's firing. "[Human resources is] not going to come and tell us why a dude got fired," Wood said. That said, the hosts could offer their commentary on the matter, and their thoughts on that score were somewhat of a mixed bag.

Continue reading CNET podcast hosts comment on Gerstmann controversy

JoystiqCNET podcast hosts comment on Gerstmann controversy originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CNETcontroversyeidosgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchMon, 03 Dec 2007 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Gerstmann-gate: Blackout Monday update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/gerstmann-gate-blackout-monday-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/gerstmann-gate-blackout-monday-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/gerstmann-gate-blackout-monday-update/#commentsFiled under: ,

Big wheel keep on turning. Gerstmann-gate keep on burning.
[Thanks to all the tipsters who sent in links.]

JoystiqGerstmann-gate: Blackout Monday update originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyeidosfiringgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchMon, 03 Dec 2007 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive: Gertsmann speaks about K&L review, future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/exclusive-gertsmann-speaks-about-kandl-review-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/exclusive-gertsmann-speaks-about-kandl-review-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/exclusive-gertsmann-speaks-about-kandl-review-future/#commentsFiled under: ,

"Losing a job you've held for over 11 years in an abrupt manner is shocking, yes."

While the above quote should perhaps win Jeff Gerstmann the 'understatement of the year' award, the former Gamespot editorial director is still staying silent about the specifics surrounding his recent firing (citing the previously mentioned "legal reasons," among others). He has, however, told Joystiq that he still stands behind his controversial review of Kane & Lynch.

"I stand behind my work, regardless of where I do it," Gerstmann told Joystiq in an e-mail. "If there was content that I felt I couldn't support, it wouldn't see the light of day." Gerstmann did not comment specifically on the edits made to his text review of Kane & Lynch, or the site's removal of the video review, but he did support the editing process in general. "If factual errors are made, I have no problem owning up to that error, correcting it, noting that a correction has been made, and feeling like an idiot for making the mistake in the first place," he said.

Gerstmann also directly addressed the somewhat pernicious rumor that he did not complete Kane & Lynch before he finished his review. "A reviewer's Xbox Live Gamercard is rarely a good place to look for answers about how much that reviewer has (or hasn't) played a game," he said. "For the record, I saw both endings in Kane & Lynch before writing about it."

As for his future plans, Gerstmann seems to be keeping his options open. "I'm not really sure what I want to do next," he said. "This whole situation has left me with a lot to think about. While this sort of clean break would be an acceptable time to think about trying game development, I feel like I still have more to say and do on the editorial side of the fence, too."

Surprisingly, the experience doesn't seem to have soured Gerstmann on video game journalism as a whole. "Despite the number of people who are taking these rumors ... to mean that game writing is ethically bankrupt, I don't feel that's the case," he said. "Either way, I'm currently keeping my options open and have been in contact with interesting people on both sides."

JoystiqExclusive: Gertsmann speaks about K&L review, future originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewscontroversyeidosexclusivefiredgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchMon, 03 Dec 2007 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gerstmann-gate: Sunday morning update]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/gerstmann-gate-sunday-morning-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/gerstmann-gate-sunday-morning-update/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/02/gerstmann-gate-sunday-morning-update/#commentsFiled under: ,

Developments have slowed down a little bit over the weekend, but there is still plenty of chatter around the web about Gamespot's controversial firing of Jeff Gerstmann. Among the juicier bits from around the intertubes:
One thing is clear: This story is not going away anytime soon.

[Thanks to all the tipsters who sent items in]

JoystiqGerstmann-gate: Sunday morning update originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Dec 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyeidosgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchSun, 02 Dec 2007 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumorang: Gerstmann-gate edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/rumorang-gerstmann-gate-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/rumorang-gerstmann-gate-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/rumorang-gerstmann-gate-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're sure you'll agree our reporting on the continuing controversy surrounding Gamespot's firing of Jeff Gerstmann has been quite extensive. Still, there are a few angles that have come up that we still feel a little questionable reporting on as fact, or even credible rumor. Still, they are getting play elsewhere around the web, so we'll let you have a little peek behind the curtain and in to the sausage-making world of the news process. Here's what we know and why we're a bit skeptical:
  • Some sites are reporting that Gamespot staffer Tim Tracy has also been fired and/or left the company, possibly for reasons related to Gerstmann's dismissal. The sole source for this rumor seems to be a cryptic post on Tracy's Gamespot blog where he appears behind a stack of shoeboxes with the footer, "It's been real." This could mean that he's no longer with the company ... but it could also means he just has a shoe fetish. We're working to get an official comment on the situation from Tracy or Gamespot and will let you know what we hear, but for the time being we don't want to speculate on what, if anything, this could mean.
  • Some commenters around the web are suggesting that the firing was due to the influence of some recent hires at CNET, specifically Executive Vice President Stephen Colvin and Director of Games & Entertainment Josh Larson. These commenters will point to Colvin's previous involvement with bastions of journalistic integrity like Maxim, Blender, and Stuff magazine (read: sarcasm!) and Larson's heavy career focus on marketing to gamers. This circumstantial evidence doesn't do much for us, and while we've heard some rumblings of their involvement from somewhat credible sources, nothing has been better than second hand information. We'll keep digging, but right now it's too early to implicate anyone specific (or in general, for that matter).
  • Finally, some commenters are claiming that Gerstmann wasn't fired because his Kane & Lynch review was negative in tone, but because he did not actually play the game sufficiently before reviewing it. The supposed evidence, as often happens with such allegations, is Jeff's Xbox Live Gamercard, which only has six achievements and 90 Gamerscore points for the game (some overstate this claim to say he only got one achievement. Fact check your rumors, people!) Reviewers often start reviews playing early code that might not have achievements unlocked. Gerstmann could have been playing on Microsoft's private PartnerNet system when reviewing the game, or simply been on a separate system/Gamertag when doing some of the playing. Furthermore, the content of both the text and video reviews seems to clearly indicate deep involvement with the game. We're waiting to hear back from Gerstmann on this issue directly, but until we do, it'll take more than a Gamercard to convince us Jeff was anything less than a professional in this matter.

JoystiqRumorang: Gerstmann-gate edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversyeidosfiringgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchrumorangSat, 01 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest developments in "Gerstmann-gate"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/latest-developments-in-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/latest-developments-in-gerstmann-gate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/latest-developments-in-gerstmann-gate/#commentsFiled under: ,

More tidbits surrounding Jeff Gerstmann's controversial firing from Gamespot, from around the web and our own reporting:
  • Gerstmann has confirmed to Joystiq that there are "legal reasons" why he can't comment on the controversy, in addition to questions of "respect for the product team still on board at GameSpot, who are some of the most amazing people I've ever met." He added that he is not under any sort of non-compete agreement regarding future work in the industry.
  • Eidos issues a 'no comment' to 1UP: "Eidos is not able to comment on another company's policies and procedures." Valleywag says Eidos "insiders" are "freaking out" over being blamed for something they say they had nothing to do with. Still no response from Eidos to our requests for comment.
  • Former Gamespot editor-in-chief Greg Kasavin, on his GameSpot blog: "As the longest-tenured GameSpot editor, Jeff Gerstmann deserved a respectful send-off."
  • Current Gamespot editor-in-chief Alex Navarro compares the whole situation to hitting the disaster button in SimCity.
  • Former Gamespot staffer Bob Colayco and Adam Buchen clarify that just because Gerstmann was fired doesn't mean Gamespot staffers routinely get paid off for good reviews. Buchen also cancels his Gamespot account and urges others to do the same.
  • An anonymous Valleywag commenter going by the handle "gamespot" and claiming to be a company insider: "There has been an increasing amount of pressure to allow the advertising teams to have more of a say in the editorial process." More: "Also, despite the fact that this occured [sic] two weeks ago, there was no way they were going to fire him then; the last big games didn't come out until just before Thanksgiving, and there was no doubt that management knew that the rest of the reviewers would refuse to write any reviews after his termination, which is indeed what is happening. [emphasis added]"
We'll continue to update as more information comes out. Thanks to Gamespot user subrosian and all the tipsters who sent in information. Keep it coming.

JoystiqLatest developments in "Gerstmann-gate" originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeidosfiringgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchSat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpot denies Eidos pressured firing of Gerstmann]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/gamespot-denies-eidos-pressured-firing-of-gertsmann/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/gamespot-denies-eidos-pressured-firing-of-gertsmann/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/gamespot-denies-eidos-pressured-firing-of-gertsmann/#commentsFiled under: ,

We just got off the phone with Sarah Cain, a CNET spokesperson who wanted to amend CNET's previous statement to Joystiq on the recent firing of executive editor Jeff Gerstmann. While reiterating that CNET does not discuss personal employee matters with the press, Cain said directly that "we do not terminate employees based on external pressure from advertisers." When asked specifically about whether any such pressure was even attempted on Eidos' part, Cain had no comment. We're still waiting for a response to multiple e-mail requests for comment by Eidos PR.

While we had Cain on the line, we also asked her about the odd disappearance of Gerstmann's video review of the game from the GameSpot site. She responded by pointing out a note at the bottom of the still-running text review for the game, which states that "this review has been updated to include differences between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions and a clarification on the game's multiplayer mode."

When pressed for clarification, Cain said that this note applied to the video review as well. "At the bottom of the post of the [text] review we made a note that we have updated the review, and we made those decisions based on our own editorial standards," she said. "It was our decision to take down the [video] review." Given this justification, we can't help but wonder why GameSpot couldn't just edit the video review, as they did the text version. Why remove the entire thing if the problem was really just a "clarification?" When asked just that question, Cain reiterated her initial statement.

JoystiqGameSpot denies Eidos pressured firing of Gerstmann originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsCNetcontroversyeidosfiredGamespotGerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchFri, 30 Nov 2007 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GameSpot issues short comment on Gerstmann firing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/gamespot-issues-short-comment-on-gerstmann-firing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/gamespot-issues-short-comment-on-gerstmann-firing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/gamespot-issues-short-comment-on-gerstmann-firing/#commentsFiled under: ,

In the wake of the rumors surrounding Jeff Gerstmann's suspicious removal as editorial director of Gamespot, Gamespot owner CNET has issued a short, official comment on the situation. "GameSpot takes its editorial integrity extremely seriously," the statement reads. "For over a decade, Gamespot and the many members of its editorial team have produced thousands of unbiased reviews that have been a valuable resource for the gaming community. At CNET Networks, we stand behind the editorial content that our teams produce on a daily basis."

As for Gerstmann specifically, CNET repeated their assertion that "it is CNET Networks' policy not to comment on the status of its employees, current of former."

While it's nice to see CNET taking the accusations seriously, the statement doesn't confirm or deny the facts behind the controversy, or add any significant information to the story. With the rumor still generating significant discussion throughout the online gaming community, such a short, pat statement seems unlikely to stop the gathering storm of attention.

JoystiqGameSpot issues short comment on Gerstmann firing originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakingNewscontroversyeditoreidosfiredgamespotgerstmannjeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchFri, 30 Nov 2007 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Eidos and Gamespot forums exploding over Gerstmann incident]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/eidos-and-gamespot-forums-exploding-over-gerstmann-incident/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/eidos-and-gamespot-forums-exploding-over-gerstmann-incident/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/eidos-and-gamespot-forums-exploding-over-gerstmann-incident/#commentsFiled under:

Although Gamespot and publisher Eidos have not yet made public statements over what led to the firing of Gamespot's Editorial Director Jeff Gerstmann, the accusation of publisher pressure is exploding all over the companies' forums. Gamespot currently has numerous threads on the incident, with one thread in particular having thousands of posts. Eidos has taken a different approach, locking down all threads on their site after apparently purging derogatory posts from thousands of angry gamers reacting to the rumor yesterday night.

More sources are now confirming that Gerstmann's firing was indeed over his Kane & Lynch review. The situation will likely continue to escalate among the gaming community until somebody either tells the truth or gives some reasonable spin to what's going on. At this point the reputations of Eidos, Gamespot and Gerstmann actually do hang in the balance within the industry. In the wake of Sony's stumbles attacking Kotaku, we just can't imagine that the Gamespot executives didn't expect this to explode as it has. Are they so out of touch? The simple fact of the matter is until someone talks, this isn't going away.

JoystiqEidos and Gamespot forums exploding over Gerstmann incident originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisercontroversyEidosfiredGamespotGerstmanninfluencejeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchFri, 30 Nov 2007 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Gamespot's editorial director fired over Kane & Lynch review]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rumor-gamespots-editorial-director-fired-over-kane-and-lynch-rev/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rumor-gamespots-editorial-director-fired-over-kane-and-lynch-rev/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/30/rumor-gamespots-editorial-director-fired-over-kane-and-lynch-rev/#commentsFiled under: ,



Update 2:45 PM EST: Gamespot has issued a massive Q&A addressing many outstanding issues surrounding the firing.

Update: 11:50 AM EST Dec. 5, 2007: Check out Joystiq's analysis of the edits to Gerstmann's Kane & Lynch review. GameSpot editors comment on their Hot Spot podcast. Also: Tuesday and Wednesday updates from around the web.

Update 10:00 PM EST: Gamespot has posted official notice of the firing on their website. Meanwhile, some editors at CNET have commented on the controversy in a podcast.

Update - 11:20 AM EST Dec. 3, 2007: Further updates, and Gerstmann's exclusive comments to Joystiq.

Update - 11:00AM EST Dec. 2, 2007: More updates from around the web.

Update - 3:45PM EST: Ziff Davis employees rally for Gerstmann

Update - 9:00AM EST Dec. 1, 2007: The latest developments on the story.

Update - 5:45PM EST: CNET has amended their earlier statement with Joystiq.

Update - 3:20PM EST: We just noticed that Gerstmann's video review, previously accessible only through a direct link, has been removed from the site. Here's an alternate YouTube link.

Update - 2:20PM EST: We got a response from CNET, GameSpot's parent company, that totally explains the whole thing away ... you see. Actually, they don't say much.

Update - 12:52 AM EST: Penny Arcade, which helped popularize this story with their comic last night, has posted an accompanying commentary piece on the issue. The story they were told (by whom, we do not know) has Gamespot management angry at Gerstmann for long-standing problems with his reviewing "tone." The Kane & Lynch review, which allegedly caused Eidos to withdraw "hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of future advertising from the site," served as the straw that broke the camel's back. There's no named source for this information, but the piece does say that "the firm belief internally [is] that Jeff was sacrificed."

Update - 11:00 AM EST: The anonymous source/speculation train rolls on. Rock Paper Shotgun has posted a story citing an unnamed "very reliable source" as saying that "while Gerstmann wasn't the most popular man with the CNET owners, it was his Kane & Lynch review alone that saw him lose his job." Meanwhile, a poster at Forumopolis who claims to be directly involved with the Kane & Lynch ad campaign says that the whole thing is just a matter of bad timing. "I sincerely doubt that Eidos made Gamespot fire him," the poster writes. "CNET doesn't kowtow to its advertisers, and I've more than once seen the higher-ups turn away big advertising dollars for the sake of the company's integrity." Make of this what you will.

Update - 10:44 AM EST: Gamespot PR representative Leslie Van Every has responded to Joystiq's request for comment with ... a predictable 'no comment.' "It is CNET Networks' policy to never comment on individual employees--current or former--regarding their job status," Van Every told Joystiq. "This policy is in place out of respect for the individuals' privacy."

Update - 7:12 AM EST: Jeff has confirmed his firing to us via e-mail, but says he's "not really able to comment on the specifics of my termination." He added that he's "looking forward to getting back out there and figuring out what's next." We're still digging.

Update - 1:35 AM EST: The Kane and Lynch ads that blanketed Gamespot's front page are no longer being shown. Check out the picture above to see what the site looked at just an hour ago.

Original Post:
So before we get going, we should make it clear that this post is still just a rumor and many of the facts behind it are still up in the air. That being said, word around game journalism's virtual water cooler is that Gamespot Editorial Director Jeff Gerstmann has been fired because publisher Eidos was unhappy about his negative review of Kane & Lynch: Dead Men.

What seems in little dispute, going by forum chatter as well as multiple published sources (referencing conversations with multiple CNet employees), is that Gerstmann has indeed been fired after over ten years working at the site. We were not immediately able to confirm the firing with Gamespot or Gerstmann directly, but an e-mail sent to his Gamespot address did get returned with a "permanent failure" error. Seems pretty serious to us ... (see 7:12 AM update above)

Continue reading Rumor: Gamespot's editorial director fired over Kane & Lynch review

JoystiqRumor: Gamespot's editorial director fired over Kane & Lynch review originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertiserbreakingbreakingnewscontroversyEidosfiredGamespotGerstmanninfluencejeff-gerstmannjournalismkane-and-lynchFri, 30 Nov 2007 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Thompson sues Kotaku owner over comments, suit dismissed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/thompson-sues-kotaku-owner-over-comments/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/thompson-sues-kotaku-owner-over-comments/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/26/thompson-sues-kotaku-owner-over-comments/#commentsFiled under: ,

[Update: The Kotaku suit has been dismissed by Federal District Court Judge Paul Huck, GamePolitics.com is now reporting. Apparently, Thompson "failed to follow the proper federal court procedure for amending a complaint." Thompson says he'll try it again though, so please, read on.]

The smoldering battle between Florida lawyer Jack Thompson and the gaming press has been taken to a new level. In a tersely worded post yesterday on Kotaku, Brian Crecente revealed that Thompson has added a complaint against Kotaku owner Gawker Media to a March 13 suit against the Florida Bar.

The childishly-worded complaint (He actually makes a "NOT!" joke on page 27) focuses on a few Kotaku commenters (which Thompson mistakenly refers to as "bloggers") that allegedly said Thompson "should be shot ... struck with a baseball bat, shot in the face by an irate gamer, [and] castrated and his testicles stuffed down his throat," among other things. To be fair, those are some strong, hateful words, and threats like these are not necessarily protected by the first amendment. Still, Gawker or Kotaku probably can't be held liable for them -- a federal judge ruled in June 2006 that "bloggers cannot be hit with libel suits on the basis of anonymous postings on their Web sites."

Perhaps knowing this, Thompson goes a different route in his complaint by alleging Kotaku is part of a "civil conspiracy ... to deprive Thompson of his various basic constitutional rights" and that the site is "attempt[ing] to intimidate a citizen for the exercise of his constitutional rights." Mark Methenitis goes into detail on what exactly is legally wrong with this overreach over at his Law of the Game blog. All we'll add is that we're sickened by this obvious attempt at legal intimidation and we support our blogging brothers at Gawker all the way.

JoystiqThompson sues Kotaku owner over comments, suit dismissed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogbloggingJack ThompsonJackThompsonjournalismkotakulawlawsuitlegallibelsuitwritingThu, 26 Apr 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Awards to recognize best in game media]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/awards-to-recognize-best-in-game-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/awards-to-recognize-best-in-game-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/awards-to-recognize-best-in-game-media/#commentsFiled under:

Most people with minimal literacy skills know good writing when they see it. But some people, tragically, are unable to distinguish the good from the bad in games writing. For those tragically handicapped people, help is on the way in the form of Britain's Games Media Awards.

Sponsored by Intent Media (publishers of British trade mag MCV), the just-announced awards will be given out Oct. 11 in London's Soho Revue Bar (not exactly the Kodak Theatre, but you gotta start somewhere). A dozen awards will be presented for everything from print publications to podcasts with winners "voted by the industry itself" according to the press release. We can only hope this means the journalism industry and not the larger game industry as a whole. We can see the potential blackmail now: "Oh, look who gave my latest game a bad review. I guess I know who I won't be voting for at the GMAs this year."

JoystiqAwards to recognize best in game media originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsbritishenglandeuropejournalismjournalistjournoswritingFri, 06 Apr 2007 10:58:00 EST