The "Exclusive Review" Is Dead - The State Of Games Journalism

Cue Blood Curdling Scream

Viewing the many pages of this brog you could probably tell that I'm a huge fan of games journalism [nerd alert!]. So it pains me to type the all out disgust I've seen my favorite game media outlets go through and in some cases 'play ball' with, these now million dollar companies. What is truly unfortunate is knowing that it is a necessary evil. It isn't often you pick up a magazine and see ads for "Preparation H" or go to a gaming site and see an ad for something non-gaming related. This isn't to say that its not true. I can remember tons of times going to 1up and seeing an anti-smoking ad or picking up a Game Informer and seeing a National Guard ad for recruiting. Majorly. what we see in regards to game journalism media are ads for many of the games that they themselves cover and review. It is bound to have a conflict of interest right?

More Of My Blather After the Jump...

Dun Dun Dunnnnn

Gerstmanngate is something I'll reference right away [just to get it over with]. Jeff Gerstmann was a reviewer for Gamespot for 11 years until one day last year he reviewed a game [Kane & Lynch]. The 'actual' truth of this matter still has not been revealed by Gamespot or Gerstmann. That being said, around the time that the video review and online print review were submitted, the video review was promptly removed from the Gamespot site [which was at the time being said a quality issue]. Shortly after word leaked out, Jeff Gerstmann and Gamespot ended their relationship [meaning Gamespot fired Jeff]. Since then, many of the senior staff reviewers have left Gamespot with some stating "the Gerstmann issue" as a catalyst. At the time of Gerstmann's departure, Eidos and Gamespot had an ad campaign to promote the game on Gamespot. Where in, Gamespot would put ads [as they have been known to do with many other games] all over the Gamespot website.

The Sexy Hsu

Dan "Shoe" Hsu ex-1up.com editor-in-chief recently wrote a very lengthy and informative kind of 'exposé' on gaming journalism. I strongly encourage many and all who are reading this to read that first. Hsu has been writing about games and games journalism longer than I have had access to the internet. He shares a similar story, as most do in his position, when about a month before he left Ziff-Davis he spoke out on the shady tactics game publishers use and have been doing so for years. What I find truly disheartening is that amidst all these recent 'behind-the-scenes', goings-on being brought to light. Many of the highly regarded reviewers at 1up have left to pursue other interests. So it is really easy for fans to have a raised eyebrow about these 'seemingly questionable occurances' at this time.

John Davison [also ex-1up.com editor-in-chief] at PAX on a panel discussion about Games Journalism said this:

"Basically if you see the words "Exclusive Review" on the cover of a gaming mag then you should know that there is no 'chance' it was bought.  It was bought!"

Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica sites Hsu's Blog and adds:

"This is the stress that writers at the biggest gaming sites deal with, and with ad dollars being more important than ever, you better believe that your critical thinking skills should be in full effect when you see the words "exclusive review" next to coverage or you see ads for the game flanking the site's front page. A sponsored collection of codes and coverage on the game, in its own branded section of the site? That's an advertisement, and should be treated as such. The web sites reviewing games mostly want to get as many readers as possible, while the publishers want the highest scores possible, and they're willing to work together in a slightly unholy way to make sure both of these things happen."

This raises many questions. How often does this happen in not only game journalism, but in all other media outlets. How far are film studios willing to go to get a good review? Car companies? Apple and Microsoft? I'd gather that since the market is so large in product reviews and film that it may happen but it may not be as widespread as say something so specific like games journalism.  If a big budget film doesn't get a good review by Roeper, big deal...no Oscar and there are literally hundreds of film publications worldwide that could cater to that film. In game journalism there is huge market, but realistically it is not of the level of film [yet]. Even smaller is the pool of well known publications that are IGN, Game Informer, Gamespot and 1up. The weight is much heavier on these publications to both get ad space to bring money in to their company and to get the reviews of games out as quickly as possible for their readers.

The answer? Not that simple I guess. Sean Elliot of 1up, has stated many times on various 1up podcasts that it would help for both gaming sites and print media to move to a non-endemic [or outside the industry] style of ad sponsorship.  As stated earlier, this is already in the makes, but not nearly at the level where it 'should be'. Maybe it will take [sadly] more and more well known game journalist to take a more independent route and leave their current well known publications.

Looking like some straight up G's

Gerstmann and a good majority of the Gamespot reviewers have started Giantbomb.com

Note the colored arrows and hand gestures

As stated earlier Dan Hsu and ex-EGM editor Cryspin Boyer left 1up and started the Sore Thumbs Blog.

In summation, for the game journalist that are truly dedicated to reporting news on games and the games industry, they will find a way; even if it means going at it alone. Unfortunately, those that are dedicated, but work for a major publication seem to be headed for an even more tumultuous ride. I stand by, that all of these media outlets [but especially gaming] are fan driven. As long as the fans support the genuine enthusiast in the field of game journalism, it must have a brighter outcome than the muck and mire it is often faced with.

[note to self...proofread after pouring your brains out]

Comments

[Alphonse]

I love the alien vs predator game, of course that I'm loyal to my favorite race, predators, what? do you think that I gonna say humans? we are only the bait for one race and a trophy to other, besides I always admired predators for their hunting method, they have the technology to and use as a weapon, seriously I betrayed my own race but for a better one.