Editorial RPG Codex Editorial: Games Journalism Scandal

[A user named cat]

 

[ironyuri]

 

[Excommunicator]

The content is very good, the way it is written needs work.

Also the Codex really is expanding pretty dramatically. 13 Pages of comments in 1 day is already past the point of comfort.

 

[villain of the story]

Great article.
Linked stuff needs to be archived.
Links need to be made more obvious, perhaps in more noticably different colour.
As an addendum, a chronology of events with links would be a plus and would do a better job towards putting everything in perspective.

But we need to ramp up our game on sexist, racist and otherwise generally discriminative and prejudiced posts, to keep the civilised people out.

 

[Shannow]

Great article. The only thing that bothered me (apart from the quoting style) was that the "real" journalism was implied to be any better several times. (Only to then show by example of the british scandal, that it's not.)
The only real difference is that more (sometimes) antagonistic interests are invested in real journalism, thus leading to a semblance of balance, truth and integrity. But that's also usually the more obscure outles while the mainstream is an industry-paid circlejerk.

 

[villain of the story]

Also, inbe4 lawsuit threats and article editing, with consecutive firing of grotsnik.

We are completely insignificant unless Codex becomes a brand that gets thrown around at every forum or article and most importantly, Codex starts taking ads from game publishers.

 

[Grunker]

"Real" journalism isn't a good comparison anyway. We should be comparing ourselves to movie critics. And movie criticism is in a much, much, MUCH, (MUCH) better place than game criticism.

 

[VentilatorOfDoom]

If you guys want grotsnik's articles edited next time, and I hope there is a next time, then someone other than me's gotta do it. Because, like I said, I find grotsnik's style pretty easy (and exciting) to read, and am surprised anyone should have any trouble reading it.

Let me quote the writing guidelines, from the Admin forum:

It's better to use simple language to make a complex point than the other way around. This means two things: 1) Don't use big words for the sake of using big words. (read some of Sol Invictus' stuff to see what I mean). 2) If your sentences regularly contain more than one comma, you're probably doing it wrong. Both these points have a huge impact on the readability of your writing. Of course, either rule can be broken for the sake of composing a beautiful piece of prose; I'm partial to bombastic language myself, but be aware that this kind of thing affects the readability of what you're writing.

I don't think that formatting the text properly (esp. quotes and links) and a little effort to not go overboard with the monster-sentences would have had hurt the otherwise excellent work.

 

[commie]

tl;dr

Not enough T or A either.

 

[laclongquan]

As I said, his style of writing gave the image of a Codexer going off the reservation, mouth-foaming, eye-rolling. I have no problem with the style at all, as I imagine it is and should be a flagship article for Codex in a long time. Recover the "glittering gems of hatred" image, dontchaknow.

Codex is just too mellow out these days. Too streamlined. Too level-scaled.

 

[CrustyBot]

Also, inbe4 lawsuit threats and article editing, with consecutive firing of grotsnik.

We are completely insignificant unless Codex becomes a brand that gets thrown around at every forum or article and most importantly, Codex starts taking ads from game publishers.

GOG referral link. The Codex is already in bed with CD Projekt.

i.e Why the Witcher is an Intelligent Game.



Also, Ms. Wainwright looks like an 11 year old girl. So the Phantasmal gif is creepy to me, even if I get the joke.

And by 11 year old, I mean both physically and mentally considering how she's dealt with the saga. In her attempts to quash the entire thing, she's done nothing but foster suspicion in regards to her integrity and has also done the internet equivalent of "lalalala i'm not listening lalalala".

I do hope though that the debate at large doesn't make the mistake of using her as a focal point, when the issues run deeper than any single person (as the article goes at length to explain). It would be all too easy for Kotaku and it's ilk to claim that accusations of gamer journalist corruption is just veiled misogyny if that were to happen. Which would piss me off as they'd probably have an unboxing video of publisher paid swag as a related story.

 

[Misconnected]

Yet more shit unearthed at NeoGAF. Andrea Rene, who works for Machinima and co-hosts Weekend Confirmed, has apparently not just gotten early access to NSF: Most Wanted, but been paid money to produce YouTube vids of the game.

No conflict of interest there, surely. I mean, if I ever happen to pretend to be a professional critic of a product I'm being paid to create advertising for, you should definitely trust me as a critic. Promise.

"Real" journalism isn't a good comparison anyway. We should be comparing ourselves to movie critics. And movie criticism is in a much, much, MUCH, (MUCH) better place than game criticism.

Quoted for truthiness.

 

[LundB]

To be honest, funny as I find that twitter exchange I just posted, the focus on Wainwright or any other single games journlolist only serves as a distraction from the real problem, the fact that games journalism in its current form is institutionally flawed.

Of course, I doubt that's going to change any time soon, so perhaps it's best to just keep on posting screencaps of particularly amusing examples.

True enough, but to be able to show the systemic problem you need to have a few examples, like in the Gerstman-Gate affair, or Driv3rGate, so too does #DoritoGate need its protagonists.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that. I wouldn't have posted that link to JournoShits if I didn't. All the stuff about her connections with PR, stuff like that? Totally relevant and important as an example. However, it's things like the second twitter exchange I posted (about the podcast where she just wanted to talk about jizz on her face), and the '10 things you should know about me' article, which show nothing about problems with games journalism, just her being an idiot, which are irrelevant and put the focus on her as a bad person as opposed to her as a bad journalist. Those don't contribute to understanding the problem at all.

But they are funny, so I still post them. I can't help it. The podcast seems to be Gamerdork Dorkcast 36. The mp3 itself is gone, but you can see reactions in their forums.

 

[RK47]

sometimes journalist try too hard at lowering themselves to their readers' level though.

hurr hurr im as casual as you...

i get thoe vibes when watching Angry Joe vids.
He's not THAT stupid, but he acts this way to relate to his main audience.
This is why the most obnoxious dudes are usually one of the most popular, coz they shout the loudest.

quiet ones like matt chat is niche.

 

[LundB]

Heh, this guy seems pretty ok. Pity about the popamole.

Seems to have enough of a sense of humour to last longer than many other devs have, provided he doesn't make an account and see GD.

 

[Dexter]

Don't' get me wrong, I understand that. I wouldn't have posted that link to JournoShits if I didn't. All the stuff about her connections with PR, stuff like that? Totally relevant and important as an example.

I actually found this, I only saw people referencing the stub of the article on N4G, but I think nobody actually pasted the full article since it was gone, her advices to "getting free games": http://web.archive.org/web/20100213090917/http://viera.nu/?p=550

Spoiler

“How you get free games?” is a question I get asked a lot. It’s hard to answer simply, after all it’s taken me a while to get to a stage where a few publishers are sending me free titles. I’ve still got a long way to go before I am hitting even bigger publishers and well known titles but I am slowly making my way into this industry.
Some people don’t really understand how this all works and at the end of the day, this blog is for them. For those that wonder why people get free games in the first place.
I’m very privileged that my best friend happened to land a job in Ubisoft. This is kind of an unfair advantage I have above others, seeing that she can get me into Ubisoft events if I ask to attend. It does however, make me feel really guilty when I ask. I never want her to feel that I am her friend just for her job and I always feel the need to make it up to her. She has been extremely supportive along the way and honestly without her friendship I don’t think I would have the drive I have today to do what I want to do. So first of all, thank you Korina. I loves you!
A quick note is that as I live in the UK this post will have more tips for a British audience, however some tips are universal.
1. Going to Events

So getting along to events is your first step. Many people whine and moan about not getting freebies, but you obviously have to put some effort into obtaining them. Your going to have to actively seek out events that are happening and spend the money going to them. The sad fact is that the majority of events are in London, so if you are living quite far away this is going to be quite a challenge. Obviously, if you are interested in getting into the games industry, your going to end up relocating near London. Not much you can do.
The best place for finding out events and such are the forums for the specific publisher/game. I know that Ubisoft and Capcom post about events that are happening and usually have ‘community’ days where members of the community are invited to their office to try their game. Keep on top of this. As this will be your gateway to getting free stuff.
2. Being part of a Community

This is pretty much vital and something you should already be doing. If not, then you better start now! Being part of a gaming community is key to getting to know people. A random person you start talking to could be good friends with a community manager or producer and might end up inviting you to events and such! Sure it’s a long shot but you will be constantly surprised with who you meet on gaming forums. Also making friends is a great way to promoting yourself. This blog is not the best thing in the world, but my friends check it out and that makes me happy people read the stuff I shove up on the internet.
Try join communities that allow you to blog as well. Places such at Destructoid.com or 1up.com are great ways to not only make friends but also blog about what you love and have people read it. I’d say Destructoid is more likely to get your blogs read than 1up, so if you want feedback you will get it from Dtoid. Just remember that this is the ‘internets’, people are going to be brutal. Try not to let their opinion upset or deter you in anyway.
Another reason for joining communities is again for the events.
3. Meeting the right people

So your at an event, your mingling around and enjoying yourself. What do you do now? Talk to the event staff. Gaming events tend to not be too huge if its just to show off a game. A lot of the small events I have gone to have never housed more than 20 people, which usually means the producer or community manager or event PR people are running it. Talk to them, make friends with them and swap business cards. Yes, business cards. Get some! Oh and huge tip – Don’t lose your b-cards that you get from people. I brought a small book to carry them so I can flip through and email/ring when I need to. Well worth getting one.
Don’t be too startstruck. One of my problems is that I get too excited about meeting people I’ve wanted to meet so it makes conversation really awkward. Try work out things you want to know and then go for it. Also don’t ask for stuff – they will offer in time.
4. Helping out / Being active

You’ll notice the most active and most helpful of users seem to be the ones getting all the free stash. Why? Because they are being the most active and helpful. Being a miserable troll is only going to harm you in the future. Try be objective. Blog more. Set up a blog and write reviews on games you already own. The majority of my games collection is stuff I’ve brought with my own money. I currently have 5 Xbox 360 titles that I have obtained from publishers, all of which have been reviewed and posted either on my blog or over at Consolemonster.com.
I’ve suffered because I used to be a huge nasty bitch online. I’ve since, learned from my ways but it always comes back to haunt you. It has. Thing is you just gotta get over it. The funny thing about me is that I once complained to the Xbox 360 community manager that (at the time) Xbox Live was rubbish (during the Xmas period while it was cutting out a lot) and that it was stupid that people had to pay for the service while PSN was free. Silly, I know. I was very angry at the time. So couple of weeks later I meet said community manager at a Call of Duty 4 boot camp event (for the new map pack) which I entered 4 competitions to get into. He interviewed me for Inside Xbox and then after talking to him a bit and exchanging business cards he said “You’re the girl who gave me hassle on my blog!”. It’s very embarrassing when I think back to that moment but now I keep in contact with him and he can get me into all sorts of events.
5. Write for a Games Website

A good thing to do is write a lot. I am not the best writer in the world – you can check my really old blogs for some embarrassing messes. The more the write the easier it is. I currently write for Consolemonster.com, but I have written for a number of websites and left them all very quickly never settling into any. Consolemonster.com is the first games website I’ve felt happy to write for and it is also good that they are in good contact with publishers meaning free games and such can be sent to the writers. I’d search around for websites that are hiring – you’ll be writing for free and end up buying a lot of your own games to review but every now and then you’ll be sent off to exclusive events or getting goodies in your hands that will make it all worth it. I know thatvideogameblog and ripten are always hiring. Both are wonderful websites.
This all adds in to why publishers would bother sending you free stuff in the first place. End of the day, you are getting something for free and they need something back – let it be a review or preview or editorial.
6. Don’t be too annoying

It’s hard to not do when you know that person can get you the game you really want. However, if you are constantly asking for things and not delievering then it can be a downfall. I’ve experienced this, wanting more than I know I can give back to. It has to be a balance you work with.
A few of my contacts are very informal with me, making asking for things a lot easier. I like to try keep the communication and friendship fresh but at the end of the day they have to do a job. Don’t be too demanding. You can try be cheeky though, I am ;-)
So there we go…

I hope this has helped some of you get the idea. You get free stuff for doing stuff for free. It’s a payment for your favour. I know people seem to think they just get a free game and that’s it… if you want that enter a competition. If you work hard the rewards are very good. I am still learning myself so when I learn more tricks, I’ll let you know.
P.S Always review the rubbish games you get sent. I know, you kind of want to kill yourself while doing it.. but for doing the rubbish one you will be working towards getting the good ones.

Some of the comments also seem interesting xD

 

[circ]

That's it? You got into game journalism for free games?

 

[IDtenT]

That's it? You got into game journalism for free games?

You'd be surprised...

 

[felipepepe]

That's it? You got into game journalism for free games?

Honestly, seems pretty clear to me. I mean, to aspire to be a game journalist at IGN is pure retarded fanboyism, "I make moni playing gamez!!". It's so easily corruptable, have a game developer promising to place you in-game or a massive company like Square-Enix sending you cool gifts is more than enought to get these retards giggling how their job is the best job evar...

 

[Misconnected]

That's it? You got into game journalism for free games?

Assuming that's actually true - and I find it hard to believe anyone would aim so incredibly low - why the fuck go into game journalism? Wouldn't a career in game development or on the genuine advertising side be much more logical places to go for free shit?

 

[felipepepe]

That's it? You got into game journalism for free games?

Assuming that's actually true - and I find it hard to believe anyone would aim so incredibly low - why the fuck go into game journalism? Wouldn't a career in game development or on the genuine advertising side be much more logical places to go for free shit?

Getting into game development & advertising require actual study & skill. Entering gaming journalism just require low morals, fandom and some friends.

 

[Misconnected]

So... You're basically saying the gaming media is welfare for video game fans?

Hmm...

I desperately want to argue about that, but it doesn't really seem like I can.

No wonder the few genuine critics out there are a tiny bit bitter.

 

[IDtenT]

That's it? You got into game journalism for free games?

Assuming that's actually true - and I find it hard to believe anyone would aim so incredibly low - why the fuck go into game journalism? Wouldn't a career in game development or on the genuine advertising side be much more logical places to go for free shit?

Getting into game development & advertising require actual study & skill. Entering gaming journalism just require low morals, fandom and some friends.

Yup. It's simply amazing how many gaming journalists have absolutely zero tertiary education.

 

[DarkUnderlord]

Besides, who wants to make games when you can just spend your life playing them?

 

[DragoFireheart]

Fuck 'em. If they like us they like us. Heat and kitchens and all that.

You know what's comming next: