What We Call Game “Journalism” Is Laughable
February 11th, 2009 | Written by Anthony Perez | Topic: Culture
I was reading this article from Charles King on GamesOnSmash (ironically similar site name, isn’t it?) and I had to repost my reply because I feel like it. In the article he asks why do we call “reputable” sites like GameSpot or IGN real sites with “real game journalists,” and treat smaller sites like the open mic night at Dally’s Bar and Grill + Karaoke Strip Club?
Here’s my response:
I have been all around the game myself but mostly reside in the “small site” bubble. I have been working on my site, Gamer 2.0 (http://www.gamer20.com) for close to 9 years now, though it has only had that name since ‘07. One of my former writers, Kevin VanOrd, went from us to GameSpot. I have even freelanced at GameSpot.
I would say that there isn’t much difference between smaller and larger sites. Aside from access, I would argue that smaller sites are better if they have a competent staff of writers. I highly disagree that IGN writers can articulate thoughts better than myself or you, Charles King. Actually, I hate IGN precisely because their writing blows.
Plus, I must question some things, like when they say this about 50 Cent: Blood in the Sand:
“So here we are, sitting down to talk turkey on the biggest surprise sequel of 2008. Take a look at the exclusive screenshots, read Blean’s thoughts on the past game (including the tactful admission that “it’s not going to be anything like the first game”) and you might just come away with your hardcore-gamer-cynicism curiously absent, replaced by surprise and cautious optimism.”
Jesus, really? Suck up to THQ much? I mean, it’s just THQ.
Lastly, I’ve seen better examples of “journalism” from smaller sites who oftentimes break more stories than larger sites. Most sites, large and small, regurgitate press releases from public relations professionals, slap the word “News” on the title of the section, and boom, you have a “reported” story.
It’s spoonfed and mostly bullshit
This is game JOURNALISM: http://blog.gamer20.com/2008/12/free-radical-employee-speaks-closure/
We tracked a story down and got info. That is what journalism is. Or this: Jonathan Blow & Others Talk: Redefining “Games as Art” http://www.gamer20.com/features/375
Or…Birth of a Game Studio: A Look at Prophecy Games – http://www.gamer20.com/features/375
What is sad is that our top 10 lists get the most hits. Every other day you’ll see an article on the top of N4G that is “Top 10 Boobs in Games” and it’s frustrating.
Then you put out a review that’s slightly lower than what fanboys expect and you’re “not a real site” or “real game journalists” and you just have to FUCKING LAUGH at what we call “game journalism.”
There are very few game journalists out there. Most are just what I like to call “passionate observers.”
You know who are passionate observers as well? Everyone who comments on these articles and reads these sites. Most of them are just as qualified.
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Comment by Charles King (DCI) on the February 12th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Thanks for the reply on my article. It is funny that our names are similar. We will be changing the name here real soon to be honest but not because of this coincidence.
The idea came to me to write the article from all the times I spent reading comments on N4G. When we would post articles months ago, we would be dismissed as a "blog". That doesn't happen anymore since the site has gain success in the short time it has been live. You are correct when you say that smaller sites show more examples of journalism then the big ones. Every time you go to a convention and gather information, interview developers, take pictures and video, and then share them you are showing what journalism is all about.
I see sites like ours honestly taking over in a few years. The video game hobby relies heavily on opinion. Sooner or later lots of gamers will decide that they want to share there opinions with others, instead of doing so in a comment field on IGN.
I like your site by the way. Very clean and professional.