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Gamespot Editorial Director Fired

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bryanthelion:

This is what gaygamer said.

--- Quote ---December 1, 2007
Updates On Fired GameSpot Editor A.K.A. GerstGate

jeffghalo.jpg

On Friday, Asterick reported on the termination of GameSpot editor Jeff Gerstmann, allegedly for a poor review of Kane and Lynch: Dead Men, a game which was heavily advertised on the site prior to the firing. Since then, the parent company of CNET has denied that any pressure from advertisers affected the decision to terminate Gerstmann, telling Kotaku:

    GameSpot takes its editorial integrity extremely seriously. 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.

Well then, I guess that's that! Except no, not quite yet. Over at Vallywag, an anonymous (but "credible") commenter by the handle of gamespot has left a series of comments purporting an insider's view into the situation. In one of the comments on the site, he or she brings up the issue of increased advertiser pressure on editorial staff:

    Our last executive editor, Greg Kasavin, left to go to EA, and he was replaced by a suit, Josh Larson, who had no editorial experience and was only involved on the business side of things. Over the last year there has been an increasing amount of pressure to allow the advertising teams to have more of a say in the editorial process; we've started having to give our sales team heads-ups when a game is getting a low score, for instance, so that they can let the advertisers know that before a review goes up. Other publishers have started giving us notes involving when our reviews can go up; if a game's getting a 9 or above, it can go up early; if not, it'll have to wait until after the game is on the shelves.

Even if this commenter is just a decent fake, his or her words reflect the fears of public frustrated and suspicious by the cozy relationship that many major game news companies and game publishers often seem to enjoy. Obviously this entire situation exacerbates those suspicions, and sadly legitimate journalists suffer as a result. The popular videogame forum NeoGAF has even decided to filter any discussion of CNET websites from its message board for the rest of the year.

Of course, apart from his status as a martyr or symbol of a potentially corrupt system, Jeff Gerstmann was also some guy who liked videogames, and for now doesn't have a job. Long time colleague, Ryan Davis, also of GameSpot, has posted some recollections (he was in a rap-ska band?) and thoughts about Jeff on his personal blog:

    I'm not afraid to say that it absolutely breaks my heart. ... Jeff was a rare constant, and this marks the end of an era for both GameSpot and myself, a fact that doesn't seem to be getting any less upsetting for me.

Hopefully the truth (whatever it is) will come to light, and these companies will find a way to make money that doesn't interfere with honest reporting. Best of luck to Jeff in all his future endeavors.

CNET Comments on GameSpot Controversy [Kotaku]

GameSpot Editor (?) On Fired Reviewer [Vallywag]

What To Say [Ryan Davis]

Dawdle
Posted to Video Games on 1 December 2007 · Comments (0)
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--- End quote ---

Johnny C:
It just gets dumber.

For both of you who haven't read this, here's Kotaku having talked to a Gamespot employee.

Storm Rider:
Like I said on Kotaku, I really hope they all form a new site together. The HotSpot podcast was one of my favorite gaming-related features on the Net, and if they form some equivalent of it together wherever they go next I'll be less saddened by all this.

Alex C:
I'm just glad that all I have to do to vote against Eidos with my wallet is to avoid buying a shitty game. Gamespot's doing a good job of shitting on its credibility already, and it's not like patronized them often either.

Narr:
I would like to see what Gertsmann has to say about the whole thing, personally.  Anyone got a link to his own words?

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