Gamespot's Editor-in-Chief fired for negative review

[Frogacuda]

Thread title pretty much says it all. Jeff Gerstman was fired for giving Kane and Lynch a 6.0 after Eidos made a heavy advertising push.

http://www.got-next.com/board/attachment.php?attachmentid=1298&stc=1&d=1196394034

The review:
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/kanelynchdeadmen/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review

Confirmation from Gamespot forums:

People, don't direct your anger at Gamespot. This is CNet's meddling. Gamespot consists just of the editorial, news, community, and development teams. It's CNet's marketing that puts the ads up. CNet's marketing that complained. CNet is who can fire their EIC.

[squall_vb]

Hold on... is this some kind of fucking joke, or are you serious?

[Frogacuda]

Dead serious. Write to Eidos and tell them you're going to boycott if you care about the gaming journalism business.

[Newport420]

Wow.... just....... w o w......

I shall write eidos a nice fuck you letter mannana.

[squall_vb]

If this is true, I have two thoughts:

1. On a ten-point scale, a 6.0 is slightly above average. It's not stellar, but I would hardly say he panned the game.

2. IGN US gave it a 7.0, as did IGN UK. EGM game it an average 7.2. Metacritic computes the 360 and PS3 averages at 69 and 71, respectively.

In short, the guy didn't appear to be too far off the mark.

Holy shit.
_

[post updated]

_
Also... a 7 from Game Informer, and a 3/5 (or 6/10) from GamePro.

That's not bad considering I had totally fucking forgotten that Eidos even makes games anymore.

[jp]

Jeff Gertsman is fucking retarded. I don't think I've ever read a competent review from that fuckwit.


Good riddance to bad rubbish I say. Though the circumstances are BEYOND fucked up.

[Frogacuda]

I guess they thought their advertising dollars bought them a nice review and not just a lot of ad space.

This NEEDS to bite Eidos in the ass hard.

[jp]

That's not bad considering I had totally fucking forgotten that Eidos even makes games anymore.

True story. I had forgotten they still existed too until I remembered then doing some weird Tomb Raider push.

[DarthArcturus]

what a fucking joke! I dunno whats worse IGN editing Frogs review to their liking or this

[squall_vb]

I'm taking it one step further and writing Gamespot/CNET a scathing letter, too, as well as boycotting their site entirely until:

1. Mr. Gerstman is fully reinstated.

2. Gamespot/CNET prints a full apology both to him and their readers, as well as a comprehensive pledge that this form of literary payola will never again occur.
_

[post updated]

_

Another funny thought...

I remember about a year ago, Dan Hsu talked about this problem in an editorial piece. He refused to call out specific publications, and he took a lot of shit for it at the time.

Well, it looks like the upper hand's on the other foot now. Or something.

[lordsnarf]

I'm taking it one step further and writing Gamespot/CNET a scathing letter, too, as well as boycotting their site entirely
Just remember to hit them where it counts and boycott their product while we're at it. No purchases of Eidos products until this problem is remedied, and if applicable return any recent purchases.

This is just disgusting to me. I can't believe that anyone would have the nerve to pull a move like this.

[James]

I was considering writing this up for the front page, but figured the headline "CNet Revealed As Contemptible Shitbags" might not fly. That's not even a sensationalist tabloid-style headline, but a simple statement of fact.

James

[koda]

what a fucking joke! I dunno whats worse IGN editing Frogs review to their liking or this
The Two Worlds one? What's the scoop on that? :o

I'll write to Eidos tomorrow. If anyone's already done so, providing the appropriate e-mail address (if you have it on-hand) might save everyone else ten minutes. =)

[Frogacuda]

The Two Worlds one? What's the scoop on that? :oRead the PC review (more or less unedited) and then read the 360 review. Bear in mind I submitted a single review for both platforms.

[squall_vb]

Interesting... that edit job made no sense, but what do I know?

On another interesting note, Gamespot is locking all forum posts on the bribery scandal as fast as they pop up. I have a feeling this is going to get very good.

[Frogacuda]

Of course it will. There's no way they'll shrug this shit off.

[DarthArcturus]

Interesting... that edit job made no sense, but what do I know?

On another interesting note, Gamespot is locking all forum posts on the bribery scandal as fast as they pop up. I have a feeling this is going to get very good.

1984 :o nothing to see here folks *deleted

[Frogacuda]

And by the way the editing on IGN wasn't nearly as bad as this, because it wasn't the result of being paid, it was just an editor disagreeing with me (even though he didn't play through the game)

[James]

I tried to resist. I failed. (http://www.got-next.com/blog/cnet-revealed-as-contemptible-douchebags-with-less-integrity-than-a-three-dollar-hooker/)

James

[DarthArcturus]

I tried to resist. I failed. (http://www.got-next.com/blog/cnet-revealed-as-contemptible-douchebags-with-less-integrity-than-a-three-dollar-hooker/)

James

nice article there. (suddenly the news piece disappears) :o

[Luminous]

Absolutely pathetic. WOW.

I haven't been to gamespot's website in the longest time, now I have no reason at all to go back.

[Bruhaha69]

Wow. I've never cared for Gamespot in any way, shape or form, but this is just bogus. Fuck CNET and Eidos for pulling that shit.

To be honest, I like Crystal Dynamics too much to not get certain games of theirs. Nothing's out right now, though, so I'm all for a ban (unless a new Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver game was to be released).

Reviews are biased enough as it is. Last thing I need to be reading is some glowing review of an average game knowing full well that it's been bought and paid for. Fuck these business practices.

[ngt]

That's why I don't buy games based on reviews. I get games based on in-game video, just knowing I will like it, opinions from the boards I visit, or just wanting to add it to my collection. The score from gamespot or ign or where ever, don't matter to me.

[Zorro7]

Have any of you played Kane & Lynch? Based on the reviews and seeing someone playing a demo or game at Gamestop, it looked like a bad copy cat of Max Payne!

[Frogacuda]

To be honest, I like Crystal Dynamics too much to not get certain games of theirs. Nothing's out right now, though, so I'm all for a ban (unless a new Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver game was to be released).

Honestly, man, they have no way of knowing how much this actually hurt them. The important thing is not that you boycott, but just that you write to them and say you did.

[Bruhaha69]

Yeah, I know. It's a matter of principle in the highest degree and it needs to be known by them. Although, if I say I am boycotting a company, I like to stick my word and follow through.

[squall_vb]

Ah shit. I was trying to finish up Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, and I just realized something...

Because of my boycott, I'm not allowed to go to GameFAQs anymore, either. :(

[lordsnarf]

Because of my boycott, I'm not allowed to go to GameFAQs anymore, either. :(
It's for the greater good, be strong soldier.

[Advocate]

I don't have the internet nor a 360. So, I shall join the boycott. lol.

Also: Gamespot sucks.

[squall_vb]

Here's some feeble spin control for your enjoyment...

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183603.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0

[Specineff]

^^^^ AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

[DarthArcturus]

PR people :nag:

[koda]

Here's some feeble spin control for your enjoyment...

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183603.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0
That article's 'tags' are awesome.

[squall_vb]

That article's 'tags' are awesome.

Did you photoshop that, or is it for real?
_

[post updated]

_
Holy shit, it's not a joke.... That's just too much to handle.

[Da_Shocker]

Can someone please give a big Nintendo game a bad review lol. BTW FRog IGN edited one of your reviews? THat is so fcked up.

[Frogacuda]

A little, but they didn't do it for reasons of advertising, at least.

[Neocloud]

haha wow those tags are hilarious

[Basil]

Edits happen all the time.

Sadly advertising/publisher dollars have been known to buy scores too.

This whole thing is all stupid.

[Raz]

It is stupid, but worth being paid attention to. Though gaming journalism is by no means an industry as important as real world news, silencing someone because of their opinion is always a terrible offense. Coincidentally, I have disliked CNet for quite some time now (they have some rather crazy people in upper management, the sort of right wingers who believe in suppressing speech which disagrees with them) -- now I have even more reason to despise their company.

Douchebags, indeed.

[Frogacuda]

Coincidentally, I have disliked CNet for quite some time now (they have some rather crazy people in upper management, the sort of right wingers who believe in suppressing speech which disagrees with them) -- now I have even more reason to despise their company.
I work for a Fox/Newscorp company :(

[Wildcat]

I have already been boycotting Gamespot for some time now (I hate the site anyway...their articles aren't all that great, their reviews are boring, and I hate their ad system), so this only adds more fuel to my fire. Shame CNet bought GameFAQs, that it is.

As a writer and aspiring journalist myself, this kind of thing just really bothers me. Freedom of speech? Of the press? Not at CNet, apparently. And I did get a good chuckle out of Gamespot's "response" to Gerstmann's firing. I may not have liked him as a reviewer, but that is irrevelant. He still had a right to be employed there and should be able to give his true feelings on a game, ad dollars or not. The fact that he was fired showcases the lack of journalistic intregrity and freedom that ought to be in every journalistic endeavor. I don't care that his "tone" was considered problematic - I've seen plenty of other jaded gamers out there much more harsh words for a game than his ever could reach. I don't care if he gave games a bad score, because that is his opinion, and that is what he is supposed to be getting paid for...or so I thought the job of a reviewer was supposed to be...at Gamespot, I guess not. You get hired there to be a lying bastard, giving out glowing scores for games not deserving of them, and you better like doing so...for your emplyment's sake. *sigh*

[Raz]

I work for a Fox/Newscorp company :(

I know. That's the funny thing. Before, I had my reasons for disliking both GameSpot's and IGN's parent companies. Obviously, I now have far less reason to be interested in GameSpot and will be turning toward the lesser of two evils (as far as being a peon beneath the corporate umbrella goes), IGN.

[Hunter]

Apparently Gamespot has re-posted the review with a bunch of edits.

[Newport420]

What did they change? The fucking score? I mean when every damn other publication pretty much agrees on the score then what could they possibly get away with changing? The tone perhaps?

Is there any other news on this like from Cnet or Eidos specifically?

[squall_vb]

Hey guys, it turns out there were no shenanigans:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183666.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newstop&tag=newstop;more;1

/sarcasm

[Hunter]

What did they change? The fucking score? I mean when every damn other publication pretty much agrees on the score then what could they possibly get away with changing? The tone perhaps?

Is there any other news on this like from Cnet or Eidos specifically?


http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/comparison-shows-significant-edits-to-gerstmanns-kane-and-lynch-r/

[koda]

Well, I gave Eidos money today.

Sorry.

I really wanted Glory Days 2. =(

[Frogacuda]

traitor!

[Specineff]

Even if they release another Kain game, EIDOS WILL NOT GET ANY OF MY MONEY.

[bahn]

I have already been boycotting Gamespot for some time now (I hate the site anyway...their articles aren't all that great, their reviews are boring, and I hate their ad system), so this only adds more fuel to my fire. Shame CNet bought GameFAQs, that it is.

As a writer and aspiring journalist myself, this kind of thing just really bothers me. Freedom of speech? Of the press? Not at CNet, apparently. And I did get a good chuckle out of Gamespot's "response" to Gerstmann's firing. I may not have liked him as a reviewer, but that is irrevelant. He still had a right to be employed there and should be able to give his true feelings on a game, ad dollars or not. The fact that he was fired showcases the lack of journalistic intregrity and freedom that ought to be in every journalistic endeavor. I don't care that his "tone" was considered problematic - I've seen plenty of other jaded gamers out there much more harsh words for a game than his ever could reach. I don't care if he gave games a bad score, because that is his opinion, and that is what he is supposed to be getting paid for...or so I thought the job of a reviewer was supposed to be...at Gamespot, I guess not. You get hired there to be a lying bastard, giving out glowing scores for games not deserving of them, and you better like doing so...for your emplyment's sake. *sigh*

hey man - jump online one of these days, I wanna chat with ya.

[Bruhaha69]

Even if they release another Kain game, EIDOS WILL NOT GET ANY OF MY MONEY.

Not sure I could resist. The Soul Reaver and Legacy of Kain series are great.

[Wildcat]

Bahn - Heh, I'll try. I've been working close to 40 hours a week, and my time at home has not been online all that much. I will try one morning...perhaps Friday?