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Jim Sterlings PS4 Top Ten(MS PR wont talk to him?)

Q

QaaQer

Member
GunFingers said:
So a couple of middle-schoolers are apparently bickering, and now one is going on a Twitter PR campaign thinking that's going to help things? And making empty threats, hinting that his personal ignorance of an embargo absolves his company from having to adhere to it?

God I hate twitter. Sterling is supposedly a journalist, and from what I'm reading here, a hard hitting screw the man one at that, who's opinions are respected by the community. If there's something substantial and necessary to say to your audience, why not actually write a sourced, backed, researched editorial? Instead we're getting postings on GAF that a friend's friend heard that Sally doesn't like you? C'mon, it's about as unprofessional as possible. If I behaved that way in my own career I would be blackballed, too. From my career.
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so, in summary, shut up and take it.
 
F

Faustek

Member
PJV3 said:
It sounds like the Xbox group need a couple of shitty years like Sony, a bit of humility and a realisation that gamers and the media are equally important as they are.

Hopefully it's just a few idiots, but the whiff of ego has been strong recently.
Click to expand...

Can very much be so, I remember hating on Samsung because they treated me and my peers(Open source, XDA, homebrewers) like crap and broke promises and straight out lied to us and we took the "grown up" route and didn't raise a fuss but tried to work within the system, didn't help. Then Sony mobile came along, they had been pretty shitty as of late and were horrible to work with but this time, Jebus, it was different they were straight, they helped out where they could and said how it was in each instance we had different meaning and really bended backwards to help out. We loved them and did our best in giving back as they gave us.

And then I talked to a few friends who still was running around as Samsung stoges(I seriously thought like that) and wondered how the hell they could even work with such a shitty company instead of coming to Sony. Well their experience was the exact opposite.

So yes I hope this is just a shitty idiot on the other line instead of a company policy.


Imperfected said:
Your word choice is maybe less than spectacular.
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Serious Question: Is that a reference to a sexual preference? If so I'm sorry if anyone took it that way, I meant it as a honest.

Anyway correct me if I'm wrong but did I understand it straight that some of Sterlings peers are actually skilking behind his back in some sort of highschool drama in favour of MS PR instead of being straight(still meaning honest) with him?
 
W

watership

Member
Azula said:
This sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. MS are professionals right?



While this is true (only having one side of the story), I fail to see any reason why they would be doing this to him. Even if he had done something awful, this doesn't seem professional at all.
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Perhaps the way that things work with different outlets? Who knows. I'm pretty sure PR is super busy given this is the biggest week for the Xbox team in 8 years.
 
M

Mononoke

Banned
watership said:
Perhaps the way that things work with different outlets? Who knows. I'm pretty sure PR is super busy given this is the biggest week for the Xbox team in 8 years.
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Fair enough. But I don't get why they are talking about Sterling rather than talking to him. If they have the time to do that, then surely they have the time to talk to him directly/?
 
DeviantBoi

DeviantBoi

Member
watership said:
Come on. Microsoft, as big as they are, does not operate like a monolithic evil robot. We're only getting one side of the story here.
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I doubt that a PR peon took the decision to grey-list Jim all by himself.

If it did happen, it was a suit that made that decision, and MS is ran by these suits.
 
O

Open Source

Banned
Ironic that his behavior in complaining about Microsoft not wanting to deal with him kind of explains why Microsoft doesn't want to deal with him.
 
I

Imperfected

Member
Faustek said:
Serious Question: Is that a reference to a sexual preference? If so I'm sorry if anyone took it that way, I meant it as a honest.

Anyway correct me if I'm wrong but did I understand it straight that some of Sterlings peers are actually skilking behind his back in some sort of highschool drama in favour of MS PR instead of being straight(still meaning honest) with him?
Click to expand...

I'm just ribbing you, since Jim can be more than a little bit outspoken or even downright sensationalist when it comes to sexuality, especially in the Jimquisition.

And no, the problem seems to be that his peers are being honest with him: they're telling him that Microsoft PR has told them they hope Jim gets reigned in, but then refusing to acknowledge the issue when he approaches them directly about it. The problem here isn't with other journalists.
 
G

GunFingers

Member
VandalD said:
Jim Sterling is unprofessional because he made Twitter comments and they were posted on NeoGAF by people that aren't him? He's not campaigning. He tweeted at a PR person and clarified why he did so.
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If Twitter needs to be the communication medium, why not DM? You think he made a public - multiple public - tweets, and follow-up comments here on GAF, because he's not playing his own PR game? C'mon.

Most professionals I know have ideas for how to escalate things should communication breakdown. I do enterprise software sales, if a prospect goes dark, I call a few times, still dark, I go to their boss. A bit different than PR, but it seems to me there's always a route to go over somebody's head and get a minimal response. Unless, of course, you're dealing with the top dog. In that case, in my industry, you already know you're done. In Sterling's case, if he doesn't want to be done, he has a fantastic platform for telling what seems to be a compelling, complete story. Instead, tweets with tiny bits that leave lots of empty space for people to make assumptions and fill in their narrative, typically driven by their own preconceived notions.

I do agree with other questions already posed - why do you even need to interface with PR once you have the collateral to do your job? This entire way-of-business could make a compelling how-the-sausage is made story. Drop the Twitter crap and write an actual article about it.

And I don't think he ever mentioned putting out reviews ASAP due to ignorance of the embargo date.
Click to expand...

The first tweet in the screenshot in the OP reads:
"One thing with Microsoft's PR dept. refusing to speak to me is I don't know the embargo for these XBO reviews I'm in charge of publishing"

Hey, I'm not sayin' you need protection. But I sure would hate to see anything happen to your family.

Not a threat, I'm just sayin'.
 
J

Jim Sterling

Member
Easystride said:
I wonder if he was playing Killzone MP last night... I saw a user named something like "jim_sterling" in MP.
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Was I dropping spawn turrets like a BOSS? That'd be me. :)

Also, to further clarify:

I do not have an Xbox One. The Escapist HQ has one, and our in-house team at HQ is handling all the playing and writing of reviews. However, *I* am the one who copy edits, formats, and subsequently posts all the reviews to the site, and as I woke up this morning and realized I had no embargo times because Edelman PR won't tell me jack shit, I seized an opportunity for snark.

So no, no Xbox One. If Microsoft does send me one, I know for a fact that it will be an unknown date after launch. Though, given how this escalated, I'm thinking this'll be a case of personal procuring. :)
 
I

Imperfected

Member
Jim Sterling said:
So no, no Xbox One. If Microsoft does send me one, I know for a fact that it will be an unknown date after launch. Though, given how this escalated, I'm thinking this'll be a case of personal procuring. :)
Click to expand...

Are you implying that you're going to break into their Redmond campus wearing a catsuit and steal one, possibly ably assisted by Mark Wahlberg?
 
U

unbias

Member
GunFingers said:
If Twitter needs to be the communication medium, why not DM? You think he made a public - multiple public - tweets, and follow-up comments here on GAF, because he's not playing his own PR game? C'mon.

Most professionals I know have ideas for how to escalate things should communication breakdown. I do enterprise software sales, if a prospect goes dark, I call a few times, still dark, I go to their boss. A bit different than PR, but it seems to me there's always a route to go over somebody's head and get a minimal response. Unless, of course, you're dealing with the top dog. In that case, in my industry, you already know you're done. In Sterling's case, if he doesn't want to be done, he has a fantastic platform for telling what seems to be a compelling, complete story. Instead, tweets with tiny bits that leave lots of empty space for people to make assumptions and fill in their narrative, typically driven by their own preconceived notions.

I do agree with other comments - why do you even need to interface with PR once you have the collateral to do your job? The entire way-of-business just make a compelling how-the-sausage is made story. Drop the Twitter crap and write an actual article about it.



The first tweet in the screenshot in the OP reads:
"One thing with Microsoft's PR dept. refusing to speak to me is I don't know the embargo for these XBO reviews I'm in charge of publishing"

Hey, I'm not sayin' you need protection. But I sure would hate to see anything happen to your family.

Not a threat, I'm just sayin'.
Click to expand...


No reason to drop the twitter. What incentive does he have to drop it? Beyond that it isn't like he is hiding behind twitter, so having a go at a PR that isnt talking to you is A ok in my book. You are acting like it has to be either or, either you post on twitter, you write an article, or post a video, that is silly... Pretty sure you can do all 3 just fine.

As for the bold... "going over someones head" does not end well a lot of the time, and also there is no reason for him to go over their head, it is on the PR to make nice with press. If the press in question doesn't feel the importance of said PR, but at the same time is a bit miffed at the company, go ahead and have a go at them. He isnt popular because he does things "professionally", nor do I have any desire to see him act business suit like. I work in the financial field, I hate how hypocritical that field is, hiding behind "professionalism".

Also, sports journalism has people going at each other all the time, that is half the fun of following sports journalism. Your last point... Well thanks Collin Cowherd for making insane comparisons. He threw a jab, it was kinda funny, it is that simple. Your comparison is just overly dramatic...excessively so.
 
F

Faustek

Member
Imperfected said:
And no, the problem seems to be that his peers are being honest with him: they're telling him that Microsoft PR has told them they hope Jim gets reigned in, but then refusing to acknowledge the issue when he approaches them directly about it. The problem here isn't with other journalists.
Click to expand...

That was disgusting, that is seriously messed up. Wonder how they would feel when it's their turn to be on the other side. Wonder if they will want anyone to stand by them and support them or if they will just lay down and die as the weak dogs they are.

Yes I mean every word of that, if you can't stand up for your peers then go die in a ditch, if you can't stand up for your fellow man well there is the ditch and no I'm not spouting bs I do it in a monthly basis everytime our highest cheif graces us with his presence. Sometimes daily if he decided to stay for longer but then again I don't like my job.


Imperfected said:
I'm just ribbing you, since Jim can be more than a little bit outspoken or even downright sensationalist when it comes to sexuality, especially in the Jimquisition.
Click to expand...

Now that was something we can slather in bbq sauce and just *nom nom* ;)

Jim Sterling said:
As opposed to my reviews revolving around whether or not Axl Rose liked the game.
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.....does he play in speedos?
 
J

Jim Sterling

Member
unbias said:
No reason to drop the twitter. What incentive does he have to drop it? Beyond that it isnt like he is hiding behind twitter, so having a go at a PR that isnt talking to you ist A ok in my book. You are acting like it has to be either or, either you post on twitter or you write an article or post a video is silly... Pretty sure you can do all 3 just fine.

As for the bold... "going over someones head" does not end well a lot of the time, and also there is no reason for him to go over their head, it is on the PR to make nice with press. If the press in question doesn't feel the importance of said PR, but at the same time is a bit miffed at the company, go ahead and have a go at them. He isnt popular because he does things "professionally", nor do I have any desire to see him act business suit like. I work in the financial field, I hate how hypocritical that field is, hiding behind "professionalism".

Also, sports journalism have people going at each other all the time, that is half the fun of following sports journalism. Your last point... Well thanks Collin Cowherd for making insane comparisons. He threw a jab, it was kinda funny, it is that simple. Your comparison is just overly dramatic...excessively so.
Click to expand...
It's a hard situation. If you do it privately and quietly, you feel complicit in burying a rather (in my opinion) shady situation, which most of us tend to consider bad form for the gaming media. If you do it loud and public, you're accused of throwing a tantrum and showboating.

Really, there's no win here. I took my losing option.
 
P

Painraze

Unconfirmed Member
Jim Sterling said:
It's a hard situation. If you do it privately and quietly, you feel complicit in burying a rather (in my opinion) shady situation, which most of us tend to consider bad form for the gaming media. If you do it loud and public, you're accused of throwing a tantrum and showboating.

Really, there's no win here. I took my losing option.
Click to expand...

You took the correct option. Calling companies out publicly is sometimes the only way to get speedy results or results at all. You keep doing what you are doing.
 
F

Faustek

Member
Jim Sterling said:
It's a hard situation. If you do it privately and quietly, you feel complicit in burying a rather (in my opinion) shady situation, which most of us tend to consider bad form for the gaming media. If you do it loud and public, you're accused of throwing a tantrum and showboating.

Really, there's no win here. I took my losing option.
Click to expand...

A bit of chaos is always good, rustling a few branches to get those birds flying.

I won't say I wouldn't prefer that everything could be agreed upon over scones and tea but if throwing a "tantrum", justified, can get the birdies flying then do so.

Anyway, I'm stupid and I prefer to hear it from the mouth of the horse(you)

And no, the problem seems to be that his peers are being honest with him: they're telling him that Microsoft PR has told them they hope Jim gets reigned in, but then refusing to acknowledge the issue when he approaches them directly about it. The problem here isn't with other journalists.]
Click to expand...

spot on?
 
G

GunFingers

Member
Jim Sterling said:
It's a hard situation. If you do it privately and quietly, you feel complicit in burying a rather (in my opinion) shady situation, which most of us tend to consider bad form for the gaming media. If you do it loud and public, you're accused of throwing a tantrum and showboating.

Really, there's no win here. I took my losing option.
Click to expand...

I think you're really getting to my point. If you exhausted your options, but, as you said, you're dealing with a "shady situation", isn't that exactly the type of thing The Escapist should be writing about? Fuckin' blow it up! Twitter just comes off, to me, as slap fighting. An actual well written editorial about the shady situation, the shadiness of the industry, would be genuinely useful to your audience. Tweets and GAF posts are just chum.
 
F

fade_

Member
Painraze said:
You took the correct option. Calling companies out publicly is sometimes the only way to get speedy results or results at all. You keep doing what you are doing.
Click to expand...

I'm sure he tried to do thinks privately. For all he knew it could have been a simple misunderstanding but when he was 100% sure they were ignoring him he went public about it.
 
D

DICKS AHOY

Banned
just mail an enormous banner from E3 of ryse to his house like SEGA did for sonic colors and everything should be just peachy between sterling and MS by the time titanfall hits
 
A

Amir0x

Banned
Gamers need to get behind Jim Sterling. HE is on the side of the consumers here, and all you gamers are are consumers. There should be no split as to who we should side with.
 
F

Faustek

Member
GunFingers said:
I think you're really getting to my point. If you exhausted your options, but, as you said, you're dealing with a "shady situation", isn't that exactly the type of thing The Escapist should be writing about? Fuckin' blow it up! Twitter just comes off, to me, as slap fighting. An actual well written editorial about the shady situation, the shadiness of the industry, would be genuinely useful to your audience. Tweets and GAF posts are just chum.
Click to expand...

There should be a JimQuizition about it...is there one? Because no matter how much I enjoy reading the big bulk of the masses prefer a video message :|
 
D

Daouzin

Member
GunFingers said:
I think you're really getting to my point. If you exhausted your options, but, as you said, you're dealing with a "shady situation", isn't that exactly the type of thing The Escapist should be writing about? Fuckin' blow it up! Twitter just comes off, to me, as slap fighting. An actual well written editorial about the shady situation, the shadiness of the industry, would be genuinely useful to your audience. Tweets and GAF posts are just chum.
Click to expand...

I can totally understand this perspective, but Jim will have to work with them again and will have to continue working with them.

I think he nailed it spot on, either option is a losing option.

Jim Sterling said:
It's a hard situation. If you do it privately and quietly, you feel complicit in burying a rather (in my opinion) shady situation, which most of us tend to consider bad form for the gaming media. If you do it loud and public, you're accused of throwing a tantrum and showboating.

Really, there's no win here. I took my losing option.
Click to expand...
 
I

Imperfected

Member
GunFingers said:
I think you're really getting to my point. If you exhausted your options, but, as you said, you're dealing with a "shady situation", isn't that exactly the type of thing The Escapist should be writing about? Fuckin' blow it up! Twitter just comes off, to me, as slap fighting. An actual well written editorial about the shady situation, the shadiness of the industry, would be genuinely useful to your audience. Tweets and GAF posts are just chum.
Click to expand...

The problem is that using The Escapist to air out the problem gives the impression that the staff as a whole is involved in the situation, and that he is acting as a representative of the journalists and talent there as a group. Twitter actually is more appropriate for this sort of thing: it's a "personal professional" outlet, where it can be readily understood that he's speaking on his own behalf and not as a representative of a larger body of individuals.
 
S

Silky

Banned
Amir0x said:
Gamers need to get behind Jim Sterling. HE is on the side of the consumers here, and all you gamers are are consumers. There should be no split as to who we should side with.
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but but he gave mah fav gaem a bad review ; A;

/s
 
A

Amir0x

Banned
Garrett 2U said:
Behind him for what?
He has review copies of the games...
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Behind him in this situation. Against MS PR bullies who think they can pull shit like this. The same goes for any company who thinks they can ask to put a leash on a critic. Especially one as pathetic as to do it behind the critic in question's back.
 
S

Sho_Nuff82

Member
I'm not usually super critical of writing and grammar on this board, but some of the posts on the first page of this thread make it almost impossible to follow what's going on in this situation. My brain hurts.
 
D

Dot50Cal

Banned
Amir0x said:
Gamers need to get behind Jim Sterling. HE is on the side of the consumers here, and all you gamers are are consumers. There should be no split as to who we should side with.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you here. I don't get why people don't see this.
 
LollipoPReapeR

LollipoPReapeR

Member
Amir0x said:
Gamers need to get behind Jim Sterling. HE is on the side of the consumers here, and all you gamers are are consumers. There should be no split as to who we should side with.
Click to expand...

Not really familiar with his work but if this is anything to go by it seems better than most 'gaming journalism' ive read so far...

Gies is an idiot
 
A

Amir0x

Banned
LollipoPReapeR said:
Not really familiar with his work but if this is anything to go by it seems better than most 'gaming journalism' ive read so far...

Gies is an idiot
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Jim Sterling has always been one of the people I respect in the realm of games criticism, and there are precious few like that as it is. The issue is he usually has no hesitation slamming a game into oblivion if he feels it deserves it. But, as always, the mark of a good critic is not when you agree with him. It's when you disagree with him but can respect his criticisms that you know he's worthy of some respect. And JS often fits that bill. Jim Sterling has just gained yet more respect by outing this situation.

Seems Jim Sterling has something called 'integrity.'
 
G

Garrett 2U

Member
Amir0x said:
Behind him in this situation. Against MS PR bullies who think they can pull shit like this. The same goes for any company who thinks they can ask to put a leash on a critic. Especially one as pathetic as to do it behind the critic in question's back.
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I guess I'm just confused as to how they are putting a leash on him when they gave him early access to the games for review.
I don't see how his publication would have gained access to those review copies without knowing full well the information of the embargo.
 
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