And your excuses are thin at best.
"I don't know enough about the complex world of games journalism to write about this despite writing articles about games for god knows how many years. I'm a real outsider. Who could possibly make sense of it all... not the dozens of GAF posters who have already sussed it."
Well, I'd hope to bring more to the conversation than simply dredging up someone's past tweets and reposting them out of context.
Never mind that I previously commented about wanting games journalism to improve
You pulled out a quote from a single interview I did some time ago on a blog as a favour for a friend as an example of my current mindset? I actually think in a lot of ways this has been a vintage year for games writing - I've seen amazing work from a lot of writers, long-form feature stuff that's been great to read.
The point I was making there was how difficult it is for new freelancers coming into the market, because as the print market struggles jobs are fewer and further between. It's a tough market for writers who aren't based at or close to the major sites and publishing houses.
I couldn't possibly do something when it actually mattered, it'd be too awkward! my integrity only counts for something when there's nothing on the line, when it gets real I'm just going to sit in the corner and stare at my shoes."
The one thing I can personally say with all confidence is that I am proud of my integrity as a reviewer of games. I'm a very self-critical person, constantly comparing my work to better writers, and reading and learning and trying to improve all the time - which I feel is my job. I want to inform people about games, and hopefully enlighten and entertain them in the process. A lot of people seem to like my work, which is why I'm doing okay at the moment, writing for publications that I'm proud to work with.
This current situation is embarrassing for the industry, and I can understand the desire to apportion blame. I'm just a guy trying to do his best at what he's good at. I'm genuinely sorry if that's not enough for some of you, but equally I'm genuinely not sure what I can add beyond what's already been said. I don't have many dealings with PRs, I've never done consultancy work for a developer, I only know what's been reported here and elsewhere. I mean, even if I did want to write something about this, I'd like to take my time over it, allow it to percolate and so I can judge exactly where I stand.