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Games Journalism! Wainwright/Florence/Tomb Raider/Eurogamer/Libel Threats/Doritos

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Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
Honestly, everyone needs to settle down. We're talking about people who write up information about video games, not exactly Pulitzer material. I'm so tired of these witchhunts.

What this community (gamers in general, not just NeoGAF) is capable of when it picks up its pitchforks is so much worse than what this person deserves. It's a really ugly side of human nature that manifests itself far too frequently. Ms. Wainwright's punishment in the last 2 days certainly surpasses the crime.

It's always the same. People get so huffy puffy mad about something that in the grand scheme of things is so goddamn trivial. Step outside, breathe some air, and realize there is so much more to life than getting angry about something so trivial.

No. Arrogant assholes who should know better yet continue down the path of destruction deserve everything they have coming to them.

People need to learn humility, and I don't think they will unless they are called out like this. If you are trying to make a living through the Internet, then you should damn well know how it works.

"Live by the sword, die by the sword" very much applies here.
 

JDSN

Banned
The sad part is, im sure that if Neogaf starts randomly checking the journalist background of the press they will find many stuff like this, Lauren was the wrong person at the perfect moment.
A classic song. Shawn Elliott is the voice we need in game journalism. Too bad he has moved on to bigger and better things.

Its a shame to know that there probably wont be a podcast as timeless and relevant as the Brodeo.
 
What this community (gamers in general, not just NeoGAF) is capable of when it picks up its pitchforks is so much worse than what this person deserves. It's a really ugly side of human nature that manifests itself far too frequently. Ms. Wainwright's punishment in the last 2 days certainly surpasses the crime.

It's always the same. People get so huffy puffy mad about something that in the grand scheme of things is so goddamn trivial. Step outside, breathe some air, and realize there is so much more to life than getting angry about something so trivial.

Mate, a) it's been closer to six hours than two days, and b) getting caught being employed by a company you're supposed to be covering is pretty much the cardinal sin of any form of journalism. Sure, the misogyny is too far, but it still doesn't mean that she doesn't deserve to be raked over the coals for this.
 

NateDrake

Member
What do consultants usually do for a publisher/developer? Is it just a glorified focus-test or something more?

Best description I could find:

It’s about making games playable, helping them stand out in the market place, adding content and elements which draw players in and keep them playing, and adding fresh ideas.
 
Wait, wait, wait....


Rob Florence was fired?

He quit because he has integrity.

Best description I could find:

It’s about making games playable, helping them stand out in the market place, adding content and elements which draw players in and keep them playing, and adding fresh ideas.

Glorified focus group participant. They have an entire company of people to make sure all of the above happens.
 

theJwac

Member
This is a forum about games, if people being interested or worked up over something that has to do with gaming annoys you then why come to a gaming forum?

Also whether directly or indirectly she has cost a respected member of the gaming community a paying job.

How exactly has she been punished? ............ people pointing out things she has done or is trying to cover / delete?


Seems you maybe need to take some of your own advice, stop getting so mad and take a walk outside.
First of all, I'm not annoyed but rather disappointed. I come to a gaming forum to read about games.

As for "costing a respected member of the gaming community a paying job", I'd have to point out that it seems he quit on his own terms because of his integrity. Regardless, we have received no official word so it's all speculation. His points were valid, but I doubt she set out with a goal to get him fired.

You don't see how all this frenzy is a punishment? I'm sure she's embarrassed and she has reason to be, but hundreds of people are wagging their digital fingers at her. Maybe the listing of Square Enix on her twitter was no longer accurate but she hadn't updated her bio recently. Or perhaps everyone is right and she removed in an attempt to hide it out of shame.

Regardless, it's not a big deal.
 

CrunchinJelly

formerly cjelly
Best description I could find:

It’s about making games playable, helping them stand out in the market place, adding content and elements which draw players in and keep them playing, and adding fresh ideas.

I think it's about getting a better metacritic score as much as actually making a better game.
 

Victrix

*beard*
The sad part is, im sure that if Neogaf starts randomly checking the journalist background of the press they will find many stuff like this, Lauren was the wrong person at the perfect moment.

Sure, but most of them are smart enough not to draw attention to it :p
 

ezekial45

Banned
Had his Eurogamer article amended, said "well, not doing any more articles then". They crossed his line, although he doesn't blame them for being cautious in the face of possible legal action.

https://twitter.com/robertflorence

I think he walked away, but essentially felt forced to after Eurogamer was put in a basically impossible situation. He can't remain there after his opinions are censored. So in essence Wainwright and co. forced him out through their actions.

What a shitty situation. :(
 

Uthred

Member
Honestly, everyone needs to settle down. We're talking about people who write up information about video games, not exactly Pulitzer material. I'm so tired of these witchhunts.

What this community (gamers in general, not just NeoGAF) is capable of when it picks up its pitchforks is so much worse than what this person deserves. It's a really ugly side of human nature that manifests itself far too frequently. Ms. Wainwright's punishment in the last 2 days certainly surpasses the crime.

It's always the same. People get so huffy puffy mad about something that in the grand scheme of things is so goddamn trivial. Step outside, breathe some air, and realize there is so much more to life than getting angry about something so trivial.

This argument, and others like it, are fucking stupid. This isnt a general purpose forum, its a gaming forum, shockingly that means that the main focus is discussing games and the industry and community around them. We don't need perspective, you need to realise that just because we're talking about on-topic stuff doesnt mean that we've magically forgotten the rest of the world exists.
 
What do consultants usually do for a publisher/developer? Is it just a glorified focus-test or something more?

I don't remember what podcast it was, but I remember hearing journalist who go the consulting route often pretend "review" games for a publisher, so the publisher knows what scores to expect and what areas they can address in the last few months to get the best score possible

Honestly, I wonder if this is more common than the thread would suggest. Doing consulting work on the side for publishers and still reviewing their games, just not the ones you directly consulted on
 

boutrosinit

Street Fighter IV World Champion
First of all, I'm not annoyed but rather disappointed. I come to a gaming forum to read about games.

As for "costing a respected member of the gaming community a paying job", I'd have to point out that it seems he quit on his own terms because of his integrity. Regardless, we have received no official word so it's all speculation. His points were valid, but I doubt she set out with a goal to get him fired.

You don't see how all this frenzy is a punishment? I'm sure she's embarrassed and she has reason to be, but hundreds of people are wagging their digital fingers at her. Maybe the listing of Square Enix on her twitter was no longer accurate but she hadn't updated her bio recently. Or perhaps everyone is right and she removed in an attempt to hide it out of shame.

Regardless, it's not a big deal.

Sadly it is, because someone covering their steps helped another guy who was doing the right thing lose his job, and an independent site was (apparently) threatened legally for it.
 

MormaPope

Banned
First of all, I'm not annoyed but rather disappointed. I come to a gaming forum to read about games.

As for "costing a respected member of the gaming community a paying job", I'd have to point out that it seems he quit on his own terms because of his integrity. Regardless, we have received no official word so it's all speculation. His points were valid, but I doubt she set out with a goal to get him fired.

You don't see how all this frenzy is a punishment? I'm sure she's embarrassed and she has reason to be, but hundreds of people are wagging their digital fingers at her. Maybe the listing of Square Enix on her twitter was no longer accurate but she hadn't updated her bio recently. Or perhaps everyone is right and she removed in an attempt to hide it out of shame.

Regardless, it's not a big deal.

There's a ton of those if you click on Gaming, there's even more in the Community section!
 

Gomu Gomu

Member
You would describe yourself as passionate about this? Would anyone other than the people directly involved?

I would. This is bigger than the people involved in this particular story. We are talking about a fairly large subset of people claiming to be journalists for a multi-billion dollar industry. Those whom a lot of readers depend on being objective and fair. But instead they are in bed with the people they cover. They eat and live off of them.

We are talking about poor work ethics, that is spread publicly in the open, industry wide. And no one is saying anything. But when someone says something. When someone steps up and tries to tell the readers that these people who claim to be journalists aren't what you want them to be. He becomes jobless, people called out lie and cover up and the industry keeps on.

This is a huge deal. It's about principles, honesty and ethical responsibility in an industry loved by millions. We need to be passionate about trying to make it better.
 

Kinyou

Member
The apology accepted tweet back to eurogamer makes my blood boil.
I still don't even get what there was to apologize for.

The whole article was clearly the opinion from the author, and he clearly states that he doesn't even think that she was intentionally doing PR.
 

TheSeks

Blinded by the luminous glory that is David Bowie's physical manifestation.
25-year-old Wainwright is currently finishing a Games Studies & Journalism degree at London Metropolitan University

YouKeepUsingThatWordIDon'tThinkItMeansWhatYouThinkItMeans.jpg
 

Lancehead

Member
Honestly, everyone needs to settle down. We're talking about people who write up information about video games, not exactly Pulitzer material. I'm so tired of these witchhunts.

What this community (gamers in general, not just NeoGAF) is capable of when it picks up its pitchforks is so much worse than what this person deserves. It's a really ugly side of human nature that manifests itself far too frequently. Ms. Wainwright's punishment in the last 2 days certainly surpasses the crime.

It's always the same. People get so huffy puffy mad about something that in the grand scheme of things is so goddamn trivial. Step outside, breathe some air, and realize there is so much more to life than getting angry about something so trivial.

Every single thing can be goddamn trivial in the "grand scheme" of things. But people can put things into perspective and see things in their own light. People don't need to stop living their lives to be interested in things like these.
 

VariantX

Member
First of all, I'm not annoyed but rather disappointed. I come to a gaming forum to read about games.

As for "costing a respected member of the gaming community a paying job", I'd have to point out that it seems he quit on his own terms because of his integrity. Regardless, we have received no official word so it's all speculation. His points were valid, but I doubt she set out with a goal to get him fired.

You don't see how all this frenzy is a punishment? I'm sure she's embarrassed and she has reason to be, but hundreds of people are wagging their digital fingers at her. Maybe the listing of Square Enix on her twitter was no longer accurate but she hadn't updated her bio recently. Or perhaps everyone is right and she removed in an attempt to hide it out of shame.

Regardless, it's not a big deal.

This isn't the only topic in the gaming discussion section of the forums.
 

Effnine

Member
It's always the same. People get so huffy puffy mad about something that in the grand scheme of things is so goddamn trivial. Step outside, breathe some air, and realize there is so much more to life than getting angry about something so trivial.

You've proven exactly why this is an issue. It isn't trivial. This is a very obvious example of everything that is currently wrong with the state of the media in general. While writing about games may seem trivial to you, also remember that those games make companies a lot of money.

Try to think of this issue in grander terms. For example, media outlet says Brand X is awesome and if you are buying any brand, then it should definitely be Brand X. Now, if you were looking to buy a brand and you saw Brand X, wouldn't that recommendation play some part in your decision making? While you may be superior to the average consumer, this doesn't excuse this type of behavior from a media outlet.
 

Accoun

Member
That review was deleted, btw. Go figure.
photo-1024x764.jpg
.
 

marrec

Banned
Man Fritolay must be pissed that their product is about to be issued off the thread title.

Time to send some doritos to bish.
 

RotBot

Member
He quit because he has integrity.



Glorified focus group participant. They have an entire company of people to make sure all of the above happens.

That's what I figured. If it's something like that, I don't really see a need to abstain from reviewing every subsequent game ever published by that company. Just the game you consulted on. By that standard, you could say Jeff Gerstmann worked as an unpaid consultant for Capcom by talking to their devs about shooters.
 

theJwac

Member
Mate, a) it's been closer to six hours than two days, and b) getting caught being employed by a company you're supposed to be covering is pretty much the cardinal sin of any form of journalism. Sure, the misogyny is too far, but it still doesn't mean that she doesn't deserve to be raked over the coals for this.
Fair enough, about the time line, I was thinking of when I first saw that image of Geoff a few days ago. I agree that her ethics as person who covers games professionaly is up for question, but I don't agree with the mob mentality that gets involved with these kind of things.

For the record, I agree with Rab's original article entirely.
 

skip

Member
The entrie 1UP crew were all in it to get industry jobs

THIS. The turnover rate at 1UP was crazy. It felt like someone was leaving to get a community manager job every other month. In retrospect, the entire site was used as a stepping ladder to get into the industry proper by the "personalities".

this, and comments like this, are incorrect and over-exaggerated. most, if not all of us at 1UP really wanted to stay and continue doing what we were doing. we liked each other and we were proud of our publications and shows. however, economic reality (cost of living in San Francisco, uncertain future of Ziff Davis, all sorts of personal reasons) meant that there was more incentive to leave for something more stable within the industry.
 

MormaPope

Banned
She dun goofed. Consequences will never be t-ahh nevermind.

Future reference: Man up and admit mistake or ignore like Keighley is ignoring. That or make it a joke and shrug it. No one will remember the article if you let it slide. Now? Everyone does.

Geoff Keighley will basically be untouched and barely noticed by the end of this, he knew that if he attacked any naysayers he would be further questioned and ostracized.
 
D

Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
So I'm not allowed to read it and comment on it? He asked a question and I answered it.

No, you're perfectly free to do so, just like everyone else is perfectly free to call you out for having a bad opinion or being wrong about the issue.
 

firehawk12

Subete no aware
That's what I figured. If it's something like that, I don't really see a need to abstain from reviewing every subsequent game ever published by that company. Just the game you consulted on. By that standard, you could say Jeff Gerstmann worked as an unpaid consultant for Capcom by talking to their devs about shooters.

Does anyone remember when Konami flew a bunch of games journalists to Japan to get them to play through all of MGS4 and give them feedback?

That's way more scummy than any Captivate event.
 
She dun goofed. Consequences will never be t-ahh nevermind.

Future reference: Man up and admit mistake or ignore like Keighley is ignoring. That or make it a joke and shrug it. No one will remember the article if you let it slide. Now? Everyone does.

This.

What Geoff did was THE main focus of the article. He however, will most probably come through this unscathed.

Sorry Lauren, I tried to defend you quite a bit. You should have just disconnect yourself from the internet, and visit a pub/play a game for a while.

That's because it's not the Intent Media in question. This is what you're looking for.

*blushes*

Well shit.
 

Vice

Member
THIS. The turnover rate at 1UP was crazy. It felt like someone was leaving to get a community manager job every other month. In retrospect, the entire site was used as a stepping ladder to get into the industry proper by the "personalities".

Going from journalism to PR is pretty normal. Better hours, better pay and less worries about your place of employment going bellyup.
 
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