Jeff Gerstmann fired over review...

Peanut · 11-30-2007, 10:53 AM

F*cking SAD! That's all I can say about the Gamespot higher-ups at this moment. Way to completely ruin all the credibility Gamespot had as one of the best places for game related content.

Destructoid
Kotaku

Even PA has already put up their comic about it...

You know, I don't care whether you love or hate Jeff, the guy has been around for 10 years. He's reviewed almost every huge game to be released in that time span, and along with the likes of Greg Kasavin and Ryan MacDonald, made Gamespot the juggernaut it is today, and also one of the funnest and most reliable gaming sites on the internet. This is completely and utterly despicable. I feel sick.

*Mecha Cow* · 11-30-2007, 11:03 AM

So, this is actually real? I saw the comic but I thought it was a joke.

I don't like particularly like Gerstmann, but to fire him for doing his job is nothing short of retarded. What the f*ck, Gamespot.

Peanut · 11-30-2007, 11:09 AM

Yes, it's 100% confirmed at this point. There's pretty much calamity over in the Gamespot community. Some old editors have started some trouble, including one starting up a campaign to get as many people as possible to cancel their GS paid accounts. They're already nearing $4,000 worth of cancelled subscriptions.

On top of all this, apparently Tim Tracy, who was a main man behind almost every single Gamespot Live feature, has quit because of this.

*Cure* · 11-30-2007, 11:13 AM

Damn. That's f*cked up.

*Kendamu* · 11-30-2007, 11:15 AM

Fsck Gamespot. I'm not going there anymore.

*JameO* · 11-30-2007, 11:28 AM

Personally, when playing Kane and Lynch with a friend, the game's controls are rather terrible I feel, just doesn't work at all I feel, didn't really enjoy playing it, it wasn't that bad and sure I only played for like an hour or two, but still, Jeff Gerstmann is the man, I loved his humour and his need to get as many live achievements as he could. Good man, this blows, like Peanut said, Kasavin was the king as well, two great editors gone down the tube.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 11-30-2007, 02:24 PM

I've never been Jeff Gerstmann's biggest fan, but this is just downright crooked. Gamespot looses all respect from me both as a journalist and a reader if this is legit. This is a writer and reader's worst nightmare--to know that an editor gets the guillotine if their reviews and opinions don't fall in line with the ideals of the sponsors, especially when you're in a position of power such as Gamespot. This completely blows Gamespot's credibility straight to hell if its true. How can a reader expect their content to be objective and honest if they fire editors who don't kiss the collective asses of the sponsor of the week?

This is just more evidence that in the minds of publishers, game journalism is nothing but an extension of their PR firms. Problem is, behavior such as Gamespot's essentially makes us even more so their volunteer lackeys. If someone won't cave, publishers will just take their exclusive content to someone who will.

Credibility is hard earned, and easily lost. I hope this scandal gets a lot of attention from the core gamer-base, because the site deserves to burn. Seriously, you hear about this kind of stuff going on time and time again, but it never turns out to be real. This is big, and ugly.

*Brodie* · 11-30-2007, 11:32 PM

Yeah, this is nuts. I saw this earlier, and actually saw that video 2 weeks ago. Its down now, but on the tube of you.

I wonder how big this whole repercussion circus will go.

**Barkworm** · 12-01-2007, 07:11 AM

First I didn't believe that he got fired because of the review but then I noticed that Gamespot took down his video review for the game. Yeah.

As most of us I never really liked Gerstmann but this is pathetic. F*ck Gamespot.

*Dr. Doom* · 12-01-2007, 10:51 AM

Gamespot's been my site for alla this stuff since high school, so I'm obviously a bit confused about where to go from here. What they did is sort of unforgivable for a journalistic institution of any sort, but at the same time it's gonna be difficult for me to just up and start using something else that I'm unfamiliar with.

*Aelia* · 12-01-2007, 11:35 AM

Geez. What really gets me upset is that Eidos actually 'took issue' with the review. If they couldn't take a bad review, then they shouldn't have made a bad game. They were acting like immature jerks, and whats worse is that Gamespot actually gave into them. Total bullsh*t, says I.

*Mecha Cow* · 12-01-2007, 11:53 AM

Eidos took issue with it because their ads were plastered all over the website.

*Aelia* · 12-01-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecha Cow

Eidos took issue with it because their ads were plastered all over the website.

That still doesn't change the fact that they took the wrong course of action.

Peanut · 12-01-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

Gamespot's been my site for alla this stuff since high school, so I'm obviously a bit confused about where to go from here. What they did is sort of unforgivable for a journalistic institution of any sort, but at the same time it's gonna be difficult for me to just up and start using something else that I'm unfamiliar with.

Same here. I was reading Gamespot back when it was Videogames.com, when Jeff and Ryan would make videos about which controller flew the furtherest. I don't know if I can just not visit Gamespot over this. I mean, over the past year and half 1up has made gigantic strides with their podcasts and interesting features, but their reviews and previews still pale in comparison, and come off as almost amateurish at times. I don't really know what to do, because IGN isn't, and never was, an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecha Cow

Eidos took issue with it because their ads were plastered all over the website.

That makes little difference. They had Hour of Victory ads all over their site, even had developers visiting On The Spot to show it off, and it was nailed to the wall with an even worse score, yet they didn't get into a fit about it. If you make a sh*t game, expect to pay the consequences.

*Mecha Cow* · 12-01-2007, 12:38 PM

I don't agree with it, I'm just clearing up why they had a problem with it.

Peanut · 12-01-2007, 12:45 PM

Destructoid f*cking rules!

*Aelia* · 12-01-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut

Destructoid f*cking rules!

Thanks for posting that little bit. I needed the laugh.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 12-01-2007, 02:38 PM

Banner of the year. Easy win.

*Mecha Cow* · 12-01-2007, 06:04 PM

Apparently the 1up guys are protesting against this.

Peanut · 12-01-2007, 06:41 PM

I wouldn't call it protesting, but showing their support for Jeff, which just shows yet again how f*cking solid all the Ziff guys are. 1up, Gamevideos, EGM & GFW. I will eat something not fit for consumption if Jeff doesn't end up over on 1up. It really is their chance to elevate themselves to new levels.

Anyways, I don't know how many people here actually watch/listen to the various Gamespot productions, but did anyone happen to see Tournament TV last night? The look on Kevin Van Ord's face almost killed me. That guy is usually just so full of smiles, but he looked like he was miserable. And the continued blog entries from (current and former) Gamespot employees are really telling about how everyone feels about this.

Brian Ekberg even made a blog post saying pretty much that he wanted to leave.

11-30-2007, 10:53 AM	#1
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	Jeff Gerstmann fired over review... Fcking SAD! That's all I can say about the Gamespot higher-ups at this moment. Way to completely ruin all the credibility Gamespot had as one of the best places for game related content. Destructoid Kotaku Even PA has already put up their comic about it... You know, I don't care whether you love or hate Jeff, the guy has been around for 10 years. He's reviewed almost every huge game to be released in that time span, and along with the likes of Greg Kasavin and Ryan MacDonald, made Gamespot the juggernaut it is today, and also one of the funnest and most reliable gaming sites on the internet. This is completely and utterly despicable. I feel sick. Last edited by Peanut; 11-30-2007 at 11:09 AM.*

11-30-2007, 11:03 AM	#2
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	So, this is actually real? I saw the comic but I thought it was a joke. I don't like particularly like Gerstmann, but to fire him for doing his job is nothing short of retarded. What the f*ck, Gamespot. __________________

11-30-2007, 11:13 AM	#4
Cure Y'all need Jesus Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 8,938	Damn. That's f*cked up. __________________

11-30-2007, 11:28 AM	#6
JameO Mad Scientist Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,753	Personally, when playing Kane and Lynch with a friend, the game's controls are rather terrible I feel, just doesn't work at all I feel, didn't really enjoy playing it, it wasn't that bad and sure I only played for like an hour or two, but still, Jeff Gerstmann is the man, I loved his humour and his need to get as many live achievements as he could. Good man, this blows, like Peanut said, Kasavin was the king as well, two great editors gone down the tube. __________________ "Lie, Cheat & Steal, Atleast I'm Honest"

11-30-2007, 02:24 PM	#7
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	I've never been Jeff Gerstmann's biggest fan, but this is just downright crooked. Gamespot looses all respect from me both as a journalist and a reader if this is legit. This is a writer and reader's worst nightmare--to know that an editor gets the guillotine if their reviews and opinions don't fall in line with the ideals of the sponsors, especially when you're in a position of power such as Gamespot. This completely blows Gamespot's credibility straight to hell if its true. How can a reader expect their content to be objective and honest if they fire editors who don't kiss the collective asses of the sponsor of the week? This is just more evidence that in the minds of publishers, game journalism is nothing but an extension of their PR firms. Problem is, behavior such as Gamespot's essentially makes us even more so their volunteer lackeys. If someone won't cave, publishers will just take their exclusive content to someone who will. Credibility is hard earned, and easily lost. I hope this scandal gets a lot of attention from the core gamer-base, because the site deserves to burn. Seriously, you hear about this kind of stuff going on time and time again, but it never turns out to be real. This is big, and ugly. __________________

11-30-2007, 11:09 AM	#3
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	Yes, it's 100% confirmed at this point. There's pretty much calamity over in the Gamespot community. Some old editors have started some trouble, including one starting up a campaign to get as many people as possible to cancel their GS paid accounts. They're already nearing $4,000 worth of cancelled subscriptions. On top of all this, apparently Tim Tracy, who was a main man behind almost every single Gamespot Live feature, has quit because of this.

11-30-2007, 11:15 AM	#5
Kendamu Sewerhead Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,890	Fsck Gamespot. I'm not going there anymore.

11-30-2007, 11:32 PM	#8
Brodie Certified Teacher Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bizarro Metropolis Posts: 6,495	Yeah, this is nuts. I saw this earlier, and actually saw that video 2 weeks ago. Its down now, but on the tube of you. I wonder how big this whole repercussion circus will go. __________________ Stupendous Monster

12-01-2007, 07:11 AM	#9
Barkworm Draconian leftist ruler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 6,761	First I didn't believe that he got fired because of the review but then I noticed that Gamespot took down his video review for the game. Yeah. As most of us I never really liked Gerstmann but this is pathetic. Fck Gamespot. __________________ Make ***, not kill!

12-01-2007, 10:51 AM	#10
Dr. Doom Allons-y! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Castle Doom Posts: 4,535	Gamespot's been my site for alla this stuff since high school, so I'm obviously a bit confused about where to go from here. What they did is sort of unforgivable for a journalistic institution of any sort, but at the same time it's gonna be difficult for me to just up and start using something else that I'm unfamiliar with. __________________ I love you, Pickle.

12-01-2007, 11:35 AM	#11
Aelia Hamfisted Bun Vendor Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,582	Geez. What really gets me upset is that Eidos actually 'took issue' with the review. If they couldn't take a bad review, then they shouldn't have made a bad game. They were acting like immature jerks, and whats worse is that Gamespot actually gave into them. Total bullsh*t, says I.

12-01-2007, 11:53 AM	#12
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	Eidos took issue with it because their ads were plastered all over the website. __________________

12-01-2007, 12:38 PM	#15
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	I don't agree with it, I'm just clearing up why they had a problem with it. __________________

12-01-2007, 12:45 PM	#16
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	Destructoid f*cking rules!

12-01-2007, 02:38 PM	#18
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	Banner of the year. Easy win. __________________

12-01-2007, 06:04 PM	#19
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	Apparently the 1up guys are protesting against this. __________________

12-01-2007, 06:41 PM	#20
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	I wouldn't call it protesting, but showing their support for Jeff, which just shows yet again how fcking solid all the Ziff guys are. 1up, Gamevideos, EGM & GFW. I will eat something not fit for consumption if Jeff doesn't end up over on 1up. It really is their chance to elevate themselves to new levels. Anyways, I don't know how many people here actually watch/listen to the various Gamespot productions, but did anyone happen to see Tournament TV last night? The look on Kevin Van Ord's face almost killed me. That guy is usually just so full of smiles, but he looked like he was miserable. And the continued blog entries from (current and former) Gamespot employees are really telling about how everyone feels about this. Brian Ekberg even made a blog post saying pretty much that he wanted to leave. Last edited by Peanut; 12-01-2007 at 06:50 PM.*