Slashdot Mirror
Adverjournalism - The Role of Ad Dollars in Media
Gamer 2.0 writes "The Gamer 2.0 site has a look into the role of advertising in gaming journalism, with a few reflections especially topical given the Jeff Gerstmann controversy. From the article: 'It should come as no surprise that just about every gaming forum on the internet is ablaze right now following the news of GameSpot's termination of long-time editor, Jeff Gerstmann. This article, however, is not an exposé or look into what really happened at GameSpot this week. Rather, consider this a look at the direction of gaming journalism, advertising, and how this all plays a role in the content you read.'" There have been a few more developments in the situation since Thursday night, with rumours, scuttlebutt, analysis, and cynicism reigning on every message board from here to C|Net. There has even been a spontaneous act of solidarity from elsewhere in the games journalism field.
PA's coverage has been great. What I find amusing is the fact that anyone is remotely surprised by any of this. Perhaps it's my own experience in the industry (I reviewed games for a living for several years, and I too lost my job because of an unfavourable review I gave a particular title. This was five years ago), but the sheer surprise so many people seem to be experiencing over this is just staggering. How could people not see this is the case? In an industry that relies on whoring itself to the games developers and publishers, why is everyone so surprised that someone up and got pimp slapped? Is it just because it was such a notable name this time? Because that I could understand. But if it's shock and surprise at a writer losing his job because he dared upset an advertiser... Then you've clearly been living under a rock.
He was not the first (and I certainly wasn't either) nor will he be the last. The entire reviewing industry is corrupt. Anyone paying attention knows this. Some groups are more corrupt than others, certainly, but this is not news. Certainly no more so than "the sun rose in the east today".