blind Bethesda fanboyism ITT
Hey, if a company doesn't want to cooperate with a major news outlet or specific reporter, that's its right, but I know that for my part, when I hear of this, I assume said company is up to no good. If such noncooperation is selective, well, then I know what weight to give to the outlets with which the company does cooperate.
If video game journalists want to be treated like real journalists they should act like real journalists.
They generally do, and the gaming industry often does not like it.
I think the issue is not that they have blocked Kotaku, is that they have allowed sites like Kotaku feel entitled to receive free copies of unreleased products to "buy" their positive reviews.
I understand that all kinds of publicity are good, and if even notorious Youtubers are promoting your game, you are gaining possible sales. But there is an issue when these sites and Youtubers (and I mention Youtubers because some of them are in the same page as Kotaku) believe themselves entitled to exclusive free headstarts into games. And when the free goods stop pouring in, the badmouthing and besmirching begins to put their fanbase against the developers.
If they want the game so badly, they can pay for it as everyone else does.
I've written for a gaming magazine (print!) for a couple years. It was quite a while ago, but from what I get to observe, not a lot has changed since. Back then, I thought I was doing journalism. Looking back, I'm not so sure anymore.
I'd really hope there was some clear distinction between sources of independent, critical information about the industry (and its products) and auxiliary marketing tools supported and funded mainly by said industry.
Of course, I realize it's not that simple, not least because proper coverage of the industry requires a certain closeness to it. And yet, I'd expect any site counting itself to the former group to always strive to strike a healthy balance and make transparent any possible conflicts of interest.
What's the Watch's stance on this?
One could even call him a Bethnut.But you're Beth's fanboy nut and it's fanboy's sworn duty to defend their beloved company come hell or highwater. You couldn't be objective no matter how you tried.
Kotaku is run by a bunch of 11 year old kids. go figure.