Gaming journalism is getting so much harder to read.

[Toxic Sniper]

Why can't you just keep yourselves unbiased and report on games and game related news like a good journalist does.

Editorials are always biased. That's the point, they're opinion pieces. What you are talking about is the equivalent of an editorial.

Sure, Kotaku is a terrible site anyways, but I think "OH NOEZ THEY'RE BIASED" is a silly thing to complain about on articles that aren't supposed to be objective observation. It's like complaining to my local newspaper that the Red vs Blue opinion pieces are too biased politically because they don't just report on the newest happenings in the Colorado state government.

Disagree with them? That's fine, you can reduce their income by not visiting their site and telling other people your problem. I just think complaining about "ZOMG OPINIONS" is rather disparaging to the concept of opinions in news. Ever seen Erik Kain on Forbes? He writes very opinionated articles, yet they are also detailed and appealing.

 

[Woodsey]

Plenty of other outlets such as Rock Paper Shotgun and PC Gamer offer much more interesting in content. Claiming that gaming journalism is down the pan because Kotaku are shit is like claiming music is terrible because all you've ever watched is American Idol.

I've actually been really annoyed with Rock Paper Shotgun lately. I realize a lot of the issues they talk about are ones that genuinely need to be addressed and indeed should be spoken about, but on the other hand they've been getting pretty silly lately with their accusations of sexism and self-righteous indignation.

For example here is the article that got me reading RPS in the first place: The Girl Who Wanted To Be God

It's an in-depth analysis of SHODAN, the pulp villainess from System Shock 1 and 2. Refreshingly candid in how it approaches the character and how SHODAN's personality is unashamedly schlocky and gratuitous, but how that is a good thing. She's over the top and lascivious and that's exactly how the character should have been.

Can you honestly see RPS today publishing anything like that? I can't. I mean these are the people who got upset over the Cyberpunk 2077 trailer, a situation where much like SHODAN above the gratuitousness is fully intentional and indeed part of the setting. It's silly and ridiculous and completely Cyberpunk in all the most awesome ways, yet they became so offended by that from this one trailer alone that it's deafened all other conversation. When that trailer was released maybe 10% of the discussion going on was actually about the setting or game, while 90% of it just devolved into pointless finger-pointing and accusations. Honestly it got kinda embarrassing when they did an interview with one of the people at CDProjekt RED and brought up their 'debate' in place of asking more questions about, you know, the game itself.

I just can't help but feel their recent crusade has begun to have an effect on their journalism.

I don't remember much of them going on about the Cyberpunk thing. I am getting annoyed by the - now several - articles which have amounted to "we're gonna keep writing it so suck it". Just write the stuff. Most of it is actually fairly spot-on, although I've seen a few where it's deserving of something of an eye-roll. I don't need a 'discussion' to surround a discussion - especially when said discussion is forever teetering on the edge of burning out in people's minds.

I also find the addition of the passive-aggressive disclaimer which now heads the comments section to be something of an irritant.

 

[aba1]

Welcome to games no longer being exclusively for children and teenage boys.

That's all you're seeing here.

Things like Dragon Crown's excessive boobage and homosexual slurs are going to raise eyebrows now. Get used to it.

Also, "just keep yourselves unbiased and report on games" sounds awfully like "stop confronting me with dissenting opinions and just tell me when Cleavage Quest 6 is coming out".

If it was just audiences broadening we wouldn't have people complaining we would just have a broader selection of games coming out or at least people getting more excited for select games. People want to see more women in gaming which is fine I say go for it but they need to keep in mind games are fantasy and they can look and feel how ever the designers want and that is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with that. If the women in games are not what people are looking for that is fine either make your own games to fill that niche or don't buy them. Hell you can even suggest things thats cool it is just stupid to act like style or creative choices are wrong or somehow hurting people.

 

[CloudAtlas]

Welcome to games no longer being exclusively for children and teenage boys.

That's all you're seeing here.

Things like Dragon Crown's excessive boobage and homosexual slurs are going to raise eyebrows now. Get used to it.

Also, "just keep yourselves unbiased and report on games" sounds awfully like "stop confronting me with dissenting opinions and just tell me when Cleavage Quest 6 is coming out".

If it was just audiences broadening we wouldn't have people complaining we would just have a broader selection of games coming out or at least people getting more excited for select games. People want to see more women in gaming which is fine I say go for it but they need to keep in mind games are fantasy and they can look and feel how ever the designers want and that is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with that.

Again, freedom of expression does not imply freedom from response. If designers make a game with sexist content, I can call them out on that.

And where were all those people defending artistic freedoms in any other instance? Say, with the Mass Effect ending? Obviously many people didn't like that, but, it can "look and feel however the designers want and that is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with that", right?

If the women in games are not what people are looking for that is fine either make your own games to fill that niche or don't buy them.

Sorry, but "make your own games" is just a stupid comment. And "don't buy them" is not much better - it's not like there always are many equally good alternatives to a game of a certain type. And anyway, I can buy a game and still criticize certain aspects of it. People do that all the time. But for some nebulous reasons it's only a problem when what is criticized is sexist or similar stuff.

And, by the way, what games do you consider "niche" and what mainstream? This reads like you think non-sexist, non-homophobic games are just a niche, somehow.... and what would that imply about the tastes and preferences supposed mainstream?

 

[CloudAtlas]

I think it's this whole mashing up gaming journalism with social activism, it can get rather pretentious at times and cringeworthy at others.

Well, game journalism is just not only about just about reviewing games anymore. Better get used to it, because it won't change.

When I complain about sexist/racist/whatever content in a game, I do it because it reduces my personal enjoyment of a game, and because I want others, in particular women or minorities, be able to enjoy games as much as I do.
And I guess the motivation of game journalists writing about such issues won't be much different. If that's already 'pretentious social activism' to you...

 

[lapan]

Yes, Kotaku is rather terrible, and barely more than a personal blog of it's writers. A large number of their articles don't even have anything to do with games (articles about a funny picture they saw, articles about their bedsheets,...).

I also agree about the Far Cry article being way overblown. The entire game falls into a parody genre. Should we censor all comedy that may offend someone somewhere now? Didn't we have outroars about the censorship of that mohammed caricature a few years ago, something that was in way worse taste and yet people still defended it? That joke also didn't sound maliciously intended at all to me.

The pose of the sorceress was badly chosen. I don't think every woman with big breasts is automatically objectified though, and i don't think the artist intended that in this way.

 

[MammothBlade]

I think it's this whole mashing up gaming journalism with social activism, it can get rather pretentious at times and cringeworthy at others.

Well, game journalism is just not only about just about reviewing games anymore. Better get used to it, because it won't change.

When I complain about sexist/racist/whatever content in a game, I do it because it reduces my personal enjoyment of a game, and because I want others, in particular women or minorities, be able to enjoy games as much as I do.
And I guess the motivation of game journalists writing about such issues won't be much different. If that's already 'pretentious social activism' to you...

*cringe*

It has its place, and that's not in my face telling me that I'm not allowed to enjoy X game because "controversy". It can do better than some vague noise about sexism and racism. Meanwhile, the hypocrisy of gaming journalism is legendary with regards to violence. Few gaming publications have seriously questioned what impact the glorification of violence has upon young minds. I feel the current trend is little more than a distraction, aiming at soft targets such as sexism and racism whilst ignoring the white elephant in the room.

 

[aba1]

Welcome to games no longer being exclusively for children and teenage boys.

That's all you're seeing here.

Things like Dragon Crown's excessive boobage and homosexual slurs are going to raise eyebrows now. Get used to it.

Also, "just keep yourselves unbiased and report on games" sounds awfully like "stop confronting me with dissenting opinions and just tell me when Cleavage Quest 6 is coming out".

If it was just audiences broadening we wouldn't have people complaining we would just have a broader selection of games coming out or at least people getting more excited for select games. People want to see more women in gaming which is fine I say go for it but they need to keep in mind games are fantasy and they can look and feel how ever the designers want and that is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with that.

Again, freedom of expression does not imply freedom from response. If designers make a game with sexist content, I can call them out on that.

And where were all those people defending artistic freedoms in any other instance? Say, with the Mass Effect ending? Obviously many people didn't like that, but, it can "look and feel however the designers want and that is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with that", right?

If the women in games are not what people are looking for that is fine either make your own games to fill that niche or don't buy them.

Sorry, but "make your own games" is just a stupid comment. And "don't buy them" is not much better - it's not like there always are many equally good alternatives to a game of a certain type. And anyway, I can buy a game and still criticize certain aspects of it. People do that all the time. But for some nebulous reasons it's only a problem when what is criticized is sexist or similar stuff.

And, by the way, what games do you consider "niche" and what mainstream? This reads like you think non-sexist, non-homophobic games are just a niche, somehow.... and what would that imply about the tastes and preferences supposed mainstream?

I was actually defending EA's choice of ending not that it was bad or good but the fact that it was there right to make it however they want.

Also I guess when I say niche I mean that there are specific groups who want games to look a specific way and they would be that niche. Obviously not all women care one way or the other and not all men care but a handful of people care very specifically how women are characterized in games and have a very specific mind set as to what they want to see therefore creating a niche.

Either way the make your own games is valid I feel. If you have a mind on how you feel things should look and are that frustrated nobody is making the game you want to see the option has never been easier to pursue with the rise of indie games. I know I am doing that I wanted to make a game so I am http://www.blackenthesun.com. It is up to us to take control of our lives and if you really care about seeing a idea it is up to you to make it, you can't just expect other people to have the same ideas and do it for you.

 

[aba1]

Welcome to games no longer being exclusively for children and teenage boys.

That's all you're seeing here.

Things like Dragon Crown's excessive boobage and homosexual slurs are going to raise eyebrows now. Get used to it.

Also, "just keep yourselves unbiased and report on games" sounds awfully like "stop confronting me with dissenting opinions and just tell me when Cleavage Quest 6 is coming out".

If it was just audiences broadening we wouldn't have people complaining we would just have a broader selection of games coming out or at least people getting more excited for select games. People want to see more women in gaming which is fine I say go for it but they need to keep in mind games are fantasy and they can look and feel how ever the designers want and that is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with that.

Again, freedom of expression does not imply freedom from response. If designers make a game with sexist content, I can call them out on that.

And where were all those people defending artistic freedoms in any other instance? Say, with the Mass Effect ending? Obviously many people didn't like that, but, it can "look and feel however the designers want and that is perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with that", right?

If the women in games are not what people are looking for that is fine either make your own games to fill that niche or don't buy them.

Sorry, but "make your own games" is just a stupid comment. And "don't buy them" is not much better - it's not like there always are many equally good alternatives to a game of a certain type. And anyway, I can buy a game and still criticize certain aspects of it. People do that all the time. But for some nebulous reasons it's only a problem when what is criticized is sexist or similar stuff.

And, by the way, what games do you consider "niche" and what mainstream? This reads like you think non-sexist, non-homophobic games are just a niche, somehow.... and what would that imply about the tastes and preferences supposed mainstream?

I was actually defending EA's choice of ending not that it was bad or good but the fact that it was there right to make it however they want.

Also I guess when I say niche I mean that there are specific groups who want games to look a specific way and they would be that niche. Obviously not all women care one way or the other and not all men care but a handful of people care very specifically how women are characterized in games and have a very specific mind set as to what they want to see therefore creating a niche.

Either way the make your own games is valid I feel. If you have a mind on how you feel things should look and are that frustrated nobody is making the game you want to see the option has never been easier to pursue with the rise of indie games. I know I am doing that I wanted to make a game so I am http://www.blackenthesun.com. It is up to us to take control of our lives and if you really care about seeing a idea it is up to you to make it, you can't just expect other people to have the same ideas and do it for you.

Not everyone has the money to make games and to suggest that people who have a problem with a game/book/movie to go out and make them is a little absurd.You can critize a chef and don't have to be one yourself. Likewise you can criticize a certain game without actually making a game. And while I will defend someone's artistic expression and the ability to end a story,the ME3 ending debacle showed how artistic vision can be twisted into a shield to avoid criticism.

There is a difference between criticism or opinions and saying someone is wrong and should be stopped. You can dislike the design choices people make and that is fine but you are off base if you are going to say they are wrong or shouldn't allowed to create things the way they want.

Also creating a game makes you money if you are so sure in your game that people really need it then it shouldn't be a concern about how well it will sell. Sure you have to account for production times but if you are so confident in you game a loan should cover you and there are tons of other services out there as well like investors if you don't want to go the loan route. If you have that little faith in the success of the game obviously you feel not enough people want it which means it simply isn't a marketable to begin with. Also a third option is donating to a game to help get it off the ground that suites you sensibilities or you could pitch the idea to a company to take and use. The point is the ball is in peoples courts and if you are aren't dedicated enough to do something you only have yourself to blame.

 

[wizzy555]

It has its place, and that's not in my face telling me that I'm not allowed to enjoy X game because "controversy". It can do better than some vague noise about sexism and racism. Meanwhile, the hypocrisy of gaming journalism is legendary with regards to violence. Few gaming publications have seriously questioned what impact the glorification of violence has upon young minds. I feel the current trend is little more than a distraction, aiming at soft targets such as sexism and racism whilst ignoring the white elephant in the room.

Yeah I'm frankly tired of being preached at by men approaching middle age who have suddenly discovered feminist literary criticism. At least get a proper sociologist or some sort of moral philosopher.

I'm just not going to even click on them anymore.

 

[CloudAtlas]

It is up to us to take control of our lives and if you really care about seeing a idea it is up to you to make it, you can't just expect other people to have the same ideas and do it for you.

And because I don't expect other people to know what I want I (occasionally) voice my opinion in places like this one.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

I'm increasingly of the opinion that game's journalism is a profession that ultimately serves no purpose in my life. The profession largely serves in three capacities. In the first, they act as consumer advocate through game reviews. Given the increasing importance of pre-orders, the utility of this role is being dramatically undercut. Moreover, the days of monopoly on reviews are long over with thousands of people writing reviews for free anyhow. Given that in many cases a review offers little basis to make a purchase decision upon unless it comes from a source that has demonstrated similar tastes in games, the relatively tiny (and largely homogenous) fraction of professionals simply is an insufficient source to draw upon to determine the odds of enjoying a game or not. At best, their function is simply to warn people away from legitimately bad games.

In their second role, they are nothing more than another avenue for advertisement and, it would seem, no more effective at giving an accurate depiction of what a product might be than a simple ad would be. Moreover, given the increasing use of live streaming of various key events, the importance of press access is greatly diminished.

In their last role, they act as pundits for the industry and in this capacity they are no more useful than any message board that trades in discussions of games. Worse still, professional obligations mean they aren't willing or capable of expressing controversial opinions, at least on a regular basis and thus the result is nothing more than a steady stream of competently written, but ultimately tired and predictable, opinion pieces on the topic of the moment.

There are certainly other roles at exist on the fringes of the industry, but these are so far removed from what the role of journalist implies that they can be seen as anomalies at best. This includes the academic style analysis of games, the satire and humor related to games, and the tangential conversations that relate games and reality.