GameSpot reviewer canned because of game review?
Apparently, it seems to be that way.
Jeff Gerstmann, an 11 year editor from GameSpot, was allegedly kicked from office because of rumors that he unrelentedly bashed the game Kane and Lynch, a third person shooter developed by Eidos. Where’s the controversy there? Eidos is one of their site’s biggest advertisers.
Getting the picture so far? See the video:
There is a lot of proof leading to this conclusion and they’re more valuable ones compared to the official response CNET released for this matter. Here’s their official statement:
GameSpot takes its editorial integrity extremely seriously. For over a decade, GameSpot and the many members of its editorial teal [sic] have produced thousands of unbiased reviews that have been a valuable resource for the gaming community. At CNET Networks, we stand behind the editorial content that our teams produce on a daily basis.
For more info on the controversy, take a look at what GamePolitics, QJ, and this user has to say and see for yourself. I myself am amazed on the info shown here, especially the statement (allegedly only, not yet proven) one of the guys from GameSpot gave.
W-h J: The guy has been working on GameSpot for 11 years and being fired just like that means that he did something VERY, VERY wrong. if he’s just new or an intern and he got fired for not making a good news write up, then that’s understandable. That’s why I don’t think Jeff got fired in an instant because the higher ups in GameSpot can’t handle the guy’s way of reviewing games over the years.
I do believe however that he got fired because of the way he bashed the game developed by one of their biggest advertisers. Heck, starting your review by saying “Kane and Lynch is an ugly, ugly game” would infuriate any developer who made that, especially if they pay you to advertise their game. However, GameSpot allowed that kind of review to be on their site that’s why Eidos saw it. But after Eidos pulled out their 1 year’s worth of advertisements, GameSpot pulled the trigger on Jeff. Now where’s the credibility to that?
Gamesite: “Overall, the gameplay is bad. We give it a 1/10. Abyssmal!”
Game Developer: Damn, we’re not advertising to you guys no mo!
Gamesite: (Eeek! How will I pay my bills?!) Ahh wait wait, we can negotiate! How bout’ 4/10?
Game Developer: No deal.
Gamesite: Dang…Okay fine, 7/10?
(Sources: GamePolitics, QJ, Gaming Today, Penny Arcade, GameSpot user having solid info)
