Time to Boycott GameSpot? Eidios Amigos!

Well forever we’ve known, or at least suspected that the gaming industry media is heavily influenced by advertising dollars. GameSpot pretty much confirmed this for us last week by the firing of Jeff Gerstmaan, now former editorial director over at GameSpot. The apparent reason for his firing is:

Legally, the exact reasons behind his dismissal cannot be revealed. However, they stemmed from issues unrelated to any publisher or advertiser; his departure was due purely for internal reasons.

Directly from the GameSpot website in a little Q&A that they put together in an attempt at damage control. I for one listened to the HotSpot podcast every week and although it was mainly a console gaming publication, I enjoyed Jeff and the rest of the crew’s conversation’s about the gaming industry. I for one do not believe one thing that GameStop says. Now it very well could be other reason’s behind it, until that light is shed, we as gamers have to sit back and wonder why the fishy smell. If you stop by and read the GameStop management’s Q&A and the valid point’s that the gamers brought up. All signs point to he was fired for giving a bad, well not even bad I would say mediocre rating for a less then mediocre game. His article was edited, video review pulled & then he was let go from his position. Now look at it this way, maybe GameSpot isn’t lying by telling us he wasn’t fired for the actual review but rather his reaction to getting flak for the honest review he gave it. Either way, respect to Jeff Gerstmaan. He told it like it was and was probably even generous for his rating even though maybe his review did not reflect it, it was better then he probably wanted to actual put. So in the end GameSpot can now honestly deny that he wasn’t fired for the review but for his reaction to the reaming he was getting for it. Now this is all speculation by gamers, which I think may not be too far from the truth. I really encourage gamers to check out some forums and other write ups on the subject to get your own take on things but the Q&A by GameSpot management doesn’t convince me one bit it was for any other reason for their actions against Mr. Gerstmaan.

Q: Was Eidos Interactive upset by the game’s review? A: It has been confirmed that Eidos representatives expressed their displeasure to their appropriate contacts at GameSpot, but not to editorial directly. It was not the first time a publisher has voiced disappointment with a game review, and it won’t be the last. However, it is strict GameSpot policy never to let any such feelings result in a review score to be altered or a video review to be pulled.

I say if Eidos and GameSpot thought that Jeff’s review of the game, which nobody can deny they have been HEAVILY pushing and buying up prime advertising real estate to boost sales hurt their pocket books. We as gamers, as a community, as the people who pay for their products and give them the success they have should take strong action against these type’s antics. We should boycott them both! Show them that we as the end user’s have the power to make or break them and that they would have been better off leaving and living with one little mediocre but honest review. In the end it’s going to hurt them alot more then that one little review could have ever hurt their sales for one game. Eidos obviously had something to worry about, rightfully so and it’s pathetic. Make a mediocre budget game, spend shitloads of money on advertising in an attempt create even bigger profit margin’s. It’s the way companies think now and it’s disgusting, now not all are like that but it’s a big and growing problem. Check out this article “Euro developers more creative than US studios, says EA“. American developer’s are just more worried about making money, bottom line. If your a PC gamer then I suggest you check out Games For Windows Magazine. These guys are honest and tell it like it is for the most part as far as I can tell. I’ve been listening to them and reading the magazine for a while, I even prefer to read it over the over rated PC Gamer Magazine. Which don’t get me wrong I still do like PC Gamer. I just think right now Jeff Green and Team seem to be the best PC gaming media on the scene these days, and they deserve it. If your a console gamer, well what the hell are you doing reading this anyways, go back to your living room in front of your T.V’s and pretend your in a band and can actually play an instrument or something. I’m just kidding of course, you obviously are interested in this article because your were, key word here FOLKS were, a fan of Jeff Gerstmaan or GameSpot/HotSpot fans. Look around the web and find a new place for your news, reviews & previews for your gaming content. It’s your duty as a gamer to not put up with this kind of pressure from developers & publisher’s on the gaming media.