Tommy Tallarico on Video Game Journalism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plaD4a4IOlY

I know this video is old but Tommy Tallarico is dead on about Video Game Journalism and why it sucks. They don't do research, they're negative towards almost everything, and they're trying to sensationalist in the gaming media. He's of course mostly refering to websites like Kotaku, Joystiq, and Destructoid.com but almost every vidoe game website. They always love to bash on popular events, popular games. and popular companies to the sake of snark. The gaming community should take note from this too.

Tommy Tallarico wouldn't have a clue if one came up and bit him in the ass.GodModeEnabled

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plaD4a4IOlY

I know this video is old but Tommy Tallarico is dead on about Video Game Journalism and why it sucks. They don't do research, they're negative towards almost everything, and they're trying to sensationalist in the gaming media. He's of course mostly refering to websites like Kotaku, Joystiq, and Destructoid.com but almost every vidoe game website. They always love to bash on popular events, popular games. and popular companies to the sake of snark. The gaming community should take note from this too.

g805ge

Don't do their research, eh?

Tommy Tallarico wouldn't have a clue if one came up and bit him in the ass.GodModeEnabled

[QUOTE="g805ge"]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plaD4a4IOlY

I know this video is old but Tommy Tallarico is dead on about Video Game Journalism and why it sucks. They don't do research, they're negative towards almost everything, and they're trying to sensationalist in the gaming media. He's of course mostly refering to websites like Kotaku, Joystiq, and Destructoid.com but almost every vidoe game website. They always love to bash on popular events, popular games. and popular companies to the sake of snark. The gaming community should take note from this too.

Video_Game_King

Don't do their research, eh?

What do you mean?

Plus, Jeff Gerstmann reviewed MGS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plaD4a4IOlY

I know this video is old but Tommy Tallarico is dead on about Video Game Journalism and why it sucks. They don't do research, they're negative towards almost everything, and they're trying to sensationalist in the gaming media. He's of course mostly refering to websites like Kotaku, Joystiq, and Destructoid.com but almost every vidoe game website. They always love to bash on popular events, popular games. and popular companies to the sake of snark. The gaming community should take note from this too.

Don't do their research, eh?

All media is sensationalist, and the overt negativity comes from the fans, and the regular forum posters and site vistors, rather than the site management itself. The real reason video game journalism is a laughing stock is because of a lack of integrity regarding previews, advertisment money, and publisher buyouts. A site will praise hail the devil in the name of a new unheard of game and then admonish it as the biggest waste of time ever later in the review, that is once the publishers advertisment time and space run out, otherwise they overate the game. Tallarico was a host to an embarassingly amatuer TV show, and has proved time and time again that he can't be taken seriously as a critic. He has as much insight into the industry as you or me, and while he writes some good game music he thinks he has his hand on the pulse of the industry when its more like his hand holding his crotch as he blows hot air out of his mouth.GodModeEnabled

Wall a penis joke, that's the best you can come up with? If ALL of media is about sensationalism that you must living under the rock. Most media outside the medium of video games actually do reasearch and know their stuff before they talk negative about something. It's not the same with most video game journalist because they're too lazy to do actual journalism. Negativity comes from the fans but does that mean we have to be negative? No, that just makes everything worse. Gaming is never going to be taken seriously if it keeps on becoming like this.

I remember in a interview in G4TV.com show that he said he wasn't a critic just a gamer who just shares his own opinion.

PLus, Tommy created Video Games Live!

[QUOTE="Video_Game_King"][QUOTE="g805ge"]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plaD4a4IOlY

I know this video is old but Tommy Tallarico is dead on about Video Game Journalism and why it sucks. They don't do research, they're negative towards almost everything, and they're trying to sensationalist in the gaming media. He's of course mostly refering to websites like Kotaku, Joystiq, and Destructoid.com but almost every vidoe game website. They always love to bash on popular events, popular games. and popular companies to the sake of snark. The gaming community should take note from this too.

g805ge

Don't do their research, eh?

What do you mean?

Plus, Jeff Gerstmann reviewed MGS

Read the review. Jeff did his research. And what the hell do you mean by the last sentence? Can't understand what meaning that adds to the post/argument.

Meh I may not always agree with him but I think Tommy's a pretty cool dude and I really enjoyed watching Reviews on the Run so no matter what at least I'm always interested in hearing what he has to say.Archangel3371

no I hate alot of popular games its like movies or TV just cause everyone watches it doenst make it good. People talk about Halo all day but to me Halo is like MTV. just my opinion I hate most games that are very popular, with exceptions.Bauers-Twin

MTV from the early 90's would make that statement seem right.

Wall a penis joke, that's the best you can come up with? If ALL of media is about sensationalism that you must living under the rock. Most media outside the medium of video games actually do reasearch and know their stuff before they talk negative about something. It's not the same with most video game journalist because they're too lazy to do actual journalism. Negativity comes from the fans but does that mean we have to be negative? No, that just makes everything worse. Gaming is never going to be taken seriously if it keeps on becoming like this.I remember in a interview in G4TV.com show that he said he wasn't a critic just a gamer who just shares his own opinion. PLus, Tommy created Video Games Live!g805ge

[QUOTE="Archangel3371"]Meh I may not always agree with him but I think Tommy's a pretty cool dude and I really enjoyed watching Reviews on the Run so no matter what at least I'm always interested in hearing what he has to say.Nifty_Shark

I miss living in Canada where they had reviews on the Run. that was my favorite videogame show. It's nice to hear someone like Tommy who has years of experience in the industry from both sides have an opinion on this subject.Nifty_Shark

[QUOTE="Bauers-Twin"]no I hate alot of popular games its like movies or TV just cause everyone watches it doenst make it good. People talk about Halo all day but to me Halo is like MTV. just my opinion I hate most games that are very popular, with exceptions.Nifty_Shark

MTV from the early 90's would make that statement seem right.

wow. bad timing for me to post an article on here...

i shoulda waited. :/

[QUOTE="GodModeEnabled"]All media is sensationalist, and the overt negativity comes from the fans, and the regular forum posters and site vistors, rather than the site management itself. The real reason video game journalism is a laughing stock is because of a lack of integrity regarding previews, advertisment money, and publisher buyouts. A site will praise hail the devil in the name of a new unheard of game and then admonish it as the biggest waste of time ever later in the review, that is once the publishers advertisment time and space run out, otherwise they overate the game. Tallarico was a host to an embarassingly amatuer TV show, and has proved time and time again that he can't be taken seriously as a critic. He has as much insight into the industry as you or me, and while he writes some good game music he thinks he has his hand on the pulse of the industry when its more like his hand holding his crotch as he blows hot air out of his mouth.g805ge

Wall a penis joke, that's the best you can come up with? If ALL of media is about sensationalism that you must living under the rock. Most media outside the medium of video games actually do reasearch and know their stuff before they talk negative about something. It's not the same with most video game journalist because they're too lazy to do actual journalism. Negativity comes from the fans but does that mean we have to be negative? No, that just makes everything worse. Gaming is never going to be taken seriously if it keeps on becoming like this.

I remember in a interview in G4TV.com show that he said he wasn't a critic just a gamer who just shares his own opinion.

PLus, Tommy created Video Games Live!

[QUOTE="g805ge"]

[QUOTE="GodModeEnabled"]All media is sensationalist, and the overt negativity comes from the fans, and the regular forum posters and site vistors, rather than the site management itself. The real reason video game journalism is a laughing stock is because of a lack of integrity regarding previews, advertisment money, and publisher buyouts. A site will praise hail the devil in the name of a new unheard of game and then admonish it as the biggest waste of time ever later in the review, that is once the publishers advertisment time and space run out, otherwise they overate the game. Tallarico was a host to an embarassingly amatuer TV show, and has proved time and time again that he can't be taken seriously as a critic. He has as much insight into the industry as you or me, and while he writes some good game music he thinks he has his hand on the pulse of the industry when its more like his hand holding his crotch as he blows hot air out of his mouth.YourChaosIsntMe

Wall a penis joke, that's the best you can come up with? If ALL of media is about sensationalism that you must living under the rock. Most media outside the medium of video games actually do reasearch and know their stuff before they talk negative about something. It's not the same with most video game journalist because they're too lazy to do actual journalism. Negativity comes from the fans but does that mean we have to be negative? No, that just makes everything worse. Gaming is never going to be taken seriously if it keeps on becoming like this.

I remember in a interview in G4TV.com show that he said he wasn't a critic just a gamer who just shares his own opinion.

PLus, Tommy created Video Games Live!

Tommy's point still stands and he knows alot more about the industry than you do.

[QUOTE="g805ge"]Wall a penis joke, that's the best you can come up with? If ALL of media is about sensationalism that you must living under the rock. Most media outside the medium of video games actually do reasearch and know their stuff before they talk negative about something. It's not the same with most video game journalist because they're too lazy to do actual journalism. Negativity comes from the fans but does that mean we have to be negative? No, that just makes everything worse. Gaming is never going to be taken seriously if it keeps on becoming like this.I remember in a interview in G4TV.com show that he said he wasn't a critic just a gamer who just shares his own opinion. PLus, Tommy created Video Games Live!GodModeEnabled

[QUOTE="g805ge"]Wall a penis joke, that's the best you can come up with? If ALL of media is about sensationalism that you must living under the rock. Most media outside the medium of video games actually do reasearch and know their stuff before they talk negative about something. It's not the same with most video game journalist because they're too lazy to do actual journalism. Negativity comes from the fans but does that mean we have to be negative? No, that just makes everything worse. Gaming is never going to be taken seriously if it keeps on becoming like this.I remember in a interview in G4TV.com show that he said he wasn't a critic just a gamer who just shares his own opinion. PLus, Tommy created Video Games Live!GodModeEnabled

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTR9XzT2cs8

Don't complain that the said he doesn't think Halo fanboys exist because this interview was recorded during the first Xbox launch.

You know, I always found Tommy to be rather annoying on Judgment Day....and the funny thing is, that pessimism he was complaining about was something he had in spades. He was pretty closed minded in playing games from genres he didn't like. Honestly, I'm not even sure why he was on there as a critic, since it didn't look like he took his job seriously. Heck, I think he gave Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a 9/10...

On Tommy's recommendation I decided to check out Game Daily....which doesn't appear to me to have any sort of professionalism and research Tommy was talking about. Just after a couple minutes of browsing, I came across a T rated Banjo-Kazooie game... Is this really the web site he was talking about? It doesn't look like it's been updated in some time. Now I do agree that there are a lot of questionable sources for info on video games, but in looking at everything as a whole (like rottentomatoes.com) can give a better impression of what going on.

Tommy is part of the reason why video game journalism is a joke these days. His reviews are good for comedic value if you don't take them seriously. But coming from a sound-recording background, he puts way too much emphasis on voice acting, sound, and use of movie licences instead of focusing on originality, gameplay, and overall fun of a game. I could give numerous examples if I only remembered the specific scores, but his scores are all over the map and have no consistency to them whatsoever.

His point about journalists being too negative is dead wrong. There is no other media industry - movies, music, and TV to name a few - where journalists are so afraid to criticize a game and give into the hype surrounding a game's release. How is an industry supposed to develop a body of criticism when every hyped new release gets between 7.5 to 9.5 on almost every online gaming site? And why should development time, money spent, and advertising dollars influence how scores should be? In movies, big budget movies hyped to the moon are routinely panned by critics without fear of retribution. In gaming, give a game like Gears of War 2 an 8.0 and a site gets blasted by fanboys, the company, and other journalists for being too "negative".

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that video game journalists need to build some courage and go beyond the childish fanboyism of guys like Tommy.

Tommy is part of the reason why video game journalism is a joke these days. His reviews are good for comedic value if you don't take them seriously. But coming from a sound-recording background, he puts way too much emphasis on voice acting, sound, and use of movie licences instead of focusing on originality, gameplay, and overall fun of a game. I could give numerous examples if I only remembered the specific scores, but his scores are all over the map and have no consistency to them whatsoever.

His point about journalists being too negative is dead wrong. There is no other media industry - movies, music, and TV to name a few - where journalists are so afraid to criticize a game and give into the hype surrounding a game's release. How is an industry supposed to develop a body of criticism when every hyped new release gets between 7.5 to 9.5 on almost every online gaming site? And why should development time, money spent, and advertising dollars influence how scores should be? In movies, big budget movies hyped to the moon are routinely panned by critics without fear of retribution. In gaming, give a game like Gears of War 2 an 8.0 and a site gets blasted by fanboys, the company, and other journalists for being too "negative".

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that video game journalists need to build some courage and go beyond the childish fanboyism of guys like Tommy.

WindedSailor

Basically what you're saying is that gaming journalism needs to be snarky.

You people are more mentally retarded than I am {which is sad}. He has his own opinions on video games so don't trash him because of that, I never agree with Tommy in his reviews but I don't trash because of it. You guys are beyond sad.g805ge

Didnt Tommy try to say Ninja Gaiden was a stealth game (to Victor Lucas' amusement)? And I remember well him giving Katamari Damacy a low score because "the music sucks!" and Destroy All Humans a high score because "you can taser people in the nuts!" How that guy got a reviewing job on a show makes me wonder who he has dirt on.RossRichard

Tommy is part of the reason why video game journalism is a joke these days. His reviews are good for comedic value if you don't take them seriously. But coming from a sound-recording background, he puts way too much emphasis on voice acting, sound, and use of movie licences instead of focusing on originality, gameplay, and overall fun of a game. I could give numerous examples if I only remembered the specific scores, but his scores are all over the map and have no consistency to them whatsoever.

His point about journalists being too negative is dead wrong. There is no other media industry - movies, music, and TV to name a few - where journalists are so afraid to criticize a game and give into the hype surrounding a game's release. How is an industry supposed to develop a body of criticism when every hyped new release gets between 7.5 to 9.5 on almost every online gaming site? And why should development time, money spent, and advertising dollars influence how scores should be? In movies, big budget movies hyped to the moon are routinely panned by critics without fear of retribution. In gaming, give a game like Gears of War 2 an 8.0 and a site gets blasted by fanboys, the company, and other journalists for being too "negative".

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that video game journalists need to build some courage and go beyond the childish fanboyism of guys like Tommy.

WindedSailor

Call him a fanboy after watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTR9XzT2cs8

BTW this was recorded during the original Xbox's launch!

[QUOTE="WindedSailor"]

Tommy is part of the reason why video game journalism is a joke these days. His reviews are good for comedic value if you don't take them seriously. But coming from a sound-recording background, he puts way too much emphasis on voice acting, sound, and use of movie licences instead of focusing on originality, gameplay, and overall fun of a game. I could give numerous examples if I only remembered the specific scores, but his scores are all over the map and have no consistency to them whatsoever.

His point about journalists being too negative is dead wrong. There is no other media industry - movies, music, and TV to name a few - where journalists are so afraid to criticize a game and give into the hype surrounding a game's release. How is an industry supposed to develop a body of criticism when every hyped new release gets between 7.5 to 9.5 on almost every online gaming site? And why should development time, money spent, and advertising dollars influence how scores should be? In movies, big budget movies hyped to the moon are routinely panned by critics without fear of retribution. In gaming, give a game like Gears of War 2 an 8.0 and a site gets blasted by fanboys, the company, and other journalists for being too "negative".

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that video game journalists need to build some courage and go beyond the childish fanboyism of guys like Tommy.

g805ge

Call him a fanboy after watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTR9XzT2cs8

BTW this was recorded during the original Xbox's launch!

What are you, his agent?

Let it go. The reality is this: if you want to think he is the messiah of gaming journalism, than knock yourself out. What should be clear here though is there are others who don't share your opinion(myself included). As you have shown this is very crushing to you, so you have gone out of your way to attempt to prove how everyone else's opinion is wrong except for yours. Such a tragedy that us simple peons can not see Mr. Tallarico's know all insight into the gaming world.:roll:

[QUOTE="g805ge"][QUOTE="WindedSailor"]

Tommy is part of the reason why video game journalism is a joke these days. His reviews are good for comedic value if you don't take them seriously. But coming from a sound-recording background, he puts way too much emphasis on voice acting, sound, and use of movie licences instead of focusing on originality, gameplay, and overall fun of a game. I could give numerous examples if I only remembered the specific scores, but his scores are all over the map and have no consistency to them whatsoever.

His point about journalists being too negative is dead wrong. There is no other media industry - movies, music, and TV to name a few - where journalists are so afraid to criticize a game and give into the hype surrounding a game's release. How is an industry supposed to develop a body of criticism when every hyped new release gets between 7.5 to 9.5 on almost every online gaming site? And why should development time, money spent, and advertising dollars influence how scores should be? In movies, big budget movies hyped to the moon are routinely panned by critics without fear of retribution. In gaming, give a game like Gears of War 2 an 8.0 and a site gets blasted by fanboys, the company, and other journalists for being too "negative".

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that video game journalists need to build some courage and go beyond the childish fanboyism of guys like Tommy.

Gemini_Red

Call him a fanboy after watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTR9XzT2cs8

BTW this was recorded during the original Xbox's launch!

What are you, his agent?

Let it go. The reality is this: if you want to think he is the messiah of gaming journalism, than knock yourself out. What should be clear here though is there are others who don't share your opinion(myself included). As you have shown this is very crushing to you, so you have gone out of your way to attempt to prove how everyone else's opinion is wrong except for yours. Such a tragedy that us simple peons can not see Mr. Tallarico's know all insight into the gaming world.:roll:

[QUOTE="g805ge"][QUOTE="WindedSailor"]

Tommy is part of the reason why video game journalism is a joke these days. His reviews are good for comedic value if you don't take them seriously. But coming from a sound-recording background, he puts way too much emphasis on voice acting, sound, and use of movie licences instead of focusing on originality, gameplay, and overall fun of a game. I could give numerous examples if I only remembered the specific scores, but his scores are all over the map and have no consistency to them whatsoever.

His point about journalists being too negative is dead wrong. There is no other media industry - movies, music, and TV to name a few - where journalists are so afraid to criticize a game and give into the hype surrounding a game's release. How is an industry supposed to develop a body of criticism when every hyped new release gets between 7.5 to 9.5 on almost every online gaming site? And why should development time, money spent, and advertising dollars influence how scores should be? In movies, big budget movies hyped to the moon are routinely panned by critics without fear of retribution. In gaming, give a game like Gears of War 2 an 8.0 and a site gets blasted by fanboys, the company, and other journalists for being too "negative".

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that video game journalists need to build some courage and go beyond the childish fanboyism of guys like Tommy.

Gemini_Red

Call him a fanboy after watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTR9XzT2cs8

BTW this was recorded during the original Xbox's launch!

What are you, his agent?

Let it go. The reality is this: if you want to think he is the messiah of gaming journalism, than knock yourself out. What should be clear here though is there are others who don't share your opinion(myself included). As you have shown this is very crushing to you, so you have gone out of your way to attempt to prove how everyone else's opinion is wrong except for yours. Such a tragedy that us simple peons can not see Mr. Tallarico's know all insight into the gaming world.:roll:

No I'm not even a fan of him and I always found him annoying on judgement Day but he was spot on on how game journalism sucks.

[QUOTE="Gemini_Red"][QUOTE="g805ge"][QUOTE="WindedSailor"]

Tommy is part of the reason why video game journalism is a joke these days. His reviews are good for comedic value if you don't take them seriously. But coming from a sound-recording background, he puts way too much emphasis on voice acting, sound, and use of movie licences instead of focusing on originality, gameplay, and overall fun of a game. I could give numerous examples if I only remembered the specific scores, but his scores are all over the map and have no consistency to them whatsoever.

His point about journalists being too negative is dead wrong. There is no other media industry - movies, music, and TV to name a few - where journalists are so afraid to criticize a game and give into the hype surrounding a game's release. How is an industry supposed to develop a body of criticism when every hyped new release gets between 7.5 to 9.5 on almost every online gaming site? And why should development time, money spent, and advertising dollars influence how scores should be? In movies, big budget movies hyped to the moon are routinely panned by critics without fear of retribution. In gaming, give a game like Gears of War 2 an 8.0 and a site gets blasted by fanboys, the company, and other journalists for being too "negative".

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that video game journalists need to build some courage and go beyond the childish fanboyism of guys like Tommy.

viewtiful26

Call him a fanboy after watching this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTR9XzT2cs8

BTW this was recorded during the original Xbox's launch!

What are you, his agent?

Let it go. The reality is this: if you want to think he is the messiah of gaming journalism, than knock yourself out. What should be clear here though is there are others who don't share your opinion(myself included). As you have shown this is very crushing to you, so you have gone out of your way to attempt to prove how everyone else's opinion is wrong except for yours. Such a tragedy that us simple peons can not see Mr. Tallarico's know all insight into the gaming world.:roll:

That was just an act, he was playing around Victor the whole time for humor. I'm not saying he's funny because he was obnoxious in that show.

You know, it's funny that half the time Lucas and Tollarico spent their time arguing for the majority of the reviews they did. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6-4eceaiEviewtiful26

Ah yes. That was always my favorite part. Sympathising with Luke and hating Tommy's guts. It's why the show worked. You had the calm semi nerd and the other brash jock-like dude that you hated just because he was like that. If only they showed it in the States and not keep it exclusive to Canada.

*Shrugs* I'd say the big problem with game journalism is sloppiness. Sometimes one doesn't get the feeling these guys have played the games they are talking about. Nowadays its not uncommon for games to ship with big bugs or even broken (both SP and MP), but rare is the reviewer than mentions such facts. I don't expect game jounalists to feel the same way I do about a given game, but I do expect them to do a better job of laying out the objective facts than they tend to do.

I place a lot more faith in hands-on experience and the word of other gamers than I do in professional reviewers. All that being said, I don't think bias towards heavily advertised games or whatever is a big problem (reviewers' incompetence is evenhanded).

The problem lies with the use of media. They could be used as a tool for marketting just like ads on newspapers or to express an opinion on different things so both are acceptable in videogames journalism. We can't eliminate one those just because we think it's unethical. It happens all the time. If you thought a person was bought to praise a cetrain product in an article, you could always not read the article. The case of being mislead and pushed to buy a product based on an article that praised that product which is called cheating in civial law cannot be applied on entertainment mediums because the content in those is extremely subjective.

If I wrote an article about a shampoo let's say, a person could always sue me for trying to sell a product based on an inaccurate info but if I wrote an article about a movie, they can't because the subject is relative.