Gamespot Exodus: Say 'adios' to Brad Shoemaker

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/19/gamespot-exodus-say-adios-to-brad-shoemaker/

We've joked before that, with all of the resignations post Gerstmann-gate, Gamespot's content must be generated by a lonely janitor in the offices, taking a break from picking gum out of the carpet. We're sad to report that his life is about to be even harder: Editor Brad Shoemaker (who has written for the site for eight years) will leave the company this Friday. He hasn't reveled where he's headed, but he's maintaining a personal blog to keep fans up-to-date.

The list of departures from the site is getting long enough that we'll soon have to set it to the tune of the "William Tell Overture" to remember it all. But for right now it's at Jason Ocampo, Ryan Davis, Alex Navarro, Frank Provo and, of course, Jeff Gerstmann himself. Just so we know, is this officially "fiasco" level yet? Are we at Code Fiasco?

Is this whole Gerstmann-gate the big downfall of GS?? Discuss.

It won't be the downfall of Gamespot , it will just be the emergence of Giantbomb.

I will be joining Jeff's gaming website when it launches this summer. It will have forums and all this good stuff, so I am not to worried about what happens here.MrKittle

It won't be the downfall of Gamespot , it will just be the emergence of Giantbomb.

Nike_Air

Hardly. The site has an awful, awful long way to go. Right now it looks pretty much like any one of hundreds of generic game journals on google blogs.

[QUOTE="Nike_Air"]

It won't be the downfall of Gamespot , it will just be the emergence of Giantbomb.

Ninja-Hippo

Hardly. The site has an awful, awful long way to go. Right now it looks pretty much like any one of hundreds of generic game journals on google blogs.

A site run by Jeff. lolcopters.

Does anyone else think it rediculous that people keep comparing a dude being fired for writing a poor review to the President of the United States resigning to avoid impeachment?Ninja-Hippo

Yes, lol. I have no idea why so many people take this kind of thing so personally. As if long time Gamespot employees leaving will have a direct impact on their well being and life in general.

Times change, things change. People quit jobs and get fired all the time. If you are good friends with these guys or a maybe even a relative, then I can understand. But, as it is, this kind of stuff is just not directly related to gaming discussion at all. In essence....WHO CARES?

As long as these forums are still around, I could care less who quits or gets fired. As my gaming preferences have never been dependent on "Teh GOspEl aCCorDIngz tO GamspOtz" anyway, lol. In other words, I do not care who they have reviewing games, as it does not effect me or my gaming at all.

the main thing keep people at GS is the system wars forum IMO

it's gonna take time for them to rebuild

Brad was a casual gamer, but he was a competent writer so I respect him for that.tekmojo

He might be a competent writer, however he was so dull on "On the Spot".

the main thing keep people at GS is the system wars forum IMO

it's gonna take time for them to rebuild

akif22

But you do see the link between GS reviews and GS' system wars, don't you? Many claim GS' scores are the only ones that should be uased when comparing consoles and games. So, the link is there.

Hmmm, the gertsmann incident actually evolved into something, wow...I'm sad now, the shoemaker was my favorite reviewer here.

Hmmm, the gertsmann incident actually evolved into something, wow...I'm sad now, the shoemaker was my favorite reviewer here.

kittykatz5k

I bet CNET are feeling pretty foolish now. :lol:

[QUOTE="kittykatz5k"]

Hmmm, the gertsmann incident actually evolved into something, wow...I'm sad now, the shoemaker was my favorite reviewer here.

BlackIsle_rip

I bet CNET are feeling pretty foolish now. :lol:

I think you guys are part of a very small minority of visitors to gamespot who actually keep up with who reviews what and remembers reviews from that person. I've been browsing IGN for like 10 years and the only reviewer I can name is Spence D... and he doesn't even review videogames, he's just a guy who gives every rap album thats not Eminem like 4/10.Senor_Kami

:lol:

It's funny because it's true. :P

[QUOTE="kittykatz5k"]

Hmmm, the gertsmann incident actually evolved into something, wow...I'm sad now, the shoemaker was my favorite reviewer here.

BlackIsle_rip

I bet CNET are feeling pretty foolish now. :lol:

not really all cnet cares about is hits to the site so they can still get advertising and most of the people that come to this site prob dont know who jeff gerstmann or any other editor on this site is. just by being here on the fourms helps cnet make money. So they wouldnt care if every last one of the editors left they just hire new ones and most people wouldnt notice the difference. As long as people kept coming to the site then cnet wont care.

I think you guys are part of a very small minority of visitors to gamespot who actually keep up with who reviews what and remembers reviews from that person. I've been browsing IGN for like 10 years and the only reviewer I can name is Spence D... and he doesn't even review videogames, he's just a guy who gives every rap album thats not Eminem like 4/10.Senor_Kami

I don't pay attention either. Just thought this was a decent topic to discuss instead of the repetitive stuff that's here. Hardly been in these forums and I'm already seeing the same stuff over and over.

And I think it helps show people that reviews are fallible. They are written by humans from their viewpoint. And while they sell us on their non-bias, human nature tells us a different story. All reviews, to a degree, are biased in some way shape or form. And people should know not to put so much weight in the review scores. No matter how much "ownage" they want to be able to claim.

That's where the issue starts, the fanboys needing to own each other. Never before was so much weight put into reviews. They were started as a guide for what to play/buy/rent. Not to be able to jump in a forum and tell someone else they suck.

I will be joining Jeff's gaming website when it launches this summer. It will have forums and all this good stuff, so I am not to worried about what happens here.MrKittle

I probably will, too.

[QUOTE="Senor_Kami"]I think you guys are part of a very small minority of visitors to gamespot who actually keep up with who reviews what and remembers reviews from that person. I've been browsing IGN for like 10 years and the only reviewer I can name is Spence D... and he doesn't even review videogames, he's just a guy who gives every rap album thats not Eminem like 4/10.The_Dan_K

I don't pay attention either. Just thought this was a decent topic to discuss instead of the repetitive stuff that's here. Hardly been in these forums and I'm already seeing the same stuff over and over.

And I think it helps show people that reviews are fallible. They are written by humans from their viewpoint. And while they sell us on their non-bias, human nature tells us a different story. All reviews, to a degree, are biased in some way shape or form. And people should know not to put so much weight in the review scores. No matter how much "ownage" they want to be able to claim.

That's where the issue starts, the fanboys needing to own each other. Never before was so much weight put into reviews. They were started as a guide for what to play/buy/rent. Not to be able to jump in a forum and tell someone else they suck.

Agreed. Use reviews to give you some info on a game you arent really aware of, or something. Otherwise, if it seems appealing to you, rent it or buy it. Reviews are information you use to gather better knowledge about a game, they arent the end all be all factor in deciding your purchase.

[QUOTE="Ninja-Hippo"]Does anyone else think it rediculous that people keep comparing a dude being fired for writing a poor review to the President of the United States resigning to avoid impeachment?ironcreed

Yes, lol. I have no idea why so many people take this kind of thing so personally. As if long time Gamespot employees leaving will have a direct impact on their well being and life in general.

Times change, things change. People quit jobs and get fired all the time. If you are good friends with these guys or a maybe even a relative, then I can understand. But, as it is, this kind of stuff is just not directly related to gaming discussion at all. In essence....WHO CARES?

As long as these forums are still around, I could care less who quits or gets fired. As my gaming preferences have never been dependent on "Teh GOspEl aCCorDIngz tO GamspOtz" anyway, lol. In other words, I do not care who they have reviewing games, as it does not effect me or my gaming at all.

let me ask you a question. what's the lowest scored game you've ever played and beaten?

[QUOTE="ironcreed"]

[QUOTE="Ninja-Hippo"]Does anyone else think it rediculous that people keep comparing a dude being fired for writing a poor review to the President of the United States resigning to avoid impeachment?exiledsnake

Yes, lol. I have no idea why so many people take this kind of thing so personally. As if long time Gamespot employees leaving will have a direct impact on their well being and life in general.

Times change, things change. People quit jobs and get fired all the time. If you are good friends with these guys or a maybe even a relative, then I can understand. But, as it is, this kind of stuff is just not directly related to gaming discussion at all. In essence....WHO CARES?

As long as these forums are still around, I could care less who quits or gets fired. As my gaming preferences have never been dependent on "Teh GOspEl aCCorDIngz tO GamspOtz" anyway, lol. In other words, I do not care who they have reviewing games, as it does not effect me or my gaming at all.

let me ask you a question. what's the lowest scored game you've ever played and beaten?

Quite a few come to mind. If I had to pick one off the top of my head, I would say Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Operation Resurrection (PS2 version) which scored something like a 4.5 here on GS I believe. Still one of my favorite games from last gen. Why do you ask?

I already visit giantbomb.com more than Gamespot. At least they have personality and give me something to look forward too. That will be even more true once they begin to review more and more games. Of course I'm just one person so what does gamespot care, but even if just $5 of us here switch that is still a good market share gamespot is losing. Not to mention a lot of gaming dollars.

edit: Also I won't have to deal with this broken posting code!!!!