@pinky08_09: It was just an example of why it would be important specifically for Gamespot to step up on this issue: because they've been caught before. I think I've watched the video... but I'll look for it again and re-watch. According to an interview with the Escapist though, Gerstmann suggests (without saying it outright) that he was either forced out or fired because Eidos threatened to pull ad revenue after the review. So yeah... not the point of my comment, but very relevant regardless.

@prats93: Yup, because there are no problems in games journalism. Nothing to see here, folks. No harassment of gamers. No "'gamers' are dead" bullying by games journos. No doxxing of twitter users who are speaking up and not harassing anyone. No calling gamers neckbearded, basement-dwelling nerds by journos. No calling female gamers sock puppets or pretending they don't exist. No agenda pushing. No lying. No backroom collusion to lie to gamers or rig development competitions. No hypocrisy. No nepotism...

Nope... it's aaaaaaaall about harassment of women. Of course it is. Clearly, you have seen through the bulls**t to the REAL issue.

So mondoben... you mentioned very, very briefly that "some of the debate" has been about ethics in games journalism... and then you abruptly went on to rail against harassment.

Let me tell you something: nobody stands for harassment. #GamerGate is extremely opposed to harassment... though I can't say the same for your doxx-dropping comrades in arms... Coming out against harassment achieves nothing because nobody is pro-harassment except jerks. I can only assume, unlike Gamasutra, your policies do not include "be jerks to our users". There's no risk in coming out against something everybody's already against.

That being said, what are Gamespot's ethical standards? Why not talk about that? Wasn't it this very site that (allegedly... sure) fired Jeff Gerstmann after giving Kain and Lynch a not-that-glowing review... in the middle of a Kain and Lynch ad campaign? Don't you think Gamespot, as much as any other site out there, owes it to its readers to be transparent about this?

By way of example, I'd like everyone who reads this to check out ElderGeek.com. The owner, Randy, posted a video today talking about his site's ethical practices, how he will be more up-front about where he gets his review copies, etc... and he's never had to. He's had integrity from DAY 1... and he's stepping up before anyone even asks. You haven't, Gamespot. I'm having to ask you right now. Step up or step aside. You will be washed away if you fail to see the rising tide.

@jp_: Yes it would... especially since I've unsubscribed from your newsletter updates about SIX TIMES, and I'm still getting them for the games I'm "following"... despite NEVER OPTING TO DO SO!

Stuff like this is exactly why I obliterated my IGN account. I'm sure you guys don't want your users doing the same thing, right?