So there's been a huge storm over in games journalism due a certain Zoe Quinn and her dishonest dealings with major individuals in the industry to gain undeserved press and prestige.
(For those not in the know)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-51PfwI3M
But she's not the point.She should not be entirely.
What's happening now is. What gaming news sites are doing now is. How gamers are responding are and the analysis of how bad the current state of the industry is.
After the incident came to light, there was outrage at Zoe Quinn, up to the point she has been sent death threats. It also caused an explosion in the sense that the sites the individuals who were involved with her write for are now distrusted by the general gaming community,which is only made worse by the fact that these sites have apparently been trying to quell discussions, removing posts relating to the incident and such. In the wake of this, a movement called GamerGate has arisen.
https://github.com/GamerGateOP/GamerGateOP/blob/master/FAQ.md
More and more evidence pile up and game journalism seems less and less reliable. It saddening to see.
Her incident was a symptom to the major disease that has taken over. A disease of corruption and silencing. And it's drawing more attention. Soon maybe the internet will be watching as this unfolds. And how gamers and games journalism will be seen lies on how this is going to end.
What do I feel about this?
There are good and bad sides to this. The good side being that such a thing is being uncovered and addressed for the sake of integrity and truth in games journalism. The bad side is how this is probably going to be terribly scarring.
After having been repeatedly silenced over the discussion of Zoe Quinn and some sites writing articles that seem to be retaliations against gamers, a form of drastic action has been called:
The boycotting of these sites. Gamers now actively avoid games journalism websites in order to starve them of revenue.
This action is most definitely going to be harmful to both parties. I feel gamers do at least need some place where they can get information on games that are coming out or news relating to the games industry. With this, they shut it out. The sites would obviously suffer losses as this drags on, and depending on how long this goes for, I fear a horrible collapse. Could this really happen? And would a new wave of journalism arise from the ashes of this disaster? I don't know.
I look at this and I feel a myriad of negative feelings:Anger, sadness, pity, fear. Upon first hearing this, I got honestly upset and disgusted. Watching on as it unfolded, it was disheartening to see the this war between gamers and the journalists. New comers to gaming and games journalism would be frightened by these and I worry that certain individuals who honestly treat games journalism with respect may be causalities. Being someone who dreams to work in the field, it's scary to see something like this and the industry being faced with something so seemingly grim and uncertain.
Yet part of me feels a bit of hope. A Hope that this might shape games journalism for the better.
One can only hope that this may end decently, but one thing is certain: There will be a massive change.
