Game Journalism isn’t Dead; It Never Existed

Sometimes I feel too entrenched in the gaming universe. I wake up to Twitter in a flutter over gaming misogyny and ethics, YouTube is filled with gameplay and commentary, and the latest title touted as the greatest by as many gaming media outlets as possible. The thing is, none of it matters. The YouTubers are as much journalists as major gaming sites, and those on Twitter? They miss the point completely. Let’s face it; game journalism is for marketing and promotion. Video game websites, and magazines before them, exist to show off the next product that a consumer should buy. There isn’t research, just rehashes of press releases that are available to everyone. In fact, some sites make it even easier for game journalists by bundling all the press releases in a neat and clean email. Major gaming outlets were created to be an amalgamation of everything companies deem worthy for the masses.

This isn’t completely the fault of journalists. Opinion pieces, interviews, nor actual research can generate revenue at the same rate as the breadcrumbs given out by developers or publishers. The indie scene containing creative, game loving individuals are shoved under the bed for AAA titles that readers wait for with bated breath. As gamers have grown fond of Twitch and let’s play segments, “game journalism” has devolved to journalists playing games for viewers.

So, when the topic of gaming ethics comes about, I find the whole discussion silly. Previews are created to hype consumers for a game and reviews lack any influence on large scale purchases. When the gaming audience uses AdBlock and turns to “amateurs” on YouTube, a media outlet should take pay for reviews, previews, or even allow sponsored articles on the site. Geoff Keighley unrightfully became a target sitting between Doritos and Mountain Dew because websites and television need money. The world isn’t black and white, even in the gaming niche. The media outlets are already advertisers, they might as well monetize it.

Now the dawn of YouTube and Twitch has come to consoles. Gaming companies love it. Free marketing from actual players? Who wouldn’t want that? These are the new “gaming journalists”. It’s the common voice filled with gameplay but without the bachelor’s degrees that are wasted in paid environments.

Even better? Developers and publishers have begun to realize they can circumvent everyone. Nintendo, Ubisoft, Sony and more go straight to the consumers to show off their product. Why allow a chance of problems to arise when you can show your product off in a controlled setting?

Some may point to Anita Sarkeesian as the new gaming journalism. Exposing social injustices in console gaming, well-known as male dominated, both as players and creators. This isn’t real journalism. Real research would consist of the percentage of women working in games, what their positions are, why more women are not part of the workforce, and how to help them. Instead, her videos patronize the actual players rather than addressing the real problems. Only when women have better representation in game creation will they have the ability to communicate their ideals.

The thing is, gaming journalism doesn’t matter, nor does it exist. #GamerGate is barely a blip on the universe, not even strong enough to make it to top twitter trends. Just in general, video games do not matter. In 30 years, no one will look back at The Last of Us in a history book. Destiny’s outrageous sells will be forgotten by next generation.

Guess what, though? This is all okay.

What matters are the personal memories created through gaming. A video game is inherently pointless, but sitting with my mother playing Ghost ‘N’ Goblins made gaming important. Staying up all New Year’s in 1999 with my cousin playing Soul Calibur was important. Watching my grandparents compete with one another in Dr. Mario was important. I have connected memories to gaming throughout my life and I won’t forget them.

So, in around ten years when the so-called gaming journalism has become top 10 lists and let’s plays while developers send the press releases straight to your Google Glass, hold on to the memories that gaming gave you.