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Facepalm: Crispy Gamer

Posted by Cole Stryker

Crispy Gamer's Scott Jones didn't really like Fallout 3.

I tried very hard to convince myself that I was having fun, that I was intrigued, that I was moved in some profound way.

I wasn't.

So how did he rate it?

Weak fool that I am, I voted for Fallout 3 as GotY [Game of the Year], wondering as I did so whether or not I'd be able to look myself in the mirror the next morning.

Make no mistake: Fallout 3 is a remarkable game. Yet the question is, do I crown it with laurels and start up the "Chariots of Fire" theme simply because I admire it? Or, do I vote for what might be perceived as a less ambitious game; a game that, regardless of its limitations, sucked me in, and held my attention for weeks on end, at the risk of tarnishing my reputation?

The latter, you spineless hack. That's what criticism is. Everyone knows Fallout is a revered series and everyone knows that Bethesda is one of the most acclaimed studios. Your job as a critic is to cut through the marketing morass and tell readers whether or not the game is fun. That's it.

For your reference, here's a blurb from Crispy Gamer's "About Us" page:

Crispy Gamer is a web site dedicated to the serious videogamer who wants news, reviews and information that is unaffected by game publisher advertising and fan boy reporting. Our Game Trust is the largest collection of independent writers in the industry, dedicated to bringing you their unadulterated views on the games they play and the business they cover.

Lulz upon lulz.

I suppose Scott wants a pat on the back for being so honest. Not from me. All this article does is illustrate a bankrupt rationale for his reviewing philosophy, one that he seems just as likely to draw from in the future. There isn't even an apology here! The navel gazing article is just as worthless as his original rating.

That this guy has a full time, senior writing position in games journalism is a testament to how fundamentally broken the press is. These bloggers are supposed to be the outsiders. If we can't expect an ounce of journalistic integrity from the little guys, who aren't beholden to special interests, why are we surprised when the major players drop the ball?

+ DIGG

+ DEL.ICIO.US

+ REDDIT

Posted Jan 13 2009, 04:00 PM

Filed under: fallout 3, cole stryker, journalism, reviews, crispy gamer

Comments

Adam R said:

Fantastic post, Cole. I hadn't read Jones' editorial until you brought it to my attention and am shocked that a quick Google search revealed few other responses like this one (RPS and Insult Swordfighting both offer responses, though the latter is a bit too conciliatory). I responded directly to this post on my own blog, if you care to check it. Just click my name above and the Internets will handle the rest.

January 14, 2009 10:11 AM

Demaar said:

I'd say the fool genuinely thought the game was GOTY material, but then the shine faded and he wanted something newer and shinier and was disappointed he voted for it as GOTY.

January 14, 2009 7:46 PM

Cole Stryker said:

Thanks for the kind words, Adam. Glad you enjoy my ranting.

There is definitely room for plenty more criticism of this guy. I’m praying that the reason why so few are speaking out against it is because Crispy Gamer is a marginal site, but I imagine that its simply because so few people realize how systemic and damaging this cancer is.

I mean, at least Gamespot was getting paid for their unethical behavior during Gerstmann-gate!

I also think it explains why the canon of “essential” games is so inbred, full of sequels and obvious high-selling picks.

January 15, 2009 11:25 AM

about the blogger

John Constantine, our superhero, was raised by birds and then attended Penn State University. He is currently working on a novel about a fictional city that exists only in his mind. John has an astonishingly extensive knowledge of Scientology. Ultimately he would like to learn how to effectively use his brain. He continues to keep Wu-Tang's secret to himself.

Derrick Sanskrit is a self-professed geek in a variety of fields including typography, graphic design, comic books, music and cartoons. As a professional hipster graphic designer, his recent clients have included Nerve, Pitchfork and MoCCA, among others.

Amber Ahlborn - artist, writer, gamer and DigiPen survivor, she maintains a day job as a graphic artist. By night Amber moonlights as a professional Metroid Fanatic and keeps a metal suit in the closet just in case. Has lived in the state of Washington and insists that it really doesn't rain as much as everyone says it does.

Nadia Oxford is a housekeeping robot who was refurbished into a warrior when the world's need for justice was great. Now that the galaxy is at peace (give or take a conflict here or there), she works as a freelance writer for various sites and magazines. Based in Toronto, Nadia prizes the certificate from the Ministry of Health declaring her tick and rabies-free.

Bob Mackey is a grad student, writer, and cyborg, who uses the powerful girl-repelling nanomachines mad science grafted onto his body to allocate time towards interests of the nerd persuasion. He believes that complaining about things on the Internet is akin to the fine art of wine tasting, but with more spitting into buckets.

Joe Keiser has a programming degree from Johns Hopkins University, a tiny apartment in Brooklyn, and a fake toy guitar built in the hollowed-out shell of a real guitar. He writes about games and technology for a variety of outlets. One day he will stop doing this. The day after that, police will find his body under a collapsed pile of (formerly neatly alphabetized) collector's edition tchotchkes.

Cole Stryker is an American freelance writer living in York, England, where he resides with his archeologist wife. He writes for a travel company by day and argues about pop culture on the internet by night. Find him writing regularly here and here.

Peter Smith is like the lead character of Irwin Shaw's The 80-Yard Run, except less athletic. He considers himself very lucky to have this job. But it's a little premature to take "jack-off of all trades" off his resume. Besides writing, travelling, and painting houses, Pete plays guitar in a rock trio called The Aye-Ayes. He calls them a 'power pop' band, but they generally sound more like Motorhead on a drinking binge.