Look at Me! I'm Special!

Over at J2Games, we’ve already put many Internet video game writers through the wringer when it comes to the subject of being a journalist. Supposedly, being a video games journalist today merely consists of having a news site where one just points out what other sites say about video games – "this site has an interview, that site said this rumor, some site dug up this news" – all in one blog roll with cute, Photoshopped photos that attempt to be funny. Honestly, though, the adage goes that you have to stick with what sells and I can live with this if this is how video games journalism has evolved to what people really want. There is, however, one thing some of these sites do that annoys me beyond belief. Usually, the offense looks something like this:

Guitar Hero 9,435,283 Arrives at HQ
By nestlekwik

UPS just stopped by, dropping off an advanced copy of Guitar Hero 9,435,283 before it is available in stores. We’re going to go and play it right now and let you know what we think later.

Okay. We get it. You’re a video game publication outlet and you get games earlier than most other people. But, honestly, what journalistic good does an entry like this provide? There is no good and this only serves to stroke the ego of the writers who feel the need to think they are above every one else. If you understand video game journalism, you already know that these outlets receive advance copies in order to convince readers to buy the game. Be a journalist and skip the part where UPS came to your door so you could gloat that you’re playing a game before most of the civilized world and get on to sharing news and views about the game so readers can be informed.

This doesn’t stem from jealousy, either. Even though I am, at face value, a “video game industry nobody,” I still receive a fair amount of games prior to their retail release date and this has included key titles from companies such as Nintendo and Sony. With that being said, I never felt the need to rub it in people’s faces that I was in possession of a game early – I just appreciated the opportunity and reported news and views as I saw fit.

The being said, while I can’t speak for myself, I’m sure this facet of egotism has always existed among video game journalists. I mean, when you do get to play games in advance, have a voice that is heard by many gamers and talk to some high-profile people, I’m sure there is a natural chip that forms on your shoulder. Even so, I think most of these writers had the common sense (and journalism training) to not put such an attitude in their print. I can’t recall magazines telling me that UPS showed up with the hot new Super Mario Bros. 2 or writers blatantly telling me they were going to go and play Super Mario Kart before I could instead of using the space to report valid information. Again, I’m sure the egotism was there in some aspects, but it appeared to be a lot more behind the scenes.

At least with this editorial, I can get the dubious honor of being the first person to mention Guitar Hero 9,435,283 before it is announced sometime next year.