Apparently a bunch of gamespot's own members will be boycotting the site and all of cnet in general. I got this in my inbox over at gamespot the other day:
"Attention.
Please do not go on GameSpot, GameFAQs, CNET, Download.com, TV.com, et cetera... do not go on ANY CNET site. Logout and DO NOT GO ON AT ALL from 12am EST on Monday (that's midnight tonight) until 12am EST on Tuesday. Don't come on the site, don't Google the site, don't click on a link to the site - don't do ANYTHING that generates a page view, search engine hit, or *anything*
A lot of Gamespotter's more prominant posters will be taking this action to show solidarity with the staff (and Jeff) who have to fear their jobs being lost if they speak their mind. So for their inability to speak on this issue *we'll show CNET our silence*.
This issue is bigger than you, it's bigger than me - it's bigger than GameSpot. This is about big business being able to use *buy* public opinion. Rather than live in a world where the media is controlled entirely by those with the most money, I want to live in a world where gamers who are living for their hobby (these guys truly work because of their passion for gaming, not the paycheck) can say what they truly feel about a game.
So let's do the right thing and show solidarity with Jeff Gerstmann - if he can't go to work on Monday at GameSpot then neither will we."
Hopefully, this will send a message to CNET that buying favorable reviews isn't the way business should be conducted.
Honestly, I don't go to any of those sites to begin with. Because they're bad. An exception is sometimes made for GameFAQs if I'm pissed off with something, but that's it.
Either way, good luck with your boycott, though I'd recommend just not going back and finding better major gaming sites, like 1UP, easily the best major site out there. Or, you know...go independent, on some fine blog site...like Destructoid.
im down for the boycott. i gotta be honest man, the gerstmann firing is the icing on the cake. but be fair, if the reviews can be bought so much that it gets a reviewer fired, then how can you even attempt to trust the reviews. im boycotting out of the practicality of not wasting my time reading bs reviews.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
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Already cblogged (look below you), and I'll say what I said there: Why not just avoid C|Net from now on?
Honestly, I don't go to any of those sites to begin with. Because they're bad. An exception is sometimes made for GameFAQs if I'm pissed off with something, but that's it.
Either way, good luck with your boycott, though I'd recommend just not going back and finding better major gaming sites, like 1UP, easily the best major site out there. Or, you know...go independent, on some fine blog site...like Destructoid.
im down for the boycott. i gotta be honest man, the gerstmann firing is the icing on the cake. but be fair, if the reviews can be bought so much that it gets a reviewer fired, then how can you even attempt to trust the reviews. im boycotting out of the practicality of not wasting my time reading bs reviews.
No Workmeng, its step 4... GOSH