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Double Helix man brands gaming sites as 'f*gs' photo

Eurogamer is never short of controvery when it comes to its reviews, and the European gaming site has caused yet another stir recently when it changed the score of Grand Slam Tennis from 5/10 to 8/10 (owing to them reviewing it originally on a two-year-old kit). Double Helix employee and former Activision man Guy Selga saw this, and decided to brand Eurogamer, along with Kotaku, Joystiq and Gamespot, as "f*gs" that are "all the same."

"Eurogamer magically changes review score. All these f*gs are the same," Tweets Guy. "F*ck #Kotaku, #Joystiq, #Gamespot, etc."

Certainly an articulate, mature, intelligent and well-reasoned critique of some of the world's most popular game sites, of that we can be sure. Selga's Tweet is getting passed around the Internet quite a bit today, seemingly stirring up something of a small hornet's nest. This of course raises the question: With so many games industry people jumping on Twitter, do they have to watch their mouths, or should they be able to spout off anything they like, no matter how unprofessional and/or derogatory their rants?

There's no doubt that Selga was stupid to Tweet that, but how much does he represent his company when he's Twittering, and does it affect his job to be saying things like that as a man who presumably may have to deal with any number of the sites he labeled "f*gs" today?  

Also, f*gs? Are we seriously using playground vernacular as pathetic as that?


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66 comments | showing # 1 to 50
Excremento's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:43
Excremento
As the guy who started all this shit...I should apologize, I had low blood sugar and the diabeetus was starting to make me shake in rage like Michael J Fox at a rave.

Seriously though, MWN is about fucking with people...mission accomplished.

I LEARNED IT FROM WATCHING YOU!!! :D
Justin Villasenor's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:44
Justin Villasenor
At least he doesn't hate us.
Gemsi's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:45
Gemsi
I'm pretty sure eurogamer came out and said they had to rereview the game due to the wii motion plus not functioning on their dev kit properly, if thats true or not that's another thing
Gibbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:46
Gibbo
Well MWN has benefited from this if anything. Score one for the little guy.
Char Aznable's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:48
Char Aznable
Fuck Twitter.
Dimly's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:49
Dimly
Jim, I look at your header images and usually just make a fun little game of wondering what you typed into Google Image search (assuming you don't have a terabyte of children's photos stashed away).

For this instance, I assume you googled "Home Alone face," and found that little girl.

*investigates*
GohanGVO's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:49
GohanGVO
You are what you tweet.
foolishwolf's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:50
foolishwolf
I hate Twitter, but it's fun watching others use it. Always some moron saying something unintelligent and then having to retract their statement later on with another Tweet.
Jonathan Ross's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:51
Jonathan Ross
Given that their dev kit was 2 years old and hadn't been upgraded, it seems pretty reasonable to me, since I doubt that a kit that old would have the firmware to even begin to handle MotionPlus. They also pulled the review almost immediately after it went up, and then spent the weekend rereviewing it - it's not like the score magically changed.
Excremento's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:53
Excremento
@foolishwolf

Yeah John Romero for instance...
HarassmentPanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:55
HarassmentPanda
Unfortunately, this is more than just a games industry issue. Millions of professionals are now on twitter and other social networking sites and tend to forget that their online statements are both public and recorded. Even posting pseudonymously (as I do every day) should be done with care -- everything can be linked back to you.

And, really, "fag?" Grow up. We need to invent an equally offensive term for "bad game designer" to use on guys like this. Perhaps this could be a New Gamer Dictionary challenge.
phantomile's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 11:56
phantomile
I kind of agree with him though. Review sites like those are extremely inconsistent, and almost nothing good ever comes out of them.
People had this same reaction when Gamespot changed its score for GTA:IV.

I've just long since stopped going on any gaming site other than Destructoid.
The White Light's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:02
The White Light
Oh professionalism in the game industry. Sometimes you're just not there.
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:03
HiddenAHB
Well, people at GameSpot are indeed fags, but the rest is blasphemy.
I think reviews aren't extemely important since they choose from reviewer to reviewer and it's about the preference of the person who is playing.
But that doesn't mean that they are useless of course.
Zac Bentz's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:03
Zac Bentz
For the record, AP style dictates "tweet." Not "Tweet." No mention yet of "twitter" or "twittering," etc.

What were we talking about now?
waves's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:04
waves
So he made a Tennis game and he's calling other people fags? Well La-Di-Da Mr. Frenchman.
Instant_Awesome's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:05
Instant_Awesome
He's probably just cranky that they haven't made a decent game since the company formed a couple of years ago. Either that, or they're bitter that Eurogamer, Kotaku, Joystiq and Gamespot had a big gay orgy and Double Helix wasn't invited.

I heard Gamespot is a "power bottom".
LsTr Of SmG's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:07
LsTr Of SmG
Lmao, I love how he calls game review sites 'fags' yet links to a rotten tomato rating for Transformers 2.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRONY!
Bulkmailer's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:10
Bulkmailer
what a meanie
Ezruh's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:13
Ezruh
Make better games and maybe you'll get better reviews you fuckstick
Excremento's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:17
Excremento
I still think this is the only site where you get an honest review of things...and it's only cause I've seen the soul of Dtoid and it's all about the games.
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:19
Br0th3rGr1mm
I know Jim's Favorite derogitory term is a smelly 4 letter word that starts with a C, ends with a T and smells like a fish taco...
Br0th3rGr1mm's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:20
Br0th3rGr1mm
I know Jim's Favorite derogitory term is a smelly 4 letter word that starts with a C, ends with a T and smells like a fish taco...
Vanilla Gorilla's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:25
Vanilla Gorilla
Hmm... Well on one hand I can't blame someone for being internet hate machines. It would be silly to hold devs to the standard that they need to be saints.

On the other hand... That's a pretty fucking ignorant comment.

I'd not buy anything Double Helix developed for such a loose, ignorant tongue, but they're making Front Mission Evolved. And I do love me some mech combat.

So we'll compromise and just say "What a fag."
Dimly's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:26
Dimly
@LsTr_Of_SmG

What's ironic about that?
Sustenance's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:37
Sustenance
It was a stupid thing to write, not just because the term is offensive, but because it reveals more about the idiot using the term than the object of his anger. Keep in mind that a significant portion of the Destructoid / Kotatku / etc. community probably claim to look down upon this kind of thing, but then strap on their headsets when they get home and scream the same word into Halo / CoD / etc. multiplayer when they get home. It's an ugly part of the culture, but people only seem to bring it up when it's directed at them.

Just sayin'. It's a problem with video gamers in general, not just this one barely important person.
GuyFNC's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:38
GuyFNC
You guys are all right. It was very childish of me. I can take the heat. I deserve it. Sorry everyone.
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:40
-PL-
Honestly I kind of agree with his opinion on Gamespot and Eurogamer. Cashwhore debacle anyone? I haven't visited Gamespot since the Kane and Lynch thing. And Eurogamer's reviews are worthless, they don't even really play the games beyond just trying them out. I'm sure they got slipped a buck to change the review from a 5/10 to an 8/10.

Also @waves - he didn't make the Tennis game. He's pissed that a game review got changed from a below average/mediocre rating to a very good rating. It definitely arouses suspicion.

Anyway let's get off our high horses. Game developers aren't politicians, they're not trying to get votes or maintain some kind of constituency, so I don't really think they have to be saints in the public eye. Sure, I guess they have to worry about people not buying their games, but honesly, who is going to remember this in a week? We're going to be busy talking shit about some other game developer that said something dumb.
Vedicardi2's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:44
Vedicardi2
lol hai thar guy

I dunno if Kotaku really falls into the same category as eurogamer and gamestop. They don't even give scores in their reviews and the like, but I guess I can see some other comparisons you can make with them.

But really, it's not a big deal.
Vedicardi2's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:44
Vedicardi2
I meant gamespot lol
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:48
Magnalon
Eurogamer is absolutely terrible when it comes to reviews: simply terrible.

Google "The Darkfall Debacle" and read up. It's the worst thing to ever happen to reviews in the history of gaming websites.

I'm sure this Tennis debacle happened the same exact way Jonathan Ross described, so it's not really a problem, but their past would indicate it's a possibility.

@ -PL-
Anyway let's get off our high horses. Game developers aren't politicians
No, but they're professionals, and professionals don't call people sexually insensitive terms. That's just common sense, dude.
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:56
-PL-
In all fairness I doubt he meant any animosity towards homosexuals. People need to stop being so oversensitive... fags.
smackifilia's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 12:58
smackifilia
He doesn't represent anything but himself, and to even suggest that his twitter represents his company is just trying to stir up more shit. Who cares what he says? I don't. If you don't like it, don't buy his games. How hard is that?
GuyFNC's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:00
GuyFNC
"In all fairness I doubt he meant any animosity towards homosexuals. People need to stop being so oversensitive... fags."

No animosity here. I was just being ignorant.
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:01
Magnalon
@-PL-
Of course not! It doesn't matter though. If he would have called it "unprofessional", he wouldn't have locked his Twitter and tried to cover it up, and this wouldn't have even been reported on sites like this.
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:08
-PL-
That's true, it doesn't matter. And I think it's sad that in today's society of overbearing political correctness and sensitivity, the context in which a word is used doesn't matter at all. It would be one thing if he said something hateful directed towards homosexuals and used the word "fag", but the way he used it was pretty innocent, and not aimed at any particular group of people except the game sites he listed.

I don't think it's a good thing to behave like that, but I also think that saying that it's hateful towards a population of people is a little overkill.
kauza's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:09
kauza
Not sure what else can really be said at this point, but I think the effect that Twitter has on some people is that they just post before they think. It's probably better for people like Selga to just not use it at all if they can't keep shit that should be personal where it belongs.
GuyFNC's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:11
GuyFNC
@Magnalon

Hey I can take the heat. Yes, I said it. Yes, i'm sorry. My updates are public for all to see.
PwnanObrien's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:13
PwnanObrien
Wait, what did he call the guys at gaygamer then?
silvain's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:14
silvain
He also probably has no contract and can be immediately fired for saying inflammatory things on the tubes. Not a good idea, Mr. game designer.
Clbull's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:16
Clbull
I haven't visited Gamespot since the Kane and Lynch review either, plus I think the Darkfall Online review that Eurogamer did was a bit ridiculous.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:20
HarassmentPanda
For those that are interested, here is Eurogamer's explanation for the review change: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/editors-blog-grand-slam-tennis-to-be-re-reviewed-blog-entry
foolishwolf's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:27
foolishwolf
hmmmmmmm is GuyFNC really the "Guy"?

I demand proof!
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:31
brainderailment
Takes one to know one!
JamnOnTheOne's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:33
JamnOnTheOne
"Are we seriously using playground vernacular as pathetic as that?"

If even trashier playground vernacular is fair game in gaming blog sites, I think it's ok.
geno's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:42
geno
@foolishwolf It's him. I know you can't trust my word either, but TRY this once. :D
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:43
DinnertimeNinja
In general, I feel that people should lighten up over small missteps and off-collar jokes, but this truly was a completely stupid and juvenile thing to do.

Basically, this is the type of thing you'd find on a drunk fratboy's twitter at 4AM.

And for reference, a lot of employers check out their prospective hires online, and I can't think of any business that wouldn't just throw away your resume after reading a tweet like that.
LsTr Of SmG's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:46
LsTr Of SmG
@ dimly

Because he's citing a film review site to support his point after saying games reviewers are fags - admittedly it's a community driven as well as critically driven one but nevertheless. Considering film review sites have had similar controversies to this in the past (the original Pirates of the Caribbean anyone?) I think it's safe to say this is ironic.
lv99ron's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/25/2009 13:54
lv99ron
I work in the game industry, I also use to work with Guy Selga. This is a guy who use to run around with his John Cena spinner belt on so you know what he has to say matters. I could really care less about what he has to say, but what gets to me is the fact that so many people care. WTF when did Guy become so famous that his tweets could have such an impact. It would be different if Hideo Kojima tweeted something like this. Fuck I could see it being a big deal if one of the head guys here said it. But seriously, GTFO with this shyt.
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