I've been known to defend my craft from the trendy critics of so-called game journalism, but that doesn't mean we writers are not above reproach. In fact, there's a certain little tactic that I am yet to find a reasonable, justifiable, believable defense for, and that is the subject of this week's show.
I got genuinely furious in this one, moreso than usual. This is partially because of the subject, and partially because I had an absurd amount of recording problems and had to re-record vast tracts of the video. It leads to a rather ... impassioned ending. I also think I might have properly messed the microphone up this time.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Great Jimquisistion as always, It's always bothered me that when a celebrity dies everyone jumps onto his death to make cheap hits. It's fine if you are respectfully paying an homage to him, but most of the time it seems like over patronizing BS. Unless you knew him personally or was an extreme fan of the person is doesn't mean shit to you. Lots of people die everyday I'm not going to single out one of them and pretend like he was the second coming of Christ just because he was in a movie once.
Yeah Kotaku really does suck ass. I have friends who love Kotaku and defend it for doing this because "we're expanding our horizons". To which I usually say "Then get it from people who aren't pants-on head retarded."
Anyway awesome Jimquistion Jim. Look forward to the next one.
Gawd, I stopped reading Kotaku after some jack assed writer on their site wrote this huge diatribe about why Japan sucked (which is where he lived.) WHO GIVES A SHIT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT JAPAN.
And those fucking posts about videogame cakes....holy shit, shoot me in the fucking face.
I only really come to Destructoid these days simply because other gaming sites and blogs either a) write about lots of barely-related-to videogames news or b) have shit writers.
Damn you Mr. Sterling I love the Jimquisition really. Why isn't this man on television damn it??? You remind me of a segment on a show I watch up here in the North called Rick Mercer reports. Only you're a little angrier. If only you, and the Destructoid show were on G4. You guys would likely save that station.
Yeah, noticed this trend with Kotaku's #randomshit posts which kind of made me wonder what the hell they where doing. I didn't know it was spreading(twss).
I have to say, ANThology was the peak of Alien Ant Farm's albums, but TRUant and Up in the Attic had some really good singles. Anyone remember the BET Awards where Alien Ant Farm crashed the place?
Sometimes you talk about issues on Jimquisition which doesn't bother me, or you make a point which is arguable...
But this episode is so correct it's no point in arguing. It so sad of "journalists" to take a celebrity's death as an opportunity to get hits.
I hope the Kotaku writers watch this episode, but I somehow doubt they'll change what they do.
I left Kotaku because of the increasingly draconian implementation of user comments. There were some great friends on the site, and I regret leaving them behind but I just couldn't stand anything about Kotaku anymore. Their methods were terrible, frequent posts about nothing. Stupid reviews that delve into other blog sites.
And that horrible tiered user system. Took me forever to get a god damn little gold star only for me to get sick of it by the time I had one.
This was before their fucking password fiasco. I am almost enraged by the stupidity on the site. Both on the editors side and the technology side.
WHO THE FUCK USES DES ENCRYPTION AND DOESN'T REQUIRE A MUCH LONGER PASSWORD?!
They still have a fuckton more hits than you guys have, but you guys deserve them more than they do. Sure you guys review things a bit lower than average, but at least you don't consistently fellate a huge release that heavily sponsored your site unlike certain other blog sites.
I like it here and I will plan on staying, just fix the little issue I get with my AV when I view community blog posts. Avast doesn't like the icons.
OK, I agree that if you are trying to tie in video games into an article that has nothing to do with video games is rather ridiculous, but I also see nothing wrong with writing a non video game related story on your site as a non video game article. Gamers do like other things too :)
As someone who writes for a video game website I am 100% with Jim on this one. Countless times I see video game publications post things that have nothing to do with video games. I am not going to mentioned which one I am talking about but you might know who it is.
G4 is the antithesis of pure and true video game journalism. Dtoid on G4 would be like matter and antimatter colliding. LOL I hate to say it, but if the Jimquisition ever made it TV it would be so perverted and effed up with advertising and product placement that you wouldn't recognize it anymore. Keep it realz, Jimbo. Keep it real. ; )
Also, I find it hilarious that literally eveything you brought up as NOT VIDYA (celebrity shit, science stories, etc) has at the least one post and at the most an entire fucking category on Kotaku.
This is why I stopped even checking Kotaku at all. After they posted stuff about that new poison-based bacteria, and their commenter's actually defended the site for posting non-videogame stuff I packed it in.
I also have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the whole gawker media group. Jalopnik is great though.
This is why I stopped even checking Kotaku at all. After they posted stuff about that new poison-based bacteria, and their commenter's actually defended the site for posting non-videogame stuff I packed it in.
I also have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the whole gawker media group. Jalopnik is great though.
Typhonic: I've actually never seen that post. I wouldn't have posted such a thing myself.
However, I can see what Hamza's intention was. He saw it as the use of an App to play a game. It's a weak link but I don't think he was siphoning hits off a trending Google topic and saying "fuck the readers." As Hamza himself says in the thread, the story appealed to him as a gamer. I can see why he did it.
At the very least, Hamza was able to defend his decision. I'm yet to see the posters of celebrity deaths and random movie reviews get even that far.
Thanks for bringing this issue of game journalists not doing their job, and I can tell now that this is something that must bug you as much as it has me, only it seems that the Postlewaite post is what pushed you over the edge.
Too bad other game sites continue to post fuck all about games and call it journalism, but thank goodness we've got Destructoid!
Hmm... will we eventually be able to edit our posts? I've realized I've made some rather embarrassing incorrect use of words in my previous post.
I recognize that there are quite a few issues with editing posts, but as Destructoid grows and grows there may be enough incentive to add that function in.
Anyways, here's a toast to one of the few remaining video game blogs that maintain a decent flow of content balanced with a moderate amount of humor!
This is the best Jimquisition yet. Bravo, and point well-made. This piece should transcribed, chiseled into some slabs of stone and sent out to other game blogs in the guise of swag packages. Their will surely be "un-boxing videos," and just imagine the quizzical, heart-broken looks on all those faces as they begin to read aloud the words therein...
I don't visit many other game sites so I didn't know this was a thing but yeah, I don't want movie news on a video game website and seems to me if you have to add other types of news to get hits then maybe you aren't doing a very good job of reporting stuff to begin with.
Hey Jim. Somehow I can't stand it when you sound off on us fans, cause we're always going to be idiots and nothing with change that, but I love it when you rip into your peers. I agree that yeah that is bull and it's a terrible waste of the limited time I get with my 1's and 0's in a given day.
So the next time that Kotaku pisses you off... I want to see blood, Jim. BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
It's pretty fucking stupid. I don't mind brief digressions, to be sure. I love reading bloggers who know about things beyond just games. They usually can make really insightful comments, and they can present great points by drawing on their knowledge outside of games.
It does become a problem when it's games journalists (and other types, too. Not just to pick on games journalists) who post about stupid, unrelated bullshit without trying to connect it to games. Publishing an article about how Pete Postlewaithe's acting makes you wish for better voice acting in games? Sure. A little exploitative of trends, but it has content related to video games. Just "he died, he was in cool movies, we're sad because he was so brilliant even though we've only seen The Lost World" is less okay. Downright slimy, even.
Well Jim, you have some of the best writing, commentary, and "journalism" in all of videogaming so be grateful for that and have pity for your lesser counterparts. It is you that makes Destructoid unique and interesting. Keep at it.
That said, gaming isn't just about playing games, but about a culture of gamers, and to comment on the overall culture and things that gamers value and like in general I don't think is out of place for the "gaming press" overall.
Hey, who can forget the classic "Inception is like a videogame" thing over the summer?
Well, at least Kotaku has one thing going for it. They're not Blistered Thumbs (ay-ooooh!) Stop relying on amataeur bedroom "critics", you ejits!
@Brennan & Magnalon: That was Tim Rogers. A man who was shaken out of his un-informed complacency and sterotypical views when he finally realised that Tokyo was just like every other modern city in the world. I remember several other websites (especially Chris' Survival Horror Quest) criticising him for such narrow-mindedness when it was published.
I agree. Kotaku used to be the place I'd go if I just wanted the days news without getting into any comments or forums, but Destructoid has pretty much taken over for that as well. I really prefer Destructoid and Giant Bomb for my gaming content, but...if I could get back 1Up.com's staff that they had around the 1Up Show era, I would still be on that site every damn day. I really miss that :/
Another great Jimbo rant - keep 'em coming, fella. Please do a podcast, Jim. I need something to chuckle over while I work. How come Destructoid just never got back on the podcast wagon after Samit left? It was my favourite gaming 'cast - especially the 'relationship' between you and Samit - comedy gold. Anyway, always a pleasure to arrive here and find a new video from your good self, sir.
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!
Contest:
2:00 PM on 01.06.2011 | 
JOURNALISM!
Some kid died a long time ago and you should read it on this video game site named after getting an extra life in a VIDEO GAME.
VIDEO.
GAMES.
But yes, Kotaku does this ALL THE FUCKING TIME. "What the Lost finale meant to gamers" - ooooooooooh Kotaku.
Where can I buy that hat Jim?
BREAKING: WHOAH THESE CHICKS ARE HOT! WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GAMERS? EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GAMER WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN TITS.
BREAKING: I NEED MORE MONEY, WHAT THIS MEANS TO GAMERS LIKE YOU. P.S. TITS INSIDE.
BREAKING: WHY TYPING IN ALL CAPS APPEALS TO GAMERS. PLUS AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MAN THAT STARTED IT ALL, C. LOCK!
Also:
Derp
Anyway awesome Jimquistion Jim. Look forward to the next one.
Gawd, I stopped reading Kotaku after some jack assed writer on their site wrote this huge diatribe about why Japan sucked (which is where he lived.) WHO GIVES A SHIT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT JAPAN.
And those fucking posts about videogame cakes....holy shit, shoot me in the fucking face.
I only really come to Destructoid these days simply because other gaming sites and blogs either a) write about lots of barely-related-to videogames news or b) have shit writers.
But this episode is so correct it's no point in arguing. It so sad of "journalists" to take a celebrity's death as an opportunity to get hits.
I hope the Kotaku writers watch this episode, but I somehow doubt they'll change what they do.
And that horrible tiered user system. Took me forever to get a god damn little gold star only for me to get sick of it by the time I had one.
This was before their fucking password fiasco. I am almost enraged by the stupidity on the site. Both on the editors side and the technology side.
WHO THE FUCK USES DES ENCRYPTION AND DOESN'T REQUIRE A MUCH LONGER PASSWORD?!
They still have a fuckton more hits than you guys have, but you guys deserve them more than they do. Sure you guys review things a bit lower than average, but at least you don't consistently fellate a huge release that heavily sponsored your site unlike certain other blog sites.
I like it here and I will plan on staying, just fix the little issue I get with my AV when I view community blog posts. Avast doesn't like the icons.
G4 is the antithesis of pure and true video game journalism. Dtoid on G4 would be like matter and antimatter colliding. LOL I hate to say it, but if the Jimquisition ever made it TV it would be so perverted and effed up with advertising and product placement that you wouldn't recognize it anymore. Keep it realz, Jimbo. Keep it real. ; )
FUCK YES
Also, I find it hilarious that literally eveything you brought up as NOT VIDYA (celebrity shit, science stories, etc) has at the least one post and at the most an entire fucking category on Kotaku.
I also have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the whole gawker media group. Jalopnik is great though.
I also have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the whole gawker media group. Jalopnik is great though.
Oh God I remember that awful article! It basically distilled down to "MY COWORKERS IN JAPAN WERE JACKASSES SO THEREFORE ALL OF JAPAN SUCKS".
I have no idea how it was allowed on the site, as his diction was even horrible.
However, I can see what Hamza's intention was. He saw it as the use of an App to play a game. It's a weak link but I don't think he was siphoning hits off a trending Google topic and saying "fuck the readers." As Hamza himself says in the thread, the story appealed to him as a gamer. I can see why he did it.
At the very least, Hamza was able to defend his decision. I'm yet to see the posters of celebrity deaths and random movie reviews get even that far.
The mic sounded like it died in mid air as it was bracing for impact!
http://kotaku.com/5704462/poison+based-bacteria-redefines-life-as-we-know-it
The article does not even try to relate it to games.
Too bad other game sites continue to post fuck all about games and call it journalism, but thank goodness we've got Destructoid!
Cheers!
I recognize that there are quite a few issues with editing posts, but as Destructoid grows and grows there may be enough incentive to add that function in.
Anyways, here's a toast to one of the few remaining video game blogs that maintain a decent flow of content balanced with a moderate amount of humor!
So the next time that Kotaku pisses you off... I want to see blood, Jim. BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
Great episode, Jim. Totally spot on with your contention. And your flapping at a keyboard made me laugh like an idiot.
Is than an Avengers t-shirt by the way?
It does become a problem when it's games journalists (and other types, too. Not just to pick on games journalists) who post about stupid, unrelated bullshit without trying to connect it to games. Publishing an article about how Pete Postlewaithe's acting makes you wish for better voice acting in games? Sure. A little exploitative of trends, but it has content related to video games. Just "he died, he was in cool movies, we're sad because he was so brilliant even though we've only seen The Lost World" is less okay. Downright slimy, even.
That said, gaming isn't just about playing games, but about a culture of gamers, and to comment on the overall culture and things that gamers value and like in general I don't think is out of place for the "gaming press" overall.
Well, at least Kotaku has one thing going for it. They're not Blistered Thumbs (ay-ooooh!) Stop relying on amataeur bedroom "critics", you ejits!
@Brennan & Magnalon: That was Tim Rogers. A man who was shaken out of his un-informed complacency and sterotypical views when he finally realised that Tokyo was just like every other modern city in the world. I remember several other websites (especially Chris' Survival Horror Quest) criticising him for such narrow-mindedness when it was published.
Cheerio, from the motherland (Devon, England).