The following writings are solely the opinions of Evan Minto, and do not reflect the opinions of Ani-Gamers or any of it's affiliates.

Jeff Gerstmann has quickly moved from relatively unknown GameSpot writer to gaming celebrity nearly overnight. He was Editorial Director over at GameSpot until just recently, when he was dismissed from the site after 11 years of service, allegedly for writing a very critical review of "Kane & Lynch: Dead Men," a game being heavily advertised on GameSpot. (I wrote a detailed article on the controversy over at the blog, so you can read up on the major events there) The main thing that has been troubling gamers and writers alike is the underlying reasons for Gerstmann's firing. If one man is promptly sacked for simply criticizing a game sponsoring his site, how are we supposed to trust reviewers on websites like IGN, 1UP, which also contain heavy amounts of ads. What does a GameRankings or MetaCritic score even mean when faced with the possiblity of reviews being skewed to fit a publisher's desires? These are questions for us to ponder, but what gamers must first do is organize some way to fight back.

Gerstmann-gate, as many have dubbed the controversy, is more than an example of GameSpot's often less-than-honest advertising practices; it is a stern reminder of what is happening with video games as they come of age as a true mass media. We cannot continue to sit idle as positive game reviews become nothing more than a trophy of companies with lots of purchasing power.

GameSpot user Subrosian had the right idea when he started the mass boycott of GameSpot titled "Blackout Monday." I not only support Subrosian's desire to boycott the site for a day, but I also support a long-term boycott of the website. If we, as gamers, are to make our voices heard, we must show websites like GameSpot that we do not support the corruption of honesty in games journalism. It is for this reason that I provide a furthering of Subrosian's ideas. We shall institute a full boycott of GameSpot and other CNET websites, permanently ceasing all page views on the site, until they admit to their guilt.

The problem of skewed reviews and dishonest reporting is growing, as we see from the high reviews given to clearly flawed games. Hype is not the only factor here. There are more sinister forces at work here, as the truth is silenced by those who wish to profit from an innocent hobby. Do not sit back and watch gaming be destroyed by corporate greed. Do not show your support for the seedy business practices at CNET. And most of all, never let other people control our industry. We all play video games for different reasons; some to stave off boredom, some to experience a powerful piece of art, and others simply to escape reality. Whatever our reasons, we must band together to keep the gaming press as the honest and trustworthy entity it is today.

For Honesty, Truth, and Jeff! Boycott CNET!

Late Thursday night, the internet exploded as rumors flew around that GameSpot, the very popular gaming website, had fired Jeff Gerstmann, their Editorial Director. The story went like this: Gerstmann posted a harsh review (video review here) of Eidos' new game Kane and Lynch: Dead Men. Soon after, Gerstmann was fired by higher-ups at CNET (owners of GameSpot), for reasons they did not disclose to the public or the press. Eidos was also confirmed as having a large advertising presence on the GameSpot site, leading many to believe that this lead to Gerstmann's firing.

CNET got on the phone with Joystiq, and clarified that they "do not terminate employees based on external pressure from advertisers." In addition, CNET spokesperson Sarah Cain told Joystiq that confirmed edits made to Gerstmann's original review had been in order to clarify differences between PS3/360. Gerstmann's video review was also pulled from the site for "clarification." As this was going on, the GameSpot and Eidos forums were being swamped with posters who either lamented the loss of Gerstmann, or attacked GameSpot/Eidos/CNET for their alleged corruption.

Soon after these original events, the huge public outcry began to occur. Not only did forums posters cry out against the firing, but many GameSpot editors and writers began to speak out. Among these were former Gamespot editor-in-chief Greg Kasavin: "As the longest-tenured GameSpot editor, Jeff Gerstmann deserved a respectful send-off." The current editor-in-chief Alex Navarro said that the entire situation was like "hitting the disaster button in SimCity." Bob Colayco and Adam Buchen, both former GameSpot staffers, stated that this sort of influence from outside sources is an isolated incident that does not occur habitually at GameSpot. Buchen also cancelled his GameSpot account, and asked others to follow suit.

Finally, a group of Ziff Davis staffers, many of whom write for 1UP, stood outside of the GameSpot offices a few blocks away on December 1st to hold up a motivational banner to support Gerstmann. Patrick Kelpek, the news editor for 1UP, made sure to let people know that this demonstration was a show of good faith, and not a stab at 1UP's chief competition.

Make sure to check out Penny Arcade's comic on the controversy, which helped popularize the issue.

GameSpot users later gave Kane and Lynch repeated 1.0 reviews to lower the score to a 2.6, while GameSpot freelancer Frank Povo wrote "Personally, my respect for CNET is shot, and writing for GameSpot is going to feel like a chore for quite some time going forward." Finally, today marks "Blackout Monday," a boycott organized online in order to send a message of support for Gerstmann and dissillusionment with GameSpot. Users will cancel accounts and not visit the site for an entire day, hopefully telling GameSpot through this boycott of their distaste. In his great exposition for what he hopes to gain from this protest, GameSpot user "Subrosian" writes:

"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 ... 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."

I for one totally support this boycott and the reasons behind it. I hope that all of you will join me in boycotting GameSpot today, tomorrow, and for a long time to come.

AniGamers will be sure to publish more on this story as it develops. Check back at the blog for more, and be sure to look out for my upcoming editorial on the matter.
[via Joystiq]

(EDIT: Editorial has been posted)