Fucking Kotaku

[Mr. GOH!]

Just thought I should make a thread for folks to vent their spleens about chicanery at Kotaku.

 

This article by Ashcraft is what prompted me to make this thread, specifically, the misuse of the word "adverse" when he should have written "averse." But at least he doesn't let loose with one of his gibberish sentences. I mean, Jesus, folks; the man's writing is an ongoing indictment of Cornell's journalism program.

 

 

Edit: Poll updated to reflect staffing changes at Kotaku. Gawker may change, but this thread will remain as a place to whine, complain and rage at Kotaku.

Edited October 16, 2011 by Mr. GOH!

[Cyber Rat]

I don't know what took me longer to decide from the two. I don't like Crecente, but there's nothing about his writing that makes me upset and I go to news sites because of the articles, not to see nice people. My problem is that it seems like the Kotaku folk don't actually play games... Kinda hard to explain, but I always get the impression that gaming is something they do every now and then, where I would expect a writer to be "more into it". I could be wrong, but that's just the impression I get. Ashcraft seems to be there only because he lives in Japan. Luke seems to know about gaming more than others, but he's way too opinionated and hypocritical. And his writing is awful (voted for him as my least favorite).

 

The favorite vote went to Totilo, although it's a tie between him and Fahey. Totilo actually behaves like a journalist. Fahey I like reading.

 

As for Tim Rogers... I think he has some smart things to say, but you have to read and dig through a bunch of crap to get to it. I'm guessing part of his "thing" is writing like that, but I think he'd contribute much more to the site if he were to get to the point faster. But he writes once a month, so it's easy to ignore his articles.

[Thursday Next]

So, it's an even split so far. My choices were both based on personal grudges / positive experiences. I go to Kotaku (though not as much as I used to) for the community. News I can find for myself.

[Hot Heart]

Ashcraft makes some pretty stupid articles: http://kotaku.com/5729319/arent-you-a-little-short-for-a-3ds-cable/gallery/

 

My thoughts are actually exactly the same as yours, Cyber Rat.

 

Totilo may seem a bit boring, but he has written some good articles and has a degree of professionalism lacking from the others, and Tim Rogers has some valid ideas hidden among the crap.

 

Plunkett is more like a paid troll.

 

Also, I should point out the first question says 'Who's you're least favorite Kotaku writer or contributor?' Mistakes can be easy to make (although, confusing averse and adverse may just be stupidity)

Edited January 11, 2011 by Hot Heart

[Mr. GOH!]

*snip*

 

As for Tim Rogers... I think he has some smart things to say, but you have to read and dig through a bunch of crap to get to it. I'm guessing part of his "thing" is writing like that, but I think he'd contribute much more to the site if he were to get to the point faster. But he writes once a month, so it's easy to ignore his articles.

 

Tim Rogers writes like a second-year creative writing major at a middle tier private liberal arts school who thinks he's the second coming of Hunter S. Thompson when really he's a vacuous and fast-talking pseudo-hipster who manages to sound like a stoner without the aid of drugs at all. I think he must be a friend of one of the Kotaku editors, because even his best pieces need some serious editing. I hope he isn't paid by the word.

 

Edit:

 

 

Ashcraft makes some pretty stupid articles: http://kotaku.com/5729319/arent-you-a-little-short-for-a-3ds-cable/gallery/

 

My thoughts are actually exactly the same as yours, Cyber Rat.

 

Totilo may seem a bit boring, but he has written some good articles and has a degree of professionalism lacking from the others, and Tim Rogers has some valid ideas hidden among the crap.

 

Plunkett is more like a paid troll.

 

I like Totilo, too. I even have a nickname for him: Steve Totes. He's all right in my book.

 

I'm neutral on Plunkett; how is he trollish?

 

 

Also, I should point out the first question says 'Who's you're least favorite Kotaku writer or contributor?' Mistakes can be easy to make (although, confusing averse and adverse may just be stupidity)

 

I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Double H.

Edited January 11, 2011 by Mr. GOH!

[Cyber Rat]

That too. But I believe he knows more about games than most of the other writers. Shame he can't communicate his knowledge.

Edited January 11, 2011 by Cyber Rat

[Hot Heart]

I'm neutral on Plunkett; how is he trollish?

 

If you look at how he phrases a lot of his 'stories' there's usually an inflammatory angle. Can't really be bothered to look for loads but here's a minor example: http://kotaku.com/5728225/people-are-lining-up-for-hours-to-see-the-3ds-and-play-a-13-year+old-game

 

He hasn't been as bad as of late, but he definitely loves shit-stirring.

 

I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Double H.

 

Heyyy...

[Mr. GOH!]

I'm neutral on Plunkett; how is he trollish?

 

If you look at how he phrases a lot of his 'stories' there's usually an inflammatory angle. Can't really be bothered to look for loads but here's a minor example: http://kotaku.com/5728225/people-are-lining-up-for-hours-to-see-the-3ds-and-play-a-13-year+old-game

 

He hasn't been as bad as of late, but he definitely loves shit-stirring.

 

I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Double H.

 

Heyyy...

 

Ah. I think I'm generally sympathetic to his negative angles on Ninty stuff so I don't mind. I will remember his poor review of New Vegas until my dying day.

 

Ah, it's chill, HH. I kid about the whole typo thing.

[Hot Heart]

Ah, it's chill, HH. I kid about the whole typo thing.

 

Hehe. I know.

 

Obviously, you've misspelt 'favorite' though. There's supposed to be a u in there.

[Battra92]

Just thought I should make a thread for folks to vent their spleens about chicanery at Kotaku.

 

This article by Ashcraft is what prompted me to make this thread, specifically, the misuse of the word "adverse" when he should have written "averse." But at least he doesn't let loose with one of his gibberish sentences. I mean, Jesus, folks; the man's writing is an ongoing indictment of Cornell's journalism program.

 

Maybe his Cornell degree is in Agriculture?

[Mr. GOH!]

Just thought I should make a thread for folks to vent their spleens about chicanery at Kotaku.

 

This article by Ashcraft is what prompted me to make this thread, specifically, the misuse of the word "adverse" when he should have written "averse." But at least he doesn't let loose with one of his gibberish sentences. I mean, Jesus, folks; the man's writing is an ongoing indictment of Cornell's journalism program.

 

Maybe his Cornell degree is in Agriculture?

 

Oooh, better get some ointment for that burn!

 

But, no, it's in journalism or creative writing, I'm pretty sure. Although whenever he mentions Cornell, I do get the image of Andy from The office stuck in my mind.

[TheForgetfulBrain]

So, it's an even split so far. My choices were both based on personal grudges / positive experiences. I go to Kotaku (though not as much as I used to) for the community. News I can find for myself.

 

Heyy, it's Thursday!

 

Man, a bunch of my old favorite Kotakuites are showing up here now.

 

Personally, I still have no issue with any of the editors or content.

 

I am ambivalent when it comes to Kotaku, but I rarely post on there anymore, though I still check for news there regularly.

[Thursday Next]

Haha, yeah, I think Dean's been corralling us back into the fold.

[TheForgetfulBrain]

Go Dean!

 

(My procrastination shall feed on you all... eagerly... and without a napkin.)

[jayc4life]

I'm too lazy to look for that link on Twitter again, but after that snark-filled email exchange with a reader, Fahey gets bumped up to least favourite.

 

The only one there I can stand any more (columnists aside, they're sorta alright) is Owen.

[deanb]

I'm cool with the community (though lately not so much. With great size comes lots of crap. Also they seem to have got rid of the mods they had over summer)

 

The writers not so much. Totilo is great. He could do better elsewhere though. Owens fine too, though sometimes maybe adds a touch of unnecessary political commentary to some posts and he unfortunately (though good for him I guess) is covering one of the least liked genres in gaming (though if he eyed up football more often and the PC, well Football Manager 2010/2011 were the best selling PC games in the UK last year. But he doesn't really touch much up on those)

Ashcraft could be a cool guy, but he's a shite games journalist. I think him being in Japan is about the only reason he's on. And he rarely takes advantage of it (you could be outside of japan and still follow 2chan, Japanese news n TV etc) Luke covers more gamin stuff, but as others has noticed tends to be a bit more inflammatory than the others. McWhertor is meh. He slides from good to bad like a yo-yo these days. (.e.g last nights 'arizona shooter was a gamer'). Fahey can post some pretty good stuff. He lost quite a bit of respect from me over his OTT iPad coverage. But I dunno if that was jsut his excitement, or some higher ups wanting some cross-posting opportunities with Gizmodo.

However none of them quite reach the soaring heights of Crecente. The dude running the show who lets all this go on below him. None of these guys technically able to post what they do without his go ahead. He's currently got an article on the Verizon iPhone. None of that matters to gaming in anyway shape or form unless Verizon are also coming out with a selection of Verizon exclusive games. But they're not so. Meh.

If they changed from Kotaku: The Gamers Guide to Kotaku: Random Shit, then I wouldn't have much issue, but they tout themselves as a games site, then post a crap ton of inane drivel with sometimes the weakest connection to gaming. What sucks is there's so much game news out there that they shouldn't even have to resort to that. I think it's a Gawker thing though. Gizmodo is very much the same. you can compare Gizmodo to Engadget, n Gizmodo will have some thing about Australian floods, and Engadget will have a tear down of a tablet.

 

So yeah these days I'll have a glance at the stories, certainly don't read it like I used to, mostly sticking to TAY n #speakup, where the community hangs out. Then I get most of my actual news from my RSS feeds.

[Hot Heart]

Although whenever he mentions Cornell, I do get the image of Andy from The office stuck in my mind.

 

Haha. Just remembered a bit from a deleted scene I was watching last night. Seems appropriate:

 

"I got into Cornell off the wait list. A lot of people were like 'Oh, you just got into Cornell 'cause your dad donated a building'. No, OK? I got into Cornell 'cause I'm smart. I'm smart enough to have a dad who donates buildings to things."

Edited January 11, 2011 by Hot Heart

[Hot Heart]

And...seriously? A troll comment turned into an article?

 

http://kotaku.com/5730680/minecraft-farmville-whats-the-difference

[Cyber Rat]

Ok, glad I voted for Totilo then.

[TheForgetfulBrain]

And...seriously? A troll comment turned into an article?

 

http://kotaku.com/5730680/minecraft-farmville-whats-the-difference

 

Haha... I was just about to post here and say, "zOMG," and link that.

 

I saw that comment in #speakup last night but was like... nah...

 

And then today I couldn't resist wasting twenty minutes of my life to craft a snarky, thoughtful comment, that will no doubt be lost in the barrage of comments already pages deep.

 

I like that they're pulling stuff out of speakup (even if they started right after I started posting here instead of there /vanity), but seriously, that is a comment/page-hit firestorm.

Edited January 11, 2011 by TheForgetfulBrain

[deanb]

btw if folks wish to pick apart kotaku articles I know a guy on tumblr who may be able to provide a few pointers.....

[Faiblesse Des Sens]

Looks like I'm with the majority here. Like Stephen Totilo, fuck Brian Crecente.

[Hot Heart]

I like that they're pulling stuff out of speakup (even if they started right after I started posting here instead of there /vanity), but seriously, that is a comment/page-hit firestorm.

 

Yeah, it's a nice idea. I know the star system has always been flawed (I mean, I have earned one twice...) but it's hilarious since that's the sort of comment a starred commenter would be expected to ignore and not draw attention to, yet it has its own headline and everything.

[TheForgetfulBrain]

Haa... oops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, I vote for this thread to be moved to New Vegas.

 

No offense Goh, but I don't think it's really conducive to bringing in new Kotakuites or reducing the distaste Kotaku editors have for Dean and his associated boards, in case they decide to browse here on one of the #speakup advertised links.

[jayc4life]

I think after this: http://bit.ly/hqU9Px

 

I expect Totilo's polls to lean more towards "hate".