Fucking Kotaku

[Krumm]

Hello everyone.

 

Decided to say hello, since my dislike for Kotaku has been escalating lately, to levels that i never expected to be possible. The hole place is just sad now, specially if you knew how it was before.

 

Just noticed something, did they just "sanitize" or just moved the http://kotaku.com/5834849/up-close-and-personal-with-razers-sexy-blade, because all the Joel posts are gone.

 

Anyway, its nice to find out were all the real star kotakuites have gone to.

[fuchikoma]

You don't get to accuse us of being paid to write what we want and be a starred commenter.

Wait, what?

 

Is it the accusation of free will that upset him, or the implication that he has a salary?

 

I could be reading too much into it, but I got the same response and thought it was conflicted, if honest.

 

I took it to mean "I can't deny what you're saying, but I can't admit it because of my contract with Razer..." There are far too many NDAs woven into things these days; it breeds suspicion. It's the norm now too - you can't talk about some games before the embargo date is lifted, and sometimes you can't even talk about the fact you're not allowed to talk about them!

 

In his defense, he said it was too expensive, and that the brand image was kind of silly, but then neither of those things would take from the hypothetical "gotta have this thing" message that was written all over his article.

[Mal]

I'm currently reading a spillover of discussion of Joel's horrible article in RPS and all the fallout from it. Jim for a moment almost sounded like Joel...

Edited August 27, 2011 by MaliciousH

[MasterDex]

Just read that. Jim seems to be taking a higher road than Joel, at least in his article, but it seems he knows Joel personally so there's bound to be some defence there (and defence for journalistic integrity). I also found a great picture in the comments on RPS:

 

Also, in the thread where I got destarred, Joel came back at someone with this little bit:

I don't mind criticism or civil disagreement. But we're not building a community where commenters are welcome to call our writing ignorant or terrible' date=' accuse us of taking money for editorial, and then stand back and act indignant, hurt, or shocked when we ask you to leave. [/quote']

 

Yesterday it was just the accusation of being paid that he didn't want. Now he doesn't want any criticism of his writing at all? Make up your mind, Joel. Are you trying to reinforce your journalistic integrity or trying to create an Orwellian community?

[Cyber Rat]

I don't really think he got payed for the article, I mean, I first heard that accusation from other folk after reading the comments. My only problem was that the whole thing was written very ignorantly. The author made some very weak points and I don't think that's because he's corrupt, but rather because he has no idea what he's talking about. Even if Jim did think that the point of "standardizing the PC platform" was a good one, it was applied to something that was a very feeble attempt at standardizing the platform, if it was one at all.

[MasterDex]

Yeah, I honestly don't think Joel was paid by Razer for the article but I couldn't help but make the comment because it did stink a bit like a paid review. I mean, the guy ignores all these crucial details just to make his point (and help sell the Razer) and then acts offended when people ask the most obvious question - Did you get paid to write this? With Joel as the boss of Kotaku, the future really does not bode well.

[deanb]

For those who want a peak: http://www.rockpaper...r-announcement/

 

Kotaku is the one flaw I see in RPS. I'm somewhat unsure on why RPS associates themselves with Kotaku (They have syndicated posts). There must be something they're seeing that the rest of the internet isn't. And Jim also seems very sure that Kotaku haven't been paid off for those articles. (which as both sides of the argument has no proof put's his opinion on level with those who think it was bought).

 

I don't know if he's being defensive because it's Kotaku or because it's a fellow games journalists.

Most of the tech and games journalists I know have been accused of this crap by people who know nothing about how they work, and it’s never true.

Saying something like “that Kotaku article is the most shameless infomercial I have ever read on a gaming site” insists that my peers are corrupt, when I know that they are not. Clearly I am going to defend them.

And there’s DEFINITELY a difference between saying that Kotaku us tabloidy, crass, or otherwise bad, and saying that it is running an “infommercial” in its editorial.

 

 

As it is, no one has any proof, and games journalists have crummy bank balances.

See I know from following the RPS lot on Twitter they're not rolling in it. But Kotaku guys? They're rolling in iProducts on day one, macbooks, buying $3000 a pop PCs. They're not exactly skint.

 

Oh btw here's a picture of Mike Fahey about to go up in a vomit comet, which is about $5000 a pop, for Tabula Rasa.

 

 

@Masterdex: Orwellian community. Everything Kotaku write is gospel and all that will be left is suck-ups. If there is nothing to challenge your articles then how can you hope to improve? Oh I also threw that image up on Status updates yesterday but I guess everyone decided to welcome newcomers.

[Cyber Rat]

Yeah, I honestly don't think Joel was paid by Razer for the article but I couldn't help but make the comment because it did stink a bit like a paid review. I mean, the guy ignores all these crucial details just to make his point (and help sell the Razer) and then acts offended when people ask the most obvious question - Did you get paid to write this? With Joel as the boss of Kotaku, the future really does not bode well.

 

 

 

He's either a Razer fanboy (which I doubt), or very easily hyped/impressed (which seems more likely). Articles that imply a greater meaning in a release can either make for good writing or become disasters. Like, say, if you were to write an article when Resident Evil 4 was released on how the over-the-shoulder camera is more important than the actual game. He's trying to make good points on a very bad example and the whole article suffers from it. He could have saved if it was written from the perspective of a console gamer and saying what the Razer Blade would mean to him as a console gamer intimidated by PC releases.

[MasterDex]

Yeah, I honestly don't think Joel was paid by Razer for the article but I couldn't help but make the comment because it did stink a bit like a paid review. I mean, the guy ignores all these crucial details just to make his point (and help sell the Razer) and then acts offended when people ask the most obvious question - Did you get paid to write this? With Joel as the boss of Kotaku, the future really does not bode well.

 

 

 

He's either a Razer fanboy (which I doubt), or very easily hyped/impressed (which seems more likely). Articles that imply a greater meaning in a release can either make for good writing or become disasters. Like, say, if you were to write an article when Resident Evil 4 was released on how the over-the-shoulder camera is more important than the actual game. He's trying to make good points on a very bad example and the whole article suffers from it. He could have saved if it was written from the perspective of a console gamer and saying what the Razer Blade would mean to him as a console gamer intimidated by PC releases.

 

I completely agree. I can see where he was coming from (even if I do completely disagree with the premise) but he just took far too many liberties for any point he was making to be taken seriously. What annoyed me as well was that he was saying that "for now, $2,800 is fine". Fuck that! No, it's not. Saying that it is just propagates the myth that PC gaming is too expensive and you can see the effect of that in the comments with people saying "This is why I don't care about PC gaming, it's too expensive" and so on. I think I'd be here all day if I was to pick apart everything I thought was wrong with the article so I'll leave it at that.

 

Edit: Joel, such a nice guy:

Say I'm on the payroll of a company I cover == get off my website. And die. If I did that I'd be rich. I've wanted Apple stock since 2006.

The comments on my Razer Blade article are pretty much a case study (get it?) in why PC gamers are one of PC gamer's worst enemies.

Edited August 27, 2011 by MasterDex

[Cyber Rat]

Another things Kotaku is lacking, and this article is proof of, is lack of responsibility for their own writing. They have millions of readers (95% of which don't even comment!~) and they write uninformed crap like that. I don't know if they like games or just like pageviews, but if all eyes are on you, you better think a bit before posting something. Not because of the way your writing will make you look, but how it will affect public perception.

 

Saying $2.800 is ok is extremely bad. Not because it's not ok on an objective level, but because you'll drive off more console players from PC gaming. It's as bad as the actual Razer marketing for this laptop. A lot of sites which cover PC gaming are currently in damage control mode "No, this is not saving PC gaming, Razer is being stupid. PC gaming doesn't even need saving." Then comes Kotaku with "THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER AND IT HAS AN OK PRICE!"

 

What a line like that could mean: console gamer sees it, obviously knows they can never afford it, writes PC gaming off.

 

Instead of informing that same reader of the state of things, you just feed him more and more misinformation. And when somebody tells you your article is bad, yo, then you shit on them? "Oh, this is my site, I can write whatever the fuck I want." If the staff on Kotaku like games and gaming, then they are damaging it more than they think due to their own arrogance.

[P4: Gritty Reboot]

Another things Kotaku is lacking, and this article is proof of, is lack of responsibility for their own writing. They have millions of readers (95% of which don't even comment!~) and they write uninformed crap like that. I don't know if they like games or just like pageviews, but if all eyes are on you, you better think a bit before posting something. Not because of the way your writing will make you look, but how it will affect public perception.

 

Saying $2.800 is ok is extremely bad. Not because it's not ok on an objective level, but because you'll drive off more console players from PC gaming. It's as bad as the actual Razer marketing for this laptop. A lot of sites which cover PC gaming are currently in damage control mode "No, this is not saving PC gaming, Razer is being stupid. PC gaming doesn't even need saving." Then comes Kotaku with "THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER AND IT HAS AN OK PRICE!"

 

What a line like that could mean: console gamer sees it, obviously knows they can never afford it, writes PC gaming off.

 

Instead of informing that same reader of the state of things, you just feed him more and more misinformation. And when somebody tells you your article is bad, yo, then you shit on them? "Oh, this is my site, I can write whatever the fuck I want." If the staff on Kotaku like games and gaming, then they are damaging it more than they think due to their own arrogance.

I'm sorry Cyber, I can't take you seriously while you continue to use that font.

[Cyber Rat]

Fine. Here's the same thing Courier:

 

Another things Kotaku is lacking, and this article is proof of, is lack of responsibility for their own writing. They have millions of readers (95% of which don't even comment!~) and they write uninformed crap like that. I don't know if they like games or just like pageviews, but if all eyes are on you, you better think a bit before posting something. Not because of the way your writing will make you look, but how it will affect public perception.

 

Saying $2.800 is ok is extremely bad. Not because it's not ok on an objective level, but because you'll drive off more console players from PC gaming. It's as bad as the actual Razer marketing for this laptop. A lot of sites which cover PC gaming are currently in damage control mode "No, this is not saving PC gaming, Razer is being stupid. PC gaming doesn't even need saving." Then comes Kotaku with "THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER AND IT HAS AN OK PRICE!"

 

What a line like that could mean: console gamer sees it, obviously knows they can never afford it, writes PC gaming off.

 

Instead of informing that same reader of the state of things, you just feed him more and more misinformation. And when somebody tells you your article is bad, yo, then you shit on them? "Oh, this is my site, I can write whatever the fuck I want." If the staff on Kotaku like games and gaming, then they are damaging it more than they think due to their own arrogance.

 

[Hot Heart]

Now you remind me of scripts.

 

INT. 'FUCKING KOTAKU' MEETING ROOM, X-TALK FORUM - DAY

 

Men in various suits sit around a table. They stare angrily at an overhead projection of the Kotaku article on the Razer Blade. A Sibserburbian stands, drawing everyone's focus to him. This is CYBER RAT.

CYBER RAT:

Another things Kotaku is lacking, and this article is proof of, is lack of responsibility for their own writing. They have millions of readers.

(SLAMS HAND ON TABLE)

95% of which don't even comment! And they write uninformed crap like that. I don't know if they like games or just like pageviews, but if all eyes are on you, you better think a bit before posting something. Not because of the way your writing will make you look, but how it will affect public perception.

 

He pauses to let his words set in.

CYBER RAT (CONT):

Saying $2.800 is ok is extremely bad. Not because it's not ok on an objective level, but because you'll drive off more console players from PC gaming. It's as bad as the actual Razer marketing for this laptop. A lot of sites which cover PC gaming are currently in damage control mode "No, this is not saving PC gaming, Razer is being stupid. PC gaming doesn't even need saving." Then comes Kotaku with "THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER AND IT HAS AN OK PRICE!"

 

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

 

A console gamer is at his computer, staring at the same Kotaku article shown in the MEETING ROOM, mouth agape.

CYBER RAT (V/O):

What a line like that could mean: console gamer sees it, obviously knows they can never afford it, writes PC gaming off.

 

INT. 'FUCKING KOTAKU' MEETING ROOM, X-TALK FORUM - DAY

 

CYBER RAT has started pacing the room, occasionally beating one hand into the other to emphasise his point.

CYBER RAT:

Instead of informing that same reader of the state of things, you just feed him more and more misinformation. And when somebody tells you your article is bad, yo, then you shit on them? "Oh, this is my site, I can write whatever the fuck I want." If the staff on Kotaku like games and gaming, then they are damaging it more than they think due to their own arrogance.

 

The room applauds. P4 (PENTIUM NOT PERSONA) gives him a thumbs-up.

 

 

The forum really does not like that formatting. It's as if it doesn't want me turning all discussions into scripts...

Edited August 27, 2011 by Hot Heart

[deanb]

The comments on my Razer Blade article are pretty much a case study (get it?) in why PC gamers are one of PC gamer's worst enemies.

 

kekeke. Oh because we disagree with the idea of $2,800 over-priced laptop its why we are our own worst enemies or is it cos Kotakus PC coverage sucks and they get called out on it by PC gamers?

 

Kotaku editors are kotakus worst enemies. And theirs posts and the past days member boost is pretty much a case study in that.

 

 

Oh and yeah the pink comic sans in large wads is a bit off-putting.

[ZakMckracken]

Right, it came off very ignorant of PCs and PC gaming. It seemed odd to me that the whole suggestion of how to get PCs back at the forefront of gaming was to make them like consoles. If we basically make PCs into consoles, why have PCs at all?

[Cyber Rat]

Oh and yeah the pink comic sans in large wads is a bit off-putting.

 

You people hate happiness~

Edited August 27, 2011 by Cyber Rat

[P4: Gritty Reboot]

Right, it came off very ignorant of PCs and PC gaming. It seemed odd to me that the whole suggestion of how to get PCs back at the forefront of gaming was to make them like consoles. If we basically make PCs into consoles, why have PCs at all?

Exactly. The strength of PC gaming is its variety and customization, not homogenization.

[Waldorf and Statler]

I don't personally have anything against Kotaku at the moment. I got perma-banned the first time from a mistake [i assume] and the de-starring of this account was due to me not taking walls of text seriously. I'll let you know when I get banned how much I hate them and what I would sexually do to the editor's mother.

 

Admittedly they took the PC article way too seriously with some commenters. I know people like MasterDex didn't deserve it, while others were asking for it. Not that I agree with the de-starring and banning of people for anything other than being offensive and/or trolling, but I read some responses and some were borderline insulting.

[MasterDex]

To be fair, I think mine, despite the quality of the writing was borderline offensive as well, if not outright so...but then again, you could describe many of my comments on Kotaku as such. I've never been one to hold my tongue.

[TheRevanchist]

I don't personally have anything against Kotaku at the moment. I got perma-banned the first time from a mistake [i assume] and the de-starring of this account was due to me not taking walls of text seriously.

 

Punky, I love you as much as the next guy, but I remember what you wrote to get that perma ban. The words might not have been the best choice to use, my Lord.

[excel_excel]

The thing that gets me the most is, he didn't even try to hide that he was a paid shill. If I was paid off for something, I wouldn't use such definitive language like '

I Can’t Believe It: The Razer Blade Might Not Just Be the Future of PC Gaming—It May Be the Future of PCs

 

I mean christ way to be subtle!

Then there's...

You can build a perfectly decent gaming PC for less than a grand. The new Razer Blade costs $2,800. (I'll get to the price in a bit. It's a big deal—and something Razer is going to have to bring down.)

followed by

$2,800 is fine for now. But let's hope that next year's model gets down closer to $2,000—and $1,500 would be even better.

 

WAT

[Waldorf and Statler]

I don't personally have anything against Kotaku at the moment. I got perma-banned the first time from a mistake [i assume] and the de-starring of this account was due to me not taking walls of text seriously.

 

Punky, I love you as much as the next guy, but I remember what you wrote to get that perma ban. The words might not have been the best choice to use, my Lord.

 

 

All i said was "there's so much dick I can suck to afford video games" or something of the sort.

 

That doesn't warrant a perma-ban according to the commenting guidelines, only a temp-ban.

[TheRevanchist]

And the "No homo" (notice I put that in quotes, PCA) thing which might have been posted from your account. That was something might be considered offensive. *

 

*yes, I am using a Cyber Rat technique

[toxicitizen]

HAAHAHAHAHAA Revan, for a second there I actually thought you were Cyber Rat until I read the last line and looked at the avatar

 

edit: ah, I see Joel's been added to the poll. Changed my vote to him for least favorite because he had none and that just didn't seem right.

Edited August 27, 2011 by FLD

[Waldorf and Statler]

And the "No homo" (notice I put that in quotes, PCA) thing which might have been posted from your account. That was something might be considered offensive. *

 

*yes, I am using a Cyber Rat technique

 

 

If one can be banned for a phrase that is universally used and is being read in the wrong context then I would hate to be british and have a desire to smoke a pack of fags.