Let's Talk About Gaming News Sites

[Luke]

Games journalism has really gone down hill in the past few years. That's just my opinion, of course, but it's what I believe.

That's my opinion as well, especially when talking about "retro" games.

The best way to get info about a game without playing it is to ask a pal who has. Unfortunately that's my only advice.

[Sarge]

I agree. Games journalism is awful.

Scratch that. Journalism as a whole is awful.

[Exhuminator]

Journalism as a whole is awful.

Unfortunately I am inclined to agree.

If one seeks objective factual neutral news reporting with zero political bias or financial influence, one seeks in vain.

[Forlorn Drifter]

I mostly got the suggestions I expected. I still encourage everyone to post and share if they find anything/know of anything though.

I can't speak about journalism as a whole, but as far as gaming journalism goes, the biggest issue I've seen is the author's opinion or politics or other bias coming through in something that is not an opinion piece. Its fine to write about your opinion, if it is labeled as such. I get it if you don't like scantily clad women in your JRPG, but leave that out of the review, and put it in an opinion piece.

[Erik_Twice]

I get it if you don't like scantily clad women in your JRPG, but leave that out of the review, and put it in an opinion piece.

But...reviews are opinion pieces

[Sarge]

True, reviews are opinion pieces. I actually can use that information.

No, where it really bothers me is when they slip in political jabs where they don't belong. Like, they clearly want to be real journalists, and they let their opinions color their writing in news pieces (never minding the fact that a journalist is supposed to report facts, not opinion, unless clearly labeled as opinion).

Oh, there it is. Junk like this.

[Forlorn Drifter]

I get it if you don't like scantily clad women in your JRPG, but leave that out of the review, and put it in an opinion piece.

But...reviews are opinion pieces

Got me there. I don't know how to word what I mean. When I read a review, I'm looking at the gameplay, graphics, sound design, story, and whether or not the game accomplished what it set out to do. Emphasis on gameplay. Outside of that, other than a warning or passing mention of other things within the story or abilities of things players can do in the game, I don't really care.

For example, some reviews about, say, Hatred. Some go all on about horrific and bad it is because it is about going on a killing spree of innocents of cops and give it a bad score. And the others, which I appreciate, go into the fact that the gameplay is bland and unimaginative, the story is near non-existant, and the main character looks like a basement dwelling metal nerds wet dream. But the art direction is kinda cool. Still a low score, but the score is more about legitimate videogame reasons than social reasons.

[Tanooki]

I wouldn't take Pat as a credible source of any information or news, he's a neurotic showboat, who got lucky and built a name for himself. The sad thing is, while Rofle plays a role, that's Pat, be afraid.

[KayJay]

I happen to like IGN quite a bit. It's good for me, because it has all kinds of news, including Movies, Television, & Comic Books. It condenses the news i need, all into one site. It may get some news slower, but I'm in no rush.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Kotaku rules.

Beyond that, I look to GameFAQs, Hardcore Gaming 101, and sites like this for news. Basically the best "news" for me is upcoming release dates and some reviews.

I am also partial to Falcom and JRPG fanpages. As well as gaming sites that cater specifically to far-leftists and social justice warriors.