Speaking as a guest on a recent Listen Up Game Developers Conference 2009 Special podcast, David Jaffe had a bit to say on the subject.
"...One of the appeals of fan journalism...journalism that really speaks directly to the core fan versus a kind of mainstream journalism thing - is that it's so great to have people that are passionate and excited and hyped up for the industry and for the games that everybody makes, but the danger is, and I see this happen a lot, is that there's a danger of losing the trust factor that we as a consumer - because I buy my games too – that we have with some of you guys, because a lot of times, a lot of the reviews, you guys get caught up in the hype a lot of times, and the excuse drives me batty. The excuse is 'well, we love games and we're fans too’. And what I said today to Jeff (Jeff Gerstmann, Giant Bomb) is, 'I'm like, **** you. You're paid, you get paid by the advertisers, you get paid by actual salary - you don't get to be a fan. You are a journalist first.' So I appreciate that you're hyped for title XYZ that the PR company has got you excited about, the graphics have got you excited about, but is that any reason to not put your critical review hat on when it's time to review it? So many games get tens, so many games get nines...it seems like there's so much 'getting caught up in the hype' that it actually affects the review scores and affects the reporting, and that doesn't do a service to the listeners and the readers.”
So, is being a fan at odds with being a critical balanced and fair video games reviewer? Furthermore, is it even surprising that those journalists and reviewers working in the videogames industry are enthusiasts of the medium they work in? Show me a film reviewer who doesn't enjoy movies and I'll show you one very disgruntled and very unhappy employee.
When we look at other reviewing and reporting specialities, like TV, film, motoring or sports reporting, we find, perhaps not surprisingly, that you are attracting people with a passion or strong interest in that field. TV critics have a love of television; motoring journalists have a love of and passion for cars.
A colleague of mine, a former newspaper and television journalist with many years of industry experience, Roger Fry, strongly believes that a video games reviewer should be a fan.
"A game reviewer has to be a fan," says Fry. "If you wanted a good review of a new piece of scuba gear, you would ask a scuba diver - not a carpenter or an interior decorator. If you wanted a review of a new steak house, you'd get a foodie to write it. If I was a reader I wouldn't take much notice of a vegetarian's review. I would also listen to the foodie more than to a chef reviewer - because I don't see a meal from the chef's point of view."
British fiction author Carrie White agrees. In her essay examining how to write a good review, Ms White stresses that you must enjoy the process.
"The most important tip is to enjoy what you do. You must be an avid reader and enjoy discovering new talent and products. If you don't, it will show in your review and you're in the wrong job."
The venerable hosts of that ABC institution, At the Movies, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, both love films. The At the Movies website proclaims that 'Margaret and David's fans enjoy the infectious enthusiasm and knowledge they bring to each review'. Infectious enthusiasm? That sure sounds like they are fans of the medium to me. Most importantly, despite that infectious enthusiasm, or perhaps largely because of it, Margaret and David are both widely respected critics here in Australia and overseas.
Passionate critic or disgruntled, unhappy employee.
Film enthusiast website Film-Book also believes reviewers must have a love for the medium. According to Film-Book, "This is a no brainer. If you do not like films, how can you possibly be a good film critic? If you do not love what you are writing about, there will be no passion in your words (which is true of any writing) and your reviews will suffer. When the writing is from the heart, it usually shows."
Of course, in the mainstream media, not all journalists are specialists, and not all journalists necessarily have a strong passion for the 'rounds' they may be covering at any given time. Another colleague of mine spent a number of years working on the TV/entertainment section of a major metropolitan daily newspaper. She took the role primarily because she wished to move from the night desk and work more normal hours, and because the role required a journalist with good news sense and strong editing and production capability. She didn't take the role because she had a desire to write about TV.
But while being a fan may not be a prerequisite for the job, it should come as no surprise that some journalists specialise in areas of interest, whether that be politics, sports reporting or some other field.
Does anyone honestly believe that Top Gear would be the entertaining show that it is, if the presenters weren't committed motoring enthusiasts? Do we admire or trust Jeremy Clarkson any less because he is unashamedly a lover of all things automotive? No. Like David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz, we admire Clarkson's passion and arguably trust him even more as a result.
Here at PALGN we're proud to be fans of the video gaming medium. Some of us are fans of certain genres over others, and even fans of certain games or franchises over others. That passion and enthusiasm for video games undoubtedly impacts upon our reviewing. Rather than clouding our judgement however, it actually serves to make us more critical, more demanding and better informed. Being a fan of the medium is not incompatible with balanced and fair reviewing. Quite the contrary. In fact, it makes us better reviewers. I believe very strongly that video game reviewers should be fans. Truth be told, if a video game reviewer wasn't a fan of the medium I'd be worried.
Does David Jaffe have a valid concern, or should video games reviewers be as big a fan of the medium as you are yourself? Is it possible to be a fan without that impacting negatively on your role as a reviewer? Let me know what you think, and have a safe and happy Easter. Me? I’m off to spend some time doing what I love; playing video games.
Until next weekend, that’s The Wrap.
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