Are we chasing ghosts for our 'grift', Jason?
The gaming industry, much like any other entertainment sector, is fraught with controversies and differing perspectives on the reasons behind a game's success or failure. A recent controversy has centered around the much-anticipated but ultimately disappointing release of "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" by Rocksteady Studios.
In a tweet thread that ignited a fierce debate, prominent gaming journalist Jason Schreier discussed the reasons behind the game's failure but in his article about it, notably refused to acknowledge any influence from Sweet Baby Inc. (SBI), a consulting company accused of contributing to the game's issues. Instead, Schreier directed his blame towards YouTubers and content creators chasing "rage clicks." Hmmmm... Isn't that exactly what journalists do as well? Weird.
The Fallout of 'Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League'
Jason Schreier tweeted about his latest article on Bloomberg, detailing the downfall of "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League." Schreier's article, based on interviews with two dozen people who worked on the game, sought to explain how Rocksteady Studios, known for their acclaimed Arkham series, produced a $200 million flop.
However, Schreier's refusal to mention Sweet Baby Inc. and his dismissal of any correlation between their involvement and the game's failure sparked considerable backlash.
The Criticism: Ignoring Key Factors
A Twitter user, Justin (@Justin__NC), challenged Schreier by pointing out the omission of SBI's influence and the game's perceived "woke tone," which many fans believed turned them off. Justin argued that not mentioning these factors, even in passing, amounted to negligent journalism.
Schreier's response was dismissive, asserting that none of the two dozen interviewees mentioned SBI and that critics were chasing "angry hallucinations" created by grifters profiting from rage.
This response was met with skepticism. Justin retorted, drawing a parallel to asking cult members about their wrongdoings and expecting an honest response, emphasizing that the controversy around SBI's involvement should have at least been acknowledged in Schreier's article. The backlash was further fueled by Schreier's insistence that the game's premise and story were purely the vision of Sefton Hill, director of the Arkham trilogy, and not influenced by SBI.
The Misguided Blame on Content Creators
Schreier's decision to blame people for chasing rage clicks instead of addressing the serious concerns of the fanbase is a wild stance to take IMHO. It overlooks the legitimate grievances of players who felt alienated by the game's direction and narrative choices.
By dismissing these concerns as mere "angry hallucinations," Schreier not only alienates a significant portion of the gaming community but also undermines the importance of critical feedback in the industry... Why are they all so steadfast in ignoring these 'diversity injection' companies?
The Broader Implications
Schreier's refusal to acknowledge SBI's role and his subsequent blame on content creators highlights a broader issue within the gaming journalism community. The reluctance to address all aspects of a controversy, especially those that challenge popular narratives or involve sensitive topics, can lead to incomplete and biased reporting. It also shows that they see us as a threat, exposing a once-controlled narrative. This, in turn, fosters even more distrust among the gaming community towards journalists and media outlets.
I'll be honest, I used to really respect him, but Jason Schreier's handling of the "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" controversy serves as a yet another reminder of the importance of comprehensive and unbiased journalism.
By neglecting to acknowledge Sweet Baby Inc.'s involvement and instead blaming content creators for the game's failure, Schreier missed an opportunity to provide a balanced and thorough analysis.
Be better than this, Jason.
~Smash
I am not surprised at all about the members of Kotaku lying to everyone through their Garbage articles.Everyone pretty much knows that they aren't Real journalists at all. They are pretty much Shit disturbing activists that enjoy lying to the public on everything because they have NO clue on how to tell the truth at all
He reported what he was paid to. He wasn't paid to report the truth...