How Not to Be a Game Journalist

Years ago, it was my dream job to be a video game journalist.  Just the thought of making a living by getting my work published in a game magazine or website filled me with such joy. This was of course before digital media made the enormous boom that it did and YouTube became the juggernaut power house that it currently is. The world we live in now is quite different from what it was two decades ago and that couldn't be more truer when it comes to video game coverage.

With YouTube being such a huge platform, dozens upon dozens of people are making a living talking about video games right from the comfort of their own homes. This has given some that have been in the game journalist biz long before YouTube came around a thorny outlook on YouTubers as some of them didn't even go to school for journalism. Not only that but by and large, opinion on professional game journalism has waned considerably over the years. It used to be that only IGN was subject to pot shots from gamers. These days, every video game journalism website from GameSpot to Kotaku to Polygon is treated as a laughing stock. Speaking of laughing stocks, the world of professional game journalism has once again proven what a joke it is through one Shane Satterfield. To many of you, that name might be new. To me, it is a familiar name, one I have not heard for a very long time.

Currently employed at SIFTD ,Shane used to work for GameSpot. Back when I would regularly read reviews, GameSpot was a site I would frequently check out and I would always keep an eye on out for reviews and editorials written by Shane. He even had a weekly feature where he would answer reader questions. Because of his position and knowledge, I held Shane in high regard. Shane's recent actions served as a reminder that we should not place anyone on a pedestal, no matter what their profession is.

If you've been keeping an eye on CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, no doubt you've heard that audio for the unreleased game was leaked. The one who leaked the audio was none other than the aforementioned Shane. Not only did Shane show zero remorse for his actions, he was irritated because the audio he leaked got picked up someone else, spread around and SIFTD didn't get any of the credit for it. He also seems to think he's on another level from other game journalists and anyone else the covers video games because he was the only one that had the foresight to take out his phone and record audio at a private demo for the gaming press, even though CD Projket Red asked that no one take pictures or video during the demo.

Cyberpunk 2077.

What Shane is making such a fuss over is not the fact that he showed poor journalism etiquette, or that he may have caused irreparable damage to his reputation as well as ruin his friendship with someone he's known for 15 years that works for CD Projket Red. No, those aren't the things that bother him. What upsets him the most is that SIFTD isn't getting all those coveted views. You heard right, folks, if you want to be a good game journalist, do whatever it takes to get ahead, including potentially ruining close friendships. And game journalists wonder why they are seldom taken seriously anymore.

The world may be an ever changing place but that doesn't mean you should throw entrigity out the window for views. If I were in Shane's shoes, I suppose I would feel miffed at the boom that is YouTube and basically anyone being able to work in the field of video games. However, in no way does that excuse his pitiful actions. Rather than be a man and own up to his mistakes, he plays the victim. Well, Shane, you didn't do yourself any favors and I think any game company that has caught wind of this story is sure to think twice before inviting you to a private demo, or anything since you've shown that you aren't one to shy away from leaking.

Check out this video by YongYea that goes into a bit more detail on the mater.