News
Video Game Journalism Brainwashing - Press Releases
Cordova, TN; November 14, in the year of our Lord
2016--Family Friendly Gaming, the industry leader in
covering the family friendly video games is shedding some light
on one of the video game journalism brainwashing techniques that
needs to be addressed. The issue in this article is press
releases. Too few gaming media outlets edit the press releases.
What is wrong with that? The companies have lies, propaganda,
and misleading statements in the press releases way too often.
Read the start of a variety of press releases in the video game
section of the Internet. What do many of them start with?
“Leading company…” Notice how all of these companies all claim
to be leading? They can’t all be in first place can they? All it
takes is a little simple logic and press questioning to realize
many of these press releases start with a lie.
Some people might try to argue that the press releases are what
the companies are saying and to edit that (what is it that
editors actually do if they do not edit?) would be an
infringement. Help me understand something if you believe that.
How much do they pay you to run with press releases that are in
many cases disguised advertisements? If they are paying for the
space then I can understand it. If they are not paying then how
lazy are many video game journalists? It also looks like
shooting yourself in the foot. Run with whatever inaccuracies
the companies state, and then pay for all of the complaints it
causes. Oh I almost forgot the gaming media outlet pays for the
gaming journalist, and server space to run with the company
provided press release. It is your server, so it should be your
rules.
Family Friendly Gaming has been editing the press releases the
last few years. The mooching video game companies (who also
happen to be millionaires) seem to think they can control what
we publish and when we publish it. Part of the problem is our
industry. After all before a game is releases we have only
whatever the companies provide us. We do not get to play the
game from start to finish months before it comes out. At events
like E3 the content we are provided is very controlled, and very
limited. Companies are trying to minimize any potential early
damage by putting video game journalists on very short leashes.
Sadly too many video game journalists have grown accustom to,
and comfortable with the short leashes. This has lead to even
more company control of the gaming media.
Family Friendly Gaming has rubbed some companies the wrong way
because we do not let them get their way 100% of the time. A
couple of video game companies have black listed us because we
edit out offensive content. A few angry emails have come my way
because we remove their advertisement links. They seem to think
an editor has no right to edit what they send us. There is no
guarantee that we will publish anything they send us. They have
twisted the roles so badly that too many of them have an
entitlement mentality when they send out a press release. There
is so much brainwashing in there, some days I cannot stomach
them. Why would I want to help spread their lies? I believe in
standing up for truth. I accept punishment for standing for
truth every single day of the year.
Too many companies have gotten into trouble by spewing lies in
press releases. Too many gaming journalists have happily helped
these companies. Too many gamers have become disappointments
because the hype (aka lies) was too great for the final product.
I would like the video game industry to return to stating facts
about their games. Give the back story, and features. Explain
what you are shooting for with the game. Be honest, especially
if you miss the mark. That would help return the broken trust in
too many of the brainwashing press releases.
God bless,
Paul Bury
Family Friendly Gaming