| Page 1 of 3 |
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
 Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:34 Post subject: GiantBomb joins CBS (aka owners of GameSpot) |
|
 |
| Quote: | In an extremely surprising move, independent gaming site Giant Bomb has been acquired by CBS. The news, reviews and gaming wiki site was created my former GameSpot editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis as their solution to modern, PR fueled gaming sites.
Gerstmann announced the news via online stream this morning, promising that there will be no significant changes to Giant Bomb either creatively or editorially. He insisted that this was simply the best business decision for the site, and that the extra financial support will let them evolve in ways they never could have independently. The announcement was made from Giant Bomb's web designer's dining room, where the website's staff enjoyed a healthy pancake and bacon breakfast.
The largest reason this news comes as a surprise is Gerstmann's dramatic history with Gamespot. Gerstmann was fired from the site in late 2007. It was rumored that Eidos Interactive pressured GameSpot to remove him after he gave Kane & Lynch: Dead Men a "Fair" rating, a game which Eidos had heavily advertised on the site. It was this termination that led to a number of GameSpot staff leaving to start Giant Bomb. With the acquisition, Giant Bomb's staff will be moving back into GameSpot's offices.
Perhaps in order to counter potential backlash from fans due to Giant Bomb's return to GameSpot, Gerstmann will be performing an interview at 4:00 this afternoon, where he explains the situation that led to his termination. The interview may be streamed live, or will otherwise be made available on both sites.
Giant Bomb was voted one of the Top 50 websites of 2011 by Time Magazine, and is widely known for their Quick Looks and their podcast: The Giant BombCast. |
http://www.neoseeker.com/news/18600-gamespot-parent-company-cbs-acquires-gaming-website-giant-bomb/
TL;DR, Jeff Gerstmann and the whole team return to the company that fired him in the first place!
The transition was planned for over 2 years.
Their FAQ on the site
| Quote: | Two companies?
Yes. We wanted to make sure our separate brands and employees ended up with companies that best fit their strengths. Here's the scoop...
Giant Bomb and Comic Vine are now in the same family as GameSpot and GameFAQs. The entire editorial teams from those sites are coming over, as is Dave. This marks a reunion of sorts as we’ll get to work with our friends over at GameSpot again. Giant Bomb will continue to operate as its own unique site.
Tested and Screened, along with all other things Whiskey Media are being acquired by BermanBraun. They've got big plans too, as you've likely seen on Tested already. Andy and his TOP MEN (our engineering team) are going to be busy building a whole slew of new sites that carry our mark of community first philosophies.
I'm a premium member, what does this mean for me?
Nothing for the moment. Your services continue as normal across all of the Whiskey sites as well as on Roku, Boxee, iTunes... etc. On April 15th we will migrate the billing for premium memberships to Giant Bomb and Comic Vine so that we can separate them from Whiskey Media proper. Don't worry, features on the other sites will continue to work, as will your username as passwords, but you will only billed by Giant Bomb. No split billing will occur.
We made this decision based on the fact that 98 percent of our subscriptions originated with Giant Bomb and the vast majority of our premium content has focused on that site. However, we also recognize our users have their own ideas about the value of their premium plan so we wanted to make sure you had a full month to sit with these details and use the same billing tools you're used to using. It is very important to us that we don't sucker punch anyone and that you can cancel your plans easily at any time.
Got all that? OK, well there’s more. Those members that do stick around past April 15th will immediately receive GameSpot Total Access memberships for free as a thank you for continuing to support Giant Bomb and Comic Vine. These will be distributed through email as a gift code, so their redemption is optional.
We'll also send out a general email as well as other announcements before April 15th so you're not left with any surprises.
What about the Whiskey Media store and my coupons?
They will continue to be valid. You can use them now, or at anytime. The store isn't going anywhere.
What about my wiki points?
Your points will continue as normal. Past April 15th your combined Whiskey points will be used for your submissions across all our sites. But any points earned after that date will only increase your total on the specific site you earn them on.
Hey, this has me worried. I've seen others sites get purchased and become pretty crappy. What makes this different?
It's a valid concern. But if you've made it this far (let's be honest, some of you have been supportive of us for years) you know that beyond the logos on our sites are a group of people who have committed their lives to building a better Internet. Our sites will continue to thrive because quite honestly, it's what keeps a lot of us going every day. And as hokey as it may sound, we want to continue having an audience that trusts us as stewards of our respective expertise.
Continue to keep us on our toes. Now let's start building.
I have more questions!
I (Dave) will be around personally to answer all questions late tonight and throughout the weekend either on this thread or through twitter (@enemykite). As you'd imagine it's a busy day and I've still got to run to the city this afternoon to meet some peeps so thanks ahead of time for being patient as I go through your questions later today. |
A crazy move, I didn't expect it at all!
Here's a vid announcing it, it starts about 5 minutes in.
http://www.justin.tv/giantbomb/b/311753835
Also, the partner site, Tested.com will be working with MythBusters and turn it into "the premiere place on the Internet to share the things they’re most interested in."
http://www.tested.com/news/so-whats-happening-with-tested-video/3744/
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LeoNatan
☢ NFOHump Despot ☢
Posts: 73196
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:37 Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:38 Post subject: |
|
|
Also, a story about why he was fired from GameSpot will finally be told.
| Quote: | | . Be sure to check back at 4PM PDT, when we'll be addressing my termination. Finally! The story can be told! |
We'll also have a full update on what all this means for premium members very shortly./quote]
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:41 Post subject: |
|
|
I dont like it. Now I am afraid that giantbomb might now be trusted again...
jeff was fired from gamespot, becouse he gave kane and lynch 6/10 while there were reviews all ofer the site. Plenty of people including Greg kasavin left after he was fired. Now they are coming back? guess buisiness is buisiness
3080 | ps5 pro
Sin317-"im 31 years old and still surprised at how much shit comes out of my ass actually ..."
SteamDRM-"Call of Duty is the symbol of the true perfection in every aspect. Call of Duty games are like Mozart's/Beethoven's symphonies"
deadpoetic-"are you new to the cyberspace?"
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:43 Post subject: |
|
|
Well, technically the reasons on why Jeff was fired were never known, the full story will be posted on giantbomb.com in 2 hours or so.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:44 Post subject: |
|
|
| Neon wrote: | | Well, technically the reasons on why Jeff was fired were never known, the full story will be posted on giantbomb.com in 2 hours or so. |
The thing is though.. since he was fired BY Gamespot, you really think he's going to say that now he's under their employ again? I honestly wouldn't trust anything he says at this point :\
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:44 Post subject: |
|
|
| KillerCrocker wrote: | I dont like it. Now I am afraid that giantbomb might now be trusted again...
jeff was fired from gamespot, becouse he gave kane and lynch 6/10 while there were reviews all ofer the site. Plenty of people including Greg kasavin left after he was fired. Now they are coming back? guess buisiness is buisiness |
Ii'm not sure that all those 5/5 given to crappy games made them trusted, but whatever floats your boat.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LeoNatan
☢ NFOHump Despot ☢
Posts: 73196
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:47 Post subject: |
|
|
| Pl@tinum wrote: | | Ii'm not sure that all those 5/5 given to crappy games made them trusted, but whatever floats your boat. |
Obviously it made them trusted...
... by GaemSpot, Cnet. etc.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:50 Post subject: |
|
|
I love giantbomb. Very fun site with plenty of personality. Their scores were also very reasonable. You just had to know reviewer taste in games.
They were talking plenty of times that they Would love not to improve scores at end of reviews, bocouse those stars or x/10 or whatever are always a pain in the ass which people drool about, without even reading the review. that people complaing about this game getting 4 stars but this worse game, getting 5 stars.
They said that review scores are independant for each game and each reviewer. And that they basicy include them, becouse people like thing summarized in number and so.
3080 | ps5 pro
Sin317-"im 31 years old and still surprised at how much shit comes out of my ass actually ..."
SteamDRM-"Call of Duty is the symbol of the true perfection in every aspect. Call of Duty games are like Mozart's/Beethoven's symphonies"
deadpoetic-"are you new to the cyberspace?"
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 21:54 Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, I love them too, hell, I bought a years subscription just a few days ago.
Anyway, if anyone missed it, their sister site tested.com is now working with MythBusters, here's a quick vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3WLG8_dfX9M
Also what KillerCrocker said. Each reviewer was different, Jeff was derp from the start, but Vinny or Dave Snider have an excellent taste in games.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bronson
Posts: 1384
Location: Asteroid B-612
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 22:05 Post subject: |
|
|
Jeff and Greg were my favourite editors back when I used "professional" game journalism for general tips before a purchase.
Kasavin was invloved with the development of Bastion, wasn't he?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 22:05 Post subject: |
|
|
Yep, that's why GiantBomb didn't review it because they didn't think it was fair.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LeoNatan
☢ NFOHump Despot ☢
Posts: 73196
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 22:28 Post subject: |
|
|
| Neon wrote: | | Each reviewer was different, Jeff was derp from the start, but Vinny or Dave Snider have an excellent taste in games. |
Don't kid yourself. Jeff laid the philosophy of the site, and the philosophy was a laid-back, "duder" style, very easy on the publishers and developers, with every game receiving a high score and praise, while ignoring the hard issues. That is unacceptable. Of course they'd be purchased by a large corporation - they are the embodiment of everything that is wrong with gaming journalism these days, and right from advertisement-heaven stand point. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tonizito
VIP Member
Posts: 51401
Location: Portugal, the shithole of Europe.
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 22:29 Post subject: |
|
|
Jeff Derpmann
| boundle (thoughts on cracking AITD) wrote: | | i guess thouth if without a legit key the installation was rolling back we are all fucking then |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 22:32 Post subject: |
|
|
So is Jeff going to think Kane & Lynch is a good game now that he's back where he started? 
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 22:34 Post subject: |
|
|
Well, technically the GiantBomb will still be separate from GS, but they are owned by the same company now.
Also some stuff from Reddit
| Quote: | I work for CBS Interactive, specifically in the Games department. I worked for them back when Jeff and the others left to create Giantbomb in the first place. I just want to point out that since they've been gone, we've gone through two "regime changes" and the current upper level staff is completely different from the crew in charge when Jeff was let go.
Everyone here is super excited to have these guys coming back to us and there are no plans at all to hinder Giantbomb's growth in any way. This can be nothing but good for their crew as they are getting a really nice cash injection and access to all of our equipment, games, etc and don't have to worry about paying for that anymore. |
Also, the current head of GameStop is John Davison, who is a former EGM EIC and the British dude from 1UP Yours back in the day.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 22:35 Post subject: |
|
|
| iNatan wrote: | | Neon wrote: | | Each reviewer was different, Jeff was derp from the start, but Vinny or Dave Snider have an excellent taste in games. |
Don't kid yourself. Jeff laid the philosophy of the site, and the philosophy was a laid-back, "duder" style, very easy on the publishers and developers, with every game receiving a high score and praise, while ignoring the hard issues. That is unacceptable. Of course they'd be purchased by a large corporation - they are the embodiment of everything that is wrong with gaming journalism these days, and right from advertisement-heaven stand point. |
Well, to be honest I never cared about their reviews, considering that most of them are really short and not that well written, I love the Quick Looks, their Bombcast and the subscriber stuff like the Random PC Game or Load Our Last Save.
I get where you're coming from, but not every game received praise, and I think that the fact they didn't review Bastion because they knew the guy from the team was really nice.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 23:05 Post subject: |
|
|
| bronson wrote: | Jeff and Greg were my favourite editors back when I used "professional" game journalism for general tips before a purchase.
Kasavin was invloved with the development of Bastion, wasn't he? |
Jeff went out and did giantbomb
Greg went out and did Bastion. Its first game of his company
3080 | ps5 pro
Sin317-"im 31 years old and still surprised at how much shit comes out of my ass actually ..."
SteamDRM-"Call of Duty is the symbol of the true perfection in every aspect. Call of Duty games are like Mozart's/Beethoven's symphonies"
deadpoetic-"are you new to the cyberspace?"
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cobALT
Posts: 2340
Location: In a world created by fascist and used by cowards to manipulate
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cobALT
Posts: 2340
Location: In a world created by fascist and used by cowards to manipulate
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tonizito
VIP Member
Posts: 51401
Location: Portugal, the shithole of Europe.
|
| Posted: Thu, 15th Mar 2012 23:48 Post subject: |
|
|
| KillerCrocker wrote: | | They did that becouse they want more funding, but they will still be independand at reviews, scores and they can still swear! |
Sure, sure.
| boundle (thoughts on cracking AITD) wrote: | | i guess thouth if without a legit key the installation was rolling back we are all fucking then |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Neon
VIP Member
Posts: 18935
Location: Poland
|
| Posted: Fri, 16th Mar 2012 00:01 Post subject: |
|
|
| tonizito wrote: | | KillerCrocker wrote: | | They did that becouse they want more funding, but they will still be independand at reviews, scores and they can still swear! |
Sure, sure. |
To be honest, he seems to be telling the truth so far.
By 2007, a new management team arrived in GameSpot, and after some different review the developer threatened to pull advertisement money, but they didn't.
After Jeff reviewed Kane&Lynch, it went huge, but they didn't talk about it much in the office. He simply said it was a disappointing game.
Then one time the new management called him to their office and said he is out, effective immediately, because they couldn't trust him, or rather they couldn't trust him to NOT fuck up the ad money given by the publishers.
Seems true to me.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Fri, 16th Mar 2012 00:03 Post subject: |
|
|
Last edited by Interinactive on Tue, 5th Oct 2021 04:25; edited 1 time in total
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
| Posted: Fri, 16th Mar 2012 00:16 Post subject: |
|
|
http://pl.twitch.tv/gamespot/b/311783658 archivised version
3080 | ps5 pro
Sin317-"im 31 years old and still surprised at how much shit comes out of my ass actually ..."
SteamDRM-"Call of Duty is the symbol of the true perfection in every aspect. Call of Duty games are like Mozart's/Beethoven's symphonies"
deadpoetic-"are you new to the cyberspace?"
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Page 1 of 3 |
All times are GMT + 1 Hour |
