Longtime GameSpot Reviewer Leaves

[Ji@nBing]

After the termination of established GameSpot reviewer and editorial director Jeff Gerstmann, we heard from employees of the site who spoke of the threat of "mass resignations." Today it would seem we have at least one confirmed casualty from the CNet/Gerstmann fallout, longtime freelance reviewer Frank Provo. The reviewer, with over seven years worth of contributions to GameSpot and some 751 reviews, confirmed on his work blog today that he was no longer writing for the site. "I believe CNet management let Jeff go for all the wrong reasons," wrote the reviewer "I believe CNet intends to soften the site's tone and push for higher scores to make advertisers happy." Provo specialized in critiquing games for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PSP during his tenure. He was often tasked with reviewing less than enviable portable fodder, as well as copious amounts of movie licensed games and retro releases via XBLA and the Wii Virtual Console.

He was especially vocal about the Jeff Gerstmann dismissal via his LiveJournal and message board NeoGAF, having harsh words for CNet management and expressing sympathy for peers still at Gamespot. He recently addressed his separation from the outlet by writing "I feel sad about the whole thing, but I can't write for a site that could one day punish me for honesty."

In a response to a comment posted on his GameSpot blog today, Provo defended his former compatriots, writing "The GameSpot staff did not fire Jeff. The GameSpot staff are NOT corrupt. GameSpot itself is NOT the problem. CNet is. CNet's management is."

Source

And so Gamespot's fall from grace continues...

[FreqFace]

Well done, sir. Coming from an employee, this proves that Gamespot (or CNET) are infact starting to become biased in favour of advertisers. Gamespot are gonna deservedly suffer for this. :no:

[leesonlife]

Earlier news from the beginning of "Gerstmanngate" note that many staffers felt the editorial/marketing balance started to become less stable with the departure of former editor-in-chief Greg Kasavin.

[Windam]

I thought IGN was the crappers..

honestly I don't know who to trust but myself

[CelticWhisper]

Trust customer reviews a la GameFAQs. GFAQs is owned by CNet but have managed to remain pretty independent, and there are a lot of honest reviews written by users. I personally grilled Phantasy Star Universe last year and my review went up, uncensored and unchallenged.

Maybe it's time for a "Game ratings" forum here like the "Movie ratings" one in the Media Room?

[NateB1]

Ever since the episode with Kane and Lynch, I have stayed away from Gamespot. I wonder where these editors will go now. When deciding to buy a game, I usually trust the advice of my friends and user reviews.

@celticWhisper I think that would be a great idea - if we can rate movies, why not games?

[CelticWhisper]

I'd love it. There are plenty of games, new and old, popular and obscure, that I could review to help get it started.

[Neo003]

I just canceled my subscription this morning. After the Kane and lynch fiasco nothing?s going on there, I guess that's what happen when you let the big franchise buy you out.