Courting Controversy - Part 2

You know what I'm doing here if you've read part 1, so let's just get right to it.

#5 Driv3r Review Buying
Accusations that a reviewer has been "bought off" by a publisher get thrown around in this industry with wild abandon practically any time a reviewer goes against a reader's personal opinion. But perhaps no allegations of this type have been more forceful than those lobbed against Future's PSM2 and Xbox World for what can charitably be described as forgiving reviews of Atari's Driv3r.

The circumstantial evidence for a pay-off is definitely strong – the magazines' exclusive early reviews ended up largely ignoring some rather major gameplay bugs (Xbox World editor Nick Ellis later claimed they were lenient because Atari promised these early-version bugs would be fixed for the final release. They weren't). The scores, a 9/10 from PSM2 and an 8.5/10 from XBW, differed rather dramatically from GameRankings' eventual 59% average, but, then again, so did 1UP's 85% score, and no one is accusing them of malfeasance. The final straw for many, though, was Atari's promotion of PSM2's early score through a sticker on the European packaging for the game, suggesting some sort of quid pro quo for the exclusive (a charge the editors vociferously deny).

Despite all the accusations and coincidences, no verifiable hard evidence of wrongdoing ever came out, leaving readers back where they started -- with the same suspicion and mistrust that colors any review they don't agree with.

#4 Sony blackballs Kotaku
It started as a day like any other, with Kotaku posting a clearly labeled rumor story based on information from anonymous insider sources. The piece, which revealed the existence of Sony's then unannounced PlayStation Home service, was par for the blogging course and the kind of thing that companies usually respond to with a blanket "no comment." Not this time, though, as Sony promptly retaliated by effectively blackballing Kotaku from access to Sony executives and press meetings at the upcoming Game Developers Conference.

Kotaku could have removed the story and apologized, but instead they fought back, posting Sony's retaliation threat for the world to see. The game journalism community dropped any pretense of competition and rallied around Kotaku, and the public pressure quickly lead a cowed Sony to renormalize relations with the site.

Why the massive overreaction on Sony's part? Maybe they were just touchy after a less than stellar PS3 launch season – though how this move would help with that, I have no idea. Maybe they were bitter that their big GDC surprise had been spoiled -- though they had to know this overreaction would effectively confirm the rumors... didn't they? Whatever the reason, the lesson for game companies is clear – when it comes to rumors, just stick with the "no comment."

#3 PSP licker Jessica Chobot
Game journalism hasn't historically been the most welcoming of occupations for women, but the old boys club image is beginning to change. Serious game journalists like OXM's Francesca Reyes, EGM's Jennifer Tsao and freelancer Bonnie Ruberg, just to name a few, have broken in and made a big impression through hard work and excellent writing. And then there's Jessica Chobot, whose appearance on the game media scene had less to do with any analytic or writing prowess and more with an ability to look hot and lick a PSP.

Chobot's star rose quickly after the infamous picture became an internet sensation. She landed an appearance on G4's Attack of the Show and a drooling interview with IGN's Babes section, the latter of which eventually led to a columnist position with the site.

Since then, Chobot has been the subject of both fawning fan sites, and, er, less than fawning anti-fan sites, but the latest twist on this controversial model-cum-journalist is definitely the weirdest. Collectible-maker Southern Island recently announced a line of limited edition statues of Chobot in provocative poses and dress. Pauline Kael, eat your heart out.

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