Changes are drastically needed in gaming politics. Everything from transparency, integrity, and accountability in gaming journalism, or flagrant and abhorrent sexism and racism is a consistent issue across the board. The fact is the gaming industry has been changing exponentially over the last decade, leaving game industry politics in the dark ages with their lack of urgency for change.
We need change, we need a voice, and those attempting to lead aren’t cut out for the job. In comes #GamerGate: An attempt to show reviewers, developers, and publishers what gamers want from their gaming, without the veil of a non-gamer feminist. However, with a lack of direction, #GamerGate is quickly turning into a sideshow and random ranting session from all reasonable and unreasonable sides.
The Journalist Issue
The gaming journalism industry has been rocked by controversy since mid-August. Upon discovering that Zoe Quinn, a minor figure in the indie gaming scene, had relations with Kotaku journalist Nathan Grayson who was accused of giving her good reviews in exchange for alleged sexual favors.
This prompted an over the top response from the internet gaming community. From this center point a web of conspiracies linking Zoe Quinn, Anita Sarkeesian, Maya Kramer, and many other controversial or polarized gaming figures to the workings of mainstream games media. Whether or not one agrees with how private one’s fidelity to be, it has since exploded into a full examination of how the news community at large handles what could be biased reporting. I’m glad that if anything this issue has become a catalyst for journalistic reformation.
Payola, the exchange of money for favor, is an illegal practice for a reason. It is a practice which has permeated more industries than just gaming, to bring it into perspective. We should be outraged by this complacency of these arrangements. It should be scrutinized. And there isn’t a single journalist with a shred of integrity who wouldn’t agree that the issue of recuse is paramount and necessary. If we take anything away from #GamerGate, it should be just that.
Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo‘s response to these impromptu allegations was at first measured, but after weeks of belligerent attacks by the internet’s darkest gaming circles, it has turned into full on mudslinging on both sides. Kotaku isn’t the only site guilty of taking sides against what seems to be their core audience. However, as Microsoft learned during its poor PR upon the Xbox One’s launch, taking on the consumer base with insults is met with heavy backlash.
Journalists are People, Not Corporations
Expressing personal opinions on off-time is not necessarily reflected in a journalist’s professional work. Phrases the likes of “opinions posted within are my own and in no way represent the company employing me” are displayed for a reason. Journalists, writers, media-personalities are just as capable as anyone else of making that distinction in a personal and professional life.
Taking someone’s Tweets, blog rant, or personal Facebook post out of context and then claiming that their personal “agenda” negates an unbiased article on a professional publication is not proof of professional bias. Writers are human, too. Being opinionated or even mean on personal time does not translate to the inability to be totally professional when on a company dime. We are all people, not brands.
This is a system of a society that has been trained to be outraged. We are in the midst of a very angry internet, but that doesn’t leave us justified every time we feel outraged. Journalists, advertisers, media personalities, and game developers will all mingle and cross paths, naturally. That doesn’t leave us to judge how those relationships blossom.
The gaming industry is the same as any other industry. Does anyone believe that the anchors of “CNN” aren’t friends with any of the same people who they report on? Does anyone think no reporter has slept with a celebrity, CEO, or co-worker? They are entitled to privacy just as well as you are as a person living in the anonymous shadows.
The Problem with Women’s Representation
Anita Sarkeesian and Zoe Quinn are not the voices gamer women deserve, but, unfortunately, they’re all women in the industry currently have. Sarkeesian is not a gamer. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t ever play games, but was exposed on video admitting that games weren’t a part of her self-identity. Sarkeesian almost certainly placed herself in the spotlight in an industry larger than Hollywood to sell her agenda.
The issue we hold as gamers is that Anita is cloaking herself as a lifelong and immersed gamer, who speaks to women and empathizes with female alienation within the community. However, being as she was not involved in the niche gaming culture, the rhetoric and misinformation she spreads is disruptive to our community. It paints a clear picture that Sarkeesian rode the coat-tails of a blossoming subculture to preach a message that doesn’t necessarily encompass the existing community.
However, would that have been possible if the internet ignored her or met her snarky tone with respect? Sarkeesian banks on the controversy brewed by Fem Freq, every hit and every mention kicks-in the automatic algorithms of the internet and legitimizes her even despite large evidence that she is a narcissist with an insincere agenda rather than a voice of women who actually want comfortable gaming experiences and a voice in the industry.
The good that has come from Anita lies in her legitimizing the academic study of video games. Like it or not, Feminist Frequency is taken seriously by mainstream audiences, boosted some needed progress, and has raised an enormous amount of money. Although this may have attracted feminists who haven’t included gaming as a major part of their lives before, it has opened the gates for new demographics, a female voice in a male dominated industry, and the beginnings of acknowledging that video games are a vital mainstay in our popular culture.
Let’s not forget that Gail Simone helmed Women in Refrigerators, a theme Fem Freq dedicated an entire video to, and she is one of the best comic book writers. Period. Not one of the best women in the industry, no, Simone is simply one of the best out there today. Us women who have been here the whole time can walk the walk, too. We, women in gaming, are not all Anita Sarkeesian, even if we can agree on some core concepts.
Sure, there is a built-in social structure that favors the male gaze over the female reality. But accepting that there should be a balance doesn’t imply that there isn’t a place and demographic for the sexualized female concepts and male power fantasy story lines.
Ethics are in the eye of the beholder, and we each control our own gaze to a certain degree. I empathize with the fact that men are tired of being demonized. And I’m tired of the men I love being demonized just as much as I am tired of being disrespected and disregarded for having a voice as a woman. Just because I can identify with the latter does not mean I aim to negate the male perspective. Equality is not revenge.
Gamers are the Heart of Gaming, Money is the Heart of the Game Industry
The conglomerates who produce the majority of games see consumers as dollar signs, the media depends on advertisers to continue providing gamers with journalism, news, and editorial commentary on the industry they enjoy.
Unfortunately many gamers feel entitled to an unpaid advertiser-free experience, and then wonder why IGN shoves Mountain Dew and Doritos into their faces at any chance they can get! Readers are not paying for IGN, and even if everyone did turn adblock off, they’d still want to find a way to monetize each moment you as a viewer offer. That’s the nature of capitalism more than it is a corruption of journalism.
Likewise, you should not fault a writer for doing work and promotion to garner money. Transparency is still paramount, yes. There is a matter of integrity that is majorly important and needs to be scrutinized. But being the voice behind a social cause, or having a vocal agenda is not bad, even if it gains the person income. There is nothing wrong with cashing in on an idea you feel passionately about, and no matter what the world will sling at you, fighting for your beliefs is typically a righteous cause. Getting paid to fight for your beliefs is a desire I’m sure anyone in the world would adhere to if it were all possible.
For example, there are some who claim that you can’t trust scientific findings of vaccines because doctors are making money off of the work. As much as an industry such as Big Tobacco has been guilty of illicit practices and lying to continue unhindered sales of a product, there are cases where scientists have harshly disappointed their backers because they have integrity.
Making money does not necessarily dictate that corruption will follow. So although we all know that corruption and money go hand in hand, it is preposterous to subscribe to the notion that anyone trying to make a profit or even who self-promotes is doing it for nefarious reasons by default.
Take a look at up and coming site GoodGamers. They’re establishing themselves out of the #GamerGate scandal, and although they promise to not take corporate money, will be advertising and therefore profiting. GoodGamer may be riding on the coat-tails of a scandal, or it may be actually putting together a platform for a cause the founders believe in. Either way, making a profit off of such a concept should not be condemned.
Don’t allow the mainstream media to dehumanize us as gamers. Don’t let the anonymity of the web drown out those of us who are rational, reasonable, accepting, and just looking for enjoyment in a very angry and fast paced world. Our dollars drive what games are made, and every company wants to make Call of Duty money. Make no mistake, it is the diverse group of people who enjoy those kinds of games driving profits sky-high. So take note that no matter what your gender, race, or sexual orientation that our power united is much greater than divided.
Edit: Additional links were added.
Another Castle 
I just want to say that this is a fantastic post. You cover a lot of bases that need to be covered in the games industry, and I agree with a lot that’s being said. Being a female gamer, I particularly enjoyed the mention of how Sarkeesian isn’t necessarily the answer but also cannot be ignored. I agree with the above statements, that while I would like to see more female voices and some differences in female representation, I don’t like the demonization of my male friend (or boyfriend) video game players, nor do I think all male power fantasies are bad. I just want to see some differences and would honestly enjoy seeing more social examinations and studies into video games from hardcore video gamers, not outsiders. Changes need to be made in the gaming industry, but extremes seem to be gaining the spotlight when we need a rational approach. If nothing else comes out of these scandals, I hope that gamers learn to be a little more open-minded to criticism from other gamers.
Overall, an outstanding post.
@theteagamer Thank you so much for taking the time to read this enormous post! There was so much information and so many points of view to examine and be said! I felt torn at almost every direction with what to omit and to keep. However, the fact that you took away the sentiments described shows that it is expressing the intended sensibility.
I appreciate your support, and the time you took to reach out to us with your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article, a lot of love and time went into it.
Best and keep gaming on!
You are awesome. Thank you for using your voice and speaking out for transparency.
This is a decent post, and I thank you for it.
One of the things that has really stood out during Gamergate is the level of abuse directed towards gamers from video game journalists for disagreeing with them. Also the accusation that people of colour posting in support of GamerGate under the hashtag NotYourShield being accused of being ‘weaponised minorities’. These two types of reactions are very telling, and very, very alarming; especially considering the sheer number of journalists that have responded in this manner. This is the true story of GametGate IMO, and it explains the corruption, the bullying and the agenda pushing.
It’s something that we saw in the Science Wars of the 90’s, it’s something that almost tore the atheist community apart; it’s the alarming presence of Social Justice Warriors within video game journalism. That they have infested the industry to the degree we have seen is very concerning.
That’s the story that you should be covering IMO. They will destroy the industry if something is not done about them.
Reblogged this on Coiled 薔薇 Rose and commented:
#GamerGate is the hot topic of the web for a reason. We examined as to why on Another Castle.
Paige, reporters found to be sleeping with sources lose their jobs. Are they sleeping with people they shouldn’t be? Maybe, when they get caught they get fired though. It is literally basic journalistic ethics.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/kdries/a-real-life-house-of-cards-scandalous-affairs-b-4fsn
@grumpy Not always, it really depends on how they are connected and what they are reporting on. It’s the editor or bosses job to manage the discretion.
When recuse is used, it’s not grounds to be fired. These scandals are results of secrets. It’s the same when a site has to disclose that they received a free copy of a game they reviewed.
Disclosure is key. Co-workers do sleep together, they do date, some even marry. Directors will cast their wives, sisters, cousins. Hollywood is practically all related!
It happens very often and it’s unfortunately naive to think it won’t. That doesn’t mean that everyone should lose their jobs. It does mean that we should be ensured protocol and that boundaries are laid out so the show can go on professionally.
I liked this post as it raised many valid points about the gaming industry as a whole. The thing I really disagree with is making this a feminist issue. I am not a feminist, I don’t look down upon those who are, but it’s not an ideology I agree with. I feel that demonizing males in the industry won’t lead to us being taken seriously but quite the opposite. I am a gamer, not a girl gamer, not a female gamer, but a gamer. I do not need to separate myself from my male counterparts by stating my gender in any situation including gaming. I thin once we stop demonizing and pointing fingers and start doing things to bring about change that can’t be ignored without standing on soap boxes the tides will turn. I would love to see more women owned developers and studios out there, and women have more of a presence at trade shows beyond cosplay. I mean really we’re or own worst enemies when it comes to this stuff and people like Sarkeesian just set us back 10 years. We’ve got to stop asking for special attention by screaming girl gamer when that’s what we’re trying to end in the first place. We should strive to be taken seriously and become commodities in this industry instead of novelties! As a female I can say the grind is so very real for us. Great post, really enjoyed reading it. Well done.
@Trish Thanks for taking the time to read, and for giving a thoughtful response. I’m really glad that you enjoyed it, and I am grateful you’ve taken the time out to read it. I put a lot of work and stress into it and I’m happy it’s being received so well.
I brought up the female perspective, not the feminist perspective, for a good reason. Sexism has been a huge part of the #GamerGate issue, we can’t deny it. It doesn’t matter who said it first, it matters that it is a hot button topic in the mix and should also not be ignored. Gender is an important part of us, and some women identify as woman first, and then gamer, I don’t see a problem with that necessarily.
As I get older, the games I play become more mature, and material starts to feel like it isn’t necessarily geared towards my demographic. Girls generally are different from boys, in some very key ways. As a straight woman, from where I have stood, there are things that make me uncomfortable/angry/sad that elicit totally different reactions from a typical straight guy. Things that could possibly make me upset could make my boyfriend laugh/roll his eyes/ become aroused.
In those cases, I am clearly not the audience and it’s okay for me to say that. It’s generally not okay for me to say, ‘Game Industry, don’t make those games anymore!’. Just as it should be okay for men to express their distaste to the powers that be.
Perhaps some of the material available doesn’t concern you. If so this totally isn’t case for you, but it can be for me, and it obviously has been for a lot of other women and girls. I don’t want these games and comics to go away, but I’d like to be represented as well, by enjoyable playable/readable material.
Plus, games that perform better, at least in the states, tend to account for that to a degree if not entirely. So maybe I’m misunderstanding, but to say that there is a generic voice for gamer that can solve all the problems, I’d have to respectfully disagree with that.
I wrote earlier on another forum that unfortunately, sexism and other abhorrent pieces of an antiquated society are very much ingrained into our culture and the backlash as that changes is pretty severe in some places. That doesn’t mean that I let sexism stop me, weigh me down, or ruin every day. And no one should!
I just also don’t find that revenge or reversing myself into a place of power is the answer. I’ve come to believe that you can’t fix the whole world by just focusing on the more broken parts. You can’t fix sexism until you acknowledge and correct both sides of the inequality. From what I can tell, we would totally agree on that point! And that’s the most important point to agree on!
The most important message I really wanted across for #GamerGate, specifically, is that journalism as it stands gets turned on its head and reevaluated. Too many of these popular sites have been getting away with giving too little and taking too much for a very long time.
Peace and all the best!
This article very sensible and well written! I found that this article has shown everything with Anita Sarkeesian, Zoe Quinn and #Gamergate to be quite an eye-opener for people on all sides. I guess I can say that the big lessons learned from all of this are that the vitriol from both ends are completely unnecessary, and that one should not be afraid to tackle controversy. Approaching from a civilized manner, a lot could definitely be accomplished. Perhaps the proper voices that gaming needs will come to rise up. Let the push towards egalitarianism in gaming continue! Well done, Paige, game on!
@Greg it’s awesome to see readers taking the time and leaving awesome feedback! Thanks for reading. And always game on!
I personally hate bad news reporting and not just in gaming. I refuse to buy another copy of The New York Daily News ever since they did the “Did video games cause the Newtown shootings?” shtick on their front page. Sadly mainstream news is too powerful so they can do stuff like shove presidential candidates down out throats.
Issues with gaming news sites such as purchased reviews and jumbled facts are indeed are something to worry about. But this isn’t type of stuff has been happening for years and not too many said much about it. The problem with GG was that there were people who were using the hashtag to bash “social justice warriors” and saying things like “Well I have NEVER been discriminated against,” while there are many people who DO receive hate in gaming. It is hard to call GG a legitimate movement when an angry ex’s revenge blog post is too closely tied to it.
“…built-in social structure that favors the male gaze over the female reality…”
Contrasting how men see things with female “reality” is really quite chauvinistic against men. If you are serious about not ignoring the flip side of the sexism coin, I’d suggest you reconsider this point. One only need to go check out Jezebel fawning over David Beckham during the world cup to see that the female gaze is equally omnipresent. It just usually objectifies men for their wallets and utility. For example, a naked man is not as attractive as a naked woman, because without clothes (preferably a suit or a ‘sexy’ uniform), without tools or big strapping hands… he doesn’t look like he’s useful to anyone. Why else do you think romance novels feature guys with impossibly big arms and chests on them?
@Linda
Mainstream archetypes are typically geared towards the male gaze. That doesn’t mean that women don’t have their own avenues for sexual appreciation.
Also, to say men aren’t as attractive as women when naked isn’t true at all. I think that’s projection. I’m sorry if you feel that way. I don’t think the media feels that way either, just watch Thor! This has been changing, too. Thanks to a lot of boosted progress in recent years.
The issue of male v. female sexuality in media itself could encompass it’s own article or even book. Maybe a stark naked male not as lucrative, yet, in which case we ask why, sure. Once we can address these things progress can be made, as they should be. That doesn’t change how it is majority of the time.
To say we’re as likely to see a naked man, or a provocative man in media and mediums, particularly that of video games, is unfortunately naive. The exception doesn’t make the rule.
I personally, Another Castle aside, hope to see that change. I’m not against sexuality in media, I’m all for balance and purpose.
As far as men in suits and looking useful is concerned, who isn’t to say that’s the same idea which branches back to childhood? In girls we glorify beauty, give them dolls and dress up, and in boys we give the fire engines and police hats. We’ve traditionally geared boys towards enjoying work and girls towards being dainty. I’m sure you can do the math there. No one person is responsible for that. It’s a very ingrained norm we have, and it too has been changing.
Whether you agree with me on these points or not, I appreciate your reply. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it otherwise.
@Lance, sorry for the delayed reply. I agree with your sentiment in the way Zoe has been handled. I am not an advocate for her harassment, and I do not like the idea of putting a person’s sex life on display.
I’ve been very vocal about this on Twitter, but it is my personal outlook on it. I respect a person’s right to view it a different way, even if I don’t agree. I do not, however, respect the dumping of her personal images, the doxxing, the invasion of privacy. It was unwarranted. We are on the same page there, as I’m sure most people are.
I didn’t discuss that issue, because I feel it derails the important message of journalistic integrity. That is the CORE message I, and most people I meet, take away from #GamerGate. The shift has changed to just that, and it’s a good turn in the tides.
The #NotYourShield hashtag has been misused by many to mean we can’t honestly discuss uncomfortable issues. That’s kind of gross. Personally, I being a spanish woman do not identify with everything that is broadcast under the flag of ‘Being a Woman’, or ‘Being Hispanic’. However, I would never try to tear a person down for finding fellowship in that. I distance myself from extremists, and be the example in the world that I’d like to see exemplified.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond. I hope you enjoyed the major parts of the article.