"Black Myth: Wukong" SCREAMS To Top Charts as IGN's 'Journalism' Gets Exposed Further...

More than a game... A dynamic shift in gaming culture.

You love to see it. In a wild turn of events, "Black Myth: Wukong," an upcoming (very badass looking) action RPG from Game Science Studio, has surged to the top of Steam's wishlist, surpassing other highly anticipated titles like "Monster Hunter: Wilds" and "Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2" by nearly five times the amount! The interest in "Black Myth: Wukong" stems from the growing controversy involving alleged journalistic malpractice by IGN, once heralded as one of the gaming industry’s most prominent news outlets... You know, just like Kotaku, back in the day.

The core of the controversy originates from what some like myself, @Grummz, and @Pirat_Nation, @OldeManGrim (among many others in the gaming community) are calling a 'coordinated attack' against Game Science Studio. Earlier "reports" (and I use that term extremely lightly here) by IGN included allegations of sexual misconduct within the studio, claims that were reportedly based on mistranslated documents, and strecthed the infractions to the extreme in order to make a point against the studio. Folks have been pointing out these discrepancies, accusing IGN of using these misrepresentations to unfairly target the studio... and tbh, it's not a great look.

Further complicating the issue, it has been alleged that IGN did not compensate the translator who highlighted the mistranslations, leading to a protective stance on social media by the involved translator. This situation has opened IGN up to criticism regarding their journalistic ethics and their treatment of freelance contributors.

Interestingly enough, every time "Black Myth: Wukong" has been mentioned in IGN’s coverage since the original allegations, references to these supposed misconduct issues have been included, leading to accusations that IGN is not merely reporting on the game but actively trying to undermine its success. The mention of a $7 million fee that Game Science refused to pay to Sweet Baby Inc. for promotional activities adds another layer of complexity, suggesting potential financial motivations behind the negative coverage.

The backlash against IGN’s coverage is not just about defending "Black Myth: Wukong" but is indicative of a larger frustration within the gaming community. Gamers and developers alike are increasingly vocal about their disdain for what they see as destructive journalism that can tarnish reputations and potentially ruin game studios without just cause. As I stated in my previous video covering this situation, it feels almost like an organized nose-ring mafia doing a coordinated attack against anyone who dares stand up against them.

You can't stop this.

This situation highlights a growing divide between game developers and segments of the gaming press. On one hand, there is the essential role of journalism in uncovering genuine issues within the industry. On the other, there is the dangerous potential for harm when reporting is not handled with the necessary care and integrity.

IGN? Noted.... By the community

That would also explain their disdain for people like myself reporting on a situation for what it is, and using my YouTube channel as the platform to get the voice heard. As "Black Myth: Wukong" continues to garner support from gamers, it serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of community backing against injustices in media coverage.

As the gaming community continues to rally around "Black Myth: Wukong," the controversy surrounding IGN’s reporting methods serves as a critical checkpoint for gaming journalism. It calls for a reflection on the responsibilities of media outlets to uphold standards of accuracy and fairness, especially when dealing with allegations that could damage the livelihoods of developers and alter the landscape of game development.

~Smash