IGN Issues Statement, Refuses Accountability on Misreporting Black Myth: WuKong

Rebekah Valentine of IGN has released a statement regarding her initial article on Black Myth: WuKong, which honestly shocked me - I wasn't expecting her to speak up. The original article by Valentine accused Game Science, the developer of Black Myth: WuKong, of fostering a culture of sexism and misogyny.

However, these accusations were based on mistranslated text, some could argue it was purposefully mistranslated to push a narrative, as any further research into the translations would have alleviated any initial concerns.. and that simply wasn't done.

Can't spell IGNorant without IGN

That right there is the issue. Rebekah released a statement, but somehow managed to make herself look worse. She failed to address any pressing issues whatsoever.

Here's the full statement:

Zero accountability here.

Key Issues Raised in Valentine's Statement:

1. Failure to Address Mistranslated Text: Valentine’s statement fails to address the critical issue of mistranslation that undermined the accuracy of her initial claims. The mistranslation has led to false allegations against Game Science, painting an unfair picture of the developer.

2. Demanding Defense from the Accused: Valentine has paradoxically demanded that Game Science address her false claims and even defend her personally. This demand has been met with widespread criticism, as it places the burden of defense on those she initially attacked without rectifying her own mistakes.

3. Criticism of Lack of "Femme-Coded" Characters: In an unusual twist, Valentine has also criticized the game for lacking "femme-coded" characters. The term "femme-coded" is nebulous and subjective, adding another layer of confusion to her critiques. I'm failing to understand why she chose this strawman argument to toss in here.
   

The Broader Implications for Journalism:

IGN's persistence in this matter reflects poorly on its journalistic standards. Instead of correcting the inaccuracies and addressing the mistranslation, the publication has doubled down, adding another defamatory statement to their recent preview of WuKong. This move seems more like an attempt to claim victim status rather than uphold journalistic integrity.

As a professional reporter, Valentine’s work is indeed subject to critique. True journalism thrives on the pursuit of truth and welcomes challenges to ensure accuracy and fairness. Instead of embracing this ethos, Valentine has taken a defensive stance, portraying herself as a victim while demanding Game Science address her spurious claims.

Valentine’s public behavior, including instances of cheering on physical violence when her narratives are challenged, further discredits her position as a journalist. True journalists should remain impartial and focused on the facts, not become part of the story themselves... But then again, saying that in this day-in-age is quite... aspiring.

PC Gamer enters the battle

Rebekah Valentine and IGN’s approach to the Black Myth: WuKong controversy exemplifies a departure from the principles of responsible journalism. The failure to address mistranslations, the unwarranted demands placed on Game Science, and the unprofessional conduct of cheering on violence all contribute to a troubling narrative. As I've stated multiple times (and will continue to do so), Journalists must hold themselves to higher standards, ensuring that their work is accurate and unbiased. The gaming community deserves better than this.

Morgan Park want's in on the misreporting!

Not to be outdone, Morgan Park - The newest member of #KotakuDetected is a staff writer for PC Gamer, has now been caught pushing IGN's false agenda regarding allegations of sexism and misogyny against Game Science. Despite these claims being debunked and Community Noted for mistranslations, Park continues to propagate this misleading narrative. In response to the backlash, he has blocked critics like myself and also placed his account in protected mode, further evading accountability for spreading false information. Why do they always do this? Where is the accountability? There is no ownership anywhere.

...It's beyond wild to me.

Rebekah Valentine and IGN’s approach to the Black Myth: WuKong controversy, alongside people like Morgan Park of PC Gamer amplifying the false narrative, exemplifies a departure from the principles of responsible journalism. The failure to address mistranslations, the unwarranted demands placed on Game Science, and the unprofessional conduct of cheering on violence all contribute to a troubling narrative. Journalists must hold themselves to higher standards, ensuring that their work is accurate and unbiased. The gaming community deserves better than this.

The worst part about Morgan Park taking this stance on backing Rebekah's initial take? The post was already Community Noted as false, and he ran with the narrative anyway. Here's the snippet from Morgan Park's PC Gamer article:

Special thanks to @Grummz for bringing this issue to light.

~Smash