The Disillusioned Mind of Modern Gaming Journalists.. and the change upon us.
A recent exchange between Cecilia D'Anastasio and Jeffrey Rousseau on Twitter has provided us a rather INSANE glimpse into the disillusioned world many gaming journalists seem to have been inhabiting. It's just so strange to see it aired out in public like it was... When Rousseau, recently laid off from GamesIndustry.biz, announced his availability for new opportunities, D'Anastasio's responses exposed a revealing mindset about the state of gaming journalism, and the fear of being replaced these people have.
The Exchange
Jeffrey Rousseau's tweet was straightforward and professional:
"Hello folks, I've unfortunately have been laid off from @GIBiz. I'm fine really.I'm open to new work opportunities. If you require the skills of an award-winning reporter/journalist with a focus on marginalized voices and B2B writing, please consider me.I'd appreciate it."
Cecilia D'Anastasio's response highlighted her respect for Rousseau's work and expressed shock at the layoffs:
"Jeffrey has quickly become my go-to source for fast, business-focused games news. Absolutely wild decision from @GIBiz's new owner @IGN. Was also shocked to see they'd laid off Brendan Sinclair, whose games businesses analysis and features are appointment reading."
She followed up with a more pointed critique:
"A strong games press is especially important as the lines blur between gaming and social media/big tech. There are so many stories to write. These senseless layoffs are especially painful as reactionary YouTubers with no journalism training eat away at journalism's mindshare."
The Real Problem: A Market-Driven Reality
D'Anastasio's sadness about the layoffs and, worse, the rise of YouTubers (gasp!) highlights a fundamental disconnect between traditional journalists and the evolving media landscape. The underlying frustration stems from a perceived loss of control and relevance in an industry that is rapidly changing...
In short, jealousy. But the truth is, the industry they held such a tight grip on for decades has slipped off, and been replaced by better talent right under their noses.
But we all know they'd never actually admit it.
Market Dynamics and Consumer Choice
The gaming journalism market, like any other, is driven by consumer interest and engagement. The rise of YouTubers and independent content creators is a direct result of their ability to connect with audiences in ways that traditional journalists often cannot. This shift isn't about a lack of "journalistic training" (whatever tf THAT is); it's about the ability to capture and maintain interest.
Traditional journalists, who once held a near-monopoly on game news and analysis, now face competition from diverse voices who resonate more with contemporary audiences. The free market has and always will decide who is worth their time, and unfortunately for them, the reality is, gamers are choosing alternative sources over their 'traditional' journalism.
Entitlement and the Fall from Grace
The tone of entitlement in D'Anastasio's tweets is impressive, to say the least. she gives the implicit assumption that trained journalists hold a unique privilege to discussing gaming news. This almost made me spit my drink out when I first read it. Her perspective ignores the reality that being interesting and engaging is not solely the domain of trained journalists. Many (including myself) feel that journalists who have been losing their jobs were not providing the compelling content needed to retain their audience. If anything, much of the content across all gaming news sources, hits with a heavy dose of agenda... instead of... you know... video game passion.
The more I examine this mindset, the clearer it becomes that there's a significant "mask slip" moment here. The frustration and blame directed towards YouTubers reveals a far deeper fear: the irreversible decline of traditional journalism's influence. It scares the shit out of them. All the years studying, paying for education, forming alliances in the industry, only to be surpassed by someone who cares about the game beyond anything else.
Poetic, in a way... Wouldn't you agree?
The Bigger Picture: A Desperate Grasp for Relevance
The narrative of "reactionary YouTubers" eroding journalism's mindshare may actually just be a smokescreen to a bigger picture. The real issue may lie in the inability of traditional journalists to adapt to the changing landscape. Lashing out at successful content creators is a desperate attempt to regain relevance and control in an industry that has moved beyond their grasp... and it's becoming blatantly obvious.
GamerGate 2.0 and the False Narrative
Some have likened this moment to a new GamerGate, driven not by diversity and inclusion issues but by a deeper, more pervasive fear of obsolescence. The attacks on independent creators are not about protecting journalistic integrity but about staving off the inevitable decline of traditional gaming journalism.
The exchange between D'Anastasio and Rousseau is more than just a lamentation over layoffs. It's a revealing look at the struggles of an archaic industry grappling with its diminishing influence. The true challenge for traditional journalists is not to vilify their competitors but to evolve and find new ways to engage with an audience that has already moved on.
The meteor has hit, and is currently wiping out the dinosaurs with the dark cloud of social media influence... But not before one final screech into the abyss.
Speaking of, check out my petition to #EndKotaku, and make video game discussions GREAT again - Sign here!
~Smash
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