GameSpot video review of Kane & Lynch (that got the reviewer fired?)

GameSpot's (former) editorial director Jeff Gerstmann was allegedly fired due to advertiser displeasure at his "tone" in this review of Eidos' Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. A visit to GameSpot shows that the game has taken over the site very prominently, with backgrounds and multiple banner ads all pitching the game. Allegedly, publisher Eidos "took issue with the review and threatened to pull its ad campaign."

This video review seems to have been pulled by GameSpot and nowhere to be found at its website. It has not been previously posted on N4G.

[jromao]

Your got fired, but thanks to share the true about the game.

Gamers should not buy the game and GameSpot reviews are now our from my reading. GameSpot = Lies.

[Ghoul]

@ addison

i really hate insulting people but you sir are stupid a...hole.

that man lost his job ffs you little ignorant.

[pswi60]

Talk about negativity. Here is a short summary of the video review:

"Ugly, Ugly, Ugly, Ugly

Impossible, Impossible,

flaws

buried deep, whole lot of digging, more than you want to

convoluted

impossible to care

completely unlikable

not great

so done to death

real crutch

stands out as lazy, just lazy

more than its share of flaws

doesn't work well at all

a real pain, such a hassle

really pretty flawed

all kinds of dumb stuff

really repetitive, really quickly (just like the review)

fairly standard shooter, doesn't live up to standards

take a look but not worth purchase"

WOW....he's one step short of saying this game caused global warming...

[mesh1]

ah the same fat swine that gave mass effect 8.5/10 womnder why he got fired eating pies instead of review mass effect is 10/10 or this gen no doubt abotu that no rpp this gen comes close to it

[gamesR4fun]

I dunno but an outfit like this shouldnt be allowed to count on Metacritict 1up 2 for that matter...
Tired of these fud sites what ever happened to getting a real review based on the game rather than how much the game makers are paying you?

[myxomatosis]

....a nine maybe, but it has way to many bugs to be a 10. most of it is just kotor with a new combat system. not to mention the reapers are actually necrons.....

[Tommie]

I so agree with this guy. The game just looks so awefull.

[actas123]

I agree with the main ideas, but the way he expressed his review is very unprofessional (childish).. and for that I believe he deserves to be fired. However, if Gamespot considers professionalism as a standard for reviewing, firing and hiring then I don't think there will be any one left at that site..

[mesh1]

HAHA THIS GAME is basically uncharted with lame grapics they both have the same lam gameplay ive play both so i know

[Jamaicangmr]

Do you really type this crap with a straight face? Some where along the line your "Love for gaming" has evolved into nothing but "Hate for Sony" It's gotten to the point now where your jsut not making sense. Hell whats worst is i don't think you've noticed how stupid your being. Sad really, you can do better mesh1.

[MK_Red]

While I kinda agree with graphics, I believe he is plain wrong about story and characters. Lynch is a crazy lunatic but also a funny and awesome guy and the whole thing is really fun. The Fragile Alliance is also really great.

[HeartlesskizZ]

every1 with clear eye vision knows the Graphics are not NG but the gameplay is something new and hard to get used to and that is why he did not liked it at most part. he does not have skills at all to play any games. have you seen the video where he was playing tekken online, he die then said the game was not all that great. and he sure not the right person to named some1 or something ugly.

[neela]

Whats not to like, two mentals running around killing everyone, that sounds like pure fun to me :p Going to pick this one up.

[Gamingisfornerds]

And if all this is true, Eidos shot themselves in the foot with this "stunt" of theirs.

Unless they can prove that the reviewer has an agenda against them or the game, which is quite difficult to say the least, because he's just expressing his personal opinion.

That said, I can understand if Eidos is pissed, because of all the advertising/sponsoring on Gamespot. I think that just shows that you can't sponsor review sites that review your own games.

It's like me telling my boss that his kid sucks at playing basketball when he asks me. Sure, it's my own opinion and I could be completely correct, but it causes awkward situations nonetheless. ;)

[Silverwolf]

In other words, it doesn't pay to be honest!

[Vash_The_Stampede]

Not a very professional review. Sounds like a 13 year old. Well....hope he likes waiting tables.

[jjfunaz]

I know a LOT of people that troll this site hate Gamespot. I find myself agreeing with them nearly 100% of the time.

If this is true someone got fired for a bad review it does add weight to the conspiracy theories people have with Console Makers paying off sites for review scores.

[Meus Renaissance]

He does NOT look happy doing this review

[RoseSapphire]

A game reviewer shouldn't have to coddle the developer and its publisher. If a game is trash, say it.

[Loopy]

How can reviews be objective if you get threatened or paid off by game sponsors?
Not surprising that some games get super high scores when it doesn't deserve to...

[kopusx]

I want to know if they will change the review score now that he is no longer there, and make another video of the review...

[pandabear]

Absolutely shocking, being sucked for doing an 'unkind review' - He's a reviewer and it is his own opinion of the game (can't say that for a lot of reviewers).

So should his boss have taken him to the side and said 'hey be nice and make sure you give it atleast an 8 cos they're givin us wads of cash'

I will never trust this site again, I won't be visiting and if everyone boycotts the site then it is the sponsors (Eidos) who loses out!!!

[pwnsause]

wasnt the point of this game is to hate them?

[PS360WII]

I can't believe he got fired for that. An honest opinion/review... you know his JOB to do. It's not his job to lie to everyone and say this is the uberest game and you'd be a frickin loser if you didn't buy it now! Which it seems Gamespot wanted this guy to say.

With this move GameSpot ftl :(

[FCOLitsjustagame]

Seemed like a reasonable review to me. Its not like he said "OMFG THIS GAME SUX DONT BUY EVER!!!!!!". What he said is, he didnt like the story, didnt find any of the characters engaging and the script was bad but the voice acting was OK. He didnt like how the game mechanics were executed but there were some good ideas the developers just didnt pull it off and it may be because they were lazy (not like players havent been saying that about certain gamemakers for a while). He said that he would not recommend the game at full price but maybe if you can take a look at it sometime when not paying full price you should.

I just dont see what anyone would find so bad about that review except for the developers are "lazy" comment. Which as I said gamers have been saying about certain developers since this gen started.

[sa_nick]

There had to be other reasons for him to get fired. If there's not then GS is freakin corrupt.

[khellendros1]

That's why I think that if you're going to pay attention to a review look at the reviews from smaller websites. The big corporate ones are just that, corporate. They are there to make money and they are going to give more favorable reviews to the companies that are going to help them make money.

[candystop]

This is the kind of review I want to hear to help save me some money! The game looked terrible and he put it out there and told us the truth about it! It must be hard for reviewers right now with all the pressure from Sony and there fan base to give higher scores then the games deserve on PS3! People want to know the truth and I applaud reviewers for giving honest reviews this generation!

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

LOOKED is the key word.

you`ll never know cause you`ll never play it.

[candystop]

Actually I will rent this game just to play online with some friends so your wrong as usual!

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

you know ALAN WAKE is a URBAN LEGEND. LOL.

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

i`m sick of these REVIEWERS picking apart everything.

Game Reviewers are getting super arrogant and pretentious.

They HATE everything.

They LOOK for NEGATIVEs instead of POSITIVEs.

It sad and it wrecking the industry.

Like XPLAY, they make EVERYTHING a JOKE, if didn`t know about so much about gaming, watching that show would make me think GAMING is a JOKE.

This is what happens when you give GEEKS POWER.

Gamespot is the martyr.

[candystop]

Your only saying that because the PS3 is constantly getting bad game reviews! People need to know what there hard earned money is about to be used on and if a game sucks I would rather someone tell before I went out and purchased it! Also how is this killing the industry when it's been going on for years and games are flying off shelves for 360? Like I said before your just mad and upset because nobody is giving the PS3 any slack!

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

i think all around,

i think KIDS games get the worst wrap EVER, more than ps3.

My Kid will absolutely love a game, and i`ll check the reviews and it got like 2s and 3s out of 10.

i think reviewers forget who their talking to sometimes(kinda like yourself)

i take nothing you say seriously, your NAME is CANDYSTOP.

Candystop make you sound like a PEDOPHILE.

[ultraviolentz]

Anego MONTOYA, YOU write LIKE A child.

[Ugly American]

"i think KIDS games get the worst wrap EVER, more than ps3.

My Kid will absolutely love a game, and i`ll check the reviews and it got like 2s and 3s out of 10."

So, either this nefarious "My Kid" (I noticed you finally capitalized SOMETHING, and it was still done wrong) is either you or a figment of your imagination. As ultraviolentz pointed out, you write like a small child. If you DO you have children, please go directly to social services and do the right thing. Give them up. Please do not let them be raised by someone as narrow minded and retarded as you.

Because your entire post is pissed at CRITICS for being CRITICAL. That is the job of a reviewer. It is to pick a game apart. And in the end, it is still their opinion.

[Anego Montoya FTMFW]

@ultraviolentz?

demented are we.

get or give a hug.

you probaly don`t get it.

people who bash peoples spelling are SO pathetic.

@uglyamerican

talking about peoples children like that in REAL LIFE can get you KILLED. my advice, keep that sh!t on the net.

oops, i forgot your probaly a 40 year old virgin covered in acne that busts out the PB and lets his dog lick his ballz, and therefore has NO friends.

my Kid always gets a Capital, you would understand...cause one...your an idiot and two "your probaly a 40 year old virgin covered in acne that busts out the PB and lets his dog lick his ballz, and therefore has NO friends"

[Ugly American]

Are you threatening to kill me? Seriously?

Just read what YOU wrote, and then oome back and tell me that you think you are remotely mature.

At first, I will admit, I got a little fired up at your brilliant insult. Then I remembered that I just returned from a 6 month cruise. That I was flying a multi-million dollar helicopter while I was underway. And then I realized that you don't know who you are talking to or what you are talking about... and then I realized that pathetic little children like you don't deserve to raise my blood pressure. Grow up... and I will say it again, if you have children, God forbid, do them a favor, and let someone else raise them.

[TheZippo]

Ooookay.. that was awkward......

[Topshelfcheese]

Well you know if this is true, than the whole conspiracy theory of studios buying reviews isn't out of the ballpark anymore. I'm not pointing at any one studio or system, they probably all do it.

[Fototherapist]

Jeff sounds like any other reviewer I've ever seen. He doesn't sound unprofessional at all. He does splash a few compliments about the game during his review, so he's obviously not being totally biased or negative. From what I've seen, it does seem like a rather mediocre game (I've not played it though). If he was fired for that review, then Gamespot is guilty of bowing to the almighty dollar and to Eidos.

[bluecapone]

that game sucks all jeff did was save alot of people hard earn cash

[fredy]

Another review, another opinion about a game that doesn't deserve my $60 bucks.

Find me a review where this game is the sh%t and maybe I'll think about it.

[deathtok]

It didn't sound like he had any real good things to say about this game. I appreciate the honesty, he was pretty professional about it and gave good examples of things that didn't work.

[Hollander]

Have not played the game so can’t comment on that aspect (though it seems pretty cool to me)

I think this clearly demonstrates what’s wrong with the media.
How can you have free press when companies finance add campaigns on a site that is supposed to give an honest and unbiased review about the product being sponsored…

Now I often find my self completely disagreeing with the reviews on gamespot just look up the review of Scratches (which is a great game).
But I think they should pull the adds and not fire the reviewer we are supposed to have free speech arn't we?

[HarryEtTubMan]

didnt this guy get fired?

This guy just sounds wayyyyy too opinionated and reviewing has gotten alittle out of control.

[junk56]

Well see we know now Gamespot is a sellout website.
Halo 3? Ratchet and Clank? Uncharted?

Now Jeff is gone, Gamespot is a step closer to becoming utter crap

[mistertwoturbo]

no wonder halo 3 got a 10/10. M$ has plenty of money to throw around.

[BlackCountryBob]

I never ever visit Gamespot but this reviewer is my new hero, an honest review of a game. Just show how little journalistic integrity many sites use for reviews if they fired him for being honest about an advertiser.

Surely we as a community can get this guy hired here as N4G's official no bullsh#t reviewer, I'll put 20 quid towards his salary, if everyone did it we would be well away.

Come on people, lets get this man hired!

[Skerj]

Gamespot became ass to me with that Ratchet review. The 7.5 I could have lived with IF he had valid reasons for giving it such. Never have I heard a game slagged for having "too much variety" wth does that mean? You mean to tell me there's more to the game than just shooting anything that moves and collecting bolts!? BLASPHEMY I'll not hear of it!! Uncharted and Mass Effect got knocked as well for stupid reasons. They need to keep their reviewers on their preference games, but it's too late for Gamespot to clear its name it seems.

[Spinitus]

haha bubles for that avatar :) Samuel L. Jackson its my beer. yes they deserve to die and i hope they burn in hell.

[The Killer]

if he is then no wonder why he got fired!
if not then the other should be fired also!!
this story also shows that companies have influence over reviewers!

[RevN8r]

Gerstman wasn't the reviewer of "Ratchet," it was Aaron Thomas (see: http://www.n4g.com/industry... ). Jeff defended Aaron's review (see: http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News... ), and if you ask me, he was the only reason to check in with Gamespot. His reviews were honest, and he did an awesome job hosting "On the Spot" and many other shows. I say that if he actually got fired for this review, he should have some sort of legal grounds to pursue. I know that when I look to a review of a game, I'm looking for honesty, not fluff. Jeff was good at that, and I will probably try to find where he lands next and end up checking their sites for reviews now.

[napplegate]

why post the review on the site if they had such a close arrangement with eidos is my question?

[Spinitus]

oh shiit! thats the guy? i saw this guy in a vid something about resistence:fom tourney.

[Jamaicangmr]

I was thinkin about ordering this game because the online sounds really inovative and fun. It sounds alot more fun than Stangle holds online mode anyway. However it was the rest of the game that didnt appeal much to me.

I thank this reviewer or former reviewer for his opinion. Am really sorry he had to get fired specially in this season i hope you bounce back soon. Thats another thing how could some of laugh and say he deserves it for the review he gave? I wish reviewers where this honest when they where reviewin Assassin's Creed that way i wouldn't have been douped into buyin it.

[mariusmal]

i gotta say that the game is bad. but the review was done like he was a 10 year old kid. he got fired because he wasnt professional... and i suspect that the game publisher made some pressure too. but if he did a professional review... they would never touch him. in some parts of the video it's like he knows he is going out... and wanted to go out with a bang

[Spinitus]

so wait gs was getting $$$ from this game by having ads about this game on their site, and since this guy gave it such a bad review gs fired him.? gs was being bribed.?

[Maddens Raiders]

Review sites and back in the day magazines were always (bribed) or shared an advertising/reportage relationship that was part of a good business cycle for both parties involved. That's why bad reviews were always threatened with the publisher "pulling" advertising with the magazine; therefore hurting the mags revenue. Same thing is true w/ the net based sites today. It's sad but true. That's why I take every review I read or watch with a larger than average "grain of salt."

[Maddens Raiders]

(#2.1) - you're absolutely right. They want standards, but if standards are truly implemented at Gamespot and even industry-wide, who would be left? 8|

P.S. - in the end, the guy is right (the videos of this game look horrible) but he just didn't deliver the message in a professional manner - bottom line.

[beardtm]

Well i cant say im totally surprised that this game sucks.

Its just a shame your not allowed to say that or you'll get fired.

How are we supposed to believe reviews if this is the case.

Im gonna cancel my subscription with Gamespot.

PS. His other reviews, Uncharted, R&C and Mass Effect, I agree with him on those scores.

If a reviewer doesnt pick apart a game, then he hasnt done his job right, i want to know whats wrong with a game as much as i want to know whats good about it.

If not then theyll be another GT and award everything a high score.

Reviews are there to stop you wasting your money afterall.

[KidMakeshift]

Kane & Lynch reminds of the Getaway series. They both have really poor shooting (stiff sensitivity, inaccurate gunfire, broken covering and upclose combat) and healing (long waiting periods that strain against the players patience) mechanics for a game that is all about shooting. They both have a sloppy story about a guy who has to pull off missions against his will until he can get his revenge (their wives are murdered and their children are held hostage). Neither game has a back bone (who are these people and what the hell led up to this point?) nor likable characteristics whatsoever. Both games just consist of you killing cookie cutter cops and civilians and saying sh*t and f*ck whenever possible. I absolutely hated this game, which is disappointing since I'm sort of a fan of Hitman. It's a 6 hour game, so rent at your own discretion.

[Xemnas]

Ok so if you work for them and give a bad game a bad review you get fired ? wtf? so telling the truth get you fired.........ok

[PS3Freak]

i will give someone a super awesome prize if they can find me anything genuinely positive throughout that entire review.

[RevN8r]

"If you do have an opportunity to see it, without paying full price, take a look at it." I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to go throwing around $60 for a game unless I know I'm going to enjoy it, so his genuine positivity comes from the fact that he genuinely doesn't want players to waste their money on it.

[PS3Freak]

I saw the review but i just didnt look at it that way,good call on that one. I guess i owe you some sort of prize lol. POSITIVE FEEDBACK!

[Pika-pie]

The game does look crap. Graphics in GTA3 look better

[prunchess]

Tough break getting canned due to your opinion.