1060°

Mod Stuff: Regarding PewDiePie and Warner Bros. News...

We want news on N4G, but sometimes that news isn't news but is just tabloid articles aimed to spread misinformation or have titles and person-of-interest attachments just for the purpose of making it bigger news. And, today, the PewDiePie incident is one such thing.

Now, you can watch PewDiePie's video, linked in the first comment below, if you want. Note: I don't link it here since it embeds the video automatically and I don't want it to do that as a "promotion" of PewDiePie, this is just a promotion of good journalism.

But, here's what it boils down: People are saying PewDiePie didn't disclose that he was sponsored by WB for his videos relating to playing Shadows of Mordor, but he actually did disclose that information at the bottom of the videos. Furthermore, the people are saying he got paid for a 'good review' of the game. That's the thing, he didn't review it, he just does gameplay of it. People are merely attaching his name to this because he is well known rather than actually going after those who didn't disclose any information about the deal with them and Warner Bros.

What does this mean for N4G? We will be failing any news that places blame on PewDiePie for this action solely because he's a notable name. We will be failing any opinion piece that focuses on PewDiePie in a light that says he didn't disclose his actions in this situation.

This isn't about us liking PewDiePie or anything. This is about our job of not just spreading lies for the sake of hits. We think that if your site was hit with similar claims that were unfounded, you'd want the same level of support from an aggregate site to combat lies being spread about you and your site.

Thank you,
Christopher

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Community3269d ago
Null19803269d ago (Edited 3269d ago )

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't take the time to fact check the claims. I wouldn't have been surprised if he did in fact do it, but that's good to hear he disclosed it. I'm not a fan of his, but that doesn't justify misinformation.

3269d ago
Null19803269d ago (Edited 3269d ago )

@Gr8b8m8 That's cool. I don't have time to launch my own investigation, nor do I care to. Whatever.

3269d ago
RegorL3269d ago

@Gr8b8m8 watch the new PewDiePies video...

At the time of producing the video he disclosed more than was required as there were no rules...
the rules came later!
PewDiePie is not under investigation!

Bimkoblerutso3269d ago (Edited 3269d ago )

The sad part is that it is still unethical for a media source to accept bribes (and yes, it was a bribe) from corporations for ANY kind of positive coverage. It sort of just went unnoticed a couple of years ago because a lot of media sources like to camouflage the practice as "sponsoring."

In reality, people are just arguing over whether or not Pewdiepie was asked specifically to (or not to) disclose the fact that he was paid by Warner Bros. The outcry should have come long ago.

Liqu1d3269d ago

@Grb8m8 You're actually the one who's misinformed.

assdan3269d ago

@Gr8B8m8. This happened when disclosing sponsorship on youtube was still in a grey are. WB is at fault for not properly telling youtubers how this should be disclosed, and nowhere in the article does it say that youtubers are being charged with anything.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3269d ago
DarkOcelet3269d ago

I love how people disagree with facts.

I am glad you did this post Christopher.

3269d ago
DarkOcelet3269d ago

@Gr8b8m8

That was in 2014, the FTC didn't release guidelines specifics to Youtube till 2015. So Pewdiepie didn't do anything wrong here. If it was 2015, i would say that he didn't disclose it properly but it wasnt.

Hopefully this clear things up :)

Zorkaz3269d ago

It's really brilliant that you've taken the time to do this. Just boosts my esteem of this site :D

3269d ago
Zorkaz3269d ago

@Gr8b8m8
You need to remember that this was back in 2014, when you didn't have to disclose anything AT ALL. WB didn't require that anybody disclose it. Unlike many MANY other Youtubers, he did in fact disclose it. He's not being investigated either. Even if he had broken the law, investigating him would also mean that they'd have to investigate EVERY SINGLE YOUTUBER INVOLVED. That's a lot of people. I did my research, I had a look at the case, he's not guilty of anything. How about you do more research next time, huh?

Kleptic3269d ago

yeah, I've never even watched him but was well aware that he doesn't make reviews, doesn't do anything related to steering consumer decisions, etc. He did absolutely nothing wrong. WB was under investigation from what I understand, not various youtubers, and even they're clear of any wrong doing simply by noting this as promotion, not deception.

There are lines between ethical and legal matters. This slides safely through both (some youtuber was paid to promote a game in a potentially positive light that ended up doing extremely well critically anyway? No court is going to waste time with that). The biggest aspect remains that he, as a content creator, DOESN'T TRY TO ATTACH OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS on subjective matters...like pretty much the REST OF THE MEDIA IN GAMING. He just makes videos of himself playing various games...and either likes it, or doesn't, and that's it. He gets paid at times by publishers for exactly that...to make videos of himself playing the games...when this occurred, the popularity of these kinds of things was not where it is now...and some of the laws with disclosure where different...but even with today's changes, he still didn't do anything wrong because he still disclosed it.

This entire thing is nothing more than typical internet bandwagon'ing because the guy is very popular, so therefor simultaneously 'hip' to hate.

badz1493269d ago

I've been wondering about the same thing. I think they just paid him to pay the game and say good things about it aka commercials. I don't remember him giving any score for it. I'm not a fan of the guy but "bribe" is a big accusation

3269d ago
Kleptic3269d ago

it wasn't a bribe, or at least not in the legal context of which everyone seems to think they're an expert on...For it to be technically an illegal bribe, it would need to be proven that he disliked the game...then accepted money while flipping his opinion with the intent of deceiving his viewers...The bigger issue is that, with this game specifically, his 'fun' with the game wasn't unwarranted anyway. It received unanimous praise back in 2014 from nearly everyone...so the idea of this being deceptive or fraudulent to his viewer base is out the window...The exchange of money for pewdiepie to simply 'play' the game is in no way dishonest, therefor, in the legal sense...is 100% not a bribe.

DragonDDark3269d ago (Edited 3269d ago )

His reply was pretty good... don't know why he is still accused of this sh*t.

Nathan_Hale533269d ago

Good video, some of his stuff is either straight annoying or pretty damn funny.

DLConspiracy3269d ago (Edited 3269d ago )

I agree. The I found article was way off after watching the video in question. Didn't want to get caught in the justice crossfire in the comments for it though.

TwoForce3269d ago

I'm glad he responded this nonsense.

Shubhendu_Singh3269d ago

Thank you. That's what I had been saying the whole yesterday.

3269d ago
+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 3269d ago
Exare3269d ago

This is why I love this site.

Exare3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

I am serious.

These guys are actively combating slander and misinformation. I'm very hurt to see so many people down voting my comment and I honestly am having a hard time understanding why people wouldn't appreciate the sort of thing these guys are doing. I find it quite honorable and feel it helps more than a few people save face. I think they're doing good by PewDiePie and by us by taking action. For that I thank them and have a higher level of appreciation for the staff at N4G for possessing the balls to do something that could stir up so much internet hatefuel, which I too am now experiencing first hand. But still, I think it's a good thing and I stand by my comment.

3269d ago
ZeroX98763269d ago

@Gr8b8m8

I miss the old bubble system in N4G. stopped people from saying the same thing over and over again. please bring the bubble system back!

3268d ago
Software_Lover3269d ago

Sounds like Lawyer talk, but I agree. I personally wish this stance would be taken with other things but you can't legislate opinions. Good job.

Christopher3269d ago (Edited 3269d ago )

PM me and I'll consider it if it's possible.

Edit: Also, zero lawyer talk. Just what I think N4G should be doing. I'm not perfect, N4G isn't perfect, but doesn't mean we just give up at every turn. HAVAMedia, the owners of N4G, have not been approached at all nor even know about this decision on this until I posted this blog (if they've read it...).

Edit: 4 hours later, no PMs from anyone :(

Edit 2: ***So are you saying Pewdie Pie is ignorant to the fact that the Youtube app on consoles has no info at all below any videos ?***

I didn't know that stuff, so, yeah, way more than likely. Seems like an issue with Google not showing that information, IMHO. In 2014, they didn't even have the option to flag content as being sponsored or having product placement in it, which they have now.

FamilyGuy3269d ago

Stopping the spread of misinformation is always a good thing.
I appreciate this post and hope you continue to do similar things in the future.

3269d ago
DefenderOfDoom23269d ago

So are you saying Pewdie Pie is ignorant to the fact that the Youtube app on consoles has no info at all below any videos ? I believe Pewdie Pie and WB know that , which to me, makes me believe Pewdie Pie and WB are guilty for not verbally saying in the video that they are working together to promote that game together . So are my facts wrong?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3269d ago
lociefer3269d ago

here's a suggestion : instant ban on sites promoting malinformation and spams, this will make them think twice before posting stuff on n4g

crazychris41243269d ago

or sites that are loaded with advertisements like thisgengaming or sites with a top 10 list spread across 15 pages like twinfinite

Muzikguy3269d ago

Oh yeah that stuff is annoying. I don't even click on those

Deadpooled3269d ago (Edited 3269d ago )

THIS. And if possible, sites who post blatant clickbait a initial temporary ban, then if multiple violations a permanent ban.

lociefer3269d ago

omg these are the worst !

ORyanDeee3269d ago

And sites where they spread the article through like 10 pages lol

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3269d ago
NotEvenMyFinalForm3269d ago

you'd have to ban more than half the sites people post in N4G then, so that's not a good solution at all.

Muzikguy3269d ago

Like gamingbolt YES!

I'm glad for this decision of Christopher's and hope it continues going forward. It's what I was thinking N4G should've been like all along. Lately it just seems that any submitted article, no matter how bad, has been approved

The 10th Rider3269d ago

And there's been numerous articles since the site update that I've reported, and others have, that make the front page without getting taken down. Most recent one in mind was the NSFW Witcher 3 cosplay, which was a duplicate of an article posted almost a month earlier.

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8.5

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Review | NoobFeed

Adiba from NoobFeed writes- The pace might have been much better with a mid-run checkpoint system, more visual diversity, or a skip button for parts that were finished. Nevertheless, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is a creative and captivating game. Even in the crowded rogue-lite genre, it provides a feeling of uniqueness.

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60°

Rematch director says there’s “room for more than one take of football”

In an industry with countless FIFAs, sorry EA Sports FCs, Sloclap’s Rematch is a brilliant arcade football game that feels incredibly unique. Putting players in the shoes of an individual player, the new multiplayer game is essentially Rocket League without the rockets and cars… it’s football.

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Scissorman41m ago(Edited 41m ago)

Yeah, remember NFL Blitz.

100°

It Shouldn't Take Expedition 33's Success to Remind Square Enix That Turn-Based Still Sells

TNS: Expedition 33 was the wake-up call Square Enix needed, telling it turn-based RPGs are still popular, but that shouldn't have been the case.

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Relientk772h ago

True, but if it does get it through their thick skulls, then that works.

Although, the Dragon Quest 1 + 2 HD remakes will be turn-based and (the worst kept secret) Final Fantasy IX remake should be turn-based I would imagine. Let's see if any newer games go turn-based too.

DivineHand1252h ago

While it is true that Sqaure Enix has moved away from turn based games compared to how they were in the past, there is a good reason for it.

Older gamers will know this but during the ps2 era, we were flooded with turned based games from Japanese studios and this created a form of fatigue back then going into the next generation.

When Square released FF13, they received heavy criticism for making the game turned based like every other FF game and not doing enough to innovate. This is why they made FF15, FF7 Remake and FF16 have real time combat. It gave the series a fresh spin and has brought in new fans to the series.

I personally would be happy with either turned based FF or the real-time combat version we see today.

Shane Kim1h ago

Remake and Rebirth have "turn based" if you set it in the settings.

andy851h ago

Only need to look at their own game DQ 11 approaching 10 million to show there's a market. And that's not as big of a name as FF

Tacoboto1h ago

Another article about Expedition 33 and Square Enix and turn-based games? This is starting to sound like propaganda.

The game didn't sell because it's a turn-based game; it sold and is enjoyed because it's a really freaking good game that released completed at a good price without gamer drama attached to it. No Mtx, no wait-until-it's-patched, minimal bloat, a self-contained story, no multiplatform BS. Just a solid original game that absolutely nails what it intended to do.

Redemption-641h ago

I was just about to say the same thing.

anast15m ago

This comment should have a 100 upvotes, at least.

CrimsonWing691h ago

Maybe try actually listening to the fans who have supported the series for decades. This habit of ignoring your core audience just to chase people who were never interested in Final Fantasy in the first place makes no sense. And when that approach fails, doubling down on it is beyond baffling.

The battle system has never been the main reason non-FF or non-JRPG players stayed away. Gutting the series’ identity to chase a broader market doesn’t attract new players. It just alienates the loyal ones.

Keep going down this road and we’ll end up with Final Fantasy Fortnite abomination or a F2P Battle Royale game.. Oh wait…