Coronavirus and Gaming News on N4G

Hello everyone.

I wanted to pop in here with a note on how N4G is handling the Coronavirus (COVID-19) news as it relates to gaming and the industry.

As this news is affecting everything around us, it is important to ensure that the news our users are getting related to this topic is accurate and not rash or irrational. It's an important topic that should not be burdened by rumors or the opinions of journalists. It needs to be treated carefully and respectfully.

Because of this, we will not be allowing rumors, opinion pieces, or the like about the Coronavirus for gaming events, the industry, or related topics. We will instead be focusing on official and specific sources for the topic.

For example, the current rumors about E3 being canceled due to a tweet from Devolver, as well as Jason's anonymous insider information from earlier, is a telling sign that it could happen. But we will not be posting about it or allowing opinion pieces about it until ESA or the official E3 site posts news of this. At this time, their site still lists what considerations they and the LA Convention Center are taking, not that it is canceled nor have they made any public announcement otherwise.

This news is important and we can take the time to make sure the information is as accurate as it can be for an event that is months away let alone hardware that is even further away from being released. It doesn't deserve to be treated as standard rumor mill material. It deserves the respect, attention, and assurance that the news being presented is exact and non-reactionary.

I understand some of you will disagree, but this is how it will be handled here regardless of how other sites choose to report on everything related to the current pandemic. At least be comforted that so many other places are discussing it the way you may want, but we feel it inappropriate to promote anything but facts on this matter.

Thank you for your understanding in this,
Christopher

[rainslacker]

I feel kind of strange. You are enacting a new policy, and I'm not displeased by it.

Maybe the world truly is ending.

[AK91]

The Dark age is upon us.

[Kran]

... The Dragon Age 😳

[bouzebbal]

How many news and opinion pieces out of nowhere get posted every single day?? Poor decision yet again..
And that's my opinion piece on this.

[VenomUK]

As the virus spreads it makes sense to limit the juvenile reactionary opinion pieces and keep the stories based on facts.

[Christopher]

Does this mean I get my own horse?

[rainslacker]

I guess you can have one. I won't be beating it like the other horses you've owned.

I mean...a horse isn't the best choice for traversing over fire and brimstone, but hey....you are free to make your own life choices.

[ziggurcat]

Just the horse armour.

[rainslacker]

I don't charge for horse armor. It comes free with a pair of horseshoes. But, you don't get to choose the style of armor. It's random for each pair of shoes purchased.

[Abriael]

Spreading rumors and leaking information given in confidence for attention (I don't believe for a second that certain people do it for any actually useful reason) is another plague. Luckily, it's not a lethal one, but distasteful none-the-less. This is certainly not the first time.

This gets a thumbs-up from me.

[bloodymeatballz]

I’m not one to suggest videos or television shows or anything like that. But I think it is important to know and understand the coronavirus. Just google ~sigh~ “joe Rogan podcast Coronavirus” there is a scientist who studies infectious disease and explain how it is transmitted and the actual precautions that work and do not work. STAY INFORMED NOT MISINFORMED. BE WELL MY FELLOW GAMERZ

[rainslacker]

Is he the reason I cant find any toilet paper?

[chiefJohn117]

CORONA IS NOT THAT SERIOUS!!!!

[luckytrouble]

I won't lie, I'm surprised to see anyone handling this COVID-19 stuff rationally.

Thanks for opting to be different and not feed into the ongoing rumor mill and overreacting.

[MaximusPrime_]

You’re doing a good job, Christopher.
I agree.

[SyntheticForm]

Warm it up, Chris.

[frostypants]

He's about to.

[CyberSentinel]

Cause that’s what he was born to do.

[QuePasa87]

I like this, thank you

[RememberThe357]

These disagrees are so confusing. People want to be lied to? Like openly?

[The 10th Rider]

Meh, I don't think this is a particularly big deal either way, but it does really seem like E3 will be delayed or cancelled and once again N4G will be late with the news because of their rumor policy. Most recent was the Horizon Zero Dawn to PC news that couldn't be discussed earlier when it was leaked because the reliable insider wouldn't reveal their anonymous sources (duh, any leaker that reveals info about their sources is an idiot).

I can't help but feel N4G needs a better way of handling things. Maybe a quick blog post for significant leaks that are potentially real but don't have named sources or included images? I know mods don't have a bunch of time, but if there's multiple sources claiming the same thing and it seems reliable then it would be nice to have that news show up and for users to have the ability to discuss it. The blog post could be a simple post summarizing the leaks and linking relevant posts/sites.

[Christopher]

We're not here to write news for people. We're here to manage the news that is created elsewhere and shared here. We asked the community about rumors and it was a pretty resounding "no anonymous sources." So, for now, that's where we stand. Writing some blog about a rumor roundup would completely defy that whole concept. As it is, when the news is verified, it's verified, and that should be more than enough to validate one's feelings about the credibility of a rumor.

As far as discussing or getting rumors, it's not like we're the only source for news out there nor do we control what people find and read elsewhere.

Having said that, please let's keep the rest of this discussion about Coronavirus related news, which is the only thing to which my blog post pertains. We already had our poll on rumors in general and that's all. Individual opinions on how rumors should be handled are not going to change site rules.

[dumahim]

Would be nice if we could manage the flood of opinions on this news site.

[CyberSentinel]

How about restricting all the “GAME DEALS” articles with affiliate links for revenue.

[specialguest]

N4G isn't the place to get your latest news updates anymore. I've been a member here since 2006 and a lurker since 2005. The way we get our info has been changing. I'm only on this site for the comments section on certain post. I find youtube with a variety of gaming related channels to be my main source now for entertainment, news, rumors, controversial gaming subjects, and leaks. Often times I've noticed breaking news from one of my subscribed youtube channels, but it doesn't make it to N4G until days later

[RememberThe357]

Damn this is so true. Opinion pieces and and late news is all we get now. I haven't actually clicked through to an article in years, it's all about the comment section, then off to the YouTubers and Twitter for more info.

[UltraNova]

E3 is definitely cancelled, Gamespot is reporting it too.

[rainslacker]

I find N4G more of a discussion forum nowadays. News is too spread out among all the sources, so while we may get it a day late, or not breaking, at least it's all centralized. It is over-saturated with opinion pieces, and I've noticed more "beating a dead horse" failures now than I've seen before, but rumor articles, and the follow up opinion pieces that come from them are not making this site any better anyways. They're just fueling what has become a rather vitriolic console war discussion where no real discussion is had, and it's more two sides provoking one another.

Something that happens on other news sites as well, but moderation on other sites tends to be overbearing, and in a lot of cases more politically motivated than we see on N4G. While I wouldn't mind some moderation changes on N4G in terms of comment expectations, it's not as bad as I've seen on actual news sites. These smaller websites comment forums are mostly god-awful....especially the ones that are known to make click bait.

[The 10th Rider]

Yeah, but in some cases the story has already been discussed to death elsewhere, so it feels like there's nothing to add in a discussion here.

I definitely feel totally anonymous rumors are unwarranted, but I feel like a distinction should be made when it's backed by known and trusted industry figures. It seems ridiculous that we have to have a blog post that we won't allow articles on the impending E3 cancelation/delay/changes when it was already completely clear it's happening. It's basically "Yeah we know this is happening but we won't allow articles on it because technically the actual sources talking to the industry figures are anonymous".

[SegaSaturn669]

Lol, "only official" sources. As the Chinese government slaughters/silences any independent journalists.

[Christopher]

Definitely comparable.

[OB1Biker]

Responsible 👍

[jambola]

"Because of this, we will not be allowing rumors, opinion pieces, or the like about the Coronavirus for gaming events, the industry, or related topics. We will instead be focusing on official and specific sources for the topic"

Amy chance you could act this fast for article's about everything here?

[arkard]

So rumors and opinion pieces slamming microsoft/Sony/nintendo/Google etc are fine, but we draw the line at cancelation of events?

[Cosmicpangolin]

Yes. That’s right. Opinion pieces regarding gaming are fine. Where as potentially misleading or unverified news about a potential pandemic is not. What’s the issue?

[RazzerRedux]

" we draw the line at cancelation of events?"

Not true. News of cancellation of events are absolutely permissible. Just not rumors of cancellations. Don't see the problem.

[arkard]

Other rumors are allowed that's why I think it's stupid. So and so insider states Ps5 will only have 3x power of ps4 pro. So and so insider tweets that Xbox will play Nintendo games. But a rumor of E3 getting canceled and send in the troops!

[rainslacker]

I think opinion pieces based on rumors are also now not allowed under the new rumor policy. They still get in because of the way they're phrased, and if the title or description doesn't mention it, they usually go unnoticed because most people don't read past those two things, so no one reports it for mod review. Most of those articles people just use it as a springboard to fight among themselves.

Regular opinion pieces slamming them are still fine though. I've discussed it with a couple mods before, because it does seem to be too much. They have their reasons for still allowing it, but I won't speak for them in this case.

[RememberThe357]

This site was literally built for news and rumors. WTF are all you people on?

[Elda]

Folks in the industry are saying E3 2020 is going to be cancelled. https://www.playstationlife...

[RazzerRedux]

Yep. Jason Schreier says it is inevitable.

"But, again, whether or not it's announced tomorrow morning, it's only a matter of time before E3 is officially cancelled. Publishers can't afford to wait much longer to make their plans, and all signs point to the virus getting way worse in the U.S. before it gets better"
https://twitter.com/jasonsc...

[rainslacker]

I think there's a very good chance it will be. So many companies are already dropping out, and I think a lot of people that would have attended to see those companies are starting to question if they should be travelling. Tourism is going to take a huge hit this summer, and airlines are already predicting something like 1.5 billion lost over the summer alone. Chances are another bailout is coming. Some of the panic has subsided on the stock market yesterday, but chances are we'll be in a recession by the end of the year if the world's governments don't get a handle on the situation.

[RazzerRedux]

Announcement coming at 9:30 Pacific time.
https://www.bloomberg.com/n...

[Whallen]

It's not clear to us if this removal is linked to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak that China is facing. However, Plague Inc.'s educational importance has been repeatedly recognised by organisations like the CDC.

[Whallen]

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic - declared earlier today by the WHO - all spheres of life are filled with uncertainty, and the gaming industry is no exception https://www.krogerfeedback....

[Automatic79]

Well said @Christopher rumors shouldn't be treated as personal agendas. Let's wait and see how this plays out. Proud of you for taking action. Proceeding in accordance to developing matters is the right type of news we need on N4G.

[MasterCornholio]

I made a report on an article that I've submitted because I saw Christopher fail another one for this very reason.

I'm happy that Christopher is making any policy changes public because that is going to make things easier for the contributors on the site.

I really like the changes that N4G has been making recently. The 1st big one was allowing the community to decide on the date of anonymous sources. The second is informing the community of policy changes as they happen.

Thank you.

[AnubisG]

That is fine but at the same time you should treat all other rumors like that and you should not allow opinion pieces either. Don't just do this with corona virus related articles. Do this with everything to be consistent.

[Mr_cheese]

Wish you would take a similar approach to most of the things posted on this site....

N4G has become saturated with appalling "opinion" pieces and trash click bait.

[darklaw]

I am verbally clapping my hands right now. Finally, someone has some common sense and isn't blowing things out of proportion. Good Job N4G, wish everyone took your stance instead of trying to make the scariest headline for rating purposes.

[doritos]

Your condescension is unreal.

[ifinitygamer]

This is very fair. Let's all share news that is actual news before rumors. Usually rumors are fine, but when they have the ability to incite or further incite hysteria, slower news in the name of being accurate is the appropriate way to handle it.

[DaGreatDennis]

Officially cancelled now...

[Mr Marvel]

Very professional.
If only mainstream media was this rational, rather than spreading lies and creating panic and hysteria.

[AmUnRa]

It already has happend E3 2020 is officially cancelled"......the news is just out😭

[excaliburps]

This is a good post. Glad the mods addressed it. I hope no one makes light of this illness.

[Tross]

Good. People in general, and not just in the world of gaming, need to shut up about the coronavirus. It’s unfortunate for those who either have it or live somewhere like Italy that’s really afflicted by it, but for the rest of us, the mass hysteria behind it is way overblown.

I would love two things: to be able to just walk into a store and buy toilet paper, and to at least get respite from hearing about COVID-19 when I’m doing something unrelated like browsing gaming news. Regardless, I for one plan to continue going about my life as normal because I have more important things to worry about.

[Larrysweet]

Official now

[BabyYoda]

As long as the sources you allow aren't the MSM, they are as reactionary and irrational as it gets tbh.

[Donnie81]

Very scary situation! My thoughts and prayers go out to all you guys. Hopefully this threat passes soon

[Weapon_of_choice]

You gotta clean your game stick