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Over the past few days, I’ve seen a few articles that have made me scratch my head. As the articles have left me wondering why on earth people are defending people who are truly terrible at their job. And on a personal level (from experience working in various jobs, if you’re not good at your profession, then you won´t remain employed for long. Even so, it appears as if certain media sites are blaming gamers and the so-called “Toxic community” for attacking reviewers for doing a rubbish job.This has mainly come to light due to a really bad “Doom” Gameplay Youtube video (the video was uploaded by Polygon, on the 12th of May). And, well…TGG´s Robin goes into more detail on that matter in his article. So I´m not going to dig any deeper into that topic.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun came to Polygon´s rescue with their “Git Gud” article….

However, since that little “incident” took place a few articles have criticised those who have been criticizing Polygon over viewers saying “Get Gud”. This is the so-called “toxic gaming community” in-action. So, how dare they (Gamers) expect paid journalists to be remotely talented in their area of profession? Well, from my point of view, if you’re being paid to do a particular job. Then you should be “somewhat” competent to carry out the task at hand. So the “Git Gud” mentality isn’t much of a problem. As it’s a fact that “some” people are simply rubbish at their job. And that just happens to be the “real” problem at hand here. In other words, if video games is your profession, then excel in it.

Unlike some “other” Gaming news sites. We take good pride in what we do, and we don´t talk down to our own fans and audience.

And the whole “this is why games aren’t taken seriously” statement, are nothing more than pure nonsense. I mean, if people aren’t going to take their profession seriously. Then how are we supposed to take them seriously? So, who is the target audience for these outlets? I mean, It’s as if they’re just being lazy churning out fodder for clicks. And here´s another hard fact. There are very few to none professions on the market, where demonstrating a lack of ability at the said profession is publicly accepted or defended. So why are some specific outlets receiving such defense and using Gamers (their audience) as the straw man? And it seems like some particular members of the gaming press are more enthusiastic about attacking their own user base, rather than actually doing some credible work in their field of profession.

Now I understand that “Git Gud” is a common heckle used at noobs or players who aren’t exactly good at something. Well, trust me, I’m awful at “Dark Souls” PvP. And yeah, I do need to “Git Gud” at it. However, there are worse things that have been said to me. So it’s remarkable that people think a level of skill isn’t required for something like “Doom”, and the whole “As long as they’re having a fun time” argument is simply ridiculous. This is your paid profession, and as long as you’re doing your job properly I couldn’t give a damn if you’re having fun or not. So if you’re incapable of doing your job, then you shouldn’t be doing it at all.

Pastemagazine made a whole article where they defended Polygon´s bad gameplay video of “Doom”.

The following text is an excerpt from pastemagazine.com:

“If the people complaining about Polygon’s DOOM video actually cared about games as an art form or an entertainment medium, and not just their own little imaginary clubhouse, they’d want to see the videogame outgrow its current confines and become more accepted by the wider world. Instead they continually go off on tantrums like this “Git Gud” business, reinforcing why games aren’t as respected within pop culture as movies or television. Whoever was playing DOOM in that Polygon video doesn’t need to “Git Gud”; the people complaining about it need to get smart if they actually care about games.”

The above is a closing note from an article called “The “Git Gud” Mentality is Why People Don’t Take Games Seriously” (it´s written by Paste´s Garrett Martin). And right away Pastemagazine forget the fact that we do care about games being an art form (or an entertainment medium); we’re just sick of seeing them being bastardised by certain media outlets. And once again, it´s the same tired beaten horse argument that games should be accessible for “EVERYONE” rears its ugly head.

It´s yet another Gaming journalist who hates the industry, the Gaming culture and everything that goes with it.

I am of course aware that there are games for different kinds of people out there. And that some of them are easy and accessible, while others provide a challenge and require skill. That’s how it is, and that´s how it should be. So “some” Gaming news sites and journalists just need to deal with it. And stop trying to bring in this ridiculous change that all games need to be idiot proof (“Why Dark Souls 3 should have an easy mode” anyone?). Because believe it or not, but some of us like a challenge and some games should only offer that, or else. What’s the point? Would you play golf if every ball you hit was a hole in one? When it comes to critics of games, whether they’re doing a let’s play or review I expect them to be capable enough to do their job with some level of competence and passion.

I can´t say that I´m surprised to hear that he writes for Kotaku.

Now I’m not expecting everyone to be super awesome at games, as half the time these guys (aka “The Gaming media/press“) show us games before anyone else plays them; another argument is that they might have strict deadlines. Newsflash, that’s life and no job is exactly easy. People don’t expect you to be god-like, but they do expect some level of professionalism and skill. For example, I’m bloody awful at sports games, but that’s why you play to your strengths and delegate tasks to those capable. So if you care enough about your job and are passionate about it. Then nothing is stopping you from improving your “skills” during your own time.

“Video games journalist”…

I’m just becoming tired of this whole charade of “Waah I’m a poor games journalist who is paid to review stuff, but it’s just so hard because everyone is just so mean to me,” and “I’m not very good at games“. And let´s not forget classic posts of the likes of “here´s my seven reasons why games are sexist.” You know, if it’s such a big deal, then find a different profession. And I’ll have your job, or just suck it up and “Git Gud”.

Source:
Pastemagazine
rockpapershotgun
David Wildgoose – Kotaku
Andrew Todd – Freelance writer – Gameplanet.co.nz

Credit:
Robin Ek – Editor and co-writer
Nuckbusters

***Disclaimer***
This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s) opinions.