gamepolitics: E3's Media Booby Prize Goes to....

Game Politics (

gamepolitics) wrote,
@ 2006-05-12 07:40:00

Entry tags:

destructoid, doug lowenstein, e3, online journalism

E3's Media Booby Prize Goes to....

E3 is a sea of humanity, a fair percentage of which is comprised by online media. The quality of the journalism may be somewhat uneven, but the standard of behavior is usually pretty good. That's why GP feels moved to point out the antics of a media-credentialed pair from Destructoid, a game blog which describes itself as "hardcore."

When these two showed up at ESA boss Doug Lowenstein's E3 keynote, one was wearing a robot head mask. At least, I'm pretty sure that wasn't his real cranium. Okay, that was cute, and flashes popped around the theater while people took his picture as he sat in the crowd before the keynote started.

After the ESA president's speech, Doug was gracious enough to stay around and take questions from the media. 99% percent of the keynote attendees disregarded the opportunity, heading straight for the breakfast table instead. But a few of us, including Dean Takahashi of the San Jose Mercury-News and GP, clustered around Doug for the chance to have some on-the-record Q&A with the industry's point man.

Mr. Roboto stayed too, apparently hoping to ask Lowenstein a question about the high price of the PS3.

Now, nobody wants to look silly, which is exactly what would have happened to a major industry figure like Doug Lowenstein if he allowed himself be interviewed by some fool in a robot mask. A couple of ESA media handlers hovered nearby, and after GP finished with his question (about game legislation, natch), they whisked Doug away, which is what media handlers are paid to do, thus sparing the ESA president the ignominy of being photographed talking to a guy dressed like a robot.

Some people just can't take a hint, so Robot's partner felt compelled to shout his question about console pricing in the direction of Lowenstein's back - and was pointedly ignored. There was some on-scene whining about that; ultimately the Destructoid site carried the story from their perspective.

Now let me say this about Destructoid.com. I've never read the site - never even heard of it before the E3 keynote. But now I have, which I'm sure was the point of their stunt. Mission accomplished.

But the attention they brought to their site is strictly of the negative variety and highlights some of the ongoing issues with the professionalism - or lack thereof - among fan sites. As a genre, gonzo journalism is fine by me. I've read my share of Hunter Thompson and Matt Taibbi. But trying to make your host look silly at his own party is just no way to behave, at E3 or anywhere else.

Good luck getting those media credentials next year, fellas.

Want to talk about it? You can discuss this story via the "comments" feature (click below), or in the new GamePolitics Forums...

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the1jeffy
2006-05-12 03:40 pm UTC (link)

# the1jeffy Says:
May 12th, 2006 at 11:53 am

“Hey, look it’s some asshat kids wearing a robot costume at a professional media event. Let’s take them seriously!”

Umm, no. You might have an excellent point with your question - and you do to be sure - but shouting questions at somebody is not journalism. It’s paparazzi tactics. Look, you had a serious question. Would it have killed you to take off the silly hat and ask the question in a professional manner that demands an answer? NO! And then you’d have actually accomplished something. Other than getting your media credentials revoked for next years E3. Thanks for making online journalism look like a bunch on Con-Kiddies.

I posted this over there. I bet I get flamed for it, so I understand if you want to screen this post.

(Reply to this)

	raka 2006-05-12 03:41 pm UTC (link)
	Looking at their site, they had a valid question I suppose. I'm not sure if it's posed to the right person, however, but whatever. The unprofessionalism is mindblowing, however. Of -course- he's going to ignore an idiot in a robot head. You're not a serious journalist, and you're practically annoucing it by wearing silly, gimick costumes. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	gamepolitics 2006-05-13 03:46 am UTC (link)
	the question about PS3 pricing is definitely valid. I don't know that Doug Lowenstein is the right one to ask about, but it's certainly reasonable to pose the question. Now - did they really care about the question or was it just something for the guy in the robot mask to say to Doug... (Reply to this)(Parent)

In response

notagamer
2006-05-12 03:42 pm UTC (link)

I posted on their blog; I reproduce it here so that people can see and marvel at it even after they take it down and/or call me a Nazi (for the record, I do like Robert A. Heinlein and list my political affiliation as "Fascist" - but they don't know that).

So, let me get this straight - you are complaining that a recreational device which increases exponentionally in power with a steeper gradient (measured over time) than the exponential price increase measured over the same amount of time is too expensive?

Hell, the cost of living doubles every 10 years - at the low end of your spectrum (50% increase over 5 years) you are only looking at an effective 12.5% increase over a ten year period (given the fact that wages and everything else increases by the same amount). And consoles are far more than 112.5% as powerful as they were 10 years ago.

Hardly worth really making a scene about, is it?

Let's be fair - these are recreational devices. They are not essential. Prices are market driven - supply and demand determines them. Don't like the prices? Don't buy 'em - see how long it takes for the prices to lower if no-one buys them.

And its NEVER a good idea to dress like a fool and expect to get interviewed; would I talk to a guy dressed as a robot? No - not in a serious keynote address for a convention concerning itself with a global industry worth $25bn annually. At the San Diego Star Trek con, yeah - I'd chat with girls dressed as Klingons and guys wearing home-made Horta suits. But at E3?

Get a grip - you are expected to ask serious questions; which yours was. But you reduce it to ludicrous absurdity by dressing-up. Your a journalist, not a fanboy. You'll won't get treated like the former if you dress like the later.

Pax,

Darknight

(Reply to this)

	Makes you wonder sometimes... startropics 2006-05-12 04:51 pm UTC (link)
	...if this demographic is really worth defending sometimes. It's like the commanding officer bragging to other commanding officers that his unit is strict and disciplined, and they're all back at HQ throwing around grenades for fun. (Reply to this)

	jythie 2006-05-12 06:49 pm UTC (link)
	Looks like someone pointed out this post to them. I find it interesting that the comments BEFORE linking to GP were all very positive twards destructiod, while the comments right after it are fairly negative. (Reply to this)

	common sense gamerkidusn 2006-05-12 08:42 pm UTC (link)
	it seems to me that common sense would say make the statement and get noticed with the robot head (good job). have the normal looking guy do the interviewing. i mean it seems you would get more positive response from someone who isnt weirded out by your antics. especially if you expect to be taken seriously as a journalist. (Reply to this)

	Never heard of Destructoid... sabin_blitz 2006-05-12 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	And now I'm wishing I didn't. How old are these two, anyway? I ask because they acted like 10-year-olds. (Reply to this)

Fighto!fighto!fighto!

zippydsmlee
2006-05-13 02:49 am UTC (link)

This is what you call a PR stunt ,good or bad attation dosent matter it will some to their site.
its ture tho the gameing industry needs a public and more proffsinal show ,I know why not have the Show girls lure all the nobodys away to the public show :D

the Pricesare high but lets look at what Sony is doing they are takeing the fight to 2 fronts Video/Media and games this is not like any other system that has been made at least in trems of Format wars I ahve been thinking about it sicne BR games wont be around for another 2-4 years if that unless sony has a suprise for us why not do it like this in order to pad sales/Sale more

60GB BR PS3 600

60GB DVD PS3 299

And make a simple BR add on that starts at 250

This way they could fight more effectively on all the fronts they have chossen to do battle on,I feel the 20GB version is laughable,skip all the packing and manual stuff about 20GB and jsut have the 6oGB BR PS3 at 500.

The 360 is still staggering from tis launch but the 2 versions stand at 300+,a HD or BR add on could be 100-300 when it launchs altho they would have a better chance to sell it if they keep it cheap.

With Sony and M$ fighitng 2 fronts and MS staggering on the game front I think Nintendo has a chance to flood the market with qauilty low cost (no more than 289 systems) altho I think the Wii could be 350ish but meh if they do it at 199 for the whole thing no extras or odd ball,handicaped versions they could have a system in all gameing homes in 3 years 0-o this fight is starting to get intresting I hope nintendo will take the chance soemtiems thier qauilty can rub off on 3rd party makers...soemtimes *L*
I know they have to get enoughmoeny in to be able to support the system and games and eventualy make a profit but if they could flood the amrket and have it in most gameing houses that would garrentee them the number 2 slot if not palce them back on top.

(Reply to this)

	It could had been worse curiousthompson 2006-05-13 03:05 am UTC (link)
	They could had played the Dead Rising demos without any pants on THEN ask Lowenstein with out their pants on. (Reply to this)

	Thanks for the press destructoid 2006-05-13 03:50 am UTC (link)
	Here's my response. http://www.destructoid.com/e3-keynote-we-got-dissed-by-dougy Just out of curiosity, is yellow your favorite color? Niero (Reply to this)(Thread)

	Re: Thanks for the press gamepolitics 2006-05-13 04:16 am UTC (link)
	Hey, my friend, you want to pull stunts and get noticed, so you got noticed. You can't always guarantee the reviews will be good... (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: Thanks for the press destructoid 2006-05-13 04:19 am UTC (link)
	That's true! And it's a lesson I learned. But I believe bad press is just as good as good press so seriously, thanks for giving a shit :-) (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: Thanks for the press gamepolitics 2006-05-13 04:29 am UTC (link)
	No worries. I see the robot thing was a big part of your E3 theme this year. Some of the pix were actually pretty funny... Obviously I just felt the Doug thing was too much. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: Thanks for the press destructoid 2006-05-14 04:46 am UTC (link)
	I can totally respect that, thanks man. We took some photos with the e3 security guards wearing the helmet, you're gonna laugh your ass off when we get the gallery up. :-) (Reply to this)(Parent)

Down and dirty

nightwng2000
2006-05-13 01:57 pm UTC (link)

Ok, let's get journalistic impressions of the following:

E3 is an Entertainment event.
Comic-Con would be an Entertainment Event.
Creation-Con would be an Entertainment Event.
A Press Conference with the US President would NOT be an Entertainment Event (well, er, not officially. Ahem)

At Creation-Con and Comic-Con, participants dress up in costumes. What journalists are there, do THEY dress up in costumes? Do they wear t-shirts advertising their blogs/newspapers/TV shows/etc? Do they wear masks during the Q&A sessions? Do they get taken seriously if they do?
At the US President's press conference, do journalists wear anything other than suits or, at least, dressy casual? If someone came in dressed in, say, military fatigues, whether they were a military journalist or not, would they be taken seriously or be tossed straight out or simply ignored?

Oh, and as an aside, I read the Destructoid response on their site. Not exactly a bright comparison when referring to the "booth babes" (or even any dressed up "company mascots" if there had been any) as opposed to the professional, or even semi-professional, journalists who are there to preform a professional duty to obtain interviews and answers to questions for publication or one form or another. Or to put it more simply:
One is "eye candy" ("booth babes"/mascots/whatever), the other (journalists) is not.

nightwng2000

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	Re: Down and dirty dkh 2006-05-13 06:46 pm UTC (link)
	More than that, it's like saying "pharmacies sell drugs, so why can't I sell drugs right outside a pharmacy?" Did "Dougy" have booth babes with him, on stage, to promote his ideas? Just because the other kids are doing it doesn't mean it's right. (Reply to this)(Parent)

kami_harbinger
2006-05-13 11:57 pm UTC (link)

All this response does is give me total contempt for GamePolitics and Lowenstein. You're so stuck up, so self-centered, so cowardly, such political scum, that you're more interested in whether or not you look serious *at a games conference*, than answering the question and telling the truth.

I know, "truth" is a new word for you. You're political flacks, and therefore lying criminals by nature. Scorpions gotta sting, flies gotta poop in your food, politicians gotta lie and cover their asses.

But to decent, honest people, the content of your character is more important than the color of your skin, the brand of suit you wear, or whether or not you wear a robot head.

If you were men of honor, you'd kill yourselves today, but if you were men of honor, this wouldn't have been an issue.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	gamepolitics 2006-05-14 03:27 am UTC (link)
	I'm afraid you're clueless. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	Wow... sdtetsuo 2006-05-14 05:46 am UTC (link)
	You have no grasp of the concept of a trade show, do you? (Reply to this)(Parent)

nightwng2000
2006-05-14 01:30 pm UTC (link)

Ya know, I started a rather long post, then decided that my previous post about "down and dirty" was sufficient along those lines.
They say "ignorance of the law is no excuse".
I rather like "ignorance, intentional or otherwise, of long standing, intelligent, respectful practice, is no excuse".
How to convey one's self at any type of press conference, whether it's a Presidential press conference, a Creation-con press conference, a Comic-Con press conference, an E3 press conference, or even if it looks like a press conference but isn't called a press conference, is still maintained by a "long standing, intelligent, respectful practice".

Also, including the "color of your skin" is an instant debate loser for you, since it is an unalterable feature, unlike the "style" of clothing (as opposed to the "brand of suit"). Unless of course, you're attempting to accuse Doug Lowenstein of racism without backing up such a claim.

And demanding that individuals take their own lives to serve YOUR brand of honor is as abhorent as John Bruce Thompson telling someone they should play a suicide game and get really good at it. Really, commiting suicide in the name of honor, whether there has been a violation of honor or not, is not logical.

Frankly, I think Dennis was being kind, both in the article and in his response to you.

nightwng2000

(Reply to this)(Parent)

One Must Say

redlibertyx
2006-05-16 04:50 am UTC (link)

First, the title should state, "E3's Media Boob Prize Goes to...." as the word Boob is the more recognizable pejorative not Booby. Booby is something you'll find on a porn site or is some form of tropical sea bird, and I figured that had to be cleared up for all of you. Well at least some of you.

Second, you do not write "99% percent" because the percent sign implies percentage. Just a thought.

As for the journalistic integrity of the whole system here, I think you have to realize that the old fourth estate certainly won't be the new fourth estate; and that a tiny insignificant change in attitudes needs to occur here. This kind of agitation was surely for the benefit of Destructoid, but at least they asked a legitimate question unlike the vast majority of journalists who just phone it in because it's a trade show. So give these guys at least some credit.

They're not boobs like you want to think; they may not represent your journalism but they certainly represent mine. And they at least question, which is more than I can say about the majority of journalists these days. Go harp on the journalists who don't even care enough about the industry to even exploit the opportunity to talk to the ESA president. Go harp on those that would rather eat than consider the industry they're reporting. Perhaps you should go back and reread your Hunter Thompson.

And oh yea. Comparing E3 with the Washington Press Corp -- with the little amount of actual journalism done at both institutions you might just be on to something. But do you honestly think that civility is equated with rewriting corporate institutions' press releases? Just a thought.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	Dunno... gamepolitics 2006-05-16 10:03 am UTC (link)
	"Booby Prize" is a fairly common usage... See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booby_prize (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: Dunno... redlibertyx 2006-05-16 08:27 pm UTC (link)
	The problem with this is that you're calling them Media Boobs and giving them a prize for it. A "Media" Booby Prize would be awarded to say...Sony's Betamax or Super8. Also, I like the fact that you merely responded to one segment of my critique while deftly ignoring the actual heart of the issue. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: Dunno...

gamepolitics
2006-05-16 09:30 pm UTC (link)

Honestly, I thought your points were way wide of the mark, but if you insist...

:-)

... This kind of agitation was surely for the benefit of Destructoid, but at least they asked a legitimate question unlike the vast majority of journalists who just phone it in because it's a trade show. So give these guys at least some credit.

I have been to this particular keynote a half-dozen times. I go every year. I see legitimate questions asked in a professional manner every year. What's your experience with the ESA keynote and the quality of the questions?

They're not boobs like you want to think; they may not represent your journalism but they certainly represent mine.

Well, good luck with that.

And they at least question, which is more than I can say about the majority of journalists these days.

See my first point about the ESA speech...

Go harp on the journalists who don't even care enough about the industry to even exploit the opportunity to talk to the ESA president. Go harp on those that would rather eat than consider the industry they're reporting. Perhaps you should go back and reread your Hunter Thompson.

How about if you and your anonymous self go lecture someone else?

Comparing E3 with the Washington Press Corp

Didn't do that in my piece. I think you're confused.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: Dunno... dkh 2006-05-16 11:15 pm UTC (link)
	Hey c'mon, don't pull out the anonymous card. That's a little low. You didn't ask for his information, so there's no need for him to present it, right? Wouldn't it be easier to try and figure out what the dude means by "journalism" in this case? (Reply to this)(Parent)

Re: Dunno...

redlibertyx
2006-05-16 11:38 pm UTC (link)

First: you should notice that I merely said give them credit for a legitimate question, not the manner in which it was stated. Increasing prices for game consoles to a demographic that doesn't necessarily make all that much money in the first place may sound like bad business sense.

Second: I can understand that you don't particularly like the anonymity of the internet, but one should at least comment on the idea that, as you said 99% of reporters just hit the snack cart as not necessarily a good thing for modern journalism.

Lastly: the comparison was made by a commenting in dividual in an above thread. I already knew you didn't write it in your piece, I was, in fact, not referring to it.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	mikosquirrel 2006-05-16 02:30 pm UTC (link)
	Ooh, finally something that gives me some faith in gamers again. Not to mention a second non-joke source for game news, in addition to Penny Arcade. (Reply to this)

funky__j
2006-05-17 01:57 am UTC (link)

What a load of wank. You're a dipshit if you think there's any 'professionalism' in 'games journalism' full stop.

Games are entertainment. THEY'RE NOT REALLY IMPORTANT, no matter how much you claim it is. No matter how much money the industry makes or how many people they employ. No matter how big E3 is, and how much the ESA tries to make it 'legitimate' by banning boothbabes and short clothing. Movies and Music industries suffered the same fate of taking itself too seriously, and look what we have – the same tired shit in the charts on on the radio, the same tired shit on our screens.

As soon as people saw they could make money out of this industry, the fun flew out of the window. Already the games industry is suffering from the dreaded sequel/clone syndrome. Already most people who make games are despondent at the direction the publishers are taking this industry. There's no sense of fun and wonderment anymore. Look at the responses to the Wii announcement. The only reason people aren't leaving the industry in droves is because it beats flipping burgers.

Journalism, it's so-called ethics, and the search and presentation of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability isn't all that a great industry to inspire to. None of that can be done fairly and unbiasedly in our post-modern world when media conglomerates own the means of production, where editorial comment is guided by the hand that feeds them, and the all mighty dollar controls what we read and hear.

On top of that, Games Journalism is just something lame arse wankers made up to justify sitting around playing and obsessing over games all day. Get over yourselves, you're as professional as a bunch of teens at the mall on a rich uncle sponsored shopping spree.

I applaud the Destructiod guys. It takes the whacky guys like this to shake shit up. The games industry is stagnating, and the (so-called) games journalism industry is helping it do so by sucking up to it and acting like it's all serious and special. In a years time no one is going to remember what question Dennis McCauley or Brian Crecente asked Lowenstein, even if it was the most incredibly amazing question in the universe. I bet you Lowenstein can't even remember what he said. But I would bet my left one people will remember the funny dude with a robot head.

I'm all for proper, analytical deconstruction of the field of games entertainment, but it should be done by academics and industry people, not hacks who have taken an online journalism course, or a semester in college and now think they're Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters. Playing games and being able to write well isn't justification to thinking you're god's gift to the journalistic medium, because in the end, no one really gives a shit. People will buy games they think they'll like based on adverts and packaging. To think otherwise is a grandiose and vulgar over inflation of your ego.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

	gamepolitics 2006-05-17 02:12 am UTC (link)
	Wait... Who's the dipshit? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

You know

redlibertyx
2006-05-17 06:25 pm UTC (link)

For someone who puts so much effort into calling himself a "professional" you don't put nearly as much - if any - effort in responding to readers with professional responses. From what I've seen you're defensive, quick-to-anger, and in general just a poor sport. I think you really should just take a breath prior to commenting on anything at all, lest you prove the above comment's point.

Afterall, we're all fighting for better journalism, ya?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: You know gamepolitics 2006-05-17 07:21 pm UTC (link)
	You know, I consider myself a professional, but not a punching bag. On the infrequent occasions when I give it back, the recipient has more than earned it. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

Re: You know

redlibertyx
2006-05-17 08:19 pm UTC (link)

I'm just saying one's claim of professionalism may come off a bit hypocritical if your standard response is, "Uh uh, cuz I said so, you crackwhore." So take a breath like I said and chill. That's all I'm asking. You're perfectly legitimately peeved about being a punching bag, but instead of further degrading the debate why not just coolheadedly respond. That's all I'm asking.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	Re: You know gamepolitics 2006-05-17 08:37 pm UTC (link)
	Well, I never said anyone was a crackwhore... ...but okay. No hard feelings, eh? (Reply to this)(Parent)

	uglyface2 2006-05-17 05:18 am UTC (link)
	Games are entertainment. THEY'RE NOT REALLY IMPORTANT, no matter how much you claim it is. Yes, and 7-Up is just bubbly sugar water. Even so, you wouldn't seriously expect to get an interview with the CEO of the corporation while wearing a silly costume. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	billycobin 2006-05-18 06:44 am UTC (link)
	It would certainly garner more respect from me for the company if they did. Games are about fun, and if the CEO of a game company can't relate to his consumers, how well equiped is he to make buisness decisions on behalf of his company? (Reply to this)(Parent)

phion
2006-05-17 10:42 pm UTC (link)

I think the big problem was that the press guys got caught off-guard. Costumes aren't something you see commonly at an E3 press event. Had one of the wranglers noticed the guys in advance and explained to them why Mr. Lowenstein wouldn't take a question from a robot, the guys from Destructoid probably would have taken off the gear and asked. I'm not saying that ignorance of etiquitte is a valid excuse, but I'm not convinced their intent was to embarrass anyone. The sphere of covering gaming news is expanding, some of the newcomers are going to stumble a few times on the way.

I'd wager that in their heads, this was the same as a member of IGN wearing an IGN polo shirt...just with more flair.

(Reply to this)

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