Video Game Journalism is Flawed

[Hamamura in the controversial MSG: Peace Walker ad]

In light of the recent Famitsu/Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker controversy that is making news, I think now is as good a time as any to say this: video game journalism is terribly flawed.

For those who don't know, Famitsu, one of the top gaming magazines in Japan, recently gave the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker a perfect score of 40 out of 40.

The controversy comes from the fact that the magazine publisher's president, Hirokazu Hamamura, can be seen in some of the games promotional ads and representations of the magazine itself are apparently scattered throughout the game.

Popular gaming blog Kotaku has called Famitsu out on this issue and because of that, Kotaku's passes to the MGS: Peace Walker launch party have been revoked by Konami.

What a peculiar series of events, wouldn't you say?

Now, there is no evidence that Famitsu has any hidden dealings with the game's creators, but it does seem like this perfect score has been bought.

Money talks in many industries, but it should not in journalism, no matter what form of journalism it is.

But because video game journalism is growing at such a fast pace, it's not completely surprising that something like this happened, just disappointing.

Since there is no evidence of Famitsu being paid to give the perfect score, I will not assume the claims are true, however, if it is discovered that such a incident did occur, Famitsu will need to be seriously reworked.

For starters, Mr. Hamamura would need to be chucked out immediately.

Score buy-out or not, Hamamura should not have appeared in the ads in the first place.

It is a conflict of interest and the rules for traditional journalists should apply to all other fields of journalism.

A member of 1UP.com, who goes by the username Abriael, pointed out an interesting fact in a comment he made on the site.

He said "I actually have another nail for the coffin :D

There's absolutely no full disclosure about any tie-in on Kotaku's very positive review of WarioWare: D.I.Y. None that would even slightly hint to any promotional deal between the site and Nintendo.

But surprise, surprise! A few days later Kotaku announced the fabulous contest Master WarioWare: D.I.Y., Make Us a Game, Win a HUGE Prize, prompting readers to create a Kotaku-themed minigame using the Nintendo's little platform, and offering "HUGE prizes" sponsorized by... Nintendo.

I rest my case :D"

What this person failed to note was that Kotaku does not review games on a number or grade scale, but rather uses good old fashioned words to get their point across.

So, while Kotaku certainly has had contests that revolve around WarioWare: D.I.Y., their initial review strongly pointed out the games negatives and was not simply holding it up on a golden pedestal and giving it a perfect score.

Also, the issue with Famitsu is not contest related, but information related.

If the information Famitsu is giving the public is tainted by undisclosed money, then the magazine becomes completely unreliable.

As can be quickly understood by Abriael's ridiculous use of smiley faces in his comment, he clearly has little understanding of what's going on and therefore should keep his opinions to himself.

But let me stop there before this turns into a complete bashing of one person's thoughts.

Ultimately, Famitsu has some explaining to do.

The game could very well be deserving of the perfect score, but the circumstances that surround that score are uncannily suspicious.

It bothers me when I see lying in journalism and because video game journalism is a personal interest of mine, it bothers me even more.

Kotaku should get their passes back and Famitsu should be investigated, plain and simple.

And let it be known, video game journalism has some wrinkles it needs to iron out.