GameSpot explained

GameSpot
Location City:San Francisco, California
Type:Video game journalism
Registration:Optional (free and paid)
Launch Date: (Spotmedia)[1]
Current Status:Active

GameSpot is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. The site was launched on May 1, 1996, created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady, and Jon Epstein. In addition to the information produced by GameSpot staff, the site also allows users to write their own reviews, blogs, and post on the site's forums. It has been owned by Fandom, Inc. since October 2022.[2]

In 2004, GameSpot won "Best Gaming Website" as chosen by the viewers in Spike TV's second Video Game Award Show,[3] and has won Webby Awards several times. The domain GameSpot.com attracted at least 60 million visitors annually by October 2008 according to a Compete.com study.[4]

History

In January 1996, Pete Deemer, Vince Broady, and Jon Epstein quit their positions at IDG and founded SpotMedia Communications.[5] [6] [7] SpotMedia then launched GameSpot on May 1, 1996. Originally, GameSpot focused solely on personal computer games, so a sister site, VideoGameSpot, was launched on December 1, 1996.[8] Eventually VideoGameSpot, then renamed VideoGames.com, was merged into GameSpot. On January 6, 1997, SpotMedia and publisher Ziff Davis announced a $20 million agreement allowing the publisher to run content from Computer Gaming World and Electronic Gaming Monthly on SpotMedia's websites.[9] By the following month, Ziff Davis's substantial financial infusion enabled GameSpot to grow to 45 employees. In February 1999, PC Magazine named GameSpot one of the hundred best websites, alongside competitors IGN and CNET Gamecenter.[10] On July 19, 2000, CNET announced its acquisition of ZDNET, putting GameSpot and Gamecenter under the same parent company.[11] That December, The New York Times declared GameSpot and Gamecenter the "Time and Newsweek of gaming sites".[12] In February 2001, GameSpot was spared from a redundancy reduction effort by CNET which shuttered Gamecenter.[13] [14]

In October 2005, GameSpot adopted a new design similar to that of TV.com, now considered a sister site to GameSpot.[15] GameSpot ran a few different paid subscriptions from 2006 to 2013, but is no longer running those.[16] [17] [18] In June 2008, GameSpots parent company CNET was acquired by CBS Corporation, and GameSpot along with CNET's other online assets were managed by the CBS Interactive division.[19]

A new layout change was adopted in October 2013.[20]

CNET was sold to Red Ventures in October 2020.[21] Two years later, Fandom acquired GameSpot, along with Metacritic, TV Guide, GameFAQs, Giant Bomb, Cord Cutters News, and Comic Vine from Red Ventures.[22] In January 2023, 40-50 employees were affected by a round of layoffs.[23] More layoffs at GameSpot took place in January 2024.[24]

International history

GameSpot UK (United Kingdom) was started in October 1997 and operated until mid-2002, offering content that was oriented for the British market that often differed from that of the U.S. site. During this period, GameSpot UK won the 1999 PPAi (Periodical Publishers Association interactive) award for best website,[25] and was short listed in 2001.[26] PC Gaming World was considered a "sister print magazine" and some content appeared on both GameSpot UK and PC Gaming World.[27] Following the purchase of ZDNet by CNET, GameSpot UK was merged with the main US site. On April 24, 2006, GameSpot UK was relaunched.[28]

In a similar fashion, GameSpot AU (Australia) existed on a local scale in the late 1990s with Australian-produced reviews. It ceased in 2003. When a local version of the main CNET portal, CNET.com.au was launched in 2003, GameSpot AU content was folded into CNET.com.au. The site was fully re-launched in mid-2006, with a specialized forum, local reviews, special features, local pricings in Australian dollars, Australian release dates, and more local news.

Gerstmann dismissal

Jeff Gerstmann, editorial director of the site, was fired on November 28, 2007 as a result of pressure from Eidos Interactive, a major advertiser; Eidos objected to the 6/10 review that Gerstmann had given , a game they were heavily advertising on GameSpot at the time.[29] Both GameSpot and parent company CNET initially stated that his dismissal was unrelated to the review.[30] [31] However, in March 2012, the non-disclosure agreement that forced Gerstmann to withhold the details of his termination was nullified. Not long after, Giant Bomb (a site Gerstmann founded after leaving GameSpot) was being purchased by the same parent company as GameSpot, and that they moved their headquarters into the same building. As part of this announcement, Gerstmann revealed that the firing was indeed related to threats of Eidos pulling advertising revenue away from GameSpot as a result of Gerstmann's poor review score, which was confirmed by GameSpot's Jon Davison.[32] [33]

Notable staff

Community features

GameSpots forums were originally run by ZDNet, and later by Lithium. GameSpot uses a semi-automated moderation system with numerous volunteer moderators. GameSpot moderators are picked by paid GameSpot staff from members of the GameSpot user community. Due to the size and massive quantity of boards and posts on GameSpot, there is a "report" feature where a normal user can report a violation post to an unpaid moderator volunteer.

In addition to the message board system, GameSpot has expanded its community through the addition of features such as user blogs (formerly known as "journals")[41] and user video blogs. Users can track other users, thus allowing them to see updates for their favorite blogs. If both users track each other, they are listed on each other's friends list.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 . GameSpot.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info – DomainTools . February 15, 2016 . WHOIS.
  2. Web site: October 3, 2022 . Fandom Acquires Leading Entertainment & Gaming Brands Including… . 2022-10-03 . . en-US.
  3. Spike TV Announces Winners of 'Video Game Awards 2004' . 2023-04-20 . live . https://archive.today/20230421012942/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2004/12/14/spike-tv-announces-winners-of-video-game-awards-2004-17429/20041214spiketv01/ . 2023-04-21 . The Futon Critic.
  4. Web site: Site Profile for GameSpot.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20081019081558/http://siteanalytics.compete.com/gamespot.com/?metric=uv . 2008-10-19 . 2008-05-18 . SiteAnalytics.Compete.com.
  5. Web site: D.I.C.E. Awards by Video Game Details . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180605212436/http://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idGame=559 . 2018-06-05 . 2019-08-17 . Interactive.org.
  6. Web site: Grabowicz . Paul . Course Number: Ba278 . 2023-04-20 . Berkeley.edu . University of California, Berkeley.
  7. Farnady . Kate . February 6, 1997 . Research Dream Job: Online Gaming Zine . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200102072826/https://www.wired.com/1997/02/research-dream-job-online-gaming-zine/ . 2020-01-02 . 2023-04-20.
  8. Web site: Navarro . Alex . July 14, 2006 . Burning Questions: July 14, 2006 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930080927/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6154109.html . 2007-09-30 . 2007-03-23 . GameSpot . CBS Interactive.
  9. ZD, SpotMedia to Create Online Gaming Goliath . https://web.archive.org/web/20180523184643/https://www.wired.com/1997/01/zd-spotmedia-to-create-online-gaming-goliath/ . Brown . Janelle . . . January 3, 1997 . May 23, 2018 . April 23, 2024 . live.
  10. Willmott, Don . February 9, 1999 . The 100 Top Web Sites . . 18 . 114 . 3.
  11. Web site: Vaggabond . July 19, 2000 . Cnet buys ZDnet . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180523191403/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_28565 . May 23, 2018 . Eurogamer.
  12. Web site: Olafson . Peter . December 7, 2000 . Basics; Sites Keep Up with Games and Gamers . live . https://archive.today/20180523185648/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/07/technology/basics-sites-keep-up-with-games-and-gamers.html . 2018-05-23 . 2018-05-27 . The New York Times.
  13. Web site: Fost, Dan . February 15, 2001 . Heavy Lifting Begins for Cnet . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180523184059/https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Heavy-Lifting-Begins-for-Cnet-Dot-com-downturn-2951969.php . May 23, 2018 . San Francisco Chronicle.
  14. Web site: Smith, Andrew . February 7, 2001 . CNET shuts Gamecenter . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20041204094044/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/02/07/cnet_shuts_gamecenter/ . December 4, 2004 . The Register.
  15. Web site: GameSpot Staff . November 2, 2005 . GameSpot Redesign: Frequently Asked Questions . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131018065355/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespot-redesign-frequently-asked-questions/1100-6134513/ . 2013-10-18 . 2006-09-29.
  16. Web site: GameSpot Staff . February 23, 2006 . GameSpot Revamps Subscription Model . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180115124754/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespot-revamps-subscription-model/1100-6144748/ . 2018-01-15 . 2018-01-14 . GameSpot . CBS Interactive.
  17. Web site: GameSpot Sign-Up Page . https://web.archive.org/web/20070321212959/http://www.gamespot.com/signup/index.php . 2007-03-21 . 2007-04-03 . GameSpot . CBS Interactive.
  18. Web site: Anderson . Lark . January 9, 2013 . GameSpot's Paid Subscription Service is Ending: FAQ . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130206100619/http://www.gamespot.com/features/gamespots-paid-subscription-service-is-ending-faq-6402038/ . 2013-02-06 . 2013-01-22 . GameSpot . CBS Interactive.
  19. Web site: CBS CORPORATION COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF CNET NETWORKS; MERGES OPERATIONS INTO NEW, EXPANDED CBS INTERACTIVE BUSINESS UNIT . CBS Corporation . June 30, 2008 . June 30, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080829001159/http://www.cbscorporation.com/news/prdetails.php?id=3503 . August 29, 2008 .
  20. Web site: Swipe Up Game . 2021-09-29 . Expoodle.com.
  21. Web site: Red Ventures Announces Closing of Acquisition of CNET Media Group. 2020-10-30. 2020-11-06. PR Newswire. en. June 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608220527/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/red-ventures-announces-closing-of-acquisition-of-cnet-media-group-301163922.html. live.
  22. Web site: Weprin . Alex . October 3, 2022 . TV Guide, Metacritic, GameSpot Acquired by Fandom in $55M Deal With Red Ventures . October 3, 2022 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  23. Web site: Gach . Ethan . 2023-01-19 . Layoffs Hit GameSpot, Giant Bomb Just Months After Fandom Buys Them . 2024-03-05 . Kotaku . en.
  24. Web site: Sinclair . Brendan . 2024-01-31 . GameSpot lays off portion of staff . 2024-03-05 . GamesIndustry.biz . en.
  25. Web site: GameSpot UK Winner, PPAi Awards 1999 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070926233911/http://www.ukaop.org.uk/Events/Annual-Awards/110#ppai1999 . 2007-09-26 . 2006-10-07 . UKAOP.com.
  26. Web site: GameSpot UK Short Listed, PPAi Awards 2001 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070926233911/http://www.ukaop.org.uk/Events/Annual-Awards/110#ppai2001 . 2007-09-26 . 2006-10-07 . UKAOP.com.
  27. Web site: GameSpot UK: Computer Games News, Reviews, Demos, and Strategy Guides . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20000815053201/http://www.gamespot.co.uk/ . 2000-08-15 . 2023-02-14 . GameSpot UK . . Some of the material on this site also appears in our sister print magazine.
  28. Web site: Foster . Lisa . April 24, 2006 . GameSpot UK Launches . https://web.archive.org/web/20070611045243/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/947/Gamespot-UK-launches . 2007-06-11 . 2006-11-01 . MCVUK.com.
  29. Peter. Szuban. Reconstituting Vocabularies: User Generated Databases, Social Tagging, and Folksonomies in Giantbomb's Videogame Wiki Database. The IJournal: Student Journal of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information. 2018. 2561-7397. 41–49. 4. 1.
  30. Web site: GameSpot Staff . December 5, 2007 . Spot On: GameSpot on Gerstmann . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20080725203926/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183666.html . 2008-07-25 . 2007-12-24 . GameSpot . CBS Interactive.
  31. Web site: Faylor . Chris . November 30, 2007 . CNET Denies 'External Pressure' Caused Gerstmann Termination . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20080515212056/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50157 . 2008-05-15 . 2007-12-24 . Shacknews.
  32. Web site: Gerstmann . Jeff . March 15, 2012 . Exciting News From Your Friends At Giant Bomb . . April 9, 2022 . July 20, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720165520/https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/exciting-news-from-your-friends-at-giant-bomb/1100-4035/ . live .
  33. Web site: Plunkett . Luke . March 15, 2012 . Yes, a Games Writer was Fired Over Review Scores . . April 9, 2022 . April 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220409220352/https://kotaku.com/yes-a-games-writer-was-fired-over-review-scores-5893785 . live .
  34. Web site: Kasavin . Greg . January 19, 2007 . To Live and Die in L.A. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930082224/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/profile/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-24849433&user=GregK . 2007-09-30 . 2007-05-17.
  35. Web site: Supergiant Games . 2021-11-19 . SuperGiantGames.com.
  36. Web site: Jeff Gerstmann - Virtual Fools . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080314151801/http://www.virtualfools.com/games/jeff-gerstmann/ . 2008-03-14 . 2008-04-15 . VirtualFools.com.
  37. Web site: Davison . John . Gerstmann . Jeff . March 15, 2012 . GameSpot and Giant Bomb, Together . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130308124102/http://www.gamespot.com/video/gamespot-and-giant-bomb-together-6366598/ . 2013-03-08 . 2018-01-14 . GameSpot . CBS Interactive.
  38. Web site: December 31, 2013 . dannyodwyer's Blog - GameSpot . 2022-03-18 . GameSpot . . en.
  39. Web site: Jr . Tom Huddleston . 2018-06-04 . How this 33-year-old college dropout co-founded GitHub, which just sold to Microsoft for $7.5 billion . 2024-01-05 . CNBC . en.
  40. Web site: Microsoft finalizes its $7.5 billion GitHub acquisition . 2024-01-05 . ZDNET . en.
  41. Web site: GameSpot Forums . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050814022225/http://forums.gamespot.com/gamespot/index.php . 2005-08-14 . 2007-06-22 . GameSpot . CBS Interactive.

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