And Now... The Rest Of The Story

I am excited about where Giant Bomb is going, but...

I feel like Jeff really didn't address anything in this video. I recall that part of the reason his firing was such a big deal at the time was because of the way his written review of the game in question was taken down and significantly edited after he had left.

I also recall that a lot of other people in the gaming press community felt that it wasn't just an issue about this one review, but that Jeff was being made an example of. There was the concern that his firing was essentially a warning to other editors at the time that if you are going to write for a larger corporate site the tone of gaming press coverage would have to be more respectful of the advertising sponsors, in the same way that radio and television have always bent over backwards for their advertising partners.

If Jeff thinks Giant Bomb can partner with CBS and still maintain the independence that has made this site great, well, I wish him the best.

Nice. The recent lack of content gave me an opportunity to catch up on a growing backlog.

Take your time getting adjusted to the sweet new digs! Also videotape them for us.

This makes me feel better.

no more cable alchemy!

@Milkman said:

@SpicyRichter: This site was formed on journalist integrity. I'm sure if that was being compromised, Jeff wouldn't do it.

I'm not sure I come to GB completely for integrity, I come for NSFW style zany humor. Not sure that's this guys style:

Although, that smile does look a little crazy..

well if its a good thing..thats good answered my question about E3 and the podcasts love those even though i am never home with time difference and all. But good they are going to plough their own road still in a good unique way.

Move the desks back.

I just wished you guys would actually do some kind of video to explain EVERYTHING. The answers to many questions have been all over the place. For example what is going to happen to screened and anime vice? What are the new offices like? Why didn't you guys make a goodbye video? What do you guys get from all this? Money and tech? New editorial staff? Is someone going to join Vinny and Drew on the editing side of things? Why exactly did you do this? What do WE get from this? What do the Gamespot guys get from all this besides a way of making more ads money? What do Gamespot users and community gain from all of this? What is going to happen to Rorie? Aren't you sad the Whiskey Media family is splitting up? Are you actually happy to be on cubicles again? I can keep going...

Now they've got a bit more cash, they should think about doing the World Tour.

Awesome

@SpicyRichter: This site was formed on journalist integrity. I'm sure if that was being compromised, Jeff wouldn't do it.

@Deusx said:

I just wished you guys would actually do some kind of video to explain EVERYTHING. The answers to many questions have been all over the place. For example what is going to happen to screened and anime vice? What are the new offices like? Why didn't you guys make a goodbye video? What do you guys get from all this? Money and tech? New editorial staff? Is someone going to join Vinny and Drew on the editing side of things? Why exactly did you do this? What do WE get from this? What do the Gamespot guys get from all this besides a way of making more ads money? What do Gamespot users and community gain from all of this? What is going to happen to Rorie? Aren't you sad the Whiskey Media family is splitting up? Are you actually happy to be on cubicles again? I can keep going...

1. Screened and Anime Vice were bought by a different company. They, more than likely, have no idea what's happening to them.

2. They shot tours of the new office today and we're probably going to get a new Building A Bomb type video.

3. Goodbye? They're not going anyway. Also, they said they weren't sure when the deal was going to be finalized.

4. More money and resources to do what they've been doing.

5. Not sure but I'm sure if they need some help, GameSpot has plenty of video editors.

6. See number 4.

7. Better and more content, most likely.

8. Occasional teaming up with the Giant Bomb guys? Other than that, not much changes for them either.

9. Introduced to Giant Bomb? Other than that, not much changes for them either.

10. See number 1.

11. I'm sure it's a little bittersweet but nothing's stopping Will and Norm from coming to GameSpot/Giant Bomb office time to time.

12. Who said they're in cubicles?

Got any more?

@Milkman said:

@SpicyRichter said:

I enjoyed this site because it is unleashed and the guys will say anything they feel because there's no 'big brother' paying the bills.

This has now changed. There is NO WAY this will continue under the heavy hands of a company like CBS. No matter what anyone says, the bombcast will change tone, quick looks will change tone, etc. Whenever management gets involved, creativity gets stifled. This always happens no matter WHAT people 'expect'.

When you get bigger you are expected to cater to a larger audience. This isn't really what giantbomb is about now is it?

I knew something bad was going on this week :( The changes at tested really excite me though!!

Oh, you know all this huh? It's good thing we have Giant Bomb's resident soothsayer to break this news to us.

Seriously, just shut the hell up. They haven't even been in the office for a day. The sky isn't falling. Not everything on the internet has to be some corporate conspiracy keeping the little guys down. Nothing is changing.

I'm a business man, I've seen entrepreneurs bought by conglomerates and have seen them lose their charm.

The only thing missing in this merger is the Sass...it ain't GS without Sass

@Deusx said:

I just wished you guys would actually do some kind of video to explain EVERYTHING. The answers to many questions have been all over the place. For example what is going to happen to screened and anime vice? What are the new offices like? Why didn't you guys make a goodbye video? What do you guys get from all this? Money and tech? New editorial staff? Is someone going to join Vinny and Drew on the editing side of things? Why exactly did you do this? What do WE get from this? What do the Gamespot guys get from all this besides a way of making more ads money? What do Gamespot users and community gain from all of this? What is going to happen to Rorie? Aren't you sad the Whiskey Media family is splitting up? Are you actually happy to be on cubicles again? I can keep going...

@jonnyboy said:

Gamespot users: "What the fuck is on his shirt?"

I swear I didn't know this would happen...

@selbie said:

LOL at all the pessimists saying this is the end of Giantbomb. Let's remember Jeff and the rest of them made Gamespot what it is. Then they made Giantbomb what it is, and now BOTH of them are back together!

I always thought the Gamespot staff could use some decent humor once in a while. Those guys have gone stale as fuck since Jeff and the others left.

The sites aren't mixing. They said there might be some very little collaborations on things that make sense, but for the most part they will be completely separate. GameSpot isn't gaining them. Collaboration can be great, but they would forfeit the integrity of what makes each site different. I'm sure everyone involved is glad to be working around friends they haven't been around in so long.

Kane & Lynch 3, 10/10 GOTY! Sweet!

--

Omfg, the background is a greenscreen. Mind blown.

I just wished you guys would actually do some kind of video to explain EVERYTHING. The answers to many questions have been all over the place. For example what is going to happen to screened and anime vice? What are the new offices like? Why didn't you guys make a goodbye video? What do you guys get from all this? Money and tech? New editorial staff? Is someone going to join Vinny and Drew on the editing side of things? Why exactly did you do this? What do WE get from this? What do the Gamespot guys get from all this besides a way of making more ads money? What do Gamespot users and community gain from all of this? What is going to happen to Rorie? Aren't you sad the Whiskey Media family is splitting up? Are you actually happy to be on cubicles again? I can keep going...

@SpicyRichter said:

I enjoyed this site because it is unleashed and the guys will say anything they feel because there's no 'big brother' paying the bills.

This has now changed. There is NO WAY this will continue under the heavy hands of a company like CBS. No matter what anyone says, the bombcast will change tone, quick looks will change tone, etc. Whenever management gets involved, creativity gets stifled. This always happens no matter WHAT people 'expect'.

When you get bigger you are expected to cater to a larger audience. This isn't really what giantbomb is about now is it?

I knew something bad was going on this week :( The changes at tested really excite me though!!

Oh, you know all this huh? It's good thing we have Giant Bomb's resident soothsayer to break this news to us.

Seriously, just shut the hell up. They haven't even been in the office for a day. The sky isn't falling. Not everything on the internet has to be some corporate conspiracy keeping the little guys down. Nothing is changing.

Haha, when did John Davison let his hair grow out?

@monkeystick said:

Thanks for making this!

@selbie said:

I always thought the Gamespot staff could use some decent humor once in a while. Those guys have gone stale as fuck since Jeff and the others left.

Just what we need... gamespot guys diluting the pool

Needs more Rorie.

Second highest rated comment on this video:

"This is proof why we can't trust big gaming sites. Payed Reviews."

DERP

I enjoyed this site because it is unleashed and the guys will say anything they feel because there's no 'big brother' paying the bills.

This has now changed. There is NO WAY this will continue under the heavy hands of a company like CBS. No matter what anyone says, the bombcast will change tone, quick looks will change tone, etc. Whenever management gets involved, creativity gets stifled. This always happens no matter WHAT people 'expect'.

When you get bigger you are expected to cater to a larger audience. This isn't really what giantbomb is about now is it?

I knew something bad was going on this week :( The changes at tested really excite me though!!

Are all videos on Gamespot awkward like this one?

Nice to see Jeff trying to be funny in this "interview/conversation" keeping the GameSpot person on edge there at the end. :D

GameSpot seems to be taking the professional aka. boring approach to video game coverage in general with a few exceptions of course, so maybe I won't fear a merge of the sites in a couple of years, but the risk and I guess temptation to do so will lurk for as long this "partnership/co-op game" lasts.

Good luck to Giant Bomb and I actually think this is going to be okay.

Thanks for making this!

Seeing the news of what was going on 5 minutes before leaving for work today, I was really confused and scared about it, but after watching all the video they've done today and pouring over Twitter all day, I'm actually pretty excited about this. I trust the crew enough to believe them when they say this won't change Giant Bomb's tone or credibility. I'm sad to see them and Comic Vine parting ways with the rest of Whiskey Media, but this seems like it could really be good for them. I really feel they wouldn't do this if they didn't feel it was the best course of action for them, the site, and the users. I'm excited to see what this will bring.

@Khalis said:

Giant Spot! ...wait

More like Game Bomb. Dot ru

LOL at all the pessimists saying this is the end of Giantbomb. Let's remember Jeff and the rest of them made Gamespot what it is. Then they made Giantbomb what it is, and now BOTH of them are back together!

I always thought the Gamespot staff could use some decent humor once in a while. Those guys have gone stale as fuck since Jeff and the others left.

Fuck this, all of these arseholes selling out for money... I'm going to GameSpot.

Giant Spot! ...wait

I want my Will and Norm back! GB won't be the same without them hanging around in the background.

@Capt_Ventris said:

More SSX for Coonce.

Coonce went with the Tested/Screened/Anime Vice side of the split.

Gamespot users: "What the fuck is on his shirt?"

@Ventilaator said:

So you remember everyone overreacting when Jeff got fired? Everyone thought he got fired because of a review score?

Yup, that's pretty much what actually happened. Yay for credibility!

And yet, here we are right back where we started. Which is great, I guess? Maybe?

@Jeff: You talk about Dave like he isen't on your shirt, man. What happened to you, duder? What happened?

So you remember everyone overreacting when Jeff got fired? Everyone thought he got fired because of a review score?

Yup, that's pretty much what actually happened. Yay for credibility!

More SSX for Coonce.

edit : I should have elaborated. I meant as a parting gesture to Coonce.

We are with you Commander 

When people said someone should put a giant bomb in the Gamespot offices I'm not sure this is what they meant...

I need to see that video of Vinny getting a bunch of old phone messages.

@caska said:

The only thing I'm upset about so far is the fact that Brad said he was uploading a video of a walkaround the new office featuring Vinny and it's not up yet :( but otherwise I'm with Giantbomb every step of the way!

I would expect that to be posted tomorrow. Give it time.

Jeff Ive been with you since day 1 and Ill be there for you and your crew wherever you land. Best of luck!

Bottom line: Jeff got fired because of higher-ups panicking over advertisers wanting to pull money due to a bad review of Kane and Lynch. How anyone thought this WASN'T the case any time in the past four and a half years is beyond me.