I’ve been writing for a gaming website for a little over six months now, doing reviews, news and features on topics in the gaming industry. It started out really well, I had a lot of freedom to write about topics that I found interesting and had a decent choice of games to review.

Lately things have been getting pretty bad though, the direction of the site has changed drastically in the space of a couple of weeks. The concern has shifted to producing as much content as possible regardless of quality, the attitude seems to be just “write whatever the hell you want” and it’s really putting me off. Also, the leads are trying to schedule features and news articles, which is, you know, a little stupid as you can’t just invent news on the spot or think of something genuinely interesting to write about.

I’m just looking for some input here really, I’m a little stuck as to what to do. There’s part of me that’s tempted to stick it out to see if things improve, but I just can’t ignore my initial gut reactions over the last few weeks.

So what do guys think... Should I stick it out, or cut my losses?

Not to encourage the plugging of said website... but, what gaming website is this?

Not to encourage the plugging of said website... but, what gaming website is this?

I've been God previously. Cut my loses.

 
you could write a story 'breaking the news' about the dangers of emphasizing quantity over quality in online gaming review sites

That's what happened when I worked at Kombo.com. I was news editor for about a year, but I started disliking the direction of the site and left. Now, the site hasn't had a post in about three months, less than one year after I left it (it's dead).
 
Do what you think you should.

Just talk about energy drinks. Worked for GiantBomb in its early days.

If you see IGN, they have a lot of "news" that's really just whatever seems to be on the editors minds. Write something about games, anything. 

That's what happened when I worked at Kombo.com. I was news editor for about a year, but I started disliking the direction of the site and left. Now, the site hasn't had a post in about three months, less than one year after I left it (it's dead).  Do what you think you should.

Scheduling editorial features isn't an inherently bad thing. Deadlines tend to come with the territory and speaking from experience, that sort of pressure can actually be a good catalyst for quality writing, since you're forced to make a decision, stick with it, and develop it out into a fully-fledged piece on its own terms. Most prominent journalism outlets, regardless of subject matter, have those sorts of systems in place just for the sake of ensuring that there's a consistent stream of quality content that visitors can expect to find. It's something you'll probably still have to deal with no matter what, even if you move on to other sites. You have an audience to engage and maintain and if you want their attention as a writer, sometimes you have to work on their terms and attentions spans and not your own.
 
That being said, the site itself still sounds iffy. It almost sounds as though they're just concerned about getting hits and using the deadline system to ensure there's a just constant flow of visitors coming, rather than providing one for good content. Sometimes it's worthwhile to follow your gut on these sorts of things, but if you stick around, at least it'll be a learning experience for dealing with those types of editors, in the event that you bump into their type in the future. I myself wound up in a similar situation a while back and ended up dropping out after making sure what exactly the after effects of some iffy editorial policy changes were going to be. There's probably no harm, no foul in you dropping out now, but do know that unless you're running your own site and calling the shots, you'll probably always have to work at least a little bit under someone else's terms and directives. It's just how employment as a writer tends to be.

Jump ship.

Write the best article you possible can about video games. End it with your letter of resignation. Send it to bigger and better video games websites as your CV.

If you're not even getting paid, and they want you to do stuff you don't want, consider this:
Why did you sign up in the first place?

If you're not even getting paid, and they want you to do stuff you don't want, consider this: Why did you sign up in the first place?

@Choffy said:

That's what happened when I worked at Kombo.com. I was news editor for about a year, but I started disliking the direction of the site and left. Now, the site hasn't had a post in about three months, less than one year after I left it (it's dead).  Do what you think you should.

Well, with headlines like "PSP2 will destroy PS3?" I can't say I blame you.

Thanks for the input on this, it's helped me decide on what to do. 
 
I'm going to stick with it for a little longer, see how things go over the next few weeks and if they continue in this new direction I will be done.
 
Thanks again :)

If you arent getting paid, doesnt make sense to stick with it.

Just talk about energy drinks. Worked for GiantBomb in its early days.

Stick with it, continuing to write quality articles until you can find another place to add your work. 
It may seem sucky but this will add to your portfolio and more importantly it bulks out your CV.
 
At this stage you are writing for yourself, if they don't have standards make sure you do.

This sounds like EXACTLY the problem with all journalism since the development of the 24 hour news cycle. Tell them that they are contributing to the downfall of news media, and if that doesn't work then you should leave.