GB has never been a site focused on written content and Kotaku is. He clearly loved writing more than he loved everything else at Giant Bomb. Him wanting to take a break from all the side-stuff and go back to full-time game journalism in an environment fully dedicated to precisely that sounds reasonable to me. That has nothing to do with traffic or exposure to his content, but with what he wants to do for a living.
Patrick Klepek is joining Kotaku
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GB has never been a site focused on written content and Kotaku is. He clearly loved writing more than he loved everything else at Giant Bomb. Him wanting to take a break from all the side-stuff and go back to full-time game journalism in an environment fully dedicated to precisely that sounds reasonable to me. That has nothing to do with traffic or exposure to his content, but with what he wants to do for a living.
No fun.
Pound_lb003
Member
This is speculative and entirely uninformed, I just can't help but read this as a reflection on GiantBomb's business model and perhaps editors and their non-committal attitude to all of the Gamergate/Zoe Quinn/FemFreq stuff. Especially in the way Patrick has tried and struggled and a way I personally agree with. Because they don't work via advertising they're at the mercy of their readership in terms of revenue. And holding a divisive opinion when you're predominantly a personality driven site is just risky. Not to say the Giantbomb readership is made up entirely of ignorant assholes - I am one
, but certainly to say Patrick's take on things hasn't gone down well on many occasions.
Obviously it's not that alone, but I'm struggling not to construe it as a factor.
It's just making Giantbomb less and less approachable and interesting to me. Maybe I am growing up, and finding what's important to me? Dan Ryckert puking cheese up in the woods is funny, but it's also not why I started listening to the Bombcast. And while it's political to remain blissfully ignorant on important subjects that I've mentioned, it's also pandering. Why can't they discuss it and have opinions on it? Or if they really don't want to then go back to focusing squarely on games?
I dunno. This news is good for Patrick, but bumming me out in regards to GB.
(readership, not asshole)
Obviously it's not that alone, but I'm struggling not to construe it as a factor.
It's just making Giantbomb less and less approachable and interesting to me. Maybe I am growing up, and finding what's important to me? Dan Ryckert puking cheese up in the woods is funny, but it's also not why I started listening to the Bombcast. And while it's political to remain blissfully ignorant on important subjects that I've mentioned, it's also pandering. Why can't they discuss it and have opinions on it? Or if they really don't want to then go back to focusing squarely on games?
I dunno. This news is good for Patrick, but bumming me out in regards to GB.
You asked for evidence, I didn't know it had all these qualifiers on it.
I mean, I originally posted numbers that indicate it's a step up for Patrick. No real need to get defensive here.
California is a expensive place to live. One of the realities of the industry is that the game press is very small and involves very little money. Might be that since he's married now he needed more money to start a life and in the San Francisco it might not have been a realistic option. Most of the rest of the guys aren't married.
Vinny is married with kids, had to head back to the east coast in suburban NY.
Unless you know something I don't, I think that's a pretty ridiculous statement to make. Written content has it's own dedicated space on the site, and was given precisely the same exposure as the video content. I'm not even sure what you're arguing here. Was he under some mandate to only produce video content?
SuperStiltzkin
Member
Speaking from my own personal preference, I don't go to Giant Bomb for the articles, and I don't think I'm generalizing when I say that those that do are in the minority. Video content is the site's forte and Patrick is a writer. Kotaku is an article focused website and his written work will probably be more appreciated there.
To be quite blunt, I'm not sure why Giant Bomb keeps hiring news editors in the first place. They had Brad Nicholson, Patrick Klepek, and now the calling is out for someone new. It's like they think having one will give them more legitimacy. But they don't need it.
Vire
Member
My biggest problem with Kotaku is fluff stories like this:
9 Video Games That Left Us Defenseless and Scared: http://kotaku.com/9-video-games-that-left-us-defenseless-and-scared-1677089563
This was posted just today. I really tire of the generic "list" articles they keep posting and they serve no purpose other than meaningless hits.
I enjoyed Schreier investigative work on FFXV this year, as well as the amazing interview with Sakaguchi. Totilo also continues to put out quality reviews including the Assassin's Creed Unity piece. But yeah, these list stories really gotta go.
Hmmm. I have no idea but it seems unlikely? Maybe it's all just about money? Maybe it allows Klepek to write on more topics? GB is games, games, games, random nonsense and wrestling. Gawker has a more diverse topics?
Twin Tails
Member
I'm an expert
Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
Oh I agree, they should have never brought Patrick. Never wanted him then, don't want him now. The core 4 is all they needed, but I can't blame them for trying to expand a bit and feel out a different style of site content. I remember Nicholson's 0 comment articles lol..
I just think of all the places to go, GB to Kotaku, it's such a downgrade. It was obviously just the easiest way to work from home.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
What do we all think of OSU Sidepiece girl?
(I have no idea what that even fucking means. lol)
(I have no idea what that even fucking means. lol)
Here's the sad thing. Those buzzfeed type stories are the ones that get a lot of traffic and get featured on Facebook trending. Personally, if I were running a site like Kotaku, I'd have those stories for the randos that come in from Facebook and Google and such, but have a login system that lets people turn that shit off if they want to.
firehawk12
Subete no aware
I find it telling that they don't have an easy way to just look at features and not bullshit articles from other Gawker sites anyway.
Because I really don't want to know what MacGyver's intro without music looks like.
OldmanAndroid
Member
Love Patricks work, just bookmarked Kotaku, haven't been to that site in ages. Looking forward to see his new stuff.
Clickbait like that is what keeps the lights on. It's sad but that's how the internet works. It's why buzzfeed is doing fine and gamespot is in trouble.
John Kowalski
Banned
KEPLEEEEK
Did you buy clothes for your dog like i said? I hope you did you lucky bastard! Living the good game journo life! Screwing all those dudes and dudettes who want their games positively reviewed!
Did you buy clothes for your dog like i said? I hope you did you lucky bastard! Living the good game journo life! Screwing all those dudes and dudettes who want their games positively reviewed!
maquiladora
Member
This makes sense. Patrick's writing is excellent and is just seemed out of place on Giantbomb, which is focused more on the entertainment side of things rather than news/editorials.
Jason and Patrick will make a great team.
Jason and Patrick will make a great team.
poor guy, he got a great job and everything!
maquiladora
Member
They have now.
They need someone to collate news. GB without Pat is really quite ignorant at times. Plus the Xbox scoop was huge for any site. Clearly Pat did a lot of background stuff.
It's not great, but yes, it's better.
I dunno, if there's a site that could get away without a news guy it's Giant Bomb. Honestly can't remember the last time I clicked on a news article on GB.
Great post. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
I don't mind Patrick, but Giant Bomb never seemed like a perfect fit for him in my opinion. Giant Bomb puts such a minuscule amount of effort toward written editorial that I think they should just go 100% video or something at this point.
He's probably better off on a website that gives a shit about the written word.
He's probably better off on a website that gives a shit about the written word.
For context,
At the OSU-Alabama football game yesterday, the camera zoomed in on a couple of a cheering OSU fan(the girl) and her boyfriend who seemed dejected. She realized she was on camera and slowly moved away.
Someone on twitter then captioned that, and claimed that she moved away because the guy was his 'sidepiece' aka, her second choice, etc.
Jezebel, one of Gawker's sites and Gawker ran with the story, did even more sensationalizing, and basically turned it into a story of how girl is totally the victim here or some other dumb shit.
Its prime evidence at how Gawker's works. They take dumb shit and make money off of it.
CanUKlehead
Member
If Patrick's happy, I'm happy for him.
donutzsick
Member
Makes sense cuz reportong is his bread and butter. Hope interesting stuff comes out of this
AyaisMUsikWhore
Member
I don't him but I think this is a worthy move. Congrats!! I already love Jason so this is a dynamic duo. Yay for journalism
Messofanego
Banned
Yeah, Kotaku is a great place for exposure. Doubt Patrick's excellent articles at GB got as much views.
Still, the lack of videos will sting!
MrTroubleMaker
Member
I don't like your new site Pat, so sorry I probably wont see your content anymore.
pizzapizza64
Member
Does kotaku have a podcast? I have a feeling it's going to be awesome with scoops joining.
I only skimmed it, but from that and the section you quoted it read like very typical 'pump up the troops' kind of stuff (not to mention eye-rollingly self inflating). Will you guys make more money by having more 'hard hitting stories' and less shit 'top 10 anime figurines that eat black Burger King burgers!' lists? Traffic and revenue being up, despite missing out on major stories apparently, was featured very prominently so it's hard to believe that if you guys all go after pet scoops that don't generate increased traffic/revenue you won't see your leashes reined in on pursuing journalist stuff (whatever that really means when it comes to tech/games/entertainment).
Infinite Justice
Member
Indeed.
While i didn't mind his solo stuff and read a few of his articles i believe your thoughts are the majority with other GB members tbh
ItsTheNew
I believe any game made before 1997 is "essentially cave man art."
Patrick was awful on the podcast, most of his quicklooks were bad BUT spookin with scoops was great. I liked having less of his content since he moved away... but now he can truly be happy and endlessly write about GamerGate issues until he solves societies ills one keyboard stroke at a time!
Alex
Member
I still really do not care for Kotaku. They do indeed have some nice work from time to time and there's some real potential in the site but you just have to wade through so much nonsense that it just gives off this scummy feeling.
Always liked Patrick though and hopefully this helps veer the site in a better direction or at least tips the scale some more, since the format seems to suit him pretty well.
Always liked Patrick though and hopefully this helps veer the site in a better direction or at least tips the scale some more, since the format seems to suit him pretty well.
Also merely speculating here, but this move seems pretty simple to me. Giant Bomb has always been video focused, and their podcast continues to be one of the most popular gaming podcasts around. Patrick was unable to participate in ether of those things due to his move to Chicago. Really feel it comes down to that more than anything else. Kotaku just makes more sense for him imo.
shiftplusone
Member
i said it in the GOTY topic but the way he pronounces danganronpa is infuriating and the worst part of giant bomb and I'm
glad he's gone.
it pronounces the game FOR YOU on the dang title screen
jokingly
it pronounces the game FOR YOU on the dang title screen
Banjo-Kazooie
Member
I like him, but I don't have any sudden plan to start visiting Kotaku. Wish him well though
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