The Objectivity Myth: Why Games Need Gonzo Journalism
summary
Argues that the myth of newsroom objectivity persists in games coverage and that gonzo journalism — explicit first-person narrative admitting bias and emotion — gives more honest reviews, previews and event reports. Cites specific practitioners (Leigh Alexander, Cara Ellison, Jenn Frank, Mattie Brice, Lana Polansky, Nathan Grayson, Kirk Hamilton), documents the collapse of institutional editing at the Boston Phoenix, warns that crowdfunding like Patreon fragments support, and shows how classist economics block diverse, sustained criticism.
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chapters (8)
- 0:00Defining gonzo journalism
- 2:12The objectivity myth in games
- 4:46The role of media institutions
- 7:43Isolated games journalism
- 10:16Criticism vs. reviewing
- 12:42Leading gonzo writers
- 18:04Institutional decline
- 21:04The future of independent media
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