Video game media outlet Niche Gamer claimed on social media that it would be punished by a PR firm for video game developers if it reported on Elon Musk criticizing Xbox's global product marketing manager's recent comments about gamers.
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2020), 343 Industries screenshot
On March 27, Kelly Lombardi, Xbox's global product marketing manager, posted on X, “Raise your hand if you're not white and buy video games.”
She added, “I don't mean to hate (white men). It's just another day in the gaming industry where minorities have to fight to prove themselves.”
Kelly Lombardi of X
Read: Elon Musk responds to Xbox global product marketing manager's offensive comments: 'It's acceptable for any company in the gaming industry to be racist and sexist towards 'white men' You shouldn’t.”
as YouTuber Vala Dark is attracting attentionLombardi deleted the post, saying, “I deleted my last tweet because it was poorly worded, lacked context, and did not accurately reflect my feelings.”
“The gaming industry is incredibly diverse, and the more voices creating, watching, and playing games, the better it is,” she continued. “There’s room for everyone.”
Kelly Lombardi of X
Musk responded to Lombardi's original post, saying, “It should not be acceptable for any company in the gaming industry to be racist and sexist against 'white men.'”
No company in the gaming industry should be allowed to be racist or sexist against “white men” https://t.co/FavbIIYuFa
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2024
Niche Gamer explained to X why it won't feature Musk's posts on its website. The media said, “While we agree with the basic sentiment that game companies are 'overreaching,' unfortunately we cannot cover this particular article or similar articles. This is because there is a possibility of being punished by the company.” You must rely on the same game company to access video games for review and coverage purposes. (From small development companies to medium-sized operating companies and even AAA game companies/publishers).”
“Many of the same spokespeople support people with similar views like the ones Elon mentions here, so they already have significant issues and face roadblocks when it comes to accessing AAA titles. Because we've been covering Sweet Baby Inc.'One person's story. This is extremely unfortunate,” the media outlet concluded.
While we agree with the basic sentiment that game companies are “overreaching,” unfortunately, this is not possible without the possibility of being punished by a PR firm employed by the same game company. We cannot feature specific or similar articles. We must… https://t.co/6D7Trj24cF
— Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) March 29, 2024
Read: Xbox's head of games for everyone and sustainability Katie Jo Wright admits company is committing financial suicide: 'If you don't intentionally include, you'll unintentionally exclude.'
In a follow-up post explaining the decision, the outlet wrote: “I made this post last night because I am fed up with the way things are. To those who say we are 'taking a knee,' this post is saying that we are. “No.” By posting such posts, the people who are causing us problems will already be annoyed, and it's time we stop placating them. ”
“We're committed to freedom of expression and passionate journalism. That means we want people to make and play the games they want to play, and we want to share the news you care about.” That's what we support and what we're going to do.”
We made this post last night because we are fed up with the status quo. To those who say we are “on bended knee,” this post is to say that we are not. By posting such posts, the people who are causing us problems will already be annoyed, and it's time we stop placating them.
We are working on free… https://t.co/1Uq352gAkq
— Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) March 29, 2024
Interestingly, Vara Dark responded to Niche Gamer's original post by writing, “Xbox, PlayStation, Warner Bros. Games, Square Enix, Capcom, Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, Amazon Games, I was refused a game code. companies. Most of these provide code to creators whose scope is much narrower than mine.”
she continued. “So why are you denying me?” I criticize their business practices. Have I stopped live streaming games? No. Have I stopped reporting on the stupid things these companies are doing? No, because I just overcame their obstacles. ”
“If you say anything negative about them, you get put on their hate list. Even saying something like this gets you kicked out of their realm. It's because of my amazing audience that I'm able to stream games and cover so many topics. Never in a million years would I go against someone supporting me for some code or press release. It’s not worth it,” she concluded.
Xbox, PlayStation, Warner Bros. Games, Square Enix, Capcom, Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, Amazon Games, companies that were refused game codes. Most of these give out code to creators with a much smaller reach than I do.
So why deny me? I criticize their business practices. … https://t.co/xCGeqHIXFV— Vara Dark (@Vara_Dark) March 29, 2024
Read: Microsoft-owned Compulsion Games supports trigger warnings for Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider Remastered I-III, takes another step forward with call to 'rewrite history'
Jeremy Griggs of Geeks + Gamers also wrote: “This is a strange reaction and ultimately does not help them maintain 'access.' In short, if you bend the knee in any way, they will own you forever. You can either pay for such access and remain silent or call out the bullshit and live with being called racists and sexists like the rest of us. . Fans will be able to tell who's real and who's not. ”
This is a strange response and ultimately doesn't help maintain “access”.
In short, if you bend the knee in any way, they will own you forever.
Either you pay for that access and stay silent, or you call out shit and live with being called racists and sexists like the rest of us.
… https://t.co/0bZWbnd72L
— DDayCobra (@DDayCobra) March 29, 2024
Vara Dark and Griggs are right. These tactics only work if you allow them to work. Nevertheless, one should defend the truths, even if one submits to them.
St. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians: Firm in one spirit, striving together for the faith of the Gospel with one heart, not in the least intimidated by adversaries. This is proof of destruction for them, but proof of your salvation. And this is God's work. ”
He concludes by saying: “For it has been given to you, for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for him. It's the same.”
Gears of War 4 (2016), The Coalition
What do you think about Niche Gamer's admission that Elon Musk will be punished for criticizing Kelly Lombardi?
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