Games media has been evolving, and in the last few years, the landscape certainly has been changing. Vox Games could cause a big shakeup and big websites like IGN and GameSpot need to change with the times. John Davison, Vice President, Programming - Games & Metacritic at CBS Interactive, talked with IndustryGamers (Part 1 and Part 2) about how he sees games journalism evolving and how it will directly affect GameSpot. Today, Davison has taken it a step further by writing a "manifesto of sorts" for his own audience.
Noting that our interview "seemed to resonate with a lot of people," Davison went on to say in his "manifesto" that games media outlets must differentiate themselves by offering unique content - media can no longer rely on "commodities" like screenshots and trailers and straight news from press releases. "These days we have to differentiate ourselves from the commodities that the publishers and studios themselves distribute through official channels, and from the fantastic content being produced by passionate gamers on their blogs, on YouTube, in forums, and on livestreaming services," he says.
Another aspect of the new games media is directly involving the readers and talking about culture of gaming, not just games. "Gaming is as much about culture as it is product, so we will endeavor to assert the personalities of that culture wherever possible. Gaming is about people, and what entertains them; not just "product." Our programming will (hopefully, or I'll be out of a job) find a balance between information and entertainment that works for you," he says, adding, "We will never be afraid to adapt. If something isn't working, we'll change it. Nothing we do is so precious that it should exist purely for the sake of legacy. As gamers, you are on the cutting edge of media consumption, and your tastes lead trends in the way that media is absorbed. We'll be watching you very closely, and taking your feedback very seriously. If we think a content type, or approach isn't working - we will adapt."
The new games media should also take the content to the gamers rather than wait for them to come to you. Davison concludes, "In the past, our mission was purely about bringing you to GameSpot. These days our job is to bring GameSpot to you. As such, we are creating and adapting content to push to YouTube, through Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ through live services like Twitch.TV and beyond. You are a vocal, passionate, and articulate bunch, and we want to give you the coverage you crave. We will bring you into the creative process wherever we can, and let your input, and feedback shape our content."
These are certainly interesting times for games media, and IndustryGamers will be curious to see how big websites like GameSpot ultimately adapt.
