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	[quote name="Ice Cream Jonsey"]Link: <a href="http://www.bluesnews.com/s/109127/fired-editor-alleges-rockstar-review-pressure">http://www.bluesnews.com/s/109127/fired-editor-alleges-rockstar-review-pressure</a> [quote]News.com.au tells the tale of Toby McCasker, a former deputy entertainment editor for the magazine ZOO Weekly, who claims he was fired for blowing the whistle on efforts by Rockstar Games to influence coverage of Red Dead Redemption. McCasker posted excerpts on Facebook of an email allegedly from Rockstar saying: "This is the biggest game we've done since GTA IV, and is already receiving Game of the Year 2010 nominations from specialists all around the world," going on to say: "Can you please ensure Toby's article reflects this — <b>he needs to respect the huge achievement he's writing about here.</b>" [/quote] Hahaha, I wish we had the name of who sent that from within Rockstar. A complete lack of irony when it comes to stating that an unfinished game is receiving GOTY nominations, the self-satisfied cluelessness of thinking they're in a position to make demands - it's all amazing. "Toby McCasker needs to respect this ACHIEVEMENT and if he knows anything about coding, implement save-anywhere before it ships." [quote]The Facebook posting is now removed, and McCasker is no longer with ZOO Weekly. "I did not sign up to become a journalist to write advertorials masquerading as editorial," he says. "This 'cash for comment' culture that is fast becoming the status quo within print media bothers me a lot."[/quote] Good for him. [quote]Kotaku has a response from ZOO editor Paul Merrill saying: "I would like to make it clear that at no time has Rockstar EVER sought a preferential review in return for advertising. [/quote] Well, sure - in the leaked e-mail advertising had nothing to do with it. Nobody said they were, you greasy shit. Way to take control of the scandal by rephrasing it. I guess this weak attempt at NLP works with the idiots you encounter at Kotaku, but fuck, they'll print anything. [quote]In fact no games company has ever suggested this.[/quote] Maybe not to an irrelevant magazine called "ZOO," but yes, game publishers have frequently attempted to leverage dollars and access for more favorable reviews. But OK, you're basically saying that Rockstar didn't write and demand that staff writers pretend to be wowed by their latest derivative palette swap. A WESTERN, AMAZING, I guess one way to get around a game engine that treats water as the most lethal substance in the galaxy is to use a setting that doesn't have any. [quote]Toby McCasker was sacked for a number of reasons, one of which was his decision to post a private email on his Facebook page.[/quote] So, Rockstar didn't send the laughably transparent and obvious payola mail, but you fired the only guy in the gaming press with integrity because he posted an e-mail Rockstar sent him. [quote]"[H]e should not be considered a credible source of information on this matter." [/quote] They'll be sure to be extra tough on Red Dead Redemption (what a terrible fucking title) and only give it a 97% to show how biases they're not. [quote]News.com.au also has a comment from Rockstar Games Australia: "We are not clear on what the story is here. We always try to present our games in the most compelling way to media and fans alike and of course we, like every other video game publisher in Australia or anywhere else for that matter, want to have our games seen in a positive light." [/quote] "We've done nothing wrong! Every publisher in the world attempts to treat game magazines and websites as an unpaid extension of their own sniveling PR department!" [quote]The article also says: "It is understood McCasker had earlier received two official warnings about his behaviour."[/quote] From what I heard, he brazenly plagiarized Max Payne and Deadwood; clearly there is no place for him in the world of video games. the dark and gritty...Ice Cream Jonsey![/quote]