Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Toadstool1969 (talk | contribs) at 00:06, 5 December 2007 (Undid revision 175813334 by Sceptre (talk)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Jeff Gerstmann" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Jeff Gerstmann
Born	(1975-08-01) August 1, 1975 (age 49) Los Angeles, California
Occupation	Former editorial director of GameSpot
Nationality	American
Website
www.GameSpot.com

Jeff Gerstmann (born August 1 1975) is the former editorial director of the gaming website GameSpot. He began working at GameSpot in the fall of 1996, around the launch of VideoGameSpot when GameSpot separated PC and console games into separate areas. He shared his thoughts on a variety of other subjects every Monday on his GameSpot blog. He has also been quoted by the New York Times as a video game expert, and says that he owns over 2000 games .

Gerstmann is the founding member of the bands Headboard, The Suburban All-Stars, and Midnight Brown.

Jeff was largely part of the audio section of GameSpot. Most of the background music or intro music for shows is provided by instrumental tracks from Midnight Brown. In older video reviews at the end of the video the numerical score would be announced, Jeff also provided the voice for these scores. Additionally, Gerstmann's vocal stylings can be heard on the theme songs for Time Trotters (A single episode live-action series that was later revived in animated form), GameSpot's game show, Button Mashing, and Indievelopment: a video documentary following Echelon Software's progress on their game Black Powder Red Earth.

Gerstmann also appeared on ABC's T.V. show, Good Morning America as a guest in September 1999 to discuss the launch of Sega's Dreamcast gaming console.

The first game system Gerstmann owned was a Fairchild Channel F which his parents, who own an auto-repair and tire business, bought as there were some educational games available for it. After a flood ruined the system, he then purchased an Atari home computer and says that he owns over 2000 games .

He replaced Rich Gallup as the host of On the Spot.

Departure from GameSpot

Gerstmann was dismissed from his position at GameSpot as 'Editorial Director' on November 29, 2007. It has been speculated that Gerstmann was terminated due to external pressure from Eidos Interactive after he reviewed their game, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, and gave it a largely negative rating. Gerstmann rated the game 6.0 out of 10 which equates to "Fair" according to GameSpot's current video game rating system. After Gerstmann's written and video reviews were posted to the GameSpot website, Eidos promptly pulled their advertising campaign from the website. Additionally, Gerstmann's written review was edited and his video review was also pulled entirely from the website.

On 2007-11-30, CNET, the parent company for GameSpot, stated the company " not terminate employees based on external pressure from advertisers". Additionally, Eidos has denied involvement in the incident and regards it as an internal GameSpot matter. On 2007-12-03, GameSpot further stated "Due to legal constraints and the company policy of GameSpot parent CNET Networks, details of Gerstmann's departure cannot be disclosed publicly. However, contrary to widespread and unproven reports, his exit was not a result of pressure from an advertiser." Gerstmann has not yet commented on the reasons for his departure citing "legal reasons". . It has been speculated that if Gerstmann discusses the matter that he may jeopordize any severence he may receive from GameSpot.

There has been a large show of support for Jeff Gerstmann since his firing. Among other things, this support has included included an editorial and web comic by Penny-Arcade, picketing of the CNET offices by rival Ziff-Davis including 1UP writers, and the creation of GameSpot unions in support of Jeff Gerstmann.

References

1. Richtel, Matt (2007-01-31). "Nintendo's Wii, Radiating Fun, Is Eclipsing Sony Machine". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
2. Thomas, Aaron (2006-10-06). "Getting to Know GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
3. Thomas, Aaron (2006-10-06). "Getting to Know GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
4. Thomas, Aaron (2006-10-06). "Getting to Know GameSpot". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
5. Klepek, Patrick (2007-11-30). "GameSpot Fires Editorial Director". 1UP. Retrieved 2007-12-01.
6. Holkins, Jerry and Krahulik, Mike (2007-11-29). "The New Games Journalism". Penny Arcade. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
7. Gerstmann, Jeff (2007-11-13). "Kane & Lynch: Dead Men Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. Gerstmann, Jeff (2007-11-29). "Jeff Gerstmann Video Review of Kane and Lynch". YouTube. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
9. Orland, Kyle (2007-12-03). "Exclusive: Gertsmann speaks about K&L review, future". Joystiq. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
10. Faylor, Christ (2007-11-30). "CNET Denies 'External Pressure' Caused Gertsmann Termination". Shacknews. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
11. Gamestop Staff (2007-12-03). "Gerstmann, GameSpot part ways". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
12. Orland, Kyle (2007-12-03). "Exclusive: Gertsmann speaks about K&L review, future". Joystiq. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
13. Holkins, Jerry and Krahulik, Mike (2007-11-29). "The New Games Journalism". Penny Arcade. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
14. Linde, Aaron (2007-12-01). "Strength and honor! Ziff Davis rallies outside CNET offices". Destructoid. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
15. "Save Jeff Gerstmann Union". GameSpot. 2007-12-01. Retrieved 2007-12-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• Jeff Gerstmann at GameSpot
• Jeff Gerstmann at MySpace
• Jeff Gerstmann at TV.com
• The Suburban All-Stars
• Midnight Brown

• Video game journalists
• Living people
• 1975 births
• CNET Networks