Gamespot addresses the Gerstmann controversy

After the internet flooded with comments and a protest held involving the firing of Gamespot Editorial Director Jeff Gerstmann over his review of Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Gamespot address the issue last night (December 3, 2007) in a press release. The staff of Gamespot calling Gerstmann’s departure an end of an era:

“Jeff was a central figure in the creation and evolution of GameSpot, having written hundreds of previews and reviews, and anchoring much of our multimedia content,” Ricardo Torres, editorial director of previews and events, said. “The award-winning editorial team he leaves behind wish him nothing but good luck in his future endeavors.”

Of course many supporters of Gerstmann replied to the message agreeing that Gamespot was full of themselves, stating that Gerstmann’s departure will not effect GameSPot in any way.

“Neither CNET Networks nor GameSpot has ever allowed its advertising business to affect its editorial content,” said Greg Brannan, CNET Networks Entertainment’s vice president of programming. “The accusations in the media that it has done so are unsubstantiated and untrue. Jeff’s departure stemmed from internal reasons unrelated to any buyer of advertising on GameSpot.”

To ire the Gerstmann’s readers, the executive producer of GameSpot Live was tasked to respond as well.

“Though he will be missed by his colleagues, Jeff’s leaving does not affect GameSpot’s core mission of delivering the most timely news, video content, in-depth previews, and unbiased reviews in games journalism,” said Ryan MacDonald, executive producer of GameSpot Live. “GameSpot is an institution, and its code of ethics and duty to its users remains unchanged.”

To end the press release GameSpot had to quickly mention that the firing was not 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.

Read [GameSpot Release]