Full Disclosure 2

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to let you know of two things you may consider a conflict of interest.

First, I recently did a mock review of the upcoming game Alpha Protocol. I know I said in the past that I wouldn't be doing these anymore, but, to be straight-up honest with you, I needed to find some paying work -- mainly because of personal financial pressure (because any money we've been making for Bitmob is going right back into Bitmob, so I myself haven't made a dime since we launched May of last year).

In the previous comments, some of you mentioned you don't see this as a problem, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't disclose this as a journalist. A marketing firm representing Sega asked if I could provide some direct feedback on an early version of the game -- a mock review. I will receive payment from them for these services.

As a result, I personally won't cover the game now, and I won't provide any public commentary on it. Any Bitmob coverage of this product will have to come from one of the other guys, and I won't offer any input on how we should cover it.

Second, I'm moderating a panel at next week's Game Developer's Conference. All panelists and speakers at GDC just received an email alerting us we'll be receiving a free Android phone as a gift. Now, I'm not sure if this is any sort of conflict of interest, as I'm receiving this from the show organizers, not for covering anything, not as media, but for working a panel. It's definitely a gray area....

So there you go. In the end, you guys have to judge for yourself what's right or wrong. I welcome your questions and feedback in the comments below.

Tags: Bitmob

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Lawrence Sonntag

March 02, 2010

I'm a game writer myself and times are hella tough.

Dude, if you need to eat, make that check. You won't get a furrowed brow from me.

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Jeff Grubb

If it is a Nexus One I'll take it!

In all seriousness, as long as you keep doing this I don't have issues and continue to learn from your example.

Heather Hawkins

Aw, MAN! I came all the way over here from Facebook and this is the juiciest you've got?

Isaiah Taylor

put me on your plan so I can use your phone as well as your minutes. Then and only thing will you be 'clean' in my eyes.

Jazz English

If only there was more discloser like this in games journalism. It isn't that the grey areas need to be avoided entirly but they do need to be known by the audience. Thanks Shoe!

Omar Ather

I feel like I'm reading a medical journal now.

lol

from reading what you've written in the past, I feel safe saying that the ships hull and integrity is still intact. Keep it br00tal honesty and unmerciful.

Evan Campbell

I think we appreciate it more that you tell us this stuff than we actually care about the conflicts of interest.

Any chance you guys want to bring one of us to GDC with you?

Omri Petitte

It's extremely refreshing to be met with such a high level of transparency and forthrightness within the industry. Still, I can't help but to feel a little jealous on your new gizmo. A close friend of mine recently got handed a Nexus under similar conditions -- I think I'm missing out on something here. :)

Ken Brennan

It's refreshing to see this sort of transparency.

Good job, keep it up.

Alex Martin

March 03, 2010

Thanks for telling us. It's only a problem if you keep it a secret. But then we wouldn't know so it wouldn't be a problem. Hmm.

Jack Bogdan

http://drp.ly/wdC5 That's what I call targeted advertising!

Toby Davis

I don't see a problem with any of it ... Just keep doing those paying gigs as I would hate to hear about your personal financial pressure bursting

Rich McGrath

You better send me that Nexus One or Bitmob may have a sudden server crash for some strange reason. :-)

Brett Bates

That's interesting they're giving you a phone -- the GDC organizers went out of their way NOT to give phones to the press (and good for them for that):

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/attend-gdc-get-a-free-android-phone-attend-as-press-get-bent/

Chris Whitehead

Candor is important, and I appreciate your openness, Shoe. But I don't think these paid gigs are morally contentious. In other words, I hope you don't lose sleep over these "full disclosure" situations. Get paid, by all means.

Keith Schloemer

Shoe, you bring high standards of excellence and objectivity to the gaming media space. In fact, that's one of the reasons I stopped reading other magazines altogether. A militant sense of impartiality is a part of who you are, and when it is manifested into what you demand of others, the place you create becomes a welcome respite from the rest of drivel out there.

In my book, you didn't need to write this disclosure (or the last ones), but that's exactly why you are good for gaming and the gaming media. While you were the Big Cheese at EGM, I recall a "Letter from the Editor" you penned defending EGM's morals and drawing a line in the sand -- EGM would not be swayed by publishers swag or hurt feelings. That was about a year and a half ago. I remember it vividly and you gained my complete respect that day.

Get paid, man. We all deserve to get compensated for the skills we bring to the table!