Whether you like it or not, the idea of “influencers” isn’t going anywhere. They’ve always been around – some people are more interesting to a wider audience than others, and those people will sometimes be offered free stuff or payment to promote specific products. Realistically, we are all influencers to some degree, right? I mean, the stuff any of us write on our social media or tell friends at braais can influence their view of things. But how do these personalities shape the industry itself?
Recently, more and more of those who are meant to be reporting on the gaming news have, themselves, become the focus of it. From gaming journalists whose parody personas were recreated in games without their consent, to rants from gaming personalities leading to potential lawsuits and even that whole issue about the Kotaku blacklisting leading to renewed questions about gaming journalism ethics and privilege.
It’s not just gaming journalists who are getting brought into the mix, though. Here is a hilarious example of when influencer marketing goes wrong courtesy of Breaking Benjamin’s Benjamin Burnley:
But just how important are these instances of backlash, or even approval from gaming personalities and influencers? Research keeps saying that critical reviews are the most important for sales, but surely there must be some brand value in engaging with a range of celebrities and influencers, too. Then again, I’m not really too sure I’d take Burnley’s gaming opinions to heart anyway – much as I might enjoy Breaking Benjamin’s music, that isn’t exactly my go to source for gaming information.
Are there personalities and influencers you value over others? For example, I love Yahtzee’s Zero Punctuation game reviews, but they don’t particularly form any opinions I might have about a game. They are simply fun to watch and rather entertaining. And I will never stop teasing Alessandro for getting excited about meeting some “famous” gaming journalists at E3.
It’s not that other people’s opinions don’t matter – there are plenty of journalists and influencers who opinions I value, but I’m just not sure that they have much of an impact on the industry itself, but rather just add to the overload of information and opinion I consume each day.
Last Updated: November 27, 2015
Darren Peach
November 27, 2015 at 14:40
I think it’s more a question of whether their influence is fair and concise or just paid for by whatever publisher. But if there is a popular movement to have something implemented in a game by the community, I would say it is easy for gaming personalities to ride the crest of that wave.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 14:43
influencers… or as I like to call them, those that point out the bullshit for the blind.
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:25
Someone needs to point at Uplay/Uclub
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 14:51
NOPE, they are a drop in the Ocean, as their followers, us, the fanatics only represent a small minority of the gaming culture. 90% of gamers are casual, they buy a game because the box art is nice.
Otherwise, us, the fanatics would not be bitching about everything and there will be no micro transactions, DLC, broken games, patches, season passes…. so on and so on.
They dont give a shit because the 90% of gamers dont give a shit.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 14:58
It’s like there’s a few of us enjoying a swimming pool and then people started hearing about the pool and they bring other people who all piss and litter in the pool and the publishers see gate sales for the pool increase and think, why clean it?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 27, 2015 at 14:59
They’ll sell you the cleaning materials on site. 😉
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 14:59
Im playing with the creepy crawly.
HvR
November 27, 2015 at 15:04
In fact game dev will charge you more since with all the piss the pool levels have risen so you are getting more.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 15:04
lol
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:10
lol
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:25
Jim is awesome!
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:26
All financed by Pay Pal. So he can do what the hell he likes.
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:27
And he has a brain on him too.
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:33
Its fascinating watching those kind of personas evolve the last 10 years. From the innocence of the social media age of 2007 to the seriousness of today.
Jim is actually having a hard time as an Indie as he has no corporate clout to back his juvenile persona. Also, 10 years is a long time. He has the loyal fanbase who understand his humour. Then he has to deal with warding off the new gen, the kids who were 5 when he started who find everything offensive.
Its hard work. But he seems the most resilient of the bunch.
I mean look at LG, how its changed over the last 7 years and how our communication in the community has changed.
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:34
Last three years even.
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:34
Even the ION girls had to go. 🙁
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:37
Oh yea. Forgot about those.
But it goes with the territory. As Lagz got more popular it needed to hold a certain standard, I guess.
All press isn’t good press for something like a gaming site.
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:39
Yip, even George Lukas, a man famous for being his own had to sell his soul, TO A FUCKING MOUSE. Not long until Tarantino signs up with Hollywood.
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:41
I think it bothers me more that Disney chose EA for their games.
They don’t know their customers, they don’t know the fans of SW. They’re just giving us a Disney level of standards franchise, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I would hate for it to take away that real SW charm.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 15:43
Disney asked EA one question. Can you make us money? EA smiled and signed
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:46
EA said: “Yes we can make us, uhm, we mean you, money.”
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 16:04
Even with a podium of Golden Poop in the background of the office lol
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 16:13
hahaha
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:53
says one of the 10%ers who give a shit. Remember how the hardcore gamers were all swept under the carpet after years of financially backing these companies, only to be replaced by the casual market because gaming became social acceptable all of a sudden in 2006.
We gave Nintendo the financial clout to go ahead with their Blue Ocean bollocks 🙁 RIP Gamecube. All we can do is sit on the side lines and moan like the 2 old muppets in the box 😛
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:56
Yea man. It’s true.
If only gaming actually becomes socially acceptable in SA also. Give it another 5 to 10 years.
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 16:01
It will never. SA is jock territory. Sport is our religion. Gaming in SA is like Atheism. Everybody keeps to themselves. I know people who still frown at me while wondering why I still play T.V. Games at 40 lol
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 16:05
A girl at work told me the other day, with great disgust, that the one girl they interviewed said she’s a gamer.
F#ck em.
People also look at me like I’ve grown a third eye when I tell them I didn’t watch a single game of the rugby world cup.
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 16:09
SA is still very traditional. I remember all rock n roll like KISS was banned in the 80s because it was classified as satanic. Even D&D the board game was banned. That was only 30 years ago. When I emigrated to England in 1990 it was like traveling into the future 30 years. The first thing we did was buy a Nintendo because it was cool and proudly displayed at every electronic store front window.
SA is old school. The girl should have said that she watches Isidingo in her spare time.
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 16:11
Yea. I remember by parents telling me D&D is satanic. But probably because that’s what everyone said and no one even knew what it was.
I think she watches 7de Laan. So that probably says enough.
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:43
Neva! You Crazy 8 mothafucker!
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:46
Shame, this dude sold a lifetimes collection the day after Lucas sold out.
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:47
Well, let’s be honest.
From what we’ve seen so far, it’s looking miles better than even the trailer of Episode 1 did.
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:49
Im a Babylon 5 guy. Dont care 😛
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:49
LOL
I’m a firefly guy….but Star Wars will always hold a special place in my heart.
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:54
Golden Bikini will always hold my special place 😉
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:57
XD
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:36
Yeah, it went from a community of gamers to … wait, hang on, need to close this ad, and that, and that one too, and this fucking ad, and fuck that one too… http://i.imgur.com/vdLE8dJ.gif
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:37
lol
BakedBagel
November 29, 2015 at 09:01
I would argue that TB has far more swing on public opinion that Jim will ever have.
But thats just my opinion :p
Kappa
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:30
I like PayPal.
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:32
I bet it’s the closest to one you have *runs
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:33
NO!
But….I do pay for the others also. :/
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 27, 2015 at 14:58
Celebrity endorsement type crap? Only if you’re completely ignorant of the stuff they’re shilling.
The dogwhistle works much better: Buy this game, because “they” don’t want you to have it / “they” want to ban it / it’ll make “them” mad / stick it to “the man” / etc
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:25
Also, for most of these gaming sites, its their livelihood, being blacklisted for shitting on a game is taking food out of their mouths. So yes, Im sure most of them all take bribes. Good for them. In the greater scheme of things it does not matter if their honesty is tarnished. Its all forgotten 2 months down the line.
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:24
Hopefully top left corner of the header and not bottom left.
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 15:25
Bottom left side can GITSOE
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:26
Get in the sea of ?
eggplants?
euphemisms?
elephants?
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 15:26
Europa
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/europa/docs/EuropaCutawayCarroll_700.jpg
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:27
hahahahahaha
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 15:27
XD
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:28
That is the funniest thing you have ever done. EVER. You should feel shame because of that *runs
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 15:40
Totally worth it
Captain JJ never changes
November 27, 2015 at 15:28
Hahaha
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:43
While the core is heated by Kardasians bum.
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:44
lol
Hammersteyn
November 27, 2015 at 15:44
All that methane O_o
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:27
ebucks?
oVg
November 27, 2015 at 15:36
Get in my bed 😉
RinceThis
November 27, 2015 at 15:26
I really don’t think their influence is that important on those with more than 2 brain cells.