Video game outlet Niche Gamer took to social media to claim it would be punished by PR firms working for video game developers if it covers Elon Musk criticizing Xbox’s Global Product Marketing Manager’s recent comments about gamers.
A screenshot from Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2020), 343 Industries
Back on March 27th, Kelly Lombardi, Xbox’s Global Product Marketing Manager posted on X, “Raise your hand if you’re not a white man and you buy video games.”
She added, “(No hate to white dudes, it’s just another day in the gaming industry that minorities have to fight to prove they exist).”
Kelly Lombardi on X
As noted by YouTuber Vara Dark, Lombardi deleted the post explaining, “I deleted my last tweet because it was poorly worded, lacked context and didn’t accurately reflect how I feel.”
“The gaming industry is incredibly diverse and the more voices we have creating, watching, and playing games the better,” she continued. “There’s room for everyone.”
Kelly Lombardi on X
Musk reacted to Lombardi’s first post writing, “It should not be acceptable for any company in the gaming industry to be racist & sexist against ‘white guys.’”
It should not be acceptable for any company in the gaming industry to be racist & sexist against “white guys” https://t.co/FavbIIYuFa
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2024
Niche Gamer took to X to explain why they would not be covering Musk’s post on its website. The outlet posted, “While we do agree with the base sentiment of gaming companies ‘overplaying their hands’ per se, unfortunately we can’t cover this particular story or more stories like it, without potentially getting punished by the PR firms hired by those same game companies, who we have to rely on to get access to videogames for review and coverage purposes. (Ranging from smaller devs, to mid-size operations to even AAA game companies/publishers alike)”
Because a lot of those same PR people support the people who hold these similar views like what Elon is referring to here, We’re already having significant issues and experiencing roadblocks regarding getting access to AAA titles, because we have covered the Sweet Baby Inc stories alone. It’s quite unfortunate,” the outlet concluded.
While we do agree with the base sentiment of gaming companies ”overplaying their hands” per se, unfortunately we can’t cover this particular story or more stories like it, without potentially getting punished by the PR firms hired by those same game companies, who we have to… https://t.co/6D7Trj24cF
— Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) March 29, 2024
In a follow-up post explaining their decision the outlet wrote, “We made this post last night because we’re fed up of the status quo, to anyone saying we’re ‘bending the knee’ this post is to say we’re not. Making that post will already irritate the people causing us issues and it’s time we stopped placating them.”
“We’re committed to free expression and enthusiast press. That means we want people to make and play the games they want to play, and we want to share the news you care about. That’s what we stand for, and that’s what we’re going to do,” it stated.
We made this post last night because we’re fed up of the status quo, to anyone saying we’re “bending the knee” this post is to say we’re not. Making that post will already irritate the people causing us issues and it’s time we stopped placating them.
We’re committed to free… https://t.co/1Uq352gAkq
— Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) March 29, 2024
Interestingly, Vara Dark reacted to Niche Gamer’s original post writing, “Xbox, Playstation, Warner Bros Games, Square Enix, Capcom, Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, Amazon Games, companies I have received denials from for game codes. Most of these give codes to creators with reaches far smaller than mine.”
She continued, “So why deny me? I criticize their business practices. Have I stopped livestreaming games? No. Have I stopped covering the ridiculous things these companies do? No. Because I just run their roadblocks over.”
“By saying ANYTHING negative about them, you’re on their s**tlist. Even a statement like this will get you kicked out of their sphere. I’m only successful and able to stream so many games + cover so many topics because of my amazing audience. It would never be worth it in a million years to go against who supports me for a few codes or press releases,” she concluded.
Xbox, Playstation, Warner Bros Games, Square Enix, Capcom, Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, Amazon Games, companies I have received denials from for game codes. Most of these give codes to creators with reaches far smaller than mine.
So why deny me? I criticize their business practices.… https://t.co/xCGeqHIXFV— Vara Dark (@Vara_Dark) March 29, 2024
Jeremy Griggs of Geeks + Gamers also reacted writing, “This is a strange response that ultimately won’t help them keep “access” Bottom line, if you bend the knee in any capacity, they own you forever. Either shill for that access and stay quiet or call the bulls**t out and live with being called racist and sexist like we do. The fans will figure out who’s authentic and who isn’t.”
This is a strange response that ultimately won’t help them keep “access”
Bottom line, if you bend the knee in any capacity, they own you forever.
Either shill for that access and stay quiet or call the bullshit out and live with being called racist and sexist like we do.
— DDayCobra (@DDayCobra) March 29, 2024
Gears of War 4 (2016), The Coalition
What do you make of Niche Gamer admitting they will be punished if it reports on Elon Musk criticizing Kelly Lombardi?
