The rumor mill is something around these parts we always take with a hefty bag of salt. We expect that anything regarding “next-gen” should always be viewed with a sideways glance and your head firmly fixed on the actual console makers for any confirmation or denial of said rumors. However, one rumor actually managed to make its way to every major news site out there and prove just how ridiculous internet news information can be.
GamesIndustry.biz has a recap of the situation, noting how the fake e-mail was sent out to every major gaming news site, signed by an “anonymous” Microsoft insider, which later spread to more mainstream websites, including a post on Yahoo! News.
The originator of the e-mail took to Tumblr after the events unfolded and explained that the whole fiasco and chaotic circle-jerking of hit masturbation was a machination he concocted on the premise of showing the community at large that no matter how big or small the site -- which included Yahoo! News who REALLY, REALLY should have known better -- was not too big to get duped by a simple e-mail message, writing...
"It's all about being first,""To get such news out (whether you believe it or not) before any other publication does, will guarantee you page impressions, and that all-important advertising revenue. Gaming 'journalism' is completely broken."By tagging a post with 'rumour', most writers/editors believe they can get away with spreading false information for their own benefits. They are the only ones to gain from such practices, whilst the gaming fans end up with speculation and, sometimes, outright lies.""This was a bit of an experiment to see just how easy it is to get a fake story taken seriously. And it is shockingly easy in the games industry."
Some sites just don't give a Mary Lou flying arse freckle because, as mentioned, it's all about masturbating hit manipulation. How many ways can you dupe readers with click-bait? How often can you get away with it before you get found out or the readership drops? How frequently can you get your pieces on Gnews to siphon hits at the top of the marks before the article gets removed?
It's about being first, just as the scammer brings out, almost in hurtfully honest fashion given that this is the same guy who just caused the gaming press to look as foolish as every gamer imagines the circle-jerk of non-journalism to be.
Anyway, I doubt this little episode will be remembered at all by the end of 2013, but I also doubt that this will be the last time this happens given that it's all about being first in the gaming news arena...the hits, the page views and the paychecks depend on it.
Microsoft, quite naturally, declined to comment and probably stood in their offices, holding their heads in shame at the media circus they have to deal with.
