MLG and ESPORTS Journalism

After watching the latest SOTG, and specifically the part about why they couldn't have journalists present at the event, I felt I wanted to make this blog. As for my background, I have been involved in esports in some way for the last five years and I'm currently on staff for compLexity, which have nothing to do with this post as this is my own personal opinion completely.

For a while now being an esports journalist has been one of the most under-appreciated things you can do. No one wants to pay you, no one really cares about you and it's hard to achieve recognition unless you do a web show that people watch and you rant loudly. It's really hard work and it takes years to get anywhere. And if you actually do, people are going to be upset when you actually speak your mind (See: Hellspawn's latest blog)

MLG definitely highlights this, as I feel that they are essentially spitting in the face of the press that help make them into what they are. If it wasn't for TeamLiquid, MLG would be completely impossible to keep track of as their website is complete garbage for instance, and the online warriors over at Liquipedia have an amazing staff that always do a fantastic job. I can understand space issues, but you're allowing players a +1 while shunning media? Really? I could understand limiting media, as they have done at previous MLG events (at a much higher volume) or only allowing handpicked media, but I feel they have gone way too far.

Adam did not explain why media were not able to come when so few requested a plus one at all. He did the MLG thing "I get it". Do you? Would it destroy the venue to have 1 guy from TL there? But that's not even the biggest issue right now with this organization.

My biggest problem is that they are not giving online passes to journalists. I asked a friend of mine if he had asked MLG for a pass, he had and they said they were out. Of an online pass, which has literally an infinite amount of stock. It baffles me that not only are they not granting people the right to cover their event, they are asking them to pay for the privilege of covering it. It honestly disgusts me how much they are shunning journalism for this specific event, and it is a problem highlighted in hellspawn's blog as well.

Being an esports journalist is one of the most fun things you can do in my opinion, but things like this just make me sad

Regardless, some organizations do it very right in my opinion, such as DreamHack. Incredible accommodations and access, so if anyone from DH is reading, hats off to you guys. Hope you let me in again so I can do interviews and such

I realize this is a bit similar to other things that have been posted, but it makes me frustrated as someone who has been trying to do content to see legitimate issues get waved away with "We get it".

Thank you for reading and keep in mind this is my very personal opinion and it is not affiliated with any organization I have worked with. Thanks again for sticking with me through this long thing

http://complexitygaming.com ° @Darthozzan on twitter

Lysenko United States. February 22 2012 20:21. Posts 2024

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Seemed pretty clear to me: they're going to be cramming people into their venue as it is. They probably also assumed that they'd have a certain number of players come alone whether there was an opportunity to bring a team manager or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism

Darthozzan Sweden. February 22 2012 20:26. Posts 128

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On February 22 2012 20:21 Lysenko wrote:
Seemed pretty clear to me: they're going to be cramming people into their venue as it is. They probably also assumed that they'd have a certain number of players come alone whether there was an opportunity to bring a team manager or not.

Even if they assumed, way less confirmed they'll be showing up. There are lots of esports journalists in New York, heck - TLHQ is in NY. Why not extend a last minute invitation? How about the issue of online passes?

Last edit: 2012-02-22 20:31:59

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Lysenko United States. February 22 2012 20:32. Posts 2024

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An online pass, to save $20? Even an esports journalist can spend $20. They can even deduct it later on their taxes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism

aebriol Norway. February 22 2012 20:41. Posts 2064

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... can I call myself a journalist and write some blog and get free access?

Even journalists aren't entitled to free stuff ... they might be used to getting it, but there's no rule that says they have to.

Darthozzan Sweden. February 22 2012 20:45. Posts 128

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On February 22 2012 20:41 aebriol wrote:
... can I call myself a journalist and write some blog and get free access?

Even journalists aren't entitled to free stuff ... they might be used to getting it, but there's no rule that says they have to.

You're not paying to be entertained, you're paying to do work, doesn't that seem backwards to you? I don't know of any organization that does this, makes people pay to advertise for them :[ I think journalists serve an important purpose in the esports ecosystem, but I guess you don't share my point of view and that's fine. It would be more acceptable if esports journalism was a real job and you could use that income to pay for the passes

As for the blog thing, yes, absolutely, if your blog meets certain standards and requirements. There are lots of amazing sites that started off as blogs ^^

Last edit: 2012-02-22 20:46:58

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iGrok United States. February 22 2012 21:28. Posts 4249

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On February 22 2012 20:45 Darthozzan wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +
It would be more acceptable if esports journalism was a real job and you could use that income to pay for the passes

If eSports Journalism was your primary means of income, then maybe you could talk about paying to work. As is, its not really a profession (though it is certainly a job) - therein lies the distinction that means you have to pay for your pass.

Honestly, this part ruined your blog. You ended with your weakest point, which is just bad writing.

Last edit: 2012-02-22 21:29:48

JustPassingBy February 22 2012 22:04. Posts 6269

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I also don't see why MLG should hand out free passes to the press.
I mean, if they would do it, that would definitely be a nice move which would benefit them ultimatively.
However not doing so shouldn't cause an outrage either.

As for why not allowing press being live at the venue, that I truly don't understand.

Wunder Malaysia. February 22 2012 22:21. Posts 2572

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I haven't watched the latest SOTG, so I can't speak much on their stance or whatever was said, but I did read Hellspawn's blog and

It's really hard work and it takes years to get anywhere. And if you actually do, people are going to be upset when you actually speak your mind (See: Hellspawn's latest blog)

This really bothers me, along with Hellspawn's recent twitter posts. Being a journalist does not mean speaking your mind. It means writing the news as it comes. Opinion has no factor in journalism and if you make a blog post about a certain issue then that immediately becomes personal opinion, and not journalism in any way. That being said, it is a bit upsetting to not even allow a couple of journalists to be at the first MLG Arena, given all the controversy surrounding it - one would hope MLG would want more transparency, press and publicity to show the public that the arena was a success, and not shroud it in mystery or biased opinions.

@joonjoewong

mki Poland. February 22 2012 22:35. Posts 661

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Websites that have been confirmed time and time again as reliable of giving quality coverage should be given free online passes. It's absolutely stupid and ridiculous of MLG to do otherwise.

My only guess is that MLG wants to be the EXCLUSIVE provider of coverage to bring more hits on their website, streams, etc. This is all in their right, but from prior experience we all know that MLG isn't top notch in doing event coverage.

Last edit: 2012-02-22 22:37:39

mki Poland. February 22 2012 22:39. Posts 661

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On February 22 2012 22:21 Wunder wrote:
I haven't watched the latest SOTG, so I can't speak much on their stance or whatever was said, but I did read Hellspawn's blog and

Show nested quote +

You are so wrong. Journalists are well in their right to publish opinionated pieces. Have you ever read The Economist?

Darthozzan Sweden. February 22 2012 23:24. Posts 128

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I don't see how you could make the case that journalists should be covered offline but not online, that doesn't make sense to me

It's easier for them to give out online passes anyways, since it's not a direct loss, only potential loss.

Just to clarify, this post isn't me nagging or whatever that I didn't get a pass that I feel entitled to. It's not. I did not ask, I do not need one as I will not be working this event and covering it or writing live reports or whatever. If I want to enjoy the event, I can indeed buy a pass myself. I feel that people like TeamLiquid and other great sites that provide quality coverage and do real work need to not have to pay for the privilege to do more unpaid work lol

As for journalistic opinions, there is a time and place for it. A blog is definitely a place to express a personal opinion. Reporting news is only one facet of being a journalist.

Last edit: 2012-02-22 23:27:44

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aebriol Norway. February 22 2012 23:36. Posts 2064

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On February 22 2012 22:35 mki wrote:
Websites that have been confirmed time and time again as reliable of giving quality coverage should be given free online passes. It's absolutely stupid and ridiculous of MLG to do otherwise.

My only guess is that MLG wants to be the EXCLUSIVE provider of coverage to bring more hits on their website, streams, etc. This is all in their right, but from prior experience we all know that MLG isn't top notch in doing event coverage.

It is not uncommon when games are released to give it out only to selected gaming websites to test. Not every site gets one.

I am sure it's the same for a lot of things.

Just calling yourself a journalist does not give you the right to get free access to anything anywhere or get free copies. You will get those things, if the people giving it out decides it's worthwhile for promotional purposes, but you have no real reason to complain if you don't.

It's up to them to decide whether or not it's worth it.

QuanticHawk United States. February 23 2012 00:22. Posts 21282

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You can debate the fact of whether or not the op or others are legit journalists, bloggers, members of the press or whatever, but the bottom line is that it is really fucking stupid to turn away someone from a recognized media outlet or blog that will provide free publicity, especially for something that is not established like the NFL, MLB, NHL etc etc.

not that some shitblogger.wordpress.com blog should be getting credentials, but the op is definitely right about it being dumb if he is correct that tl and other popular outlets were not invited or given passes.

PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA

CPTBadAss United States. February 23 2012 01:45. Posts 593

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I haven't heard SOTG but I did catch a second interview with Sundance on StimCast with Tumba. It was done the day after the LO3 interview. Sundance had said that he didn't invite a lot of the normal esports journalists because he had invited journalists from places like USAToday, Reuters, and TechCrunch. I also heard Ret complain on the EG practice stream that the only +1's allowed were the team managers.

I still think MLG should've invited people from the normal coverage sites such as TL and yourself. I just thought i'd share the information.

In case you're interested in hearing this for yourself, I believe it was Stimcast #16 but it hasn't been posted yet.
http://www.stim.tv/category/stimcast-2/

I'll keep on struggling, 'cause that's the measure of a man | "That was the plan: To give him some hope, and then crush him" -Stephano

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