Observer: IGNorance is Bliss

A Curious Sequence of Events Gets the Observer thinking “Why Is IGN so down on the Nintendo DS?”

So the Japanese launch of the Nintendo DS is upon us, and it seems that our friends in the mainstream press are already up to their usual dirty tricks.

Let’s take for example, the curious way in which IGN.com covered the Japanese Nintendo DS launch. It’s quite a revealing story to say the least. Come in and read a tale of obvious media bias. Learn the truth about IGN, and why no self respecting Nintendo fan should ever visit that site.

To put it bluntly, I’ve always felt that IGN and its staff have a grudge against Nintendo and its fans. This may be my own personal opinion, but after reading the following, you may find yourself feeling the exact same way.

JUAN CASTRO AND THE IGN DS MAILBAG:

November 29, 2004 

The drama begins just a few days earlier, when writer Juan Castro, usually known for his “hired gun” work on IGN.CUBE, was asked to fill in for Craig Harris answering that evenings “Nintendo DS Mailbag.”

Juan’s comments would end up revealing his blatantly obvious personal bias. Of course, after reading the rant that would follow, you knew exactly where he stood.

His ignorant and, quite frankly, insulting tone towards the Nintendo DS fan base would touch off a fire storm of debate that would lead right in to the Japanese launch day debacle.

Now you must remember Juan’s infamous “DS Mailbag Column” came just days after the US Nintendo DS launch. Nintendo DS owners are full of important, unanswered questions.  However instead of addressing those questions, he chooses to write a column about “N64 Ports, Damaged DS Units, and of course, his glowing love for the Sony PSP.”

You knew right from the headline that we were in for trouble:

"This time around, we tackle damaged DS units, N64 ports and Sony PSP."

Then the article continues with questions about Wave Race and the PSP. Being a DS owner, it seems that there would be more pressing issues at hand, questions with greater importance than this. Especially considering that the system JUST launched.

However, none of this means anything to Juan as he continues in a RANT about his love for the PSP:

“In the end, having a dedicated game system is cool enough, but saying a competitively priced handheld with great visuals that can play movies and music can't compete against a similarly priced system with lesser graphic capabilities and lacking a movie and music player doesn't make any sense. The PSP will compete against the DS. And for the first time, the outcome isn't necessarily leaning in favor of Nintendo.”

What, is he trying to sell us something? I have a feeling he may end up eating these words. Even if he doesn’t, it seems to me that writing something like this in a Nintendo DS column is bound to piss off the fan base. Readers want to hear from people who SHARE their enthusiasm for a certain console.

Then he continues:

“You may not want a system that plays movies and music, but I sure do, and I think most people will as well.” 

From this point he goes on a nonsensical rant about his love affair with convergence.

Interestingly enough, when I returned to this article so that I might provide a link to it here, I found, much to my surprise, that it had been REMOVED FROM THE SITE.

Gee, I wonder why?

The Japanese Nintendo DS Launch Part One, “As seen through the eyes of IGN”:

December 01, 2004

System launches in Japan are unusual phenomenon. Crazed fans will line up for hours, if not days in some cases, just to be the first to get their hands on a hot new system. 

In the case of IGN’s first article on the Japanese launch, you would think that the launch was almost a failure. Of course, as you will soon learn, nothing could be further from the truth.

Here are some interesting quotes from the first IGN article concerning the Japanese launch:

IGN’s headline reads:

NDS Launches in Japan

Gamers sleep in due to bitter cold.

Written By: Anoop Gantayat 

“There wasn't too much touching going on as we arrived at a cluster of retailers in Tokyo's Shibuya district at around 6:45AM. The large Bic Camera outside the "Hachiko" exit from the JR train station had around 30 people lined up. Things were very quiet at the nearby Tsutaya outlet, where all of five people had lined up in anticipation of the 7:00AM launch”

In contrast, the Dragon Quest VIII launch from earlier in the week was much more of an event. On Saturday morning, 300 people lined up outside Tsutaya early in the morning to pick up Dragon Quest VIII, even though many had already preordered the game. At least one hundred formed lengthy lines at both Bic Camera outlets in Shibuya, a scene that was repeated at some of the more well-known retailers throughout the city.

“So is the quiet launch an indication that Japanese game fans just are not interested in this latest Nintendo hardware?”

(Of course not but that’s what they are trying to imply.)

“That may not necessarily be the case. Today was the coldest morning thus far of the Winter season (it'll probably get colder just in time for the PSP launch in a couple of weeks). Combine the cold with the fact that it's a standard business day, and it isn't too hard to understand why only the hardcore game nuts would line up for the system, especially if they'd pre-ordered via Nintendo's well organized pre-order program.”

“We'd describe the Japanese DS launch as boring. Then again, we presume we'll look back upon it fondly next week when we're fighting off crowds to get one of the few available PSP units (major retailers Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera have announced that they won't be taking pre-orders for the system).

“Stay tuned to IGNPSP for launch coverage of a different flavor on 12/12.”

First, notice they mention the PSP not once but TWICE? And what’s with this comment:

“launch coverage of a different flavor on 12/12.”

Second, although they describe the launch as “boring” they also tell you that Nintendo ran a “well organized pre-order program.” In my opinion, Nintendo should be praised for running one of the best pre-order campaigns to date. Of course, this is only mentioned as an after thought in IGN’s coverage.

Truthfully fans, which would you prefer?

Standing in line for hours hoping to get lucky, or being able to pick up a new system without any real trouble?

In many ways, only suckers stand in line. Being from Los Angles, the club capital of the USA, this statement has real meaning to me.

Either way, this article alone wasn’t really enough to bother me, although it does seem to downplay the Japanese DS launch. Its what came after this article that really got me wondering.

See for yourselves.

The Japanese Nintendo DS Launch Part TWO, “Face saving Spin”: 

Just a day later IGN decided to run a second article on the Japanese DS launch. Apparently, too many people knew the truth about the DS and its surprisingly strong Japanese launch. Yes, this wasn’t the most exciting launch in console history, but fans DID come out in droves and the system sold like crazy, despite what IGN said in their first article. Here’s another piece written by Anoop Gantayat. 

December 02, 2004

 The Title of this second article reads:

 Nintendo Ships 500,000 to Japan

Company comments on initial sales as IGN Japanese correspondent learns that there is Tokyo outside of Shibuya 

“There was apparently a bit more buzz from the first day of NDS sales than our original story may have suggested. Crowds exceeding 100 did indeed form at the main retail locations in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro areas for retail giants Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera. Unfortunately, Shibuya (our place of choice for all launch coverage) didn't draw too much fanfare, leaving us with a lonely first chat session.”

So maybe they just chose to go to the wrong place? Or maybe, they deliberately CHOSE to ignore the reality of the situation? We will never know the real truth, but I think the evidence against them is starting to pile up. 

If you ask me, this second article is nothing more than face saving spin. Too many people made comments that contradicted IGN’s first article on the subject, so just a day later; they decided to publish this piece of garbage hoping to rescue their already ailing “credibility.”

And as we would soon learn the Nintendo DS sold an estimated 230,000 units on DAY ONE. It seems pretty obvious to me that the DS launch in Japan was a tremendous success, despite the lack of long lines.

IGN Gives Nintendo DS Fans a LUMP OF COAL:

Later that evening, IGN decided to show its readers exactly where their loyalties lie. On the front page of IGN an article with a very suspicious title was posted. This article came on the heels of “Juan’s Infamous Mailbag Comments” and just after the Japanese DS launch articles were posted.

The articles title:

"The 12 Days of PSP" 

"IGN DS give you a lump of coal today? Here's pure joy"

If you want to avoid claims of media bias, this isn’t the way to do it.  Here’s an easy question for you; what is the average Nintendo fan supposed to think when they read something like this? Even the most levelheaded impartial observer would find this one suspicious to say the least.

Just the title of this article alone is enough to tell you exactly how IGN and its staff feel about Nintendo and its fans. Why would they even address the DS fan base in an article about the PSP? And posting this headline on the top page of their website almost seems like a deliberate insult and provocation to Nintendo fans everywhere. 

Of course, IGN hasn’t ever done anything like this before have they? They wouldn’t dump on their own fan base, would they? As you will soon learn, sleazy behavior like this is commonplace over at IGN.

Craig Harris and his Angry Response to the fans:

Just days after Juan Castro’s now infamous mailbag column, the Editor in Chief of IGNDS, Craig Harris, fired off an angry and insulting response to Nintendo fans everywhere. Unfortunately, up until this point Craig was one of my favorite IGN writers. 

“Man, I thought the defensive GameCube fanbase had a bunch of nutcases. But apparently this blind Nintendo faith has trickled into the Nintendo DS population. You guys are absolutely vicious. Where were you during the Game Boy Advance launch?

Here's just a sampling of e-mails and board posts that have been going on the past few days, in response to IGNcube's Juan Castro appearance in the DS mailbag, and IGN Japan's Anoop Gantayat's recent report of his personal experience on the streets of Tokyo picking up his system.”

From this point, Craig goes on the rampage attacking fans left and right.

In defense of Juan:

“First of all, in defense of our beloved Mr. Castro: he's an individual with individual opinions. It's called personal preference, people. Juan isn't a mindless drone whose beliefs are completely locked simply to make Nintendo fanboys happy.”

First of all, no one ever said we want a mindless cheerleader reporting the news. The readers of IGNDS come to the site to read about the DS and NOT the PSP. Apparently, that doesn’t matter to Craig as his patronizing tone implies. He also doesn’t seem to realize that not all Nintendo fans are “fanboys.”

He continues:

“If you want a sunny, happy view of the Nintendo DS system, send your browser to Nintendo.com and never leave that site. As much as many folks over here at IGN like the system, you're not going to read a glowing one-sided impression of the system...even on the DS channel of IGN. I'm the guy that's running the channel, and even I'm not blind to the shortcomings of Nintendo's "third tier." 

This is all well and good, but you would NEVER hear about the shortcomings of the PSP. Nor would PSPIGN tell you to visit another site. Essentially in this passage, Craig tells the fans “It’s my way or the highway” in the most insulting way he possibly can.

In defense of the Japanese DS Launch DS Coverage Craig Says:

“And as for Anoop. His article wasn't meant to be an end-all be-all report of the state of Japan's Nintendo DS launch yesterday. He hit the streets as an independent observer, and produced a first-hand report of his feelings regarding what he experienced. Regardless of what Japan gaming sites are reporting, he didn't get the same experience, and he hit some of the same locations that are usually bustling with excitement during game product launches in Tokyo.” 

At this point, his comments are simply more face saving spin. To me, it seems like he’s almost admitting that his field reporter has no credibility. 

On the subject of Anoop Gayat:

“He put in some PSP zingers into his article which certainly kicked up a beehive of excitement and anger, but you know what? Ignorance is way too blissful, folks, and I think it benefits the market as a whole to acknowledge potential competition.”

Of course, you hardly ever see IGNPSP “acknowledge potential competition.”

Nor would they ever take such a hostile and self-righteous tone with their own fans.

And I agree that competition IS good for fans everywhere. Right now you are reading an article written by a gamer who owns over 30 consoles, not including doubles.

Still I just don’t think Craig’s attitude is called for. And what he did next REALLY pissed me off.

But before we get to that part here’s the rest of Craig’s angry mailbag rant:

“So, here's a shocker for you to mull over: when someone asks me if I recommend getting a Nintendo DS for the holidays, you know what I tell them? No. Save the cash and wait until next year.”

So the editor of IGN.DS isn’t even in favor of the system? He also seems to forget that the Holiday Season is the ONLY time of year, other than say a birthday, that many younger gamers will have the chance to get their hands on the DS. But here he is telling people to wait?!

Here’s the weak excuse he provides:

“As much as I'm totally interested and excited in the potential direction of the Nintendo DS system, I think that, at least in North America, the actual launch support is entirely too weak for a system with so much reported potential.” 

This last comment is funny. Although the strength or weakness of the system’s launch titles can be endlessly debated, for the most part, all of the DS owners I know LOVE the system and are extremely happy with the games they own.

I just feel that Craig’s response is out of touch with the average fan. He takes the position of an elitist, in my opinion, one that truly doesn’t know what gamers want or need. 

Finally he climbs back on the high horse and finishes with this:

“But it's pretty darn ignorant, both personally and professionally, to not acknowledge competing product and the strengths and weaknesses each platform has. Every IGN editor, regardless of their position on the gaming site, has opinions that might not mesh with your own beliefs...and you're just going to have to accept that not everyone thinks the same way you do.

And I would be doing the handheld community a disservice if I forced all of IGN's DS-related coverage to blindly ignore the system's closest competition.”

Let’s repeat this statement for the millionth time, since Craig just doesn’t seem to get it.

Most Nintendo fans DON’T want a cheerleader.

We want someone who is objective and informative at the same time. We also want someone who is genuinely excited about the topics they choose to cover. That’s not much to ask. It’s always fun to read an article by someone who shares your own enthusiasm.

Attacking fans and constantly praising the competition is NOT what most readers want to see.

Craig Harris Trolls the Nintendo DS Forums:

Later that evening, Craig reaches a new low. Of course, as you will soon learn, this is nothing new for the staff of IGN.com.

Craig starts a Topic in the Nintendo DS General Board of IGN.com. He simply posts THIS PICTURE with the title:

“Japan DS Launch Ouch"

So he’s essentially implying that the DS launch was a failure. Later on, he attempts to DEFEND his behavior with this response:

“Wow...tough room.

I fly under the radar for five years at IGN on the Game Boy channel...and now that there's a significant challenger to Nintendo's throne I'm now considered "teh biased" against them and the worst editor at IGN.

Kinda funny how that works. “

-- Craig

Somehow, I don't think that’s the issue. And he’s not the worst editor at IGN. Up until this point, I actually liked him quite a bit.

It just seems funny because although I was never offended by this picture in the first place, MANY people were, and I've been accused of being the biggest fanboy on the web. Craig Harris, claims it was a “joke.”

However, when you post a picture like this one seen above in a Nintendo DS forum, you just have to know that you are going to get a strong response from the fans.

It almost seems like "baiting" them actually. That's funny because IGN has never done anything like this before....

(Is your sarcasm detector going off?)

Here's a photo posted by IGN's own Fran Mirabella in the GAMECUBE General Board, just after the news broke regarding RE4 going multi console:

You just have to know that something like this will get a strong reaction from the fans. 

It just seems obvious to me. A real no-brainer. This picture looks like it was made by a 10 year old trolling various Nintendo forums. And the same could be said for Craig’s picture as well.

In the end, I couldn't care less about either picture, or what IGN had to say about the launch. The numbers are FANTASTIC, and for the most part, everyone's happy.

In Conclusion:

So what is the reality of this situation? Well first let’s compare the facts.

Comparing the Nintendo DS and PSP Launch Days in Japan:

-Fantastic Nintendo DS sales in Japan contradict ALMOST EVERYTHING IGN DS had to say about the DS Launch. On launch day in Japan, the DS was estimated to have sold 230,000 units--60,000 more than the PSP. But according to IGN, selling almost a quarter million units on day one is “boring.” Go figure. Only two other systems in the recent history of Japan ever had one day launch figures this high. Those systems were the Ps2 and the GBA.

-What about the PSP launch? Well, Sony failed to sell all 200,000 units of the PSP on the first day of availability. Current estimates say that Sony only sold around 170,000 units on launch day. Meanwhile, Nintendo sold 230,000 on day one and MORE THAN TWICE that amount in the first four days. Who’s the real winner here? Isn’t it obvious?

-Could Sony have sold more units had they been made available? I don’t think so, as this article from Game Industry Biz implies:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/news.php?aid=5680

“Only 200,000 units of the PlayStation Portable are expected to ship in Japan in time for the launch of the system on December 12th, with a further 300,000 anticipated by the end of the year.”

“According to Fukunaga-san, this is down to a cautious approach on the part of the company with regard to the PlayStation Portable - perhaps as a direct result of the firm's embarrassing failure with the much hyped PSX home media system last Christmas.”

"We are being very careful about this project," he confirmed. "We did not want to have lots of PSPs on inventory."

So even SONY was afraid the PSP would not sell, as the comments of Fukunaga-san imply. Plus, I’m sure keeping supplies limited helped produce those giant lines. This sort of public manipulation is something Sony is quite fond of doing.

Concerning Long Lines for the PSP launch:

-“What about the long lines? Well, I hate to tell our Japanese fans this, but anyone who stood in one of those lines is a SUCKER. Systems were STILL available at the end of the day and Japanese gamers could buy one with no hassles.

-“What about the long lines? Part Two: Why were they so long?” Well, another reason these lines were so long is because two of Japan’s biggest retailers decided NOT to allow preorders. In contrast the Nintendo DS had the BEST pre-order campaign in recent history. It was well organized and highly visible.

Meanwhile, desperate Sony fans were forced to line up in the BITTER COLD, ALL NIGHT, just out of FEAR that they may not be able get their hands on a new PSP. Stories concerning low productions numbers coupled with the lack of a decent pre-order campaign drove many Japanese fans to an act of desperation. 

Tell me, do you really think these people WANTED to stand in line all night in the freezing cold? I don’t think so. This situation is a great example of how Sony likes to manipulate its OWN fanbase for its own personal gain. Way to respect the fans Sony.

Finally, What about IGN?:

Well, after all you have read in this article, what’s my opinion about IGN and it’s staff?

-What about Craig Harris? Craig may just be frustrated. Being an editor is a difficult job. Also, Nintendo can be an aggravating company to deal with. Finally some Nintendo fans may be more rabid than others, but even after saying all this, that is still no excuse for his poor behavior in my opinion. No excuse whatsoever.

Trolling forums, insulting fans, and trying to spin the DS launch to look like it was a boring failure is all reprehensible behavior. I’m also starting to think that Craig is underwhelmed by the Nintendo DS. His reviews for recent DS games all seem a bit too harsh and truthfully, a bit out of touch with the average fan.

-What about Juan Castro? Well, Juan’s a “hired gun” who has his own opinions. Even Craig says this in one of his mailbag columns. In the end it’s obvious to me where his personal loyalties lie.

-What about Anoop Gantayat?  One of IGN’s major foreign correspondents and another “hired gun.” Remember, he’s not obligated to support Nintendo in any way. In my opinion, his articles concerning the PSP seem a bit too glowing for my tastes. 

-What about Fran Mirabella? Well, in my opinion, Fran’s an ass. He always has been and he always will be. Do I really need to say any more than that?

In the End:

-IGN has a history of disrespect when it comes to Nintendo and its fans. The trolling and the pictures posted above are proof of that fact, among many other things. There is simply no excuse for insulting your own fanbase, especially when they pay you MONEY to read your site.

-What’s the reason for all this bias? I don’t think that IGN is being paid off or anything ridiculous like that. Conspiracy theories like that are just silly. The writers of IGN are just people, people with their own OPINIONS and their PERSONAL BIAS. 

-It is my opinion that the so-called “impartiality” of the press is a myth. If we cant even get a fair shake from the mainstream News Media, why would we think the Video Game Press would be any different? If you look at the evidence presented, it just seems to me that the vast majority of writers over at IGN either resent Nintendo and its fans or they just prefer something else.

-Writers ARE NOT above having their own personal preference, no matter what they try to tell you about their so-called “impartiality.” This implies to everyone, including me.

-What about the Launch Day Spin? Their recent actions DO make me think that there was a conscious effort to “spin” the Nintendo DS Japanese Launch so that it would benefit the competition in comparison. Maybe it’s just me, but take a long look at the facts presented in my article and decide for YOURSELF. Either way, you already see PSP fanboys on the web saying, “Look how much bigger/better the PSP launch was.” 

I guess it’s true what they say: IGNorance IS BLISS.

In the end, the best thing Nintendo fans can do is to CHANGE THE CHANNEL.  If you don’t like what IGN has to say, go somewhere else. That’s what I do. Trust me, they WILL notice your absence. 

Observer Out.