In the realm of video games, there are many things that matter, and chief among them is reviews. Now, while it’s true that not everyone listens to reviews, or not everyone agrees with what the reviews say, that’s not to say that they aren’t important. Many gamers look to reviews to get a “jist” of what is going on with the title and whether it’s worth playing. Thus, based on reviews of Red Dead Redemption 2 that have released, the game is most definitely worth playing.
However, one review by Electronic Gaming Magazine has caused quite a stir, because in their review of Red Dead Redemption 2, they noted this:
“One of the most gorgeous, seamless, rootinest, tootinest games ever made, and if you voluntarily miss out on it, you’re either not a gamer or in a coma.”
This “not a gamer” statement got a lot of feedback, because the statement itself is a bit of a “gatekeeper” one. Which the community didn’t like. Especially for the community didn’t have, or want, a PS4 or Xbox One to play this game on.
The Internet went nuts on this, with both the common man and some famous names getting in on the action to poke and prod the EGM reviewer. Eventually though, the man who wrote the review, Nick Plessas, made a statement about what he said:
“The summary on my review seems to have struck a chord with a number of people, so I’d like to take a second to address the more valid — and less venomous — arguments,” he started. “In the excerpt in question, ‘and if you voluntarily miss out on it, you’re either not a gamer or in a coma,’ I didn’t mean to gatekeep in the sense that you have to like the same genres as I do. It was hyperbole, pure and simple, meant to convey that I consider it a must-play. I subscribe to the opinion that gatekeeping culture is stupid as much as the next decent person.
This will no doubt pass over, but this is a story that should serve as a warning to all future reviewers. While it’s ok to show your love for a game, make sure you don’t overreach with your statements.
