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[Arkos]

We slippin brehs, surprised there isn't a thread on this.

Basically what the title said - an IGN writer apparently plagiarized their Dead Cells review, was caught (by the YouTube streamer they plagiarized), called out, and subsequently "parted ways" with IGN (sounds like they still did play and enjoy Dead Cells in case you're wondering - game looks so good, but I digress). At the end of it all IGN issued what I genuinely think is a very well worded statement defending their journalistic ethics. Who'dve thunk, right? Anyway, below are links and pictures shamelessly stolen. Discuss.




YouTuber's call out video

First edit of IGN's review




IGN Twitter announcement of revocation of review, apology to YouTuber and readers, and parting of ways with writer, along with their heartfelt statement on journalistic ethics




The dude actually responded!

 

[Hotel Security]

We slippin brehs, surprised there isn't a thread on this.

Cuz who cares?

Seriously, yet another case of why the magazines are still the way to go for the best reviews. Sites like IGN just hire these hack bloggers who were likely stealing shit the entire time.

 

[Arkos]

Cuz who cares?

Seriously, yet another case of why the magazines are still the way to go for the best reviews. Sites like IGN just hire these hack bloggers who were likely stealing shit the entire time.

Meh, I care. This is where I used to come for video game news.

But that's not the point. It is indeed a black eye for IGN (like "game journalism" doesn't get enough shit as it is). I find it a very interesting situation, all the more so because IGN was so quick to act and so passionate about their defense. They seem to like really be taking this seriously lol, which is good but not necessarily what I would expect.

 

[Porcile]

There was a thread.

Anyway, his video response is hilarious. He doesn't admit to plagiarism then attacks that Kotaku writer lol damn. He has some balls, I'll give him that.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

Lmao, that response is hilarious. Dude even starts with a deep sigh, and then basically apologizes for getting caught.

There was a thread.

Anyway, his video response is hilarious. He doesn't admit to plagiarism then attacks that Kotaku writer lol damn. He has some balls, I'll give him that.

To be fair, Schreier was stretching more than a gymnast does before heading to a sex club with those additional allegations.

Honestly, if I were him and got caught plagiarizing someone else's work, I would have plagiarized the apology too, just for shits and giggles.

 

[Arkos]

Honestly, if I were him and got caught plagiarizing someone else's work, I would have plagiarized the apology too, just for shits and giggles.

I like your style.

 

[Scopa]

We slippin brehs, surprised there isn't a thread on this.

There is a thread on this. For some reason it is locked though with no explanation as to why.

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/ign-editor-accused-of-plagiarism-in-dead-cells-review.1464455/

 

[Silvawuff]

I would say the most sincere part of that video response was him asking people to stop sending death threats to his family. That shit is not okay.

 

[zombie_gamer87]

"it wasn't intentional"

 

[Scopa]

I would say the most sincere part of that video response was him asking people to stop sending death threats to his family. That shit is not okay.

I’m not saying it didn’t happen because people can be shit, but I can’t help but be wary when I see these “threats” accusations because there never seems to be any proof provided to back them up.

Without proof it can seem like a deflection.

 

[oagboghi2]

I swear to God, Everytime someone apologizes on YouTube, they start with an big, exasperated sigh.

* Sucks in breath*

Haaaaaa

Every fucking time

 

[Arkos]

There is a thread on this. For some reason it is locked though with no explanation as to why.

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/ign-editor-accused-of-plagiarism-in-dead-cells-review.1464455/

Aha, that is heartening to know that a thread was made at least. My apologies if this thread is redundant.

 

[Scopa]

Aha, that is heartening to know that a thread was made at least. My apologies if this thread is redundant.

Well, since the other one was locked, I assume this one is not redundant.

 

[Arkos]

I would say the most sincere part of that video response was him asking people to stop sending death threats to his family. That shit is not okay.

Good god, I haven’t watched it (can’t bear “cringe” material), are we really going immediately there people? I feel sad that my first instinct is to believe him (that he is receiving death threats).

 

[Silvawuff]

Given the massive vitriol and attention this situation has created, I totally believe what he said about the threats to his family. What reason would he have to lie about that? Whenever the internet has a chance to act stupid, I promise you, without reservation, it will act stupid.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

Given the massive vitriol and attention this situation has created, I totally believe what he said about the threats to his family. What reason would he have to lie about that? Whenever the internet has a chance to act stupid, I promise you, without reservation, it will act stupid.

I would say the most sincere part of that video response was him asking people to stop sending death threats to his family. That shit is not okay.

I’m not saying it didn’t happen because people can be shit, but I can’t help but be wary when I see these “threats” accusations because there never seems to be any proof provided to back them up.

Without proof it can seem like a deflection

 

[Cert.in.Death]

How touching, a soulless corporation speaking from its nonexistent heart.

There’s no ethics in games coverage, it’s all about clicks for ad revenue.

 

[Silvawuff]

I would say the most sincere part of that video response was him asking people to stop sending death threats to his family. That shit is not okay.

I’m not saying it didn’t happen because people can be shit, but I can’t help but be wary when I see these “threats” accusations because there never seems to be any proof provided to back them up.

Without proof it can seem like a deflection

Oh yeah, I totally get what you're saying. Credibility is already middling for the accused. I think the biggest reason I'd hold back info like that is because it may create a Streisand effect.

 

[ipukespiders]

Looks like he recorded his reply video in a soundproof room.

So that his neighbors didn't have to hear the bullshit.

 

[ReBurn]

Cuz who cares?

Seriously, yet another case of why the magazines are still the way to go for the best reviews. Sites like IGN just hire these hack bloggers who were likely stealing shit the entire time.

Magazines are the way to go when you want to read reviews two months after the game launches.

 

[Fbh]

Hadn't seen his reply video.
That was a pretty terrible reply. He doesn't really acknowledge the plagiarism nor does he apologise for it. He basically just says he didn't do it intentionally (so he accidentally plagiarised?) then goes on to play the victim. Hell, his comment about his review process always being the same just makes you question how many other reviews he has plagiarised in the past.


With that said, yeah, WTF is wrong sending insults and threats to his family?

 

[Vawn]

Good god, I haven’t watched it (can’t bear “cringe” material), are we really going immediately there people? I feel sad that my first instinct is to believe him (that he is receiving death threats).

I feel bad that my first instinct is to think he's lying to get sympathy.

 

[WaterAstro]

I don't want to give this guy a click. If he's getting click revenue, then he's just trying to capitalize on the controversy. He probably is.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

We slippin brehs, surprised there isn't a thread on this.

There was a thread on it, just got closed after his firing for some reason.

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/ign-editor-accused-of-plagiarism-in-dead-cells-review.1464455/

 

[-MD-]

Bailed on that apology video like 90 seconds in, not only is it 4 minutes too long but the manner he's speaking and how it's edited is just terrible.

 

[iconmaster]

Yeah, I started the other thread. It deteriorated once the event seemed to have run its course. New thread for new news.

 

[MC Safety]

If IGN had some standard, it would have explained to the YouTube video guy it hired what was expected from a review.

I don't blame the kid for not knowing or for IGN for giving him work. But if you're going to put the guy on staff and have him make a review, make sure he understands what a review entails -- and what it doesn't.

No one should be threatening the kid or IGN, either. I understand if you're passionate about video games, but it should stop well short of harassment and threats.

 

[octiny]

If IGN had some standard, it would have explained to the YouTube video guy it hired what was expected from a review.

I don't blame the kid for not knowing or for IGN for giving him work. But if you're going to put the guy on staff and have him make a review, make sure he understands what a review entails -- and what it doesn't.

They have to explain not to plagiarize in a journalist field?

 

[Fbh]

Here's the new review. Seems pretty decent.
I'm actually surprised by how positive the top comments are

If IGN had some standard, it would have explained to the YouTube video guy it hired what was expected from a review.

I don't blame the kid for not knowing or for IGN for giving him work. But if you're going to put the guy on staff and have him make a review, make sure he understands what a review entails -- and what it doesn't.

How do you know they didn't ? Maybe they did and he just didn't care.
Also, I assume that when you are hired as a writer, stuff like "plagiarism is NOT ok" comes without saying.
When you are hired to work in a store, at least from my experience, you aren't taken into a room and exlained that you shouldn't steal stuff from the store.

 

[MC Safety]

They have to explain not to plagiarize in a journalist field?

Well, I don't know the situation. But it may be the IGN guy was hired for his video expertise and had never crafted a real review.

As an editor, I didn't have the luxury of assuming anything about my writers. Some were game fans who didn't know how to be critical. Some had reporting skill but didn't know how to create an argument or issue an opinion. Others were neophytes who had barely written anything, let alone trained in journalism/criticism.

I outlined what was expected with each assignment I sent out. I did this for news stories, for previews, for interviews, and for critiques.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Bailed on that apology video like 90 seconds in, not only is it 4 minutes too long but the manner he's speaking and how it's edited is just terrible.

Now you know why he plagiarized.

 

[JORMBO]

People are sending threats to his family over a videogame review? Crazy.

The dude got fired and has to try and rebuild his reputation. That should be enough.

 

[haxan7]

He does kinda talk around the issue and seems somewhat manipulative in the way he doesn't make a direct apology. Reminds me a bit of Cartman giving an apology.

At the 4:34 timestamp he does come somewhere near directly apologizing, but he skirts the issue in the whole video.

 

[Scopa]

He does kinda talk around the issue and seems somewhat manipulative in the way he doesn't make a direct apology. Reminds me a bit of Cartman giving an apology.

At the 4:34 timestamp he does come somewhere near directly apologizing, but he skirts the issue in the whole video.

Yeah, the impression I get is that he purposefully avoids a direct acknowlegement that he plagiarised and avoids a direct apology. Probably in order to hopefully salvage his Youtube career.

Apology 2/10.

 

[Cunth]

Is this guy so popular that he needs to release an apology video? Never heard of him before he was fired

 

[Mr Reasonable]

No actual apology, doesn't admit fault.

If he'd said something like

"I had a lot going on in my life and wasn't coping. In a moment of madness, I took inspiration from an amazing reviewer that absolutely nailed my thoughts on the game and for that I'm truly sorry. I guarantee it will never happen again"

I could get behind that.

As is, he didn't admit the plagiarism in any meaningful way and made up a load of crap about threats to his family and said sorry to the game developers. The Devs are just getting more exposure for their well received game. He ought to be apologising to the guy whose review he stole and to the company who paid him to write for them.

Looks like most of the commentators don't seem to mind though.

 

[Mr Reasonable]

Is this guy so popular that he needs to release an apology video? Never heard of him before he was fired

Damage limitation attempt. I've never heard of him either but he's trying (unsuccessfully) to seem like a nice guy concerned for everyone else. He may well be a nice guy but he's failed to put that across.

 

[Porcile]

Watching the newest NVC podcast, they skirt around talking about what happened too much, but whenever the topic of Dead Cells pops you can just see them all thinking "what a fucking dumbass that guy was."

 

[GenericUser]

none of this was intentional

is this dude high or what? Just accept that you fucked up and move on and by moving on, I mean leave the industry and get a real job. So cringy.

 

[iconmaster]

I think that’s the most millennial apology I’ve ever heard. And before I watched it, I couldn’t have told you what a millennial apology was, or even that such a thing existed. Now I know.

Did he not actually script the video? “I was the editorial lead so, if anything, that makes it my responsibility.” Was someone working under him? Or is this a novel way of passing the buck to people who don’t exist?

 

[Petrae]

1.) If what he says is true about family members getting harassed, that's unacceptable. Unless there's proof that they told him to plagiarize-- which I doubt-- then they should be left out of it. There's no need for collateral damage here. Any criticism should be focused on this man alone.

2.) He can beg for a chance to "earn trust" again, but he's done, and rightfully so. Plagiarism is-- and should be-- a death sentence for anyone in any press, even moreso than it is in academics. By the professional stage, he should have known better. Everything at this point is either an excuse or a toothless denial, and neither is going to get him his job or his career path back.

3.) His almost theatrically-delivered apologies come across as shallow and insincere. He's "sorry", he thinks, for something he did that certainly allegedly isn't plagiarism. IGN investigated. It's not a small, ragtag website. They have legal teams and human resources teams. They're going to cross their Ts and dot their Is before kicking an employee to the curb in this fashion. Vague apologies are worthless, even as a means to get people off of your case.

I can't have sympathy for this guy. When you choose press as a career-- when you sign your name on that contract or new-hire paperwork-- then you should fully understand that plagiarism is not okay. It's never okay. It's career-ending, leaving a permanent mark on your prospective employment. It's not only damning for him, but for his employer, which must now try to repair its reputation. I get why other members of the video game press are lashing out at the guy; he's single-handedly made their jobs a lot tougher. Inside IGN, editors and execs must be seething with anger.

 

[Spukc]

is this dude high or what? Just accept that you fucked up and move on and by moving on, I mean leave the industry and get a real job. So cringy.

a real jub

Ow the edge

 

[Mr Reasonable]

I think that’s the most millennial apology I’ve ever heard. And before I watched it, I couldn’t have told you what a millennial apology was, or even that such a thing existed. Now I know.

Did he not actually script the video? “I was the editorial lead so, if anything, that makes it my responsibility.” Was someone working under him? Or is this a novel way of passing the buck to people who don’t exist?

Haha, I thought the same things.

You're right, the thing about editorial lead is bullshit, someone will have said to him to write a review. He didn't have a team (aside from Boomstick Gaming, I guess) working under him. Nobody working in journalism will think differently so he's trying to impress who?

1.) If what he says is true about family members getting harassed, that's unacceptable. Unless there's proof that they told him to plagiarize-- which I doubt-- then they should be left out of it. There's no need for collateral damage here. Any criticism should be focused on this man alone.

2.) He can beg for a chance to "earn trust" again, but he's done, and rightfully so. Plagiarism is-- and should be-- a death sentence for anyone in any press, even moreso than it is in academics. By the professional stage, he should have known better. Everything at this point is either an excuse or a toothless denial, and neither is going to get him his job or his career path back.

3.) His almost theatrically-delivered apologies come across as shallow and insincere. He's "sorry", he thinks, for something he did that certainly allegedly isn't plagiarism. IGN investigated. It's not a small, ragtag website. They have legal teams and human resources teams. They're going to cross their Ts and dot their Is before kicking an employee to the curb in this fashion. Vague apologies are worthless, even as a means to get people off of your case.

I can't have sympathy for this guy. When you choose press as a career-- when you sign your name on that contract or new-hire paperwork-- then you should fully understand that plagiarism is not okay. It's never okay. It's career-ending, leaving a permanent mark on your prospective employment. It's not only damning for him, but for his employer, which must now try to repair its reputation. I get why other members of the video game press are lashing out at the guy; he's single-handedly made their jobs a lot tougher. Inside IGN, editors and execs must be seething with anger.

It seems unlikely that anyone got a death threat over this. Sounds like he wants you to pity him.

Ign must be furious, you're right. With online advertising revenue falling, a big organisation like that must be up against it. One of their main USP's is their authority in the eyes of their readers. Their authority just took a hammering. "Guess what, our reviews are not only no better than those you'll find on random YouTube channels, in fact they might be the same review with some of the words moved around."

 

[Scopa]

I think that’s the most millennial apology I’ve ever heard. And before I watched it, I couldn’t have told you what a millennial apology was, or even that such a thing existed. Now I know.

Did he not actually script the video? “I was the editorial lead so, if anything, that makes it my responsibility.” Was someone working under him? Or is this a novel way of passing the buck to people who don’t exist?

Lol, you summed up my thoughts exactly. He was totally trying to pass the buck.

I actually liked him somewhat from his time on NVC, but after that video I think he is extremely immature and has lost any respect I had for him.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

No actual apology, doesn't admit fault.

If he'd said something like

"I had a lot going on in my life and wasn't coping. In a moment of madness, I took inspiration from an amazing reviewer that absolutely nailed my thoughts on the game and for that I'm truly sorry. I guarantee it will never happen again"

I could get behind that.

As is, he didn't admit the plagiarism in any meaningful way and made up a load of crap about threats to his family and said sorry to the game developers. The Devs are just getting more exposure for their well received game. He ought to be apologising to the guy whose review he stole and to the company who paid him to write for them.

Looks like most of the commentators don't seem to mind though.

Cult of personality.

 

[Danjin44]

At that point he would have been much better off making poorly done review rather than plagiarism.

 

[Cunth]

The reactions to Colin Moriarty inviting him to chat are ridiculous. Other game journalists have really decided he is persona non grata in the industry

 

[PedroPanache]

Shame. I don't follow video game news much, and really only have a handful of podcasts I enjoy listening to (Bombcast, Beastcast, Waypoint and Nintendo Voice Chat), so it was something of a shock to see that the plagirisim guy was one of the hosts on the NVC podcast I listen to. I couldn't quite believe it when I clicked on the response video. He seems like a good guy; enthusiastic and lively. I actually really enjoyed his contributions to the show. But, yeah, whatever his reasons or excuses, plagiarism is plagiarism, and it's very, very difficult to come back from that, particularly in this climate. His response video doesn't really address the plagiarism, and, in a way, it almost feels like the read he wants you to take is that his pre-review process was inadvertantly 'contaminated' by this YouTube review he came across during his research. However, to say "I take full responsibility" but to skirt around the issue by not being direct hurts him. When I'm having to read between the lines in a video such as this, I don't feel he's fully owned his mistake. That's on him, though. I'm not one for judging people online, because there's enough people out there that will without me adding my useless voice to matters.

But, I get it, he'll have been smashed by all corners of the internet; all at once. We live in a an age where people thrive on this type of controversy and generate content to exploit it and cash in, whipping the mob into a frenzy. Public shaming, no matter how deserved, is nearly always disproportionate to the crime. However, when you're at the centre of the maelstrom and people are demanding answers, spewing vitriol, you make mistakes. I think he might look upon this video as a mistake, and, in time, address the matter with more care and thought. Until then, I'll miss him from NVC. He was a good enthusiastic host.

 

[Scopa]

The reactions to Colin Moriarty inviting him to chat are ridiculous. Other game journalists have really decided he is persona non grata in the industry

Did he accept? When is it? That’ll be interesting.

 

[Cunth]

Did he accept? When is it? That’ll be interesting.

Not sure if he accepted or not