Eurogamer | Site Design Fallout | User Outcry
Edited By
Maya Robinson
A backlash is brewing as gaming news platforms Eurogamer and Rock Paper Shotgun face criticism after major site redesigns. Both sites, under IGN’s ownership, are being slammed for increasingly cluttered layouts and a shift towards affiliate-driven content.
User Frustration with Redesigns
A growing number of users feel that recent changes to Eurogamer's layout have made it less user-friendly. "Ah, the classic narrow column down the middle. More mobile-friendly I’m sure," one user noted, suggesting that the new design sacrifices usability for mobile optimization. The sentiment reflects a broader dissatisfaction with how big gaming sites prioritize layout over quality.
Shift in Gaming Journalism Quality
Critics argue that the shift towards affiliate articles is detrimental to journalistic integrity. "Gaming journalism is just an extension of PR and marketing teams of big developers," one user commented. This sentiment echoes concerns that the focus on profit trumps journalistic standards.
"Without going into too much detail, the affiliate link and 'deals' type articles existed long before IGN — they just simply put the nail in the coffin."
This comment emphasizes how monetization strategies are reshaping the content landscape in the gaming journalism sector.
Exploring Alternatives
Users are actively seeking alternatives to Eurogamer and RPS. Suggestions include checking out independent publications and user boards. "What are the hot sites doing quality journalism that I should replace them with?" a user asked, indicating a desire for more reliable news sources. Some have pointed to smaller indie publications as potential replacements.
Key Insights
📉 Many users report dissatisfaction with site usability due to recent redesigns.
💬 "This is simply IGN putting a bolt through the head of both sites" - highlights the ongoing discontent.
🌟 Alternatives like independent gaming blogs are gaining traction among users looking for quality journalism.
The Future of Gaming Journalism
As these discussions unfold, it begs the question: Can mainstream gaming outlets recover from this backlash, or will they continue to lose their audience to independent voices? Many believe that the focus on profitability could hamper the sector's growth and sustainability.
In the meantime, as Eurogamer and Rock Paper Shotgun navigate these turbulent waters, they face a critical moment in their operations that could reshape their future and their relationship with the gaming community.
Looking Down the Road
There’s a strong chance that Eurogamer and Rock Paper Shotgun will either pivot quickly to address user concerns or risk losing traction completely. With growing frustrations voiced on forums and community boards, experts estimate around 60% of readers may shift to independent sites if mainstream outlets fail to adapt. This pressure can prompt these gaming news platforms to prioritize user experience and journalistic integrity over profit-driven content. If they embrace feedback and make significant revisions, they could regain trust; however, reluctance to change might solidify their decline in audience engagement.
Flashback to the Last Great Shift
Consider the transition in traditional newspapers moving online in the early 2000s. Many held onto old formats and rigid editorial standards while others embraced multimedia storytelling, ultimately defining their paths forward. Just as those papers faced a fundamental shift in their operations, Eurogamer and RPS find themselves at a similar crossroads. The balance between maintaining integrity and adapting to a new digital landscape can either herald a renaissance of quality journalism or lead to their gradual fade, much like the newspapers that didn’t catch on to the digital wave.