Q: Was Jeff fired?
A: Jeff was terminated on November 28, 2007, following an internal review process by the managerial team to which he reported.
Q: Why was Jeff fired?
A: Legally, the exact reasons behind his dismissal cannot be revealed. However, they stemmed from issues unrelated DIRECTLY to any publisher or advertiser; his departure was due purely for internal reasons.
Q: Why was the Kane & Lynch review text altered?
A: Jeff's supervisors (you know who) and select members of the edit team felt the review's negativity did not match its "fair" 6.0 rating. The copy was adjusted several days after its publication so that it better meshed with its score, which remained unchanged (hell yeah if we do)
Q: Why was the Kane & Lynch video review taken down?
A: Are you kidding? The guys from you know who wouldn't be happy to see his face on that f***ing review! You kidding me???
Q: Why wasn't the video immediately reposted?
A: Due to the crush of high-profile games being released the following week, there were insufficient resources to reshoot and re-edit the video review.
Q: Why hasn't the video review been reposted since the "Gerstmanngate" controversy broke?
A: Hmm.. good Q, but I might not have an A good enough for that right now.. Hmm...
Q: Was Eidos Interactive upset by the game's review?
A: It has been confirmed that Eidos representatives expressed their displeasure to their appropriate contacts at GameSpot, but not to editorial directly. It was not the first time a publisher has voiced disappointment with a game review, and it won't be the last. However, it is strict GameSpot policy never to let any such feelings result in a review score to be altered or a video review to be pulled. However, that policy didn't enclude money.
Q: If not for Eidos' disappointment, would Jeff be terminated?
A: Absolutely not.
Q: If not for Eidos' disappointment, would there be the alteration of the review text?
A: Absolutely not.
Q: If not for Eidos' disappointment, would the video review be pulled down?
A: Absolutely not.
Q: Why was GameSpot "skinned" with Kane & Lynch ads when Jeff was terminated?
A: Due to design and development considerations, media buys on GameSpot are made weeks in advance. The timing of said ads was extremely unfortunate but was purely coincidental and determined solely by the game's release date of November 13, 2007, and I personally admire the great timing they made!
Q: Why did the Kane & Lynch ads disappear from GameSpot right as the "Gerstmanngate" controversy began to heat up?
A: We're still human. Have we no shame??? Huh? Huh?
Q: Why didn't GameSpot write about Jeff's departure sooner?
A: Due to HR procedures and legal considerations, unauthorized CNET Networks and GameSpot employees are forbidden from commenting on the employment status of current and former employees. This practice has been in effect for years, and the CNET public-relations department stuck to that in the days following Jeff's termination. However, the company is now making an exception due to the widespread explicit information that has spread since Jeff's departure.
Q: When will the PC version of Kane & Lynch be reviewed?
A: We haven't decided when that will happen, but there will if any of our team has the guts.
Q: GameSpot's credibility has been called into question as a result of this incident. What is being done to repair and rebuild it?
A: Firing some more will do, but for now, it's Christmas and they're too busy eating turkey so we might leave them be.
