As much good work as there is within the game journalism industry, it cannot be denied that it can and often does act as an extension of video game marketing. Regular coverage of the biggest games around, whether that’s the intention or not, does offer a form of free advertisement, so we as journalists need to think about the role we play in who we’re advertising.
With Xbox being such a major part of the industry, there needs to be more thought into how we cover its games, and if we should be reporting on them at all. Ceasing coverage of Xbox games would send a strong message to Microsoft that its complicity in the genocide in Gaza is unacceptable.
If you run a video game outlet/ are an editor
- Halt all coverage of Xbox published games. If you are a site that writes about them, we urge you to move away from as much coverage of Xbox published games as possible. This is clearly not a simple task, and not one we expect to be done overnight. Still, if we continue to cover Xbox published games uncritically, it says to Microsoft that it can continue to take any actions as it pleases. It should be noted that coverage of any unions formed at a Microsoft-owned company, reports of layoffs, or other worker-related stories should continue, as it’s important that we continue to express solidarity with the workers at these studios.
If you’re a full time journalist
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Push back against any coverage of Xbox published games. Having no control over what broadly does or does not get covered at an outlet doesn’t mean you can’t argue against it. If you are in a position to do so, work with your editors to find ways to move away from covering Xbox published games.
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If you have to cover Xbox published games, do so with context. Just because you may be in a position where you have to cover these games, it doesn’t mean you can’t make people aware of the boycott against Microsoft. Be constructive and thoughtful in your criticism, and help people understand that by purchasing an Xbox published game, or by subscribing to Game Pass, they are supporting a company that is complicit in the genocide against the Palestinian people.
If you’re a freelance journalist
- Cover other games. As a freelancer, you’ll likely be trying to cover any of the biggest games at any given moment. At a time where budgets are incredibly low, you’ll also likely be trying to just get any coverage at all. Even still, wherever possible, you should try to only cover non-Xbox published games.