So… this just in: The Escapist has been bought by some new jokers, and the new managing editor is one Russ Pitts
http://deepfreeze.it/journo.php?j=russ_pitts
He posted this: https://medium.com/@russpitts/the-last-of-escapist-magazine-5dd4f852703a
Of note, he claims the following:
"One thing I can tell you without delay or equivocation: We’re leaving politics at the door. Most of us have thoughts about politics. Just like most of you. And, because we’re creators, those thoughts might show up in our work. Avoiding that would be unnatural. That said, I can promise you no one here will share their politics in an attempt to convince you yours are wrong. And your worth will not be calculated based on whether you’re on the left or on the right. Politics are everywhere, but they don’t have to be everything. We’re going to focus on what’s fun, and we hope you’ll join us in that."
>We’re leaving politics at the door
>I can promise you no one here will share their politics in an attempt to convince you yours are wrong
This sounds great… but… apparently one of the first things he's done as editor is re-hire Movieblob Chipman.
Movieblob wasn't slow to quickly declare this as some kind of victory:
https://twitter.com/the_moviebob/status/1022621991210287104
>"PS: Do I strike you as an apolitical hire"
ya… it seems that Russ running some very mixed messages here. Makes me wonder what kind of leash movieblob has been put on.
So far I haven't seen anyone ask about this on the escapist forums - but since I don't know if Russ has issued any new rules on moderation about this kind of stuff, then I'm sure if its even safe to ask. This could be the sign that the escapist will turn into a second Polygon… if Movieblob gets his way - or it Russ turns out to be a straight shooter, then it might be a turn for the better
though, who the fuck puts money in a games media website these days? None of them have been able to really turn that much of a profit, if any at all.