Gaming Media Controversy
Dean Takahashi’s Cuphead video (September 2017) where VentureBeat journalist struggled with tutorial became meme about game journalists’ alleged incompetence, sparking debates about reviewer qualifications, accessibility, and gaming gatekeeping.
The video: Takahashi took 2+ minutes on simple jumping tutorial; missed basic mechanics
Backlash: “Game journalists can’t play games”; credibility questioned
His defense: Was demonstrating difficulty; not review footage; trying keyboard controls
Broader pattern: Journalists’ Doom (2016) gameplay also mocked; Polygon’s Doom video particularly criticized
Debates:
- Should reviewers be skilled players?
- Does skill affect ability to evaluate games?
- Elitism vs. legitimate criticism?
Accessibility angle: Maybe games too hard if journalists struggle?
Lasting impact: “Game journalist” became insult in gaming circles; every bad gameplay vid met with “hire fans lol”
The controversy exposed gaming community’s gatekeeping while raising legitimate questions about reviewer expertise.
Sources:
https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/08/cuphead-hands-on-my-26-minutes-of-shame/
https://www.polygon.com/