2009 February 12 2009
And the rumor became news: the famous list of Upcoming EA games
As a journalist, I'm very interested in the fact of how a rumor Meristation forums is becoming news these days. One such el_amo_de_todo, in which profile you can see that is related to the web www.cineycine.com has published a list of video games from Electronic Arts (EA), which presumably will drop in price in March, with discounts very greedy in games like Mirror's Edge or Dead Space.
The rumor appeared in the Meristation Forum on February 4. Then it was copied in many other media forums such as Gameprotv and Edge . In Kotaku saw in Edge and made news the next day, which eventually ended up as a virus spread. The same rumor as Meristation published news quoting an anonymous source and binding to itself the February 6, two days after it appeared in the forum and one after Kotaku is echoed.
Logically, in Meristation thought that if other media echoed their forums, they would not be less. Today such el_amo_de_todo still has not provided its source (because it could bring problems to the source) and it is uncertain whether the list is real or not. After then Meristation Kotaku post, the rest of the media have gone after falling like dominoes .
Can happily publish rumors?
I talked to Kotaku and they say they have contacted EA without obtaining an answer. Following this refusal, decided to publish, without knowing for sure if the list of games and prices was true. I have also contacted EA and although not officially comment on rumors, the truth is that I have said that at this time are often made changes in prices and has been a leak. They do not say-of course-but I bet it was someone from the recently laid off in EA Spain ...
Regardless of whether the rumor is true or filtration (I think it is), the question is whether this list should get out of the forums. And to do so, how should we put it? How should we make people know that there is a confirmed news? Because do not forget, every time we take a false story or we swallow a "fake", we are doing wrong to our work as journalists.
I believe that rumors can be given but only if we make it very clear in the headline and the intro that this is an unconfirmed rumor. I think the key is honesty and check sources. I love making Gamespot, which gives the rumors out of the "feed" normal news in a different section called "Rumor control". Then there will be time to get the sound of that section and take it to the news confirmed. I think a good solution.
The rumor is clear that interest the audience usually works, but we must not get carried away by the immediacy or the need for scoops, because a published rumor that turns out to be false is misinformation and has consequences.
You can have consequences
In this case the rumor may be doing much harm to EA. This list can be very damaging to EA, in difficulties after poor Christmas sales, since nobody in their right mind would pay 70 euros for a game that will lower their price in half shortly.
I would like to know your opinion on the subject, about the rumors, whether to publish or not and how. It should also be clear to the people who have not studied the right to information that can not be publishing false news, only news we have the right to publish truthful, and that EA could sue for disclosure of trade secret claim damages because someone could drop a good cigar ...
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In my opinion should not be published, although investigated, which is very different. As you say, have done disservice Meristation and others to EA, which is strange because EA usually provide enough advertising to websites of games. They will know.
A greeting.
For me, and as an end user, are published all the rumors of the world, especially if it's like we dealt with at this time. At the end of the day is information that benefits me.
EA wants to sue has released the secret, as it does, is his right. That list can be very harmful to EA, because not until that point. I bought me a game or out or I do not buy it until it falls, it is usually the more public "uninformed" who buys a game after his departure and just that I doubt that the public is not even has come to find out the list.
Auron: My opinion is yes you can publish, but honestly, admitting that we are taking with us the role of smoking and not getting the buzz in the news feed and proven true. Many are interesting and have just met. I do not like being lied to in person, much less a means of communication.
Jak: This time I think the rumor is true, but overall I played pretty moral things are published without verification or anything. Although not much, the few who think buying something safe that are expected. The problem is that the list has come out of the forums and will affect EA in a rather critical moment for them ... We'll see how everything progresses.
Clearly, I speak of rumors with a high degree of certainty, to invent news is already on the innocent.
By the way, which just released the sales of Take-Two:
BioShock PS3-: 29.99 €
-Top Spin 3 PS3: 29.99 €
-Top Spin 3 DS: 19.99
-Top Spin 3 Wii: 29.99 €
-Top Spin 3 Xbox 360: 29.99 €
It could be someone from EA or any intermediary between the company and point of sale, I guess I warn in advance of reductions. Right now large enterprises are very difficult to get news not filtered, it is almost a miracle.