IGN/Financials

IGN: From Gaming News to Agenda Broadcasting—A Financial Survival Story

Back in the days when “You’ve Got Mail” was a thrilling experience and dial-up was the only way to get your daily dose of the internet, IGN was the authority for game reviews, previews, and industry news. It was the golden age—back when a 7/10 actually meant something other than "unplayable garbage." IGN was the trusted gatekeeper, the final word on whether a game deserved your hard-earned cash. Fast forward to today, and game journalism is declining faster than the dot-com bubble in the early 2000s.

Game Journalism's Fall From Grace: The YouTube Effect

The internet evolved, and gamers caught on. Who wants to read a lengthy article from IGN that concludes with a questionable score when you can watch Jimbo457 rant on YouTube about the game for 40 minutes, footage included? Or better yet, skim Steam reviews filled with raw, unfiltered opinions like:

• "10/10 made me cry like a baby"
• "0/10 devs abandoned it faster than my dad"
• "Do not buy unless you hate yourself."

Game journalism’s facade cracked as players realized reviews were less about gameplay and more about buzzwords and brand deals. Gamers became self-sufficient, trusting fellow players over “journalists” who seemed allergic to actually playing video games.

The Woke Agenda: When Reviewing Games Wasn’t Enough

With their relevance fading faster than a speedrunner through Dark Souls, IGN had to pivot. Enter the brave new world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). These days, a game’s score can skyrocket if it checks enough boxes—gameplay quality be damned. Sure, the protagonist can’t shoot straight, the AI has the tactical prowess of a potato, and the story feels like a Tumblr fanfic—BUT it’s a progressive masterpiece.

It’s no surprise gamers turned their backs when reviews started sounding more like social commentary than actual critiques. The “woke agenda” became the new funding model. Who cares about balanced opinions when there’s virtue to be signaled and narratives to be controlled?

IGN or MSNBC? Hard to Tell These Days

IGN has gone full news agency mode—except it’s not exactly hard-hitting journalism. It’s a fountain of regurgitated PR statements and morality lectures. And gamers are painfully aware of this; subreddits like KotakuInAction have made a hobby out of debunking IGN’s biased, factually questionable, and overly progressive articles.

IGN headlines read less like gaming news and more like activist manifestos:

• "How This Indie Game’s Diverse Cast Is Changing the Industry!"
• "The Problem with Toxic Masculinity in Open-World Shooters"
• "Why It’s Time to Cancel Problematic Characters from the 90s"

Who needs gameplay analysis when you can just force-feed an agenda instead? It’s like watching a restaurant critic wax poetic about the politics of fine dining without mentioning if the food tasted good.

The Financial Bind: Selling Out to Stay Afloat

IGN isn’t stupid; they know people aren’t reading for the gameplay insights anymore. So, what’s left? Funded content. Paid promotions. Thinly veiled advertisements. Expect more headlines like:

• "Why This New Battle Royale Is the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread" (Sponsored)
• "Top 10 Must-Buy Games of 2025" (Affiliate Links Included)
• "How This Game Saves the Planet and Respects All Pronouns"

The bottom line is clear: IGN needs new income streams to stay afloat, and if pandering to corporate agendas and the woke mob (who's mostly broke, unemployed due to their participation in activism) is what keeps the lights on, then so be it.

Final Verdict: 0/10 - Game Journalism Needs to Uninstall Itself

IGN went from a cornerstone of gaming culture to an echo chamber of bad takes and half-baked activism. Gamers have already moved on to streamers, YouTubers, and fellow players for honest opinions. Why read a "review" from someone who thinks playing on Easy Mode counts as a valid critique?

Game journalism doesn’t need a patch; it needs a factory reset. Until then, you’re better off trusting a Steam review that says, “Game good, brain happy.”