Destructoid

Destructoid

URL	http://www.destructoid.com/
Type of site	Video game blog
Registration	Optional (free)
Owner	independent
Created by	Yanier Gonzalez
Launched	March 16, 2006
Current status	Active

Destructoid is an independent video game-focused blog based in San Francisco, California that was founded in March 2006.^[1][2] It has since grown into one of the most widely read video game sites on the internet, reaching more than 3 million unique visitors per month.^[3] It is part of the Modern Method network, which also features the film-oriented site Flixist, anime-oriented Japanator, and collectible toy-focused Tomopop.

History

Destructoid began as a Wordpress blog as a means to secure the founder press credentials for the press-only E3 Expo.^[4] After being rejected, Yanier began writing original editorials and drawing cartoons which were picked up by established gaming blogs like Joystiq ^[5] and Kotaku,^[6] which it is most often compared to. In 2007 the site relaunched with user blogs, forums, and a large team of contributors—many whom are still employed with the company.

Notoriety

The site quickly gained mixed notoriety on NeoGAF and GamePolitics^[7] after E3 when Yanier appeared at the press conference dressed as Mr. Destructoid to hand out promotional flyers, calling to question whether games journalism was taking itself too seriously or not seriously enough.

The stunt helped Destructoid become recognized as a top player in the emerging "enthusiast gaming press" movement of the early 2000s. Despite criticisms, the site continued to gain popularity by posting next-gen console rumors and leaks following E3. Some months later, Yanier was the first to break the news of Jack Thompson's disbarment,^[8] a lawyer who had notoriously fought the gaming industry for years. This story, which was widely syndicated, would cement Destructoid as a serious news source.

Destructoid competes with mainstream gaming news outlets, posting an average of 50 stories a day. It was among the first to break stories like the Wii controller's final design,^[9] the PlayStation 3's launch pricepoint,^[10] Halo 3's release date, and others. Its original editorial work would also gain mainstream syndication including the popular web show "Hey Ash Whatcha Playin'?", now syndicated on GameTrailers. Other popular works can be found on social bookmarking sites like the satirical Ten Golden Rules of Online Gaming,^[11] its Guides on Recognizing Gamers,^[12] and its ironic praise for the critically shunned Super Mario Brothers movie.^[13]

Features

Destructoid is split up into six main sections: the Homepage where editors post daily news and reviews, the Community Blogs where users can post virtually anything they feel is of importance to the community and those with similar interests, the Videos which consist of original skits and trailers, the Forums where people can go to chat regularly, the Buy/Sell where community members trade games, and the Fight where members can play games against each other.

Managing staff

• Yanier Gonzalez (Niero) - Founder, CEO
• Dale North - Editor-in-Chief
• Jim Sterling - Reviews Editor
• Hamza Aziz - Communications Director
• Conrad Zimmerman - News Editor
• Chad Concelmo - Features Editor
• Jordan Devore - PC Editor

Charitable work

In 2008, Jim Sterling, a Destructoid editor, took part in a sponsored gaming marathon raising money for young cancer patients. Raising $3,000 for the charity, Sterling and friend John Kershaw played a selection of games from the SingStar franchise, effectively singing almost non-stop for twelve hours. The event was broadcast live online for the duration of the event.^[14]

In 2009, Niero, and well-known Destructoid editors, continued the gaming marathon tradition on October 17–18 for cancer awareness. They managed to raise more than their last marathon with a grand total of $4,835.60 for Extra Life children's hospital in Texas.

In 2010, Destructoid HQ hosted a 24-hour gaming marathon for Extra Life. Community members raised over $6,000 for Children's Miracle hospitals in Texas. Destructoid has also partnered with Revision 3 to build a clean water well in Africa through the Charity Water organization.

In 2011, Destructoid hosted another marathon for Extra Life, raising $6909.16 for Children's Miracle hospitals.^[15]

Awards

Destructoid has been nominated for several awards in video game coverage. The site was nominated for the inaugural Games Media Awards in 2007 under the “Non-Commercial Website or Blog” category.^[16] Destructoid was also selected as an Official Webby Honoree in the Games-Related category of the 11th Annual Webby Awards in 2007.^[17] They were again nominated in 2009 in the same category.^[18][19]

Videos

Destructoid produces the thrice-weekly, in-studio video game news show Destructoid on Revision 3,^[20] daily live video streams like Backlog and MASH TacticS ^[21] on Justin.tv, and semi-regular video skits like Hey Ash Watcha Playin, The Jimquisition, Storm's Adventures, and others on YouTube.^[22]

Review scores

The gaming press as a whole has been widely criticized by the industry^[23] and enthusiasts^[24] in awarding average games with a seven. Destructoid claims to utilize a full ten point review system, where average games are scored with a 5.^[25] In response, Destructoid's reviews editor has published various ironic articles such as How To Respond To A Video Game Review^[26] and the 100% Objective Review of Final Fantasy XIII.^[27] Despite this however the site's average review has been far above average, at 72%.^[28] The site acknowledged its higher than average scores in their 2011 reviews guide, citing high total averages because the site refuses to review "shovelware".^[29] The average score of competing publications are also 72% (Joystiq) and 69% (IGN) on Metacritic.

Presence in video games

The site's mascot, Mr. Destructoid, has appeared in various console, mobile, and PC video games.

In 2007, it was announced that Hudson Entertainment, the American branch of Hudson Soft had teamed up with Destructoid to develop and introduce a playable character based on Destructoid's mascot, Mr. Destructoid, into its successful Xbox Live Arcade game Bomberman Live.^{[30][31][32][33]} Mr. Destructoid later appeared in Bomberman Ultra, the PlayStation 3 port of Bomberman Live. Mr. Destructoid's head is available as an unlockable helmet in PixelJAM's game Dino Run, by entering the password "totinos" in the cheats menu. This was included as an in-joke, because that particular brand of pizza was a favorite of one of the editors, and he in turn was a friend of the game's developers. The code was revealed in one chapter of the Podtoid podcast.

In 2008, Destructoid's mascot was also included in the platform game Eternity's Child, but was later removed after a scathing review of the game on the web site.^[34][35][36] Mr. Destructoid also appeared in Agent MOO: Maximum Overkill on XBLA along with Ron Workman, Destructoid's former community manager.

In 2010, it was announced that Mr. Destructoid would be appearing in the upcoming XBLA release of Raskulls.^[37] Later that year it was discovered that Chapter 2-18 in Super Meat Boy is called Destructoid. The game was acclaimed by many of the editors, taking Destructoid's Game Of The Show at the Penny Arcade Expo earlier in July. Mr. Destructoid also appears in the flash game Pirates vs. Ninjas^[38], by Bardo Entertainment.

In 2011, Mr. Destructoid appeared as a non-playable character in BiteJacker, a game created by the Bytejacker show on the iPhone as a VIP Character. Your score increases the longer that he remains on screen. In July Destructoid's reviews editor, Jim Sterling, became a playable character in The Blocks Cometh.^[39] Later that month Mr. Destructoid would appear in Twisted Pixel's Ms. Splosion Man^[40] as a destroyable villain during challenge mode, and again as a ball-swallowing fixture in Zen Studio's Pinball FX as part of the Ms. Splosion Man pinball table.^[41] On August 1 Mr. Destructoid became a playable character in Arcade Jumper on iOS.^[42]. The remake of the classic arcade game Burgertime also features Mr. Destructoid as a playable character. ^[43]

References

1. ^ Gonzalez, Yanier "Niero" (2007-03-15). "Destructoid turns one". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-turns-one-30430.phtml. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
2. ^ "Waiting for Wii: And I'll form the head!". Joystiq. 2007-05-12. http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/waiting-for-wii-and-ill-form-the-head/. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
3. ^ "Destructoid". Site Meter. 2007. http://www.sitemeter.com/?a=stats&s=s23destructoid&r=36. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
4. ^ "The Destructoid Story". http://www.modernmethod.com/destructoid-press.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
5. ^ "Quad SLI gaming for Cheapskates". http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/04/quad-sli-gaming-for-cheapskates/. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
6. ^ "Destructoid's First Comic". http://kotaku.com/164054/destructoid-annihilates-360-stock-with-humor?tag=destructoid. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
7. ^ "E3's Media Booby Prize Goes to Destructoid". http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/284818.html. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
8. ^ "Destructoid Scores Big with Bully Courtroom Coverage". http://www.gamepolitics.com/2006/10/12/destructroid-scores-big-with-bully-courtroom-coverage. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
9. ^ "Nintendo Wii Remote Prototype Evolution". http://digg.com/news/story/The_evolution_of_the_Nintendo_Wii_remote:_Before_After_prototype_photos. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
10. ^ "Xbox 360 199 US, PS3 599 US". http://digg.com/news/story/August_1st_Xbox_360_199US_PS3_599US_Console_Warz_is_OVER. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
11. ^ "Ten Golden Rules of Online Gaming". http://digg.com/news/story/Ten_golden_rules_of_online_gaming. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
12. ^ "Guides on recognizing gamers". http://digg.com/news/story/A_Guide_To_Recognizing_Your_Gamers_Chapter_3. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
13. ^ "Why The Super Mario Brothers Movie is a Masterpiece". http://www.destructoid.com/why-the-super-mario-movie-is-an-underappreciated-masterpiece-29694.phtml. Retrieved 2011-06-30. 
14. ^ "Destructoid editor to sing for charity". Ars Technica. 2008-10-03. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2008/10/destructoid-editor-to-sing-for-charity.ars. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
15. ^ "Destructoid's Extra Life 2011 round-up". Destructoid. 2011-10-26. http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-s-extra-life-2011-round-up-214016.phtml. Retrieved 2011-10-26. 
16. ^ "Games Media Awards finalists revealed". MCV. 2007-08-31. http://www.mcvuk.com/news/28177/Games-Media-Awards-finalists-revealed. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
17. ^ "11th Annual Webby Awards Official Honoree Selections". Webby Awards. http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?media_id=96&category_id=29&season=11. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
18. ^ "13th Annual Webby Awards Nominees & Winners". Webby Awards. http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=13#webby_entry_games_related. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
19. ^ "Giant Bomb Officially Endorses Destructoid For Webby Award". Giant Bomb. http://www.giantbomb.com/news/giant-bomb-officially-endorses-destructoid-for-webby-award/1167/. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
20. ^ "The Destructoid Show". http://www.revision3.com/destructoid. 
21. ^ "The Destructoid Show". http://www.justin.tv/destructoid. 
22. ^ "Destructoid YouTube". http://www.youtube.com/dtoid. 
23. ^ Brownlee, John. "IGN's 7-9 Point Review Scale Charted". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/192428/igns-7+9-point-review-scale-charted. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
24. ^ "Four Point Scale". TV Tropes. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FourPointScale. 
25. ^ "The Official Destructoid Review Guide v2.0". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/the-official-destructoid-review-guide-ver-2-0-103621.phtml. Retrieved 2010-05-05. ^{[dead link]}
26. ^ Sterling, Jim. "How to Respond To A Video Game Review". Destructoid.com. http://www.destructoid.com/how-to-respond-to-a-videogame-review-154490.phtml. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
27. ^ Sterling, Jim. "100% Objective Review: Final Fantasy XIII". Destructoid.com. http://www.destructoid.com/100-objective-review-final-fantasy-xiii-179178.phtml. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
28. ^ "Destructoid Site Information". Gamerankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/sites/1601-destructoid/index.html. Retrieved 2011-07-26. 
29. ^ Sterling, Jim. "The Official Destructoid Reviews Guide 2011". http://www.destructoid.com/the-official-destructoid-review-guide-2011-203909.phtml. Retrieved 26 July 2011. 
30. ^ "Hudson Partners With Destructoid In Bomb-Up pack 2 For Bomberman Live" (Press release). Hudson Soft. 2007-09-19. http://www.hudsonentertainment.com/newsdetail.php?news_id=108. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
31. ^ Arendt, Susan (2007-09-19). "Destructoid Mascot Added to Bomberman Live". Wired News. http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/09/destructoid-mas.html. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
32. ^ Fahey, Mike (2007-09-19). "Destructoid Makes Bomberman Live Appearance". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/301353/destructoid-makes-bomberman-live-appearance. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
33. ^ "Hudson Partners With Destructoid In Bomb-Up Pack 2 For Bomberman Live". Eurogamer. 2007-09-19. http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/hudson-partners-with-destructoid-in-bomb-up-pack-2-for-bomberman-live. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
34. ^ Burch, Anthony (2008-01-08). "Destructoid review: Eternity's Child". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-eternity-s-child-97583.phtml. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
35. ^ Gillen, Kieron (2008-08-04). "Eternity’s Child Versus Destructoid". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/08/04/eternitys-child-versus-destructoid/. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
36. ^ Nunneley, Stephanie (2008-07-08). "Luc Bernard Steamed Over Destructoid's Review of Eternity's Child". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169220. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
37. ^ Sterling, Jim (2010-02-02). "Mr.-Destructoid-Returns-to-Videogames-in-Raskulls!". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/mr-destructoid-returns-to-videogames-in-raskulls--162325.phtml. Retrieved 2010-02-02. 
38. ^ "Play as Mr. Destructoid in Pirates vs Ninjas". Destructoid. Bardo Entertainment. http://www.destructoid.com/play-this-flash-game-with-mr-destructoid-win-a-gift-card-186545.phtml. Retrieved 19 August 2011. 
39. ^ Sterling, Jim. "Jim Sterling is a playable character in The Blocks Cometh". http://www.destructoid.com/jim-sterling-a-playable-character-in-the-blocks-cometh-205909.phtml. 
40. ^ Aziz, Hamza. "Fight Mr. Destructoid in Ms Splosion Man". http://www.destructoid.com/explode-fight-mr-destructoid-in-ms-splosion-man--206680.phtml. 
41. ^ Gonzalez, Niero. "Destructoid wants your balls in Ms. Splosion Man pinball". http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-wants-your-balls-in-ms-splosion-man-pinball-207088.phtml. 
42. ^ "Mr. Destructoid stars in Arcade Jumper". Black Hive Media. http://www.blackhivemedia.com/arcadejumper.html. Retrieved 2 August 2011. 
43. ^ "Mr. Destructoid joins the cast of Burgertime World tour". MonkeyPaw. http://www.destructoid.com/mr-destructoid-comes-to-burgertime-world-tour-210258.phtml. Retrieved 3 September 2011.