Luke Smith leaving 1up [Ziff /Davis] ?

Richlough

Richlough

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I just watched episode 72 of the 1up Show , and at the very end Luke Smith asks to talk with Kathleen Sanders .
Their conversation is behind closed doors but filmed through a window .
Subtitles were added to it so you can find out what was said .

LukeLeaving.gif


http://the1upshow.1up.com/

Kathleen looks devastated [see above] when she is told , and leaves the room in a pissed off state of denial .

I hope , if Luke is leaving , he still has a game related job that I can read about .
He is my favorite member of both 1up Yours & The 1up Show .
 
Who wants to take bets on the "That sucks" : "See ya!" ratio of responses here? I'm saying 1:4. After all, it is news affiliated with Ziff-Davis, and we know how The Hardcore Gamer just loves that publisher!

P.S. I predicted this...sort of. Gotta dig up the 2007 predictions thread here.

EDIT: Ah, here we go.
Not so sure about the Mark MacDonald replacement part, though.

Back to the EDIT: I also think Nintendo is behind this, to a large degree anyway. Yeah, yeah, I know he's saying he wasn't asked to resign, but Shia LeBouf wasn't in Indy 4 until he was, well, in Indy 4. Public figures are obligated to lie. I just think the timing of this is funny, when one considers how shortly it followed "Shoe's" blog about how Nintendo ixnayed the Regginator interview because of an 'issue' they had with 1up/EGM. And between his incessant Wii-bashing and insinuations about Kaplan and "IGN Matt", I think that he was the "issue".
 
[quote name='jollydwarf']Who wants to take bets on the "That sucks" : "See ya!" ratio of responses here? I'm saying 1:4. After all, it is news affiliated with Ziff-Davis, and we know how The Hardcore Gamer just loves that publisher!

P.S. I predicted this...sort of. Gotta dig up the 2007 predictions thread here.

EDIT: Ah, here we go.
Not so sure about the Mark MacDonald replacement part, though.

Back to the EDIT: I also think Nintendo is behind this, to a large degree anyway. Yeah, yeah, I know he's saying he wasn't asked to resign, but Shia LeBouf wasn't in Indy 4 until he was, well, in Indy 4. Public figures are obligated to lie. I just think the timing of this is funny, when one considers how shortly it followed "Shoe's" blog about how Nintendo ixnayed the Regginator interview because of an 'issue' they had with 1up/EGM. And between his incessant Wii-bashing and insinuations about Kaplan and "IGN Matt", I think that he was the "issue".[/quote]


I will take that bet with a He will be missed. Luke is fucking funny and I have a feeling he is leaving for wait for it..... Bungie kinda like Franky did a few years ago from OXM
 
Honestly, this isn't too surprising. 1up/EGM never had the strongest retention rate, and Luke has seemed to dislike practically everything about video games in the past few months. One can only fake so much bitterness about the gaming industry before what comes through is real.
 
Wasn't there a comment he made that was one of the reasons(along with other reasons) why EGM didn't get the interview with Nintendo with the May issue?
 
Actually, what I think happened is that girl threatened to injure him with that bat after the show if he didn't quit "voluntarily." It's all a set up! Just look at her face...and his....aaaa
 
i don't get all the 1up hate. I think they're the best print magazine/website out there. Luke smith was the best on that podcast too. He didn't take any crap from Shane, and balanced it out well. I hope he still is working in games, but who knows. He seems to only like Warcraft and Halo 2.
 
Wasn't there a comment he made that was one of the reasons(along with other reasons) why EGM didn't get the interview with Nintendo with the May issue?


That's as good a speculation right now as any.

i don't get all the 1up hate. I think they're the best print magazine/website out there.

Pretty much.

Luke smith was the best on that podcast too.

True.

He didn't take any crap from Shane, and balanced it out well.

And that may be part of said "hate". Luke continuously called out Sony and Nintendo (and Microsoft) when warranted, and given that Shane is Resident Fanboy there, I think that Luke by extension offended those of similar 'thinking' processes. Because he took a no-bullshit, confrontational stance with such beloved (commence eye-rolling) console manufacturers, he earned the ire of at least two-thirds of the more, um, 'passionate' (and in turn vocal) portion of the gaming 'community'. As if there's anything but dysfunction and obsession that unites those people.

No, regardless of where he ends up, he's the kind of guy who cuts through the spin and the shit, and he's more likely to end up beating himself up in Sam Kennedy's office than he is to be concerned about his cornflower blue tie or what sort of font his business card has. Sad truth: the "Lukes" of the world are always fighting it, and the "Shanes" are always reaping the benefits of being unapologetic apologists.
 
IGN's longest termed editor, Doug Perry, also quit IGN this week. He had a farewell column and said he was leaving to work for a new, yet unnamed gaming website. Maybe Luke Smith is doing the same?
 
Another twist on that scenario is that "Lukems" replaces Perry at IGN. Love...Luke. Hate...I...G...N...such...con...flict!....

EDIT: And remember, Luke, a GAMING JOURNALIST, doesn't even have his own HDTV yet (as of about a month ago, anyway). Something tells me the Rupert-owned IGN can pay a little more than whatever bag o' peanuts (M&Ms) Z-D was feeding him.
 
[quote name='RelentlessRolento']should I still care?[/QUOTE]

Is it really that hard to resist the reply button when you have nothing to add to the thread... twice now?
 
[quote name='MSUHitman']IGN's longest termed editor, Doug Perry, also quit IGN this week. He had a farewell column and said he was leaving to work for a new, yet unnamed gaming website. Maybe Luke Smith is doing the same?[/QUOTE]

No, because that would be a competitor. Luke said he wasn't leaving for a competitor.

And am I the only one who says thank the Gods for this one? It just gets to me how the internet goes starfuck over this guy. The squeaky wheel gets the attention, I guess.

Luke Smith was a hack. He was a "news" editor who wrote grammatically incorrect, spelling-mistake laden blog posts as news, and only sporadically so. I say "news" in quotes, because he never reported newsworthy articles anyway. He was never a journalist, or asked the tough questions. Remember that Jaffe interview? He started with a hardball question and then backed off when challenged, as if he never really knew how to back it up. He was a journalist who was frequently intimidated by his interviewees, which to me is a slap in the face of true journalism.

His frequent and blatant immature sexual jokes won't be missed by me. I used to make those jokes in middle school before I grew up. He was 27, and a "professional". That's just inexcusable.

His ego masks his inability for him to make a solid contribution to the videogame journalism profession. He frequently pandered, if that's the right word, his guests and co-hosts on 1UP Yours. I remember when Sean Elliot guest-hosted. Sean is a good writer, and a true gamer, and even though he's a comedian on the GFW Podcast, he really is a respectable member of the videogame journalism community. But Luke embarrassed himself with his sex jokes and abhorring interviewing skills, then treated Sean inferior like he was on his first day at the job, when in reality Elliot had years of industry experience on him.

And that was me being kind. Luke Smith is a fucking asshole. An embarrassment to the people trying to make videogame journalism respectable. Doug Lowenstein, in his exit speech at D.I.C.E., said the gaming press needed to take itself more seriously. And I'm sure he said that while looking at the motley crew of 1UPpers sitting in the audience.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Is it really that hard to resist the reply button when you have nothing to add to the thread... twice now?[/QUOTE]

It comparable to when people used to post +1 post count
 
No, because that would be a competitor. Luke said he wasn't leaving for a competitor.

I'll say it again: you can't assign any value to public figures making these claims. They will lie and lie and lie because they have to until the time is right. Maybe his claims will hold up here, but right now I think all scenarios are equally likely based on what we know.

And while Luke is/was a polarizing figure, he was still easily the second-best (at worst) of the four "1up Yours" regulars over the last year. I won't reiterate what a bootlicker, lapdog wannabe Shane is, and Garnett is as awkward as he is inaccurate. Jon's the pivot man of the group and extremely level-headed, but do we want that times four? I sure as hell know that I don't.

The gaming media has many much bigger problems than Luke's playground humor.
 
Positions as high as News Editor don't come without strings attached. Which is why you don't see as many people leap from Gamespot to IGN to 1UP, etc. etc.

He has a non-compete. He won't be going to IGN. Most likely he's moving to print, to a developer/publisher, or as he's said being more interested in the "business aspects" of videogames, maybe but unlikely he's going to work as an analyst. Remember, this guy can't shave and doesn't know how to refrain from four-letter words, so I would imagine his next endeavor will be less-than-professional.
 
Even though I am a Luke Fan. I haven't forgotten Luke did steal the Crackdown Halo 3 beta pics from here without CAG mention for a while.

I think 1up is going to be more polite now and that's not a good thing, If someone can't complain about a game that a dev decided to show early then the Dev should have never showed it at all. If Nintendo/Sony/MS can't stand that some magazine has something bad to say about the system then thats their own Fault. Game Journalism was crap without Luke Smith and him leaving doesnt make it any less crappier.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Is it really that hard to resist the reply button when you have nothing to add to the thread... twice now?[/QUOTE]


Well, I guess I should contribute some input... >_<

As far as I can say, people in the press, even video game press, rank quite low in my book (though I know, obviously from this news, other people have attachment to these people). Don't think I discard their humanity (the press people), heck I'm more happy for this guy leaving than staying. He seems like he's taking a very rewarding risk in his life that will probably lead to alot of better things for himself personally. Most people don't even get to the point where they are willing to do so...

um, back to the press... In the end they mainly just chug out info and are alternate means to advertising a product. That may sound shallow, and it is phrased very shallow, but it is what it is.

don't take any of this too seriously though since again, I shouldn't care.
 
He has a non-compete.

You know this as fact? Or is this just a strong likelihood?

I could respond to the rest of your post, but it's pretty clear that there's more than just a pinch of vitriol in your opinion of him, so I don't think a constructive dialogue is possible here. Try if you want, but as far as I'm concerned, this conversation...is over.

P.S. While maybe he'll divulge his reasons for why he's leaving and maybe many of us won't buy them, this isn't a good lesson 'for the kids'. It's like the lost Harry Potter book where Draco (Shane) gets away with everything for the entire school year and Harry gets framed, expelled, and sent back to the Dursleys for good.

EDIT: In the end they mainly just chug out info and are alternate means to advertising a product. That may sound shallow, and it is phrased very shallow, but it is what it is.


No, that's still largely the truth/the standard, and given the way things are going and how a large contingent (the majority?) of the gaming community almost seems to want this sort of "BESURETODRINKYOUROVALTINE" shilling, it's not likely to change anytime soon, if ever. Gaming is keeping itself snugly in the 'intellectual ghetto'. Oh no, here comes Reverend Sharpton! Gotta go!!
 
that's cool... I used to watch that retarded show for some of the reviews since I could get it on video podcast. Luke was one of those trying to go EMO I think... ? They all start to sound a like when they are whining.
 
[quote name='evanft']IIRC, was he the one always bitching about stupid bullshit in the videos?[/QUOTE]


Oh yeah, that really narrows it down to about.....every game journalist ever :lol:


Remember, this guy can't shave and doesn't know how to refrain from four-letter words, so I would imagine his next endeavor will be less-than-professional.
Click to expand...

porn?
 
This is what I mean when I bash the videogame media. All you sad people who swoon over these guys like little girls as if they are contributing something great to society when in fact all they do is write about games and try to sound cool so you like them and buy whatever they are selling.

Who gives a shit who gets fired where or whatever? Seriously, people, stop clinging to these guys like little babies and start forming your own opinions about games.

Or are you going to make "who likes Seanbaby" threads for the rest of your life?
 
I don't know the specific terms of his offer and position, and I can't say I know for everyone, but most 1UP editors have a non-compete clause in their offer sheet. Staff writers and interns, obviously, do not. That's why you saw Kathleen Sanders go from 1UP as an intern, to IGN, and then back to 1UP. Actually, I have it from a good source Kathleen's decision was mutual between her and IGN, that her personality didn't fit in with IGN's News Corp.-infused culture.

But yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I stand firm on mine.

As far as his decision to leave, remember he's only been at 1UP for less than 18 months, and hasn't made many friends in the industry, competitor or publisher. So this story will probably be pretty interesting as it unfolds.
 
[quote name='zewone']Why?[/quote]



He is a MASSIVE Bungie fan boy and mark my words in my post on the first page, me really thinks that is where he is going to end up.......
 
[quote name='MrX']He is a MASSIVE Bungie fan boy and mark my words in my post on the first page, me really thinks that is where he is going to end up.......[/QUOTE]
I like Bungie too, but what can I offer them? That's my question, why would Bungie want him?
 
Maybe he'll go back to writing on local theater or whatever it was he did before Ziff.

As others have stated, his 1up presence would have been non-existent if not for 1up yours and the 1up show. If I had to guess I'd say if anything he would leave for a position that focuses primarily on the multimedia aspect of game news. Perhaps a g4 outlet, which may not be considered a competitor.

You could also look at the possibility of community management. Quite a few game journalists go to developer/publishing houses as community managers. Supposedly he is on the 1up boards often (which I don't read because it pains me to go to their horribly designed site as it is) which one could assume lends to future work in that department.
 
I'm not sure where all the hate comes from. I'm sad to see him go - 1UP Yours is the only other podcast I listen to religiously (other than the CAGcast, of course) and I think most of it was because of Luke. He keeps everyone in check and isn't afraid to call anyone out for anything - plus, penis jokes are funny.
 
I don't know who any of these people are, but I'd like that Kathleen chick to order me around and tell me to get to work and stuff....whilst naked. Perhaps even holding the baseball bat. And with a Cubs cap. Oh yeah...:drool:
 
[quote name='jrutz']Sorry Stoneage. I think you are confusing Kathleen with a woman. She plays for the opposite team.[/QUOTE]
I still haven't heard the against part of your argument. ;)
 
[quote name='Stoneage']I still haven't heard the against part of your argument. ;)[/QUOTE]

Heh, three's company! :D
 
I've always wondered if Kathleen started life as a dude.

And Luke Smith rocks, so does 1up yours. I know this is blasphemy, but for a videogame podcast, i'll take 1up yours over the CAGcast anyday. I listen to both every week, but I seem to enjoy EGM/1up's more, because it's not just wombat bitching about everything except oblivion. (don't flame me, IMO and all that)

In other news, you should really check out the One Life Left podcast, it's an actual radio show broadcast in britain and it's very unique and funny, with plenty of original skits and such.
 
Luke is ok. I'll always remember him for his constant crying about all the Wii consoles being sold.

Mark McDonald in his place might make that podcast better.
 
He cries/cried about the Wii selling so well because so far, he's not buying the manufacturing woes, the "sheep" are lapping up PSClusterfuck ports, and if the Wii becomes too successful, that will most likely be detrimental to the industry, in that it'll take the focus away from fleshed-out games* and envelope-pushing tech. At the very least, it will discourage more innovation for the system itself, as people will have demonstrated that they're A-O.K. with a thousand varieties of minigame collections. He also doesn't like how evasive Nintendo is with most media, and how said "sheep" will buy a Crayola 64-pack of console/handheld colors simply because they're available. Can't blame him on any of those counts.

Please note that he's an equal-opportunity offender...yes, even with Halo and WoW when warranted. Most people conveniently overlook this, 'strangely' enough.

*--I know, lemme guess..."But who's got time anymore for 40-hour epics?" Yeah, somethin' tells me that the Nintendo loyalist's philosophy will comport itself directly in lockstep with Nintendo's direction at any given moment. Mark my words when I say that Twilight Princess will be the consensus greatest non-VC game on the Wii when it's all said and done.
 
[quote name='Stoneage']I don't know who any of these people are, but I'd like that Kathleen chick to order me around and tell me to get to work and stuff....whilst naked. Perhaps even holding the baseball bat. And with a Cubs cap. Oh yeah...:drool:[/quote]
She is a CAG... ;)
 
I reaally liked Luke. It's sad to see him go. I mean, at least until he goes to another site. Any bets on weather he goes back to Kotaku?
 
I doubt he'll head back. I mean...that'd be a pay cut from what appeared to be an underpaying job, right?

Or...do you mean he'll just contribute there on the side? Well, it's possible. We should get a story about the "Why?" and the "Where?" sometime in the next few days. I'm just not sure I'll ever believe what he offers up concerning the former question.
 
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