What a way to start the "show." The "I Call For the End" piece was sort of radical and maybe offensive (I guess) but the fine folks at J2Games.com didn't hire me because I'm as cuddly as a Care Bear! There's been some interesting feedback from that piece so far and as far as I'm concerned I want all of you to keep it coming...both the good and the bad.
So what's the point of the Gamers Unite! column? My aim has always been to support and unite true gamers. I'm talking about the gamers that "don't matter," the gamers commonly slapped with the hardcore label. "Game journalism" is far more broken than (hopefully) gaming will be ever. Game journalists (GJ) are simply bitches for game developers to push around. GJ's get little to no respect and it's their own faults.
We not only don't see much talent among game reviewers, we don't see any guts That comment came from one of the game journalists (who I respect completely) that started it all and I couldn't agree more. I don't see any guts or passion in a majority of pro-sites and magazines. That's why I "picked up the pen" so to speak. I want to make a difference to the gamers that "don't matter" but matter to me. I want to create a sanctuary where you can come and be comforted by the fact that there's something created squarely with you in mind.
From Electronic Gaming Magazine many months ago:
Otogi 2 little?
Shoe, you say Otogi 2 is good, but when it came time to review it, space in the magazine sure clamped up tight. I know you have a magazine to sell, but 15 pages of Halo 2 screenshots? Otogi 2 is graced with only as much space as the Shame of the Month. I'd say, "You'd better recognize or there won't be an Otogi 3." - Wes Hinman
Editor-in-Chief Dan "Shoe" Hsu responds: "Nice parody of my review. As good of a game Otogi 2 is, we still have to acknowledge that relatively few people want to read about it. I'll bet you a trillion bucks that if we took a poll of all EGM readers and asked whether they'd want to see a bigger Otogi 2 review or more Halo 2 screens, almost all would pick the latter. Wanna shake on it?" Gamers Unite! stands for truth and justice. My mission is to serve true gamers, I promise to never pander to game companies or casual gamers in the way some of my contemporaries do. You may not always agree with what I write, but know that it's from the heart with a whole lot of fact thrown in for good measure. Please note that any casuals (or anyone) looking to join the ranks will always be welcomed with open arms.
Hopefully I can gain your trust. Once I do I want you to stand with me arm and arm and push to make a difference. This is no elitist vision, it's a call to fellow gamers that this could be home, this could be the hub for our family.
I know it can happen.
Your Old Pal,
Rob
rob@j2games.com 
