Konami Takes Action In Kotaku vs Famitsu Dispute

26 Apr 2010 at 23:38:02 by Peter Parrish

A recent Kotaku article which questioned the 40/40 score awarded to Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker by Japanese publication Famitsu has had repercussions for the site's Japanese arm.

Konami, publisher of MGS: Peace Walker, has made it clear that Kotaku Japan will no longer be welcome at the launch event for the game.

The original piece, entitled "Do Not Trust This Magazine's Review Scores" on Kotaku and a slightly less inflammatory "MGS: PW Got a Perfect Score in Famitsu... But Is It An Impartial Assessment?" on Kotaku Japan, questioned Famitsu's rating.

It pointed out that adverts for Famitsu appear in MGS: Peace Walker and noted that Hirokazu Hamamura, a former Famitsu editor-in-chief and now president of the company that publishes the magazine, has appeared in promotions for the game.

Of course, games writing is no stranger to accusations of conflicts of interest. Reviews are regularly deemed to be dubious if a site or magazine has carried advertising by the publisher of the game in question.

There is no evidence other than the business ties highlighted by Kotaku to suggest that Famitsu's review score was compromised. However, it seems reasonable to point out that the moment the magazine agreed to advertise within MGS: Peace Walker, the writer assigned to that review was placed in a no-win position.

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