With all the news blogs out there, I rarely come to GS for news. I don't even read previews all that often. I basically only come here for reviews and user blogs. Oh, and The Hot Spot.

Like everybody else, I'm now concerned about how reviews can be affected by advertising. Unless they tell me otherwise, I don't know how I can trust the GameSpot reviews any more. 99% of them will probably be fine, but I can't take that chance. My dedication to this site has always been based on me trusting specific writers. Now that Jeff is gone, the only reviewer I actually like is Alex. Kevin and Aaron do fine work, but I don't have the connection with them. When Rich left, at least Jeff was still a part of the Hot Spot. When Jeff leaves... well, something is missing. I like Vinny, Ryan, Brad, Alex. But they need a Jeff.

Here's what I'd like to see in the future. I'd like to see Jeff start-up his own thing and hire a bunch of writers. I'd like to see that site be just reviews and a weekly podcast. There are so many other outlets covering everything - news, reviews, previews, catalogues, forums. My vision for Jeff's game site would work on a number of levels. First, it gives Jeff creative license. Second, by scaling down the scope of the site the infrastructure is cheaper to sustain. Because Jeff already has a following he would instantly have readers and the decade-plus experience he has in the industry wouldn't mean he's just some Jack trying to start a new site out of nothing. I'd read it, that's for sure.

As for GameSpot, it was a good run while it lasted and these things always seem to come to abrupt closes. I'm probably going to "retire" from the site, unless some visible changes are made. It will no longer be my source for reviews. It will not be getting my renewal money next time around. I'll come back to read user blogs and to keep up with the staff members I've enjoyed, but most likely I won't be updating mine any more. I do have a couple of other blogs and projects if you want to keep up. Add me to your favorite feed reader. I'll be adding my favorite users' blogs to my Google Reader feeds. Also, if you want to plug other places I can follow you, do so in the comments.

I hope CNET learns something from all of this. The second biggest thing (next to not letting ad dollars affect editorial decisions) is that they need some sort of PR mechanism to handle this. They say they're not allowed to comment on GameSpot employees past or present, which leads the public to believe only what they read. Given the number of former employees who have blogged on the subject, plus Tim's simultaneous departure, we know something's rotten in the state of Denmark. We'll have to see what unfolds in the next few weeks.

Ciao Mr. Gerstmann and Mr. Tracy.

**Note: Let it be known that I do not blame the entity we know as "GameSpot," but rather the suits handing down these dictum from on high. I really feel for all the innocents caught in the crossfire. I hope this is rectified for everybody else. I'll come back if the suits admit they did wrong and changes are made, for all the excellent employees' sakes.