I don't want to be dramatic, but I don't know if I can visit GameSpot in good conscience anymore, after reading this account, supposedly from a current member of the editorial team. Thanks to bryehngeocef for making me aware of it.

It's sounding more and more like the Kane & Lynch review had nothing to do with situation, and happens to be the scapegoat by way of bad timing. The problem, unfortunately, runs much deeper, and has little to do with Jeff's reviews at all. He just happened to be the head of the editorial operation.

This quote from the commenter shows the particularly despicable nature of CNET's actions:

Also, despite the fact that [the review] occured two weeks ago, there was no way they were going to fire him then; the last big games didn't come out until just before Thanksgiving, and there was no doubt that management knew that the rest of the reviewers would refuse to write any reviews after his termination, which is indeed what is happening. After thanksgiving nothing major comes out in games; everything is either before thanksgiving or comes out in January. They waited to fire him until they knew that any strike or walkout by the rest of the staff wouldn't have much of an effect.

I hadn't realized reviews stopped pouring out on Wednesday, but indeed, the only ones posted since that date are from freelancers. That more or less proves the story has some truth to it, and that editors are revolting in support of Jeff. That, or they're scared senseless to post a review with a score of anything less than ninety-nine point eleventy.

"Attention all shoppers. CNET appears to have misplaced their journalistic integrity. If you happen upon it, please return it to the Lost & Found. Thank you for shopping."

What's that, sir? You found it, but it's been destroyed? Broken into a hundred pieces, you say. Oh, dear.

Perhaps CNET can buy another, then. I hear they're doing quite well for themselves. Revenue from advertising, or somesuch.

Oh? You mean you can't BUY this "journalistic integrity"?

...well, then. Isn't that a pickle.

It's amazing how much you can play WoW, and still come across new experiences. Here's the story of how I managed to get my RL friend, who's just starting out in WoW (we'll call him J), killed over and over last night.

In three days, J had already hit level 15, and pushed through to the Redridge zone - typically suitable for level 18 and up. I wanted to help him, but my 11 warlock was too low to be of any use, so I took my 29 pally to Redridge. The first order of business was to run around and kill some gnolls for his quest. He cashed the quest in, then said he needed to kill Yowler, the gnoll boss in the hills behind the Redridge town.

While we're in town, a gnome mage approaches me and says "can you take me to incentite?" I had no idea what he meant, so I just replied with a "?". Anyways, I lead the way, and take the road on the east, going north up to the hills. The gnome follows us even though I haven't really said anything to him.

I go ahead on the road a bit, and to my surprise see J's life bar has dropped to zero. As it turns out, there's a few level 20 orcs on that road lurking behind the trees and boulders. Because of the game's aggro rules, they ignore me (I'm a healthy 9 levels higher than them), but have a field day with J (an unfortunate 5 levels lower). So apparently these three orcs had jumped out and ambushed him to a pulp. By the time I turned around and got back, J was dead on the floor, and the little gnome was getting whaled on like no tomorrow. I desperately started a heal, but before it finished he died too. I admit there's not much more comical than seeing a tiny gnome getting rained on by three angry orcs, so my reaction time here may have been unfavourable.

The dust settles as I assess the casualties. J asks "can you res?" Sure, I reply as I ressurect him, and next try to res the gnome too. But I had forgotten about the orcs. Mere moments after J comes back to life, the orcs pounce all over him like hungry lions on a wheezing gazelle. He was left staring face down at the earth before I could blink.

Sheepishly I say, "Lemme kill these guys before I res you ". I hunt down the two orcs that have been causing J so much grief and show them the business end of my mace. Going back to J's body, I res him thinking the worst was over. Alas, I had missed a third orc from further away. This last marauding orc storms in, and a few axe blows to the head later, J is splattered on the the floor again. Whoops. At this point, J says "Not good, not good, all my armor is broken." (You get a 10% durability penalty to your equipment each time you die.)

I "LOL"ed.

What are your best co-op gaming memories?