APRIL FOOL’S DAY – NO SHENANIGANS HERE

While there may be no shenanigans going on here, that sure doesn’t mean I can’t point out any great gags I see across the web today, now does it?

In all actuality, I was thinking of making a bunch of April Fool’s changes to the site, but in the end, time just wouldn’t allow it. You know what? Having seen what I’ve just seen over at Destructoid, I’m glad I didn’t – because anything I could possibly have come up with wouldn’t have been anywhere near as great. If you’re familiar with Kotaku’s Brian Crecente, you’re going to love this one – if you’re not, the joke is probably going to be lost on you.

While it’s too early to call this race, I think everyone else is going to have to do some serious work to top Destructoid today – but if I see any other truly noteworthy gags, I’ll be sure to post them.

While we’re on the subject of Brian Crecente (and not on the subject of gaming), I highly recommend you check out his last article as a full time staff member over at the Rocky Mountain News. It’s a great read where he gives us his take on the whole Pirates vs Ninja debate, and I’m happy to say that he comes down on the right side of this one. Arrrrr!

• Destructoid – Destuctoid’s April Fool’s Joke – check it out before it’s gone!
• Crecente: Pirate-vs.-ninja debate rages – Rocky Mountain News

SONY THREATENS TO BLACKLIST KOTAKU, BACKS OFF

Before you think I’m having a Sony love-in today, it’s time to prove that Sony can never have a good day without stepping in it at the same time. Here’s the short version of today’s Public Relations nightmare;

It apparently began when Kotaku’s Brian Crecente contacted Sony regarding a story they were looking to break. The story was in reference to a service Sony will apparently be introducing at next week’s Game Developer’s Conference (GDC) which will be a mix of Microsoft’s Achievement point system and Nintendo’s Mii avatars. Rather than just giving the usual "We don’t comment on rumors" line, Dave Karraker, Sony’s senior director of corporate communications, contacted Crecente and basically advised them not to run the story under threat of harming Kotaku’s relationship with Sony.

Thankfully, Crecente decided his loyalty was to his readers and games journalism, not Sony. As such, he politely responded to Sony that they would be running the story anyway… and then it got ugly. Karraker responded to Crecente’s e-mail by advising them that he "can’t defend outlets that can’t work cooperatively with us." and notifying Crecente that effective immediately, Sony would be cutting off Kotaku from any official communications with Sony. They cancelled all interviews scheduled with Kotaku staffers during the GDC and revoked the site’s invitation to their media event next week. Pretty grim, eh?

What Sony didn’t realize at the time, and probably still don’t fully understand, is something that I’ve touched on here a few times before. This isn’t 1995. Simply put, the days when print magazines had to kiss ass because the only place to get news about a console was directly from the manufacturer are long gone. Truth be told, Sony probably needs Kotaku more than Kotaku needs Sony.

Regardless of whether you agree with that last point, what happened next was pretty amazing. The story was picked up by multiple game sites and within a few short hours, the sheer amount of negative press made Sony rethink their position. Karraker contacted Crecente one last time, and both decided that while they would agree to disagree on the issue at hand, it was in the best interests of both Sony and Kotaku to renew their relationship.

First off, let me give a huge salute to Brian Crecente and the folks over at Kotaku who kept their heads during the few hours all hell must have been breaking loose around them. There’s a reason why Kotaku is my number one stop for gaming news, and that’s because since I started reading their site, I’ve grown to trust them to be honest about what they think and feel. As a reader, knowing that someone can’t buy or bully Kotaku into saying something other than what they really believe is a huge selling point.

Secondly, let me say that it really is time someone at Sony wakes the hell up and smells the internet. If you want positive press, earn it – no one worth reading is going to just give it to you just because you say so. No one is going to just accept the company line without questioning the stupid things you may say. Accept it, Deal with it and adapt to the new world. Thank you.

• Rumor: Sony To Unveil PlayStation Home – Kotaku (the story that started it all)
• Sony Blackballs Kotaku – Kotaku
• Sony and Kotaku Make-Up – Kotaku