Gerstmann Axer Axed by CNet

Josh Larson Casualty of CNet 10% Workforce Reduction

There’s some sign of vindication in last November’s sacking of prominent Gamespot reviewer Jeff Gerstmann.  You may remember that Gerstmann was let go conveniently after his mediocre review of Kane and Lynch, at a time when ads promoting the game were plastered all over the site.

Last week, parent company CNet announced it would layoff ten percent of its workforce, 120 in all.  Last night, Kotaku learned through an internal memo that Josh Larson, VP of Games for CNet and the man highly believed to be the decision maker in Gerstmann’s termination, will be one of those 120 laid off.

Larson was one of the supervisors notorious for blurring the line between editorial integrity, and ensuring sales clients got their money’s worth out of the site.  Once Gerstmann was canned, several other editors and reviewers resigned.

However, Larson’s replacement may not be much better.  ValleyWag.com reports Shawn Rose, once of Yahoo!, may be coming in to fill the spot, according to a tip.  The report shows that Rose may be a bit of a suit himself.

No comment on the matter on Gerstmann’s blog today.  It’s also not clear right now how this will immediately impact Gamespot.