Stadium Staffers Blast TSSZ Story; Stop Andac Blog Discussion
Tristan Oliver | January 7, 2009
Slingerland: TSSZ an “Absolute Embarrassment”
There may be a good reason you’re not seeing what is, arguably, one of the biggest stories in the Sonic and Sega communities in some time, on the front page of the Sonic Stadium, the largest Sonic site in the world.
Stadium staffers have shut down all discussion of the story on their message board after it degenerated into harsh criticism, by SSMB forumers and Stadium staff alike, toward TSSZ News and this reporter, with regard to the direction the story examined. This happened despite the news being picked up by major news outlets such as News 4 Gamers and Kotaku, and also happened even as Slingerland, a Sonic Stadium staffer, penned the original forum topic, and asked for discussion.
The entire thread no longer exists.
But Slingerland, Dreadknux, and other SSMB members quickly turned the tables. Some SSMB members used the discussion to accuse this site and this reporter of slandering Ben Andac. Andac is the ex-Sega and current Sony employee who disclosed details on NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams originally being an XBOX360/PS3 title and prophesied the existence of the Werehog in Sonic Unleashed on his now defunct blog. Some felt we published our story with disregard to possible consequences that could come about toward Andac.
One of those individuals was FlashTHD, who, on the Green Hill Zone message boards, was the original person to unearth the information. We can’t relay you his comments verbatim as we haven’t been able to completely recover the original SSMB forum thread. Rest assured, they were harsh.
We are, however, able to give you some trinkets as discussion turned ugly from top brass at the Sonic Stadium. After regretting ever posting the story in the first place simply because it was a TSSZ News story, here’s what Brad Flick, known to most as Slingerland, had to say to this reporter directly–evidently forgetting that the story was penned by our editor, Ryan Bloom:
I, personally, don’t care if you take verbal dumps on SEGA. It’s jeopardizing Mr. Andac’s career that is the problem. You should have ran this story by him, but instead, you took the tabloid route. You aren’t even a real journalist, jackass. You just saw what Flash dug up and ran with it.
Us crying foul isn’t about TSSZ becoming popular. I could give a fuck about your news site. It’s about respect to Mr. Andac.
[....]
You have no right to tell us how to behave when you don’t even run a news site properly. Your site is an absolute embarrassment to the Sonic community and I wish that you’d get the fuck out. We would all be a lot more happier if you didn’t kick up drama all the time. You don’t deserve to even cover this community, since you obviously don’t respect it enough.
Sonic Stadium webmaster Svend Joscelyne, known as Dreadknux, was a bit kinder, but not by much:
Surely the catalyst for Ben’s current troubles is the TSSZNews article and the replication of that article on various other game websites, not the fanbase itself.
I do feel bad for the poor guy, all things considered. I’m not sure why his job at Sony would be in jeopardy over this, although I can see it from his current employer’s eyes – if you’ve done the dirty and broken NDAs and whatnot when you were in your last job, there’s a worry that it might happen with Sony as well.
This all did spiral out of control, and a lot of us have grossly overreacted to what essentially was a glorified rant sprinkled with some new information on NiGHTS: JoD’s development and a Sonic Unleashed reveal. Aside from those two elements, nothing said was really of importance to us, yet somehow a lot of us latched onto the “passionless Sonic Team” part like it was news. I can see why FlashTHD (nice to see you again, by the way dude) dug further into this situation in order to uncover some potential development tidbits, but I guess the corporo-bitching makes for a better news story; which is why we’ve seen TSSZ, Kotaku et al run with that angle. An unwanted side-effect for some behind-the-scenes information, for sure.
Although I am inclined to agree with the position that Ben did set himself up for this inevitabiliy, nobody deserves to lose a job over an incident that they clearly regret and have moved on from. Particularly in this state of recession going on – I wish Ben all the best.
[....]
Tristan, I’m going to break it down quite simply – it’s not the story that’s the problem, it’s the attitude. Put simply; you’re not a fucking journalist.
Not all SSMB members share these sentiments. Aurora Borealis put things in a different perspective:
…While you guys are constantly telling people that TSSZNews are assholes for publishing the news, I was honestly hoping that someone would have the decent sense to comment on the fact that, why did Andac even put the blog up there in the first place? Sure, it might have been under an anonymous names, but where exactly is the point in that? You’re talking about how the company you work for is screwing up and you’re posting this on the internet. The motherfucking internet, where anyone can go on and publicly humiliate the living fuck out of you on sites like MySpace and YouTube, ruining your image and life. The guy was spreading information completely meant to stay on the inside of things and it doesn’t matter how anonymous the guy may be, it’s not supposed to happen. Saying that you ”regret it now” is a little too late for that. Besides you’re also posting a story about one of the most well-known VG characters in the world, knowing fans they’ll obviously eat it and twist it around the worst way possible. [....] Internet is going to fuck you up and bastardize things one way or another.
Dreadknux would backtrack some on his original comments before blowing the thread to bits:
Everyone’s going to hate any professional news outlet for simply reporting stuff. There are newspapers in Britain that are constantly getting sued because of something they said that the papers ran with. I have people who hate this site for some reason. Hate happens.
I understand your agitation about people talking down TSSZ about reporting this story, because it’s been picked up by loads of outlets and still you’re getting shitragged. I think the difference is the effect your article in particular is having on Andac – I can’t vouch for any other site, but Kotaku for example has angled their carrying of your story towards the NiGHTS development. Which I’m sure was the point of Flash’s discovery rather than the bitching that surrounded it. I think focusing on the ‘Anti-SEGA’-ness of it all is probably where people think you may be ‘spinning’ it, as whatever happened between Ben and SEGA most likely ended when he decided to delete all of his posts.
I’ll continue to respect the direction you’ve taken this and future stories, but I’m just trying to make you see why people may be at your heels with this.
It is unclear as to whether discussion of the story will ever resume.
This is a good opportunity to note that TSSZ News holds a policy not to retract or edit stories except in the case of a clear factual error. Further, TSSZ News will continue to defend and vouch for the accuracy of all of our reporting, as well as our team members who post news on this site. We will bring you more fan reaction from across the gaming world regarding our story in the coming days.
Filed Under Sonic Fan Flash, Sonic Scene
You’re a real piece of work, you know that mate.
No honour.
My heart exploded from laughter. XD
You forgot to mention that I actually spoke to Andac and I learned the context of the whole situation. Not because it was a “TSSZ Story,” because I actually thought it was interesting at first. I mean, hell, I started the topic over there. XD
Oh, well, at least I get more publicity, right? XD XD XD
FIRST AT TSSZ NEWS- FORUM MODERATORS DELETE TOPIC FILLED WITH FLAMEWAR.
REAL NEWS AT 11.
….TSSZ News keeps becoming more of a joke by the day.
*I could give a fuck about your news site.*
Its: I could NOT give a fuck about your news site.
THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING RIGHT NOW!
…hahahahahahah…
You guys are great. XD
If Fox News reported on all of the hate they get on internet forums, they’d never get to the actual news part of the broadcast.
Oh, put a cork in it, you two. You’re just making it worse for yourselves.
To me, the article just interpretated what Ben said. Yes, I have my suspicions over the article, but it’s just their job to report findings, positive or otherwise.
Definitely more professional than your article on The Black Knight last July, need I remind you? Pots and kettles.
TSS is not a news site and have never professed ourselves to be professional. If anybody read the first blog post of the new format, they would’ve known that.
That’s what was wrong with the coverage of that story, too.
If you honestly think you can compare an obvious opinion piece on Black Knight (which was done as a joke and just as sensationally written about on this website) with a website trying to be FOX News, then more fool you, Pur.
Ahuh, still…
“We would all be a lot more happier if you didn’t kick up drama all the time.”
News site or not, hypocrisy shouldn’t be present. You’re still very much in an inter-linked network, after all.
I’ve seen far worse coverages than that. In fact, minus the language, that’s normal coverage for news. Except usually, the opinions are dumped with the facts, and not seperated as in the article.
Hypocrisy? We can’t be held responsible for what non-staffers (regular members) of our forums say, it’s a bit churlish to assume we should admit responsibility for over 10,000 people just because they visit our site.
As for what Brad said (that you quoted), there’s hardly any hypocrisy given that any drama he’s caused has been 100% instigated by Tristan anyway.
The article Ryan wrote isn’t actually what I have issue with, it’s how Tristan seems to think that a topic lock is somehow newsworthy. That, and what Tristan did in that topic that he’s conveniently not reporting. But hey, whatever makes the writer look good eh?
Well, I do not have too much to say, but…
I know how un-credible TSSZ can be. So to Slingerland: in response your saying that TSSZ is an absolute embarrassment…
In short…
You da man! Really! You just spoke the truth!
You know what they say though, one cannot have a fire without the fuel. I’m almost certain the incident I mentioned earlier didn’t involve this guy, it was yourselves who managed to get so much negativity that ArchAngelUK fell out with you.
Speaking of comparisons, this also reeks of that ‘defenders’ article you wrote; pretty much smiting those who gave comments to you, without posting any on the other side of the argument.
I don’t want to refer to that event so much, but that’s the first thing that came to mind, with this event. Please note I’m only speaking of this one event and of your one event [and perhaps this other one other article from October where you spoke about all the drama that had happened], and not of general happenings. I’m not familar with events of the past between you two.
Oh, well, this is certainly a nice thing to wake up to.
Leave it to Oliver to continue his pathetic feud with certain individuals as well as post about trivial fandom bullshit…. absolutely disgraceful.
whats with all the hub bub its only information. how can people blast the news site for posting information ????? yeah exactly
9_9 *sigh*
You’re “reporting” on why a site stopped talking about news simply because they pointed out some illegitimacy of the whole thing and this site? Sad.
15 Reasons TSSZ|NEWS Can shove it.
http://tristanisadouche.webs.com/apps/photos/album.jsp?albumID=3701324
11.18.08
Sonic Unleashed Reviews Become the Primary Reason TSSZ is updated.
11.20.08
Nexus MIDI Contest & OST Announced (The Beginings of Slinger-Watch!)
11.21.08
SLOW NEWS DAY – Bandwidth causes Retro Downtime
11.25.08
SLOW NEWS DAY – Firestorm’s 1st Public Demo Uses Music without Permission – Quickly Rectified
11.26.08-11.30.08
SLOW NEWS WEEK – Tristan has nothing to talk about…At All
(BTW – Journalism is not CopyPasting Reviews you did not write)
12.08.08
@Issue Poll Tallied Once The Desired Precentages were reached
12.09.08
SLOW NEWS DAY – Out of hand Flame-wars and Recycled Discussion are put to a stop on Stadium & Retro
12.19.08
SLOW NEWS DAY – Out of hand Flame-wars and Recycled Discussion Return to Stadium & Retro with Rules
12.26.08
TSSZ Posts its 30th CopyPasta Review for Sonic Unleashed
12.26.08
SLINGER-WATCH! – Brads XMas Greeting to Sega is Badass – People shocked by Badass-ary
01.07.09
SLINGER-WATCH! – Stadium (Brad) Destroys a Thread that had gotten Out of hand Flam-wars because TSSZ Posted (See: The blog SEGA doesn’t want you to see)
Tristan Once again prooves how much of a Duouche he is.
In Full Douche-baggery at the one Demigod continuing to Expose TSSZ|NEWS – Tristan Quickly BULLSHITS another article over similar action taken on SFGHQ (by Brad) calling his Power into question – Eventhough his Power grants him the right to ‘virtually’ do what he feels is necessary for SFGHQ.
At least Brad got a spiffy Graphic out of it.
*sigh* THIS IS ANNOYING ME…
@hax0r tails
Wow, dude. Talk about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
…….What the fuck is going on here? Seriously.
I’m freakin confused.
Oh lawd, this article is pathetic. Why embarrass yourself in such a way?
I’m confused…
I’m sure I could try to give my whole opinion on all of this, but I’d probably either a) make myself look like an idiot or b) try to make someone else look dumb, and still make myself look like an idiot. So I’ll just say this: I honestly never thought people liking a video game could generate any drama like this.
AND I MEAN NO OFFENSE TO -ANYONE- HERE. Thank you.
@Hypo Prower none taken from me…
This is getting nuts. Here’s an idea for you Slingerland vs Oliver IRL extreme rules match. Winner has to keep their mouth shut on the net for a year.
Do you see yourself typing? Topic locks are not news. This site stirs more shit than kids do in playgrounds.
Well, not really the site as it’s not the rest of your staffs fault, it’s just you that stirs the shit Tristan. Start writing proper articles about proper news if you want respect earned on your site.
Slingerland go fuck yourself you arrogant twat, you’re going to die alone and a virign
LOL, internet drama. Really, who cares what folks derive from a news site such as TSSZ reporting findings such as Ben Adac’s DELETED blog entry? If there is any other info that should be brought to our attention for clarity’s sake, simply make another news update with the info. Journalist or not, this reporting of facts on TSSZ’s part was perfectly fine.
Who cares about Adac anyway??? He was dumb enough to post that stuff online and if he pays the consequences, its hiw own stupid fault, not TSSZ. More people seem to be upset about the fact that perhaps their beloved SEGA might be cracking the whip too hard, that Sonic Team may in fact not give a damn anymore, and that Sonic as a franchise that looks like its almost locked in a downward sprial. Whenever something comes out supposedly questioning something you like, first reaction is to defend what you like no matter what the evidence. You can say “hey you shouldn’t have done that to adac” but how many of you actually give two shits about the guy anyway??? He was somebody you never knew or heard about until he put that stuff on his blog (in order to get his name out there i might add) and now suddenly your making him out to be some martyr just because the simple fact that SEGA has no more excuses left and your our of reasons to defend this franchise entirely. Listen, SEGA is and has been a wreck for years now. Don’t start going off on a NEWS site for reporting news. Just cause Sonic Stadium wants to jump in bed with SEGA doesn’t mean the rest of us want to whore ourselves out to them.
Dude the Sonic Stadium needs to shut the fuck up and get out they just bash the series all the time. Dont listen to them TSSZ you guys are true sonic fans. You guys are a true fansite. they arent your good journalists they arent.