Fanboys love arguing over console supremacy. These individuals, for some reason, feel the need to justify their expensive purchase to anyone and everyone. They are constantly in the virtual trenches, ready to hurl insults at a moments notice. Though it is usually these jackasses that raise the biggest stink, there are times when even level-headed gamers can’t keep their opinions bottled up.

Gametrailers is a great place to find the latest game-related media circulating the World Wide Web. The site is constantly updated with trailers, teasers, developer diaries, cinematics, television spots and reviews. While most of this content is completely harmless, the site’s comparison videos, which often pit PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 games against each other, always have potential to incite flame wars.

Earlier this year, the site released a feature comparing the PS3 and 360 versions of Codemaster’s racer “GRID.” At least it was supposed to be a comparison. Apparently, someone figuratively fell asleep in post production and forgot to include footage from the 360 version of the game. Sony nation declared fightin’ words and migrated to various forums to bitch about the media’s bias against its shiny black console. The video quickly vanished from the site, which only amplified the uproar.

With a litany of gamers questioning the site’s integrity, Joystiq sat down with Gametrailers Editor In Chief Shane Satterfield to find out what went wrong. He assured industry followers that the site did not favor one platform holder over another and said he was “shocked that such an innocent mistake” was “portrayed as intentional and malicious.”

We work hard to make sure there’s quality content for everyone on the site, and when stuff like this happens you feel a litle (sic) betrayed by the people you’re working so hard for. Wouldn’t it be nice if we lived in a world where people just enjoyed video games regardless of what platform they’re released for?

After a few months, the controversy was largely forgotten. Now PS3 owners are doing what they should have been doing back in May: enjoying the great library of games available for their console.

It is almost laughable to think that a simple mistake almost caused an virtual riot, which is why Gametrailers’ GRID video flub is one of our top gaming moments of 2008.

Source: Joystiq

Tweet This Post