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GameSpot
GameSpot (logo)
Basic Information
Type(s)
Gaming
Status(es)
Online
Owner(s)
Fandom
Awards | Compatibility | Credits | Help
Ratings | Reviews | Screenshots | Videos

GameSpot is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. It was launched on May 1, 1996 and created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady, and Jon Epstein. In addition to the information produced by GameSpot staff, the site also allows users to write their own reviews, blogs, and post on the site's forums. It has been owned by Fandom Inc since October 2022.

History[ | ]

In January 1996, Pete Deemer, Vince Broady, and Jon Epstein quit their positions at IDG and founded SpotMedia Communications, which then launched GameSpot on May 1, 1996. It originally focused exclusively on personal computer games, so a sister site, VideoGameSpot, was launched on December 1, 1996. Eventually VideoGameSpot, then renamed to VideoGames.com, was merged into GameSpot.

In October 2005, GameSpot adopted a new design similar to that of TV.com, now considered a sister site to GameSpot. A new layout change was adopted in October 2013.

In October 2022, Fandom Inc acquired GameSpot, along with Metacritic, TV Guide, GameFAQs, Giant Bomb, Cord Cutters News, and Comic Vine from Red Ventures.

Reviewing[ | ]

GameSpot rates games on a scale of 1.0 to 10.0. They grade on five aspects: gameplay, sound, graphics, value, and tilt. Gameplay is based on the game challenges, the players control and the excitement the game provides. Graphics is based on the visual aesthetic and the graphical performance of the game. The sound quality includes soundtracks, effects, and voice acting in the game. Value includes the price of the game, how long the player is able to play and enjoy the game, and its replay value. Tilt is the overall review and is based on GameSpot's comparison to other games they have reviewed.

In 2002 GameSpot created an editor's choice award. These awards are given to games which "dentifies the world's absolute greatest games." The criteria is the game must have an 9.0 or above. Games produced prior to 2002 are not eligible for this award.

Reviews also add the stability, learning curve, and difficulty of the games.

Perfect scores[ | ]

Only nine games have ever received a perfect 10 / 10 score on GameSpot. These are: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Chrono Cross, Soul Calibur, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Grand Theft Auto IVMetal Gear Solid 4, Super Mario Galaxy 2Bayonetta 2, and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End .

Editors[ | ]

  • Ricardo Torres
  • Ryan MacDonald
  • Avery Score
  • Bob Colayco
  • Bethany Massimilla
  • Jason Ocampo
  • James Yu
  • Brian Ekberg
  • Carrie Gouskos
  • Steve Palley

Former Editors[ | ]

  • Greg Kasavin (resigned to work in game development)
  • Alex Navarro (resigned: related to Jeff's termination)
  • Jeff Gerstmann (fired by CNET for "undisclosed" reasons)
  • Ryan Davis (resigned: related to Jeff's termination)
  • Frank Provo (resigned: related to Jeff's termination)
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