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Stephen Totilo, Editor-in-Chief is leaving Kotaku

Flavius

Flavius

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,314
Orlando, FL
Patrick Klepek said:
Many, many years ago—I think I was in college—I sent Totilo a PM on NeoGAF, asking him how he managed to work at MTV, because my longterm goal (at least at the time) had been to work at a mainstream publication and write about video games. He actually responded and was very kind, and then a few years later reached out and hired me to work at MTV. My career wouldn't be nearly the same without his patience and guidance.
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Very cool. Didn't know that's how you two got to know each other.

I talked a lot of shit on GAF about Kotaku before and just after Totilo joined - 99% of it warranted. I don't recall a single post of mine that he didn't comment on directly. He didn't bullshit me on what had happened in the past, but basically was adamant that those things were in the past and steps had been taken to ensure those things wouldn't happen again.

Man kept his word and none of those checks bounced. Like I said, great deal of respect for his leadership there.
 
Anatole

Anatole

Member
Mar 25, 2020
1,427
I tapered off my Kotaku reading as the Great Hill ownership saga unfolded, but beforehand it was the only post-Joystiq gaming site that I read daily. During his tenure, Totilo was the best in the business at bringing new and interesting voice in games writing to light. It really is the end of an era, and I wish for all the best in his next pursuits.
 
Khanimus

Khanimus

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
40,171
Greater Vancouver
Patrick Klepek said:
Many, many years ago—I think I was in college—I sent Totilo a PM on NeoGAF, asking him how he managed to work at MTV, because my longterm goal (at least at the time) had been to work at a mainstream publication and write about video games. He actually responded and was very kind, and then a few years later reached out and hired me to work at MTV. My career wouldn't be nearly the same without his patience and guidance.
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Grateful to have you part of this business, Patrick. Totilo had an eye for talent.
 
MrHedin

MrHedin

Member
Dec 7, 2018
6,812
They have lost a lot of great writers even before Spanfeller took over but Totillo was Kotaku for me. I'm sure the site will still go on and there are still good writers there but its the site is gone for me now.

It's just so sad looking back at the Gawker sites and seeing what a good collection they were and how it's all been torn down over the years. Fuck Thiel, fuck Hogan, meh on Univision (I don't know if they harmed the brand but I don't think they helped at all), and fuck Spanfeller.
 
Lumination

Lumination

Member
Oct 26, 2017
12,469
He slowly turned it from a Gawker-esque (I know) "gamer" rag to a place where people like JSchreier could flourish. Very commendable run.
 
jschreier

jschreier

Press Sneak Fuck
Verified
Oct 25, 2017
1,082
Lashley said:
Kotaku is Kotaku in name alone now really
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Still plenty of great people there! Stephen's shoes will be very difficult to fill but I have a lot of faith in Kotaku's current staff to keep kicking ass and doing good work despite the constant trials and tribulations forced upon them by G/O Media's management.
 
Ballou

Ballou

Member
Apr 2, 2020
618
The man has helped elevate a lot of great writers over the years. Excited to see what's next for him.
 
Handicapped Duck

Handicapped Duck

▲ Legend ▲
Avenger
May 20, 2018
13,661
Ponds
Best of luck to him, Kotaku improved infinitely under his leadership, whoever takes his mantle, I hope continues with what he started.
 
Filipus

Filipus

Prophet of Regret
Avenger
Dec 7, 2017
5,131
He did such an amazing job, I really feel he put Kotaku in the realm of "expect respectable journalism here". Actually excited to see where the future leads him.
 
AyaisMUsikWhore

AyaisMUsikWhore

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,733
I always had a love hate relationship for him but good for him! Can't wait to see what he does in his future endeavors
 

LudicrousSpeed

Member
Nov 2, 2017
2,240
Disappointed but not surprised to see people talking about Totilo's legacy at Kotaku while there's been no mention whatsoever of the situation around Nathalie Lawhead here. Plenty of press continuing to go on ignoring Totilo's role in what was a gross failure of journalistic practices that was never significantly addressed.

(Also, real fucking notable that the top comment on the Kotaku post announcing this is none other than Cecila d'Anastasio. Funny that.)

Some reading material for those for whom this whole thing went under their radar:

Lawhead's original post on the topic, plus a follow-up post that makes clear she's not the only one who was impacted by the massive failure of reporting that went on:
www.nathalielawhead.com

What it’s like sharing your #metoo with Kotaku (a cautionary tale)

www.nathalielawhead.com www.nathalielawhead.com
www.nathalielawhead.com

An open letter to game journalists: #metoo, fighting with surviving abusive reporting, and the fallout of not caring

www.nathalielawhead.com www.nathalielawhead.com

Medium post from a former Kotaku employee talking about leadership problems at Kotaku, talking very specifically about how they're not just of the Jim Spanfeller sort:

Some Thoughts About A Website With A Fake Japanese Name

Hey folks! After a nightmarish process of trying to get medical leave and being taken off payroll on Juneteenth—the first one we got off…
medium.com medium.com

Nathalie Lawhead today talking about the situation, including a response to an email where Totilo reached out last month looking for actionable steps to correcting the problem, none of which seem to have been taken:
 
JorSneezy

JorSneezy

Member
Oct 17, 2019
403
Duncan said:
Meet your new boss, Stephen!

YLOgnuC.gif


Idk if leaving EIC of Kotaku for GB makes too much sense but they do need a SCOOPZ guy lol
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Jeff on one of their podcasts or shows once said he hired Patrick and Austin for the wrong reasons. Said "for whatever reason" he thought they needed to be doing news, but turns out that's not what the site is really about. I always assumed that's why they hired Abby, her background in comedy would allow her to be entertaining on camera.
 
Mafro

Mafro

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,364
Been a fan of his since way back in the MTV Multiplayer blog day with Patrick Klepek. Kotaku's reputation before him was well known and he turned it into one of my favourite gaming sites. Sad to see him go but looking forward to whatever he's doing next.
 
BUNTING1243

BUNTING1243

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,708
He writes for the New York Times occasionally, maybe he's going to launch gaming coverage there or something? Kotaku articles used to run in the Times years ago too under him I think

Can't imagine where else a guy of his stature would go in the games media industry, not a lot of places hiring EICs with decades of experience.
 
tobascodagama

tobascodagama

Member
Aug 21, 2020
1,358
LudicrousSpeed said:
Disappointed but not surprised to see people talking about Totilo's legacy at Kotaku while there's been no mention whatsoever of the situation around Nathalie Lawhead here. Plenty of press continuing to go on ignoring Totilo's role in what was a gross failure of journalistic practices that was never significantly addressed.

(Also, real fucking notable that the top comment on the Kotaku post announcing this is none other than Cecila d'Anastasio. Funny that.)

Some reading material for those for whom this whole thing went under their radar:

Lawhead's original post on the topic, plus a follow-up post that makes clear she's not the only one who was impacted by the massive failure of reporting that went on:
www.nathalielawhead.com

What it’s like sharing your #metoo with Kotaku (a cautionary tale)

www.nathalielawhead.com www.nathalielawhead.com
www.nathalielawhead.com

An open letter to game journalists: #metoo, fighting with surviving abusive reporting, and the fallout of not caring

www.nathalielawhead.com www.nathalielawhead.com

Medium post from a former Kotaku employee talking about leadership problems at Kotaku, talking very specifically about how they're not just of the Jim Spanfeller sort:

Some Thoughts About A Website With A Fake Japanese Name

Hey folks! After a nightmarish process of trying to get medical leave and being taken off payroll on Juneteenth—the first one we got off…
medium.com medium.com

Nathalie Lawhead today talking about the situation, including a response to an email where Totilo reached out last month looking for actionable steps to correcting the problem, none of which seem to have been taken:
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That's a very good point. I think a lot of focus gets placed on D'Anastasio for that, but Totilo's part in it shouldn't be ignored.
 
LordValhalla

LordValhalla

Member
Jan 9, 2018
566
AuthenticM said:
Anyone else remember this pre-Totilo Kotaku article?

kotaku.com

Five Steps to Total Pwnage of a Gamer Girl's Heart

So you're at your local LAN tournament and you're totally stoked about playing World of Warcraft, Unreal Tournament, or Halo for the next 48 hours straight.
kotaku.com kotaku.com

God that was so embarassing. Totilo really cleaned up the place.
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What the fuck.
Also, I didn't know Morgan Webb did stock photo modeling. But it was the 00's so I'm not surprised.
 
wafflebrain

wafflebrain

Member
Oct 27, 2017
10,209
Damn, end of an era. I always enjoyed his insight on various game and industry related happenings the times he was on one of Keighley's E3 events. Curious where he lands next.
 
Dremorak

Dremorak

Member
Oct 25, 2017
8,691
New Zealand
Brian Crecente

Brian Crecente

Pad and Pixel
Verified
Jan 14, 2018
110
New York, NY
He did a fantastic job helping Kotaku continue to blossom into something new and respectable while retaining the best of its roots. It's a bummer to see him leave, but I also know it's his best route forward to personal growth. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he lands at the New York Times where he can help them cover video games the way they should be covered.
 
entremet

entremet

You wouldn't toast a NES cartridge
Member
Oct 26, 2017
60,003
I still find decent content on Kotaku to this day. And Brian Ashcraft is one of the best.
 
Admiral Woofington

Admiral Woofington

The Fallen
Oct 25, 2017
14,892
Is anyone from the old guard still there? Fahey?

I haven't really read kotaku in years now, but there was a point in my life pre-neogaf and now this forum and Twitter where Kotaku was my gaming hub for news and just general discussion in the comments section. It's sad to see how much it has changed. I can't really make a comment on how well it can do now as a site, but willing to give benefit of the doubt
 
Indy_Rex

Indy_Rex

Banned
Sep 20, 2020
759
Dremorak said:
Wait, this was written by a pornstar???
So its...an ad? this is crazy
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I mean, it was a Gawker blog,. Despite all the Gawker romanticizing that's occurred since it went under, 4+ years back, original "GMG" wasn't exactly an exemplar for quality articles. Its roots were always in that early-to-mid 00s "pro-blog" frenzy that also birthed the likes of TMZ and Perez Hilton. GMG literally started up a porn blog within a year of Gawker's existance, and ran it for almost a decade before selling it off... so it's not surprising that pornstars at one point made their way onto several of Gawker's websites.

None of this is a slight against the talent Gawker would eventually bring into its sister sites, like Kotaku and io9 (RIP), but... Gawker Media's roots were firmly planted in the same sleazy culture that brought about some of media's worst tendencies. (Some of which are directly responsible for its undoing... it wasn't all just "angry billionaire v. innocent internet blog")
 
entremet

entremet

You wouldn't toast a NES cartridge
Member
Oct 26, 2017
60,003
Admiral Woofington said:
Is anyone from the old guard still there? Fahey?

I haven't really read kotaku in years now, but there was a point in my life pre-neogaf and now this forum and Twitter where Kotaku was my gaming hub for news and just general discussion in the comments section. It's sad to see how much it has changed. I can't really make a comment on how well it can do now as a site, but willing to give benefit of the doubt
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Ashcraft.
 
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