Want to know Alyssa Mercante’s journey in the gaming journalism industry? Kotaku & more recently, Bylines while she has succeeded in provoking both reactions & opinions in the gaming space. Welcome back! In this video, we are going to discuss her career, her successes, her failures, & what her latest decision means for the future of game journalism.
Alyssa Mercante FIRED From Kotaku!?
Alyssa Mercante is a relatively recognizable figure in the sphere of gaming journalism, & recently she changed her profiles’ names indicating her career transition. Up until recently, she was working for Kotaku, but, in a new bio that appeared in her profile on Twitter, she is listed as a senior editor at “Bylines.”
What Led to This Departure?
When Mercante started work at Bylines, she was coming from Kotaku, which is quite familiar to many within the gaming journalism sphere, hence her line of work may have changed. Some think that she may be interested in spreading editorial work in other aspects of society about the public good. However, as many may already know, & as much gossip & personal accusations are flying around, it appears that her resignation may not have been voluntary.
Personal Controversy or Professional Evolution?
Image credit – Rumble
Some believe that it was owing to some personal issues that Mercante was fired from Kotaku. According to earlier information, she was one of the ladies involved in an affair in which she was accused of attempting to break up a couple. As a result of this, there has been a lot of controversy & varying responses to it from the community.
The Implications of Her Career Shift
This could also be interpreted as Mercante moving away from the rather specific topic of video game journalism. Perhaps, some people will see this step as a lack of genuine interest, & her work in the gaming industry was never her dream job. Rather maybe she is looking for a ground that will allow her to touch on many other aspects of life & make a difference.
Community Reactions & Speculations
Image credit – Smash JT
It needs to be mentioned that the opinions of the readers & participants of online gaming communities & forums on Twitter & other social media have been quite diverse. Most consider her departure as a positive thing & an opportunity to return everyone to what is most important in the gaming world – the games that are being published & the devoted developers who produce them. This is kind of like rebuilding the stage for real gaming journalism un-adulterated with controversies or just plain ol’ drama.
What Does This Mean for Kotaku and Bylines?
For Kotaku, this could be a time of change, a time to reevaluate & redefine how the company fasts for fans. This could be also a chance for the platform to diversify & involve new people, possibly with new outlooks on the problems, to rejuvenate & renew sources & methods. In the case of Bylines – it makes perfect sense for a company to scoop a highly experienced & reputable editor like Mercante to strengthen their existing editorial staff and/or explore new realms of journalism.
The Bigger Picture
Such reality was quite revealing of the challenges one is likely to encounter when pursuing careers in journalism not to mention those undertaking specialties like video gaming. It demonstrates how gearing individual & collective behavior & modifying perceptions can alter a journalist’s destiny or path. The community’s reaction also supports other fundamental expectations of its followers, especially from the people who report on their preferred field.
Conclusion
While Alyssa Mercante’s move with Bylines is not new, it is clear that leaving Kotaku means so much more than just a change of job than it can be for an interesting shift or problems in gaming journalism. For that reason, women like her have brought out debates touching on issues of reality, the choice of careers, & the standards of society.
In that sense, no matter if we consider Mercante a hero & a paving stone for women in journalism, or if we doubt her decisions & the ideas she provided coverage for, her story tells a lot about the fluidity of journalism & the constant evolution of the gaming industry. As we continue to navigate these shifts, one thing remains clear: The westernization of gaming by journalists like Mercante is more than just an influence on the readers but a way of how the community looks at gaming.
Amit Gupta is a tech lover and an enthusiastic blogger who completed his B.Tech in Computer Science. An enthusiast of emerging technology and discoveries, he shares valuable views and tips on his blog from his personal experiences. Through his articles, he tries to simplify tech concepts and put readers in the position to take responsible decisions in the rapidly changing digital infrastructure world. Follow me on Facebook and linkedin.