The English retailer brought bikini clad women, midgets, a hideous orange hummer and the cherry on top — Grainger Games’ very own brand of condoms. Because all of those things simply scream videogame journalism. Those things on their own are random and tasteless, but it was the actions of the retail chain’s representatives that crossed the line. They heckled speakers, flicked condoms into people’s food, interrupted the host and according to Xbox LIVE editor, Daniel Maher, “two of them attempted to physically and verbally intimidate [him].” Classy stuff.
Stuart Dinsey, MD of Intent Media — the company who run the event — has issued a formal apology for the ludicrous behavior of Grainger Games and it certainly doesn’t look like they will have much of a future attending industry events.
I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize wholeheartedly for this — and to make it very clear that Grainger will not be welcome back in any capacity to the GMAs, or any Intent Media events.
One of the retailer’s area managers responsed to criticizm by asking if people don’t have better things to do. Perhaps he thinks videogame journalists should be covering politics or wars instead of things that happen in the industry. On the Grainger Games website a more thought out response was put up.
I doubt the actions of the childish representatives of Grainger Games was enough to spoil the evening for the award winners, though. Eurogamer won best website, Edge walked away with best print magazine and Rock, Paper, Shotgun nabbed best blog.
Here’s the full list of the winners:
Games Magazine:EdgeGames Website:EurogamerSpecialist Writer (Print):Christian Donlan – FreelanceSpecialist Writer (Online):Keza Macdonald – IgnCoverage In A National Newspaper:The GuardianCoverage In A Mainstream Magazine:ShortlistRegional Games Columnist:Dave Cook – The ScotsmanGames Broadcast/Podcast:SentuamessageGames Blog:Rock, Paper, ShotgunRising Star:Martin Gaston – VideogamerGames Media Awards:Colin Campbell
