OMG Nintendo.com

Okay, the headline is kind of a bad joke, but it got you reading, didn't it? The subject matter here is actually fairly serious, and probably wouldn't have come out at all if not for the Gerstmann affair.

Anyway, Video Game Media Watch is formally reporting that IGN Editor Matt Casamassina is the husband of Edie Kisko, Vice President of Golin Harris. This is only anyone's business because Golin Harris is Nintendo's PR firm. This is not really "news" to most of the industry's major press outlets, but quite likely something readers didn't--and might like-- to know.

To quote VGM Watch on the matter:

Make no mistake, people cannot help with whom they fall in love. As such, the personal integrity of the two individuals involved with this case is completely irrelevant. Indeed, it is principle and principle alone which concerns VGMWatch. The buck stops with IGN and Nintendo to address any conflicts of interest they may have. Simply put, the line between product coverage and sales should be clear and uncompromised. The mere appearance of journalistic impropriety of this magnitude should be avoided.

Personally, it doesn't make me doubt the integrity of Casamassina's coverage. If someone's being too sweet on a game or company, it generally shows through in the text, and his coverage has about as much edge as anybody in his position could get away with. VGM Watch keeps saying the integrity of the individuals involved is irrelevant, but that's never true when it comes to even our highly degenerate form of journalism.

Casamassina is on vacation until this spring (at least, according to the last IGN podcast), so he probably won't be able to comment on the matter until then. For now, Golin Harris's statement on the matter is a succinct "All GolinHarris employees who work on the Nintendo account sign and adhere to a strict confidentiality agreement".

In the interests of full disclosure, remember that my corporate masters are IDG, the owners of GamePro and a lot of other gaming sites. Arguably, I could be pretty biased, too. You'll have to take my word and posting record as proof that I have no crazy corporate grudge against IGN.

UPDATE: Via Bit-tech comes a statement from Matt Casamassina about the situation.

"While I would prefer to keep my wife and kids out of the public spotlight, the fact that Edie and I have been happily married for several years is no secret. Nintendo and IGN / FOX have been aware of our relationship since we first started dating. We're professionals. Both of us have signed strict confidentiality agreements with our respective employers and, incidentally, we leave what happens on the job at our home's front door."

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