Middle East crisis, Sony's video game flop, The Sidemen
Oct 2, 2024
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Jordan Schwarzenberger, co-founder of Arcade Media and manager of the Sidemen, shares insights on the ongoing Middle East crisis, highlighting the challenges journalists face in covering fast-moving conflicts. He discusses the importance of accurate media narratives and verification in turbulent times. The conversation also delves into Sony's recent video game failure, Concord, examining its implications for the industry. Finally, Jordan reveals how the Sidemen evolved from a gaming group to a major brand, showcasing their creative strategies and impact on modern media.
Journalists face immense challenges in conflict zones, where the need to verify information is complicated by fear and local control over narratives.
The failure of Sony's game Concord highlights shifting consumer tastes in gaming and the unsustainable nature of high-budget productions amidst genre fatigue.
The Sidemen's innovative media strategy showcases the effectiveness of direct audience engagement and consistent content production in building a successful brand.
Deep dives
Media Coverage Challenges in Conflict Zones
Journalists face significant challenges when covering conflicts due to the complexity of both facts on the ground and public perceptions. On-site reporting has evolved, requiring journalists to discern not just what has happened, but also how their reporting will be interpreted in a polarized environment. The blurring of lines between traditional media and social platforms has made it easier for conflicting narratives to proliferate, often overshadowing the original reporting. This creates an ongoing battle for control over the truth, significantly complicating the task of objective journalism in war zones.
The Control of Information in Lebanon
Reporting from areas affected by conflict can be heavily influenced by local factions, as seen in the experiences of journalists in Lebanon. Correspondents have noted that Hezbollah exerts tight control over media access and narratives, often using events like bomb strikes to shape public perception. Emotional narratives emerge from tragedies, with journalists facing backlash for perceived biases and being branded as Western mean-spirited. The difficulty in maintaining impartiality while delivering critical information is exacerbated by hostile reactions from local populations.
The Broader Media Landscape in Israel
In Israel, journalists report from bomb shelters during heightened conflicts, facing significant personal safety concerns while trying to convey accurate stories. The lack of context in media narratives, particularly those surrounding conflict events, often leads to skewed portrayals that miss important background details. Public perception of media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping the narratives that emerge, making it imperative for journalists to navigate their reporting responsibilities carefully. The emotional and psychological toll on reporters during active engagements significantly impacts their ability to report effectively.
The Rise and Fall of Sony's Concord Game
Sony's game Concord has been deemed one of the biggest flops in media history, reportedly costing over $300 million and pulled just weeks after launch. The game, a hero shooter with ambitious live services aspirations, failed to attract players, with peak simultaneous users reported to be only 660. This reflects a shifting landscape in the gaming industry, where fatigue with established genres has left little room for new entrants. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the unsustainable high production costs and the risks associated with blockbuster game development.
The Success of The Sidemen and Media Management
The Sidemen, a collective of British YouTube creators, exemplify the potential for success through niche audience engagement and strategic content production. Their media management approach allows them to produce a staggering volume of content across various platforms, driving their brand growth significantly since their inception. With a dedicated team managing everything from video production to branding, they maintain consistency and quality in their output. The Sidemen's model indicates a shift in how media businesses can operate, focusing on direct engagement with audiences rather than traditional advertising methods.
As the Israeli offensive against targets in Lebanon continues, we discuss the challenges for journalists reporting the story from Beirut and Jerusalem. We also look at how the media is reporting on the story and how the fast-moving nature of the conflict makes verifying information difficult. And we hear about one of the biggest flops in video game history as Sony pulls its new game Concord just days after launch. We explore why it failed and what it tells us about the state of the industry. Plus the manager of the biggest YouTube creators in Europe, The Sidemen. Jordan Schwarzenberger reveals their creative process and business strategy.
Guests: Lyse Doucet, Chief International correspondent, BBC; Alex Crawford, Special correspondent, Sky News; Yolande Knell, Middle East correspondent, BBC; Shaina Oppenheimer, Journalist, BBC Monitoring; Hesham Shawish, Journalist, BBC Monitoring; Shayan Sardarizadeh, Senior Journalist, BBC Verify; Keza MacDonald, video games editor, The Guardian; Jordan Schwarzenberger, Co-founder, Arcade Media.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Content Editor: Richard Hooper
Assistant Producers: Martha Owen and Lucy Wai
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