Polygon editor (and Philadelphian) Chris Grant responds to Gamergate

Silence isn’t the answer.

That was the message from Chris Grant, the Philadelphia-based editor of game news site Polygon, in his response to those involved in Gamergate. Gamergate is an ugly social media “movement” aiming to “defend the gamer identity,” as Polygon put it.

It centers around displeasure with video game journalism but has been tied to the harassment of women in gaming culture. Polygon wasn’t an exception — it has been the subject of much Gamergate ire.

Grant recently broke his silence on the issue in an editorial on his site. He wrote:

If GamerGate simply wants a conservative counter to what they consider a left-leaning gaming press, I think that’s great! That’s healthy! You don’t have to like the way we or any other outlet cover video games. If you truly believe there’s an army of people who reject “progressive” voices and outlets like Polygon and Kotaku, or who would prefer coverage “just about the games,” then I’d encourage you to start a new site for those readers. There’s no easier or better time to do it.

But by the same token, if you believe video games are an art form, that video games are important, that video games actually mean something, then demands for silence couldn’t be a less effective tactic for promoting those beliefs.

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