Kotaku News Editor Jason Schreier Attacks World of Warcraft Vanilla Team Lead Mark Kern

Jorge Arenas |

Nov 4, 2019

Kotaku’s News Editor Jason Schreier attacked World of Warcraft vanilla team lead Mark Kern describing him as “an alt-right troll.”

Schreier’s attack comes after Kern commented on an alleged 4Chan leak.

Kern wrote on Twitter, “Months ago, many people sent me this anon post predicting Blizzard internal going ons. I said it sounded right, but was put in a negative light. I also said none of it has come true yet and we need to wait. Looks like it’s coming true.”

Months ago, many people sent me this anon post predicting Blizzard internal going ons. I said it sounded right, but was put in a negative light.

I also said none of it has come true yet and we need to wait.

Looks like it’s coming true. https://t.co/Jt3gS1vYBl

— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 28, 2019

That post would be tweeted out by Sabi who writes for the Spiel Times and Nintendo Soup. Sabi commented:

“I’m confused. I sure don’t like blizzard, but Jason Schirer (sp?) leaked OW2 and Diablo 4 almost two entire weeks before this 4chan post. What has the 4chan post had confirmed that wasn’t already public knowledge thanks to kotaku?”

I’m confused. I sure don’t like blizzard, but Jason Schirer leaked OW2 and Diablo 4 almost two entire weeks before this 4chan post. What has the 4chan post had confirmed that wasn’t already public knowledge thanks to kotaku? https://t.co/sIPL4zZQ6g

— Sabi (@New_WabiSabi) October 28, 2019

That’s when Schreier responded. He wrote, “Yeah I can confirm that the 4chan post is fake (and Mark Kern is an alt-right troll, never worth giving attention).”

Yeah I can confirm that the 4chan post is fake (and Mark Kern is an alt-right troll, never worth giving attention)

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 28, 2019

Mark Kern Responds

Kern fired back describing Schreier as “Jason Cryer.” He wrote:

“A lot of journalists, like Jason Cryer, use block lists that block huge swaths of gamers. This means they only see half the information out there. How can any journalists report accurately or form opinions with a blindfold on? Avoid those types for your news.”

A lot of journalists, like Jason Cryer, use block lists that block huge swaths of gamers.

This means they only see half the information out there.

How can any journalists report accurately or form opinions with a blindfold on?

Avoid those types for your news.

— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 31, 2019

He wouldn’t stop there. He also added, “My if Jason cryer didn’t attack people falsely and unprovoked, he would need to block less.”

My if Jason cryer didn’t attack people falsely and unprovoked, he would need to block less. https://t.co/zVSlHDJQEi

— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 31, 2019

I think you missed the part where the journalist singled me out and slandered me in his tweet.

But I guess I should praise him for his hard work in lying about me. Bye NPC. https://t.co/uzjFJdQV2I

— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 31, 2019

Another user asked Kern the million-dollar question, why did Jason Schreier call him alt-right, implying that he was a racist? Kern retorted that a “professional journalist” such as Schreier wasn’t in need of facts.

You got me there. But he’s a *professional journalist* so he doesn’t need facts. https://t.co/tI6I5yhqeq

— Mark Kern (@Grummz) October 31, 2019

Kern is not the only prominent figure in the video game industry that Schreier has attacked. Last October he attacked Jeremy Hambly aka The Quartering calling him “alt-right” as well.

Some alt-right, GamerGate-friendly channel called The Quartering

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 9, 2018

Seeing a news editor attack a game creator due to his personal politics, especially unprovoked does wonders to explain why there seems to be a gap of respect between gamers, and game “journalists.” What do you think of how this unfolded?