Ask George: November 2024

The November 2024 edition of the Video Games Industry Memo serves as a monthly question-and-answer column addressing operational and industry-related inquiries from subscribers. The primary focus of this installment is the strategic decision-making process regarding platform hosting, specifically addressing why the publication remains on Substack despite previous controversies surrounding content moderation policies.

The analysis highlights that the decision to stay on the platform was driven by a combination of pragmatic business considerations and the platform's eventual policy reversal in early 2024. The author notes that while he explored alternatives like Ghost, Beehiiv, and ButtonDown during late 2023, the logistical burden of migrating a new business during a period of high professional stress made an immediate exit unfeasible. The author emphasizes that his continued presence is contingent upon the platform’s ongoing commitment to removing extremist content, noting that he remains prepared to migrate the publication if future moderation failures occur.

Beyond platform management, the document touches upon broader industry themes, including the quality of mainstream media coverage of video games and the industry's outlook for 2025. While the full discussion of these topics is restricted to paid subscribers, the text establishes a professional, analytical perspective on the intersection of digital infrastructure, corporate responsibility, and independent media sustainability. The content reflects a cautious, monitoring-based approach to platform governance, prioritizing the long-term viability of the newsletter while maintaining a critical stance toward the service provider's past handling of community standards.