Update #3: A Microsoft spokesperson has announced that the publishing giant is to sever all ties with KSI.
“At the Xbox One launch in London last night, KSI performed a song with three other artists, which was one part of a ten-hour event featuring a main stage show, Xbox One gameplay, and a midnight launch for hundreds of our fans,” said a Microsoft spokesperson. “This does not represent Microsoft’s endorsement of KSI’s personal views, and we are not planning on working with KSI in the future.” (via GI.biz)
Update #2: Matt Lees has uploaded a new version of the video without any material that KSI may be able to claim copyright to. Watch it at the bottom of this post.
Update #1: KSI has since issued a copyright claim against VideoGamer and Matt Lees to take down the video criticizing him.
Hmmm. Seems like my video has been taken down due to a copyright claim from KSI himself. Censoring the press, eh?
— Matt Lees (@Jam_sponge) November 22, 2013
So yes, the video has been pulled from YouTube. We may not be able to refute this claim due to the status of our channel.
— Matt Lees (@Jam_sponge) November 22, 2013
Original post:
Microsoft has been criticised for hiring YouTube personality KSI to attend its Xbox One launch party in London last night.
The Xbox One went on sale in 13 countries at midnight with parties in Auckland, Sydney, New York and Los Angeles but it was events in the British capital which have raised eyebrows.
KSI rose to prominence in unsavoury fashion at the 2012 Eurogamer Expo when he harassed female attendees and staff by asking them sexually explicit questions and even sticking his face between their breasts.
Eurogamer banned KSI from attending future events as a result.
Earlier this year, Microsoft was criticised for what seemed to be a rape joke during its E3 media briefing. Then, at this year’s Eurogamer Expo a transgender journalist slammed a presenter at the Xbox One stand for making derogatory comments.
Both Eurogamer and Microsoft apologised and the parties involved came to an understanding concerning the events which occurred.
Given this background, it’s unfortunate that Microsoft chose KSI out of a multitude of ‘celebrity’ gaming fans they could have opted for as part of the launch party. Microsoft, and the Xbox One, has had a rough year and this incident will no doubt cause further perceptions issues around the company and console.
While the likelihood remains that the clear majority of those who attended midnight launches last night are male, KSI’s appearance doesn’t send a particularly inviting message about console gaming or Xbox. Sexism is a terrible thing and when nearly half the gaming population is female Microsoft’s decision begs questions of how shortsighted and even outright misogynistic the industry still is.
Redmond has made a lot of poor judgements this past year but launching their console in such controversy should never have been one of them.
You can watch VideoGamer’s Matt Lees makes some excellent points about KSI and his involvement with the Xbox One launch party below.
