I work as a magazine games reviewer. Im shaking with fear now as ive got through my review copy of K&L and still have to review it (gulp!).

As for those comments about reviews being paid for. Actually giving items apart from the review unit isnt in fashion anymore. What you get now are huge "launch events". These are just shameless plugs to make a mini-E3 so you go "wow if its got this hype it must be good". I dont mind giving bad scores on games but there was one occasion when I was told by the company that sent me the game to "rethink your review because IGN gave it a good score". That was in reply to a 1/5 for a game that just stank. So you know I didnt cave and the review was shelved. Even if the reviewer isnt worried you can get blacklisted by the companies so you dont get any future games from them. If you get blisted with some of the big ones then you are in trouble!

I think it is very possible that Jeff got fired for a few bad reviews but just the one is possible but I dont know.