There are definitely some large chunks. But there have been no signs of any of those outlets caring enough to try to vote as a bloc.
There are definitely a lot of flaws in how the jury is selected and many (most?) of the judges past and present have pointed that out. Stuff like how they are fundamentally not qualified to judge fighting games as fighting games or the mess that is the "simulation and strategy" category or whatever they call "PC games" where people are somehow comparing MS Flight Sim to Farm Simulator to Satisfactory.
But for stuff like the major awards? It is a pretty diverse crowd and there is no indication that any group cares enough to rig the vote beyond group discords where people pester other games media folk because they want to play Helldivers again and their usual crew are busy.
I'll also add on that, for its many many flaws, the keighleys is pretty good about being aware of this kind of thing based on a few outlets that talked about how they were judges in the past and then suddenly never mentioned it again after an acquisition or the loss of a core editor.
I'll also add on that, for its many many flaws, the keighleys is pretty good about being aware of this kind of thing based on a few outlets that talked about how they were judges in the past and then suddenly never mentioned it again after an acquisition or the loss of a core editor.
Is that /s?
Because that last sentence really gives me pause for thought...