From the context, it might be serious, or it might be a joke. Here's a good comment from the KIA thread that, I think, does a good job summarizing the situation:

"Exactly. Like, it's so flagrant and public that you'd have to imagine he's being factitious, but even if it is, you just don't post that. Regardless of whether or not it's a joke, Rodgers still:
– asked for something for free
– from a developer
– by offering to exploit his position at a high-profile gaming website.
Whether or not the Thumper guys think he's joking or serious, they're still helping him out and it's still unethical of him. It looks fishy as hell and creates an unquestionable conflict of interest; you can't ever let him write about that game now without disclosing that one time Rodgers publicly offered to "write 10,000 words about your game for @kotaku" in exchange for help getting into a concert."

dont jump on him unless he goes through with it, because it is probably a stupid joke. if he goes through with it, hammer his ass.