So once upon a time some freelance writer dude who makes a living writing about video games for lots of awesome magazines and websites across the universe had an idea: to write a book and jam-pack it full of in-depth, useful advice for aspiring game journos and established writers looking to carve out a career freelancing in the game industry. Oh hey, that’s me! And the book? Up Up Down Down Left WRITE: The Freelance Guide to Video Game Journalism. It’s coming out in just a few more months! Here’s an update on the project, where it’s at, and how you can help (if you feel so inclined) to spread the word as we gear up for this launch, DIY style. Read the rest of this entry »
Freelance Game Journo Guide Book Update
May 16, 2013Beer Nerdistry Quickie: Smuttynose IPA Review
May 9, 2013
There’s something oddly comforting about the old farts hanging about in their lawn chairs on the label of Smuttynose’s “Finest Kind” IPA. Perhaps I’m gazing into my distant future? Life could be worse, right? Cracking the cap off, this 6.9% ABV American IPA pours a effervescent light golden color with a meager white head. A subtle floral fragrance wafts out of the pintglass mingled with a strong blast of yeast aroma. It’s a curious blend that lacks the heavy duty citrus you so often see with the style. The hop flavor starts off subdued, balanced nicely by a subtle sweetness from the malts, but it picks up towards the tail end with a bitterness that creeps in and lingers on the tongue. This lightbodied IPA is deceptively complex and quite drinkable, but it doesn’t inspire me to hit the fridge for another pint.
Verdict: C
Don’t Starve Review (@GameSpot)
May 9, 2013
“Like in any extreme survival situation, the early moments of Don’t Starve’s grueling-yet-fascinating struggle to stay alive are electric. Suddenly the clock is ticking. Confidence is high as you first explore a vast open-world wilderness teeming with danger. From trapping a rabbit for the first time to crafting an axe to chop precious firewood before nightfall, every minor accomplishment that keeps you ticking is immediately gratifying. But as the days draw on and dodging death’s icy grip gets harder, the rigors of this unflinchingly brutal roguelike adventure chip away at your patience.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Sanctum 2 Hands-On Preview (@IGN)
May 6, 2013
“It’s great to see Coffee Stain Studios is taking a much-needed baseball bat to the ol’ bees nest for Sanctum 2, the upcoming sequel to its cool first-person shooter/tower defense hybrid, upping the danger and the action in the process. For instance, unlike their more docile brethren from the original game, Sanctum 2′s swarms of alien bug creatures want to gnaw your face off and curb stomp you into nothingness. They don’t mind taking a quick detour for a little human snack as they malevolently march towards your power core.”
Check out the full preview here at IGN.
Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves Review (@GameSpot)
April 11, 2013
“When you’re in the remote wilderness of werewolf country, hunkering down and chopping up all manner of horrific beasts night after night doesn’t seem like the smartest alternative to simply running like hell, but Canadian lumberjack brothers Jacques and Joseph are made of tougher, more stubborn stock. Their quest to save their sister from the demonic fanged beings of the night in Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves requires careful planning during the daylight hours and precise execution when the sun goes down. All of the neat ideas at play in this distinct tower defense/third-person brawler hybrid ultimately keep the rough edges at bay long enough to let the cyclical blend of strategizing and action take hold.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Terraria (Console Version) Review (@IGN)
April 8, 2013
“Imagine what Minecraft might be like if it had been made with pixel art sprites and released in the Super Nintendo era. That sums up the overall vibe of Terraria pretty well. This devious little indie sandbox game borrows so many ideas that it essentially is Minecraft in 2D, but it also beefs up the familiar gameplay in exciting ways. There’s a lot more creepy-crawly stuff to kill, and the staggering number of deadly doodads you can MacGyver together to slay them with is mouth-watering. There’s some gnarly fun to be had in these uncharted depths.”
Check out my review of the console versions of Terraria, including a snazzy video review, here at IGN.
8 Apps for Starting Your Own Blog (@MacLife)
April 2, 2013
“It’s easier than ever to put your ideas online and in front of an eager audience these days. There are a ton of different reasons why you might want to start your own blog. Perhaps you want a space to share your writing. Maybe you like posting comics or pictures of your friends. You might even want to share your disgruntled rants at the end of a particularly crappy work week. Whatever the case, options for blogging right from your iOS device are plentiful. Grab these apps to give your blogging life a big boost.”
Check out the full article here at Mac|Life.
Fetch Review (@MacLife)
March 29, 2013
”Poised to carve out its spot as one of the most adorable and enchanting point-and-click puzzle adventures of the year, Fetch spins a lighthearted storybook tale of a boy and his search to recover his best pal, a peppy dog named Bear. This charming, science fiction-tinged adventure packs plenty of pooches, perils, and puzzles to pursue, and its kid-friendly vibe makes it a good pick for a game to play with the family.”
Check out the full review here at Mac|Life.
Alien Spidy Review (@GameSpot)
March 29, 2013
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again until your eyes roll right out of their sockets and your fingers are raw from the pain of mashing the restart button hundreds of times in a single sitting. That’s seemingly Alien Spidy’s ill-conceived motto. This cutesy momentum-based platformer has a dark side that doesn’t fully manifest until you realize you’ve just spent several hours replaying the same 60-second stage to the point where you’ve memorized every obstacle, jump, and danger in your path–yet you’ve still made no actual progress.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
5 Helpful Tips For Freelance Writers
March 11, 2013
Guest post by Tom Knight
Almost by definition, freelance writing is a profession that demands individual interpretation and method. Because freelance writers and journalists are essentially self-employed, there is a great deal of flexibility involved in this sort of work – but also a great deal of responsibility on the writer’s shoulders. Ultimately, succeeding in your particular writing environment depends mostly on what works best for you. But in this line of work, any tip could be the one that helps you to improve your professionalism or efficiency. With that in mind, here are 5 general tips for advancing your career in freelance writing.
