Freelance Game Journo Guide Book Update

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Nathan Meunier

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. Continue reading →

Strike Suit Zero Hands-On (@IGN)

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

“Rocketing through the stars in a hi-tech spacecraft is almost always 400 percent more awesome when you can transform mid-flight into a giant ass-kicking robot and unleash hell on the nearest swarm of enemy starfighters. Strike Suit Zero expertly channels the spirit of Robotech and its fellow mecha-minded ilk to make you feel like one bad mofo at moments, but I like the way it makes you work for it first.”

Check out the full preview here over at IGN.

Book Kickstarter Update: We Did It!

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

This is just a quickie update to let everyone know the Kickstarter for my book Up Up Down Down Left WRITE – The Freelance Guide To Video Game Journalism was a SUCCESS! We made it on Saturday with a total of $8,200 – almost 50 percent of which was insanely raised in the final 48 hours of the Kickstarter. Cruzazy! So now it’s full steam ahead to finish writing this thing and get it prepped for completion. Anyone who didn’t get in on the Kickstarter will still eventually be able to obtain a digital or print copy, but not until after backers have theirs in-hand.

The other fun and crazy news is that I’ll be writing a second book loaded with additional advice and insight – only this second tome will feature lots of quotes and knowhow culled from interviews with the many game industry freelance, writers, and editors who backed the project. That will also be eventually available for purchase.

So there’s a lot to do in the coming weeks and months! I’m going to hit the ground running.

BIG Kickstarter Final Push: We Can SO Do This!

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

Hey gang, thanks so much for supporting this Kickstarter so far. We’ve got 3 days left and $3,762 to raise by 5pm on Sept 8th. Though it’s probably a long-shot, I’m not going to give up until the final buzzer. I’m hoping you won’t either.

I know you’ve already pledged a lot and put in some serious time promoting this Kickstarter, which I am super grateful for. In order to have a shot at making this a successful, I’m going to need your help once more.

Three things you can do to make this final crazy push work:

1) Consider increasing your pledge – Did you know you can adjust your pledge amount at any time before the project ends? If you feel like kicking in a little bit more or a lot more, that’d be so awesome.

2) Encourage folks – on Twitter and other social networks to get on board in the final days and help make this project happen! Spreading the word is great, but we really need actual backers. Share the link, tweet about it, all of that good stuff. If you can ping your peeps about this a few times, perhaps once a day for the next three days, that’d be really helpful. Particularly as we get VERY close to the final hours.

3) Talk to friends/family in the meatspace world – and point them our way. If you know anyone at work, at home, anywhere that might be interested in backing this project, please let them know about it and our insanely tight final push deadline.

A fun surprise:

Anyone that pledges $125 or more will also get a free Up Up Down Down Left WRITE coffee mug:

Also: if we meet the $7,000 goal in time, I’ve committed to writing a second shorter book and giving ALL BACKERS a free digital copy when it’s complete. That’s two books for everyone who pledges $15 and above, and a totally free book for backers who kicked in less than $15.

Plus all backers get several fun/funky indie games. So that’s sweet.

Please help me make this final push and make this project happen. If we don’t hit $7,000 by the deadline, then we won’t get funded. Thanks for your support!

Less Than 4 Days Left: An Ominous Kickstarter Infographic (and Chuck Norris)

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

See that up there? That’s what impending doom for my book Kickstarter looks like. Maybe. We need to raise $4,000 in under four days. Actually…three days, seven hours, and about 15 minutes at the time I write this. Yeah. Slow and steady may win the race for some, but in this case we need this thing to spread faster than a zombie plague in the next few days if it’s going to make hit the necessary $7,000 mark by 5pm EST on Sat. Sept 8th.

Continue reading →

Book Kickstarter Update: The Big Push (We Need One)

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

First off, a huge thanks to everyone who’s been pitching in to help spread the word and contribute to the Kickstarter campaign for my book: Up Up Down Down Left WRITE – The Freelance Guide To Video Game Journalism. It’s been a wild ride so far, with lots of ups and downs, and we’re nearing the end – for better or worse. I’ve added a lot of awesome bonus rewards and incentives in the past week, and we still have a LOT to raise in the remaining 8 days before the funding deadline, so I figured a big update was in order. Please read on, because I super need your help.

Continue reading →

Ghost Recon Online Review (@GameSpot)

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

“When you wind up on a well-rounded team that works together cohesively and uses each class’s abilities intelligently, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online’s brutal multiplayer firefights are among the most satisfying you’ll find in a free-to-play game. Matches don’t always click though, and since the fun in each encounter hinges on how well your team works together, getting stuck with a bunch of meathead bullet sponges can spoil your killing groove. However, a great cover system, balanced class perks, and some cool high-tech gadgets make the moments where it all comes together feel immensely satisfying.”

Check out my full written review, and the cool video review featuring the sultry voice of editor Kevin VanOrd, here at GameSpot.

Continue reading →

Thirty Flights of Loving Review (@IGN)

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

“Sometimes the most intriguing tales are told without uttering a single word. Blendo Games’ Brendon Chung once again proves himself a master of succinct, abstract first-person storytelling with Thirty Flights of Loving, a short and punchy follow-up to the much buzzed-about 2009 indie freeware hit Gravity Bone. The fact he manages to cram an enjoyably dizzying story into a mere dozen minutes of gameplay is a feat in itself, but what’s truly impressive is the narrative weight and emotional impact it delivers in such a short span of time.”

Check out the full review here at IGN.

Continue reading →

Kickstarter Mentioned on Wired / GeekDad

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

Poking around the internet this weekend, I discovered that Wired’s GeekDad blog did a nice news blurb about Up Up Down Down Left WRITE and the Kickstarter. Super psyched! With only 12 days left to the Kickstarter and approx $5,200 left to raise, this is a nice little boost! Getting close to the home stretch, which is when I’ll really need any interested folks who’ve been considering backing it to step up to the plate and kick out the backer jams – uh yeah, mixed metaphors.

Anyway! You can read the Wired piece here on GeekDad.

Shop Talk: R.I.P. Nintendo Power

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

Though I’m still a relative youngin’ compared to lots of other gaming folks in our midst, I remember a time before the NES existed. And I remember subscribing to Nintendo Power magazine when it first was launched. Many years later, I was lucky enough to fulfill a childhood dream when I scored a steady freelance gig writing for the magazine. I’ve really enjoyed penning articles for the mag the past few years and working with some great folks on their editorial team, which makes today’s news that Nintendo Power will be closing down all the more crushing.