10 Years of Xbox Live Feature (@OXM)

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Nathan Meunier

So awhile back I spent a solid month working the second of two massive print features for Official Xbox Magazine – about a dozen interview and several solid days of writing later, I wrapped up a massive 10-page piece on the 10 year annivesary of Xbox Live. That piece was published in the Holiday 2012 issue of OXM (on pg 36) alongside a few smaller pieces I wrote for the issue, which just hit newsstands. Psyched! This is my second big print feature for the mag – I wrote a similarly epic length article on how to get a gig in different areas of the gaming industry that ran in the Nov. 2012 issue. I’m pretty stoked, so I figured I’d share. Thanks!

Review: Ghost Trick Phantom Detective

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Nathan Meunier

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective was a pleasant surprise. Having heard very little about the game before I was assigned to review it, I didn’t know what to expect when I dug in. I was sucked into the story and wacky characters almost immediately, and the plot twists and turns the unfolded further along in the game kept me absorbed. Aside from being entirely charming and bizarre, the story is a touching one. This is one of the better DS games I’ve put my hands on in recent memory, which is why I wholly recommend it.

You can check out my full review here at EGMi and in the latest print edition of EGM on newstands.

EGM Nov. 2010 IssuePrint Contributions

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Nathan Meunier

In addition to doing some regular review work in EGMi, I’ve been writing news features for the print edition of EGM lately. This month’s issue has a massive two-page feature spread titled “Through The Lens” that I’m pretty psyched about. Located on pages 12 and 13, the piece focuses on a handful of interesting independent film makers that have created or are working on documentaries chronicling various aspects of gaming-related culture. The main piece focuses on 2 Player Productions (Reformat The Planet, Penny Arcade: The Series), the nice folks working on Indie Game: The Movie, Dan Lamoureux’s Nerdcore for Life, and the collective project that put together The Demoscene Documentary. There’s also a nod to Get Lamp, for text adventure gaming fans. Unfortunately, space limitations left a cool side-bar I wrote up (sorry Scott S.) on the cutting room floor, but that might see the light of day eventually in a separate piece.

This was a pretty busy issue all around. Beyond the feature, you can find my review write-up of And Yet It Moves (WiiWare) on pg. 76, and my second opinion to Bryan Stratton’s R.U.S.E. review is over on pg. 75. I have a few pieces headed for the next issue as well as some other stuff I’m working on for the digital edition. Awesome. Over and out.

PTOM Nov. 2010 Issue Contributions

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Nathan Meunier

Holy redesign, Batman?! If you haven’t already noticed, things are a little different with the Nov. issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine. This issue gets a major facelift and restructuring with some cool new layout tweaks and minor changes here and there. My monthly two-page review write-up of PSN titles won’t be appearing any more in the same format, but I’m still contributing heavily to PSN-related content in the magazine. I tackle the DLC Roundup, Minis Roundup, and a hefty portion of the Best Games section, and I’ll still be contribution other pieces from time-to-time. For starters, you can peep my review of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game on pg. 85. Love Love Love it, despite it’s few flaws. I’m a sucker for 8-bit art and chip music, but the game has some sturdy legs to it beyond aesthetics. Also, chip-punk rockers Anamanaguchi did the entire soundtrack, and man is it sweet. You can buy it separately on iTunes, which I have done. Great listening. Anyhow, that’s all for now. More PTOM related stuff coming up!

EGM Print Contributions Oct. 2010 Issue

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Nathan Meunier

I decided to hit up the local mart the other day for a Long Trail Double Bag and ended up finding this as well. I’ve been doing some writing for EGM/EGMi for a few months now, but this is the first time I’ve had anything run in the print edition. The Oct. 2010 issue features two contributions. After an exciting last-minute green light deadline scramble, I put together a short news/feature piece on The Indie Fund that I’m quite happy with. Big thanks to the awesome indie devs behind the project for whipping up some good quotes and info on such short notice. That article appears on Pag 17. On Page 76 you’ll find my review of Limbo that ran in a previous digital edition of EGMi.

I just wrapped up a few pieces for EGMi and the next print edition, including a lengthy feature article and some reviews. I’ll post more about that once it’s out, as there’s some cool stuff to chat about there. Cheers!

PC Gamer August 2010 Print Contributions

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Nathan Meunier

Ok, so I had to drive an hour, but I finally tracked down a copy of this month’s PC Gamer, and boy was it worth the trek. I’ve been reading the magazine for a long time, but this is the first issue my work actually appears in its pages. Back at PAX East I had a fun sit down demo and interview with the folks at Topware Interactive on the upcoming Two Worlds II. I played the original and enjoyed aspects of it. However, the production wasn’t so hot. With a new engine, some slick updates, and a lot of cool new features, the sequel is shaping up to be pretty badass. Check out my preview piece on pages 48 and 49.

PTOM Holiday 2009 Print Contributions

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Nathan Meunier

After some hunting, I finally managed to track down a copy of the Holiday 2009 issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine. My review of Tornado Outbreak on PS3 appears on pg. 85 and the PSN section sports a two-page spread I wrote on the PSP Minis launch line-up. I’m pretty happy with the way both pieces turned out, and it looks like I’ll be contributing more heavily to the magazine shortly – particularly in the PlayStation Network Games section. Thrilling stuff. Check it out if you can.

PlayStation: The Official Magazine Reviews and more

Posted on October 20, 2009 by Nathan Meunier

ptomdec09 The Dec. issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine just hit the newsstands (a bit early), and it features three reviews I recently penned. I tackled Demon’s Souls, Half-Minute Hero, and Obscure: The Aftermath. They’re the first pieces I’ve written for the magazine but certainly not the last, since I have several others already slated for upcoming issues. I typically do a ton of online writing, which I enjoy, but seeing my work in a glossy print mag is indescribably exciting. In other news, interviews and research for the geek music book project are going smoothly. There’s a lot still to tackle, though I’m pleased to be making steady progress. I have some exciting new gigs that are in the process of panning out, and some additional print work on the way, including a review and multiple community pieces for Nintendo Power. It’s been a busy and awesome year so far. Let’s hope it keeps up. Cheers!

My Week In Review

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Nathan Meunier

Despite the slower game release schedule this month, it’s been a good week in other ways. Finally landed my first print feature for a major gaming mag. The issue will be out in November-ish. I’m not going to say much about it yet, so I don’t advertently jinx myself. Needless to say I’m excited, and it’s extremely gratifying to finally be getting some non-digital ink flowing again. Writing for a newspaper is fun, but seeing your work in a glossy mag on the newsstand is very different. There’s a possibility several other print opportunities will solidify in the near future. However, I’m waiting on baited breath to see what happens. I also recently started doing some casual gaming coverage for Gamezebo, which is a nice change of pace.

Aside from the day-to-day freelance work, there’s a lot of interviewing and research going on behind the scenes in my spare time. I’m making a lot of progress with contacts and info/quote gathering for the book project. Finally got a chance to check out Nerdcore For Life (thanks Dan L.), which is a great film about the geekier (RE: awesome) side of hip-hop. If you’re into that kind of thing, also check out Nerdcore Rising. Anyhow, back to work.