Here’s some sound advice for aspiring games journalists. Give up. Seriously, don’t bother. You won’t make it. There’s a reason for all the rejections, silences, ignored emails and insincere responses from HR people that say one thing and mean another. The reason is this: you’re not good enough. It’s hard – practically impossible in this economically broken world – to get a job writing about games. And even if you manage to get a foot in the door, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to make a comfortable living from it.
And besides, why put yourself through the soul-crushing rigmarole of breaking into the industry? The hours are long and the pay is horrendous. If you’re hoping to make a name for yourself – perhaps you think you’re the next Charlie Brooker – you should seek help. There’s nothing more pathetic than a wannabe writer harbouring delusions of grandeur. The puddle of filthy piss-water that accumulates at the base of public urinals - that’s how much you mean to the games industry. The shitty blog you write – the one that no one reads or cares about – isn’t your golden ticket to paid work. Guys, it’s time to man-up and face reality – your dream job is just that: a dream.
A black cloud hangs over the future of the traditional print publication. Magazine sales are continually declining. Aspiring journos have to face the unwelcome reality of a ridiculously competitive marketplace. And as each year passes, that window of opportunity becomes increasingly smaller. But what about the internet? Surely you can ply your trade online? Wrong. No one is recruiting. How do you expect to sell your work when no one is willing to pay you for it?
There was a time when passion, determination and an unbreakable I-WILL-FUCKING-MAKE-IT attitude would have been enough to see you through. After all, talent will out, right? Not necessarily. Games journalism is a highly niche industry, bordering on the incestuous. It’s very hard for new blood to gain a foothold. I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t waste time chasing pavements. Do something more constructive, like pissing into the wind.
Dude, the first paragraph discouraged me like crap! I'll just ignore it...
ReplyDelete"But what about the internet? Surely you can ply your trade online? Wrong. No one is recruiting."
Doesn't seem to be a UK only problem. It's almost the same in Germany, very hard to get a foot in the door (at least I achieved that - I think). If you look around at various sites, it's always the same group of freelancers working there. It's like a secret association (I'm obviously exaggerating here, right?RIGHT?!)
Yep. It's massively tough getting work as a freelancer these days, and even tougher finding work on a mainstream games mag.
ReplyDeleteTalent does get spotted (and rewarded with sexy money) though, so young writers shouldn't feel too disheartened.
It is possible. It just takes time.
Probably the best advice I could give to a young writer is to attend as many events as possible. Community events, trade shows, press events... attend them all armed with a nothing but a passion for gaming, an approachable smile and a business card or two...
...or three.
You never know what'll come of it.
Also, write for free. You'll feel massively undervalued at first, but enthusiasm doesn't go unnoticed. Constantly deliver the goods and editors will eventually mention your name to their publishing mates.
It's also worth befriending everyone you meet - both experienced and inexperienced. You never know where they'll end up.
I guess the most important thing, however, is to remain positive. Be sociable, polite and always do more than is asked of you.
Oh yes! And write, write write!
Most sites now do not care about content, they only care about hits. When you have major sites like IGN, Joystiq, Kotaku, GameInformer, and even Nintendo related sites...that have become nothing but Press Release havens, and "Top 10" this and that pieces, something is wrong.
ReplyDeleteI do very, very,very niche posts, and I'm always amazed that sites will NEVER run them, and I don't even ask for money. I just find it odd that the Nintendo sections on the major sites can be DEAD with no content, and they get tips and don't reply, and never post.
Very few interviews these days, very few meaningful discussions.
Again, it's not about the money for me, never has been; but about providing "different" type of posts and hopefully creating conversions among gamers with them.
Good piece though, and a lot of truth. For me blogging has just been great fun, meeting/talking with other gamers, and making new friends.
Digital Gigolo is right.
ReplyDeleteUnless you know someone in the industry, don't bother pursuing a career in games journalism.
I've been writing about games for over 10 years. Depressingly, the same old names are used time and time again and hog the majority of the best paid freelance work.
New writers are overworked, underpaid and often burn out after a couple of months. It's not a great job to be honest. Only a few established names make a comfortable living from this.