Skip to main content

An Update On My Career


Okay, everyone, let's address the Elephant Mario in the room. Where have I been? I was posting just about every day, and suddenly, I disappeared faster than a speeding Concorde! In fact, quicker than that, I disappeared faster than the video game - Concord. Well, I am here to tell you that it was not for bad reasons at all. In fact, I had a range of opportunities come my way, and I wanted to talk to you all about my experience working as a video game journalist in the industry, the good, the bad, and the [unnamed company that I will not directly address...but it does rhyme with Lame Aunt]...that's right you guessed it - Gamerant. So if you are a budding journalist reading this who wants some guidance in navigating the industry, or maybe you are just nosy and want to learn more about my life, well let's-a-go!

So around June time I reached out to some gaming outlets around the world to see if I could be a guest writer on their stuff. I loved the direction my career was going in and I was in a place where I had built up a nice group of followers and wanted to experiment by writing for different outlets. I sent out an email to Patch Magazine because I am such a huge fan and it would have been a dream to write for them. I also around the same time applied to be a writer for GameRant and ScreenRant. I received an email from GameRant asking me if I would be able to write an article for them to show my writing style. I wrote a top 10 list, sent it in and within a few days I was offered a role as a list writer for Gamerant.

If you do not know, list writers are in charge of writing articles like 'Top 10 Zombie Video Games' etc. However, they have been going so long now that it has gotten so niche that it wouldn't shock me if soon we see articles like 'Top 10 Eyebrows In Soulslike Games Released Between January And February 2023'. I love writing and I was excited to show off my skills and prove to everyone that my degree is actually useful for something! But within a short period, I realised that companies like these don't really care about creativity and instead are only interested in SEO. They didn't want a hard-hitting journalist who wanted to write thought-provoking articles and amazing jokes like this one - [insert clever meta-joke here]. Instead, it was about ticking a box rather than thinking outside of it (you like my wordplay there? See my degree is useful)


To make any money at all I was pumping out Top 10 List after Top 10 list and putting hours and hours into trying to make some money. But the pay was so low and the job was so time-consuming that I was beginning to no longer enjoy writing. All I did was make lists, I was becoming a list machine, and everything in my life was becoming list-related. I found myself saying 'Top 10 Reasons I Should Have Pizza Tonight' or 'Top 10 Family Members RANKED (You won't believe number 4)' SPOILERS it was my Aunt Betty! 

But all jokes aside, we don't often think about this, but writing is an art form. Being able to captivate someone, make them think, make them laugh, and make them feel is what art is about. I value writing as a creative outlet, but I felt that I had to jump through so many hoops and write so many articles to survive, that I was no longer enjoying my work. So my advice to any new writers is, respect yourself and know your value.

So in the midst of all of this Patch Magazine got in touch. I was so excited. They said that rather than looking for a guest writer they were actually looking for a full writer to join their team. I sent them over some of my stuff and before I knew it I was writing with a group of people who I really look up to and respect. I soon discovered that Patch gave me the creative freedom I craved and respected my work as a writer. I now write regularly for their blog and have the first issue featuring my work coming next month and I am so excited! 

At the start of September, I resigned from GameRant. Never again will I have to write another list. Even when I go to Tesco for the big shop, I don't write a list, I just walk down the aisles and let my creativity sour! I love writing for Patch and I know how lucky I am to be in the position I am in.

So what does this mean going forward? Well It means I will be writing more on the Patch blog! In fact, I already have a couple of articles up which you should check out! Also, I will be putting more content up here again! Basically if it is indie game related, it'll be on the Patch blog, for anything else I will be posting it here!

I hope I haven't bored you with my life update but I just wanted to let everyone know that I am back and excited to dive back into the community I love so much!

Thank you!

Join the Discord Here

Like what you see? Why not support me financially? Donate Here

Want me to draw something for you? Get in touch on Instagram


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview with Kyle Banks: Developer Of Upcoming Game 'Farewell North'

'Farewell North' is an upcoming indie title from Kyle Banks and 'Mooneye Studio'. I am particularly excited about it because it is about two things I love - Scotland and dogs! I was lucky enough to get an interview with Kyle about the game and the studio. But first, here is a quick description of 'Farewell North': 'Restore color to the desolate islands of Farewell North, an open world journey where you play as a border collie on an adventure with his owner through the Scottish Highlands. Explore land and sea, solve puzzles to reveal hidden paths, evade monsters, and free wildlife to bring color back to the world, all while revealing an emotional story about saying farewell. Farewell North is about a woman on a personal journey deep in the Scottish highlands with her border collie, the player character. Dealing with a declining mental state and the emotions of a tragic loss, all color has left her world and it's up to you to bring it back as you aid her o...
Post a Comment
Read more

'Nine Sols' Developer Red Candle Games Interview

'Nine Sols' is my favourite game that has been released this year. I was lucky enough to interview the very talented developer 'Red Candle Games' about their game and their studio. Nine Sols is a lore rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection focused combat. Embark on a journey of Asian fantasy, explore the land once home to an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm. In New Kunlun, hero Yi has awakened the 9 rulers of this forsaken realm. To defeat the 9 Sols in the deserted city. New Kunlun, the Solarian’s last sanctuary, has remained quiet for centuries. Inside this vast realm, the ancient gods left mortals with a promised land that is forever protected by the sacred rituals, yet the truth of this world remains unknown to most. Everything changes when Yi, a long forgotten hero from the past, is awoken by a human child. Follow Yi on his vengeful quest against t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Farewell North Review

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox, Mac Release Date: 16th August 2024  Farewell North is a masterclass in storytelling by developer  Kyle Banks that takes you on a physical and emotional journey through the remote islands of northern Scotland. In Farewell North you play as a border collie called Chesley as you help your human through grief and support them as they try to move forward with their life. The game really nails the feeling of being a dog. Not that I have ever been a dog, but you know what I mean! You are encouraged to explore, dig, and chase wildlife to help your human companion on their journey. I particularly liked a mechanic where in certain areas a path may be blocked, so you have to look at it through the gap between two trees to unblock the way. It is almost like this game explains all the bizarre behavior that dogs have, and made me see things from a dog's eye view!  There were a few moments in which you had to herd sheep and these sections I di...
Post a Comment
Read more