Here’s a clickbait thesis, but I think it rings true: the majority of gaming blogs aren’t worth your time.
Pick a controversial issue. A quick Google search will turn up a hundred articles treading the same ground – from the evil of loot boxes, to the cycle of regular yearly layoffs and studio closures by big publishers, to horror stories about extended hours and crunch. Everyone with a few years of experience in the game industry has a website and an opinion.
Often, the motivation for studios, critics, and individuals to blog is to promote their work and their brand – or, to put it in a gentler way, to connect with potential future customers.
There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, you’ll see that type of content on this site in the coming weeks. I’m working on an independent game that I want to talk about (soon). I’ve got opinions about how to make game development cycles run more smoothly. The consulting and contracting side of Scree Games is my main source of income, and I’ll be promoting the value of those services and the experience I bring to the table.
But along the way, I hope to mix in moments of frank, potentially uncomfortable analysis that promote a different level of discussion – between developers and publishers, between industry veterans and fresh faces, and between developers and fans.
It’s an aspirational goal and I don’t expect to achieve it in the first, second, or hundredth post.
A couple of veteran industry writers stand out in my mind as generating consistently excellent work. The reviewer Tom Chick of QuarterToThree, who has frequently expressed opinions on games that run counter to critical consensus (Deus Ex, cough cough) has always approached his job with good grace and a willingness to engage with contrary voices on his forums. Jeff Vogel, founder of Spiderweb Software, has a blog that’s a must-read for anyone with any interest in what it’s like to be an independent developer. What they share is brutal honesty and a touch of self-deprecation.
I’m late to the blogging business but I’ve been in the game industry for a while. I’ve made a ton of mistakes and I’ve had some lucky breaks. I’ve made good decisions and bad decisions.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of great teams and ship a lot of great titles. I’ve also worked on a couple of real stinkers.
I feel like I’ve learned a few things, but at the same time, I know that no one ever stops learning.
To all visitors, both in the industry and out, welcome. Thanks for stopping by. I’d love to engage with you in the comments section, especially if you’ve got a link to a worthwhile industry blog that I didn’t mention.
In the coming weeks, I’ll do my best to make this corner of the internet worth your time.