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Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
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Author:  TsuMuch [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 14:05 ]
Post subject:  Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Hello chums,

Occasionally I entertain the idea of becoming the World's Greatest Videogames journalist, instead of remaining the World's Least Interesting Civil Servant. On my quest to become the fountain of all videogame knowledge, I reckon it's worth reading the work of those who have walked a similar path, and so I am trying to build a compendium of good (or at least noteworthy) videogame journalism.

So far I have:

Animal Crossing by Commander Zorg on UK:R

Colonisation by Alec Meer on RPS

Earth Defense Force 2017 by Kieron Gillen on Eurogamer

Gran Turismo 4 by Stuart Campbell on WoS

Mass Effect by Yahtzee on the Escapist

Metal Gear Solid 2 by Tim Rogers on Insert Credit

Metal Gear Solid 4 by Sinister Agent on BETEO.

Stupidest Word in Videogames by Alex Kierkegaard on Insomnia.

And err, that's about it.

I'd like to include other 'big' names like Charlie Brooker and Biffo, but a quick google failed to yield any particularly interesting results. Everything I've found of Kieron Gillen's has been too aggravatingly smarmy for me to want to include. (EDIT: Thanks Dudley)

So this is now the part where you provide me with links to a load of much better examples, and if I get a good response/can be bothered I'll update the list above.
Author:  Cras [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 14:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Metal Gear Solid 4 by Sinister Agent on BETEO.
Author:  Plissken [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 14:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
You see, if I'd known about that I'd have posted it on the Guardian website, instead of the WoS link instead.
Author:  Dudley [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 14:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
There are many better examples of Stuart Campbell's writing than that botched, frequently illogical or just plain incorrect "I decided what I thought of it before I ever even played it" abortion of an article.

Try International Rugby Challenge or Kick Off 96 for example. Or from the site, Outrun 2.

http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.c ... utrun2.htm
Author:  Dudley [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 14:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Quote:
Everything I've found of Kieron Gillen's has been too aggravatingly smarmy for me to want to include.


http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74994
Author:  vegetables [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 14:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
The stupidest word in videogames.
Author:  TsuMuch [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Good suggestions so far! Thank you.

And Dudley, although I accept that Stu's GT4 review may not be among his greatest ever, I do feel that for what it arguably lacks in journalistic integrity, it makes up for in humour.
Author:  Cras [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Ah. 'Good' and 'Entertaining' are not necessarily the same thing.
Author:  TsuMuch [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Craster wrote:
Ah. 'Good' and 'Entertaining' are not necessarily the same thing.


Sort of. Although that seems like the train of thought that's led Edge to being such a dreary read.
Author:  Plissken [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
vegetables wrote:
The stupidest word in videogames.


That article led to this which is just fantastic.
Author:  ChocoboOfDoom [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
All of my stuff, obviously.


There's nothing wrong with the word 'gameplay' in and of itself, as it's a valid word that encompasses the entire interactive experience. The above article wastes valuable breath (and dilutes the valid point being made) in seemingly bringing attention to the fact that it's a compound word.

The problem lies when people use a broad term in an article that demands specific details. To say in a review that 'a game has good gameplay' is no better than saying that 'a book has a good story'.
Author:  romanista [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:33 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
didn't gillen c.s. didn't recently all publish their pieces for the drawn kittens book?,there were some nice examples

and bow:nigger; which lead to giullen's new games journalism essay
http://www.alwaysblack.com/blackbox/bownigger.html
Author:  AceAceBaby [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Immediately strike any reviews which contain the phrase "worth the price of admission" or references to "post pub game sessions" for being hateful.
Author:  Dudley [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
TsuMuch wrote:
Good suggestions so far! Thank you.

And Dudley, although I accept that Stu's GT4 review may not be among his greatest ever, I do feel that for what it arguably lacks in journalistic integrity, it makes up for in humour.


Yes, but stuff like Robocop Vs The Terminator is both (although that specific one is ruined by the fact he blatantly reviewed an unfinished version because the retail version doesn't do some of what he claims).

I assumed you wanted good. If you just want funny Stu has still done better.
Author:  JBR [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 15:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
AceAceBaby wrote:
Immediately strike any reviews which contain the phrase "worth the price of admission" or references to "post pub game sessions" for being hateful.

Add over-liberal use of "IP" and "iteration", too. And too much "it could be argued", though that would mean you never read an Imagine magazine again. That said, Games has surprised me in the last two months with two articles outside the retro section I actually wanted to read - the one on paid gamers and that on metacritic.
Author:  Ian Osborne [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 16:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
AceAceBaby wrote:
Immediately strike any reviews which contain the phrase "worth the price of admission" or references to "post pub game sessions" for being hateful.

Ditto, any variation on 'you'd be mad not to buy this', written by someone who got it for free.
Author:  TsuMuch [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 16:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Ian Osborne wrote:
AceAceBaby wrote:
Immediately strike any reviews which contain the phrase "worth the price of admission" or references to "post pub game sessions" for being hateful.

Ditto, any variation on 'you'd be mad not to buy this', written by someone who got it for free.


Funnily enough, I haven't found it as hard to find examples of awful games journalism!
Author:  The Rev Owen [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 16:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Gillen's written some good shit. Just off the top of my head -

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=59379

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74994
Author:  Pod [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 16:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
TsuMuch wrote:
Ian Osborne wrote:
AceAceBaby wrote:
Immediately strike any reviews which contain the phrase "worth the price of admission" or references to "post pub game sessions" for being hateful.

Ditto, any variation on 'you'd be mad not to buy this', written by someone who got it for free.


Funnily enough, I haven't found it as hard to find examples of awful games journalism!


http://www.destructiod.com <-- there's a wealth of wannabies right there.
Author:  Dudley [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 17:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
The Rev Owen wrote:
Gillen's written some good shit. Just off the top of my head -

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74994


If only someone had mentioned that eh... :)
Author:  The Rev Owen [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 17:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Dudley wrote:
The Rev Owen wrote:
Gillen's written some good shit. Just off the top of my head -

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74994


If only someone had mentioned that eh... :)


Oops, missed that. Still, great minds think alike.
Author:  Mr Dave [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 18:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
The Rev Owen wrote:
Gillen's written some good shit. Just off the top of my head -

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=59379

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74994


My favoritest piece of Gillen writing was his Medieval total war review in PCG. A rare review that actually makes me want to buy something that before I was completely uninterested in. (And indeed, the only one I can think of for the last decade or so)

I didn't regret it either, for even a moment.
Author:  Dr Lave [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 18:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Plissken wrote:
vegetables wrote:
The stupidest word in videogames.


That article led to this which is just fantastic.


That article is brilliant.
Author:  MrD [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 19:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Not entirely correct though.
Author:  Dr Lave [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 19:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
MrD wrote:
Not entirely correct though.


The Gameplay one? Pedantic maybe, but it's still correct.
Author:  Sledge [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 19:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
romanista wrote:
and bow:nigger; which lead to giullen's new games journalism essay
http://www.alwaysblack.com/blackbox/bownigger.html


"Bow Nigger" is a nice piece of creative writing but embarrassing as any sort of journalism. The crux of the matter resides in this passage...
http://www.alwaysblack.com/blackbox/bownigger.html wrote:
You see what this has become? It's not just a trivial game to be played in an idle moment, this is a genuine battle of good versus evil.
...because the truth is that the author has no idea whether the 'evil' in question is an actual racist or a role-playing nun. The Great Scam, on the other hand, is probably the only thing I've read that genuinely counts as games' new journalism -- it's brill.
Author:  MrD [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 19:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Lave wrote:
MrD wrote:
Not entirely correct though.


The Gameplay one? Pedantic maybe, but it's still correct.


No, the second one:

Quote:
the vast majority of human beings are mired in such unfathomable stupidity, that they instinctively draw back from everything that so much as displays the slightest hint of quality in it. The masses despise quality because they can never hope to comprehend it.


Though he clearly hasn't heard of Moviewatch.
Author:  Derek The Halls [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 19:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Dudley wrote:
Quote:
Everything I've found of Kieron Gillen's has been too aggravatingly smarmy for me to want to include.


http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=74994


That could be the best thing he's ever written.
Author:  LewieP [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 20:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
All of the reviews on my blog, the ones I write and the ones other people submit, are sexcellent.

Although my most recent one (geowars2) is probably my weakest yet...

Look for the Korg DS-10 review I am working on this very second.
Author:  LewieP [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 19:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Speaking of which.
Author:  TsuMuch [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Lave wrote:
Plissken wrote:
vegetables wrote:
The stupidest word in videogames.


That article led to this which is just fantastic.


That article is brilliant.

He needs to wipe away some of the froth from his mouth, and scream "I did a philosophy degree!!!!" a little less; but otherwise I'm pretty impressed by this Kierkegaard fellow.
Author:  NervousPete [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
TsuMuch wrote:
Lave wrote:
Plissken wrote:
vegetables wrote:
The stupidest word in videogames.


That article led to this which is just fantastic.


That article is brilliant.

He needs to wipe away some of the froth from his mouth, and scream "I did a philosophy degree!!!!" a little less; but otherwise I'm pretty impressed by this Kierkegaard fellow.



I agree with some of what he says on that website, but he uses too many exclamation marks and capital letters - and he said that Colonization is a BAD GAME.
Author:  romanista [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
Plissken wrote:
vegetables wrote:
The stupidest word in videogames.


That article led to this which is just fantastic.


Quote:
Besides, the nature of this industry is such that even if you had Friedrich Nietzsche in your staff, anything he had to say about an upcoming game would be forgotten the moment your competitor pulled out of its sleeve a brand-new "exclusive" screenshot or video clip.

that's good
Author:  Cras [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Examples of Good Videogame Journalism
I'm not all that convinced I'd want Neitszche reviewing games.

Wikipedia wrote:
His arguments often employed ad-hominem attacks and emotional appeals, and, particularly in his aphoristic works, he often jumps from one grand assertion to another (leaping from mountain-top to mountain-top, as he describes it), with little sustained logical support or elucidation of the connection between his ideas.


Oh - actually, he'd do fine.
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