VG247
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| File:VG247 Website.png VG247 as of 25 August 2021 | |
| Type of business | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
Type of site | Video game journalism |
| Available in | English |
| Headquarters | Brighton, England |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Owner | Gamer Network |
| Created by | Patrick Garratt[1] |
| Key people | Tom Orry, Patrick Garratt, Alex Donaldson, Matt Martin, Dave Cook |
| Industry | Video game industry |
| URL | vg247 |
| Launched | 1 February 2008 |
| Current status | Active |
VG247 is a video game blog published in the United Kingdom, founded in February 2008 by industry veteran Patrick Garratt. In 2009, CNET ranked it as the third best gaming blog in the world.[2]
History
Founded in collaboration on 1 February 2008 between games journalist Patrick Garratt and Eurogamer Network, VG247 was set up to be a news-only blog, the first of its kind in the UK to have a specialist games blog found among the likes of American sites Kotaku and Joystiq.[1] At launch, VG247 did not review video games and focused instead on news, interviews, and previews. Garratt was the only staff member at the time of launch, although grew in time with the addition of contributors Mike Bowden and Nathan Grayson.[1][3]
In early 2009, the site relaunched itself, rebranding from videogaming247.com to VG247; at the same time the site changed its primary url to www.vg247.com, and launched a new site design, with improved features, and staff.[4] The site added additional staff over the next year.[5][6][7]
VG247 began to create original video content in 2012[8] and had some staff changes.[9][10] Matt Martin became the site's editor-in-chief and website founder Patrick Garratt moved into a full-time publisher role in 2014;[11] in the same period the website launched its third design iteration.[12] The site launched an Italian edition in March.[13]
In October 2015, VG247 pulled their preview of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and issued an apology after being contacted by Sony that the game they had played was Uncharted 2: Among Thieves from the remastered Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.[14]
Starting in September 2019, the site started to add reviews for recent games, using a 5-star ratings system.[15]
Awards
VG247 has been nominated twice for Best Website and Best Online Blog at the Games Media Awards in 2008 and 2009. While it did not win either award in 2008,[16] in 2009 it won Best Online Blog, with Garratt winning Best Specialist Online Writer. Garratt was awarded three Games Media Legend awards in 2009.[17]
The site was nominated for the Best Online Blog award at the 2010 Games Media Awards,[18] but lost to Rock Paper Shotgun. The site was nominated again for the Best Online Blog at the 2011 Games Media Awards.[19]
References
- ^ a b c Patrick Garratt. "Staff". VG247. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Top ten gaming blogs CNET Last accessed October 23, 2021.
- ^ Garratt, Patrick (1 February 2011). "It's our third birthday – welcome to the new VG247". VG247.
- ^ "VG247 Gets a relaunch and an American associate editor, Stephany Nunneley", www.gamesindustry.biz, 4 Feb 2009
- ^ VG247 freelance spot available, possibly to you VG247.com. Last accessed June 8, 2009
- ^ Johnny Cullen becomes latest addition to VG247 team VG247.com. Last accessed December 14, 2009.
- ^ VG247 becomes first and only 24-hour UK-based videogames news site VG247.com. Last accessed January 4, 2011.
- ^ VG247 pushes on original video with Sam Clay signing VG247.com. Last accessed March 21, 2012.
- ^ Dave Cook joins VG247 as new UK editor VG247.com. Last accessed October 10, 2012.
- ^ Weber, Rachel (2012-07-23). "Cook takes news editor role at VG247". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
- ^ Parfitt, Ben (2 Jan 2014), "VG247 appoints new editor", www.mcvuk.com
- ^ "VG247 relaunches: the new features and what they mean to you", www.vg247.com, 27 Jan 2014
- ^ Weber, Rachel (2014-03-24). "VG247 launches in Italy". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 2015-05-21.
- ^ Leack, Jonathan (2015-10-14). "Journalist Mistakes Uncharted 2 For Uncharted 4, Hilarity and Embarrassment Ensues". Game Revolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
- ^ McKeand, Kirk (17 September 2019). "VG247 brings innovative new review technology to the masses – review scores". VG247. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- ^ UK's media darlings hailed | Games Industry | MCV MCV. Last accessed October 16, 2009
- ^ Stephany, Stephany (October 15, 2009). "VG247 takes home three Games Media Awards". VG247. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
- ^ Games Media Awards finalists revealed | Games Industry | MCV MCV. Last accessed August 11, 2010
- ^ GMA 2011: The finalists | Games Industry news | MCV MCV. Last accessed August 11, 2011