Video game journalism: Difference between revisions
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{{Mergefrom|New Games Journalism|date=October 2006}} |
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| ⚫ | '''Computer and video game journalism''' is a branch of [[journalism]] concerning the reporting and discussion of [[computer and video games]]. It typically centres around a core reveal/preview/review cycle, but has seen large-scale upheaval through the growth of online publications and blogs, and stylistic revolts including [[New Games Journalism]]. |
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==New Media and games journalism== |
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The traditional videogames press has perhaps suffered the most at the hands of [[New Media]]. Gaming is a very technologically-oriented past-time, and an enormous proportion of gamers - defined here as those with enough interest to consider purchasing printed publications - are highly computer literate and more than capable of traversing the Internet for the information they want. This, coupled with the fast-moving nature of the games industry, erodes the influence of print, which with its typically monthly release cycle cannot keep up with the instant and sometimes even twenty-four hour nature of its online competition. |
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[[Future Publishing]] presents a potent example of old media's decline in the games sector. In 2003 the group saw multi-million [[Great British Pound|GBP]] profits and strong growth,<ref name="futuregood">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=3095|work=GamesIndustry.biz|title=Future reports strong results for 2003|date=10 March 2003|accessdate=2006-10-03}}</ref> but by 2006 were issuing profit warnings<ref name="futurebad-profit">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=15259|title=Future slips to three-year low on profit warning|work=GamesIndustry.biz|date=10 March 2006|accessdate=2006-10-03}}</ref> and closing unprofitable magazines (although to date, no gaming publications have been affected).<ref name="futurebad-closures">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=20000|title=Future Publishing confirms magazine closures, but games titles safe|work=GamesIndustry.biz|date=20 September 2006|accessdate=2006-10-03}}</ref> |
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In mid-2006 [[Eurogamer]]'s business development manager [[Pat Garratt]] wrote a criticism of those in print games journalism who had not adapted to the web, drawing on his own prior experience in print to offer an explanation of both the challenges facing companies like Future Publishing, and why he believed they had not overcome them.<ref name="papertrails">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19093|title=Paper Trails|work=GamesIndustry.biz|date=18 August 2006|accessdate=2006-10-03}}</ref> |
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==Ethics== |
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{{main|Journalism ethics and standards}} |
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The computer and video game media industry has been criticised for not adhering to journalistic ethics and standards. Reviewers are often paid little money or are volunteers, which make them susceptible to lavish marketing events that encourage inappropriate ties between game makers and game critics. Reviewers are often given free hardware and software when they review a game. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ojr.org/ojr/ethics/1049994303.php|work=Online Journalism Review|title=Ethics in Video Game Journalism|date=4 April 2003|accessdate=2006-10-08}}</ref> |
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Other publications, such as [[Nintendo Power]], [[PSM (magazine)|PSM]], and the [[Official Xbox Magazine]] have direct financial ties to the video game industry which they are covering. |
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==New Games Journalism== |
==New Games Journalism== |
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{{main|New Games Journalism}} |
{{main|New Games Journalism}} |
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==Independent== |
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While self-made print [[fanzines]] about [[video games]] have been around since the advent of the first home consoles, it was the inclusion of the [[internet]] in the lives of most people in the world that gave independent writers a real voice in video game [[News media|media]]. At first ignored by most major game publishers, these gaming websites gained the attention of these larger companies with their dedicated readership and, in most cases, professional (or near-professional) writing and reviews. |
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Independent Video Game websites are non-proft, and all revenue usually goes back towards [[Server (computing)|server]] costs and, occasionally, paying the writers. They are never affiliated with a [[corporation|corporate]] entity. Many gaming websites have gone from being independent to being purchased by a large [[News media|media]] company. In fact, this is the reason that many people start their own gaming site. In general, most publishers start these projects simply for their love of video games. |
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Many Independent Video Game websites garner major media attention, including the now-defunct [http://www.myvideogames.com MyVideoGames.com], which is now a [[retail]] site. [[MyVideoGames.com]], or MVG as it was affectionately known, covered the culture side of gaming and was written about by such major publications as [[Newsweek]] and [[Entertainment Weekly]]. Sadly, like this particular site, many of the more ambitious gaming websites have had to close their [[doors]] due to a lack of funding. |
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==Publications of note== |
==Publications of note== |
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*[[Game Politics]] |
*[[Game Politics]] |
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*[[Slashdot|Games.Slashdot]] |
*[[Slashdot|Games.Slashdot]] |
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*[[RAM Raider]] |
*[[RAM Raider]] |
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;Online |
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:''See: [[:Category:Computer and video game websites]]'' |
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*[[1UP.com|1UP]] |
*[[1UP.com|1UP]] |
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*[[Eurogamer]] |
*[[Eurogamer]] |
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*[[GameSpy]] |
*[[GameSpy]] |
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*[[IGN]] |
*[[IGN]] |
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{{col-2}} |
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;Print |
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:''See: [[:Category:Computer and video game magazines]]'' |
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*''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' |
*''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' |
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*''[[Game Developer Magazine]]'' |
*''[[Game Developer Magazine]]'' |
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*''[[Official Playstation Magazine]]'' |
*''[[Official Playstation Magazine]]'' |
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*''[[Nintendo Power]]'' |
*''[[Nintendo Power]]'' |
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*''[[Game Informer]]'' |
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{{col-end}} |
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==References== |
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<div class="references-small"> |
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<references /> |
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*{{cite web|url=http://www.ojr.org/ojr/ethics/1049994396.php|work=Online Journalism Review|title=A Survey of Game Writing Online|date=4 April 2003|accessdate=2006-10-08}} |
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*{{cite web|url=http://www.westword.com/issues/2005-01-06/news/message.html|work=Denver Westword|title=Game On - Video-game journalists look for a little respect.|date=6 January 2003|accessdate=2006-10-08}} |
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</div> |
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==External links== |
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{{journalism-stub}} |
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*[http://www.igja.org/ International Game Journalists Association] |
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*[http://www.vgmwatch.com/ Video Game Media Watch] |
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[[Category:Journalism]] |
[[Category:Journalism]] |
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[[Category:Computer and video game journalism]] |
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Revision as of 23:24, 8 October 2006
 | It has been suggested that New Games Journalism be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2006. |
Computer and video game journalism is a branch of journalism concerning the reporting and discussion of computer and video games. It typically centres around a core reveal/preview/review cycle, but has seen large-scale upheaval through the growth of online publications and blogs, and stylistic revolts including New Games Journalism.
New Media and games journalism
The traditional videogames press has perhaps suffered the most at the hands of New Media. Gaming is a very technologically-oriented past-time, and an enormous proportion of gamers - defined here as those with enough interest to consider purchasing printed publications - are highly computer literate and more than capable of traversing the Internet for the information they want. This, coupled with the fast-moving nature of the games industry, erodes the influence of print, which with its typically monthly release cycle cannot keep up with the instant and sometimes even twenty-four hour nature of its online competition.
Future Publishing presents a potent example of old media's decline in the games sector. In 2003 the group saw multi-million GBP profits and strong growth,[1] but by 2006 were issuing profit warnings[2] and closing unprofitable magazines (although to date, no gaming publications have been affected).[3]
In mid-2006 Eurogamer's business development manager Pat Garratt wrote a criticism of those in print games journalism who had not adapted to the web, drawing on his own prior experience in print to offer an explanation of both the challenges facing companies like Future Publishing, and why he believed they had not overcome them.[4]
Ethics
The computer and video game media industry has been criticised for not adhering to journalistic ethics and standards. Reviewers are often paid little money or are volunteers, which make them susceptible to lavish marketing events that encourage inappropriate ties between game makers and game critics. Reviewers are often given free hardware and software when they review a game. [5]
Other publications, such as Nintendo Power, PSM, and the Official Xbox Magazine have direct financial ties to the video game industry which they are covering.
New Games Journalism
Independent
While self-made print fanzines about video games have been around since the advent of the first home consoles, it was the inclusion of the internet in the lives of most people in the world that gave independent writers a real voice in video game media. At first ignored by most major game publishers, these gaming websites gained the attention of these larger companies with their dedicated readership and, in most cases, professional (or near-professional) writing and reviews.
Independent Video Game websites are non-proft, and all revenue usually goes back towards server costs and, occasionally, paying the writers. They are never affiliated with a corporate entity. Many gaming websites have gone from being independent to being purchased by a large media company. In fact, this is the reason that many people start their own gaming site. In general, most publishers start these projects simply for their love of video games.
Many Independent Video Game websites garner major media attention, including the now-defunct MyVideoGames.com, which is now a retail site. MyVideoGames.com, or MVG as it was affectionately known, covered the culture side of gaming and was written about by such major publications as Newsweek and Entertainment Weekly. Sadly, like this particular site, many of the more ambitious gaming websites have had to close their doors due to a lack of funding.
Publications of note
References
- ^ "Future reports strong results for 2003". GamesIndustry.biz. 10 March 2003. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- ^ "Future slips to three-year low on profit warning". GamesIndustry.biz. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- ^ "Future Publishing confirms magazine closures, but games titles safe". GamesIndustry.biz. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- ^ "Paper Trails". GamesIndustry.biz. 18 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- ^ "Ethics in Video Game Journalism". Online Journalism Review. 4 April 2003. Retrieved 2006-10-08.
- "A Survey of Game Writing Online". Online Journalism Review. 4 April 2003. Retrieved 2006-10-08.
- "Game On - Video-game journalists look for a little respect". Denver Westword. 6 January 2003. Retrieved 2006-10-08.