if i were you i would use my connections with the UN to improve the console-war situation caused by pathetic fanboys all over the place (not just on GAF). forget journalism--most of that stuff is so biased it isn't even funny, and it only makes things worst. do something positive instead.
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Game journalism-age: being in-between jobs is not fun :(
- Thread starter JSnake
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I just wanted to post in this thread. Hehehe.
Dude, right now, you'll be lucky if you get "work" from a hobo with a hashpipe and an EEE PC. You see the way the economy is, what's happened to print and online publications the past 6 months?
Like everyone has hinted at: let your parents support your ass or get a crappy job like all 16 year olds do, and then do your game writing for free as many places as you can until you ride out this so-called downturn. There are SO many people looking for freelance and full-time writing work right now with experience and connections under their belt...
Dude, right now, you'll be lucky if you get "work" from a hobo with a hashpipe and an EEE PC. You see the way the economy is, what's happened to print and online publications the past 6 months?
Like everyone has hinted at: let your parents support your ass or get a crappy job like all 16 year olds do, and then do your game writing for free as many places as you can until you ride out this so-called downturn. There are SO many people looking for freelance and full-time writing work right now with experience and connections under their belt...
Patrick Klepek
furiously molesting tim burton
Rlan said:Patrick Klepek wrote for websites when he was 16. Hell, got into E3 at 14.
Now he makes tough decisions like "What company hosted party should I get drunk at tonight?"
I don't think there are any hosted parties to go to this week, actually. Bummer.
It was a different world back when I started. It's crazy to think I'll be 24 next month.
In some ways, it's easier for young writers. There are a wealth of perfectly decent websites just begging for people to write for them. Plus, the explosion of blogs. I never had that. In other ways, it's much harder. The very things I just mentioned have lead to increased competition and visibility of talented writers. I do not envy people who are just starting out and waiting for someone to recognize them. But all successful writers were in that position at one point. If you work hard enough, it'll happen. Unfortunately, it's a bad market to be in right now. Video games, for the most part, may be recession proof -- video game writers are not.
No. I'm talking about all the news we've been receiving lately about gaming publications and publishers laying off people. I'm ironically in a similar position to JSnake. Writing or doing video production for a games publication was my goal. I was laid off from a blog a few years back when I was in high school like him as well, but I just found another job unrelated to games for the time being and that's what I'd recommend as well. I've been taking courses related to the field in school (journalism and games). Would be a shame to find no jobs.-Rogue5- said:
Gotta find me some internships.
I started my website back in 1999 and was only 14 years old... I did not go big until like 2003ish...
So it'll take time, its good hobby type of job. But for an actual job. I really do not recommend video game journalism as a profession unless you get semi big like IGN/Gamespot/Gamespy and keep your fanboyism to yourself when reviewing the games...
One thing I do miss from videogame journalism is creativity that is present in some of the online stuff right now like AVGN, podcasts, 1up shows, IGN and Gamespot's equivalents to them but they can't be reached in a written form now a days...
So it'll take time, its good hobby type of job. But for an actual job. I really do not recommend video game journalism as a profession unless you get semi big like IGN/Gamespot/Gamespy and keep your fanboyism to yourself when reviewing the games...
One thing I do miss from videogame journalism is creativity that is present in some of the online stuff right now like AVGN, podcasts, 1up shows, IGN and Gamespot's equivalents to them but they can't be reached in a written form now a days...
VGChampion
Member
Awesome thread.
Just keep writing and sending your articles to different sites.
I come for feature articles, not reviews. Maybe work on that.
Just keep writing and sending your articles to different sites.
I come for feature articles, not reviews. Maybe work on that.
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
At least you still have your health.
I'm falling apart. Eyes aren't getting any better, my jaw makes these awesome clicking noises, everytime I move it's like I've spent the last 20 years in the trunk of car, I got hit by a car and my leg just acts up at random, my junk curves slightly to the left, hell I ain't even 30.
Oh and a bug bit my ear and everytime I scratch it hurts so badly.
btw OP you suck.
I'm falling apart. Eyes aren't getting any better, my jaw makes these awesome clicking noises, everytime I move it's like I've spent the last 20 years in the trunk of car, I got hit by a car and my leg just acts up at random, my junk curves slightly to the left, hell I ain't even 30.
Oh and a bug bit my ear and everytime I scratch it hurts so badly.
btw OP you suck.
Kobun Heat
Member
...fuckCat in the Hat said:
At age 16, if you are really serious about being a journalist, shouldn't you be thinking about which colleges have the best Journalism programs rather than worrying about where to find an industry job already?
With the current economic climate, you're better off gaining skills and training to differentiate yourself from the competition, and it wouldn't hurt to have some more videogame writers with formal training in journalistic ethics.
With the current economic climate, you're better off gaining skills and training to differentiate yourself from the competition, and it wouldn't hurt to have some more videogame writers with formal training in journalistic ethics.
Just understand that some of us who do have to work 8-12 hours a day to pay the bills, wince a bit when a 16 year old says they are in between jobs.
I am in a position right now where alot of us (where i work) are worried about job security as we see several similar publishing companies start to drop like flies in this shit economy. This is a seriously scary situation, and one you are not likely to understand for a long time. So please understand if some of us don't take the whole "i'm in between jobs" topic seriously.
If you want to become a game journalist, it is advisable to set oyur sights on a good writing college. You have to be a writer first, gamer second if you are going to make it in gaming journalism.
Other then that, keep writing. And enjoy the wonder years while they last...
I am in a position right now where alot of us (where i work) are worried about job security as we see several similar publishing companies start to drop like flies in this shit economy. This is a seriously scary situation, and one you are not likely to understand for a long time. So please understand if some of us don't take the whole "i'm in between jobs" topic seriously.
If you want to become a game journalist, it is advisable to set oyur sights on a good writing college. You have to be a writer first, gamer second if you are going to make it in gaming journalism.
Other then that, keep writing. And enjoy the wonder years while they last...
Masta_Killah
Member
Segata Sanshiro said:
lol, what? Chill out, this is a forum, not a job posting board.
You know, I'd strongly advise against giving out so much personal information (ie. your contacts, parents, etc) in a public forum especially when some of them are so high profile and visible. Some of your "contacts" might not appreciate being named in a post like yours and this just goes to show your complete lack of maturity with regards to conducting yourself professionally in the public realm. The lack of maturity is forgivable considering the fact that you're only 16 so you really should be doing some damage control here.
Petrae
Member
mosaic said:
Bingo. If writing is indeed a passion for you, then it's time to go back to your roots and take some unpaid gigs to stay sharp and continue to build your portfolio. Starting your own blog and just writing about whatever comes to mind is fine, too.
You're young and seem to have had practical experience. For now, ride things out by getting a part-time job (if you can find one, thanks to this economy) and write in your spare time. Hopefully things will turn around once again and we'll see another boom in the gaming press... but right now, things are tough all over.
ElyrionX said:
Sorry JSnake I was about to give you a "job" at gamesfaq, but since you can't control yourself in gaf *tsk tsk*
I kid, but like most posters, it's not good to give out so much personal information to a public forum, especially that this is the industry you want to work in. I admire your determination, but I think you need abit of growing up first. The reason why those people made it into their field when they were young was A) Luck B) Had something that their employers can see. It takes awhile but everyone has a special something
Justin Bailey
------ ------
:lolM.J. Doja said:Firestorm said:
rocksolidaudio
Member
on the downside, you failed the "responding repeatedly in a thread and digging yourself in deeper" test.
on the upside, it sounds like you have a good amount of writing momentum for someone your age; keep at it, and don't worry about who you're writing for or who's seeing it for the time being. when the time comes to pursue it as a full-time gig, you should have some good stuff to show for yourself, regardless of who's read it before.
i'd be happy to have a look at a review sample and give you some feedback if you want to PM it to me.
on the upside, it sounds like you have a good amount of writing momentum for someone your age; keep at it, and don't worry about who you're writing for or who's seeing it for the time being. when the time comes to pursue it as a full-time gig, you should have some good stuff to show for yourself, regardless of who's read it before.
i'd be happy to have a look at a review sample and give you some feedback if you want to PM it to me.
Team Klimt
Member
came for the advice, stayed for the tagging
Segata Sanshiro
Member
It doesn't have to be. You think employers, particularly in as tech-savvy a position as *internet editor-in-chief*, don't go digging on the web for info on prospective employees? Hate to break it to you, m'man, but they do. Take it from someone who burnt a lot of bridges in his time, and sat in both chairs in the office.Masta_Killah said:
As a freelancer, your reputation is your livelihood. There are thousands of people who will gladly do the jobs you want to do, and if you seem like a liability or an irresponsible hire, employers will easily take any of the multitudes of people who can act like a mature professional.
If you want to act like a douchebag on a very well-known message board, and don't care to keep yourself anonymous, you're more than welcome to do so, but don't be surprised if your words come back to bite you in the ass later.
Segata Sanshiro
Member
It's NeoGAF, not Shining Time Station. The heat is always turned up to full around here.Guled said:
TalonsOfJustice
Neo Member
:lol @tag
You should just blog some of your articles related to gaming, start off small. If you're 16, theres no need to go all out at such a young age. Just get a blog from a social networking site, or make a site of your own, and just post things. If you're good enough, you'll be recognized.
You should just blog some of your articles related to gaming, start off small. If you're 16, theres no need to go all out at such a young age. Just get a blog from a social networking site, or make a site of your own, and just post things. If you're good enough, you'll be recognized.
Well I'm jealous of your position.
Assuming your parents are actually smart being home schooled can have its advantages when the public school systems are so shitty these days.
At 16 you have already gotten published be proud of that. You have some experience already and that will really count. At your age you need to read and travel more though. One thing that will affect your writing is your experiences so while you are still young see more of the world and learn more from it and your writing may go to new levels.
I wouldn't really worry if I were young, I'm 22 just out of college and have only had part time job experience not relating to my field of study. So I'm in a deeper shit hole than you.
Assuming your parents are actually smart being home schooled can have its advantages when the public school systems are so shitty these days.
At 16 you have already gotten published be proud of that. You have some experience already and that will really count. At your age you need to read and travel more though. One thing that will affect your writing is your experiences so while you are still young see more of the world and learn more from it and your writing may go to new levels.
I wouldn't really worry if I were young, I'm 22 just out of college and have only had part time job experience not relating to my field of study. So I'm in a deeper shit hole than you.
TurtleSnatcher
Member
You're still young. You have plenty of time. It is a bit harder to move up with much more competition then in the past when you ran into the Geoff Keighley's etc.
Some of the mistakes you have made in the past (ie: VC thread, starting false rumors for Super Mario RPG, etc) can really burn you. You need to be more mindful on those things. If you do get a job at a reputable site - do not harass. It almost sounds like you are pinging the editors at Siliconera or something too much and they just stopped responding to you completely because they may think its aggravating?
Patience and work hard for it. Stay mature and stay focused. Don't ruin things because you have information from a publisher or something and think you can be the shining light on a forum or on the internet for a few minutes. What is worth it? A few hours of fame on a internet site because you know some info that shouldn't be told or make a silly request like your VC game review.. It isnt worth losing your possible future career. Don't make that mistake..
Some of the mistakes you have made in the past (ie: VC thread, starting false rumors for Super Mario RPG, etc) can really burn you. You need to be more mindful on those things. If you do get a job at a reputable site - do not harass. It almost sounds like you are pinging the editors at Siliconera or something too much and they just stopped responding to you completely because they may think its aggravating?
Patience and work hard for it. Stay mature and stay focused. Don't ruin things because you have information from a publisher or something and think you can be the shining light on a forum or on the internet for a few minutes. What is worth it? A few hours of fame on a internet site because you know some info that shouldn't be told or make a silly request like your VC game review.. It isnt worth losing your possible future career. Don't make that mistake..
Drinky Crow
Banned
you're a disgusting ninthing. please leave this industry post-haste
Wolves Evolve
Member
jamesinclair
Banned
Thread title makes it sound like you were fired, have a kid at home, and cant even get a freelance paycheck.
But in reality....
Dude shouldnt even by buying M rated games
But in reality....
Dude shouldnt even by buying M rated games
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
OP's family sounds pretty awesome.
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
Holy crap I thought his tag was a joke.
Did the same exact thing. :lol
RadarScope1 said:
Did the same exact thing. :lol
_Alkaline_
Member
Not meaning to be rude, but at 16 the least a person should be worried about is looking for jobs as a journalist. You should be a lot more focussed on doing well at school, socialising with friends and preparing yourself for college. These things are a huge task in themselves and should form the basis of your daily life.
I'm not saying getting your name out there is a bad thing - getting writing experience asnd establishing some connections now will help later on - but your post makes you sound like a twenty-something year old whose worried he won't be able to pay the bills because he's out of a full-time job. You're only 16, you should be trying to live life to its fullest, not worry about trying to find a job as a journalist.
I'm not saying getting your name out there is a bad thing - getting writing experience asnd establishing some connections now will help later on - but your post makes you sound like a twenty-something year old whose worried he won't be able to pay the bills because he's out of a full-time job. You're only 16, you should be trying to live life to its fullest, not worry about trying to find a job as a journalist.
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
Bpatrol said:
Yeah, OP did more harm than good. I hope this thread doesn't hit any of the big sites, but this is GAF, of course it will.
deepbrown said:
I took out that line due to the solid advice of not being a jackass to potential employers.
The pay was ok, but it wouldn't be enough to support a flat. I can't imagine thats the same pay that everyone at the company gets, or they'll all be living with their parents.
Journalism.co.uk? Sounds great. I'll be riiight on it.
http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=site:neogaf.com+john+-travolta+siliconera
U-oh.
Let this always be a warning to you, you are still young, didn't mess up too bad... but quit name dropping, seriously. Google is quick and dirty.
U-oh.
Let this always be a warning to you, you are still young, didn't mess up too bad... but quit name dropping, seriously. Google is quick and dirty.
Moz La Punk
Member
I'm just glad I'm not a freelancer right now but on one website only. And I managed to keep the job and hopefully keep it for a while too! But good luck man, I know it's hard. Not much work, but lots of people who want the job.
Edit: oh you're 16. I was writing for various amateur websites and blogs back then, and getting ready for an education in journalism. I wasn't making money back then. Don't worry, you live with your parents right? Just start your own little website, you don't have to make money right now, just experience and have fun.
Edit: oh you're 16. I was writing for various amateur websites and blogs back then, and getting ready for an education in journalism. I wasn't making money back then. Don't worry, you live with your parents right? Just start your own little website, you don't have to make money right now, just experience and have fun.
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
I can't help but feel sorry for the OP.
But on the flipside, if he can't stay afloat on GAF then the real world is going to eat him alive.
Segata Sanshiro has some really good points. Read them. Remember them. Use them.
But on the flipside, if he can't stay afloat on GAF then the real world is going to eat him alive.
Segata Sanshiro has some really good points. Read them. Remember them. Use them.
Suburban Cowboy
Member
why dont you start writing for your schools newspaper. Will prepare you for a journalism major in college.
edit- Shit, forgot about the home schooled thing. Your parents suck = /
edit- Shit, forgot about the home schooled thing. Your parents suck = /
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