The Obligatory Introduction
Hello.
Well, I suppose I should start this spectacular and inherently mesmerizing blog by telling you a bit about myself. I can safely say that I lead two lives here in South Africa (bring on the inevitable zebra jokes), though neither of them are quite as exciting as the spy connotation one would normally attach to such a phrase. The first life involves me functioning as a student at the University of the Witwatersrand, with my majors being Computer Science and Mathematics. I'm in my final year, and I hope to clutch that magical scroll that has "degree" written on it by the end of 2005. Since I'm not exactly the most dedicated of students, that scroll may have to come from the lifeless hands of another student.
Just kidding. (OR AM I??!)
The second life I lead is far more interesting and far less constructive. I review videogames and write loads of articles for the nigh-penultimate source for videogame news and information, Digital Entertainment News, though everybody just calls it Dignews. So, what's it like playing videogames for a living?
Actually, I hate that question. Whenever someone spews forth that disgusting combination of words in my general direction, it is either accompanied by an unnatural amount of smirking, a patronizing tone of voice or a pair of eyes rolling back. For some reason, people have this idea that playing games is something geeky kids do when they're not picking their noses or having their lunch money taken at school, something that's the exact opposite of work. When I play games in my exceedingly rare free time, then yes, it's just for fun and it's not contributing to society in any tangible manner. However! When I'm playing a game in order to review it - that is to say, in order to inform other people of its qualities and problems - I'm doing work.
"Yeah yeah. Getting free games and then being forced to play them. Life must be so hard for you."
I'm not complaining. Sure, I might start gibbering madly and screaming at the curtains whenever I have to play through something like Enter the Matrix (which, in case you didn't know, is a glossy pile of garbage), but you'll never find me complaining about any aspect of my job (and you'd better not be thinking "He should put that word in quotation marks.") I love writing and I love videogames, so putting the two together is like an orgy of fun for me. I still consider it work though, and my logic behind such a decision isn't that hard to follow.
As senior editor, my responsibilities are not only to get my own reviews, previews and features done, but also to ensure that everybody else's work is top-notch. I spend time every day doing stuff for Dignews, time I could easily spend on my personal pile of games or more ambitious projects such as obtaining female companionship. Did I mention I don't get paid? I could argue that I'm rewarded with free games, gratitude and the social prestige (or perhaps not the last one), but there's not much in the way of that material that simultaneously talks, makes the world go round and corrupts politicians. Thus, what I do is - and I hate sounding so trite - a labor of love.
That's why I get annoyed when people cast a dim and flickering light on this career. It's actually quite insulting when someone takes something you've put real effort in - without the need for reward - and then drags it into a dark part of society and places it into a "yeah, but what's your REAL job" category. It's like your mother spending her Sunday afternoon baking you delicious cookies, only for you to respond by chucking them onto the floor and stomping them to bits. And then you kick her in the head before setting her apron on fire. You bastard.
Phew. The moral of the story is: Reviewing videogames is a real job. Millions of people are looking to me for advice on which game should be getting fifty of their dollars (adjust for whatever currency you use - chances are it's a decent amount), and I'm going to do my best to make certain they don't go and buy something like Chaos Legion.
That's partly the purpose of my blog - another outlet for me to try and get you to experience some of the games you might have missed in the past or some of the games you don't want to miss right now. They could be obscure japanese cooking sims or hyped-up-the-wazoo first-person shooters, but I can say with a good deal of certainty that they'll be good. Starting next week, I'll give you some of my recommendations and you're welcome to agree or disagree (even though that would be inconsiderate and futile). If you'd like to make your own suggestion, particularly in how you can't believe what a jerk I am for not mentioning Game X, please do so. I'll most likely tell you which games to avoid like a kiss-chase in a leper colony from time to time, so keep checking back in the coming weeks.
Well, that's enough narcissistic blathering. I'm off to a hiking trip with my friends and shall duly return on Tuesday. With all my limbs attached, even.
Well, I suppose I should start this spectacular and inherently mesmerizing blog by telling you a bit about myself. I can safely say that I lead two lives here in South Africa (bring on the inevitable zebra jokes), though neither of them are quite as exciting as the spy connotation one would normally attach to such a phrase. The first life involves me functioning as a student at the University of the Witwatersrand, with my majors being Computer Science and Mathematics. I'm in my final year, and I hope to clutch that magical scroll that has "degree" written on it by the end of 2005. Since I'm not exactly the most dedicated of students, that scroll may have to come from the lifeless hands of another student.
Just kidding. (OR AM I??!)
The second life I lead is far more interesting and far less constructive. I review videogames and write loads of articles for the nigh-penultimate source for videogame news and information, Digital Entertainment News, though everybody just calls it Dignews. So, what's it like playing videogames for a living?
Actually, I hate that question. Whenever someone spews forth that disgusting combination of words in my general direction, it is either accompanied by an unnatural amount of smirking, a patronizing tone of voice or a pair of eyes rolling back. For some reason, people have this idea that playing games is something geeky kids do when they're not picking their noses or having their lunch money taken at school, something that's the exact opposite of work. When I play games in my exceedingly rare free time, then yes, it's just for fun and it's not contributing to society in any tangible manner. However! When I'm playing a game in order to review it - that is to say, in order to inform other people of its qualities and problems - I'm doing work.
"Yeah yeah. Getting free games and then being forced to play them. Life must be so hard for you."
I'm not complaining. Sure, I might start gibbering madly and screaming at the curtains whenever I have to play through something like Enter the Matrix (which, in case you didn't know, is a glossy pile of garbage), but you'll never find me complaining about any aspect of my job (and you'd better not be thinking "He should put that word in quotation marks.") I love writing and I love videogames, so putting the two together is like an orgy of fun for me. I still consider it work though, and my logic behind such a decision isn't that hard to follow.
As senior editor, my responsibilities are not only to get my own reviews, previews and features done, but also to ensure that everybody else's work is top-notch. I spend time every day doing stuff for Dignews, time I could easily spend on my personal pile of games or more ambitious projects such as obtaining female companionship. Did I mention I don't get paid? I could argue that I'm rewarded with free games, gratitude and the social prestige (or perhaps not the last one), but there's not much in the way of that material that simultaneously talks, makes the world go round and corrupts politicians. Thus, what I do is - and I hate sounding so trite - a labor of love.
That's why I get annoyed when people cast a dim and flickering light on this career. It's actually quite insulting when someone takes something you've put real effort in - without the need for reward - and then drags it into a dark part of society and places it into a "yeah, but what's your REAL job" category. It's like your mother spending her Sunday afternoon baking you delicious cookies, only for you to respond by chucking them onto the floor and stomping them to bits. And then you kick her in the head before setting her apron on fire. You bastard.
Phew. The moral of the story is: Reviewing videogames is a real job. Millions of people are looking to me for advice on which game should be getting fifty of their dollars (adjust for whatever currency you use - chances are it's a decent amount), and I'm going to do my best to make certain they don't go and buy something like Chaos Legion.
That's partly the purpose of my blog - another outlet for me to try and get you to experience some of the games you might have missed in the past or some of the games you don't want to miss right now. They could be obscure japanese cooking sims or hyped-up-the-wazoo first-person shooters, but I can say with a good deal of certainty that they'll be good. Starting next week, I'll give you some of my recommendations and you're welcome to agree or disagree (even though that would be inconsiderate and futile). If you'd like to make your own suggestion, particularly in how you can't believe what a jerk I am for not mentioning Game X, please do so. I'll most likely tell you which games to avoid like a kiss-chase in a leper colony from time to time, so keep checking back in the coming weeks.
Well, that's enough narcissistic blathering. I'm off to a hiking trip with my friends and shall duly return on Tuesday. With all my limbs attached, even.
posted by MrGenuchi at 11:30 PM
3 Comments:
GO G... GO G...
So what would you say is more enjoyable--eating raw Zebra or playing Enter the Matrix?
Eating a raw fruit bat is more appealing than Enter the Matrix.
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