Do you have a passion for video games and love writing, or are you looking for college essay writing services? Then a career as a professional video game critic might be right up your alley.
Video game reviewers play games and then write reviews to guide others on whether to play the games or to provide tips for enhancing the gaming experience. What is required to become a video game reviewer? And is it a viable career that can cover your expenses while providing the creative satisfaction you desire?
How to get started as a game reviewer
Like many careers, there’s no “right way” to become a critic. Numerous approaches exist to cultivating the skills needed to secure your initial reviewing role.
For instance, prominent game critic Chris Suellentrop earned a degree in History. Jeff started out as an adjunct editor. Andrea Rene transitioned from working in television to game reviewing and later launched her game review podcast. Alanah Pearce started as a video journalist before entering the gaming industry, while Nicole Tanner initially wrote for websites unrelated to gaming. If you’re wondering how to become a video game writer, these varied paths highlight that there is no single route to success in the field.
If there’s any common theme, it’s a passion for games and writing. Here are a few activities you can begin immediately to lay the groundwork for a potential career as a game reviewer.
1. Play a variety of video games. Reviewers shouldn’t just have opinions—they need to have well-informed opinions. It’s important to have a thorough understanding of different genres, styles, and game mechanics to become a credible reviewer. This knowledge will enhance your ability to critique games effectively and offer insights that make your reviews worthwhile for readers.
Create an online collection of writing examples. Game reviewing combines creativity with technical skills, so demonstrating your writing ability is crucial for getting hired. A good starting point is writing and publishing your game reviews online. You can post them on your blog or pitch them to smaller blogs or review sites that accept submissions from new reviewers.
3. Connect with fellow game reviewers and industry experts. Fostering relationships with individuals who share your interests can be immensely beneficial in any profession. Therefore, networking with other game reviewers and professionals in the game industry is crucial. This will not only increase your understanding of the field but also open up opportunities for part-time or full-time employment through valuable connections.
4. Earn a degree in a relevant field. While a degree in a related field isn’t necessarily required to become a game reviewer, getting an education in technical or creative writing offers significant benefits for developing your skills and enhancing your online writing portfolio.
Pursuing education in game design, programming, or other aspects of game development can be extremely beneficial. It will deepen your understanding of video games’ technical components, providing you with a competitive advantage when seeking employment.
5. Explore job openings. Numerous video game publications, websites, and magazines publish gaming-related content (beginning with well-known ones like Kotaku and IGN). Determine which platforms best align with your interests and writing style. Conduct thorough research. Understand the types of content they create and familiarize yourself with their hiring procedures and qualifications.
6. Show your enthusiasm! The field of game reviewing is highly competitive. It’s essential to truly care about the content you write, the games themselves, and the entire gaming industry. When you genuinely love what you do, it provides the determination and persistence to seek new opportunities and stay motivated continually.
Is a video game reviewer a good job?
Landing a video game reviewer job can be rewarding and enjoyable if you have a passion for gaming and a knack for writing. However, it comes with its challenges and may not be suitable for everyone. It’s important to assess your skills and motivations and consider the advantages and disadvantages to determine if this career path suits you. Learning from the best game writers can provide valuable insights and inspiration as you navigate this career.
Some of the upsides of the job include:
- As a video game reviewer, you can experience and critique various games. You’ll often get access to the latest titles before they are available to the general public.
- You can express your views and become an influencer as a game reviewer. A significant aspect of this role involves presenting your insights and opinions to a wide audience. Your reviews can affect people’s choices regarding which games to play and which they choose to ignore.
- You have the opportunity to be imaginative. Evaluating games necessitates creativity and the application of critical thinking skills. You’ll dissect games and then craft engaging and persuasive content about them.
- You have the chance to advance in your career. Accumulating experience in game writing will build a strong reputation as a trustworthy reviewer. This can open doors to higher-level positions or allow you to branch out into different aspects of game journalism.
Certainly, evaluating video games professionally can be a fascinating and imaginative career with potential for advancement. However, it’s important to recognize that there are some disadvantages to this job as well:
- The competition is fierce in this field, with many aspiring game reviewers putting in considerable effort to enter the industry. Consequently, breaking into the industry can be challenging without a robust writing sample portfolio.
- Intense, pressure-filled deadlines. As a game reviewer, you seldom have the opportunity to complete a game at your leisure fully. Frequently, you’ll need to play and evaluate games swiftly to ensure reviews are ready by their public release date. This task can be particularly demanding if the game is lengthy or intricate. Balancing the requirement for a detailed review with the urgency of meeting deadlines can be difficult.
- Continuous learning. The game industry changes rapidly, so reviewers must be informed about the newest trends and advancements. This demands a high level of dedication, readiness, and capability to acquire new knowledge.
- The Risk of Burnout: While playing and reviewing games can be enjoyable, it can also become exhausting. Reviewers face a genuine risk of burnout. It’s important to be mindful of this risk and to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a balanced approach to work and personal life.
- You need to be resilient. When you critique a game, your assessment and ratings could spark controversy. If your score differs from that of other review platforms, it might attract criticism and negative reactions from developers and fans. Since gamers are known to be particularly emotional and outspoken, maintaining a thick skin is essential.
Resources for aspiring game reviewers
The most effective method to improve your abilities as a game reviewer is to dive in and begin writing and posting reviews! Your initial reviews might not be excellent, but you’ll rapidly enhance your skills with ongoing practice.
As you deepen your understanding of game design and the evolution of video games, your reviews will improve. Here are a few books you can begin with to kick things off. Choose one or two, read them gradually, and reflect on how to incorporate the insights into your game reviews.
- “The Guide to Classic Graphic Adventures” by Kurt Calatta offers a comprehensive exploration of the history and design of classic graphic adventure games. This book is a valuable resource for gaining a thorough understanding of the genre and the key components that contribute to its excellence.
- The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell provides an extensive video game design process overview. It explores various subjects, including game mechanics, player psychology, game development, and marketing.
- Rafael Chandler’s The Game Writing Handbook is a comprehensive resource on the art of writing for video games. Story structure, character development, dialogue, and pacing are all covered.
- “Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the world” explores the psychological and social benefits of videogame engagement. She offers an understanding of how games can be used to address real-life problems.
- “A Theory of Fun for Game Design” delves into the psychology behind play and games, and provides a structure for understanding what makes games fun.
Here are a few examples of books that can deepen your understanding of the game industry, ultimately improving your skills as a game reviewer. Additionally, you should explore and read online articles, blogs, and videos created by experienced reviewers. This is an excellent way to gain insights into the industry and pick up useful tips and tricks used by professionals.