The Escapist: Game Journalism and the Industry

The latest issue of The Escapist gamer’s magazine, issue #106 “Good Night, Good Luck” features articles on the relationship of games journalists with game producers and publishers. I have discussed the fine line tread trying to maintain a good rapport with the game industry while preserving journalistic integrity. One step too far and a journalist can lose their credibility with gamers or be blacklisted by the gaming industry. The Escapist explores this topic with several new articles.

• In “To Hear Ourselves Review,” Russ Pitts explores the weight that reviews carry in the games industry at large.
• Ryan Schwayder discusses the merits of veracity in gaming media in “Selling Your Soul for Page Views.”
• “Play, Live, Learn” is Pat Miller’s take on the impact that the New Games Journalism movement has had on the once vanilla state of game reviews.
• Troy Goodfellow exposes games journalists’ tendencies to focus more on the future than the present in “Can’t Wait Till Tomorrow.”
• In “Tweety’s Song: From Journalist to Developer, and Back Again,” Sanya Weather recounts her journey from fledgling games journalist to Mythic Entertainment marketing guru, and back again.

I’ve personally found articles published in The Escapist to be both well written and thoroughly researched as well as enjoyable. I’m happy to recommend it as a good read.