So You Want to Review Games for a Living? Part I

During my various stints as an editor covering the games industry, I've received countless letters from people wanting to write about games. Invariably all of the letters ask the same general questions -- do I need to go to college, what kind of degree do I need to have, does it matter that I've never been published -- but what no one has ever asked me is how to craft an expertly written piece of editorial or how to properly interact with both editors and the rest of the games industry. And if you really want to be taken seriously as a freelancer, you'll have to be able to do both in a professional manner.

First of all, this feature will only cover the writing of game reviews. This is the area most accessible to newcomers because previews generally require industry contacts (which most novice writers don't have) and only truly established writers get a crack at writing feature-length articles. A second feature will cover managing your relationship with editors and the rest of the games industry.

Making Contact

To answer the initial questions posed above, no one really cares if you went to Harvard, or if you have a degree in journalism. Prior publication, however, can be extremely valuable in separating yourself from the herd. If at all possible, get involved in a fan site and get some writing experience. Don't think writing for a fan site makes a difference? Then consider the fact that GameSpy's very own Warrior got his professional start in games journalism writing Total Annihilation level reviews for me at PC Gamer. I read some of his reviews on a TA-related site, liked his writing, and hired him. And Warrior isn't the only one to go that route.

What you need to prove to an editor is that you know games like the back of your hand, that you can convey that knowledge in a clear and concise manner, and that you can meet deadlines. A lot of would-be freelancers think gaming knowledge is enough -- it isn't. You have to be able to write. If you turn in a shoddy piece of editorial to a paying market the editor will have to edit it, or worse, rewrite it, which automatically puts you on their shit list.

When first making contact with an editor send a short note introducing yourself while mentioning any relevant information -- prior writing experience, your knowledge of games and the industry, etc. -- and ask for permission to send writing samples. That's it. The whole letter should only be a handful of sentences and should be professional in both tone and use of grammar.

After sending the letter, expect a long wait. Finding new freelancers is not at the top of most editors to-do lists, so it could be a few weeks or even months before you hear anything back. If a month or two passes, you can follow up with another short, professional e-mail. Do not bombard the editor with countless e-mails and never call them. (Let me emphasize that point -- never call an editor.)

After a couple polite e-mails, let's say the editor writes back and tells you they want a 700 word sample review of Diablo II by next Thursday. If the editor specifies a word count and a deadline for the sample review, follow them to the letter. A word count of 700 words means 700 words, end of story. Your ability to meet an assigned word count and deadline are being judged just as thoroughly as your ability to write a review. Make sure you request a set of the publication's guidelines.

Next: Getting down the business...