So You Want To Get Paid To Write About Games – Tips From PAX Panelists

If PAX Prime 2010 (my first PAX) did anything, it reaffirmed I'm on the right path. As I attended panel after panel that related even remotely to breaking into this business as a paid writer, I made up my mind more and more. This is what I want to do. And judging by the eager attendees, it looks like I'm not alone.

Now, while Mitch Dyer gave us a lovely recap post that includes a full podcast from one of these panels, I thought it'd be useful if I compiled my notes here for others to reference. 

This article contains what I gleaned from each panel, as well as my thoughts around their points. It's a bit long, so consider yourself forewarned. These notes are compiled together from the following PAX Prime 2010 panels:

Movin’ on Up: How to Make It (Or Not) in Videogames Journalism

• Panelists included: Arne Meyer [Community Strategist, Naughty Dog], John Drake [Manager, Communications and Special Projects, Harmonix Music Systems], Chris Kohler [Game|Life Editor, Wired.com], John Ricciardi [8-4]

Do You Have A Chance Against IGN, 1UP, & GameSpot?

• Panelists included: David Liao [Co-Founder, 4Player Podcast], Brad Simons [Co-Founder, 4Player Podcast], Nick Henderson [Co-Founder, 4Player Podcast], Jim Sterling [Reviews Editor, Destructoid]

Game Writing & Rabid Badger Combat  (RK: An interesting alternative. This panel had the highest attendance out of all them. People really want to write game narratives.)

• Panelists included: James Portnow [CEO, Rainmaker Games], Tom Abernathy [Game Writer, Microsoft], John Sutherland [Game Writer, Microsoft], Anne Tool [Freelance Games Writer], Gary Whitta

So You Want to Land a Marketing Job in the Game Industry? (RK: Attended this panel because I currently have a job in marketing.)

• Panelists included: Sue Bohle [President, Bohle Co.], Wendy Despain [Dialog Writer/Designer], AJ Glasser [News Editor, Gamepro]

Ask a Games Journalist: Veteran Editors Answer Any and All Questions

• Panelists included: Dan Amrich [just retired], Evan Lahti [Senior Editor, PC Gamer], Brett Elston [Executive Editor,  GamesRadar, Future US], Logan Decker [EIC, PC Gamer, Future US], Mikel Reparaz [Senior Editor, GamesRadar]

 

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What they said in no particular order:

TRY OTHER AVENUES TO BREAK IN
This was a recurring theme amongst panelists. This industry is young (25 years) and the avenues upon which one gains entry are not as established as something like becoming a doctor or a lawyer. From the way they made it sound, it would be rare that someone got in through a simple cold resume and a cover letter. You need to know people and get to know people. Also, the word intern came up once or twice.

If you've finished school like me, AJ Glasser of Gamepro pointed out that companies don't delve too deeply into who's supplying an internship credit. It's entirely reasonable to take a course with the intention of only using it to qualify for an internship position.

You could also make a name for yourself by getting published in another medium and moving into gaming. No? Just a thought.

COLD CALL AND EMAIL PEOPLE
The silence you hear is from the shiver that ran through the room when the words were uttered. Yes, it feels kind of wrong. Yes, it seems a bit pushy. But at the end of the day, when someone finally takes a chance on you, it will be worth it. If you get a hundred no's and one yes, it's still a yes. Cold call people. Email them (not incessantly) but try to stay top of mind.

Be advised: If you do pursue this avenue, ensure your emails are SHORT. People getting paid in this industry are quite busy, so when you're trying to get their attention with your awesome idea or awesome piece, please make their lives easier by being as concise as possible. Seriously, just a short message and a link will do it. If they don't get back to you right away, keep in mind it's nothing personal. They're BUSY and your email is not the only one they've gotten that day. Chances are they got 300 just like yours.

Push for freelance work foremost and whatever happens don't get discouraged.

YOUR TALENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR PEDIGREE
I know you worked hard to get that degree in English / Journalism / Halo Studies, but this is a simple reality of the working world. People care more about your skills, your reliability, and your personality over your school credentials. 

However, don't completely discount it. If you have that education and you've got the skill, you have a leg up on guys like me who are self taught. Just remember though, we're working very hard to keep up with you and to wow people so they don't notice our unrelated community college diploma. Stay sharp!

HIT THE WORD COUNTS
Congratulations, you've landed your first paid job! Don't screw it up. If the publication has told you a word count, you better nail it. Don't expect them to edit down 1-2 sentences. That's ridiculous and a slap in the face. Remember, they've come to you because they think you can do it and — more importantly — because they're too busy to handle the work themselves. Be low maintenance and do what they ask. If you're more trouble than you're worth, there are plenty of other writers waiting in line. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions if their instructions aren't clear. If they get mad because you're asking for a little clarification, take it from me, they're not people you want to work with.

(Just your average PAX Panel lineup.)

GET READY TO PARTY
AJ Glasser was dropping gold coins right and left. Something she mentioned that stood out was parties are where she goes to work. You're going to be in social situations involving alcohol and a very social atmosphere. The more you can do to be comfortable and to keep yourself in check the better. If you're not quite comfortable in social settings (believe me, I hate swarmy networking events as much as the next person), get a job doing something that forces you to interact with multitudes of people. Me? I sold shoes for commission. It sucked.

The nerves part for some of us never goes away but you can subdue it and make people think you're naturally social. This leads me to my next point…

BEFRIEND GAME DESIGNERS
At a very lame PAX party I had a chance to chat up a real life game designer from Big Sandwich Games, a small company in Vancouver. We exchanged cards and the next day we tried to find a better party.

Game Designers are people too and they're going to be the ones that you'll be striving to get face time with for interviews. Make friends with as many as you can. Let them know what you're up to, and if you need an opening line, ask them about their game. They're just as passionate as us about video games. You will always have that in common. 

FOCUS ON A NICHE AND MASTER IT
Building a body of work in all this chaos is still a requirement. Many panelists reiterated that writers should find a niche and own it. Find a topic or an angle you do really well and keep doing it. You want to stand out. Don't cover the news like everyone else. Think of what you can do to break your personality out of the mold, so if an industry person stumbles across it, they'll be impressed. Better yet, they'll remember it!

IN CONCLUSION
That's all I have for now. At this time, my fingers can't handle anymore typing.

If you didn't get a chance to attend PAX Prime, I hope at least one thing here was helpful for you. If you did have a chance to attend and see something I missed, or just something in general you'd like to add, please leave it in the comments. I'm off to watch some more United States of Tara (quality show!) and play some Starcraft. 

In the words of the Dos Equis guy, "Stay thirsty my friends."