How do gaming magazines work

[TotallySport]

Hi

I was just wondering how gaming magazines work, eg do they employ staff to write the reviews, and articles, how do they test the games?

I am after game related content for a new site and was just wondering the best way to get it.

I would be happy with feeds at present, but would like to create our own content in time, so any info is appriciated.

 

[Simply Business]

Most will have a few core staff (edtor, PR etc) but the bulk of the staff writers will be freelance being paid for the work they do and most will work from home.

Regarding the games testing, most publishers will post them review grade copies of the games a few weeks before release - almost all games are sent regardless of how good they are to help with getting the name out there etc.

Articles will usually be written by staff writers or they may get a specialist in to write for them.

RSS feeds are a good way to go to start but as most online SEO / marketing types will tell you: "content is king" - make sure you promote your own content as heavily as you can.

 

[TotallySport]

Thanks for the info, I guess the next question is how do I find the freelances with the games and will they be able to knock me up a different article / review for my site? or will I have to find a none related freelance? and will I have to contact the games companies for a demo copy or will I have to find someone who already has access?

 

[Simply Business]

For freelancers you could try places such as http://www.freelance-writers.co.uk/ or https://www.elance.com

To be honest that's as far as my knowledge goes! The other parts you're asking for I'm unsure about so it may be worth talking to someone in the profession or doing some work-experience at a magazine (if you have the time).

 

[TotallySport]

many thanks for the info, more homework to do.

One last question, are there are feed sites, or do I just have to work with rss feeds from an individal site?

 

[Simply Business]

Hmm. You should be able to pull feeds from any site that has them running - I use a Google Chrome extension that recognizes when a site has them.

Around that: make sure you acknowledge where the content comes from and link through to them where necessary.

 

[TotallySport]

Hmm. You should be able to pull feeds from any site that has them running - I use a Google Chrome extension that recognizes when a site has them.

Around that: make sure you acknowledge where the content comes from and link through to them where necessary.

happy to link to them as I might want their help in the future, I will check it out later.

Thanks again

 

[Rasta Pickles]

Hi

I was just wondering how gaming magazines work, eg do they employ staff to write the reviews, and articles, how do they test the games?

I am after game related content for a new site and was just wondering the best way to get it.

I would be happy with feeds at present, but would like to create our own content in time, so any info is appriciated.

Invite Joe Public to submit their own review?

Everyone likes to think they've got a creative bent and everyone likes to see their name up in lights.

 

[Websitehandyman]

I'm acuttly doing that for a site for a client, I can tell you feeds are not hard to find. My client won't pay for content so can't help with the that but I would contact some blog writers direct and the are plenty of wannbe jornos around.

 

[FIZIX Agency]

Personally if I were creating a gaming review site today, I'd look towards a few perm writers (freelance or internal - writers aren't hard to find and you can find a lot of tech people are gamers - even places like Sitepoint can pool you writers, as well as gaming websites and freelance writing websites; they are ten a penny).

BUT I'd put a focus on user created content, let users rate and review games. You'll get broad opinion and that's valuable.

The question would then be, how to get that opinion and present it in a useful manner. The large review sites have user contributed reviews, but I don't think it's presented that well.

I think that would be your key to success; taking something that exists and making it better.

Thats my 2pence worth anyway.


I wouldn't touch a printed magazine btw.

 

[NicNac]

Drop me a PM, I know a group of people that would be interested in helping with game related content.

 

[TotallySport]

Thanks for the info, I will look into the user content line, but not sure how possible that is, since most of the hype is before release, so users won't be able to review or provide accurate articles on it.

Although I can see the benfits and will now try and work something in.

Any hints on which sites do user content well would be appriciated so I can take inspiration.

Just to clarify the site isn't a game review site, and the focus isn't on this content at the moment, however I know I need some sort of searchable content to get found in some organic searchs and help build reputation, so I will need the content for that eventually, and it might become a additional bonus.

Can you elaberate a little more pls NicNac, by all means send me a PM if needed