Susan Arendt: 3. Similarly, we're not particularly interested in games that are more than a few months old, unless they're hidden gems or were generally overlooked. When in doubt, ask.
That mostly answers your questions, Krunk. A lot of what they want is newish. But don't be afraid to pre-order a game, contact Susan about doing a Guest Review for it, and getting the slot pre-filled. It may not work, but it's a way to at least keep atop the curve.
Also, there are occasional bizzaro games that are released in PAL regions before the U.S. of A, and even a few cases of them being released there, and not here at all. Breath of Fire III for the PSP was like that.
Lord Krunk: 1) I'm assuming we can only review games?
That's EXACTLY why Lord Krunk Reviews exists. See, I'm looking at a career in journalism and the field of writing in general, so what better place to practice than here?
For starters, I'm going to hazard that you're correct for number one because Escapist Magazine is a gaming publication, and as such, will likely stick to gaming topics. Although it wouldn't surprise me if you can get away with doing hardware.
Also, if you really want me to critique those reviews (the way wilson did for me), then let me know. I'll be glad to.
Apologies to Susan for ganking the questions, but I felt I could help.
Susan Arendt: 3. Similarly, we're not particularly interested in games that are more than a few months old, unless they're hidden gems or were generally overlooked. When in doubt, ask.
That mostly answers your questions, Krunk. A lot of what they want is newish. But don't be afraid to pre-order a game, contact Susan about doing a Guest Review for it, and getting the slot pre-filled. It may not work, but it's a way to at least keep atop the curve.
Also, there are occasional bizzaro games that are released in PAL regions before the U.S. of A, and even a few cases of them being released there, and not here at all. Breath of Fire III for the PSP was like that.
Lord Krunk: 1) I'm assuming we can only review games?
That's EXACTLY why Lord Krunk Reviews exists. See, I'm looking at a career in journalism and the field of writing in general, so what better place to practice than here?
For starters, I'm going to hazard that you're correct for number one because Escapist Magazine is a gaming publication, and as such, will likely stick to gaming topics. Although it wouldn't surprise me if you can get away with doing hardware.
Also, if you really want me to critique those reviews (the way wilson did for me), then let me know. I'll be glad to.
Apologies to Susan for ganking the questions, but I felt I could help.
Okay, that covers quite a bit. I recently found Full Throttle at a shop down the road; maybe I should review that?
Susan Arendt: Ok, let me clarify a few key points that have been brought up relatively recently.
1. Our word limit is 850-1000 words. One of the most certain ways to guarantee that I will not bother with your review is to submit something that's 1500 words and say "I figured you could cut it." It is the writer's responsibility to submit a piece that fits within the stated limits. A few words over or under is just fine, but be reasonable.
2. At this time, we are not interested in reviews of retro games unless the game has recently been re-released in some fashion, a la Steam, XBLA, Virtual Console, etc. We have a review scheduled for the DS version of Chrono Trigger, for example.
3. Similarly, we're not particularly interested in games that are more than a few months old, unless they're hidden gems or were generally overlooked. When in doubt, ask.
4. We've run a number of Guest Reviews recently, but didn't for a while simply because we had a significant backlog of commissioned reviews that we needed to get posted. We've now worked out a schedule that allows us to run Guest Reviews more regularly, which is why you've seen more of them lately.
5. The criteria for promotion to the "big leagues" is, simply put, quality. But "quality" means many things: writing chops, the ability to take criticism and learn from it, meeting deadlines, etc.
Hopefully this answers some of your questions, but if not, feel free to PM me - I answer every single PM I get.
1. Well, damn. My average submission clocks in at 1250-1300, mostly because I was under the impression that I was working with a 1500-word limit. On the other hand, two of those reviews have already run. I guess in the future I'll have to self-edit and chop down to 1000 (goodbye, brilliant introductory paragraph, I hardly knew ye!)
2. Which is why I save the Bargain Bin Specials series for the forum. Makes sense, though; nobody wants to read about games from 2001 on a site that covers the cutting edge.
3. I could evangelize all day about Paradox Interactive, but I seem to be the only one. C'est la vie.
4. Excellent. I look forward to them.
5. Where's the Devil? My soul's for sale if it means a regular gig writing. An additional question is raised, however; what sort of time frame is The Escapist looking for between proposal and finished review? In the absence of an editorial calendar for reviews, I'm interested to know what kind of time spread the editors are looking for on this (so I know when to pitch a review and how much "pre-writing" I should be doing).
Hey Joe: Never heard back about my Jade Empire review. My guess is that because it was complete shite, maybe because it's not obscure or classic enough.
To my knowledge, we never got a Jade Empire review, so please resend.
Sent it again. Let's see if Gmail wants to be my friend.
Thanks for the assist, NewClassic, it is much appreciated.
@SimuLord - deadlines depend on many things - the current schedule, the game in question, and the time of year. When I send a game out to be reviewed, I generally expect a review within seven to ten business days, but that's flexible depending on the factors I just mentioned.
Susan Arendt: When I send a game out to be reviewed, I generally expect a review within seven to ten business days, but that's flexible depending on the factors I just mentioned.
By this factor, I am quite slow. I don't suppose it helps that I'm juggling school and work in this. I really should be more on the ball, though. Blasted time sinks.
Susan Arendt: 1. Our word limit is 850-1000 words. One of the most certain ways to guarantee that I will not bother with your review is to submit something that's 1500 words and say "I figured you could cut it." It is the writer's responsibility to submit a piece that fits within the stated limits. A few words over or under is just fine, but be reasonable.
OK, my apologies - luckily, I didn't stretch to the full 1,500 words with my submission, and it was quite elaborate even at 1,250 words. I'll see if I can chop it down and resubmit it.
Susan Arendt: Thanks for the assist, NewClassic, it is much appreciated.
@SimuLord - deadlines depend on many things - the current schedule, the game in question, and the time of year. When I send a game out to be reviewed, I generally expect a review within seven to ten business days, but that's flexible depending on the factors I just mentioned.
That fits perfectly with my general approach to reviews, which is to play the game absolutely to death for three to five calendar days, draft the review, sleep on it, then submit the final on day 7 of the project.
I'm reminded of a story Jim Bouton once told: "I remember beating myself up because I could only hit about an 18-inch square with any consistency. Then a minor-league pitching coach told me that was pinpoint control and I had it."
I think you should have Iron Mal as a guest reviewer, if you read some of his game reviews you will see that he does have a little bit of 'yahtzee-style' within his reviews, making them pretty damn funny, and alwayz writes his reviews in a light hearted manner while still keeping within the context of a 'game review'
Shapsters: Me! Actually never mind, too lazy. Gigantor it is then
wellsy2k8: I think you should have Iron Mal as a guest reviewer.
Just popping by to say this thread has more become about individuals writing guest reviews, instead of hiring another person on, although that hasn't been ruled out by the editors.
I need to get off my ass and write something nice and polished to submit. However my 8-4 job, persistant social life and girlfriend make it hard to finish games in good enough time to write a review. I did however make decent time with some recent releases...but most of them have alredy been reviewed.
Shapsters: Me! Actually never mind, too lazy. Gigantor it is then
wellsy2k8: I think you should have Iron Mal as a guest reviewer.
Just popping by to say this thread has more become about individuals writing guest reviews, instead of hiring another person on, although that hasn't been ruled out by the editors.
From what I've been able to gather it's unlikely they're going to hire anyone else on now that the release calendar is slowing to a virtual dead stop with Christmas passing. It may be a good time to chase down indie games for guest submissions, though.
Lord Krunk: Okay Miss Arendt, do you mind if I review Full Throttle, Psychonauts or Grim Fandango?
Also, anyone wanna play a game of 'Guess The Similarity'?
They're all games that were released on the PC. They are all 'cartoon' styled. Oh, and some guy called 'Tim Schafer' had a lot to do with them? [/sarcasm]
Lord Krunk: Okay Miss Arendt, do you mind if I review Full Throttle, Psychonauts or Grim Fandango?
Also, anyone wanna play a game of 'Guess The Similarity'?
They're all games that were released on the PC. They are all 'cartoon' styled. Oh, and some guy called 'Tim Schafer' had a lot to do with them? [/sarcasm]
You got more than I asked for, but yes, the answer was 'Tim Schafer made them'.
I was more focusing on where Susan is, because she hasn't given me any signs of dis/approval thus far in a week.
Susan Arendt: Or, you know, use that handy "PM" button. :p
We don't really feature retro reviews, so none of the above, Krunk.
Jade Empire was hardly 'cutting edge'...
It is, however, on the Xbox Originals service. And before you say it, yes, Psychonauts is on there, too, but we've covered that game pretty extensively already.
Susan Arendt: Or, you know, use that handy "PM" button. :p
We don't really feature retro reviews, so none of the above, Krunk.
Jade Empire was hardly 'cutting edge'...
It is, however, on the Xbox Originals service. And before you say it, yes, Psychonauts is on there, too, but we've covered that game pretty extensively already.
Well then, what about Halo: Combat Evolved, Destroy All Humans!, or Fable?
I have a lot more Xbox originals, and I would like to do DAH!, as it's Australian, but are you okay with that?
Ask yourself this question: Would you want to read a review of (Insert Game Here)? What more can be said about Halo, at this point? Or Fable? We're not just posting reviews for the sake of posting them, we still want them to be of value to the reader. So our general rule of thumb is, the older the game reviewed, the more off the grid it needs to be. Jade Empire certainly isn't an unknown, but many people gave it a pass when it first came out.
Susan Arendt: Ask yourself this question: Would you want to read a review of (Insert Game Here)? What more can be said about Halo, at this point? Or Fable? We're not just posting reviews for the sake of posting them, we still want them to be of value to the reader. So our general rule of thumb is, the older the game reviewed, the more off the grid it needs to be. Jade Empire certainly isn't an unknown, but many people gave it a pass when it first came out.
Yeah, I understand completely. I'm more of a vintage gamer, so I tend to play classics more often than I do brand new games.
Anyways, you okay with Destroy All Humans?
EDIT: Like I said before, it's an Australian game, and it really stuck out as something I genuinely want to review. Not to mention the fact that most people turn an undeserving blind eye towards it.
Susan Arendt: Ask yourself this question: Would you want to read a review of (Insert Game Here)? What more can be said about Halo, at this point? Or Fable? We're not just posting reviews for the sake of posting them, we still want them to be of value to the reader. So our general rule of thumb is, the older the game reviewed, the more off the grid it needs to be. Jade Empire certainly isn't an unknown, but many people gave it a pass when it first came out.
Yeah, I understand completely. I'm more of a vintage gamer, so I tend to play classics more often than I do brand new games.
Anyways, you okay with Destroy All Humans?
EDIT: Like I said before, it's an Australian game, and it really stuck out as something I genuinely want to review. Not to mention the fact that most people turn an undeserving blind eye towards it.
Hmmm. Alright, let's give that a shot. It's true that folks tend to pass that one by.
Susan Arendt: Ask yourself this question: Would you want to read a review of (Insert Game Here)? What more can be said about Halo, at this point? Or Fable? We're not just posting reviews for the sake of posting them, we still want them to be of value to the reader. So our general rule of thumb is, the older the game reviewed, the more off the grid it needs to be. Jade Empire certainly isn't an unknown, but many people gave it a pass when it first came out.
Yeah, I understand completely. I'm more of a vintage gamer, so I tend to play classics more often than I do brand new games.
Anyways, you okay with Destroy All Humans?
EDIT: Like I said before, it's an Australian game, and it really stuck out as something I genuinely want to review. Not to mention the fact that most people turn an undeserving blind eye towards it.
Hmmm. Alright, let's give that a shot. It's true that folks tend to pass that one by.
Thank you; I won't let you down.
I've sent a PM your way with just a few questions before I start writing.
That mostly answers your questions, Krunk. A lot of what they want is newish. But don't be afraid to pre-order a game, contact Susan about doing a Guest Review for it, and getting the slot pre-filled. It may not work, but it's a way to at least keep atop the curve.
Also, there are occasional bizzaro games that are released in PAL regions before the U.S. of A, and even a few cases of them being released there, and not here at all. Breath of Fire III for the PSP was like that.
For starters, I'm going to hazard that you're correct for number one because Escapist Magazine is a gaming publication, and as such, will likely stick to gaming topics. Although it wouldn't surprise me if you can get away with doing hardware.
Also, if you really want me to critique those reviews (the way wilson did for me), then let me know. I'll be glad to.
Apologies to Susan for ganking the questions, but I felt I could help.