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Bloggers in the Video Game niche

Posted by kriseric • 6/22/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blogging, experiences, video games

Hi fellow video game bloggers! I would like to know how you got into blogging about games, what your focus is, and how you have been enjoying it so far.

I got into blogging about games because I woke up one day and realized that I was basically a web addict, spening hours a day reading more popular sites for everything I could get my hands on relating to games. Some of the sites suffered from poor writing, which was a real turn off, since I am an English fanatic. so I thought, why not try my hand at this myself?Now that I have been at it for about 6 months, I often ask myself, "why didn't I think of this sooner?"

I decided to focus on portable game systems, since as a grad student I don't really have much time to play anything else (I also can't afford the 42-inch plasma to take advantage of the new HD consoles). So far, I have been pretty happy with blogging, but I have definitely found the technical side of things the most challenging (installing widgets, changing the look of my blog, etc.)

So, how about y'all?

User Comments

6/22/07

Raesmom

I've always loved video games. It just seemed natural to me when i put a blog on my website to write about them. I have tried having a "standard" website with game categories and had a simple blog embedded into the main page. I enjoyed the blogging more than maintaining the rest of the pages, so I scrapped it all and went to a pure blog.

I've been trying to streamline my video game blog to casual PC games. With a nearly 2 year old and my attention span of a gnat I need games that I can play for 5-10 minutes at a time and be satisfied. Sometimes I do blog about whatever I happen to be playing like Guitar Hero or The Sims 2.

I do love portable games as well. My DS goes with me everywhere.

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6/22/07

bsangel

I have always been a gamer, since I was a wee little one. One day I was bored and lacking focus and I thought, "Hey! I'll start a blog."

It gives me something to focus on each and every day and what is more fun than blogging about what you are passionate about? For me that is video games. I am primarily a console gamer but I do enjoy my handhelds when traveling. I have found the side benefits are always being on top of the gaming news now when I wasn't before.

My technical knowledge was basic before I started blogging. I knew enough to get started. I have a good friend who has run an awesome blog for a while now so anytime I get stuck, he is always there to help. He did my header for me and stays on as an administrator in case I mess something up. LOL ...

Otherwise, I love gaming, and I love writing, so blogging about gaming seemed to be a natural progression.

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1. 6/22/07
  
  kriseric
  
  Angel, I have noticed that on your blog you link to a lot of small, independent sites. I was wondering, what is the appeal of these kinds of sites for you? I mean, we could all just be content with reading IGN or Gamespot or whatever, but it seems like you have a special attraction for the less well-known news sources.
6/22/07

pbkuan

i m a gamer too! but i dont really write or blog about video games so details. funny things, i do keep all the links in my blog!
Anyhow, early this march ...... i got myself a xbox360, and sold my PS2 away..... really enjoyed and happy with console esp the graphic.... you can see the different from generation to generation, how's the graphic improve ...... if you're gamer, u will know how to appreciate...
if you talking to some not hardcore gamers....... you will grrrrrr
it the different freqency wavelenght!
so guys...... keep blogging on video games....... and i can find some hints or news or latest update too from you guys! Cheers!

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6/23/07

bsangel

Do I typically link smaller sites? I suppose I haven't really noticed that trend. I wouldn't be surprised by that though. In life outside the blogging world, I enjoy supporting the mom and pop establishments vs the chain places. In general, with blogs and real life, it seems the smaller places are more tight knit and take care of their consumer base better than the larger places. That is probably a reason why I enjoy your blog. It is smaller but brings me the news efficiently, and allows me the interactions with the person actually writing the stuff. That is much more valuable to me than a larger site like Kotaku.

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1. 6/23/07
  
  kriseric
  
  Well thank you for the kind words! I don'treally mind blogs like Kotaku and Destructoid, because they have top-notch writers and their prsonal voice really comes through. I also wouldn't mind getting 1/2 of their traffic!
6/23/07

bsangel

No kidding! So much traffic! I love Kotaku but I don't participate there by leaving comments. I simply read. You are right about their unique voice coming through in all their posts. It is amazing how they retain that with their large staff of writers.

I enjoy the interactions on independent blogs though and that is what I try to offer on mine as well. I don't respond to all the comments as it sometimes interrupts the flow of the conversation, but I do comment back when I feel compelled to and I always answer any contact emails I get from my blog. One of those personal things that the smaller blogs can offer.

I was researching hotels for a trip I am taking next month and when the list of options popped up, I headed straight for the independent hotels that are in that particular city, not the regular ones like Embassy Suites or Holiday Inn or anything. Once I realized what I was doing, I laughed as I remembered your comment. LOL ...

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6/03/09

videogame

trends, combination of reality and imagination, the area to share, to discuss

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