So, you'll be channeling the original Next Generation? Or will you be getting all Kill Screen hipster on the meta of the gaming industry? Either way, sounds good.
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ShadowfireVermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered Userregular
In terms of my communication with the readers in the other thread, I don't suffer fools gladly. Never have, and I'm not going to start. If you want to have a discussion I'm always game, but I don't have a lot of patience for hostility or idiocy.
hugging you
The comments threads on Ars with people blowing up and throwing fits while Ben just smacks them down? My favorite part of the site.
Welcome, Ben! I've been reading Ars since '99 and enjoying your work ever since you joined on. Really looking forward to what you can bring to PA.
One of the seemingly repeated reasons you keep giving about why you're making the move is the creative freedom. Did you ever have an issue at Ars where you had to sort of keep yourself in check? An article you were writing that you were told to hold back on, or even to not publish at all?
So, you'll be channeling the original Next Generation? Or will you be getting all Kill Screen hipster on the meta of the gaming industry? Either way, sounds good.
Next Generation is the magazine that made me want to do this job. Let's hope I can get close.
In terms of my communication with the readers in the other thread, I don't suffer fools gladly. Never have, and I'm not going to start. If you want to have a discussion I'm always game, but I don't have a lot of patience for hostility or idiocy.
hugging you
The comments threads on Ars with people blowing up and throwing fits while Ben just smacks them down? My favorite part of the site.
Welcome, Ben! I've been reading Ars since '99 and enjoying your work ever since you joined on. Really looking forward to what you can bring to PA.
One of the seemingly repeated reasons you keep giving about why you're making the move is the creative freedom. Did you ever have an issue at Ars where you had to sort of keep yourself in check? An article you were writing that you were told to hold back on, or even to not publish at all?
What Ars did, to their eternal credit, was to make sure the argument was worth making when I wanted to really go aggro on a game or publisher. Did I have a legitimate beef? Did I make my point well? Was it a fight worth picking? They never told me to hold back, but there were times in developing a story where I realized it wasn't worth the hassle to really go after someone, or I realized I didn't have enough information or reason to do so. They kept me honest, and taught me to pick my fights, which is a wonderful lesson.
I would never go to a site that didn't offer me the same freedom to say what was in my heart or to pick fights when they need to be picked, and Penny Arcade is a great home for the no-bullshit approach.
What other game journalism is out there that you actively follow? Any specific writers or websites?
I think you should judge websites by their worst stories, not their best, and I think almost every blog out there would be great if there was an editor telling the writers to stop writing shit. If you had the power to erase 10 crappy stories from every blog in this business you'd see some amazing writing.
There are plenty of great writers out there-- Kirk Hamilton, Leigh Alexander, Gus Mustrapa are three that pop into my mind-- but the problem is they get buried under all the shit. I'm not going to name names (Kotaku) but it seems like the bigger game sites have a Catholic attitude: if they publish one good story they think it gives them the right to publish something that's just a giant facepalm. It's an attitude that drives me crazy.
I'll second the earlier requestion about children's gaming... I find the rating system hopeless and my kids are all right on the age / maturity cusp where some M games are OK, some T games are not, and no one seems to be doing any sort of kid-oriented reviewing outside the fundamentalist enclaves.
I'll second the earlier requestion about children's gaming... I find the rating system hopeless and my kids are all right on the age / maturity cusp where some M games are OK, some T games are not, and no one seems to be doing any sort of kid-oriented reviewing outside the fundamentalist enclaves.
It's a tricky thing, and I'm not sure how much of a market something like that has. I'm definitely going to be doing stories about children and gaming, just because I have three kids and it's always close to my mind, but the majority of the stories are going to be aimed at a more adult audience.
I don't read a ton of game-centric journalism lately, but I circled back to Ars Technica's backlog and looked up some of your writing. Looking forward to your work here.
I noticed an old tweet of yours lightly criticizing the esports scene; I'm curious how much you watch competitive games, if you have favorite players or teams, and if you have any plans to cover events like Evo, MLG, GSL, etc.
kedinik on
I made a game! Hotline Maui. Requires mouse and keyboard.
I don't read a ton of game-centric journalism lately, but I circled back to Ars Technica's backlog and looked up some of your writing. Looking forward to your work here.
I noticed an old tweet of yours lightly criticizing the esports scene; I'm curious how much you watch competitive games, if you have favorite players or teams, and if you have any plans to cover events like Evo, MLG, GSL, etc.
I don't know a ton about esports, but I find the topic fascinating. I would love to cover one of the events and really get into the thick of it.
Ben, I did a search on Ars as I was rather unaware of ars, your body of work and your introduction was rather nonexistent.
Hoping that I'm in the minority, having now read a few of your articles and the one linked in this thread, the question that I'd like to ask you is: Was there ever a particular article that you put together, posted and got an immediate feeling of satisfaction to the tune of "Blue blazes I'M AWESOME"? As a follow up, what article would you have liked to revisit or tweak?
PS: Now that I've read a bit of your work, I'm rather confident that you'll be able to add another layer of awesome to PA.
You should definitely get your avatar situated ASAP. It's how we mark each other around here. It'll be your scent.
Once you're in the pack, you can never go back.
Nintendo Network ID: V-Faction | XBL: V Faction | Steam | 3DS: 3136 - 6603 - 1330 PokemonWhite Friend Code: 0046-2121-0723/White2 Friend Code: 0519-5126-2990
"Did ya hear the one about the mussel that wanted to purchase Valve? Seems like the bivalve had a juicy offer on the table but the company flat-out refused and decided to immediately clam up!"
In terms of my communication with the readers in the other thread, I don't suffer fools gladly. Never have, and I'm not going to start. If you want to have a discussion I'm always game, but I don't have a lot of patience for hostility or idiocy.
In terms of my communication with the readers in the other thread, I don't suffer fools gladly. Never have, and I'm not going to start. If you want to have a discussion I'm always game, but I don't have a lot of patience for hostility or idiocy.
Posts
The comments threads on Ars with people blowing up and throwing fits while Ben just smacks them down? My favorite part of the site.
Welcome, Ben! I've been reading Ars since '99 and enjoying your work ever since you joined on. Really looking forward to what you can bring to PA.
One of the seemingly repeated reasons you keep giving about why you're making the move is the creative freedom. Did you ever have an issue at Ars where you had to sort of keep yourself in check? An article you were writing that you were told to hold back on, or even to not publish at all?
Next Generation is the magazine that made me want to do this job. Let's hope I can get close.
What Ars did, to their eternal credit, was to make sure the argument was worth making when I wanted to really go aggro on a game or publisher. Did I have a legitimate beef? Did I make my point well? Was it a fight worth picking? They never told me to hold back, but there were times in developing a story where I realized it wasn't worth the hassle to really go after someone, or I realized I didn't have enough information or reason to do so. They kept me honest, and taught me to pick my fights, which is a wonderful lesson.
I would never go to a site that didn't offer me the same freedom to say what was in my heart or to pick fights when they need to be picked, and Penny Arcade is a great home for the no-bullshit approach.
I think you should judge websites by their worst stories, not their best, and I think almost every blog out there would be great if there was an editor telling the writers to stop writing shit. If you had the power to erase 10 crappy stories from every blog in this business you'd see some amazing writing.
There are plenty of great writers out there-- Kirk Hamilton, Leigh Alexander, Gus Mustrapa are three that pop into my mind-- but the problem is they get buried under all the shit. I'm not going to name names (Kotaku) but it seems like the bigger game sites have a Catholic attitude: if they publish one good story they think it gives them the right to publish something that's just a giant facepalm. It's an attitude that drives me crazy.
Twitter 3DS: 0860 - 3257 - 2516
Missed this yesterday, but this answer right here guarantees I will read everything you write for PA.
Man, that guy is not afraid to wade in there and come up with good, primary reporting. I think he's kicking ass.
I'll second the earlier requestion about children's gaming... I find the rating system hopeless and my kids are all right on the age / maturity cusp where some M games are OK, some T games are not, and no one seems to be doing any sort of kid-oriented reviewing outside the fundamentalist enclaves.
It's a tricky thing, and I'm not sure how much of a market something like that has. I'm definitely going to be doing stories about children and gaming, just because I have three kids and it's always close to my mind, but the majority of the stories are going to be aimed at a more adult audience.
Trick question: everyone knows Soul Calibur is the best fighting game franchise.
For fighting games? Street Fighter. I know it's obvious, but it's still my favorite.
I don't read a ton of game-centric journalism lately, but I circled back to Ars Technica's backlog and looked up some of your writing. Looking forward to your work here.
I noticed an old tweet of yours lightly criticizing the esports scene; I'm curious how much you watch competitive games, if you have favorite players or teams, and if you have any plans to cover events like Evo, MLG, GSL, etc.
I don't know a ton about esports, but I find the topic fascinating. I would love to cover one of the events and really get into the thick of it.
Hoping that I'm in the minority, having now read a few of your articles and the one linked in this thread, the question that I'd like to ask you is: Was there ever a particular article that you put together, posted and got an immediate feeling of satisfaction to the tune of "Blue blazes I'M AWESOME"? As a follow up, what article would you have liked to revisit or tweak?
PS: Now that I've read a bit of your work, I'm rather confident that you'll be able to add another layer of awesome to PA.
Nah, I'm pretty comfortable with my real name these days.
Once you're in the pack, you can never go back.
Pokemon White Friend Code: 0046-2121-0723/White 2 Friend Code: 0519-5126-2990
"Did ya hear the one about the mussel that wanted to purchase Valve? Seems like the bivalve had a juicy offer on the table but the company flat-out refused and decided to immediately clam up!"
Don't worry, we don't do butt sniffing around here. Much.
@Ben Kuchera 4 SE++ mod.
and...
A little respect towards Mr Kuchera will got you far, ladies and gents.
I choose to believe all progress so far on RE6 is entirely due to Ben's coercion!
Wow! How did Sawyer get off the island?!
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