The Evolution of Game Journalism
Like them or hate them, game journalists have helped shape the interactive entertainment industry for nearly as long as videogames have existed.
Some game journalists have better writing skills than player abilities. Some game journalists play better than they write. Unlike film and music critics, some of whom have formal educations in the arts that they critique, few if any game journalists have attended game colleges such as DigiPen or Full Sail. Most game journalists are game enthusiasts with nothing more than strong opinions and a lot of time playing games under their belts.
Yet, by virtue of their access to the gaming community, many journalists have a loyal readership.
The following is not a discussion about the power of game journalism, but rather its evolution. In fact, this limited little article doesn’t cover the evolution of international game journalism, just the rise and history of game journalism in the United States. If you are looking for the roots of Edge, The Official Belgian PlayStation Magazine, or Famitsu, you will not find them here.
If you are curious about the beginnings of American videogame reporting, however, read on. Game journalism has come a long way since its meager beginning.
