Ready Up recently ran a series of articles detailing a number of tips concerning games journalism.  The 5 “lessons,” written by ex-Frag Doll Kirsten Kearney, have been slowly appearing online since May of this year; and are filled with essential information for the aspiring Games Journalist.

The journalist though is expected to maintain a reputation for honesty, truth and service to the public more so than any other person employed in this industry. Yet the PRs, publishers and the advertisers are funding the whole industry, your publication, your boss and they are paying your wages. The Chomps you buy are bought with their money. Their aims are to make the business of gaming successful, fruitful and to continue its growth and very good aims they are too. Often though it seems that publishers and press are at loggerheads. Fighting on opposite sides of the same battlefield. Both aiming for quality, both serving the public but alas in increasingly different ways from one another.

Five Lessons in Games Journalism: -

• An Introduction.
• Lesson 1 – Worship the Pen(n).
• Lesson 2 – The secret password is one of your own making.
• Lesson 3 – To thine own self be true.
• Lesson 4 – There is no substitute for hard work.
• Lesson 5 – Hope springs eternal.

Kirsten is the Editor of Ready Up. Aged 33, she’s been a journalist for twelve years and working in gaming for six. As one of the Frag Dolls she attended many games events, learned to use a sniper rifle and drive a tank. She holds two Guinness World Records for longest marathon in the FPS and driving genres.

Don’t forget, you can also read Kirsten’s interview with myself and fellow Tainted Diamonds here.