Improving My Work and Gaming Environment
Back in September 2015 when I was living in a flat, I wrote a blog post about my personal work space. I touched upon the subject again in June 2016, as part of the Newbie Blogger Initiative, in a further post about the importance of a good writing environment. The reason I mention this is because today, I finally got around to replacing my old “fun size” desk with a newer, larger model. It’s nothing special, just something I saw on Amazon, that suited my requirements and more importantly budget. However, it provides a wider work surface, allowing me to write free hand (I still make notes in this way) as well as type via the keyboard. The desk also came with a matching monitor stand which raises my screen to a more suitable height, as well as a handy file shelf which allows me to stow pens, my phone and pending correspondence. It also provides a home for Pliny (the Raven). Not bad for £47.99 including delivery.
Back in September 2015 when I was living in a flat, I wrote a blog post about my personal work space. I touched upon the subject again in June 2016, as part of the Newbie Blogger Initiative, in a further post about the importance of a good writing environment. The reason I mention this is because today, I finally got around to replacing my old “fun size” desk with a newer, larger model. It’s nothing special, just something I saw on Amazon, that suited my requirements and more importantly budget. However, it provides a wider work surface, allowing me to write free hand (I still make notes in this way) as well as type via the keyboard. The desk also came with a matching monitor stand which raises my screen to a more suitable height, as well as a handy file shelf which allows me to stow pens, my phone and pending correspondence. It also provides a home for Pliny (the Raven). Not bad for £47.99 including delivery.
My “office” is the spare bedroom of our two-bedroom bungalow. My granddaughter’s cots that I have shared the room with for the last two years have been replaced with a single bed. This has freed up valuable space and provides an alternative place for me to sleep if I am working late into the night and I don’t want to disturb “Mrs. Peril”. She often turns in at a far more respectable hour. Because our main bedroom is right next door to the office, I have started using my gaming headset as an alternative to speakers after a certain time of night. It has been quite a revelation, highlighting the complexity of audio design in contemporary gaming. Friday the 13th: The Game is especially atmospheric, and the soundscape really enhances gameplay. Also, because of my new desk and its facility for cable management, I’ve now permanently attached my Xbox gamepad to my PC for convenience.
While discussing the subject of personal work and gaming environments with friends on Discord, it became very clear how people like to embellish such spaces with personal knick-knacks and trophies. I think that it’s very important to “humanise” what is to all intents and purposes a very functional space. Having trivial items that delight us nearby can be very uplifting and a reminder of the things that we enjoy and inspire us. This can be very useful if you’re labouring over a blog post or article and it isn’t proving as easy to write as you’d imagined. Plus, this personalisation process is another means for us to express ourselves and assert our identity, if you want to get all deep about it. In the meantime, I shall look into the practicality of setting up my desktop microphone or possibly integrating a webcam into my set up. Perhaps rather than return to podcasting, it’s time to move on to streaming of some kind? It’s curious how a minor change in your work and gaming environment can precipitate such a stream of thought and facilitate new ambitions.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 3
I read a post over at Tobold’s Blog recently that got me thinking about blogging, popularity, and the ebb and flow of our passions. The reason being is that Tobold, like many other long-term bloggers, has seen a decline in his audience over recent years. He certainly wasn’t carping about it, just simply observing the correlation between reducing your written output, the decline in popularity of his original subject matter and the number of visitors coming to his site. He also made a keen observation that blogging is not necessarily “where it’s at” with regard to cultivating an audience. If you are producing content specifically to grow and maintain a following, then You Tube and Twitch are better platforms for that. Especially if your content is part of the wider gaming scene. For better or for worse, I now associate gaming commentary with visual mediums rather than blogging. Yes, there is still long from criticism being produced but it’s aimed at a niche gaming audience. One that I would guess is older.
I read a post over at Tobold’s Blog recently that got me thinking about blogging, popularity, and the ebb and flow of our passions. The reason being is that Tobold, like many other long-term bloggers, has seen a decline in his audience over recent years. He certainly wasn’t carping about it, just simply observing the correlation between reducing your written output, the decline in popularity of his original subject matter and the number of visitors coming to his site. He also made a keen observation that blogging is not necessarily “where it’s at” with regard to cultivating an audience. If you are producing content specifically to grow and maintain a following, then You Tube and Twitch are better platforms for that. Especially if your content is part of the wider gaming scene. For better or for worse, I now associate gaming commentary with visual mediums rather than blogging. Yes, there is still long from criticism being produced but it’s aimed at a niche gaming audience. One that I would guess is older.
Even when blogging was the medium of choice within the gaming community, it was far from a homogenous platform. There was (and remains to this day) a wide spectrum of output. Those pursuing an in-depth analysis of gaming did so and developed their audiences accordingly. Those who pursued a more “populist” approach to their content did so and likewise found success or failure. Like today with streaming, bloggers were free back in its heyday to either treat their work as a hobby done for its own pleasure or intellectual reward, or as a means to seek the fickle finger of internet fame and grow a readership as well as a line of revenue. Let us not forget that a decade ago adblockers were a merely a vague nightmare for marketing departments and that clicks, and advertising links were the key to financial success. However, whatever path you pursued as a gaming blogger during this time, it was quite an interconnected community. Events such as the Newbie Blogger Initiative of 2012 further reinforced this.
As for the fifteen minutes of fame that Tobold alludes to in his post, I wouldn’t go so far as to suggest that Contains Moderate Peril achieved that. However, traffic increased to the point in 2014 where a conventional hosted WordPress package was not up to the job and I had to look for a more robust solution. Fortunately, I managed to secure sponsorship from Host1Plus which I consider to be an acknowledgment of the site’s internet “reach”. Certainly 2014-15 were good years and it was during that time that I started finding myself on various emailing lists from PR and marketing companies. Because the scope of the blog has never been exclusively about gaming, I also received invites for movies screening and other material. Certainly, having a podcast linked to the blogs activities helped find a wider audience. Posting regular content was another reason for the growth in readership.
A lot has happened in the world of blogging since I started in 2007. Alternative platforms have emerged that have a “different” barrier to entry. As ever, visual mediums are more accessible to wider audiences and thus You Tube and Twitch have become venues for the latest internet Gold Rush. As for Contains Moderate Peril, well a variety of factors have impacted upon the sites online presence. I had to relocate the blog due to technical reasons and then there were a series of issues that interrupted content creation. By mid-2016 the blog had lost 75% of its traffic. However, I returned to regular posting in 2017 and the site has seen a steady increase in visits each month since then. Gaming as a topic only constitutes about 45% of the material I write about at present and only certain subjects and games seem to gain traction. However, movie reviews and analysis seem to be attracting a lot of traffic and an audience who are happy to read lengthy articles.
I’m not a big fan of “what if” scenarios and “if I could do it all again” flights of fancy. I have in the past harboured ambitions to write professionally but the practical realities of life meant it made better economic sense to stick with the proverbial day job. I have now retired and have become a carer, but the odd thing is because of the very structured and routine nature of that task, I now have specific designated times to write which I didn’t in the past. Hence the regular content and the site growth. Ironically, I am now being offered and undertaking paid work. In a perfect world I would have liked to have done this years ago but c’est la vie. The wheel has also turned full circle for many of my writing peers are dusting off their blogs and sharing their thoughts once again online. Hence, I think game blogging will always have a place and will attract those that seek the potential depth and intimacy of written content. It may not present the same opportunities that some seek from Twitch and You Tube, but that’s also why it doesn’t share exactly the same failings.
Knowing Your Audience
Whenever blogging is discussed, sooner or later the subject of readers and audiences raises its head. Blogging is a two way street and although I appreciate that writing exclusively for ones self can be of great theraputic value, I don’t believe that is why most of us do it. We write to communicate, share ideas and express ourselves. Blogging is also about creating or becoming part of a community. However, as ever with such discussions, you will find that a lot of the opinions aired are very subjective and pertinent to the individual blogger’s own experience. However, there are also some common-sense points that are universal to all writers, irrespective their individual style and position on the subject. So, I thought it would be useful to address the subject of "knowing your audience. Because having clear ideas about how you write and for whom, can make your writing a lot easier and far more satisfying.
Whenever blogging is discussed, sooner or later the subject of readers and audiences raises its head. Blogging is a two way street and although I appreciate that writing exclusively for ones self can be of great theraputic value, I don’t believe that is why most of us do it. We write to communicate, share ideas and express ourselves. Blogging is also about creating or becoming part of a community. However, as ever with such discussions, you will find that a lot of the opinions aired are very subjective and pertinent to the individual blogger’s own experience. However, there are also some common-sense points that are universal to all writers, irrespective their individual style and position on the subject. So, I thought it would be useful to address the subject of "knowing your audience. Because having clear ideas about how you write and for whom, can make your writing a lot easier and far more satisfying.
I remember a particularly heated discussion I had back in 2012, with a group of other bloggers, that centred around writing styles. The reason I mention it is because it's directly related to your audience. In fact, the manner in which you express yourself is often a contributory factor to attracting and retaining readers. Some people feel that a blog writing style has to be functional and accessible to as broad a group of readers as possible. Complex language and style should be avoided. This approach is fine if your content is as equally functional. I see the sense in writing guides, instructions and walkthroughs in this idiom. However, I believe that for more personal opinion pieces and critical analysis, writers should pursue a more personal form of expression. If that means writing to a higher literary standard or assuming a specific benchmark of knowledge from your redaers, then that is your perrogative.
It stands to reason that if you actively pursue as broad an audience as possible, then you similarly need to write in such terms. Although I personally dislike the Flesch–Kincaid readability tests, if you are trying to make your writing accessible, then keeping it within their specific parameters will be beneficial. Yet not everyone wishes to do so, preferring to write primarily for themselves or for their assumed peers. You may well find that doing so will mean your work will only appeal to a smaller readership, but if that suits your requirements, then so be it. Newspapers adopt a similar approach, opting to target specific markets and demographic groups. I think this naturally occurs within the blogging community as well. Your linguistic style and pitch is driven by your personal relationship with language and communication. Like any other aspect of your personality, your writing will attract or deter others. However, writing has the benefit of being a skill that can be adjusted and refined. It is something you can experiment with which is an invaluable tool in getting to know your readers likes and dislikes.
I have written in the past about not obsessing over your websites statistics and traffic, but it can be a useful means to conduct market research, if used in moderation. Since Contains Moderate Peril has moved over to Squarespace as a host, there has been a significant increase in the quality of data that I have access to. The statistics and numbers come directly from the back end of the site and not a third party. Therefore, I have a very good handle on what posts and subjects prove to be popular, where traffic comes from globally and what key words and search terms bring new readers to the site. Although this data is not the complete picture with regard to what the readership likes and dislikes it can provide a useful insight. Can the same thing be said about the comments left on your blog? I'm not quite so sure. Comments are often left by regular and enthusiastic readers or those who have strong opinions that have been antagonised. The majority of your readership, although duly appreciative of your work, seldom leave any sort of feedback. I therefore tend to consider blog post comments in a similar way as I do forums. They come from the opposite ends of the audience spectrum and not from the middle ground. As such they are not such a reliable litmus test.
I think one of the most pertinent points to consider about writing styles is how your readership react to you personally. Through the course of your writing you can choose to reveal personal information and attempt to build a more intimate rapport with your audience. There is also the option of developing a specific online persona if you see fit, although this can be a double-edged sword. Personally, I favour the middle path. I do provide glimpses of my own personality through my writing but elect not to bare my soul, being a somewhat reserved individual by nature. I am more interested in well considered discussions rather than the cult of personality. However, there is no definitive option in this respect and you need to do what is right for you. Do not under estimate the human side of writing. Readers do form a curious bond with the writers they enjoy. I visit several blogs daily, not because I am always enthralled by all the subjects they cover, but because I appreciate the way they write and express themselves. Enthusiasm, reasoned analysis and critical thinking can be very entertaining. There are some writers who I admire purely for their positive mindset and upbeat attitude. There’s also someone I read, whose world view and personal philosophy is the polar opposite of mine. Yet, I am sufficiently curious check their work each week.
I think that after writing for a while, most bloggers get a sense of who their core audience is. Common sense and intuition have a part to play in this. However, this can be both a boon and a bane. Becoming an established and known quantity has its benefits. Yet it can be constraining. If you have clearly established the parameters of your blog then sometimes straying away from these may cost you readers, as will the occasional strong point of view. However, doing something different may also attract you new readers and allow you to tap into an alternative audience. It remains up to you as to what decisions you make and how you deal with the potential consequences of them. Like most things associated with blogging it is a continuous learning process. My advice is to strive to be true to yourself, maintain a standard and see where it leads you. Also don’t take your audience for granted. Never forget that writing and posting your work online does not entitle you to a readership. It has to be earned.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 2
I usually write a post early on in the New Year in which I list the various goals I’m focusing on over the next twelve months. To date I have not done this because I am still trying to work out what I can and cannot accommodate within my current schedule. As a carer I’m kept very busy, but my weekly routine does offers windows of opportunity for writing. However, free time is a finite commodity, so I have to really cut my proverbial coat according to my cloth this year. Therefore, I’ve decided to pursue the following projects. I will continue to regularly post on Contains Moderate Peril as I enjoy having my own platform and certainly feel that I still have a lot to write about. Also, the audience is steadily growing, and I think it would be counter productive to fly in the face of such a development. I was also given the opportunity to write for MMOGames recently and have decided to accept this invitation. Writing to deadlines and deferring to editors, is an invaluable learning experience. Plus, it presents my writing to a wider audience which is great for brand awareness and other awful marketing terms.
I usually write a post early on in the New Year in which I list the various goals I’m focusing on over the next twelve months. To date I have not done this because I am still trying to work out what I can and cannot accommodate within my current schedule. As a carer I’m kept very busy, but my weekly routine does offers windows of opportunity for writing. However, free time is a finite commodity, so I have to really cut my proverbial coat according to my cloth this year. Therefore, I’ve decided to pursue the following projects. I will continue to regularly post on Contains Moderate Peril as I enjoy having my own platform and certainly feel that I still have a lot to write about. Also, the audience is steadily growing, and I think it would be counter productive to fly in the face of such a development. I was also given the opportunity to write for MMOGames recently and have decided to accept this invitation. Writing to deadlines and deferring to editors, is an invaluable learning experience. Plus, it presents my writing to a wider audience which is great for brand awareness and other awful marketing terms.
However, I have several other ideas and potential projects in development at the moment but it’s proving hard to determine which ones I should do. Some would be fun but are mainly driven by my personal preferences. Others are designed with an eye to reader involvement, which would potentially attract traffic. And as I ponder this matter, it has also dawned upon me how my bent for writing is slowly turning from a passion to a job. I’ve had to create a spreadsheet to track the various blog posts I have scheduled and I’m also setting constraints on the length of some posts, simply to ensure they can be turned around promptly. However, it is logical to put systems in place if you wish to manage a situation. For example, if I think it’s likely that I’m going to write about a film that I’m watching, I will always make notes about it. I also use of Pocket to save interesting articles and reviews that appear in my Feedly subscriptions. I also have a white board on the wall for ad-hoc ideas.
It’s a curious situation, trying to determine exactly when you go from being an enthusiastic blogger to a “writer”. In the past some would argue that you had to have something formally published in physical print before you could credibly claim such a title. Nowadays the criteria seem to be a lot different. Some known and established writers have stated that the title is something you just choose to label yourself and that is substantiated by your body of work. It certainly offers food for thought. I would add that getting paid for your work at some point helps. And while we’re on the subject of writing as a formal job, I’d like to point out I’m not a fan of the old adage “do what you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life”. I think it’s hogwash. If you wish to do anything to the best of your ability, it will require effort and dedication. It’s therefore going to be hard and if it doesn’t feel so, then I would suggest you’re doing it wrong. Work can be fun, but it is not play. Furthermore, I always hear this phrase bandied about by people of independent means, which pretty much negates their point. If you don’t have to do something just to get by, is it really a job?
Despite trying to set some time aside, I haven’t managed to sort out a podcast so far this year. I suspect I am going to have a rethink on that issue. Rather than produce my own show, I may have to see if I can find a slot on someone else’s, which is a big ask. I think this issue may be a separate post in itself. I also fear my aspiration to do a light-hearted stream while gaming, is going to have to be shelved. The movie club idea may still happen, as it could provide a regular article for Contains Moderate Peril. However, the main problem is picking a film to discuss, that is available on most video on demand platforms and therefore accessible. While I try to figure all these things out, I need to focus on my current writing, as that’s something I can manage at present if I stick to my schedule. It also occurs to me as I write this post, why so many people consciously decide to give up blogging or writing in general. It isn’t as easy or straight forward as some perceive it to be. Furthermore, we’re often our own worst enemy by being such hard taskmasters.
A Year in Blogging
My blogging goal for 2017 was to write a post every day. Due to family illness, I’ve missed approximately 10 days during the course of the year, however considering the circumstances I feel I have done well to maintain such a schedule. Compared to 2016 which saw the website decline and even go offline for a while, 2017 has been far more productive. Traffic has increased, and I feel that Contains Moderate Peril is finding an audience once again, as it did during it’s heyday in 2014. Broadening the scope of subjects that I write about has proven a sound decision and one I would recommend to other bloggers. It certainly allows for greater freedom of expression and technically, if nothing is off the table, then there’s always something to write about. Subsequently, I can see from my website statistics that the readership is becoming increasingly diverse and global in nature. As a writer, I therefore feel that it has been a successful year and I am satisfied with what has been achieved. My writing process has improved, and I can order my thoughts and structure a blog post far quicker than I use to.
My blogging goal for 2017 was to write a post every day. Due to family illness, I’ve missed approximately 10 days during the course of the year, however considering the circumstances I feel I have done well to maintain such a schedule. Compared to 2016 which saw the website decline and even go offline for a while, 2017 has been far more productive. Traffic has increased, and I feel that Contains Moderate Peril is finding an audience once again, as it did during it’s heyday in 2014. Broadening the scope of subjects that I write about has proven a sound decision and one I would recommend to other bloggers. It certainly allows for greater freedom of expression and technically, if nothing is off the table, then there’s always something to write about. Subsequently, I can see from my website statistics that the readership is becoming increasingly diverse and global in nature. As a writer, I therefore feel that it has been a successful year and I am satisfied with what has been achieved. My writing process has improved, and I can order my thoughts and structure a blog post far quicker than I use to.
Outside of my own writing, there are still many fellow bloggers who continue to write on a regular basis, sharing their thoughts and expressing their views. I try to read as broad a spectrum of writing styles and opinions as possible, as this is not only entertaining but can often provide an invaluable source of material to reply to or debate. I also follow one blog whose author’s world view is the complete opposite of mine. This is mainly to see how others think, irrespective of whether their views have been formed through analysis or critical thinking. Again, it can provide some interesting prompts for writing. Furthermore, as my gaming horizon inevitably contracts many of the blogs I follow, keep me informed about games I no longer play or aspects of the industry that I no longer focus upon. Then there are a few that I read just because I enjoy the author’s writing style or personality. Gaming can become awfully serious at times. I like those writers that still remember it’s also about having fun.
Sadly, there were some bloggers that decided to hang up their spurs this year. Real life demands, and pressures are usually the main reason for this. However, for some writers, there were less pleasant factors that led to their decision. Negative comments, abuse or the sheer blinkered zealotry of certain fans can certainly erode one’s pleasure in writing. Misogyny and prejudice still abound online, and the current political climate seems to have emboldened certain parties. Then there is the matter of blog post comments per se, which are few and far between these days. I have given up trying to encourage them. What responses I do get to my writing are often via Twitter. This situation just seems to reflect the changing nature of online social interaction. And it would also be remiss of me if I didn’t mention how I miss writing based online events such as the Newbie Blogger Initiative and Blaugust. Perhaps we will see someone else pick up the baton in the next twelve months and arrange something.
I intend to keep blogging in 2018 but it will be less frequent. I haven’t decided on my new schedule as of yet, but it will no longer be daily. I have a non-fiction book that remains unwritten, despite a great deal of preliminary work and planning. This will be my primary writing focus in the months ahead. I have a clear timetable and an end date that I wish to achieve. Perhaps I can blog about the process of writing something more substantial than a blog post? We shall see. In the meantime, I’d like to thank everyone who has visited Contains Moderate Peril in 2017 and helped make it such a good year. If you are thinking about writing in 2018 I would certainly encourage you to do so and stick with it. Google loves a website that posts new content regularly. Writing is also a very rewarding pastime and a great way to improve your written and analytical skills. We also need more rational and measured voices contributing to our online community.
The MMO Blogosphere Is Alive and Well
Popular gaming blogger Tobold asked whether the MMO Blogosphere was still alive in a recent post on his site. He stated, “as far as I can see that decline has continued over the last decade, powered both by the general decline of blogging as a form of expression on the internet in favour of tweeting, and by the decline of MMORPGs as a form of gaming in favor of other multiplayer games”. Needless to say, there were numerous comments to the contrary left on the article in question. Furthermore, several gaming bloggers debated the point further on their own platforms. As I have a dog in this fight, to coin a somewhat inappropriate and unsavoury phrase, I thought I’d add my thoughts to the debate. And as ever, the answer is somewhat complex because Tobold’s question is erroneously reductive.
Popular gaming blogger Tobold asked whether the MMO Blogosphere was still alive in a recent post on his site. He stated, “as far as I can see that decline has continued over the last decade, powered both by the general decline of blogging as a form of expression on the internet in favour of tweeting, and by the decline of MMORPGs as a form of gaming in favor of other multiplayer games”. Needless to say, there were numerous comments to the contrary left on the article in question. Furthermore, several gaming bloggers debated the point further on their own platforms. As I have a dog in this fight, to coin a somewhat inappropriate and unsavoury phrase, I thought I’d add my thoughts to the debate. And as ever, the answer is somewhat complex because Tobold’s question is erroneously reductive.
The golden age of the MMORPG is certainly behind us and we shall not see the like of it again. However, there were specific factors linked to the popularity of this particular genre that were contextual and linked to the time. Yet despite these factors the genre remains popular and still commands large player numbers. Furthermore, games of this idiom have been subject to major changes in style and mechanics in recent years. Whether you, me or Tobold like it or not, the very definition of the MMORPG has evolved. Which is why major commercial sites such as Massively Overpowered now cover titles such as Grand Theft Auto Online and Destiny 2. What constitutes an MMO now is arguably different from what it was in the early 2000s. Therefore, Tobold is mistaken to render things down to a “like for like” comparison.
Blogging has also changed and adapted over time. Twitter, You Tube and Streaming have emerged to provide alternative platforms for discussion, fandom and social interaction. All of these mediums have their place and some have become popular because of brevity and convenience that they provide. They also have the advantage of lower barriers to entry. Writing effectively and maintaining an audience requires a degree of skill, a lot of time and stoic dedication. Yet, fans of the MMO genre still actively do these things and I have RSS subscriptions to dozens of active blogs writing such material. There are still guides and resources for classic MMOs such as LOTRO, Guild wars 2 and STO available. The existence of the aforementioned Massively Overpowered website is also evidence of the healthy state of the genre and its associated fandom. Many of those who regularly comment on that site run their own blogs.
Longform writing and analysis of the MMO genre is therefore still a “thing”. In fact, there’s a lot of longform writing about most things available online. It never really went away despite new mediums emerging. With respect to blogging about MMOs, it may well have lost its thunder to You Tube and Twitch TV, but to be honest, it’s a genre that lends itself more to the written word anyway. I also think favouring longform writing is the prerogative of age. The generation of gamers that I am part of, has grown up together and still uses the older mediums such as a blogs, as the means to pursue their passions. So, I am happy to lend my voice to the growing chorus that has politely refuted Tobold’s assertion. The MMO Blogosphere is doing okay because I get up each morning and read multiple new posts about the genre via Feedly.
The Peril of Leaving Comments
I recently decided to try and comment more on websites and blogs, mainly in a shameless attempt to raise my own writing profile. I live in hope that people will be enamoured with my “puckish epigrams” and follow the breadcrumb trail back here. However, leaving comments takes time because I cannot just post a few succinct words. I always end up typing several paragraphs because brevity often leads to a point being misconstrued. We do after all live in an age where people actively look for offense regardless of whether it’s there or not. However, I digress. What I enjoy about leaving comments on blog posts and website articles, is the chance to exchange ideas and to riff off other people. I also find that by marshalling my thoughts and leaving a comment elsewhere, it can lead to me subsequently expanding on those ideas and developing them into a blog post for Contains Moderate Peril. So overall, I advocate leaving comments and feedback.
I recently decided to try and comment more on websites and blogs, mainly in a shameless attempt to raise my own writing profile. I live in hope that people will be enamoured with my “puckish epigrams” and follow the breadcrumb trail back here. However, leaving comments takes time because I cannot just post a few succinct words. I always end up typing several paragraphs because brevity often leads to a point being misconstrued. We do after all live in an age where people actively look for offense regardless of whether it’s there or not. However, I digress. What I enjoy about leaving comments on blog posts and website articles, is the chance to exchange ideas and to riff off other people. I also find that by marshalling my thoughts and leaving a comment elsewhere, it can lead to me subsequently expanding on those ideas and developing them into a blog post for Contains Moderate Peril. So overall, I advocate leaving comments and feedback.
And of course, as you’ve probably guessed, the previous statement comes with a caveat. Actually, it’s probably not so much of a caveat but more of an element of risk. That being that you have absolutely no control over what happens next. Allow me to give you an example. Earlier in the week, there was a post over at Massively Overpowered regarding how Disney forced EA to temporarily disable the lootboxes in Star Wars Battlefront II. I left a comment to the effect that it was a positive result and that at least we as gamers knew what to do in the future. IE Complain to the licence holder and not just the developer. Use a company’s PR vanity against them. I then ended the comment with a throw away remark about how we needed to figure out exactly what we all wanted. Because there isn’t a “universal dream”. Gamers are a bit like the Judean People’s Front versus the People’s Front of Judea.
What followed next in a way proved my point. Another gamer directly replied with a few ideas regarding the “universal dream”. “Not to be exploited by corrupt and greedy corporations; Not to be physiologically programmed into degenerate gamblers; not to have communist/SJW re-education and propaganda corrupting our games and media. I am sure you can add a few things to this dream list but it’s a start”. Well yes, I do indeed have a few things to add and more importantly, a lot to remove. Like 90% of what they said. The only thing I broadly agree with is there first point, although I wouldn’t couch it in such hyperbolic language. I think EA’s lootbox system is crass and the fact they had the gall to try it, is mildly insulting. However, the rest of the views stated are simply ill conceived and reek of tabloid journalism and the associated mindset. I could have replied but suspected it would lead to on of those circular conversations that achieves nothing other than the raising of blood pressure and an unnecessary expenditure of energy.
This minor event reminded me of a similar situation I had a few years ago while I was waiting for a bus. A random stranger joined me at the bus stop and a brief exchange of words was had regarding the approximate time of the next bus. Then suddenly, out of know where, the guy blurted out a few derogatory comments about a specific ethnic group. It wasn’t a crazy tirade. Just a few sentences, said in a calm and measured way but still overtly racist. I remember at the time thinking, where the hell did that come from and then getting really angry because there was this inherent assumption in his confidence to make such comments, that I too was a bigot. Furthermore, when considering both these anecdotes about random left field statements, I worry that there’s a risk that you can get inadvertently tarred with the “crazy” brush in such situations. Stupidity splash damage is one way to describe it.
Once again, an old adage has proven true. No good deed goes unpunished. Except I’m not sure if I can really define me leaving a comment on a website as a good deed but hey, most analogies don’t stand up to close scrutiny. Guess this is similar to the recent discussion a few of us bloggers had on twitter about how the articles you feel are your best don’t garner the traffic you’d like and that disposable posts can sometimes break big. Similarly, a comment you feel strongly about may only get a reply from some random crazy person and a glib remark can be perceived as being more than the sum of its parts and deeply insightful. I guess both of these first world, social media “dilemmas” are a direct result of daring to interact with other sentient, carbon based life forms. It’s an activity that always comes with an element of risk.
Thoughts on Blogging Part 1
There wasn’t a Newbie Blogger Initiative this year and I was saddened by that. I’ll make no bones about the fact that I liked this yearly event and the way for a few months after it, you’d see a lot of interesting new blogs spring up, filled with optimism and passion. But, what’s done is done, and life goes on. It’s up to others to pick up that particular torch and run with it, if they wish to see the event to return. I also miss a lot of my colleagues and peers’ blogs and the comradery that stemmed from the associated community. Again, this is a natural and inevitable attrition process, caused by that thing known as “life”. So, to combat my current melancholic malaise, I thought I’d collate a few of my thoughts about writing online and set them down in a semi-regular post, the same way as I do about podcasting.
There wasn’t a Newbie Blogger Initiative this year and I was saddened by that. I’ll make no bones about the fact that I liked this yearly event and the way for a few months after it, you’d see a lot of interesting new blogs spring up, filled with optimism and passion. But, what’s done is done, and life goes on. It’s up to others to pick up that particular torch and run with it, if they wish to see the event to return. I also miss a lot of my colleagues and peers’ blogs and the comradery that stemmed from the associated community. Again, this is a natural and inevitable attrition process, caused by that thing known as “life”. So, to combat my current melancholic malaise, I thought I’d collate a few of my thoughts about writing online and set them down in a semi-regular post, the same way as I do about podcasting.
So, to begin with, Sarah (AKA AlternativeChat) made a throwaway comment a while ago on Twitter about “getting something noticed”. I took this to be a reference to her prodigious written output. I tweeted back that “I've written several pieces that I'm proud of. However, they never got the traffic I hoped for. That's the nature of the beast, I guess”. I then pointed out the post that has garnered the most traffic during my seven years of blogging was a review of Top Cat: The Movie. That was posted on an older version of this website and ironically isn’t even available anymore. Then fellow blogger Wilhelm Arcturus added that “There is an inverse relationship between investment/effort and popularity. My most popular posts are ones I knocked out on a whim”. A sentiment that I concur with. Fellow blogger Gevlon expressed similar sentiments
All of this got me thinking about statistics and traffic. I’ve written in the past how it is important for the budding blogger not to become obsessed with these things. However, they can also be a very useful tool. Wilhelm himself, regular breaks down the traffic to his site and writes about it. Not in a self-aggrandising way but just as a means to gauge what topics are popular and to track how his writing patterns have changed over time. I used to blog regularly about the MMO LOTRO, as it was for several years the focal point of my gaming. It is not now and thus it doesn’t occur as often as a point of discussion. It is not unusual for the long-term blogger (or Tom Jones) to broaden their writing horizons over time, to accommodate the ebb and flow of their interests and passions. I have done it several times.
Writing a blog is a personal choice and peoples motivation varies. Most like myself, often site an enjoyment of writing as a primary factor. It could therefore be argued that for a purist blogger, who is not in any way driven by matters of ego, shouldn’t care if their blog remains unread. However, many of us write as a means to communicate our passion for something. Therefore, an audience, comments and feedback are important. Our writing is an invitation to friendly interaction and an exchange of ideas, although such concepts are becoming increasingly alien in the current binary climate. This last point paradoxically offers another reason to write. I use my blog as a means to marshal my thoughts and to try and understand what is happening in the world. Articulating your concerns can have a therapeutic value. Also, meeting those who are equally perplexed by the status quo can be rewarding.
A fellow blogger who wrote a very popular MMO fansite, once told me that they considered their writing as a public service in a way. I do not think the remark was born out of vanity. It simply reflected their enjoyment of participating in a wider community. However, they also remarked that once you embark down such a road, especially if you are receiving a high level of traffic, it can turn your passion in to a chore. They also told of how when they finally reached a point when they wanted to end their writing commitment, that they received from some quarters a lot of criticism and even aggression. It’s curious how some fans go from enjoying free content, to expecting it and treating it as if it were a product that they paid for. Mercifully, I’ve not encountered such problems. I would not claim to have such a large audience, nor do I see my writing as a public service. But I do at times struggle to maintain a regular posting schedule. It’s something that’s common to all bloggers, most of whom would like to write more than they do.
Finally, I discovered that blogger Isey has a page called “Writers Resting in Paradise” over at their website IHasPC. It lists many blogs that have ceased regular posting and have gone quiet. I believe the criteria to get on this list is to not post for six months or more. However, it should be noted that you do find from time to time, that hibernating blogs suddenly revive as the author gets bitten by the blogging bug again. Stropp recently started posting again over at Stroppsworld, which is nice to see. Being a fan of the written word, I always prefer to read someone’s thoughts than watch a live stream or a video. Visual mediums have their place and can be fun and compelling. Yet the written word provides scope from greater analysis and expression, due to the subtleties of the English language. Reading others use of words and how they choose to communicate their thoughts is fascinating and an invaluable insight into that person.
Blogging: Ten Years On
I was digging around in my email archive today trying to find something or other, when I found a receipt from the now defunct blog.co.uk hosting service. It was dated Friday 10th August 2007. So, it would appear that I have been blogging in some shape or form for a decade now. There have been a few disruptions along the way but broadly speaking, I’ve been writing every day for ten years now. I like to think that my writing style has improved over that time and the website traffic would seem to indicate that my output is relatively popular. All things considered I still enjoy writing about a broad spectrum of subjects and see no reason to stop at present. So, I guess that means I may well continue writing for another ten years.
I was digging around in my email archive today trying to find something or other, when I found a receipt from the now defunct blog.co.uk hosting service. It was dated Friday 10th August 2007. So, it would appear that I have been blogging in some shape or form for a decade now. There have been a few disruptions along the way but broadly speaking, I’ve been writing every day for ten years now. I like to think that my writing style has improved over that time and the website traffic would seem to indicate that my output is relatively popular. All things considered I still enjoy writing about a broad spectrum of subjects and see no reason to stop at present. So, I guess that means I may well continue writing for another ten years.
Writing a blog is a very personal undertaking and peoples motivation to write varies. Many often cite an enjoyment of writing itself. It can be argued that a true purist blogger, who is not in any way driven by matters of ego, would not care if their blog remained unread and wouldn’t concern themselves with statistics and traffic. However, I think such people only exist as a notional concept. Many of us also write as a means to communicate our passion for something and to share that with others. Therefore, an audience, comments and feedback are important. Sadly, social media has altered the way in which readers communicate with writers. I am fortunate enough to still receive positive feedback but most of it now come’s via Twitter rather than as comments left on individual posts.
Another thing that has changed over the last decade is the overall perception of blogging. Like so many online activities, blogging was initially a distinctly separate form of writing compared to traditional platforms and outlets. The most obvious difference was that it was a very democratic medium open to anyone. Ironically its greatest asset has also become its greatest weakness but that’s a separate debate. Sadly, like so many new mediums, after an initial period of innovation blogging has become subsumed by the mainstream and the corporate. Blogs are no longer seen exclusively as havens of independent thought and creativity. White noise and marketing nonsense have now muddied the water.
Then there is the culture of expectations to consider. Joe public has got use to “free content”. A fellow blogger who wrote a popular MMO fansite, once told me that they considered their writing as a public service in a way. I do not think the remark was a reflection of their vanity. It simply showed that they enjoyed participating in a wider community. However, they also remarked that once you embark down that road, especially if you are receiving a high level of traffic, it can turn your passion in to a chore. When this blogger did indeed hang up their spurs it was met with mixed reactions from their readership. A sizeable group where far from pleased that they were no longer going to getting their daily fix of “free content” and took a rather peremptory stance on the matter.
Another myth that has finally been laid to rest in recent years is that you can get rich from blogging. That ship has well and truly sailed. The advent of adblockers, combined with an overabundance of free content means that advertising revenue has dried up. If a site such as Massively Overpowered has to supplement its advertising revenue with Patreon donations and merchandise, then it’s highly unlikely that a solo blogger is going to clean up in any way, shape or form. Blogs can still be invaluable in generating a brand and maintaining an online presence but you’ll be lucky if you do anything more than break even financially. Running a blog is an indulgence in some respects and so costs money like any other. You can pursue a free account but that comes with its own set of risks.
So, after ten years of blogging, I remain enthusiastic about writing and am content with the material that I’ve produced. I’m considering returning to a book project that stalled last year due to personal circumstances. It’s a work of non-fiction about cinema and my personal experience thereof. It has been meticulously planned and structured. All I need to do now is to knuckle down and write the remaining 50% of the text. There’s no reason why this can’t be achieved with a well-disciplined schedule and a healthy dose of focus. I also see no reason to stop blogging every day. Irrespective whether some audiences have drifted away from long form criticism, I am still committed to writing and consuming material of that kind. Who knows, I may still be here in another decade’s time still pondering about the state of blogging.
“We're All Journalists Now”
The "bloggers versus the gaming press" debate still lumbers on, despite years of discussion. The matter has now become more complex, due to the popularity of live streaming and You Tube personalities. Ultimately, this entire matter is a subset of the larger argument regarding citizen journalism and its conflict with the fourth estate. I recently read Scott Gant’s book We're All Journalists Now: The Transformation of the Press and Reshaping of the Law in the Internet Age which explores this very matter in-depth. The author has a very interesting attitude toward the democratisation of journalism, which he expresses eloquently. Many of the points that he makes are directly applicable to other fields of journalism and are not exclusive to traditional “news”.
The "bloggers versus the gaming press" debate still lumbers on, despite years of discussion. The matter has now become more complex, due to the popularity of live streaming and You Tube personalities. Ultimately, this entire matter is a subset of the larger argument regarding citizen journalism and its conflict with the fourth estate. I recently read Scott Gant’s book We're All Journalists Now: The Transformation of the Press and Reshaping of the Law in the Internet Age which explores this very matter in-depth. The author has a very interesting attitude toward the democratisation of journalism, which he expresses eloquently. Many of the points that he makes are directly applicable to other fields of journalism and are not exclusive to traditional “news”.
I am still of the opinion that professional and amateur writers complement each other and can be of equal value to the community. This is especially true of gaming related writing. Conventional game news informs and promotes across a broad spectrum of content. Amateur and fan blogs provide subjective detail and a greater degree of depth on the issues. As a gamer, ensuring that you have a mix of commercial sites and blogs in your feed reader, increases the likelihood of you being adequately informed. Obviously, blogs are not always subject to the same editorial scrutiny as professional writing. Thus, there can be issues regarding grammar and logical arguments. However, literary failings do not by default, invalidate an opinion or well-conceived idea. Conversely, working to a formalized style and standard of writing, as well as editorial guidelines can potentially remove eloquence or a writer’s style and replace it with uniformity. As for common sense and logical arguments, an editor and a team of writers can fail to observe these as equally as a single blogger. Thus, there is good and bad in both camps.
Until recently I had a substantial list of fan blogs that I read every day. Some regularly offered exceptionally good think pieces, comparable to professional journalism. Sadly, many of these writers have retired from the scene. There also seems to be a drop in long form writing and in-depth analysis among many of the commercial games news sites. It appears that both the pro and amateur writing scene has fallen victim to a malady that has spread across mainstream news. Namely, tribal, populist writing which eschews facts and data and instead slavishly retrofits content to support a specific mindset or agenda. Gaming has become very binary and entrenched, the same as politics. Bucking the trend can have consequences and subsequently many games bloggers have become tired of the toxic comments, twitter outrage and quit. The commercial sites often pick a side and thereafter pursue vociferously a specific ideological line. As with national newspapers, it leads to a partisan environment in which impartiality and logical debate do not thrive.
I still advocate the democratization of writing and publishing and do feel that “we’re all journalists now” to a degree. However, I also think that bloggers, streamers and You Tube personalities can also fall prey to the same failings of mainstream journalism. Commercial forces can impact heavily upon editorial decisions and shape the narratives in camps. We should not overlook other dubious motivations such as ego and “popularity” which can also have a negative effect upon content creation. Yet despite these issues, I still feel that the writings and musings of my peers is beneficial. I also think that collating daily gaming news is a daunting and unenviable task and am therefore grateful to the professional sites that aggregate such content. As for partisan, spurious and inflammatory games writing, we should reject it pointedly and publicly. Be it from professional outlets or from fans. If we want content of a higher caliber we should lead by example as well as demand it from others. Aim for the standard you wish to see elsewhere and it will be to the advantage of both "bloggers” and the “gaming press".
Money Changes Everything
When I look back at the various posts I’ve written about gaming over the past decade, several themes regularly occur. Player toxicity, marketing hype and industry shenanigans are three that never seem to go away. Pre-order culture, fans enthusiasm and launch day disappointment are also perennial bad pennies. However, there is one point that I constantly find myself reiterating. Yet despite its staggeringly obvious nature it is habitually overlooked and ignored. Namely that money changes everything. Regardless of the nature of a situation, be it the cost of an item in the cash store, alterations to a games mechanics or the relationship between a You Tube personality and their audience, if it involves some sort of financial exchange then it fundamentally alters the dynamic of that given situation.
When I look back at the various posts I’ve written about gaming over the past decade, several themes regularly occur. Player toxicity, marketing hype and industry shenanigans are three that never seem to go away. Pre-order culture, fans enthusiasm and launch day disappointment are also perennial bad pennies. However, there is one point that I constantly find myself reiterating. Yet despite its staggeringly obvious nature it is habitually overlooked and ignored. Namely that money changes everything. Regardless of the nature of a situation, be it the cost of an item in the cash store, alterations to a games mechanics or the relationship between a You Tube personality and their audience, if it involves some sort of financial exchange then it fundamentally alters the dynamic of that given situation.
People are motivated to blog, podcast, live stream and make videos for a variety of reasons. Some do it to please themselves, where some like to please others. It is actually possible to achieve both. If you are persistent in your endeavours and communicate with your audience positively, then you will get some traction. But there are consequences to being successful and I’m not talking exclusively about having an audience of millions. Even a modest site such as Contains Moderate Peril can be subject to some basic internet cause and effect mechanics. Audiences, or readers in my case, consume content voraciously. They also foster expectations regardless of whether you’ve directly instigated them. If you create new material daily, your audience will grow to expect it daily. If you significantly deviate from such a schedule there are consequences. In my case, between March and April last year I took a break from writing and as a result my traffic tanked. It has taken a year plus to recover. Interruptions to the podcast schedule also killed the listener numbers.
Now the reason I mention this is because, even before you’ve got to the point of taking money from your audience, you have to deal with their expectations, regardless of whether they are founded or not. I have known several fan related sites that have been criticised for changing direction, deviating from perceived schedules or having the unmitigated gall to cease producing their free service. But the moment you accept money from your audience, then your independent status is lost. You are no longer providing content but a service. Fans are often blighted by a malady which seems to equate support with direct input. Add money to that spurious equation and you will inevitably have problems. It doesn’t matter what route you take or what platform you use to raise capital, paying is perceived by some as buying a share in “You Incoporated”. Thus, we have Twitch streamers who are criticised for how they spend the money they are “given”, fansites lambasted for championing or not championing specific issues. And at present, popular You Tube personality Joe “Angry Joe” Vargas is at war with a faction of his so-called “Angry Army” of subscribers.
I have in the past toyed with monetising both this site and the associated podcast(s). For a brief period of time, I asked for PayPal donations when the hosting costs were getting extravagant. However, that ended when I was offered a sponsorship deal with Host1Plus. When I moved the site in 2015 to Squarespace I decided it was easier to simply bank roll all my projects myself because it just guaranteed that I could do my own thing free from any external constraints. That’s not to say that I don’t support the notion that people providing content on the internet should be paid, because I do. It’s just that the Huffington Post business model and the fallacy of “exposure” has done a lot of damage. Sadly, Joe Public has become use to getting “free stuff” and it’s very hard to try and overcome that mindset. So, for the present I look upon my online projects as “indulgences” and will fund them myself to maintain my creative control.
If one broadens the scope of the argument that “money changes everything” it is clear that it permeates everything in life and alters are relationship with it. In the UK, university education used to be selective and free of charge. However, now it is more accessible but as more people use it, is chargeable via a deferred loan. Some students no longer see education as a self-determined process of personal improvement but simply as the buying of a service. Thus, academic under achievement is seen not as a personal failure, but as a business dispute. Such a mindset shows how money alters the perception of any undertaking. Thus, some MMO gamers want bespoke content that suits their needs, You Tube subscribers feel that they should dictate what content is posted on a channel and the entire field of crowdfunded projects is rife with complaints, acrimony and misplaced demands.
Now it is fair to say that there is nothing inherently wrong with the traditional business and customer relationship, as long as both parties accept it as such. The same can be said regarding the free content providers and their audiences. Both are perfectly equitable arrangement as along as everyone understand their respective role. Sadly, the internet has impacted upon this perception. Fans think they’re on the board of director’s, Patreon subscribers fail to understand what “donation” actually means and support for any undertaking in general is seen as a point of leverage. Plus, any sort of financial transaction means some sort of contract. Adding a legal veneer to a situation only adds to its complexity.
As I’m writing this very post, someone on my Twitter timeline has just tweeted about how their patrons can now vote on what they review next. If they are happy with this situation then that is fine but it highlights exactly how “money changes everything”. Contains Moderate Peril is never going to make me rich or even break even. But for the present it is exclusively my platform and that makes the operating costs worthwhile. If you feel the need to tell me what I should or should not be doing on my personal site then that is your prerogative. However, I can also ignore your demands and tell you to fuck right off with a clear conscience. So, my advice to any budding blogger, podcaster or You Tuber, is to think long and hard before you take the proverbial “King’s Shilling”. A source of revenue may well be all fine and dandy but at the costs of your independence?
Tweaks and Changes
Every now and then, I like to make changes to Contains Moderate Peril. Occasionally these will be cosmetic but most of the time they’re functional. For example, I recently stopped subscribing to Soundcloud and moved to a free account. This meant that most of the back catalogue of podcasts in the RSS feed were no longer available to play. I therefore removed the respective links from the podcast page as it’s not very professional to present readers with material that is inaccessible. As this had a knock-on effect on several posts I had written about specific podcasts, such as Brian’s Mordor or Bust Retrospective, I uploaded a few of the shows locally and embedded a suitable player.
Every now and then, I like to make changes to Contains Moderate Peril. Occasionally these will be cosmetic but most of the time they’re functional. For example, I recently stopped subscribing to Soundcloud and moved to a free account. This meant that most of the back catalogue of podcasts in the RSS feed were no longer available to play. I therefore removed the respective links from the podcast page as it’s not very professional to present readers with material that is inaccessible. As this had a knock-on effect on several posts I had written about specific podcasts, such as Brian’s Mordor or Bust Retrospective, I uploaded a few of the shows locally and embedded a suitable player.
While I’m on the subject of podcasting, I wrote recently about how I was sunsetting the Burton & Scrooge show and reinstating the Contains Moderate Peril podcast. Sadly, real life has conspired against me and I’ve had to put this project on the back burner for a while. It’s a shame as I still have ninety minutes of material recorded from 28th March but due to technical problems with Zencastr, the recordings are out of sync. My recent foray on Fiverr to have new logos designed for the show also ended badly. The graphic designer gave me his initial ideas then went walkabout and refused to answer my messages. I got my money back but the work remains incomplete and the project still outstanding.
Despite being a Squarespace customer since August 2015, I’ve only really scratched the surface of the functionality that is on offer. Although I like the template I use for the site, it doesn’t easily allow readers to search and access older material. Hence a few months back I added the related posts footer to each post with four thumbnails of similar content. Unfortunately, there is no global way to do this so I have to manually trawl through the blog and amend every post individually. However, adding this functionality has had a serious impact upon traffic and stats. It would appear that readers will look at related material and find value in it. Therefore, as of today I’ve added a link to a blog archive page at the top of the site. This page features a monthly calendar to check back through all previously published posts.
Finally, May has come round once again but sadly no one has decided to take onboard the Newbie Blogger Initiative, so it would appear that this event has come to an end. I guess there’s no point crying over spilt milk, so it’s time to move on. I still intend to write every day this year and take a great deal of pleasure from doing so. My ambitions to increase the audience for Contains Moderate Peril appear to be working. Monthly viewing stats are up and the readership is growing. Apart from the tweaks and changes discussed, the overall strategy is to keep publishing posts and letting the existing body of work do the rest of the work. Over half the site’s traffic comes from Google searches that find older articles. If that isn’t sufficient motivation to keep writing, then I don’t know what is.
Blogrolls and News Aggregation
Blogrolls are both an asset and a social minefield. In principle, they are simply an additional online resource, hopefully offering readers links to further material they may find of interest. However, they can also be regarded as popularity contests or an exercise in mutual backslapping among blogging peers. I’m also not too sure of the appropriate internet etiquette associated with them. Sometimes bloggers feel snubbed if they find that their site is absent from their colleague’s blogroll. Also, if someone lists your site on their blogroll are you obliged to reciprocate? Because of these reasons and the simple fact that my current website template does not utilise a sidebar, which is the traditional location for a blogroll, I have stopped maintaining one on Contains Moderate Peril.
Blogrolls are both an asset and a social minefield. In principle, they are simply an additional online resource, hopefully offering readers links to further material they may find of interest. However, they can also be regarded as popularity contests or an exercise in mutual backslapping among blogging peers. I’m also not too sure of the appropriate internet etiquette associated with them. Sometimes bloggers feel snubbed if they find that their site is absent from their colleague’s blogroll. Also, if someone lists your site on their blogroll are you obliged to reciprocate? Because of these reasons and the simple fact that my current website template does not utilise a sidebar, which is the traditional location for a blogroll, I have stopped maintaining one on Contains Moderate Peril.
A few years ago, I set up an aggregation website called The Gaming Blog Nexus and it proved a more practical means of curating other people’s blog content. It was a popular and successful resource but like most online projects it was subject to increasing operational costs. After two and a half years I decided to close the site, which at the time listed over one hundred and twenty gaming related blogs. Although I do not regret my decision as I do not have unlimited funding for my online projects, I do miss its practical benefits. It was a straightforward and convenient way to keep abreast of websites and blogs that I enjoy. I was hoping after the closure of The Gaming Blog Nexus that someone else would create something similar. To date no one has.
At present, I’m using Feedly for my news aggregation. It works well across multiple platforms, although I do find the mobile version I have on my Samsung S6 to be the most convenient and streamlined. The Android app allows the user to clearly scroll through summaries of new content quickly and efficiently and decide whether to read or delete. So far, it is the most practical means of managing all the new articles I wish to read. It’s a great service that I will happily recommend to others. However, there is one minor point that concerns me. I started using Feedly after Google Reader shutdown in 2013. It made me very aware of our increasing dependency on “free” apps and services. There is always the possibility that Feedly may similarly vanish at some point in the future.
There are many tools that help you manage the flow of information. I find Microsoft Outlook invaluable for managing my daily emails. I have multiple accounts and several calendars to contend with and Outlook provides all the functionality I need to stay on top of things. For me it is the de facto tool for the job. Yet I’ve still to find a similar program or online resource that allows me to manage the websites I subscribe to as effectively. Google Reader, Feedly and Blogrolls are a good starting point and allow you to segregate the content you want from the usual internet white noise. Yet I can’t help feeling there’s scope for something else that can not only curate your favourite content but learns your likes and dislikes and suggest comparable material. So, I’ll keep looking. If I find such a service I no doubt blog about it.
Where Have all the Bloggers Gone?
I’m a creature of habit. I don’t mean “if it’s Wednesday, it’s Pork Chops”, I’m referring to simple routines that help me organise my days. One example is my morning ritual. As soon as I wake, I get straight up, shower and dress. I then sit myself down at my computer with a mug of coffee and catch up with my emails, Twitter and Feedly. I also get a flash news briefing from Alexa. These things appraise me of what is going on in the world and often give me potential writing prompts. Feedly has been invaluable source of inspiration in the past. I subscribed to half a dozen professional gaming and movie news websites and a further thirty of so blogs, written by my peers.
I’m a creature of habit. I don’t mean “if it’s Wednesday, it’s Pork Chops”, I’m referring to simple routines that help me organise my days. One example is my morning ritual. As soon as I wake, I get straight up, shower and dress. I then sit myself down at my computer with a mug of coffee and catch up with my emails, Twitter and Feedly. I also get a flash news briefing from Alexa. These things appraise me of what is going on in the world and often give me potential writing prompts. Feedly has been invaluable source of inspiration in the past. I subscribed to half a dozen professional gaming and movie news websites and a further thirty of so blogs, written by my peers.
I wrote a post last year for the NBI about the importance of blogging. The sentiment still holds, more so than ever at present. The world is changing and not necessarily for the better. Therefore, it is important for people to build communities, exchange ideas and interact in a civilised capacity. Not only do we need to get along but to tolerate and coexist with those who hold differing views to our own. Sadly, this appears to be “asking the impossible” at present. The world is becoming binary, tribal and aggressively territorial. This is reflected in the blogging world. Opinions are not to be debated but shutdown. There is no rooms for dissent. “You’re either with us or against us” seems to be the prevailing attitude. Facts and intellectual rigour are seen as unfair barriers to having an equal say.
As a result of this cultural shift, I find that the blogging community that I am apart of has greatly diminished in the last eighteen months. The thirty or so blogs, written by my peers that I mentioned are now either updated irregularly or virtually abandoned. The podcasting network that I am a member of still endures but has no aspiration to grow or expand. Apathy, disinclination and a sense of even defeat seems all too common. I should know, all of these things blighted my writing agenda last year. Then of course let us not forget that we are all getting older and people simply change. Life makes many demand on are time and even fandom has to bow before the school run, redecorating the bathroom and getting that promotion. Plus, perceptions of the internet have changed. The Frontier Town community spirit has given way to corporate formalisation. Being connected to other people from all round the world is no longer a big deal. Familiarity does have indeed breed contempt, or at least indifference.
Another thing to consider is the personal nature of writing. It also requires a modicum of skill and effort. A well penned post about EVE Online or the iniquities of pre-order culture can take a surprising amount of time to draft and publish. Maintaining a regular writing schedule requires discipline. Coming up with engaging content needs thought and creativity. Constantly writing takes its toll on the author eventually. For some, it’s too much of a “big ask” to begin with. Hence, you’ll find many people relegate their writing aspirations to forum comments. It easier to be reactive than proactive. It’s a shame. I see some really good ideas among the comments of a site such as Massively OP. Material that would make a good blog post in its own right.
Aaaron from Don't Fight Ducks. An enjoyable LOTRO streamer.
Although I do feel that You Tube and Twitch do provide a useful service and have a role to play within the gaming community, they are still primarily entertainment mediums. Live streams are often about the social interaction between the streamer and their audience. It’s a more ephemeral experience to writing. You Tube let’s play videos are a double edge sword. The pace of the video dictates the dissemination of information. Often, I can read an explanation of a game’s mechanics far faster than the ten-minute video that shows me. Plus, not everyone is a good or engaging narrator. Improving your writing skills is possibly easier than fixing your video presentation skills. However, that is not to say that there isn’t an audio/visual equivalent of long-form writing, because there is. It’s just hard to find among the internet white noise. Overall, the democratisation of online broadcast mediums has fragmented the potential audience. Couple that with the current mindset and each niche seems to stay on its own turf.
I decided in the New Year to return to writing daily and one of my motivations was to try and encourage others. I endeavour to leave comments on blogs and retweet other people’s work. I’ve also persevered with streamers and You Tubers and I’ve found several that meet my expectations. Upon mature reflection, I don’t feel that the community that I enjoy so much, is totally in decline. It’s more of a case of natural ebb and flow. However, I still think that the blogging scene needs a shot in the arm. If the veterans can’t continue to carry the torch, then maybe it’s time to pass it on to others? Which raises the issue of events such as the Newbie Blogger Initiative. People have asked me whether they’ll be another this year. The answer is it’s depends on whether someone wants to run it, because it really is an event that needs a core group or an individual to drive it forward.
I have a lot of demands on my time. I’m a carer with two disabled parents. I write as much as I can and do not have the time to be in the driving seat of a community event such as the NBI. However, I am happy to strike the following bargain. If someone wants to seriously run the NBI this year in an organised fashion and with clear goals, I’ll resurrect the Gaming Blog Nexus. This was a website that indexed gaming blogs, aggregating content and driving traffic back to the source sites. In 2014 it had over one hundred contributors and was an invaluable means of finding new writers. It was and can be again a good community resource. So, it now remains to see whether anyone wishes to seize the day and get the ball rolling. Is there any interest in an NBI 2017? Would people welcome a return of the Gaming Blog Nexus? Or am I spitting in to the wind?
Mordor or Bust: A Retrospective
My friend and regular podcast co-host, Brian, celebrates a significant birthday today. So first off let me wish him many happy returns of the day. Now while the Burton & Scrooge podcast is on hiatus, Brian has been pursuing his own side project; namely the Scrooge Uncut podcast. The latest episode is a retrospective look at Brian’s former LOTRO fansite and show, Mordor or Bust. The both these creative endeavours were a significant part of the LOTRO community, back in the halcyon days of the MMO. Brian had the unique experience of predicting LOTROs transition to F2P, days before Turbine’s announcement. He also caused a minor furore when he posted screenshots of every item in the LOTRO store while the beta test was going on.
My friend and regular podcast co-host, Brian, celebrates a significant birthday today. So first off let me wish him many happy returns of the day. Now while the Burton & Scrooge podcast is on hiatus, Brian has been pursuing his own side project; namely the Scrooge Uncut podcast. The latest episode is a retrospective look at Brian’s former LOTRO fansite and show, Mordor or Bust. The both these creative endeavours were a significant part of the LOTRO community, back in the halcyon days of the MMO. Brian had the unique experience of predicting LOTROs transition to F2P, days before Turbine’s announcement. He also caused a minor furore when he posted screenshots of every item in the LOTRO store while the beta test was going on.
This particular episode of Scrooge Uncut is a very personal recording. as Brian catalogues jumping in to the deep end of content creation without any prior experience. It is also a greats snapshot of what a fan community is like during a games heyday. What is so striking is the fact that Brian got so much traction with the game developers Turbine, over such a short period of time. The story of Mordor or Bust is a short one because the website and podcast endured for less than a year. Listening to Brian recount various anecdotes brings a lot of memories back for me as well. LOTRO has always had a very passionate community. Something that is lacking with other games over recent years. So much of the fan created content that use to fill blogs and podcasts, is now mainly corralled within official forums and sub-reddits.
On a personal note, I got in to podcasting due to Brian and his show, back in the summer of 2010. At the time, Turbine handled the North American release of LOTRO, while Codemasters dealt with the European market. I contacted Brian and offered to provide LOTRO news from across the pond and subsequently created short news segments that were used on the Mordor of Bust podcast. Because we got on so well, I soon joined both Brian and Fyurae, as a permanent presenter on the show. It was a lot of fun at the time, to be part of a very active community. Furthermore, 2010 was a very interesting year for LOTRO. So, enjoy Brian’s trip down memory lane. I think the show will resonate with a lot of listeners, especially those who were involved with the scene, circa 2010.
A Year in Multimedia
In the past, I’ve often written a summary of my experiences with gaming, movies and TV at the end of each year. Similarly, I usually reflect upon my activities in podcasting and blogging as well. However, 2016 has been unique in many respects. Political and social tides have changed in the West and there is much to reflect upon in the real world. Certainly, my appetite for creating content has taken a knock and I have at times stopped and wondered if it really is all worth the bother. But after such moments of introspection I still see the benefits of the written word or bellowing in to a microphone, so here we are once again. The only difference this time is rather than multiple posts, I can pretty much distil my thought on 2016 in one simple account.
In the past, I’ve often written a summary of my experiences with gaming, movies and TV at the end of each year. Similarly, I usually reflect upon my activities in podcasting and blogging as well. However, 2016 has been unique in many respects. Political and social tides have changed in the West and there is much to reflect upon in the real world. Certainly, my appetite for creating content has taken a knock and I have at times stopped and wondered if it really is all worth the bother. But after such moments of introspection I still see the benefits of the written word or bellowing in to a microphone, so here we are once again. The only difference this time is rather than multiple posts, I can pretty much distil my thought on 2016 in one simple account.
Gaming:
To things have had a major impact upon my gaming this year. A lack of time and too few new titles that aroused my interest. I started the year playing through Hearts of Stone, the first DLC for The Witcher III: Wild Hunt and continued with the second expansion, Blood and Wine when it was released in May. I waxed lyrical about the quality of this RPG last year and will continue to do so this time. The last DLC not only added yet another superbly crafted narrative but refined the game mechanics and system even further. I think it will be a long time before I find another game from this genre that offers anywhere near a comparable experience.
MMO wise I have continued to regularly log into Star Trek Online during 2016 as it has frequently had new content to explore. This year being the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek, the new expansion, Agents of Yesterday, offered an appropriate homage to the original series. The new lighting system has improved the overall aesthetic of the game and it’s clear that developers Cryptic have plenty more in store for the MMO. It’s recent port to consoles clearly indicates that the game is in a healthy state.
LOTRO has had a curious year. I took a six-month break from the game due to the repetitive and formulaic nature of the new content. Yet the Battle of Pelennor Fields brought me back, being surprisingly well realised given the restrictions of the ageing game engine. Update 19 released in October took the game one step closer to Mordor. As ever the epic central story continues to be written to a high standard and certainly compensates for other more pedestrian regional quests. Recent news that ex Turbine staff have formed a new independent company and taken over the development of the game does seem to have renewed interest in the MMO. I remain cautiously optimistic for LOTRO’s future.
It would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention Overwatch. I played the open beta out of idle curiosity and was greatly surprised by how accessible the game is. It has now become my game of choice whenever I want a quick fix of entertainment. I’m still amazed at how equitable this team based, first person shooter is and how anyone can find a role to play, regardless of the style or abilities. It continues to add content and new characters ensuring longevity. Something that Pokémon Go has failed to do. This was another title that I was drawn to out of nostalgia and curiosity but it quickly became apparent that it was unsustainable.
TV and Movies:
I only went to my local multiplex to see movies upon their release, six time this year, which is unusual for me. This is mainly due to there being precious little of interest for me these days. Cinemas seem choked with Blockbusters and Super Hero movies. A lot of the more niche market, independent films have limited releases and tend to be available on-demand very quickly. Those movies I did see were suitably entertaining. Deadpool provided audiences with exactly what they expected and proved that the R rating could still be economically viable. Star Trek Beyond finally saw the new stories set in the Kelvin Timeline hit their stride. It offered a good character driven story that finally tapped in to the soul of the original series. Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them also proved to be a crowd pleaser with excellent production values and a decent storyline. I have high hopes for this off shoot of the Wizarding World franchise. Rogue One certainly met with my approval and filled a suitable gap in the Star Wars lore. I almost got as much fun out of the fan driven debates about the story as the film itself.
TV once again proved to be the home of more cerebral and densely plotted drama. Stranger Things was a wonderful homage to eighties genre cinema and popular culture. Finally embracing both Amazon Prime and Netflix certainly afforded our household with more choice and provided a respite from the scourge of advertising which just seems to become increasingly preposterous and crass. The Man in the High Castle provided a suitable bookend to the start and end of the year and continues to be both intriguing and entertaining. It has also been beneficial to have access to all previous series of Star Trek and work my way through those shows I’m less familiar with.
Network TV on both sides of the Atlantic has been entertaining. There are still far too many shows to keep up with and I’m constantly amazed at how many shows bite the dust after one lacklustre season. Elementary still maintains a high standard of writing and the central characters of Holmes and Watson still have engaging story arcs. The final season of Person of Interest was both succinct and fitting, providing a bitter sweet, yet plausible ending for the show. Blindpsot somehow made it to a second season and completely reinvented itself to try and escape the narrative knot it had go itself in to. Back in the UK, Endeavour once again proved to be both superbly acted and well written. It’s sedate pace and introspective themes continue to be captivating.
As a grandparent, I also watch a great deal of children’s television, especially those aimed at the pre-school demographic. Therefore, I would like to praise CBeebies for their continued quality programming and point out that Hey Duggee is a sublime show. If you are thirtysomething, then you’ll love the pop culture references that litter every episode. Plus, in the last few days, I also been caught up in the hype surrounding Guillermo del Toro’s Trollhunters. Let it suffice to say that it is charming and entertaining. It’s curious how some creative talents can handle sentimentality without tipping in to emotional overkill.
Blogging and Podcasting:
I stopped writing daily in 2016. I simply ran out of steam after five years and then real world changes meant that such a schedule was off the table for the immediate future. However, I managed to contribute to this year’s NBI and Blaugust, so I guess content creation wasn’t a complete write off (no pun intended). The Burton & Scrooge Podcast became The Burton & Scrooge Uncut Podcast and followed a somewhat erratic release pattern. I enjoy recording with my co-host Brian but I’m thinking we need to either seriously rethink the show format for 2017 or take a break for a while. I’m determined to get my movie related show in to production next year and I also need to return to writing my book, which ground to a halt this summer.
It would appear that real life and all that it contains caught up with many of my blogging and podcasting colleagues this year. Thus, there was reduced output from certain quarters and some went so far as to take a break. It’s sad but totally understandable. Yet it was not all doom and gloom. Syp over at Bio Break continues to write and podcast with great enthusiasm. The year also saw the launch of the Geek to Geek Podcast with Void and Beej. Their dedication and focus has been a source of inspiration and the show itself is thoroughly entertaining. It also reacquainted me with the concept that you can agree to disagree, cordially. Pam over at Cannot be Tamed also produced lots of quality content via blog post, podcast and You Tube. Joseph (formerly known as the MMO troll) kept creating his own unique brand of content with the Pthppt! podcast. It always raises a wry smile and I’ll happily listen to topics that I usually wouldn’t consider exploring.
Valedictory Remarks:
For me the overwhelming impression that 2016 leaves is ones of change. This has been reflected in politics, world events, within the entertainment industry per se and even my personal life. Yet change is an inherent part of life and cannot be avoided. Therefore, I intend to start 2017 with a positive outlook and rather than focus on what I can’t do, explore what can be achieved with the time and resources that I have. I’m also sure there will still be good content available in all mediums. It may simply be a case of having to broaden one’s search. I recently discovered to my surprise that there’s a fourth instalment of Sniper Elite arriving in spring and I’m still greatly looking forward to Star Trek Discovery. I shall also continue to blog and podcast in my own peculiar way. Perhaps I may even encourage others to do so. After all, you’ve got to have a project.
Newbie Blogger Initiative 2016 - The Realities of Blogging
As this year's Newbie Blogger Initiative draws to a close, I would like to take time to reflect on some aspects of blogging that don't always get talked about. I guess that's because some of them can be perceived as negative things, although that may not necessarily be the case. The NBI is all about encouragement, promotion and advice; however it would be remiss of us all if we simply ignored some facts because they weren't "upbeat" enough. So let's grasp the nettle and talk about some of the practical realities of blogging, in the spirit of "forewarned is forearmed".
As this year's Newbie Blogger Initiative draws to a close, I would like to take time to reflect on some aspects of blogging that don't always get talked about. I guess that's because some of them can be perceived as negative things, although that may not necessarily be the case. The NBI is all about encouragement, promotion and advice; however it would be remiss of us all if we simply ignored some facts because they weren't "upbeat" enough. So let's grasp the nettle and talk about some of the practical realities of blogging, in the spirit of "forewarned is forearmed".
Many new Blogs will fail:
After five years of being involved with the NBI, it's hard to ignore the fact that many of new blogs despite being born out of the enthusiasm surrounding the event, will fail and peter out. Writing regularly is hard, takes times and self-discipline. It also has to compete against the practical day to day realities of life such a holding down a job, family life and other social obligations. There will be occasions when a new blogger simply runs out of stamina or time, resulting in a blog that slowly falls into decline and is then sidelined. There is no shame in this. Not everyone who starts a blog can sustain it. The positive side of this situation is that a blog can always be resurrected at a later date or a new one created when the circumstances are better suited. If you only blog about a single topic then it’s only natural that as your passion waxes and wanes, so does your blogging on the subject. A natural rate of attrition is a healthy thing and in my experience; the blogs that survive will do so through their author’s hard work and dedication.
Opportunity knocks?
Blogging is not a fast path to wealth and fame:
I've raised this point in previous NBI posts but it does no harm to reiterate it once again. Despite what many people say to the contrary, it is still quite a common "dream" that blogging, podcasting or becoming some sort of internet personality will lead to fame and fortune. For a few fortunate individuals it does so, however that is usually due to a lot of hard work on their behalf, along with being in the right place at the right time. For the rest of us lesser mortals, creating content is simply a time sink that costs money. I can testify to the fact that as a website grows, the operating costs do so as well.
Since 2011 when I consolidated all my various blogs into Contains Moderate Peril, I think I've spent somewhere in the region of £1,750 on various hosting packages, Word Press templates, design work as well as podcast recording hardware and software. That's a sizeable amount of money for a hobby and doesn't include the competition and giveway budget. Furthermore, although I've enjoyed myself immensely over the years creating content, Contains Moderate Peril has not put a red cent back in my pocket. As for "fame" well I now annoy a few thousands of people on Twitter instead or a few hundred. So if you're looking for a quick buck, then try the race track or writing a self-help book.
The ability to speak does not make you intelligent
Blogging does not make you an expert:
Regularly writing about the things you love does not by default make you an expert on the subject. Blogging can sometimes be a bit of an echo chamber and if too many people tend to agree with you and a small circle of readers always post positive comments, it can somewhat jade your outlook. Therefore always endeavour to research what you write and make sure you quote your data sources. Try to think critically and don't fall into the usual literary and rhetorical traps. If in doubt when writing about a tricky subject or controversial point, sleep on the matter before hitting the publish button. Too many gamers confuse knowledge with wisdom and the two are most definitely not the same.
Also simply having strong convictions does not make your point right. Playing a game does not give you a unique insight that the developers do not have. The internet is sadly awash with armchair experts and bloggers who are legends in their own lunch hour. More often than not they have no practical experience of games development, business management or corporate finance. Therefore a little bit of humility in blogging goes a long way. Recognise that your personal opinion may not be any more informed than others.
Fortune and glory
In some respects the blogging community is still a meritocracy at heart and genuine talent does mainly rise to the top. However not every blog needs to be a literary masterpiece so there’s more than enough room for niche sites and every day writing styles. Simply sharing your enjoyment with others can be enough to find an audience. As long as you're having fun blogging then that's all that really matters. These are ultimately the realities of blogging and for many writers that is enough. So don't get diverted by pipe dreams of fortune and glory; just write for pleasure and enjoy communicating with others.
Newbie Blogger Initiative 2016 - The Importance of Taking a Break
The Newbie Blogger Initiative has a wealth of good advice encouraging people to blog and maintain regular content. However I felt that there was one aspect of writing that wasn't being addressed; specifically the importance of taking a break when it becomes necessary. Writing for all its virtues can be hard to sustain. Real life demands often conflict with our desire to maintain a regular writing schedule. This causes pressure and even anxiety, which if left unchecked can lead to many writers abandoning their blogs.
The Newbie Blogger Initiative has a wealth of good advice encouraging people to blog and maintain regular content. However I felt that there was one aspect of writing that wasn't being addressed; specifically the importance of taking a break when it becomes necessary. Writing for all its virtues can be hard to sustain. Real life demands often conflict with our desire to maintain a regular writing schedule. This causes pressure and even anxiety, which if left unchecked can lead to many writers abandoning their blogs.
Although bloggers all share a love of communicating, our motivations are often quite diverse. Some of us write to highlight moral and social issues, others write to build friendships and social networks. Blogging can also be very therapeutic if you are convalescing or going through a difficult period in your life. The focus and discipline of writing can offer a calming and stabilising influence during times of transition. Then of course there are those who aspire to write professionally and look upon their online endeavours as their portfolio. I should also mention those who like to write and share for the sheer pleasure it brings them.
However there are times when life and circumstances take priority over writing, podcasting and live streaming. We all have jobs, families and other factors to consider. All these things have an impact upon our creativity. Also burnout is not just confined to gaming. It can manifest itself in most hobbies and pastimes. Although writing regular material is often very gratifying, it can also be quite demanding and stressful as well. Live steams and podcast especially so, as they often have an extra level of technical requirements that can be complex and time consuming.
So it is perfectly logical that all writers at some point consider the need to take a break and to put the virtual pen and paper down. As with any task, you can only apply yourself to it for so long before you reach a point of fatigue and cannot see the woods for the trees. You may as a result find yourself being a little less even handed in your writing or simply not producing content to the standard you usually maintain. In some instances you may even start to resent the very thing you enjoy doing, as it turns from being fun into a tedious chore. Yet despite all this, many of us will resist taking time out and elect to "soldier on".
As to why do we do this, there is no single answer. Perhaps the most common reason is bound up in some sense of responsibility to our readership. That may sound a little egotistical but let's face it, if you're writing a blog and sharing online, you have already shown a modicum of vanity. But a sense of commitment can be a good thing. I do feel bound to do my best especially with regard to the podcast and like to keep to a fairly regular schedule, so listeners no where they stand. Another reason why we may be a little reticent to take a break is that maybe we fear we'll lose our audience. Blog and podfading are real things and many new sites peter out after a while. Perhaps the most common concern for bloggers is that if we stop, we simply won’t start again.
However in my experience, a lot of these fears and concerns are unfounded. Although readers can be fickle many can be quite loyal. They will wait for new content. It’s not a crime to simply hang up your blogging spurs, temporarily, and hit the beach (other leisure activities are available). In fact not doing so may be bad for your health. Then there are the other reasons that may not be fun but have to be addressed. If some ones sick or you have a personal situation to deal with it, then it naturally takes priority. Readers appreciate this. So my advice to all bloggers both old and new is to take a vacation when necessary. It usually works wonders and you will return refreshed and champing at the bit.
Newbie Blogger Initiative 2016 - The Importance of Blogging
It's a curious thing that in real life, I've always tried to position myself outside of hierarchies and pecking orders. I went into IT during the middle nineties as a way of bypassing office politics and the usual bullshit associated with the work and "climbing the greasy pole". At that time working with technology was still swathed in a mystique and was to a degree outside of established preconceptions. These days I tend to avoid affiliations with monolithic entities and broadly avoid the tribalism that is rife in contemporary western culture. Don't get me wrong, I'm saying I’m some sort of unique free thinker or radical lone wolf. I just tend to run parallel to the pack rather than directly with it. This approach suits me best.
It's a curious thing that in real life, I've always tried to position myself outside of hierarchies and pecking orders. I went into IT during the middle nineties as a way of bypassing office politics and the usual bullshit associated with the work and "climbing the greasy pole". At that time working with technology was still swathed in a mystique and was to a degree outside of established preconceptions. These days I tend to avoid affiliations with monolithic entities and broadly avoid the tribalism that is rife in contemporary western culture. Don't get me wrong, I'm saying I’m some sort of unique free thinker or radical lone wolf. I just tend to run parallel to the pack rather than directly with it. This approach suits me best.
Yet despite my aspirations to remain independent, I still find myself part of a wider gaming community. My ongoing association with the Newbie Blogger Initiative seems to validate this, regardless to my protestations to the contrary. Despite my cynical, non-team playing, I'll do it my way attitude, I do feel strongly, dare I say passionately about blogging and the like. We live in extraordinary times where we have free access to cutting edge communication tools. I was raised during the seventies and if you wanted to write and share any sort of material, these facilities where gated behind specific professional careers paths. Expressing your thoughts and finding an audience is far easier by comparison these days.
Publishing a blog post can now be done quickly and easily, at any time or place. Potentially the world is your Oyster. Furthermore, despite attempted interference by governments and big business, these tools still remain publicly available and have proven instrumental in facilitating change. Okay, let's have a reality check at this point. As a games and movie blogger I am not claiming the ability to alter the course of human history. However I can communicate and engage with likeminded fans from all over the world. I can share information as well as learn from others. I can make new friends and gain a greater understanding of the things that I love. All of this can be done from the comfort of my executive chair. This is possibly one of the greatest examples of human altruism that I can think of. It is also demonstrates a degree of political power. Don't be surprised if certain parties and institutions try to take it away from us in the years to come.
Moving away from such lofty concepts, I think it is fair to say that it is a human imperative to share and exchange ideas. I think this is why so many of us are drawn toward writing and feel compelled to express ourselves. It's why I write and why I seek out others who do so. I like to know what people are thinking and feeling, especially about the things that I like. It doesn't matter if their views are different from mine, I still find their perspective of interest. So this is why someone as jaded and sceptical as myself still sees great virtue and merit in blogging per se.
I think it's important that people take advantage of the democratisation of communication. I think that a lot of the traditional mediums for providing information have lost their way of late, or have simply become too commercial. The public is definitely a lot more cynical about them these days. Gamers for example are more likely to trust and respect the opinions of their peers, rather than those who work in the gaming press. Sure there's a lot of white noise out there and not every fan site is of outstanding merit but do they all need to be? There is an honesty to most fan generated endeavours. Although they sometimes do have an axe to grind it is seldom driven by money.
So you've probably guessed by now that I do consider blogging, podcasting, live streaming to be important. I think that the communities that arise around such practises are of value. They do far more good than ill. Furthermore, there is another aspect that is of equal importance to some of the loftier notions I have mentioned. Getting involved and being part of something outside of your own life can be fun. Be it leaving a comment on a well written post, uploading a video of a successful raid, or just enjoying a joke about a shared experience; these thing bring us pleasure. This is the proverbial glue that binds us together and keeps us from setting about each other with Mattocks. It's what makes us human and helps keeps us sane. Well most of us. So why pass up an opportunity to make a social activity such a gaming, even more social?
Newbie Blogger Initiative 2016 - Fine Tuning Your Blog
There has been a great deal of good, common sense advice shared over the last three weeks of this year’s Newbie Blogger Initiative. What I would like to do in this post is loosely group a few points together under the catch all term of "fine tuning". These are things that you may wish to consider after you've been blogging a while and feel that you are building up a head of steam.
There has been a great deal of good, common sense advice shared over the last three weeks of this year’s Newbie Blogger Initiative. What I would like to do in this post is loosely group a few points together under the catch all term of "fine tuning". These are things that you may wish to consider after you've been blogging a while and feel that you are building up a head of steam.
Advertising:
Okay, let's get this particular Elephant in the room, dealt with. I have no problem with the concept of someone trying to make a few bucks out of their website or blog. If you have bought a domain name and have paid a year’s hosting fees, I can see sense in trying to get some money towards those ongoing costs. Advertising can help with this.
However there is no guarantee that your entire readership will feel that way. Most people accept a degree of advertising as long as it is not overwhelming. Some people hate it and really do get upset by it. You need to consider the impact that carrying advertisement will have on your site. Bloggers build up a readership partly due to their reputation. Some folk see advertising as selling out, or associate it with low rent sites.
So if you do decide to advertise, then think long and hard about its effect on your reputation. Also consider how much it impacts upon your articles, so make informed choices about placement and the types of ads. Contextual advertising will randomly generate content based on keywords in your post. You may not be able to control this. I once wrote a piece about stereotyping girl gamers and the objectification of women in games, only to find that the corresponding ad was for "Mature Dating Online". Hilarity did not ensue in this instance.
Finally with regard to adverting, please re-adjust your expectations when it comes to how much money you will make. 99% of these get rich quick articles you'll find online are bullshit. Most ads run on a CPM model and you need a crap ton of traffic to get a return. Also remember that ad blocker software is increasingly common place these days. You can still generate revenue but advertising is not the cash cow that it was a decade ago.
Donations and sponsorship:
If you have a big site that incurs a substantial operating cost, then you may wish to ask for donations from your readership. This quid pro quo approach really only works if you have a big audience. Again I see nothing wrong with this, if it is done correctly. By correctly I mean the money raised is genuinely used towards running your site. As with advertising, some people won't mind where others will consider it begging. Tread carefully
The moment you take money from people two things happen. Firstly, you immediately have a responsibility be totally transparent about your accounts. You have to credit all donations and show all expenditure to the last penny. Secondly, those who have contributed may feel that they now have a greater stake in your blog. Be aware of this. A reader who doesn’t like something you've done or said may now feel they have some sort of say with regard to your content creation. However services such as Patreon are very useful for raising fund and allowing you to be very clear with regard to where funding will be spent.
The truth about "be yourself":
I think nearly every veteran blogger who’s participated in previous NBIs has said that it’s important to be yourself. I whole heartedly endorse that sentiment. Yet this position does come with some potential pitfalls. With regard to gaming, your readership will get to know your likes and dislikes over a period of time. You may follow common consensus or have unorthodox views. Either way, this can be part of your appeal. However although your readers may enjoy your stance on gaming issues, it doesn’t mean they will reciprocate your views on other subjects. So stay clear of such troublesome areas such as politics, religion and wider social issues unless you have to.
Now this is a lot harder than you may think. Your personal views are the very things that contribute to you as a person. I have written previous posts about sexual stereotypes in games and also same gender romance arcs. These posts, although not overtly political, betray some indication of my views on certain things. As a result I have been accused of being a "purveyor of filth" from some quarters along with other hyperbolic epithets. Gaming may well bring readers to your blog, but anything else may push them away.
The internet provides you with a truly international readership. Its immediacy and the use of common languages such as English can make us feel like we are all each other’s neighbours. But cultural differences can and inevitably become apparent. So be yourself by all means but never assume that the audience from your gaming blog is willing to follow you anywhere else. Oh and never admit to being a brony.