What’s so great about working for Video Games Daily? Find out here

It’s been a bit quiet here recently, and that’s mainly because Edwin, our editor for the last two years, just started a new job at Official Xbox Magazine. We wish him the very best working with our friends at Future Publishing, and I can’t even begin to summarise the value of his contribution with us in this article.

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual at VGD – or at least it will be as soon as we get some fresh blood! We’re looking for talented young writers to add unique gaming opinion and develop the passionate coverage that’s kept VGD a prominent gaming site for more than eight years.

Breaking into full time games journalism might not be a cakewalk, but look: we also know there’s a million and one game sites out there, and eager bloggers who want to be seen have a lot of choice. So, I actually think we need to “sell” this a little bit…

Cunningly, we went back to Edwin and other previous staff to get their views on working with VGD and its key staff (me) and what it did for their careers, to outright “prove” why things tend to work out pretty well for our staff. Here’s what they said!

Edwin Evans-Thirlwell, Online Editor, OXM UK
Worked for Video Games Daily as Editor from 2009-2011

“My earliest memory of Adam is of a guy loudly inquiring of a PR rep whether, in the absence of a promised scoop, he should ‘go fuck a sheep’. This will tell you one thing about the man, other than that he’s never at a loss for a choice word: he believes in cutting the crap. To give a related example, my interview for the position of Kikizo editor consisted of being handed a bag of unreleased games, a list of embargo dates and a pint of Becks.

You’ll want to work with Adam for a few reasons. Firstly, his industry access - name a member of the games biz, and there’s a good chance Adam’s on speaking and/or drinking terms with them. He was first to the punch with a PlayStation 3 hands-on and has sat down with everyone from Satoru Iwata to Kaz Hirai. And after working with Kikizo for two years, I’d chewed the fat with luminaries as diverse as Chet Faliszek, Ray Muzyka, Suda51 and (bizarrely) Alesha Dixon.

Secondly, his unusual combination of publishing experience; Adam has continued to refine his offering to suit different market scenarios. What this will mean for you is a boss who’s always supporting you in new situations as a writer, allowing you to build up skills and experience across a range of publications, on and offline.

Most importantly of all, he will generally insist on paying for your drink. Rare qualities in an employer, I’m sure you’ll agree.”

Andy Robinson, Deputy Editor, CVG
Worked for Kikizo from 2003-2005 as Staff Writer

“I can definitively state I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it weren’t for my fantastic time and vital experience gained working with Kikizo. Adam’s years of experience running a games media company offers budding online games journalists actual work experience and contact building that’s near-impossible through schooling alone.

Thanks to Adam’s mentorship and my time writing for Kikizo and learning the trade at E3 and other industry events, at a young age I managed to quickly build a name for myself and secure a position at Future Publishing.

It’s testament to the effectiveness of actual work experience in the games industry and its value to employers that so many of Adam’s writers have gone on to full time work in the games industry, media and otherwise.”

Ian Dransfield, PLAY Magazine
Worked for Kikizo from 2005-2009 as Reviewer

“Working with Adam, albeit from a distance, was certainly a good experience for me. He’s a friendly, personable editor, as up front and straightforward as he is helpful. Kikizo is a fine place for anybody to hone their writing skills – you’re never stifled, never asked to write in a particular ‘voice’ and always allowed to be yourself in everything you do. It’s a great place to encourage creativity, of that there’s no doubt.

Kikizo made up part of the early steps of my career in games journalism and was a huge help to getting my foot in the door – something that’s legendarily difficult in this industry. Without the experience and without the help of Adam I doubt I would have been able to get my professional career off the ground, at least not as quickly as I did.”

So, there you have it.

If you’re serious about getting into games media or want to take a few steps up that ladder, Video Games Daily is proven to be one of the best places any aspiring games journo can showcase their work.

This time we’re open to applications from bloggers everywhere. London-based staff will benefit in certain aspects of coverage (this is where all the UK events happen and where all the games get sent to us), however the site has always maintained an international spirit, and we want to continue that with enthusiastic, talented blog contributors who have something interesting to say, no matter where they’re based!

We’re looking for a range of applicants right now – there are no particular roles we’re defining up front, to be honest. We’re just going to see what fits.

Impress us: Email us at jobopps [at] kikizo [dot] com and explain why you’d be great for VGD, along with relevant work examples (doesn’t have to be published, but does need to either be awesome or show potential!) and a CV/resume (doesn’t matter if it’s basic).

Whether you’re the games reviewer the internet doesn’t even know it needs yet, an opinionated industry analyst in the making, or fancy taking on a broad challenge on the site, get in touch! Who knows where it might take you…