Welcome to the Bitmobber Twitterview!
A Twitterview is an interview done over Twitter. Each Twitterview will consist of me asking questions of one of the Members of the Bitmob Community.
This Twitterview is with Jazz English. It was Ultan O'Connell and Jazz who gave me the idea for doing Twitterviews. So blame them. Jazz is so busy that it has taken me three weeks just to get a hold of him!
Jazz is one of the youngest Bitmobbers, but that only means he has more energy and is better looking than the rest of us. He was all over PAX this year, and appeared on the coinciding Co-op Show. If Game Journalism has a next generation, Jazz seems to be at the forefront.
So without further adieu, here is a Twitterview with Jazz:
Tell us about yourself?
Well, I’m a sophomore in High School and am a very huge nerd. I aspire to become a games journalist and I also enjoy tea.
What is your earliest gaming memory?
My older sisters forcing me and my brother to watch them play Resident Evil when I was like 5. I blame them for my fear and obsession of zombies.
What got you interested in game Journalism?
I've always been told I’m a good writer, and I love writing. I also love videogames, and telling people what I think. Trying for game journalism just seems like the logical thing.
Who are some journalists you like, or who has a style you admire?
When I became interested in games more I listened to an episode of 1upFM. Anthony (Gallegos) was on that episode and I felt I could relate to him. We're both vegetarians, and he is by far the nerdiest of the game journalist in my opinion. I don’t like all the same games, but I do enjoy his voice.
How did you first hear about Bitmob?
Like a lot of people, I freaked out when 1up 'changed' and started following all the writers looking for the things they would do next.
How does being in High School affect your ability to play games and write about them?
Well, it improves things because most of the time I'm in a scholar state of mind, which makes writing easier, however finding time to play games is a bitch. I’m limited to portable games on the bus most of the time. I fear writing will be rare during school.
What portable games are you playing nowadays?
Lately I’ve been playing Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, and I’ve dabbled in Scribblenauts. I’ve been looking to play more PSP though.
Your posts are always very unique from each other, but many possess a story or running theme, are you a storyteller?
I would defiantly say so. In school I await English class with excitement every day for the chance to share a story. I once wrote one that was so gory and descriptive that half the class had to leave the room, and one girl threw up. I say that with pride. I have also started writing a novel, although it doesn't seem to be going any where right now, so I put it on hold.
My favorite post you did was A Guide to Choosing Your Type of Game, what post have you been most proud of?
To be honest, I don't think I do have a favorite. I do that thing that artist always do, where you think all your work is crap.
I have some questions from other Bitmobbers. What is your opinion of Ostrich Riding?
Sounds fairly awesome, but I usually find the riding of animals to be cruel. If we had no other method of transportation I’d be down with it
Toby wants to know: if you could make an ostrich video game what kind would it be?
Either a first-person adventure game, or a 2D fighter that pits different breeds of ostriches against each other.
Alex asks: do you think Chocobo racing was created just because the Square guys were obsessed with ostrich racing?
I always thought that one developer was fighting for a racing mode and one was fighting for furry content. Chocobo racing was the middle ground.
Alex asks: do you feel like you should educate yourself on the old school games being such a young gamer looking to get into the industry? Do you need to have knowledge of those games in order to write about them?
I actually don’t think I do need to play those games to write about new games. As games grow more and more people are becoming gamers not all of these people will play the old stuff. If I play every classic game then I will immediately limit the audience that can read my work. I still play the classic games I find fun and interesting, but I don’t go out of my way to play a classic that the average consumer wouldn't naturally already have played.
What are some games of this generation that you would consider required playing for a hardcore gamer?
Killzone 2, Left 4 Dead...cant really think of any others. I play lots of games but those are about the only ones I keep going back to that are hardcore-like.
At PAX this year you were everywhere! For a guy wanting to go into game journalism you definitely know how to get your name out! How do you feel about your PAX experience, looking back on it now?
I kind of regret how I spent my time. I met a lot of people and went to a lot of panels, but I would of liked to have played more games. Also, I am so happy I got in a lot of podcasts, and mentioned by some professionals after PAX in some podcasts. To me, that was just f'ing amazing.
What do you think is more important to a game journalism career? Exposure like you got at PAX or writing skills?
Actually, the most important thing is having a cool name, if you don’t, I recommend you change it to Jace Punch-Face!
Has family or friends comment on your appearances in the PAX Podcasts and Co-op?
Not really, most of my family frowns upon my hopes in game journalism, and very few of my friends at school show must interest at all.
As one of the younger writers on Bitmob, how do you like the site?
I love it! Without Bitmob I doubt any of my stuff would get read. Probably because I don't really understand how to actually market myself as a freelance writer to sites for payment.
(Hint Hint: Shoe write about how I should go about this, please)
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Most likely I will be living in a cheap apartment in Seattle and working a part-time job while I still try to get my foot in the door.
Do you have any final thoughts or comments?
Um, I would like to pimp my news writings at nomoregameblogs.com. Also, I will be going to a Uncharted 2 event soon so look forward to some UC2 related writings from me soon.
Thanks for the Twitterview, Lance.
THANK YOU JAZZ!!!
Selected Blography:
Comments (16)
As for the ostrich/chocobo connection, I think a Square employee must have an ostrich farm. Perhaps when he was breeding chocobos he received a rare yellow one, which then became the inspiration for the chocobo.
Best damn 18 hours of me life!
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/
