It's been so interesting to read this as well as comments from other writers who I hold in high regard, for a relatively new writer like me.
When I started TGE I was vehemently against monetization because I considered that I didn't offer anything that people should be paying for, while other Substacks like Infinite Lives were better polished, more professional and, in a way, "more valuable" than TGE.
Reading your thoughts makes me reconsider, and as I have recently activated the paid subs to avoid a technical hurdle in the future, it makes me think about what can we offer in Substack to make a paid subscription feel worth it, so that subs are there for content and not just to support the writer?
I'm crossing my fingers that you figure out the solution!
Harrison, never forget your contribution to the games community as a whole. Who would have thought that a professional, jet-setting journalist such as yourself would still be actively communicating with lowly nobodies like me?
One of the differences about you and your work that keeps me engaged is that you write about what you want because you are passionate about it, and it shows. I have long since dropped most games news outlets simply because it is churned out nonsense that could be summarised in a paragraph; content filler to waste space and grab attention. Your articles are clearly deeply researched, well thought out, and interesting, focused on the topic at hand. Even without attaching money to it, everything you produce provides value.
The only difference between you and me is that this is my hobby and this is your job, yet you manage to bridge that gap so well. I stay out of monetisation discussions because that isn't my goal personally; you do you and I'm sure you'll figure something out. I'm glad that Infinite Lives will live up to its name and continue onward.
Thanks Peter, and I hope there's sarcasm there. As you write some fantastic stuff -- and we are both just people bashing away on the web.
But, thanks for saying that. I do it because I love it, I make most (if not all of) my money from tech PR.
There may be a world down the line where I try to make it more than a side-hustle. But for now, all the funds I raise from it go towards supporting others in the sector. And that's good enough for me!
Thank you for all the work you’ve done. Especially in making sure you pay guest writers decently. This sounds like an experiment in the making and I’m confident you’ll figure it out.
If there's a way I can work it out for you too... That would really be a win-win. You do so much work, for free, for the community. I am quietly mulling how to make it work too... I can't help myself. I'm a media-model nerd.
But for now, I just need to enjoy my travels, keep filing, and who knows who I'll meet at GamesCom and other events later this year?
Don’t worry about me. I’ve got some small ideas on how to potentially gain a bit of cash for my efforts but that was never the point nor shall it ever be. I have a decently enough paying job to be able to do this in my free time.
Worry, never! It's just in my nature to want to help if I can. And sometimes my brain just comes up with things. But look forward to seeing what you have cooking! If you ever need help, just shout.
I'm happy to see that writing here has enriched someone else's personal life as much as it has enriched mine. I know everyone says this but while playing games both old and new I genuinely ask myself "I wonder what *X Substacker* thinks of this?"
The monetisation question is a difficult one, I think whatever you decide to do in future will probably be a good choice.
To be honest, a lot of your work here has really changed/healed my image of video game journalism. Before writing here I had the same image everyone else has: journalists being terrible at games and take a quick buck for favourable reviews but you have the ability to pull together the community here that nobody else does and when we did Requiem I felt we'd come to the same conclusions about it. You keep a much cleaner, more professional style than me but I feel the same passion for the medium in your writing all the same.
Geez mate, that's really kind. I'm in the really lucky position of being able to practice the kind of journalism I want to see out there. You wouldn't believe some of the ethical discussions I've had with other ex-reporters about this Substack and how I practice for it. Stuff that I know isn't actually discussed in genuine newsrooms.
To hear its making an impression really means something. Thank you!
I think the challenge here is just a method that's sustainable with my day job, but adds value. And this year, it's out of the question. Perhaps I never go all in on monetisation? Who knows. But there's one thing I do know: I really hate the idea that my 'audience', the amazing community on here that I share stories and a passion with are also my future customers. So working around that will be the main pincer.
I think that's why I enjoy your writing over most other video game journalists (there are other great ones on Substack but I read yours the most) it feels like I'm reading things you wanted to write rather than something an editor had you slaving over to meet a deadline.
No worries mate! Happy to be along for the ride with everyone, in general I think gaming Substack is a growing niche.
I get that feeling too. I know if I pay-walled my longer reviews I'd probably get a few paid subscribers and a bit of extra cheddar each month but I don't have the heart to do it; the comments and discussion are what I enjoy the most about the platform. I think affiliate links/sponsors might be a good avenue for us all but perhaps not viable until the niche is a bit larger. I've looked into a CEX affiliation for a long time now but from what I read they don't consider people below about 10 000 followers/subscribers: small numbers elsewhere but an enormous one in the context of gaming Substack.
It's been so interesting to read this as well as comments from other writers who I hold in high regard, for a relatively new writer like me.
When I started TGE I was vehemently against monetization because I considered that I didn't offer anything that people should be paying for, while other Substacks like Infinite Lives were better polished, more professional and, in a way, "more valuable" than TGE.
Reading your thoughts makes me reconsider, and as I have recently activated the paid subs to avoid a technical hurdle in the future, it makes me think about what can we offer in Substack to make a paid subscription feel worth it, so that subs are there for content and not just to support the writer?
I'm crossing my fingers that you figure out the solution!
Harrison, never forget your contribution to the games community as a whole. Who would have thought that a professional, jet-setting journalist such as yourself would still be actively communicating with lowly nobodies like me?
One of the differences about you and your work that keeps me engaged is that you write about what you want because you are passionate about it, and it shows. I have long since dropped most games news outlets simply because it is churned out nonsense that could be summarised in a paragraph; content filler to waste space and grab attention. Your articles are clearly deeply researched, well thought out, and interesting, focused on the topic at hand. Even without attaching money to it, everything you produce provides value.
The only difference between you and me is that this is my hobby and this is your job, yet you manage to bridge that gap so well. I stay out of monetisation discussions because that isn't my goal personally; you do you and I'm sure you'll figure something out. I'm glad that Infinite Lives will live up to its name and continue onward.
Thanks Peter, and I hope there's sarcasm there. As you write some fantastic stuff -- and we are both just people bashing away on the web.
But, thanks for saying that. I do it because I love it, I make most (if not all of) my money from tech PR.
There may be a world down the line where I try to make it more than a side-hustle. But for now, all the funds I raise from it go towards supporting others in the sector. And that's good enough for me!
Thank you for all the work you’ve done. Especially in making sure you pay guest writers decently. This sounds like an experiment in the making and I’m confident you’ll figure it out.
If there's a way I can work it out for you too... That would really be a win-win. You do so much work, for free, for the community. I am quietly mulling how to make it work too... I can't help myself. I'm a media-model nerd.
But for now, I just need to enjoy my travels, keep filing, and who knows who I'll meet at GamesCom and other events later this year?
Don’t worry about me. I’ve got some small ideas on how to potentially gain a bit of cash for my efforts but that was never the point nor shall it ever be. I have a decently enough paying job to be able to do this in my free time.
Worry, never! It's just in my nature to want to help if I can. And sometimes my brain just comes up with things. But look forward to seeing what you have cooking! If you ever need help, just shout.
I'm happy to see that writing here has enriched someone else's personal life as much as it has enriched mine. I know everyone says this but while playing games both old and new I genuinely ask myself "I wonder what *X Substacker* thinks of this?"
The monetisation question is a difficult one, I think whatever you decide to do in future will probably be a good choice.
To be honest, a lot of your work here has really changed/healed my image of video game journalism. Before writing here I had the same image everyone else has: journalists being terrible at games and take a quick buck for favourable reviews but you have the ability to pull together the community here that nobody else does and when we did Requiem I felt we'd come to the same conclusions about it. You keep a much cleaner, more professional style than me but I feel the same passion for the medium in your writing all the same.
Geez mate, that's really kind. I'm in the really lucky position of being able to practice the kind of journalism I want to see out there. You wouldn't believe some of the ethical discussions I've had with other ex-reporters about this Substack and how I practice for it. Stuff that I know isn't actually discussed in genuine newsrooms.
To hear its making an impression really means something. Thank you!
I think the challenge here is just a method that's sustainable with my day job, but adds value. And this year, it's out of the question. Perhaps I never go all in on monetisation? Who knows. But there's one thing I do know: I really hate the idea that my 'audience', the amazing community on here that I share stories and a passion with are also my future customers. So working around that will be the main pincer.
I think that's why I enjoy your writing over most other video game journalists (there are other great ones on Substack but I read yours the most) it feels like I'm reading things you wanted to write rather than something an editor had you slaving over to meet a deadline.
No worries mate! Happy to be along for the ride with everyone, in general I think gaming Substack is a growing niche.
I get that feeling too. I know if I pay-walled my longer reviews I'd probably get a few paid subscribers and a bit of extra cheddar each month but I don't have the heart to do it; the comments and discussion are what I enjoy the most about the platform. I think affiliate links/sponsors might be a good avenue for us all but perhaps not viable until the niche is a bit larger. I've looked into a CEX affiliation for a long time now but from what I read they don't consider people below about 10 000 followers/subscribers: small numbers elsewhere but an enormous one in the context of gaming Substack.