So for years I have had a few things I do well, writing (mostly music however), being a critic and playing games. It wasn't until recently that I decided to give reviewing and writing gaming articles a shot. Now obviously I had to start from scratch with a blog style website but I come here for my first dose of criticism. I know this community is (for the most part) extremely honest with its members and that is one of the things I've always loved about you all. From the year I spent making songs about SC2 to just the random blog entries this community has always delivered.

I now ask you to tell me what you think and what I should (add/change) to make this idea work better for me.

http://www.adultchildreviews.com

Also if you like what I'm doing or would like to just keep up with progress like me on facebook/twitter

I'll check this thread for any comments and I'm hoping you'll take the time out to help .

-Dustin-

United States718 Posts

January 12 2012 22:04 GMT

I read your top 5 list of anticipated games. It was good in my opinion, stayed on topic really well. Also I found out about Fc3 so thanks for that! Gonna have to get that demo. I will check back from time to time to read up on your blogs/articles.

I've also always wanted to do the same thing, I however suck at writing. So best of luck to you! One last thing #4 or so on your list you put a "$" instead of a "#".

josemb40

Peru611 Posts

January 12 2012 22:08 GMT

im just gonna say it, adultchildreviews sounds like illegal porn. There, i had to take it off my chest... phew. Nice writing though, best of lucks with your writing carreer!

Roe

Canada6002 Posts

January 12 2012 22:32 GMT

i dont know about a site called adultchildreviews....
pretty decent articles, it's a good start. what direction do you want to take it? it seems pretty generic and basic but good writing for a blog.

Suspense

United States500 Posts

January 12 2012 22:40 GMT

I fixed the $ thanks for noticing.

As for the name, I know it sounds weird and I've thought the same, but in context it makes sense when considering my age and what I'm doing.

My direction is just doing what I enjoy. Writing articles and doing reviews. Perhaps one day being able to get review copies to do previews.

Talin

Montenegro10532 Posts

January 12 2012 23:04 GMT

I've read the front page articles, and here's some thoughts I had (ordered randomly).

The content doesn't seem very informative for me. An independent reviewer fits a very specific role nowadays, especially if you are producing written content. The topics you covered are chosen fairly well (apart from the Most Anticipated Games one, all seemed very interesting things to write and read about based on the headline), but the actual articles are very brief, simple and don't really go in-depth or provide interesting information. The content you have is something that would actually work well for brief Youtube video reviews and summaries on an IGN-like news site, but not for an article written by an up-and-coming independent reviewer.

Personally I would love to read the in-depth and well-formulated thoughts of a reviewer that spent 5 days to a week playing the title he's writing about. Obviously, it's not so much about the exact amount of time spent, but it is about delving deep enough into the design of the game and learning the game so that you can communicate to readers things that may go unnoticed in "first impression" reviews.

I would also try to stray away from the standard "review format" (introduce a game - describe key features - rate individual parts of it - conclude article, present final rating). I would much rather if you "condensed" all the factual information into an article that presents what is REALLY important, interesting or revolutionary about the title, as well as the crucial problems it has with it in a more free-flowing form of writing. Distil the essence of what the game is and what it tries to be. You don't want the reader to skim thorough the article and read the ratings at the end (he can do that on all kinds of review sites), you want him to know what the game can do for him.

At the end of the day, you can be accurate and write well, but you need to consider the reason somebody would return to your website to read your articles again. In a way, the "job" of a reviewer is to hook the reader up with his dream game - if you do that for at least one person, that person will bookmark your website and come back. As for other people, they will come to read enjoyable and original articles. Put more soul in it. The Demigod article, for example, made you seem like you were bored writing it. In the end the general conclusion was that there's really nothing even remotely interesting about the game (is that right? Is that wrong? I don't know, I've never played Demigod, but I don't feel the article told me much about it either).

Other random thoughts:

1) Why write about 5 games coming out in the (possibly very distant) future, when you can spend the same time writing a really good article about one that can be bought right now? The "anticipated games" is really a marketing tool for IGN-like news sites. While I appreciate the originality in picking your titles rather than going for cookie cutter blockbusters, that in itself doesn't make it an article.

2) Speaking of IGN, I get the point you were trying to make talking about them, I really do. I wholeheartedly agree with you on that as well. However it might not be the best idea to spell it out so bluntly in the introductory part of the article. Ideally, what you want is that readers form that opinion by themselves after reading your articles and comparing them to the IGN articles. You want them to appreciate you as a honest, unbiased reviewer, a good writer, and a gamer that appreciates quality and has good taste - but you don't want to tell them that, especially if you follow it up with an article that, at least in its format and general concept of the article, does look like something ripped off a major gaming news site.

Sorry if it sounds too harsh - for what it's worth, as opinionated I am about indie reviewers and journalists in general, I support them just as much and they are an invaluable resource for me. I'd genuinely like everyone who goes into this to succeed. All the beginnings are hard. I guess the TL;DR version of everything I said is that if you are passionate about what you're doing, just let it show (in a classy way), rather than following the norm and established routines in the industry. Just like with music! Anyway I'll keep an eye at it, good luck with your endeavours. xD

FFGenerations

7088 Posts

January 12 2012 23:26 GMT

guy reviews reviewers for a living

Suc

Australia1569 Posts

January 12 2012 23:27 GMT

On January 13 2012 07:40 Suspense wrote:
I fixed the $ thanks for noticing.

As for the name, I know it sounds weird and I've thought the same, but in context it makes sense when considering my age and what I'm doing.

My direction is just doing what I enjoy. Writing articles and doing reviews. Perhaps one day being able to get review copies to do previews.

What about "bigkidreviews.com" or something? I have to agree that the name sounds a little suss.

Apart from that, great work.

zalz

Netherlands3704 Posts

January 12 2012 23:28 GMT

You should seriously consider changing that name.

Adultchildreviews...

I know what you are going for, but it's not working. It sounds like child porn.

Suspense

United States500 Posts

January 13 2012 01:01 GMT

#10

I appreciate the long critique and I do plan on using the advice given. As of now I am just getting started and haven't found a true style of my own but I assure you I am working on it. As for the name, again, I think as time goes by it will just be one of those things you'd get used to.

Tal

United Kingdom1018 Posts

January 13 2012 02:56 GMT

#11

On January 13 2012 10:01 Suspense wrote:
I appreciate the long critique and I do plan on using the advice given. As of now I am just getting started and haven't found a true style of my own but I assure you I am working on it. As for the name, again, I think as time goes by it will just be one of those things you'd get used to.

Comeon - you ask for feedback, and every person tells you to change your site name (with good reason). People aren't going to get used to it. Imagine if someone accesses your site at work - is your work really good enough to warrant the hassle they could get for it? Change the name.

Apart from the name, the site is clean and well presented - a good base to do some writing from.