Christ Centered Gamer

http://www.familyfriendlygaming.com/New ... 0True.html

Text of the article for those whose browsers have problems with the site:
"Cordova, TN - March 26, in the year of our Lord 2013 - On a daily basis I make dreams come true. A small independent developer is starving for attention. They have a dream of making a video game. They make their dream game. At that point their dream turns into a nightmare. They are so proud of their product, yet they do not have the mechanism in place to get the word out about their game. They go around trying to find someone in the media to make their dreams come true. Rejection is the usual response from a variety of different sources.

Video game media is a dog eat dog world. Too often there are backroom deals, and back scratching mentality. Many in the video game media will ask: “What are you going to do for me?” These small independent developers don't have deep pockets to buy their way onto websites, and into gaming magazines. Most of them have day jobs to finance their dreams. Unless you fit into a certain privileged status the ESA is also an exercise in futility. This is where many small independent video game developers find themselves. Nobody gives them any love, and few have the time to deal with them.

That is where I come into play. I help many of these small independent game developers get some video game media attention. I have given many of them a shot by playing their games, and working on reviews. It does not always work out for them though. Some have not wanted to accept any constructive criticism. Others did not realize glaring problems with their games. When it works though, it is a beautiful thing. I have lost track of how many iTunes gift cards I have received in thanks for reviewing their product. Want to know the real kicker? I asked nothing of them – aside from the game of course. It is always nice to experience such thankfulness.

What saddens me is for every dream I help come true, there are four or five others waiting. Every so often I have to clean out my waiting queue because it gets too large to even contemplate. I feel bad because I know these are dreams that I am ignoring. There is only so much time in the day, and I have been provided a finite amount of resources. To everyone I have not been able to help – I am truly and deeply sorry.

- Paul Bury
- Family Friendly Gaming"

Here are my questions ( on top of your normal thoughts )

Does it adequately convey the regret of not being able to help more?

Is it too back patting? If so how would that be diminished?

Does it give a good behind the scenes glimpse?

Nice write up, I'd say it adequately sums up hope and regret for not being there for every small developer.

I would suggest rewording

I have lost track of how many iTunes gift cards

to perhaps "I have received many gift cards..."

The first one may come off as saying you're easily bribed and what card you prefer

I don't keep up with it but it seems to me there's quite a clamorous, lively, indie game community? At least from what this outsider can see. Granted that's not the same as a 15 second prime-time slot.

Which isn't to say that you're not providing an important service. I haven't followed your site. I apparently came at the indie 'scene' from a different angle and don't follow that rabbit hole to all its exits so I don't really know what your impact is. But the text above gives me a bit of pause. Perhaps including some other, similarly situated sites and reviewers in the third paragraph would help. Making it more of a reviewer's concern than your concern. I'm sure other reviewers face similarly tough decisions.

ccgr,
Good call thank you.

delve,
I can PM you some information. I will keep that in mind for future articles, cause that is a really good idea. It is a little late to go for quotes now. Did you know that many press releases contain quotes from the person who actually wrote the press release, or is closely associated with the product? Added a small paragraph referencing other sites and different responses. Hopefully that covers it.

"Cordova, TN - March 26, in the year of our Lord 2013 - On a daily basis I make dreams come true. A small independent developer is starving for attention. They have a dream of making a video game. They make their dream game. At that point their dream turns into a nightmare. They are so proud of their product, yet they do not have the mechanism in place to get the word out about their game. They go around trying to find someone in the media to make their dreams come true. Rejection is the usual response from a variety of different sources.

Video game media is a dog eat dog world. Too often there are backroom deals, and back scratching mentality. Many in the video game media will ask: “What are you going to do for me?” These small independent developers don't have deep pockets to buy their way onto websites, and into gaming magazines. Most of them have day jobs to finance their dreams. Unless you fit into a certain privileged status the ESA is also an exercise in futility. This is where many small independent video game developers find themselves. Nobody gives them any love, and few have the time to deal with them.

That is where I come into play. I help many of these small independent game developers get some video game media attention. I have given many of them a shot by playing their games, and working on reviews. It does not always work out for them though. Some have not wanted to accept any constructive criticism. Others did not realize glaring problems with their games. When it works though, it is a beautiful thing. I have lost track of how many gift cards I have received in thanks after reviewing their product. Want to know the real kicker? I asked nothing of them – aside from the game of course. It is always nice to experience such thankfulness.

I know other reviewers, and gaming sites deal with this same issue. There are a variety of different responses. I can not speak for the other gaming sites. I can speak for the small independent developers I work with. Their level of frustration with the gaming media is generally high.

What saddens me is for every dream I help come true, there are four or five others waiting. Every so often I have to clean out my waiting queue because it gets too large to even contemplate. I feel bad because I know these are dreams that I am ignoring. There is only so much time in the day, and I have been provided a finite amount of resources. To everyone I have not been able to help – I am truly and deeply sorry.

- Paul Bury
- Family Friendly Gaming"