Gaming Blogs: What would make you regularly read one?

[Dragonistic]

I'm going to keep this short (unlike 99% of my posts) and try to avoid descending into in depth tangents but I make no promise.

Bit of background, my 2 friends have decided they want to make a gaming blog (or might) so they're currently brainstorming ideas and such, I'd like to out them out by doing some research here on GTP as they're good guys and I'd like to see them gain a small following (I don't think they expect nor do I for them to acquire a massive following but nonetheless).

So as the title says, what would a blog need to do to keep you interested? I've immediately recommended the slightly obvious that they avoid just doing game reviews which is done by so many and moreover is often done better on video for giving quick and useful information which a blog doesn't lend itself too (though I believe cult games and once a reader base is established they could write about their experiences with games and such, nobody will care about reviews from random guys all that much it becomes difficult to get noticed). What I have put forward is that they aim to address more 'political' topics if you will, comments and opinions on observations which more serious gamers will want to read and discuss themselves as I believe this is more of a niche which is likely to lead to a higher quality of following over volume. Another obvious outlet is to make videos themself, but the investment may not be validated and as much as it's about attracting an audience it's also about doing what they want to do and having fun as there's no plans or want to make money or anything from this.

All thoughts and opinions would be appreciated, things like what sort of topics do you find interesting and would you really visit a new website to see or is a blog just a waste of time for them other then enjoying the writing aspect of it.

 

[PzR Slim]

I don't. Biggest waste of time ever. Why random people think their opinion is somehow worthy of a blog I have no idea. If your well known in your field or have actually achieved something then fair enough but randomly starting a blog with nothing to back it up just doesn't float my boat. One of the worst things about the Internet, everyone thinks they have a voice that others should listen to.

 

[sesselpupser]

There's only one I read regularly; Rock Paper Shotgun. I like it because it's mostly written by fellow countrymen so it appeals to my sense of humour and all that, it's PC-centric (I am now a PC gamer), they have features on hardware and silly things like board games (I have no interest in board games themselves but it's interesting to see just how diverse the hardcore board game thing is), sim gaming and such and it's just a simple site. The comments are often hilarious too. The blog itself is sort of a mix between news and opinions and they have a lot of respect for just about everything except the current modern warfare FPS fad, so I feel like I'm reading a nice, friendly blog which is almost tailored specifically for me. The only stuff I ignore is the RPG/MMO/MOBA stuff and Far Cry 3 coverage.

I started writing a review (really more about my own opinions rather than objective reviews, though) blog not long ago in an attempt to get me to play through my enormous Steam backlog, but after being ill for almost a month and then recovering from the resulting surgery for three weeks then starting a new job which I will be doing until I start college again I kind of stopped! Anyway, if you want to read what I've written so far I can PM you the link and I'd be more than happy to write some PC reviews or something if you'd like. I'm no professional, mind you!

I don't. Biggest waste of time ever. Why random people think their opinion is somehow worthy of a blog I have no idea. If your well known in your field or have actually achieved something then fair enough but randomly starting a blog with nothing to back it up just doesn't float my boat. One of the worst things about the Internet, everyone thinks they have a voice that others should listen to.

The irony is strong in this one! Not that you don't have a point, but many people become well known in their field by voicing their opinions and if enough people agree and like what they're saying then... Yeah.

 

[PzR Slim]

The irony is strong in this one! Not that you don't have a point, but many people become well known in their field by voicing their opinions and if enough people agree and like what they're saying then... Yeah.

No irony at all. If I'd started a thread claiming what I did then yes but my comment was in answer to someone asking for people's opinions. Big difference between giving your opinion when asked and just giving it don't you think?

 

[Alltidxx]

They should try to come up with something original I guess. Personally, I don't follow anyone and I dislike blogs in general because they are in essence one-way communications. And they are often pretentious or have some other sullying tone or trait. I search for information when needed and filter the sources that come up.

Why would anyone start a blog about anything? Because the author believes that he/she has especially important opinions that should be shared to the world and he/she should be admired for it, or the author simply wants attention to for his/her ego trip. If anyone feels differently, I'd love to hear why it would not be perfectly suitable to simply start up a thread on a forum about whatever you wanna discuss and vent your opinion there.

On forums people share opinions.
On blogs people try to build a brand around their own persona (as they do on Linked-In as they do on Facebook as they do through twitter and youtube and crave for people to follow them).

The irony is strong in this one!

That's the funniest I read all day! I thank you for that good sir

 

[sesselpupser]

No irony at all. If I'd started a thread claiming what I did then yes but my comment was in answer to someone asking for people's opinions. Big difference between giving your opinion when asked and just giving it don't you think?

In face-to-face conversation, yes, but the Internet doesn't work that way. What you're saying would apply if you HAD to wade through an RSS feed of blog posts before you could do anything on the Internet but the fact is you have to request to see my opinion, so really writing a blog IS giving your opinion when asked.

 

[Dragonistic]

I don't think it's so much as they believe their views are important or better then those of another, or I certainly don't intend to direct them that way (note: this is not my blog and is nothing to do with me other then doing this research for them) but I think it's something they want to do because it's enjoyable to write about these things and to hopefully start a discussion around these subjects.

The bonus of doing that in a blog environment is so when they come to try to get jobs in the industry they have something which displays knowledge and passion for the field, you could easily do the same in a forum (just as those making youtube videos getting thousands of views could) but it's perhaps a more professional method of doing so and they will have ownership over it so they can add it to their portfolio. For that reason, so long as they write interesting and well structured articles they will get the tangible benefit later on whilst enjoying the process, however I thought it would be beneficial to see what gamers themselves like to read if at all though this is still obviously a niche.

If I were to do it myself, and will be a condition of my involvement should I ever contribute, is that they do what they want to do and do not do what they think they should do. Moreover I think it's important that there is some method to communicate both ways and have a dialogue with readers (which again I feel reviews are not good for). I think the key is to focus on a smaller number of topics but go far in depth with them, a great example is EpicNameBro with Dark Souls Lore videos, the comments sections are awash with discussion and speculation using information which has been collated in the video though it might not be landing a million views I believe that's a good example to follow.

 

[Alltidxx]

I'm not sure what the main drive is behind all this.

I think it's something they want to do because it's enjoyable to write about these things

Cool. They should just write stuff then.

and to hopefully start a discussion around these subjects.

They should start a thread in a forum then. More people will see it there and you can pick the audience. An inferior method to start discussion would be a commentators field in a blogg.

they do what they want to do and do not do what they think they should do.

Ok, but that kinda obsoletes asking what they should be writing about. Because they do have sprawling ideas and abundant topics to write about, don't they? Or it would seem strange to wanna start a blog.

The bonus of doing that in a blog environment is so when they come to try to get jobs in the industry.

I guess. You can also simply go do works and send that to the employer to show off your competence.

 

[W3H5]

Famine's reviews. Fact. The only gaming blog I read is the one here or a few bits in the newspaper.

(Ass-kissing stage 1: Complete. )



(Just kidding)

 

[Dragonistic]

I'm not sure what the main drive is behind all this.

Cool. They should just write stuff then.

They should start a thread in a forum then. More people will see it there and you can pick the audience. An inferior method to start discussion would be a commentators field in a blogg.

Ok, but that kinda obsoletes asking what they should be writing about. Because they do have sprawling ideas and abundant topics to write about, don't they? Or it would seem strange to wanna start a blog.

I guess. You can also simply go do works and send that to the employer to show off your competence.

In order to improve they must have readers to track their progress, similarly they're trying to build some sort of portfolio so forum posting is no good for that. Their benefit won't be directly having readers, but in order to progress and make good work they must have independent feedback and some way to track progress and if they don't find out what people want they won't get any regular readers but they will also not do something they don't want to do in order to gain readers alone. Once again the forum posting won't work in that respect, you don't get feedback on how well written your forum posts are unless they're bad 9 times out of 10.

Their aim so far is simple, too enjoy it and to build up a decent sized portfolio of which they have ownership and control over. The enjoyment part comes from the discussion, whilst the other part comes from having a blog over just writing forum posts which gives them nothing to show for it in the end. In order to succeed in both of those objectives they need to know what people like to read or they won't get either let alone one, writing random pieces and sending them to employers is nowhere near as impressive as showing them you can write good pieces and are in touch with your audience and you can't have a discussion about topics people don't care about no matter where you do it particularly as one wants to do marketing so too not find out what people want would be a crime even if you choose to ignore it to pursue your vision.

I feel a blog is too old fashioned more then anything else, but I can understand why they want to do one. I feel there's more modern things to do which suit gamers better as we're not known to all sit down and read for a long period. I want to clarify now I don't think it's neccessarily the best course of action I'm just presenting the other side of the coin, I agree with most things which have been said so far on the matter. If anything I would say a blog is best to support something rather then standalone and too capture a smaller part of a larger audience which is already established in some way, but then we come back to the issue of it will still be fun for them but that's their decision.

 

[Alltidxx]

Ok sure. I'm not being a great help but I hope it turns out well.

 

[mika haka]

Up to date gaming news and there opinions on them.