Freelance Journalism

Because of the immense popularity and respect for the Unofficial Nintendo 64 Headquarters, Scott was considered the world's most renowned and experienced N64 expert. This stature enabled him to contribute to commercial publications and Web sites around the world. He would like to single out and give a special "thank you" to Jer Horwitz and John Ricciardi for giving him his first opportunities. Amazingly, these accomplishments took place when he was 18- and 19-years-old! Without further adieu, Scott now presents a chronological outline of his freelance journalism career.

Note: You also can read the Miscellaneous Articles section for a few more writing examples.

l Intelligent Gamer's Fusion

Issue 1, March 1996

Even if you're a big video game fan, you may have never heard of Intelligent Gamer's Fusion, which was published by Ziff-Davis. It was the first magazine to which I made a freelance contribution. How did I land this gig? Well, in addition to doing my N64 site early in its life, I also was contributing to a Web site called Intelligent Gamer Online (IGO). This upstart took on Imagine's popular (and now-defunct) Next Generation magazine. Eventually, IGO got noticed enough where it moved from online to print, and Jer Horwitz, the Editor-in-Chief, asked me to write some reviews. This is why I purchased a PlayStation. I figured it would pay itself off with freelance reviews. Unfortunately, the magazine only lasted about six issues. Some of IGO's writers moved on to print publications like Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), whereas others helped me with N64 HQ. In this first-ever issue (Killer Instinct 2 on the cover), I reviewed Goal Storm by Konami, which is a soccer game for the PlayStation, on page 58. Here's an excerpt:

Issue 3, May 1996

Two months later, I had another review published in Intelligent Gamer's Fusion. This time, for the third issue (Psygnosis' Formula One on the cover), I reviewed VR Soccer '96 by Interplay, which was another soccer game for the PlayStation. The two-page review can be found on pages 80-81. I guess I should mention how I made a few gaffes in this review, which was a lesson I never forgot.

For both issues, I am credited in the reviews themselves and in staff list section under "Contributing Editors."

l Prima's Unauthorized Insider's Guide to Nintendo 64, Vol. 1, Fall 1996

While my previous two contributions were to magazines, this publication (a large white cover with a small picture of the N64 system in the middle) is considered a "book" in a very loose sense. Prima Publishing is the largest publisher of video game strategy guides in the U.S. Unfortunately, neither my work nor anyone else was credited in this book. My partner (Mike Hrusecky) and I took information from N64 HQ and rewrote it for the book. If I remember correctly, I did the "Myths vs. Reality" part (pages 10-11), the "Accessories" article (pages 14-15), and the "Nintendo 64 'Dream Team' Partner List" section (pages 84-87). The following tables contain excerpts from two of the sections.

l EGM's Player's Guide to Video Games for the N64

Volume 2, Summer 1997

Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), one of the most popular video game magazines in the U.S., published special quarterly magazines devoted to the Nintendo 64. The first volume of this N64 guide came out at the same time as the previously mentioned Prima book. I jumped ship, however, when the book's editor, John Ricciardi, asked me if I wanted to write a few articles for the second EGM N64 magazine.

My work in volume two (N64 Disk Drive on the cover) remains the crowning achievement in my journalism career. The first article (pages 8-12) was a five-page essay outlining how the Nintendo 64's launch went in 1996. It's packed to the brim with statistics and information. In fact, here's an excerpt from this article:

The second and other assignment (pages 36-40) was a five-page article covering Nintendo's now-defunct 64DD disk drive add-on. It featured background information and a question and answer part.

For this issue, and all other EGM N64 Guides I worked on, I am credited not only in the staff list but with the article I wrote.

Volume 3, Winter 1997

For the third volume (Extreme-G on the cover) of EGM's Player's Guide to Video Games for the Nintendo 64, I only compiled five pages worth of cheats and codes (pages 76-80) and a one-page "Under Construction" list (page 97). I didn't actually write any articles, reviews, previews, or strategy in this volume.

Volume 4, Spring 1998

The fourth volume (NFL Blitz and Rampage are on the cover) of EGM's N64 Guide had me compiling and testing an extensive list of N64 tricks and tips. The cheats section (pages 70-80) covered nine pages, and I also did another one-page "Under Construction" list (page 96).

Volume 5, Fall 1998

My final contribution to EGM's N64 Guide was volume five (Turok 2 and Link are on the cover). Once again, for the third volume in a row, I merely compiled and tested cheats and did not write any articles, previews, or reviews. The tricks section (pages 72-79) was eight pages this time. Additionally, I did the "Under Construction" list (page 96) again.

In a way, it was disappointing that I didn't have the opportunity to write more articles for the EGM N64 Guides. At the same time, though, it wasn't too difficult to test and compile a list of cheats, and I certainly was compensated nicely. Moreover, the editor gave N64 HQ a plug each time, so that helped increase the site's traffic. Out of all my freelance writing, I'd have to say that I'm most proud that I was able to contribute to Electronic Gaming Monthly's quarterly N64 guides.

l All Game Guide

I was originally contacted in the fall of 1999 by the All Media Guide, which is owned by the AEC (Alliance Entertainment Corp.) One Stop Group, to write feature articles for its forthcoming online video game magazine. My first and only project was a "History of Nintendo" article—from playing cards to present. Unfortunately, the article never went online because the 'zine never got off the ground. Thankfully, I was paid before the plug was pulled. You can read the article in its original, unedited form by clicking here.

The All Game Zine was canceled, because they decided to devote all resources to the All Game Guide. The All Game Guide is a database of information (e.g., descriptions, reviews, pictures, credits, control information, etc.) on every game for every system ever made, including foreign releases. Obviously, this is a continuous work in progress. Then the company sells information from its databases to companies such as Blockbuster, CDNOW, MTV Networks Europe, Barnesandnoble.com, and many others.

My freelance job with the All Game Guide was as a Reviews Editor. As you can imagine, I reviewed N64 games. I started reviewing games in December 1999 and finished my last reviews in August 2000. Just in case you're interested, here's a listing of all the games I reviewed for them. All the reviews I wrote are similar in style to my existing reviews, except with a few extra parts. Check them out:

Alternatively, you can view these same reviews in my Review House Archive. I took the original, unedited text I wrote for All Game Guide and made any necessary corrections to adapt the reviews to my system.

l The End

Scott officially has closed the video game journalism chapter in his life. He was happy to receive his 64 minutes of fame and to have such incredible opportunities. Did the experience ultimately help him in his career? Absolutely. However, Scott no longer does freelance writing nor does he follow the video game world as closely. Nevertheless, video games always will be a part of his life.