Happy New Year!
*Throws champagne, drinks confetti*
The last few hours of a year always seem to bring on reflection, and this year’s no different. The last 365 presented many changes for me–I left the Escapist, had a book chapter published, landed some new outlets, and went to work at a writing tutor. Added to that, I started doing podcasts and video scripts for the first time.
So before the clock turns, here are some of my writing highlights from 2015:
Favorite Piece: “H.P. Lovecraft, Master of Environmental Horror” (Slate)
My primary writing goal this year was to branch out, and nothing exemplifies that better than this piece about Lovecraft’s increasing relevance in the age of environmental destruction. No video games here–just literature.
Biggest Achievement: Shooter
Shooter was a big point of pride for many reasons. It’s my first book publication, first off, but it also scored a couple of nice reviews and has some gorgeous art.
Largest Growth Area: Podcasting
When I began 2015, I’d never taped a podcast. As of today, I’ve appeared on the ChattyCast, The Freelance Game, and Covert Contact from Blogs of War. I’ve come to really enjoy it and hope to do more in the future.
Favorite Interview: “Military Expert P.W. Singer Predicts the Video Game Wars of the Future” (Playboy)
P.W. Singer’s a fascinating guy, and his book Ghost Fleet provides a scary look at a future where games and military tech are increasingly merging. It’s a topic I’ve followed for years, and I’m glad public consciousness has finally turned to this crucial, and sometimes worrying, development.
Favorite New Outlet: Extra Credits
I’d admired Extra Credits long before I began writing about games, and I couldn’t be prouder that I’ve leant my hand to two episodes this year. The first was on how games can re-approach WWII, while the second was the crucial question of where our consoles come from.
Weird and Wild
I also had a couple odd ducks this year, both at Playboy. The first was an article about visiting the Resident Evil haunted house at Universal Studios Japan–and all the weird Japan-ness that ensued–while the second tracked the real history behind Assassin’s Creed Syndicate‘s ghost stories.
So that’s it for 2015! I’ll have some more news on the way early next year, so watch this space…
