What do YOU want from PSU?

[adamdolge]

Hey all!

As we move forward with changes to the forums and mainpage, I'd like to know what you would like to see from the editors? I'll be honest with you that only Mike (our UK editor) works for PSU full time. Eric is a college student at NYU, and I work full time as an education journalist in Washington, DC. The reason I point that out is that we often struggle to compete with sites that have writers on call at all hours. Beyond that, we just don't have the ability to go to gaming events for journalists - I get an invitation at least once a week that I have to turn down because of my schedule.

That being said, I'm really an old newspaper-style journalist and want to bring something a bit different to PSU's mainpage than you can find at the 100s of other gaming sites. Well, you can find what I'm proposing at several sites, but my goal is to push away from the basic daily news grind that is, in essence, article swapping between the handful of sites that can afford full time journalist to really cover the industry.

So here's some things I'm working on that I'd like to get your feedback on. Please, give as much info as you can because I'm essentially putting in a lot of over time (ha, it's all over time) to get you something you can't get anywhere else.

- video reviews: We all want this, and we have the means, look for these very, very soon. It'll be in beta format because it's a one-man show for now
- industry perspective: Instead of just interviewing someone from Ubisoft about an upcoming game, I'd like to present a bigger picture at the gaming industry, get a perspective on topics like game narratives, a push to digital content, voice acting, violence in games, from the people that actually work in the industry.
- audio interviews/podcasts: If you are anything like me, you hate to read an article that's like a wall of words (yeah, this is turning into that, sorry), so I'm thinking of trying to do some audio interviews. To get the community involved, I'd post the person I'm interviewing, then give you all a chance to propose questions. Also, what do you think of a PSU podcast with staff, and perhaps bringing on some of our users (who want to take part) maybe once a week?
- user driven news: this is a big, big change for PSU and something that will happen over time. We are toying with the idea of essentially giving our users a chance to post on the main page. The idea is the forums are filled with the day's big news, so why not create a system that gets the most talked about forum threads up and center on the mainpage. more to come on this.
- weekly editorials: I'm a big fan of editorials driven by the week's big news. what do you think about seeing a front page editorial each week about the big topics in gaming? Essentially we'd put the groundwork out in an article, and invite our readers to contribute their thoughts on the subject.

What else do you want to see? Do you just want us to compete with other gaming sites, do you want more feature-driven content, more PSN reviews, more of a personal touch/perspective from the editors, more user-driven content? Now is the time to spill your guts and tell us what you want in YOUR site. PSU is what it is because of our enormous user base - even if it's smaller than in previous years.

We ask now because this will drive our decisions moving forward.

[Jaeger]

Adam, I'm gonna send you a PM. I have a few things I'd like to talk to you about.

OK, no, I'm not. You don't allow private messages from just anyone apparently, so I'll say what I want to say here. Basically, I'm looking for an entry position into the world of journalism. I've always fancied having a career in the journalism field and writing about games would be perfect for me. That being said, do you think it would be possible for me to write a monthly article for the website and/or do a video review/preview for the main site?

[Arkano6]

In regards to industry perspective, would it be possible to get some of our guys out to E3 this year? If we could snag some big stories before most other sites it may help increase traffic.

Podcasts are an excellent idea. I'm all for podcasts, especially if it involves a random user from the forums being guest-featured once a week.

I'm a bit tight for time right now, so I can't make a thorough post, but I'll make sure to do that tomorrow.

OK, no, I'm not. You don't allow private messages from just anyone apparently, so I'll say what I want to say here. Basically, I'm looking for an entry position into the world of journalism. I've always fancied having a career in the journalism field and writing about games would be perfect for me. That being said, do you think it would be possible for me to write a monthly article for the website and/or do a video review/preview for the main site?

And what's to say the other 242,801 members aren't looking for an entry into the world of journalism?

No one should just 'get' the ability to post on the main site. If anything it should be a community vote.

Monthly review competitions are another good idea. Say you put up a game/product that forum members can review, the best voted/chosen by staff review gets featured on the main site.

[adamdolge]

yes! and sorry, gotta fix settings so we can PM. send me an email and we'll talk. adam(dot)dolge(at)psu(dot)com.

[adamdolge]

Yes on E3, but you didn't officially hear that from me... yet. When all of our arrangments are made, we'll let you guys know.

Good feedback on podcasts with users. Seriously, it could be as simple as we take a new game that's out - I'm reviewing LBP2 as we speak/type - and we could just spend 20 minutes chatting about the game. Or, even better perhaps, if there's a lot of buzz in the forums about something - say new PSP2 images, we'll talk about that.

[HenryPSN]

Hey I also want to be a journalist!

[Arkano6]

Yes on E3, but you didn't officially hear that from me... yet. When all of our arrangments are made, we'll let you guys know.

Good feedback on podcasts with users. Seriously, it could be as simple as we take a new game that's out - I'm reviewing LBP2 as we speak/type - and we could just spend 20 minutes chatting about the game. Or, even better perhaps, if there's a lot of buzz in the forums about something - say new PSP2 images, we'll talk about that.

If you really want to push it, I think a weekly or bi-weekly podcast show would be better. Perhaps have a team of 2-3 people with a guest each week to preview, review and talk about upcoming titles/announcements/events.

Heck, I'd be more than happy to be involved with anything.

[squirrelbo1]

you could see what users have been in beta's for upcoming games, and they could give an opinion on what they have experienced. for those not lucky enough to be in the beta's

[adamdolge]

OK, so what else besides podcasts? Did any of those other ideas spark an interest?

[Jaeger]

And what's to say the other 242,801 members aren't looking for an entry into the world of journalism?

No one should just 'get' the ability to post on the main site. If anything it should be a community vote.

I'm not saying I should just 'get' the ability to post on the main site, so calm down. All I asked was if it were possible to provide Adam and Mr. B with a sample of my work and let me know if would be possible to write for PSU. As mentioned, I've had a dream of being a gaming journalist for sometime and writing for PSU would be a great place to start.

[squirrelbo1]

um yeah i posted this idea in a few places now

give **** away.


also do like the did with "the quad" on 'Liketotalyawesome' 4 community submissions per week. community votes on them, the winner gets a place in next week auto, and then 3 others are chosen. if you win 3 weeks in a row. you get a "regular" spot on psu to write stuff.

[Arkano6]

OK, so what else besides podcasts? Did any of those other ideas spark an interest?

Well video reviews are pretty much a given. I'm surprised we haven't seen them for some time already.

EDIT: As Squirrel said, what happened to give aways? I remember in 2009 PSU gave away a pair of Astro A40's, and 2010 it was FIFA, quite the downgrade there .

I'm not saying I should just 'get' the ability to post on the main site, so calm down. All I asked was if it were possible to provide Adam and Mr. B with a sample of my work and let me know if would be possible to write for PSU. As mentioned, I've had a dream of being a gaming journalist for sometime and writing for PSU would be a great place to start.

Such a dream that you didn't go through with your Hai!Gamer project? .

[Jaeger]

I'm down for podcasts and even videocasts, although that would be a bit harder to do than podcasts. As far as video reviews, previews and news go, I'm working on a little something....

[Wiggy_]

you could see what users have been in beta's for upcoming games, and they could give an opinion on what they have experienced. for those not lucky enough to be in the beta's

This, Take notice...

[adamdolge]

OK, the giveaway thing.. seriously? I think I gave 7 PS3 games away over the course of just two months. I also ran that Astro Headset giveaway, and that was just our luck that they offered up a product to giveaway. I really do think we try to provide giveaways, granted it's nothing huge, but we try to hook you guys up with the chance to win a PS3 game pretty frequently.

For community reviews - I'll have codes for another PSN game to give away in exchange for a review. I'm open to suggestions on how we decide who gets the chance to review the game.

[wesmore24]

Maybe when gameinformer and the official magazine of PlayStation comes out every month have like a preview of them or just list the main points or news of the newest magazine.

[Ixion]

Maybe when gameinformer and the official magazine of PlayStation comes out every month have like a preview of them or just list the main points or news of the newest magazine.

Yeah, IGN always reports on magazine exclusives, so I see no reason why we couldn't. I'm not sure if we already do though...

[Wiggy_]

Yeah seems a cool idea, I never buy Console/Game magazine.. Just wank mags lol

[SchaffinOSX]

Like many forum-goers here, I'm not too active on the homepage. However, one thing I've heard a lot of concerning PSU's news is that it sounds as though it's coming from robots. You pretty much hit the nail on the head in the OP with saying "do you want [...] more of a personal touch/perspective from the editors[?]". Yes. There's nothing wrong with having consistent news, but what makes it interesting is when the writers actually add their own touch to it --- that's what sets news on one community apart from news on others, and what could allow us to have news that people prefer over other sites that provide such news.

[Ixion]

Yeah, a personal touch is always welcome, but please don't overuse that cynical/smug tone that a lot of writers put forth.

[Zoibie]

Like many forum-goers here, I'm not too active on the homepage. However, one thing I've heard a lot of concerning PSU's news is that it sounds as though it's coming from robots. You pretty much hit the nail on the head in the OP with saying "do you want [...] more of a personal touch/perspective from the editors[?]". Yes. There's nothing wrong with having consistent news, but what makes it interesting is when the writers actually add their own touch to it --- that's what sets news on one community apart from news on others, and what could allow us to have news that people prefer over other sites that provide such news.

One of the reasons why I used to visit Joystiq a lot, it was a much more humourous, informal take on the reporting on the news.

[wesmore24]

Like many forum-goers here, I'm not too active on the homepage. However, one thing I've heard a lot of concerning PSU's news is that it sounds as though it's coming from robots. You pretty much hit the nail on the head in the OP with saying "do you want [...] more of a personal touch/perspective from the editors[?]". Yes. There's nothing wrong with having consistent news, but what makes it interesting is when the writers actually add their own touch to it --- that's what sets news on one community apart from news on others, and what could allow us to have news that people prefer over other sites that provide such news.

Yeah thats true magazines or news are not as exiting when the writing is plain. maybe if we got a writer or two to give thier input on the news or something.

[SchaffinOSX]

Yeah thats true magazines or news are not as exiting when the writing is plain. maybe if we got a writer or two to give thier input on the news or something.

It's not that we need new writers --- we just need our current writers to use their voice a little bit more. By no means do I question whether or not the writers have the ability to, it's just that I think PSU has reported news in an entirely formal way for a long time. Like I said before; nothing wrong with that, it just makes it less interesting, one reason why I think a lot users shy away from getting their news from the main page.

[Zoibie]

- industry perspective: Instead of just interviewing someone from Ubisoft about an upcoming game, I'd like to present a bigger picture at the gaming industry, get a perspective on topics like game narratives, a push to digital content, voice acting, violence in games, from the people that actually work in the industry.

I love this idea! And perhaps not just that, maybe even a greater focus on their own games. Instead of just "explain story", perhaps "explain why you felt this was a good idea, or went in this direction." Like, the highly divisive ending for PoP 2008, I don't think we've ever had the devs point of view on that.

[DreDayDetox]

To get laid with Carocat.

I kid, I kid. She does a very sexy voice though.

Ok ok, realistically, a prize system would be nice. I liked the old PSU where we could buy those little square blocks of icons under our pictures that were game company logos or accessories etc. Or if we have a lot of SP, we could buy a subscription or even PSU t-shirts and enter in contests more than once, let's say 1000sp is worth a chance at winning a prize.