Welcome to season 3 of the Lasombra Files, PSU’s weekly hit program. Follow the story of Lasombra and V as they try to solve an inter-dimensional murder mystery of ostentatious proportions, while at the same time shining the spotlight on gamers around the world and in our community.
We waited until the area quieted down and followed our alternate selves as they left the scene of the crime. They led us through the streets as if it was a maze and we were the mice. Whatever their agenda was it was beyond me, and I’m following myself. The pair finally stopped in front of a café; a rundown joint that had seen better days during war time than this universe was nice enough to give. The screech of tires stopped us from proceeding inside as the café was aired out completely in a hail of gunfire from automatic weapons, their distinctive sound piercing the air. Glass and wood chips splattered into the sky, forcing V and myself to take cover behind one of the cars parked along the street. Screams of the dying and injured howled into the night in Episode 27: Hammer Time. “What is it with people and guns? Guns, guns, guns, can’t we just have an old fashioned fist fight or sword duel these days?” I lament, cautiously moving forward to check out the damage done to the café.
Name: Michael Harradence
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Occupation: U.K. Executive Editor, PSU.com
Country: U.K.
Disclaimer: This interview is reproduced as written by the interviewee. Pictures copyright of their artist/photographer/owner. All likenesses used are for parody and/or satirical purposes.
Lasombra: How long have you been gaming?
Mike: Quite a while, since I was about six-years-old, I believe. My first console was an Atari, and I can still recall playing Mario Bros. on it.
Lasombra: How did you find PSU?
Mike: Back in June 2007 I was working as a freelance games journalist and wanted to take on more work. I was told to check out PSU.com by a fellow journalist, so I did and applied for a staff writer position.
Lasombra: Are you solely a Sony gamer this generation or do you split your time between multiple systems?
Mike: I am and always have been a fan of many consoles. As such, I split my time between PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360 and Wii. Mostly it’s PS3 and 360 these days.
Lasombra: What do you like about the community at PSU that keeps bringing you back for more?
Mike: I’m not exactly integrated into the PSU community as much as your other interviewees. Due to my work and game time, I find it hard to find the time to post on forums. However, from what I have seen, it is evident the place is very welcoming and the diverse range of topics always makes for great discussion. I hope to post more going forward, however.
Lasombra: In your opinion, what needs to be done to help the community to grow bigger and better?
Mike: Being on the staff, I can definitely say that it is important the community interacts with the main site more. A lot of people don’t even know PSU.com’s homepage exists, believe it or not. Creating better harmony between the forums and main site will have a knock-on effect and help strengthen both areas. Articles of interest posted on PSU.com can spill into the forums, generating more conversation and interaction between staff and members.
Lasombra: Do you have any gaming goals for this year?
Mike: Yes, I have a very clear goal. I’m currently replaying my old console games, from SNES through to the GameCube, as well as the Dreamcast. It is my aim to get through all of these by the end of the year. I haven’t played some of these titles in five+ years (such as Resident Evil Zero, Shenmue, Mario Sunshine, etc.) so I figured it was about time to do so. I’ve finished up on SNES and N64, so it’s just GC and DC left.
Lasombra: Are you a Trophy hunter, and what do you think about Trophies overall?
Mike: No, I can honestly say I’m not a Trophy hunter in the slightest. I do however think they are a great way to expand a game’s replay value, and I can see the appeal at accomplishing the tasks associated with Trophies for those who pursue this particular avenue.
Lasombra: The PS2 dominated a console war like no other system. What tricks does Sony need to pull out of their hat to create the same magic with the PS4?
Mike: Great games. No matter how many fancy social features and other such junk you can throw into a console, it always comes down to the software. Exclusives may be a dying trend these days, but there will always be those ‘AAA,’ Sony-exclusive titles that will ensure people are buying PS4 over the competition.
Lasombra: Do you have a favourite era of gaming? The SNES/Genesis war? The reign of the Playstation Reich? Hail to the NES?
Mike: That’s a tough question, since I’ve grown up with almost every single era, and love them all. However, my favourite would have to be last-gen, namely the GameCube, PS2, Xbox and Dreamcast, 1999-2004, to be more specific. And yes, despite some people arguing otherwise, I count Dreamcast in the same category as PS2, etc; it’s a 128-bit machine just like Sony’s console, and easily stood toe-to-toe with PS2 in terms of graphics during its early years.
Lasombra: Is there a lot of gaming culture in your area of the world? Unique stores, conventions, etc?
Mike: Absolutely. Being in the U.K., we have a number of events, most prominently the Eurogamer Expo, which attracts huge crowds every year since its inception in 2008. There used to be a lot of independent stores around too, although sadly they have been shuttered in the last five years or so. However, the U.K. in general is big on games; working in the industry has made me realize just how big it is.
Lasombra: Have you ever been burnt out from a gaming session?
Mike: Probably. I think around 2002 when I was on college break, I would play Super Smash Bros Melee or Resident Evil until the early hours of the morning, and had to stop as I was utterly destroyed. These days though, that doesn’t happen anymore.
Lasombra: You are the U.K. Executive Editor for the site. Can you take the audience through a day in your life working for the site?
Mike: Sure thing. Well, typically I’d catch up on emails first of all, and check out what topics are ‘Hot’ on that particular day, as well as see what is cooking on N4G. I always start a shift by updating the site with news, mostly until mid-day. Then I spend the rest of the day editing any work that requires it, and writing feature articles. If something urgent needs to go up due to an embargo, then I give that priority over anything else. But yeah, usually it’s emails/news/editing/features and then I call it a day. If I have any spare time I post on the forums, too.
Lasombra: What got you interested in working as a gaming journalist? What was your first step into the business?
Mike: Back in 2002 I joined up on a now-defunct forum called TGN, and got chatting with a guy who ran a GameCube website. He wanted writers, so I jumped on board to help write reviews. It was a hobby back then, but I quickly discovered that I was actually really enjoying it and would love to pursue it as a career. I did this for about four years, perfecting my skills as I wasn’t a great writer by any stretch of the imagination. However, my first paid gig came along after I replied to an ad on Games Press for a news writer on a Wii Blog. From there, I built up the confidence to apply for other sites – with success – until I eventually joined PSU.com as a news poster. This was my ‘big break,’ as I was promoted to editor in a few months, and then came on full-time in October 2007. And here I am today, still working at the site.
Lasombra: I am a fresh faced kid who likes games and wants to work in the gaming journalism industry. How do I get a job short of assassinating the current staff?
Mike: *laughs.* Stand up and shout, is the best advice I can give. We’re always on the lookout for eager writers looking to cut their teeth in game writing, and so if you’re interested, drop us an email and show us what you can do. We embrace new talent; all you have to do is just show us the passion and capabilities and you’re a part of the team. You can be reviewing games, writing news and attending events if things go well — give it a shot, what have you got to lose?
Lasombra: What has been the most controversial topic you’ve covered in your years of working in gaming journalism?
Mike: Hmmm, that’s quite a tough question as I can’t say that I’ve covered anything particularly controversial. I certainly haven’t tackled anything such as sexism or racism in games, or anything along those lines.
Lasombra: If you could choose any gaming event to cover for the site, what would it be and why? E3, TGS, Comic-Con?
Mike: As much as I would love to go to Japan, I would have to say E3. It’s the event that I think every games journalist wants to attend at least once in their career, and having not been to any events yet (yeah, I’m pretty much the stay-at-the-office employee), I would love to cover E3. The amount of games on display, not to mention new hardware in the case of 2013, makes it unmissable as far as I’m concerned. Plus, getting to rub shoulders with the likes of CliffyB, Hideo Kojima, Jack Tretton is always a bonus!
Lasombra: Being a diehard Resident Evil fan, where would you like the series to go in the future from your own personal, selfish desires.
Mike: I like that you included the whole ‘personal, selfish desires,’ as I’m probably extremely out-dated in my wishes for Resident Evil. Personally, I think the franchise has lost its identity; it’s not Survival Horror anymore, and has slowly transitioned into a bread-and-butter action/third-person shooter, which is not what I personally want to see out of a Resident Evil game. In my opinion, the REmake is the quintessential example of ‘classic’ Resident Evil, and exactly the template Capcom should use for the series’ direction: gorgeous, pre-rendered backdrops, heavy emphasis on ammo conservation and puzzles, and creepy, claustrophobic environments. What I THINK will happen is another story altogether, but Resident Evil: Revelations is probably a good example of how things will go, which is fine by me.
Inside was a disaster. Tables and bodies were strewn across the floor, with broken glass and dishes making the floor a mine field of cuts and scratches for the unwary rolling around in pain. Our doubles looked no worse for wear but judging from the earlier report they had to have been the targets of this hit squad. A sudden push from behind forces me into an instinctive roll, something this new body is better equipped for in episode 28: My Enemy’s Enemy. The sound of wood breaking in a sickening tone made me grateful that V had pushed me out of the way, as I see a man with a hammer that could put Thor’s to shame. He tried a few more swings at V but she dodged with ease, her agile new body allowing her to use quick, seamless movements. Sirens crept into the background, forcing the stranger to suddenly retreat into a nearby alleyway, and leaving us thankful not to have our skulls smashed like melons. Whatever was going on, this was not a simple assassination. Were we targets or just witnesses needed to be silenced? It was like LA Noire met DC Comics, and this was only the first day we arrived in this crazy new world.
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