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Some Housekeeping

After discussing it over with my deputy editor-in-chief, we mutually agreed to stop the collaboration. In other words: I will no longer be writing articles of a freelance basis for HUB Uitgevers’ multi platform games magazine GMR. I will still be writing some articles for the same publisher’s (Dutch) title NGamer, but to be honest, I am even in doubt about about freelancing for that magazine.

Ever since HUB Uitgevers’ games division acquired their largest competitor, the drive seems to be gone and I’m finding it very hard to get enthusiastic about writing articles for them. The lack of focus and refraining to target and cater for specific audiences seems to suck the titles dry.

I have the most hope left for NGamer, as the Nintendo audience it tries to reach is self-defining and it is just a matter of following them wherever they go. But even then, I am not quite sure if the people involved are following Nintendo’s new “Touch! Generations” audience.

It sounds overly negative, but after reading this article on JurrieBlogt.com, I’m starting to think the entire Dutch games magazine ‘scene’ is in desperate need of a kick in the behind. Newcomers like the translated-in-Dutch games™ and the twice-a-year (!) Gamez.nl Magazine just seem to attack the establishment from within the margins. Though the latter has at least tried to break away from the standard Benelux games magazine layout. In a good way.
Because in my opinion, most of the people in charge of layout (hello, Chief graphic designers!) seem to think anything on paper should be dull by default.

With that off my chest, I can tell you I will be focussing my efforts on Bashers for now.
Next to my full-time game design job at Spellborn Works, of course.