How to Be Video Game Critic - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 10, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise of video game critic has had a significant effect on the gaming industry. As more and more reviews are written and published, developers and publishers now have a better understanding of how their games will be received. This allows them to make adjustments and improvements to their games accordingly, resulting in higher quality titles.

Consumers are also better informed, as they can read reviews from multiple sources and make more informed decisions about which games to purchase. the increased presence of video game critics has led to increased competition in the market, which has driven down prices and made gaming more affordable for everyone.

Steps How to Become

Play a variety of video games across multiple platforms. To become an effective video game critic, you must have a broad knowledge of the games and gaming industry. Play as many different types of games as possible and become familiar with the popular titles and trends in the gaming industry.
Keep up-to-date with the latest gaming news. Follow industry websites and publications to stay informed on the latest news and reviews from the gaming community.
Build a portfolio of your own work. You can create a website or blog to showcase your writing about video games. If you dont have any professional writing experience, this is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.
Make connections in the gaming industry. Networking with other video game enthusiasts and professionals is an important step in becoming a video game critic. Attend industry events, join online communities and build relationships with people in the industry.
Look for opportunities to write about video games. You may be able to find freelance writing opportunities on job boards or by contacting game companies directly. You can also apply for jobs at publications that specialize in video game criticism.
Develop a critical eye for reviewing games. As a video game critic, you should be able to provide an objective assessment of a game's strengths and weaknesses. Practice writing reviews and analyzing games to hone your skills as a critic.

Staying ahead and capable in the video game industry requires dedication, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Dedication is key to success in this industry because it often involves long hours of practice and hard work. Creativity is also essential, as it allows developers to create unique, engaging experiences for gamers.

staying up to date on the latest trends and technologies is essential in order to stay competitive. Taking the time to research new developments, attending industry events, and networking with other developers can help ensure that you remain abreast of the latest developments. Finally, having a good understanding of the gaming industry and its current state can help developers stay ahead of the curve and develop products that are both innovative and successful.

You may want to check Style Critic, Automobile Critic, and Food Critic for alternative.

Job Description

Video Game Critic: Responsible for assessing the quality of video games, including the storyline, graphics, audio, and overall gameplay. Provides constructive feedback to game designers and developers.
Video Game Tester: Responsible for testing video games for bugs and technical issues prior to release. Analyzes user feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Video Game Content Creator: Creates content for video games, such as levels, characters, and storylines. Responsible for staying abreast of current trends in video game development and design.
Video Game Moderator: Monitors online video game forums and chat rooms to ensure users adhere to the rules and regulations. Intervenes when necessary to maintain a safe and enjoyable user experience.
Video Game Producer: Oversees the entire video game development process from start to finish, including budgeting, scheduling, and quality control. Communicates with other team members to ensure the project is completed on time and within the designated budget.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of the gaming industry
A keen eye for detail
Technical expertise in game consoles and computer systems
Creative problem-solving skills
Excellent communication skills
A comprehensive understanding of the rules and mechanics of video games
Ability to write detailed reviews and critiques
Research skills to stay up to date on gaming trends
Ability to remain unbiased while assessing games
Strong organizational skills to manage workloads efficiently
Understanding of the target audience for each game
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team

Good game criticism requires a broad range of skills, but one of the most important is being able to objectively assess the quality of a game. Being able to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of a game is essential in order to offer an accurate, thoughtful review. having a deep knowledge of gaming history and the various elements that make up a good game can help the critic recognize the nuances of a game and provide a more thorough analysis.

Furthermore, having excellent communication skills is essential in order to effectively communicate ones opinion in an organized and persuasive manner. Finally, being able to provide constructive criticism and offer solutions to improve the game is often key to helping developers create better games in the future. All these skills are necessary for an effective video game critic, and anyone looking to enter the field should strive to develop and hone these abilities.

Literary Critic, Cultural Critic, and Art Critic are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How long have you been reviewing video games?
What is your favorite genre of video games?
How do you approach playing a game for review?
What criteria do you use to rate a video game?
Are there any particular elements that you look for when evaluating a game?
Do you have any experience in writing video game reviews or critiques?
What steps do you take to ensure accuracy and fairness when writing reviews?
How do you stay abreast of the latest trends in the gaming industry?
What methods do you use to research game titles prior to review?
How do you handle criticism from the gaming community about your reviews?

Common Tools in Industry

Game Engines. These are software programs that allow developers to create video games. (eg: Unity, Unreal Engine)
Level Editors. These programs allow developers to create levels in their games. (eg: Super Mario Maker 2, Dreams)
AI Tools. These are software tools that allow developers to add artificial intelligence (AI) elements to their games. (eg: Neural Networks, Machine Learning)
Debuggers. These tools allow developers to find and remove errors from their games. (eg: Visual Studio, Xcode)
Game Design Documents. These documents provide a detailed outline of the game's design and mechanics. (eg: GDD Template, Design Document Template)
Documentation Tools. These are tools used to document the development process of a game. (eg: Doxygen, Javadocs)
Graphics and Animation Tools. These tools help developers create graphics and animations for their games. (eg: Blender, Adobe Animate)
Testing Tools. These tools allow developers to test their games by simulating different gaming scenarios. (eg: Game Testing Suite, Automated Testing Tool)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS)
International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA)
Game Developers Conference (GDC)
Independent Games Festival (IGF)
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR)
International Game Technology (IGT)
Global Game Jam (GGJ)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)

We also have Movie Critic, TV Critic, and Wine Critic jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Gameplay. Refers to the overall experience of playing a video game, including the controls, graphics, story, and level design.
Graphics. Refers to the visuals of a video game, including the art style, textures, and animation.
Story. Refers to the narrative of a video game and how it progresses over time.
Level Design. Refers to the structure and design of levels in a video game, including the layout, enemies, puzzles, and objectives.
Multiplayer. Refers to the ability to play with multiple players online or offline in a video game.
Reviews. Refers to the opinions of a video game critic or reviewer, which can help players decide if they want to buy a game or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Video Game Critic?

Video Game Critic is a website dedicated to providing reviews, news, and opinions on the latest video games. It is a platform for gamers to read reviews, watch videos, and discuss their opinions on video games.