So You Want to Be A Video Game Reviewer?

If you have your sights set on being a high profile video game reviewer or journalist, the new Videogame Style Guide and Reference Manual shows you how its done.

It might seem that writing about video games would be pretty straightforward, but any serious gamer can tell you there’s a world of difference between a well-written, knowledgeable review or article and the sorts of incoherent ramblings one typically finds in online forums, posted to fan sites, or (ahem) published on the Internet. If you really want to write about games—and have people pay attention to what you say—you not only have to have too be able to put words in a row and get the lingo right, you have to know what you’re talking about and write in an interesting way.

A new book, The Videogame Style Guide and Reference Manual may not be able to make your writing more interesting—you’ll have to do that yourself—but it can help you out with may of the other details that make up a quality game review or article. Endorsed by Games Press The Videogame Style Guide authors David Thomas, Kyle Orland, and Scott Steinberg combine decades of journalism, gaming, and freelance writing experience, and cover everything from IGJA usage and grammar practices to standard abbreviations, terms, and names. The book also offers valuable industry background information including in-depth entries on key companies and individuals, historical timelines, and a guide to game criticism which can help make your reviews and comments stand out from the crowd. The book also features a forward from Electronic Gaming Monthly’s Dan “Shoe” Hsu.

“The Videogame Style Guide and Reference Manual brings long-awaited clarity to the amazing, fast-paced world of electronic entertainment,” said co-author David Thomas in a release. “From enthusiasts to editors, developers to publishers, and even software retailers, armed with the information found within, we’ve all finally got the tools required to start speaking in a language everyone can understand.”

The Videogame Style Guide and Reference Manual is available for pre-order now, and is priced at $14.95 for paperback and $24.95 for hardcover.

[Editor's note: Author Scott Steinberg is a contributor to Digital Trends.]