My identify’s Jon (or Jonty, both works) and I’m the brand new Editorial Director of GamesIndustry.biz, overseeing this website and its sub-brands.
You might recognise my identify (and tasteful hand-drawn profile image) from my ten-year stint at earlier GamesIndustry.biz father or mother Gamer Community, the place I oversaw the B2C manufacturers like Eurogamer and Rock Paper Shotgun and popped up on stage at occasions like EGX and MCM Comedian-Con. Previous to that, I ran the late lamented Official Xbox Journal and its digital offshoots at Future through the glory days of the Xbox 360 and the somewhat much less superb debut of Xbox One, and after that I’ve been engaged on B2B occasions for MobileGamer.biz and MCM Comic-Con as effectively as the Convergence showcase.
All through that point, GamesIndustry.biz has been an important voice masking the trade and the individuals who work in it. I’ve labored alongside esteemed GI alumnus Christopher Dring and the staff previous and current on GI’s editorial, occasions and awards (and events), and seen first-hand the significance of GI’s function internet hosting the discussions, information and direct human connections for the trade globally. To have the ability to proceed and develop that, inside a brand new construction that permits the Gamer Community websites to leverage the immense attain and assets of IGN Leisure, is a tremendously thrilling alternative – and the necessity for protection and assist for the video games trade is unprecedented.
Builders and groups of all sizes proceed to endure from layoffs, and publishers are struggling to launch titles right into a market that’s intensively aggressive on the decrease finish and dominated by incumbents on the high finish. The outdated platform “wars” have settled into more and more distinct empires, whereas largest service video games are platforms in their very own proper. Cellular stays gigantic in income phrases, under-reported in media phrases, and dealing with its personal struggles with each platforms and legislation.
Gamers have by no means had it so good, when it comes to the vary and high quality of releases, however have additionally by no means been so vocal in sharing their unhappiness. The media panorama has sprawled and mutated in ways in which defy straightforward classification, and whereas the game-playing viewers has by no means been bigger, it’s by no means been tougher to truly attain them. It’s a fraught however fascinating time – and one that also holds immense potential, for titles as numerous as Balatro and Battlefield 6. It’s robust on the market, however there’s nonetheless every part to play for.
I’m dedicated to GI telling a very powerful tales and delivering important insights and evaluation, and constructing on its legacy on the location, in particular person, and in between (which incorporates, sure, the podcast, which shall be returning quickly). In the previous couple of days I’ve had nothing however thrilling conversations with the GI and IGN Leisure staff, and I sit up for sharing extra within the coming weeks and months. Within the meantime, I welcome all different conversations with the trade about how we will cowl it extra successfully – you possibly can attain me at jon.hicks@gamesindustry.biz.