The hiatus is over and the Bitmob Mailbag is bag. Where did it go? We may never know for sure, but we heard rumblings about some trouble out in Wahoo, Nebraska. What kinds of great e-mails did you send to letters@bitmob.com in the interim? Let’s find out.
Hey Bitmob,
Is it possible that the failure of EGM can be attributed to the fact that the longer, more in-depth article philosophy did not work? Toward the end of EGM, I can vividly remember skipping over large portions of the magazine that had articles I had absolutely no interest in reading.
If the magazine had more tidbits, screen shots, quotes, and 1/4 page columns I would have read almost everything. Even if this information was on the Internet, it would have taken me a long time to find it, and most of it would be missed because I wouldn’t even think to look for it.
Am I way off base with this? Let me know.
Dave
Bitmob: Wait, you want lots of images, tidbits, and mindless quotes? Say hello to your EGM replacement: Maxim!
Here’s the thing, Dave. The features you are talking about are ideal for gaming coverage on the Web and blogs: quick hits, flashy, short reads that are easily disposable.
We recognized this and knew for us to stand out and survive, we’d have to offer something that you typically don’t see online — in-depth well-reported stories. And rarely did we get complaints about those. Of course, as you know, the focus on that style didn’t save the magazine, but the reasons it failed are vast. Shoe breaks some of them down here and here.
Hello Jason Wilson,
I just wanted to thank you for adding my post to your front page. I am dyslexic and as such it is frequently a struggle to produce copy people will take seriously. With no small thanks to Word, by proof reading myself and with help from a good friend (Daniel Feit on the site) I am improving. I am always aware though that a slip in concentration could easily give me away.
I started my site (dofuss.net) about a year ago, because I want to get into the industry but also as a creative outlet to get my voice into the world however small the audience. To have a venue like Bitmob which can introduce my writing to even more eyes is an incredible opportunity. Being placed on the front page is something of a validation for me that I could with focus one day do some professional writing (if not writing for a profession).
Again, thank you and I hope one day I will make something else you like equally as much as my last post.
Alex Beech
Bitmob: Managing Editor Jason Wilson (who posted the story) responds:
“Alex, your thank you is apreciated, but it’s really unecessary. You should instead take pride in yourself. Writing’s hard, regardless if you have a learning disability or not. You’re willing to put your work out for public consumption despite having a learning disability — that takes a great deal of courage to do so, especially on the Internet, where people live to tear others apart. Hell, I’m proud of you for doing so!
And I hope you continue to write. Don’t let anyone — or anything — stop you. In the end, it doesn’t matter what others think of your writing. The only thing that matters is how much you enjoy creating it.”
Hey Bitmob,
How do you feel about telling new people that you are REALLY into gaming? For example: I’m 31 years old and work at a major newspaper. I get to meet a great deal of important people and when the subject comes up I like to jump in just because of how passionate I am of my hobby. But sometimes I don’t say anything or tell anyone just because I don’t want to be looked down on, be labeled unprofessional or immature for being such a game nerd.
Dave
Bitmob: You’re killing us, Dave! If upstanding citizens like yourself won’t wear your gaming badge loud and proud, what hope does our little hobby have?
We’ve found that in most cases with people of our generation (mid-30s and younger), if you bring up games, usually they’re more on the “That’s cool” camp as opposed to “Grow up.” But yeah, some people are still jerks about it and make us wish we had just stayed quiet.
But we might be wrong. If the video game industry crashes again, we’re blaming you!
Hey Bitmob,
Is there some way of making the aiming and shooting in MGS any easier? Am I missing some crucial piece of information that makes it possible to do well?
This letter could be taken as a joke, or a chance to knock MGS, but I hope someone helps me out!
Lance
Bitmob: Oh, you’re having trouble shooting in Metal Gear Solid? How strange — that being a flawless game and all.
Little known fact: When you agree to write about games online in any sort of official capacity, you have to swear with your right hand on a front-loading NES stuffed with the Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt double pack that you will never bad mouth the Metal Gear Solid series. It’s just not allowed.
…
You almost want to believe us, don’t you?
Well, what you should believe is that the Bitmob Mailbag is back! We’ll be cracking open the ol’ letter sack every two weeks, so please stamp your e-mails and direct them to letters@bitmob.com.
