Why???

Every mornings, when I wake up, I think “I must go to work.” Unlike most people, this is something that puts a smile on my face as I feel lucky to be able to do what I do. After the struggle of squezzing a space into the bathroom and swigging a coffee with a traditional bowl of cereal, I make my way over to my ominous room. From the moment I switch on my computer and wait for it to chug into life, I start asking myself the same question:

“What is the point in being a small reviewer when there are bigger reviewers who are swamping the web with reviews, interviews, top tens and (worst of the worst) box opening videos?”

It's a questions that depresses and angers me. I feel like the small kitten mewing from the bottom of the well, hoping someone hears me. Yet I continue to do what I do. Not for the fame. Not for free games. And not because I am the best at doing it. But purely for the enjoyment I get after publishing a video or a blog. A satisfaction that I have done the game in question justice. To it's publisher and to those who would be interested in purchasing a game like it. As I believe that gamers should not just click, click, click and buy every trick but rather spend their money wisely. As someone who just wanted it all, this obsession caused lots of problems at home. And I am sure that those of you who are reading this may relate to my story.

Spending money that you don't have or could have used to bring joy to somebody else, on a box of card and plastic that just sits on your shelf. Doing nothing. Just collecting dust. Or advertising to your visiting friends that you have “that game”, to make their jaws drop, is a waste in my opinion. For those of you that have buckets of money and more Ikea than Ikea itself, I am happy for you. Continue to do what you are doing, if it makes you happy. In fact, it is you chaps and chapettes that are keeping this industry alive, with every Kickstarter you back and every new game comes out from that great publisher, that you pick up. And I thank you for that. I hope this isn't sounding sarcastic because it's not my intention. I have friends that fit this category. They either go on to sell the games they don't like at a reduced price or give them away because they have been out dated within a few month. And that, I'm sure you'll agree, is great for their friends.

So back to my riddle. Why do I do what I do, when there is no chance of reviewing every game out there or making it a channel that everybody should watch...?

Simply, because I enjoy it.

a view from the deck in my office

I am not a journalist. I am not even a competent literal person either. I struggling to speak, let alone write in my own language. But I enjoy bringing new people into the hobby. I enjoy opening the eye of someone who hasn't heard of a game that is right up their ally. I enjoy bringing an approach that is different to other. I enjoy being honest. And I enjoy the interaction that I get back from those who follow or take the time to see what I am doing. Limited as it is, it is great. The best part of all the hard work. As well as helping you make that important decision... “Should I buy that game?”

So this is a thank you to you, who follow, subscribe or just in passing say “hello.” And to let you know that I will continue to do this thing I love, in my own time. As it helps you make that decision. I'm not saying that my word is final and you should like what I like. Always dip your foot in the pool at several locations as some parts may be hotter. Use me as a counter balance against those other reviewers, who don't like games because of art or review a game too soon, just for the clicks. Or those that like ass kissing because it fills holes in their Ikea. And the less I say about box opening videos, the better.
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Regards and Respects
Barry Doublet