Freelance

And That’s It: Part 2

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There are loads of things I loved about being a freelance writer. I could be ‘professional’ and cite how awesome it is to work with an assortment of cool people across a range of fields, or evangelise about the freedom of being your own boss. In truth though some of the coolest bits were the bits not to do with work – the freedom to walk the dog in the woods late afternoon, the lunchtime PUBG, the lack of trousers, those wonderful early-afternoon naps. And the late morning naps. Am quite keen on the mid-afternoon naps too. And y’know, those early morning naps aren’t bad either.

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GamesIndustry.biz 100 Future Talent (UK)

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I spent a big chunk of last week helping put this together for Chris and James at GamesIndustry.biz. Check out all these very cool and very talented and really very annoyingly young people being very good. It was pretty amazing to write about these folk and I am absolutely convinced they are going to shape a much improved games industry in the decades to come.

Oh and of course I kept in the bit where Alex Calvin bigs me up.

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BAFTA Best Game

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I’m now allowed to reveal that I was incredibly honoured to be part of the judging panel for Best Game at this year’s BAFTA Games Award. I’m delighted to see the really very special What Remains of Edith Finch take the prize. Huge congratulations to the incredibly talented team at Giant Sparrow. Also, thanks to both BAFTA and the lovely people I shared a jury with.

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The finalists were:

ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS Development Team – Ubisoft Montreal/ Ubisoft
HELLBLADE: SENUA’S SACRIFICE Development Team – Ninja Theory Ltd/ Ninja Theory Ltd
HORIZON ZERO DAWN Development Team – Guerrilla/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY Development Team – Nintendo EPD/Nintendo
WHAT REMAINS OF EDITH FINCH Development Team – Giant Sparrow/Annapurna Interactive

Influenced

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I actually started writing daily for InfluencerUpdate.biz a couple of weeks back, which I don’t think I mentioned. Am still doing monthly features, though, the latest of which went live today. Steel are a good bunch and it’s a real pleasure to work with them.

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As for other freelance stuff, it’s a bit of a waiting game right now. I’m hopefully close to having two big recurring contracts finally signed off (it has felt like a long wait) and another project that has been rumbling on for ages has finally kicked into gear and is now gently underway.

Then there’s my big thing, the various processes of which are still ongoing. I kind of don’t dare to dream really as it would be too good to be true, by we’re inching there step by step. A lot of bridges to cross first, however. Would love to be in a position to offer a meaningful update on it but it’s still some way off, if we ever do get there.

Bezzie Mates

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I’m doing a bit of work for none other than GamesIndustry.biz this week and next which, I shall admit, after a decade+ at MCV feels a tad odd! In a good way, though! It’s a bit like sleeping with your super fit mate who has until now always referred to you as being “like a brother”. Thanks very much to Chris and James over there for offering me the chance.

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Influencer update

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I’ve done a few guide pieces for InfluencerUpdate.biz before but this is my first named piece. Will be doing a couple a month for them going into 2018. Thanks Steel.

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So that’s a year of freelancing done, then. It’s been a bit of a roller coaster (with a terrifying – though fortunately short – dry spell in the summer!) but it’s definitely a lifestyle that suits me. I do like being my own boss and it’s been great working with so many different clients. I’ve still got some work to do to get to a steady level of income that I’m happy with, but I’ve got four possible projects in the pipeline for the new year that would be tremendously exciting if they come off, along with three recurring clients. I could yet return to a salaried full-time role but if I’m able to avoid A) having to put on trousers every day and B) having to commute, then that’ll be splendid.