A New Online Gaming Magazine : The Blue Skittle

An online gaming magazine by the name of The Blue Skittle came out about a month ago. It’s an awesome publication for those of you that enjoy reading gaming related articles. They have several writers, all with different backgrounds. One of their writers is a fiction writer, another is an English teacher, yet another is an aspiring gaming journalist. They have females and males alike on their staff. Their backgrounds are varied, their opinions are varied, and their articles are varied. Their magazine is different from the ones you usually read, and that is a good thing. Who wants to read the same stuff over and over?

The name of their magazine is just as unique and significant as the publication itself. I love the background story on it. A small blurb from their Mission Statement :

Players hit the blue skittle when playing G.R.A.W. to ready up, and that’s what we’re telling you to do. Ready up, because we’re coming for you. The Blue Skittle is a new type of games publication—one created by writers, artists, and designers from numerous gaming communities and websites. It’s a publication that’s going to change perceptions about video games journalism because it isn’t going to be limited to the same kinds of information found in traditional magazines (previews and reviews), internet communities (site life), or on websites (news and rumors). Prepare yourself for something more.

The first issue includes articles about :

• The Growth of an Idea and a Passion – Editorial – “Our first editorial, and it’s about how The Blue Skittle came to be. Find out how all of your favorite gamers came to join the staff of your soon-to-be favorite online video game magazine!”

• Do you hear what I hear? Tritton Headset Review – “Tritton’s GA600: AX-360 Gaming Headphones are put to the test by gamers just like you. Find out how they fared and whether or not they’re worth your money.”

• Gaming Persistence – “A look at why gamers keep playing through controller-hurling frustration, and why some games are easier to forgive for inducing profanity than others.”

• Identity Crisis – “Identity Crisis” explores possible reasons for poor character development, and questions some of the assumptions about gamers that game developers seem to make when writing their narratives.”

• Tied the Leader – “John Wheeler (DTS Wheels), one of the founders of Tied the Leader, explains the site’s origins and philosophy in an interview with The Blue Skittle.”

• “No One Can Hear You Scream” Interview with XDG – ” Gurry and his team cannot hear the sweet moaning sound effect of the enemy dying, but the pleasure resonates in them as it would in any other gamer. What distinguishes this clan from others is that it primarily consists of deaf players, who have recently grouped to form Xtreme Deaf Gamers”

• Featured Artist – Kirk Manley – “The Blue Skittle is pleased to showcase the talents of Kirk Manley (BATMANKM) in the first edition of our artist spotlight.”

• Comic May 2007 – “Rei, his cat, and the Halo 3 Legendary Edition helmet have a fateful meeting in Rei’s living room. What comes next is anyone’s guess.”

The Blue Skittle is an excellent gaming publication. When you have a few spare moments, check out their magazine. It will be time well spent.