I am going to be up front here with everyone. I am a gamer, always was, always will be. I took 18 years to beat Legend of Zelda on the NES due to morons not holding down reset when hitting the power button. I am an avid fan of anything Zelda and/or Final Fantasy related. I enjoy RPGs, whether they come from America, Europe or Asia. I sometimes appear biased, yet I always have hardcore gamers best interests at heart, even if some think I do not.

However, I feel as though I am wasting my life away. Let me explain.

I grew up on the Atari 2600 and the NES. I loved Zelda and for some odd reason I also enjoyed the Three Stooges, Tiger Heli and Iron Sword. I have always wanted to create my own titles but couldn't gather together the funds to start my dream career, so instead I went to the internet. 

Here I can give my opinions and let everyone know what I like and what I dislike, but that just doesn't do it for me. I work 8 hours a day at an Aerospace company creating parts for aircrafts so the US government can use them for whatever bullshit they wish, but I don't want to do that. I want to be a part of the industry I love. I want to be a part of the industry that made me who I am. The industry that took a hold of me at the age of 3, in good old 1987, when my father brought home Zelda. Yeah, I didn't know what I was doing, but it started an 18 year old trip that will remain with me forever.

Anyways, to make a long story short, I want to know where is the best place I should start? I know much about the industry, the games, the developers, the corrupt bullshit that all of you hate, you name it, I know it. I was thinking about journalism, but the problem is that once I begin writing I have trouble finding out where to stop.I always have so much shit running through this mind of mine.

I live in New York, the place many consider the busiest place in the world, but I am at a loss. I need help. I need to do something with my life. I want it to be with this industry, but I do not know where to start.

If you have any suggestions I will appreciate it more than you would ever know.

You could start by making penis levels in LBP. That's how I got the attention of the gaming industry (Although it came in the form of a ban :/ )

Most video game companies, press or otherwise, are corporations. You can find out where to send in your resume for job applications.

Pick a company. Go to their website. Find out what they want. Send out resumes. You never know what you might get!

I am thinking about doing this but the problem is that I have not had any schooling yet outside of high school. My strongest subject has always been with reading and writing, but without that degree I do not know how far I could actually go. Although to be completely honest with you, I feel giving an honest opinion on gaming should not require spending money on schooling, but these days it seems that without that degree you are stuck in a rut.

I originally pursued programming, but couldn't afford $36,000 for an 18 month course and really can not afford it now. Financial aid would only provide me with around $8,000 in funds, not enough to help me through it with my current funds.

Give me a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of vodka and I can write 100% honest reviews all day long.

My fiance suggested creating a blog to get started, which is what I may pursue, but I feel as though there are smarter options available to me, but I just do not know what those options are. Outside of gaming I am lazy. Gaming is my passion, to the point where I sometimes annoy co-workers with the amount of conversations I start on the subject. I do however have many who say they would read what I write, so I guess that is a plus right?

A blog can't be a bad place to start, so long as you can get some kind of readership and - probably more importantly - regular content production.

It's never too late for education, especially when it comes to journalism, but that's entirely your call.

I don't really know that there's anything else I can offer you! Do as much as you can. Send out your resumee anyway, start a blg and produce regular, quality content, and look into getting more education. Look into jobs in related fields (journalism especially) and do hat you can to make your resume look more and more attractive while making your body of work more and more exemplary.

Hell, maybe bug some of the guys here at VGChartz to see if you can get a spot as a writer. It doesn't pay much yet to my knowledge, but regular and high-quality content on an extremely visible site like this one can't do anything but help.

I absolutely agree with you that it is never too late for education. My aunt went to school to be a registered nurse in her late 30's. 

As for VGC, I have thought about that. This site has grown at a rapid rate since i joined in December 2007 and if possible I would love to lend a hand in helping it grow further.

To be honest I am glad you responded. I have read your blog a bit and still wondering if you finished your book. I enjoy your writing style and find your input to be very worthwhile, maybe you too should write some reviews.

We all know you know have some opinions you would like to share.

Anyways, I may indeed look again to see what it costs to pursue journalism. It shouldn't cost $36,000 for an 18-month course like programming did, but my goodness, what a competitive field it is.

email ioi

go to journalism or programming school

win the lottery

If that ever happened the first thing I would do is buy a development studio.

@Khuutra

As for "regular content", I doubt that would be an issue. I have a GameFly account, so I would have the ability to review many many title, not to mention that on average I purchase around 100 titles. Currently own 34 PS3 titles, 37 Wii titles and 16 XBox 360 titles. 

I would have a review at least once a week, if not more.

Well one good way to get started is to simply create something. Something you can put in a portfolio or simply anything that will expand your knowledge of the gaming industry even further. You could make a podcast on gaming, make a fansite, just make something and roll with it. One way to get started.

It would also be an option to start working in Quality Assurance as a game tester. It's a vital role and a good way to get your foot in the door.

I'd also love to be a part of the industry (the only place I really care to go ;] ) and I wish you the best of luck.

Oh the blog - yeah I haven't updated that in a coon's age. Lord. THat makes me feel bad.

I never did finish the book - I'm the sort whose reach always exceeds his grasp. I'm working on it even now, though.

I could certainly share my opinions, I suppose, but reviewing isn't quite in the cards for me a the moment - nor is editorializing.

You, though. Can't hurt to give a shot, right?