17 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You’ll often start by checking email and calendars in Microsoft Outlook, then scan game news, press releases, and social feeds for leads. Editors assign stories; you research background, interview developers or players, and gather assets like screenshots or video.
Afternoon tasks include writing or updating stories in HTML or a CMS, editing images in Adobe Photoshop, coordinating with editors and producing scripts for video or livestreams. Evenings can include attending events, playing review builds, or transcribing interviews recorded earlier.
Learn Microsoft Outlook for email and scheduling, Microsoft Excel for tracking review copies or expenses, and a basic HTML editor for publishing. Many outlets expect you to paste clean HTML or tweak headings and links.
Also know Adobe Photoshop for screenshots and thumbnails, and Microsoft PowerPoint if you make pitch decks or presentation materials. Employers may use different CMS tools, but these systems cover the common daily tasks.
Use AI for quick research summaries, generating draft interview questions, or cleaning transcripts, but always verify facts and quotes against original sources. AI should speed repetitive tasks, not replace your reporting or attribution.
Never present AI-generated content as your original reporting. If AI helps with a draft, disclose it if your editor or outlet requires it, and always fact-check, especially game names, patch notes, and interview quotes.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2025, 39,250 people worked as journalists; the median annual wage was $62,200. The lowest 10% earned $36,240, and the top 10% earned $144,140.
Pay varies by outlet size, location, union status, and whether you freelance. Big outlets and senior roles pay more; freelance income can fluctuate based on assignments and contracts.
Start building clips: write short reviews, news pieces, or opinion blogs and publish them on a personal site (basic HTML helps). Use Microsoft Outlook to manage pitches and Microsoft Excel to track sent pitches and responses.
Attend local events, request review keys from developers, practice interviewing friends or streamers, and learn Photoshop for thumbnails. Pitch story ideas to small sites or volunteer for community outlets to get credited bylines.
Gaming journalists investigate, verify, and present news for the public; their duty is accuracy and critique. PR people work for game companies to promote titles, and influencers mainly create sponsored or personality-driven content.
If you interview a developer, a journalist asks tough public-interest questions and may publish criticism. PR will coach messaging and try to avoid negative angles. Maintain independence by disclosing gifts or review codes and keeping editorial control.
Clear writing and editing rank highest: you must turn research and interviews into publishable stories quickly. Technical skills like HTML, Photoshop, and Excel make publishing and asset prep faster.
Equally important are interviewing and verification: get accurate quotes, transcribe or record interviews reliably, and update stories as new info comes in. Being organized in Outlook and able to coordinate with editors is crucial under tight deadlines.