The VideoGamer.com front page on July 14, 2011 |
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| URL | VideoGamer.com |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | Yes |
| Type of site | Video game journalism |
| Registration | Optional (free) |
| Available language(s) | English |
| Owner | Pro-G Media Ltd. |
| Created by | Adam McCann Tom Orry James Orry [1] |
| Launched | November 12, 2004[2] |
| Alexa rank | 30,514 (as of July 2011[update])[3] |
| Current status | Active |
VideoGamer.com (formerly known as Pro-G) is a London based website focused on video game news, reviews, previews and videos. It is privately owned and operated by Pro-G Media Ltd., and was launched in November 2004[4] by university friends Adam McCann and Tom Orry.
On 6 October 2008, VideoGamer.com launched a high-definition video service, capable of streaming 720p HD videos, which is claimed to be the first amongst UK games websites[5]. The website is regularly updated with video content, most commonly consisting of video game reviews, comparisons, trailers, and gameplay clips, much of which is produced in-house.
The majority of the HD video platform comparisons created and published by VideoGamer.com cause a great deal of controversy, sparking lengthy debates on which is the superior version[6]. VideoGamer.com itself does not present an opinion on which it considers the better.
Much of the content on VideoGamer.com is syndicated to the Virgin Media portal[7] as part of an on-going content agreement.
The site tries to keep one step ahead adding functionality and features as seen fit to adapt to the ever changing industry. It is soon to relaunch with newer features and community customisation.
Contents |
The website features a community section where members of the VideoGamer.com staff interact with the website's community and also answer any questions in relation to a specific game that they are having problems with. All questions are answered on the forum under the community section. Every month, the staff hold a 'Member of the Month' competition in which a regular member of the website's community is chosen to select a game from the website Game.co.uk. As well as this the user is given founder status in the website's forums.
While the site is regularly maintained and tweaked, it also has numerous features that run weekly that give insight to that week in video gaming.
This feature outlines the DLC available over the past week on each respective console: 360, PS3 and Wii. The feature sums up all that has been offered and then outlines which format the site thinks had the best content over that period.
This feature looks at the new releases of the week and gives the teams views on which are worthy of a purchase.
A feature that describes what the team at videogamer.com have been playing over the past week. This feature gives real insight to the likes and dislikes of the teams gaming preferences. All except James Orry whom usually just gives a brief update on how his team the "Juicy Danglers" are doing in Football Manager Live.
A video feature where two staff members play a short section of a new release and share their opinions on it (as well as their mad gaming skills!) with the viewer.
In January 2009 the first episode of the VideoGamer.com podcast was released for download from the website and iTunes. Originally it was hosted by the then Previews Editor (now Deputy Editor) Neon Kelly and featured: Editor Tom Orry, Video and Podcast Producer Sebastian Ford (now of GameSpot) and Deputy Editor Wesley Yin-Poole (now of Eurogamer). With News Editor James Orry making regular appearances. Newer Members of the VideoGamer.com team have also been involved in recent shows, including Staff Writers Jamin Smith, Martin Gaston and Emily Gera.
The podcast was initially similar to other gaming podcasts but quickly evolved into the popular quiz format where the VideoGamer.com staff competed against each other to answer gaming related questions in a variety of rounds. The podcast continued to grow and by the sixteenth episode podcast punishments were introduced. These were awarded to the loser of the quiz and were usually something they had to eat or drink. VideoGamer.com's community are regularly involved in the podcast, with the team answering their questions on the show and sometimes having them take part in 'surveys' to produce answers for the family fortunes inspired round: 'Forum Fortunes'.
In October 2009, to combat fears that the podcast was becoming less gaming related and focused more on humour, the VideoGamer.com Back On Topic podcast was released. This would have a more serious discussion on the world of gaming so that the 'Quizcast' could continue to stay how it was. The 'BOTcast' would be released on the Monday that followed the 'Quizcast's' Friday release.