Why is Local Gaming Journalism in Australia Struggling?

An estimated 21 million Australians engage in video gaming, yet finding local journalism to guide them on worthwhile games remains a challenge. In recent years, some of the nation's prominent online gaming coverage sources have closed down. Good Game in 2016, ScreenPLAY in 2018, Hyper magazine and Game Informer Australia in 2019, and Kotaku Australia in 2024 are among the casualties. Janet Gaeta, the creator and former producer of ABC's Good Game and Good Game: Spawn Point, views this decline as "devastating." She states, "The global online gaming coverage persists, but the local connection has largely vanished, which is truly disheartening."

Independent Reporting's Importance

Independent reporting offers parents a distinct platform to access reviews of the games their children play. As Janet Gaeta explains, "The information to identify that game developers employ techniques to make their games addictive is crucial. Understanding this can assist in managing and reducing problematic tendencies." Video gaming is a vast entertainment realm, perhaps even larger than movies and music combined, and it deserves in-depth analysis.In June, the IGEA (Interactive Games and Entertainment Association) released a report indicating that Australians spent an estimated $4.4 billion on video games and related hardware in 2023, a 5% increase from 2022.

Challenges Faced by Mainstream Media

A veteran TV producer like Janet Gaeta believes that time constraints are one of the factors deterring mainstream media from pursuing games journalism. She emphasizes, "They don't always allocate the necessary hours. We're talking about potentially 300 hours to complete a game and truly understand all its mechanics."Mark Serrell, the editorial director at Choice and former editor of Kotaku Australia, notes that the landscape has "changed significantly" since he started. He says, "Things have become more difficult on all fronts. We also witness the impact of tech giants like Google and Meta dominating the advertising space. The advertising money is being absorbed by these tech duopolies, leaving less for traditional journalism." With most traditional gaming websites and magazines now closed, the few remaining outlets are facing increased competition from platforms like YouTube.

Making Games for Girls in the Modern Era

In the 90s, there was a surge of games targeted at girls, but they often relied on stereotypes. Now, women are creating games that aim to represent the full spectrum of their experiences. Mark Serrell points out, "Moving online to platforms like YouTube creates its own set of problems, with an algorithm-driven approach. Additionally, the fact that YouTubers often don't disclose their relationships is a concern."

Cultural Gap Left by the Decline

Angharad Yeo, a technology journalist and former host of ABC Listen's How Games Play Us and ABC TV's Good Game: Spawn Point, believes that the past couple of years have been tough for Aussie games journalism. She says, "We've witnessed the closure of Kotaku, a major force in Australia. Losing this is a significant setback." Ms. Yeo further explains that the decline of Australian reporters covering local gaming is leaving a cultural void. "We have a unique sense of humor and irreverence in how we approach things, and that aligns with the gaming culture. There are amazing games like Untitled Goose Game and Cult of the Lamb that emerge from Australia. If these games don't receive coverage, they may never gain recognition."

Hopes for the Revival of Niche Magazines

Janet Gaeta remains confident that new programs will emerge. She says, "Someone will take the initiative... and once they achieve success, others will follow. It worked for us in the past, and I think it can work again."Mark Serrell believes there will be a "revival" of niche magazines available through online subscriptions. Angharad Yeo remains hopeful for the future of Australian gaming journalism, stating, "There will always be coverage of games as it is something that people love to share. There is a great deal of passion among those who are passionate about games."