Gamers don’t get any respect.

Well, OK, let me clarify that. Many people now do want to befriend gamers, whether they’re companies recognizing the growing importance of this demographic, or moviemakers hoping to turn a video game into a box office hit.

This is a good thing, since it shows how much gaming has become part of the lives of many people, particularly the younger generation. What’s sad, though, is when companies just pay lip service to gamers, whom they might only see as statistics to boost a site’s page views, or as a desirable market for their products and services.

If you want to be taken seriously by gamers, if you want to reach out to this community and get their support, you first have to ask: What do gamers want?

How do you find out what they want? By actually listening to them.

I only started working for Level Up! on Sept. 1, making a major career move after over a decade as a tech journalist. What I’ve learned in this short time, however, and what I’ve witnessed over the years while I was covering the gaming scene and watching this company evolve, is that Level Up! really cares about what gamers want. Sure, it’s a business at the end of the day, and we’re pushing products and services, but it’s a company that does its best to respect the needs of gamers.

This very portal, whose redesign was the handiwork of our Editor in Chief Kevin Codamon and then Director of New Media JC Medina, in cooperation with the other stakeholders, was born of this desire to truly address the needs of gamers. We realize that what makes gaming so popular is not just the actual games themselves, but the sense of community, the assurance that you belong to an online barkada sharing the same interests.

This is the community that has been the lifeblood of Level Up! over the years, particularly during those early days when skeptics said online gaming was just a fad. You are part of this faithful community that has made Level Up! number one all these years, and it’s only right that we give back to all of you and make you feel that this portal is truly your online home. Whether it’s by showcasing your work through the Level Up! Player Content Program; honoring your achievements and contributions to the community in Game Heroes; or bringing you all together in the biggest Philippine online gaming event of all, Level Up! Live, our goal is to better serve your needs as gamers and members of the LU! community.

It’s not about us; it’s all about you.

Just like this entry to the LU Live 08: Rise of the Gaming Gods National Filmfest, which shows the story of how Team Ineffable rose to victory and became Novus Elite Squad Tournament Champions for LU Live 07.

So stick around, we’ll have a lot more in store for you. As the new Multimedia Head a.k.a. The Catalyst, I’m happy to be part of this exciting world, where I can do my share in bringing you digital content that’s tailored to your needs. A year ago, when I was covering the Ragnarok World Championship 2007 in South Korea, I had no idea that my dream of finally being able to focus on gaming and technology would come true. So if you have a dream, go for it. Take the risk. Just roll the dice, and pray that you’ll get a 20 :)

As I said, the important thing is for us to listen to you. So feel free to leave your comments here or e-mail me. If you’re on Facebook, add me. You could also follow me on Twitter, Plurk, Pownce or Rejaw.

Level Up! will always be here to listen to you, kaya dito na kayo.

Dahil ang Level Up!, ka-level mo! :)

This entry was posted on Friday, September 19th, 2008 at 2:31 pm and is filed under Play to Win. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.