Back at the beginning of November, we wrote about our decision to take a break so we could focus on the next step for 1001-Up.com. We may have been quiet for the past couple of months but we’ve been very busy behind the scenes – and are now ready to bring you an update!
So, what’s been going on us with since we last spoke in November?
The new website is still under construction; it’s getting there and we’re very pleased with the progress, but there’s still a period to go before we’re ready to launch. However, we wanted to let you know we’ve not vanished completely and that as someone who has supported the site in the past, we’re extremely grateful for your encouragement!
Unfortunately we can’t yet say when we’ll be going live but can promise you we’re coming back bigger and better than ever, and won’t be quiet for much longer. We’ll be sure to post another update soon but in the meantime, please feel free to contact us via any of the channels mentioned on the Hook-Up page! We’re still planning on supporting Gameblast in February and attending Rezzed in March; and to whet your appetite for the new site, we’ve included a section from our business plan below (subject to change).
Happy New Year! It’s going to be a good one – from the 1001Up team
What’s Up: The 1001Up Executive Summary
Our history:
One day during the beginning of 2013, Kim came across a book that listed the top 1,001 video games released between 1970 and 2010 that everyone should play. And after a conversation in the pub with Phil over a pint one evening, we thought to ourselves: wouldn’t it be kind of cool if we tried to do just that?
So we did.
1001Up is a website that documents our journey through 1001 video games and beyond, including previews, reviews and features. We’re dedicated to providing independent, interesting, fair and quality information to our readers – along with a healthy dose of nostalgia and a good dollop of humour.
Our focus:
Our primary motivation is those titles listed in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by Tony Mott (referred to hereon in as 1001 Video Games). After starting the original blog back in February 2013, many readers commented on the originality of the project and we reinforce this idea by ensuring all of our reviews answer the fundamental question: should this title be included within a list of the top 1,001 games?
However, we aren’t constrained by this and discuss video games from all eras, genres and platforms. Our priority isn’t to review the latest titles as soon as they’re released but rather when we’re ready to, after getting under their skin and really understanding them. The emphasis is on providing independent and quality content, giving opinions supported by sensible and honest reasoning, and inviting discussion from all areas of the gaming community without discrimination.
We’ve had the opportunity to meet many talented independent developers since forming the original team two years ago and this section of the industry has become of great interest to us. We’re dedicated to promoting new, unique and exciting indie titles; but rather than just write about them, we want to build relationships with their creators and inspire our readers to get behind the projects.
We believe that gaming isn’t only enjoyable: it can also be beneficial. We therefore support SpecialEffect, a worthy UK-based charity dedicated to putting fun and inclusion back into the lives of people with physical disabilities by helping them to play video games, through both fundraising efforts and volunteering. We also back Get-Well Gamers UK, a valuable organisation that aims to bring electronic entertainment to hospitals in the form of games, by donating physical copies given to the 1001Up team and encouraging our readers to do the same. Supporting these charities is our way of giving something back and helping improve the lives of gamers across the country.
Our approach:
1001Up strives to be different. Our team has a passion for video games that brings us together as friends and we aim to make this evident in all of our content. We want our readers to feel as if they’ve joined us in the pub on a Friday evening after work, with a drink in one hand and a controller in the other as we discuss all things gaming.
At present there is very limited middle-ground between the major websites and independent journalists. But this is where we endeavour to exist: our goal is to be the go-to site for proving an honest and adult view on the world of gaming. We publish informative content, the quality of which rivals that produced by the major websites, but remain independent. Our focus is on all types of video games regardless of their release date, platform and budget.
All founding members of 1001Up are above the age of thirty and this gives us the advantage of knowledge and patience. Each has played many games during a period of over twenty years but we’re still learning, and our curiosity fuels our desire to succeed. Two members have backgrounds in an IT environment, enabling us to create the infrastructure and processes necessary to manage the website in an efficient and effective way.
Due to the nature of 1001 Video Games and age-range of the team, at times our articles may be prone to a touch of nostalgia; but we’ll always objectively cover both the highs and lows of any video game and aim to do so in an impartial manner. We won’t be persuaded to take a particular line when reviewing a title or interviewing a developer, and take pride in every single piece of content we publish.
We may not be as big as the major gaming journalism websites or have their resources. But rather than view these factors as disadvantages we see them as benefits – and these, along with our friendship and passion for gaming, are strengths that will help us succeed.
Our community:
The gaming world is made up of many individual groups, from those involved in the ever-growing independent scene, to the increasing number of female and ‘casual’ gamers, along with the traditional PC and console players. 1001Up believes that everyone is equal and regardless of which communities you consider yourself a part of, all views are worthwhile and we’re interested in hearing them.
We therefore invite discussion on all aspects of gaming from every member of every group. Understanding and tolerance are essential: open and mature conversations can only enhance the industry and make for even better experiences going forward, and we want to be a part of that.
Our future:
The original 1001Up site was the first time the core team members had attempted such a project so both the team and website structure have changed several times since February 2013 as we’ve found our feet and grown in confidence. In November 2014 we made the decision to move away from WordPress.com to private hosting and work with a designer on a new brand, in order to gain more creative control and flexibility.
We’re dedicated to reviewing all titles listed within 1001 Video Games, building relationships with and promoting titles by independent developers, and continuing our support of SpecialEffect and Get-Well Gamers UK. In this way we’ll build both our experience and readers’ trust, gaining subscribers who see 1001Up as the go-to website when it comes to delivering an honest view from adult gamers who live in the ‘real’ world.
Here’s to 1001Up: 1001 video games and beyond.
