@BenKuchera

Ben Kuchera

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How often are you approached by people who recognize you at events or conventions?

At events it's pretty common, which is always a lot of fun. This is the best kind of fame; you get to meet a bunch of cool people and talk games when you travel to these very specific events, and then leave it behind when you go home. In some ways it feels like leading two lives.

What, in your opinion, are good things to do/goals to set if writing for a living is something you'd like to attempt?

Right daily. Find your voice. Maximize every single opportunity you're given. Allow up to 10 years before you give up, and work your ass off every day for those 10 years. Once you're making money, allow yourself about five years to get good. This is not a sprint.

Murrigan: You can try and pass it off as a transcription error, but we all know that Blizzard is hiding the love-child of the Queen of Blades and the scion of House Bronzebeard.

I would buy that Hero in a SECOND.

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Xander C

If you the decision was left up to you would you get rid of scores on game reviews at polygon?

Absolutely. Polygon is a very different thing from PAR or even Ars Technica, and I think scores are the right thing for the outlet.

Have you been reading any good fiction lately?

Not really. I just finished Hidden America, which is non-fiction, and that was great. I also just read Spooked, and I think you should buy everything Mary Roach has written and devour it. She's the best. Start with Packing for Mars and go from there.

What makes great video game music in your opinion?

A good music game serves the music. The animations, the controls, everything about it helps to get you closer to the music you're listening to. The less you think about it, the better you become. It has to get your brain into that beautiful feeling of flow, and you have to be able to get better the more you practice. But above all, it has to serve the music.

No question, but I've really enjoyed your articles and opinions and tweets, man, so keep it up!

Awww, that's nice of you to say. Saying something supportive to the writers you read is the best, and I think we all need to make it a habit. One positive note washes away like 30 negative tweets.

what cool things can you do or plan to do with kinetic sand? extra points if gaming related!

I put it in a big pile and just play with it. It helps me zone out, and that helps me think. The best story ideas come when I'm not forcing it, so anything that helps get my brain into that space is incredibly useful. I also have a little sword that came with some package at some point, and I like to stab at it.
I'm fully aware of the fact that I'm 10 years-old.

Do you think it's worthwhile for an indie with zero press connections to attend E3? What's the proper way of reaching out to press in hopes of scheduling an in-person demo?

The process should start a long time before E3. Start following your favorite press on Twitter. Read their articles. Become familiar with all the major outlets and find potential targets for your pitches. If someone only covers sports games, your rhythm title isn't going to interest them. Know the space you're working in.
E-mail with a good pitch, a video if you have it, and try to explain why your game is special, and tell something about yourself. Reporters want stories, so give them one. At the show, don't be afraid to grab people and give them a demo. Show everyone the game if you can. If you're not comfortable doing cold pitches, find someone who is.
Know your patter. Can you explain your game in three sentences? Can you tell the press why they should care only a few seconds? If not, figure out how to do both things. You're selling your game, you're selling yourself, you're selling. Get comfortable, and try to have fun with it.

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Follow-up: Does this care come from a sense of wanting to raise well-rounded kids, or a deeper understanding than the average civvie of what games are and their positive/negative effects?

Both. I want my kids to be interesting people who also sometimes play games. I think when you make it a central part of your identity things get a little weird. I also know how much games can impact your worldview, and I want them to have solid ground under their feet before they really start exploring that.

What is your favorite root beer, and why? (additional question: Barq's: Yes, No, Indifferent?)

I think it's hard to top IBC in a bottle, personally. As for Barq's, if I'm in line at the grocery store and they have it cold, I'm game. It's hard to make a really BAD root beer.
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How about those tips for a young writer?

I just went over this on another question. Write. Read. Daily. No excuses.

Do you have a tip for someone who wants to get bigger as a reviewer and editor?

Write daily, and read as little writing about games as possible. Read anything else, and everything else. The more influences you can bring into your work that exist outside of games and the writing about games, the more unique you'll sound. Your voice will come from a mixture of other voices, so sprinkle a bunch of good shit in there. Remember that rock inspired by the blues brought us Elvis. Country inspired by spirituals brought us Johnny Cash. Rock inspired by rock brought us Nickelback.

Thanks for the grilled cheese recipe. I made one tonight with honey wheat, buttered outside and seasoned with Steak n Shake seasoning, slice of gouda, extra sharp cheddar, shredded mozarella, season w/ chipotle, garlic salt, and herbes de provence (lavender!), then slice of swiss, pan grilled.

That's a helluva cheese, my friend. Good job! Bonus advice: Don't be afraid to bust out the pesto.
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Hi Ben, big fan of your work. I'm starting as a videogames reviewer for a latin website and i want your advice in 2 things: 1. What do you think is "must do" on every game review. 2. How do You separate playing for work to playing for just fun, i'm afraid it might start to feel the same. Thanks you!

1) I don't think there are things you have to do with every review. Don't think about it as a list of checkboxes. Think about the game, and let it guide you: What's the best way to describe what it was like to play the game? How did the game change you? You're sharing an experience, try to be creative and take a stand.
2) It's hard. It's really hard. The games I play for fun tend to be different, and I'm not sure why. You have to remember why you love games, and continue playing for fun. Once you don't like the artform anymore, it's time to get out of the job.

Have you ever considered microbrewing your own root beer in all of the spare time you obviously have between work and family obligations?

Gosh, I wish. But there's already so much great root beer out there, I'm not sure I have much to add to the conversation.

Have you played Mickeys Magical Quest for SNES? Way underrated Capcom platformer, better by half than castle of illusion. Dat mountain level!

If I have played it, it was a very long time ago and I barely remember it.

Do you ever have one of those days where you're getting twitter-hate from both the MRA's and the SJW's that you wonder if it's all worth it? Or does the good outweigh the bad enough when it comes to speaking your mind that keeping quiet doesn't cross your mind?

Most stories lead to at least a few nasty comments, but the number of people saying nice things or e-mailing to say a story helped them far outweighs the arguments. The people who have decided not to like you will continue to not like you. Don't write for them. Writer for the people you can reach, and hopefully that relationship helps both of you.

How has living in a smaller city that isn't a major games center affected your career? Did it make it harder to break in?

It made it easier! Having a minimal rent and living cheaply through the early days when I wasn't making much money helped me stick with it. I couldn't have done it in New York or LA. Now that I have a name and a career I'm never moving away; Ohio is the best.

Do you think World of Warcraft will go Free to Play in the next five years?

All the way free to play? Nah. But it will likely be the last big game that gets away with a monthly charge.

This might be a touch personal, but how have you handled introducing your children to video games?

They don't get to play a lot of games, but I'm very careful about what they do play and in what quantities. It's sort of weird, industry folks and writers tend to be way more strict about this stuff than civilians.
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Followup: Do you pair root beers with particular grilled cheeses? Are some grilled cheeses too mild for root beer and call for cream soda instead? Will you ever make a Tumblr account in order to share grilled cheese recipes and root beer pairings as well as NERF reviews?

In order: Yes, No, Maybe.

Do you think Hearthstone is overcomplicating the base game and trying to do too much in adding a single-player mode via the new Naxxramas expansion, or do you think this is a necessary move for the game at this stage?

I think it's a great idea, and I can't wait to use my decks to try to bring down those bosses. I love the idea of SP content in a CCG, personally, and I'm going to buy the hell out of it.

Would you play a game where you salvage robot parts to build a fighting bot in a ruined metropolis?

Maybe? Why does it have to be a metropolis?

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