@BenKuchera

Ben Kuchera

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If you had one minute in an elevator with Iwata, what would you ask about the way they handled the WiiU?

Why he thought it was ready to launch. It was insane that they didn't have the software done until literally hours before it was in everyone's hands, and the user interface is still terrible. I don't know where the planning fell apart, but the system has been a fiasco.

You're awesome! Love your stuff, keep up the great work! Thank you for the Q&A.

My pleasure! I have fun with stuff like this.

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Xander C

Have you ever felt burnt out with games? I understand you're passionate and love games, and what you do, or you wouldn't do it. But I know I can get burnt out with stuff I'm passionate about, at least for a little bit.

Yep, and when that happens you take a break. You find ways to write things that don't require you to play a ton of games. It always comes back.

Favorite gaming journalists?

This is going to sound self-serving, but I've admired, read, and respected so many of my co-workers at Polygon for so long that it's a little overwhelming to put my work next to theirs. Outside of that I'm a big fan of Patrick Klepek, and I've been a big fan of Kyle Orland for a long time, to the point where I specifically went after him to replace me at Ars Technica. It makes me very happy he's doing such a good job over there. I like reading Rock Paper Shotgun, and I think Jason Schreier does great work over at Kotaku. Alexander Silwinski at Joystiq is also always a great read. I adored working with Andrew Groen and Sam Prell, and it makes me happy that they're both out there kicking ass post-PAR.
I'm sure I'm going to kick myself for not including more names I'll think of the moment after I hit "answer" to this question, but I think it's pretty easy to find good writing right now.

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That's great, and weird, since I just read about that game in the book "Ready Player One". You should read it if you haven't.

I haven't, but everyone tells me it's amazing. The next time I'm on a plane I'm going to pick it up.

Did you ever get a chance to replace your Panny?

I ended up buying a 65 inch Samsung plasma, and I love it. I love it so hard. My family and I watch 3D movies at least once a week, gaming is amazing on it, and it does things like Netflix and Youtube as apps, so no external hardware needed. Having a big, beautiful TV may seem petty, but if you love movies and games as much as I do it's worth every penny.

Since joining Polygon (and sadly, that's when you appeared on my radar) you have become the most prolific writer on the site. Can you speak to the kind of process you employ that allows for so many

I'm not sure I'm the most prolific writer on the site, to be honest. I ran the numbers for the first few weeks on the job, and I write, on the average, 1.5 stories a day. That's not a crazy amount. I'd like to get up to two stories a day, whether that means I write them, or edit them, or get freelance pieces, but that's my goal.
As to how I do it, I'm used to being the guy who writes the majority of content for a site, or the gaming part of a site, and I've been doing this for about a decade. I naturally like to write a lot of stories, and I know how to constantly be coming up with ideas, working on gaining sources, and keeping many irons in the fire. It's a matter of managing time, and it's also just the fact that I like games, and I like writing about games. When you love your job this much you want to do a lot of it!

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Favorite arcade game? And I'm talking coin operated game. Not XBLA.

Robotron 2084. Didn't even have to think about it. That game is perfect.

Do you still hate Kotaku?

Kotaku runs a ton of great, original stories, and I read the site often. I also disagree with with some of it, but honestly these days the level of discourse online can be so low that I don't like being an asshole about other sites or writers online. Life is too short, it makes you look as bad as the target, and I just don't want to add to the general feeling of negativity out there.
On the whole though? I like Kotaku, and think they have a ton of great writing.

In running your opinion section, (how) do you solicit guest articles from game developers and the like. Do you pay them? Do they come to you with ideas they want to share?

Kevin Pennyfeather
It's a combination of both, and keep in mind that I've only run a few opinion stories I didn't write so far. But I look for interesting voices, and if someone on the staff is talking about something they obviously care about I'll ask if they want to turn it into an article. Sometimes people come to me. I'm still working on getting systems in place for figuring it all out.

When's the last time you called someone a dingus?

I'm not sure I ever had. That's basically another word for genitalia, right? Like calling someone a dick?

This isn't a question, but I'm sorry you're shit on so much by GAF. I love your work and keep on trucking!

The sad reality is that if you do something in the public eye, you're going to get shit on by someone, or groups of someones. I like GAF as a whole, and I definitely lurk from time to time, and lord knows I've been part of communities that didn't like people in the past, so I don't take it very personally.
On a whole writing about games as a career has been such an amazing experience that the few downsides such as this don't do much to damage my love for my job. It's also kind of flattering to have people pay such close attention to you. Even if they disagree with what I say, that level of commitment to following my writing means they care.
I'll start getting scared when I do things that don't get reactions. That's how you know you're on the way out!

Favorite place to eat when in NYC?

I'm not in NYC often enough to have much of an opinion, sorry. In general when it comes to food I like to walk around and just find something that looks funky and weird.

How are you handling the Oxford comma fallout?

Kevin Pennyfeather
It's weird because punctuation becomes muscle memory after a while, right? My hands just kind of work, you don't really think about these things while you're writing. So I'm getting better at leaving the Oxford comma out, but I leave it in about 50 percent. Luckily, the site has great people reading stories so they find it and tell me to remove it before publication.

How should one cold approach an individual who could provide a valuable networking opportunity?

Honestly, and you need to provide mutual value. Don't come at people just because you want to get something out of them, make sure you have something to offer, even if it's just a pleasant hello and a business card.
If they're busy, or their body language says that they're not interested in the conversation, respect that and walk away. If they're in a conversation with someone else ask if they mind if you join and introduce yourself.
It's basic stuff, but you'd be surprised at how many people don't understand the basics of social grace, and I have to admit I can be an awkward person from time to time as well. Practice this sort of thing until you get a little more comfortable with it if you have problems, and don't be afraid to take chances to introduce yourself to someone you want to meet, especially if you're a fan of their work. I've gotten to meet a lot of cool developers / industry folk just by saying that I liked their games or writing. If you want a bit of advice, ask if they have any words of wisdom for someone starting out. Gaming is FILLED with friendly people, and if you're friendly yourself you'll go far.

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What are you playing tonight?

It's not secret things, but I'm trying to get out of the habit of talking about games I'm playing before they're out. It starts to sound like bragging, and you butt up against embargoes, so it's not really fun. I will say I'm having a lot of fun and getting some good story ideas.

If you had to eat one Muppet, which one would you eat and why?

I think Animal would be gamey, and Kermit is obvious... it's not hard to get frog legs. Miss Piggy is another easy choice but you can get pig anywhere. I'd definitely go with Gonzo, because you have no idea what he would taste like. He's the only Weirdo there is, so you'd have a story you could tell at parties for basically ever.

Some of my favorite PAR content were the non-gaming culture topics like TV episode reviews. Seemed like you had fun with them, too! Do you hope/plan to continue with that diverse subject matter in your next gig?

I really don't know, but if not I'd like to find a place to put those thoughts. I love writing that sort of thing, so we'll see. I'm sure I'll find some way to get reviews and thoughts on pop culture out there.

Will you be working with Andrew anymore? I loved the articles that you wrote together.

I'd love to work with him in some capacity, just because I'm a huge fan of his work. I hope so!
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Liked by: Breanna

I am cleaning out my basement and weeding some old toys and action figures. Is it better to get them out of the house or save them for my 14 month old twins to have someday. Do kids like old stuff?

Yes they do, put them in a box, and forget about them. In a few years you'll be glad you did once you dig them up again. I promise.

What hardware makers would like Sega be better in the software game? What software makers might have promise making systems? (Co-ops allowed)

I think all three companies making hardware right now are in good places. I can't imagine anyone who isn't doing it would get in the business. Valve is making moves like they want to at least be involved in hardware, so that's an interesting play, but overall I think things on the hardware side will be pretty static for the next few years.

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