About GamesRadar

Meet the writers and editors behind the stuff you've been reading

Words: GamesRadar US

GamesRadar US is:

GamesRadar UK is:


Who? Stephen Pierce

What? Global Editorial Director

How did I get here? Ten years chipping at the coalface of videogames editorial. I started out as a Staff Writer on Official PlayStation Magazine UK, became the Editor of PlayStation World Magazine and then the Editor-in-Chief of Official PlayStation 2 UK Magazine. In 2005 I moved from the UK to San Francisco to help launch GamesRadar.

Loves: Comme des Garcons, Kubrick, Garry Shandling, Arena magazine even though it's now a bit rubbish, FPSes on consoles, Jay McInerney, Vodka Tonics, The Oslo Report, Marvel superheros, my wife Katherine.

Hates: Religious fundamentalism, war, rampant consumerism, the inability of the human race to save itself from itself, the fact that I hate smoking but also love it, any TV show that pits marginally well-known people in a contest based around losing weight/dancing/singing/cooking/telling jokes/ice skating/painting/decorating etc... and anyone that creates, participates in, or watches the aforementioned.

Now playing: Call of Duty 4's Free For All mode, and very little else.


Who? Eric Bratcher

What? Executive Editor

How did I get here? In a dented '89 Ford Ranger pickup that looked normal in Illinois where I grew up, but stuck out like a sore thumb when I lived in Hollywood, the land of BMWs and limos. But in the years since it brought me to the SF Bay Area, I've been full-time on gaming mags Next Gen and PSM and written freelance for about a zillion pubs in between, including the original Daily Radar. These days, I work to keep things moving here at GamesRadar. 

Stuff I done: Grand Theft Auto IV demo dissected (part of round table), The most clueless box blurbs in historyShadow of the Colossus review

Loves: Videogames obviously, Mrs. Eric and our pet pig Bacon, music of nearly any kind (especially metal, punk and folk), most sports, rubber-suit monsters and the giant robots that love them, botany.

Hates: Haters who spout incorrect facts, the stereotype that gamers are all socially inept geeksters, soccer (sorry, footie fans), mushrooms, budgetary constraints, manufactured celebrities.

Now playing: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, Echochrome, Samorost 2, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Doom.


Who? Joe McNeilly

What? Senior Editor

How did I get here? I hold a BA in Screenwriting and an MA in Multimedia Studies. Before coming to so-called games journalism, I traveled on three continents, designed a location-aware Flash/GPS game called GaiaLogic and worked in film, real estate and locksmithing. I've written for GamePro, GameStar, OXM, PSM, Hardcore Gamer, Future Music, Hook Up, Code Vault and game-over.net. I was interviewed by the Washington Post regarding the Hot Coffee scandal, and appeared on Turner's "Play This Game." Though I'm nowhere near the most hardcore gamer on staff, I won a Senior Editor position due to my formidable set of crossover skills. Oh yeah, and I know Yoda.

Stuff I done: My main gig is producing video for the site, however I do write from time to time: 10 things videogames learned from D&DStuck!!Portal is a Feminist Masterpiece

Loves: anything with great storytelling, non-Japanese RPGs, artsy games, basketball.

Hates: Wii Fit, MMOs, SIXAXIS, anything in ALLCAPS.

Now playing: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, the Pixies' Doolittle in Rock Band, Soul Calibur II.


Who? Brett Elston

What? Nintendo Editor

How did I get here? After toiling in the Toys "R" Us salt mines for five years, I graduated from Southern Illinois University with a BS in journalism and began freelancing for PSM (thanks to fellow alumni Eric). Two years later, GamesRadar was born and needed an editor with an uncompromisingly deep love for Nintendo, from Zelda tattoos to obscure NES soundtracks. I was that nerd. And, despite a rather shallow pool of affection for Wii, my unwavering fandom continues.

Stuff I done: The ultimate Mega Man retrospectiveGame Names Corrected by Spell CheckTalkRadar HQ

Loves: Video game music, Arcade Fire, Godzilla, Symbiote Spider-Man, Rock Band drums.

Hates: Lettuce, Wii shovelware, my perpetually broken PS3, Ultimates 3, anyone who writes Ch-Ch-Changes.

Now playing: Rock Band drums, Mega Man ZX Advent and ONLY the Top Gun Anthem in Guitar Hero III.


Who? Mikel Reparaz

What? PlayStation Editor

How did I get here? After graduating from college in 2000 with a BA in journalism, I worked for five years as a copy editor, page designer and videogame-review columnist at a couple of mid-sized newspapers you've never heard of. My column eventually got me a freelancing gig with GMR magazine, which folded a few months later. I was hired on full-time by GamesRadar in late 2005, and have since been paid actual money to write silly articles about lovable blobs.

Stuff I done: Grand Theft Auto IV - PS3 review8 new crimes that'll be blamed on GTA IVThe scariest villains EVER, The 10 worst consoles ever

Loves: Open-world games, 2D fighters, moody horror games that use fog as a plot device, The Ramones, Hunter S. Thompson, the First Amendment, chinchillas, snark.

Hates: Fanboy rage, card battles, crushingly realistic driving sims, would-be censors, most of what passes for comedy these days.

Now playing: Alone in the Dark, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Grand Theft Auto IV, Professor Layton and the Curious Village.


Who? Charlie Barratt 

What? Microsoft Editor 

How did I get here? Before moving to San Francisco to finally pursue my dream job, I spent four years studying psychology at Pomona College and three years developing screenplays in Hollywood. So many precious and potential gaming hours... wasted!

Stuff I done: HaloRadar (Skulls Guide!), Confessions of a Game Store ClerkTop 7 Games That Should Have Sucked

Loves: Procrastination, rain, kittens, Netflix, deep-fried squid tentacles, St. Louis sports teams, obsessively finishing every single game to 100 percent completion (even if it kills me).

Hates: Coffee, sushi, trucker hats, orthodontists, possums, Michael Bay, people touching my controllers with their Dorito hands.

Now playing: Call of Duty 4 (on Veteran difficulty), Grand Theft Auto IV, Rainbow Six Vegas 2.


Who? Tyler Nagata

What? PC Editor

How did I get here? After learning all about drugs from the editorial department at Pharmacist's Letter, I went on to edit a cookbook, which featured autographed photos and personal recipes of celebrities like Jackie Chan. It was only a matter of time before GamesRadar hired me on account of my obsession with PC games and my ability to string several sentences together.

Stuff I done: The never-ending gameGuild Girls Gone Wild, Top 7 Things You'll Love and Hate about The Burning Crusade

Loves: Red Bull, long walks on the sidewalk, playing the guitar, obscure anime, fat loot.

Hates: stereotypes , skim milk, shark soup, many other things that begin with the letter "S."

Now playing: Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Beta, Team Fortress 2.


Who? Tyler "Bender" Wilde

What? Features/Community Editor

How did I get here? I was that annoying kid who would come over after school to play your Nintendo and do nothing else. Want to play basketball outside? Too bad, jackass, because I'm playing Balloon Fight on your Nintendo and eating your mom's peanut butter, celery, and raisin hors d'oeuvres.

Stuff I done: The Top 7... Worst jobs in the games industryIf game characters were oldGames as graphs (and charts!)

Loves: Classic adventure games, Call of Duty 4, Douglas Hofstadter, the untergrund art scene, hockey, my fiancee.

Hates: Games that are "totally gangsta," very slow elevators, cut scenes I can't skip, dry-clean only clothes, the traffic on US-101 North.

Now playing: Call of Duty 4, Command & Conquer 3, Condemned 2: Bloodshot.


Who? Carolyn Gudmundson

What? Production Editor

How did I get here? I studied hard in school and spent the rest of my time playing games. After graduating from UCLA (Linguistics) in June 2006, I started interning at GamesRadar. I was hired on full-time in November because of my passion for punctuation, among other things. 

Stuff I done: In between managing our production team (shout out to our amazing interns), I try to squeeze in some writing whenever I can. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney reviewEternal Sonata reviewFugly Pokemon (yes, I will finally admit to writing this)

Loves: My cat Tetra, reading (especially science fiction), Pokemon, Universal Grammar, Optimality Theory, syntax trees, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, writing programs for my TI-83, vegan food.

Hates: Anyone who has an NES but hasn't played Bubble Bobble, dairy.

Now playing: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Blue Dragon.


Who? Shane Patterson

What? Associate Features Editor

How did I get here? I wrote for City on a Hill Press, UC Santa Cruz's newspaper, before graduating with a degree in Film and Digital Media. Once I leapt into the real world, I found that I could turn a phrase well enough to shack up with the misfits at GamesRadar. ProTip: you don't need pants for a successful job interview.

Stuff I done: MGS4 - Close Quarters Combat and You8 officially licensed WTF?! products, The Art of Teabagging 

Loves: Films that end in "otal Recall," The Venture Bros., my dust-covered PS2, naysaying, brand new DVDs and games, Perry Bible Fellowship.

Hates: Garfield, arguing with fanboys, your favorite band, movies based on games, games trying to be movies, truckin'.

Now playing: Call of Duty 4, BioShock, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.


Who? Paul Ryan

What? Associate Editor, CheatPlanet

How did I get here? I studied English at Santa Clara University before wandering into the office one day and asking for an internship. Once they gave it to me, I stopped crying and began writing occasional articles for the site. After about a year of thankless intern-toil, I discovered the lifelong love of cheats that had previously lain dormant inside my heart and was hired on to look after CheatPlanet.

Stuff I done: Surf's Up reviewHaloRadar: Stupidest CheatsUse our Universal Guide to beat any game

Loves: Rock and Roll, BBQ, sandwiches, wearing jeans and a black t-shirt, playing through Final Fantasy IV every few years, keeping it real.

Hates: My first three red-ringed Xbox 360s, people who don't do the dishes, when my landlord doesn’t clean up after his dog (which is all the time), the fact that 1000 Microsoft Points don't cost 10 dollars.

Now playing: Ninja Gaiden II, Ikaruga Street Fighter II.


Who? Lizzie Cuevas

What? Associate Video Editor

How did I get here? I got hired as a video intern at GamesRadar while I was in school pursuing a BS in Computer Science.  After interning for nearly a year, I kicked enough of my co-workers' asses in Halo that they hired me on full-time.  The lesson here is: "Being good at Halo gets you anywhere," and, most importantly, "Fake it ‘til you make it" (thanks, Mike).  I’m currently obtaining my BFA in Multimedia Studies while working here.

Stuff I done: The Art of TeabaggingRock Band Reality - What you really sound likeDevil May Cry 4 - Babesplosion!Devil May Cry 4 - Bosses revealed

Loves: Master Chief, first-person shooters, Unix, pizza, Newcastle Brown Ale, The Office, Maddox, The Ladder Theory, and I have a strange fascination with hyphy music.

Hates: Cortana (and Halo 3 didn't help her case at all), Ugg boots, Crocs, The Disney Channel, when people use the wrong your/you're and there/their/they're, guys who wear girls' pants, radio, sharing.

Now playing: Halo 3, Half-Life 2, Solitaire.


Who? Matthew Keast

What? Associate Editor, UK Mag Ports

How did I get here? I graduated from UC Santa Cruz as a Lit major, I became a game tester, making full use of all the obscure novels I'd analyzed for years. I then wrote game manuals, transitioning to freelance articles before coming to GamesRadar. Here my odd mix of gaming and writing abilities finally can frolic hand-in-hand.

Stuff I done: Confessions of a Game Tester, Pure - first look, Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom review  

Loves: RTS hyper-clicky madness, fiction writing, unnecessarily complicated sandwiches, zombies, jumping puzzles and exploration (Tomb Raider), Charles Bukowski, weird animal facts (did you know there is a flying snake?).

Hates: Grind-gameplay, tail-gaters, mushrooms/eggplants, griefing/hacking (Bullies in general), big-budget Hollywood turds (Hi, Van Helsing), aggressive stupidity.

Now playing: Grand Theft Auto IV, Silent Hill 4, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. 


Who?  Chris Antista

What? Associate Editor

How did I get here? After graduating from Florida State University, I wandered out west until I ran out of money in San Francisco. The GR staff began feeding me table scraps, and set me up with a kick ass railroad shanty. A year later, I caught a high ranking staffer in a compromising scenario and blackmailed my way into a position. Dare to Dream.

Stuff I done: HalocideGaming's Greatest FattiesTop 7 Death Rattle Games

Loves: My working NES and my red-ringed 360, MST3K, Camel Lights, fart jokes, hamboning, Sour Cream and Cheddar Ruffles, giving stuff away in our forums.

Hates: Pants, The Sims, orphans, Canadian jazz.

Now Playing: Mass Effect, Geometry Wars: Galaxies, Rock Band.


Who? AJ Glasser 

What? Associate Production Editor 
AJ Glasser will be taking a sabbatical at Stanford University, where she hopes to obtain an MA in Journalism and uncover the secret of Mana.

How did I get here? I walked out of Mills College with a degree in political science, said "well, screw that" and got a job testing games at Sony Computer Entertainment. I bounced around in testing for a little over a year between Sony and Sega of America before landing a freelance writing gig with GamePro, and then migrating to GamesRadar as an intern while still writing for MegaGames and for MMORPG.com. And now, not only do I play games for a living, I actually get paid to have opinions about them (trust me, editorial is WAY more fun than testing).

Stuff I done: John Deere: Harvest in the Heartland reviewHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix reviewBest in Breasts: GamesRadar salutes National Breast Cancer Month (Both my grandmothers and my aunt have had breast cancer and survived. I wanted to show them my support and raise breast cancer awareness among gamers - we're not immortal, after all.)

Loves: Cheeseburgers, The Song of Ice and Fire, Family Guy, Rainbow Brite, Jem and the Holograms, takoyaki, cashmere.

Hates: Grapefruit, The Wheel of Time, Firefly (that's right, I said it!), Barbie, The Snorks, natto, angora.

Now playing: Mass Effect, Viva Pinata, The Sims 2 (and any expansion thereof, except Castaway).


Who? George Walter

What? UK Site Editor

How did I get here? Spent a lot of money on an magazine journalism diploma and then got hired to work on Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK. Decided the Internet was better than magazines.

Loves: Obscure and usually rubbish 1970s exploitation cinema, whatever electronic music Stephen hasn't heard yet, collecting books about food, pretending to be a chef, the ZX Spectrum +2, Google Maps, artisanal lagers, the Languedoc, having both my PS3 and Xbox 360 connected up to my TV via HDMI, Sarah.

Hates: The UK tabloid press, laws that haven't been thought through properly, any TV show that runs longer than 12 episodes, men and women who 'dance' up to the bar in pubs, supermarkets. 

Now playing: Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (multiplayer), Burnout Paradise, Ratchet & Clank: Tools Of Destruction.


Who?   Matt Cundy

What? Associate Editor GamesRadar UK

How did I get here? Accidentally stumbled into a job writing videogame guides back in 1997 for a magazine called PlayStation Solutions. The first guide I completed was for Anna Kournikova's Smash Court Tennis. Been writing about games ever since. Started on GamesRadar in 2004. I'm still here.

Stuff I done? GTA IV first Hands-onHistory of E3Ugliest Bastards in gaming 

Loves: Saving the best bit to last, Green Onions (Booker T), the dawn chorus, trying to play table tennis, buying music on vinyl, dappled sunlight in forests, Jitterbug Perfume (Tom Robbins), my kids getting excited when I get home from work, Studio Ghibli, doing the washing up with football on the radio, finding holiday sand in a book, not driving anywhere on Bank Holidays, Amelie, all night partying with friends, Sunday papers and a cooked breakfast, rum cocktails, kissing my girlfriend.

Hates: That pet cats have to die sometime.

Now playing: Lost Odyssey and God of War: Chains of Olympus.


Who? Justin Towell

What? Content Editor

How did I get here? After graduating with a BA Hons degree in Multi-Media Journalism, I worked for two years on my local paper as a sub, writing game reviews (and other reviews) as much as I could, ending up in charge of the entertainment section. I saw the Radar job advertised online and thought 'that's my job!'

Stuff I done? Naked Gun intro in GTA IV, Gaming's kinkiest costumesGame music worth putting on your iPodAnimal Crossing two-minute tidy-up10 signs you're playing too much Pokemon 

Loves: Playing guitar behind my head, classic Sega 'blue-sky' games (OutRun, Crazy Taxi etc), neat Sambuca, Evangelion, the Japanese language, NiGHTS into Dreams, Rex the Runt, Animal Alpha, Utada Hikaru.

Hates: Fanboyism, being sneezed at, overly-geeky conversations.

Now playing: Dark Mist, Metal Slug, Race Driver GRID, New Super Mario Bros.


Who? David Houghton

What? Content Editor

How did I get here? After years as a gamer and amateur word-tamer with a mighty desire to combine the two professionally, I started to gradually chip my way into the media industry. A brief stint in music PR gave me my first steps in the right direction, and that was followed by my joining Destructoid.com as the site's first British writer. A joyously anarchic few months and a physical and mental assault by the Leipzig GC later and a comfy seat at Radar opened up. And thus, here I am writing this.

Stuff I done?: The World's best counterfeit gamesGordon Freeman: Strongest personality in gamingNES: King of the dancefloor 

Loves: Guillermo Del Toro, Darren Aronovsky, Ghostbusters, Mario, Arrested Development, Chris Morris, intelligent or downright twisted comedy, Valve Software, snow, cats, ninjas, bleepy music of a left-field persuasion, my heaving bookshelves, and a whole lot more besides.

Hates: When people get too side-tracked with the irrelevent periphery of life and ego to actually enjoy themselves. I also have bile-spurting loathing for cheap, generic, phone-in-and-vote-on-something-artbitrary-as-if-it's-the-focus-of-your-life television and the human race's seemingly inherent need for quick-fix and quick-blame solutions to everything that goes wrong. Also, third party joypads are rubbish and eggs make me vom.

Now playing: Domination on COD4, to the point where my eyes are threatening to bleed at regular intervals.


Who? James Jarvis

What? Content Editor

How did I get here? After being on a temporary contract as Tech Support for around a year or two I was given a full-time position. After a few more months uploading screenshots, editing videos, and the like, that role evolved through various stages (a bit like a Pokemon) into the one I have now.

Stuff I done? Guitar Hero III: The GR eight player jam-offJust how destructible is Battlefield: Bad Company? 

Loves: Stewie Griffin, Cooking, Dogs but not those rubbish little ones, Music, Cider, The Internet, Things that are reduced.

Hates: Reality TV show contestants, People who stop on the pavement right in front of me, Rain, Watching a TV show from your childhood only to find it's not as good as you remember it.

Now playing: Call of Duty 4, Rock Band, Singstar

 


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