It’s a tough time to be a journalist. Advertising has dried up, the print news industry is capsizing, and some of the best writers, editors, photographers and designers are out of work.

It’s an even tougher time to be fresh out of college with a degree in Magazine Journalism. But that’s exactly where we found ourselves: Young, enthusiastic, and facing the most dismal of job prospects.

But rather than wait for the work to come to us, we decided to just start writing and see where it takes us. And so, in December of 2008, Silicon Sasquatch was born.

Our mission has always been to deliver news, analysis and reviews with the highest standards and attention to detail that we can manage. Too often, videogame journalism fails to go beyond the status quo, resulting in problems ranging from sloppy grammar to bad reporting. Though our resources are limited, we’re continuing to work tirelessly to produce an ethical and earnest publication that we can be proud of.

Thanks for your support! If you like what we’re doing, please spread the word:

Email

Do you prefer communicating via totally uncool direct messages instead of the newfangled social networking sites above? Then send us an email using this staff-wide format:

first name @siliconsasquatch.com

Your Fearless Silicon Sasquatch Editors

Nick Cummings:

Co-founder and Managing Editor

Nick Cummings is a graduate of the University of Oregon’s Journalism program, where he earned a degree in Magazine Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. He currently lives in Eugene, Oregon, where he works a day job that is completely unrelated to his academic and personal interests.

As a child of the multimedia generation, Nick has always been drawn to writing and storytelling in both traditional and interactive media. He is currently testing the waters in pursuit of a career in game design or production, but he remains passionate about contributing to the discussion of the gaming medium the best way he knows how: by writing, editing, and podcasting his heart out.

Favorite Games:
Rock Band 2 – Xbox 360; Diablo II – Windows/Mac; Plants vs. Zombies – Windows/Mac; Chrono Trigger – SNES; Grim Fandango – Windows

PSN: Whymog
Steam ID: Whymog
Xbox Live: Whymog
Personal Web site: www.nickcummings.com

Aaron Thayer:

Co-founder and Managing Editor

Aaron Thayer is also a graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, where he earned a degree in Magazine Journalism in addition to a minor in History. From his secret shelter in the rural outskirts of Portland, Oregon, Aaron fills his time as an aspiring writer, journalist and once-in-awhile graphic designer.

From the moment he had a Nintendo Entertainment System controller put into his pudgy, three-year-old hands, Aaron has considered the medium of videogames to be both a fulfilling method of entertainment and a viable method of artistic expression through player-controlled interactivity. Though it’s doubtful that his toddler brain thought in such esoteric terms. We’re not sure.

Aaron brings to Silicon Sasquatch an editor’s eye for the “big picture” elements of a story. And while games journalism isn’t the most glamorous of career paths, it’s been Aaron’s vocational dream since he started writing short stories about Mario and Sonic defeating Ganon and rescuing Princess Peach during free-write period in the second grade. Once a nerd, always a nerd.

Favorite Games:
Suikoden II – PlayStation; Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Nintendo 64; Battlefield 2 – Windows; Earthbound – SNES; Mass Effect – Xbox 360

Steam ID: Athay
Xbox Live: Athay
Personal (work-in-progress) Web site: here
Professional profile: LinkedIn

And Our Illustrious Contributors

Doug Bonham:

Senior Contributor

Doug Bonham is a graduate student in Portland, Oregon, who previously received bachelors degrees in Journalism and Japanese from the University of Oregon. A life-long gamer who’s earliest memories include playing Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt on the original NES, Doug is particularly interested in the art and emotion behind the storytelling and experiences of playing games.

Working with Nick, Aaron and other contributors on Silicon Sasquatch scratches two itches: crafting journalistic pieces of writing, and working with some of my closest friends on a project about a topic of some enthusiasm and passion. Exploring areas outside of the usual cycle of news, previews, and reviews, the Sasquatch crew feels like it can provide something different to the enthusiast press; Doug’s passion lines up with that.

Favorite Games:
Winning Eleven 9 – PlayStation 2; Gran Turismo – PlayStation; Jet Grind Radio – Dreamcast; Street Fighter Alpha 3 – Dreamcast; Rock Band 2 – Xbox 360

Xbox Live: harperdc
Personal Web site: www.dougbonham.com

Tyler Martin:

Contributor

Spencer Tordoff:

Contributor