X360 Games Editor Simon Miller speaks........

Walking into Imagine Publishing house in Bournemouth, I’m greeted with a life size replica of Lara Croft and a huge hulking Big Daddy that looms menacingly over the waiting room couch. Based in the heart of Bournemouth in a seemingly bland looking building, IP release a number of specialist magazines, ranging from photography to computers. Along the walls are references to Star Wars, the manager’s office affectionately referred to as the Death Star. I’m here today to talk to one of the magazines which covers a niche, but increasingly popular market.

Simon Miller smiles holding out his hand to me. He is dressed causally, as are many of the people walking around the offices, and would not look out of place among many of Bournemouth’s student population. Simon works as a Games Editor for X360 magazine and is keen to point out how much he actually enjoys his job.
“I’ve been this year alone; Canada, Italy and Holland……your coming to work everyday and its fun. I don’t want to use the word perfect. There’s joys and there’s frustrations and everything, but it’s ten times better than working in HSBC.”
Simon is in the very fortunate situation of working in a field that also happens to one of his personal interests. Working on a Video Game magazine has become the dream for many a young man.
“I get my hobby done during the day, and get paid for doing it! And then I can go and do something else.”

At 23 Simon is reporting on one of Britain’s biggest and fastest growing industries. The government has recently commissioned an independent review into video games and the internet, by Dr Tanya Byron. Simon is quick to come to their defence.
“…they’re not this terrifying new wave of technology…..it’s the same thing with the way people thought of film in the 60’s…..”
One area in particular in which the government’s review wishes to look, is the conduct of people socially in virtual domains. Xbox Live, the virtual community Simon spends the majority of his time is notoriously homophobic and racist.
“You can never regulate that. The only thing you can do is hope the developers implement a function where you can mute people.” Something already in place, but rarely utilised. “That’s more of a window into what the world is like rather than Xbox Live.”

The virtual domain is one where Simon is very active. In an industry as fast moving and forward looking as video games, online communities are vital links in communication and one where X360 and Simon are very active.
“My big thing about all magazines is that the staff writer or writers and the readers should be as close as possible….we’re all opinionated guys, but at the same time its all about making it fun.” Find a job you love, and never work a day in your life.