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There are 13 different prizes up for grabs at this year’s Games Media Awards, and here’s how you can put yourself forward for consideration.
Below, we’ve written a breakdown for each award – who is eligible, how to enter, the criteria and the judging process.
READ CAREFULLY. Last year we updated much of how the GMAs work, to deliver a wider variety of topics to enter, different formats and ways the awards are judging. But even if you think you know it, you should read the below to properly understand what we want and when.
Throughout we’re also asking for samples or links to work, because our improved judging process will require panels to read/listen/watch and digest the efforts of the UK games media before debating who should win.
If all this doesn’t answer your Qs, we’ve also got a short FAQ at the end – scroll down to see.
- News Writer
- Feature Writer
- Games Critic
- Video Team UPDATED FOR 2015
- Mainstream Voice NEW
- YouTuber NEW
- Streamer NEW
- Radio or Podcast Team
- Rising Star
- Editorial Team of The Year – Online
- Editorial Team of The Year – Print
- Journalists’ Journalist
- Players’ Choice – sponsored by Playfire
ENTRY GUIDE
NEWS WRITER
Who is eligible?
Any writer that produces news content and information-oriented writing/media about video games(across any platform, radio, TV, video, online or print). You must be based in the UK and have work from across the last 12 months to support your entry.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: News Writer entry for . Please supply up to five examples of your best news writing as part of your entry. These can be links to work published online, scans or PDFs, or plain text documents. An optional personal statement (250 words MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about exclusive content, context and the aims of your writing. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including accuracy, quality of reporting, originality, writing style and reputation.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
FEATURES WRITER
Who is eligible?
Any writer with that produces in-depth reporting, coverage or analysis writing about video games (across any platform, radio, TV, video, online or print). You must be based in the UK and have work from across the last 12 months to support your entry.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Features Writer entry for . Please supply up to five examples of your best feature writing as part of your entry. These can be links to work published online, scans or PDFs, or plain text documents. An optional personal statement (250 words – MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about exclusive content, context and the aims of your writing. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including variety, quality of reporting, originality and writing style.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
GAMES CRITIC
Who is eligible?
Any writer that produces opinion-driven writing about video games, be that reviews or critiques about games or the medium as a whole (across any platform, radio, TV, video, online or print). You must be based in the UK and have work from across the last 12 months to support your entry.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Games Critic entry for . Please supply up to five examples of your best news writing as part of your entry. These can be links to work published online, scans or PDFs, or plain text documents. An optional personal statement (250 words – MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about the intent of your critiques, context and the aims of your writing. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including tone, content, topicality and writing style.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
VIDEO TEAM
Who is eligible?
Any in-house or external editorial team that produces video content about video games, either-prerecorded pieces (published on editorial sites or via third-party platforms like YouTube, or livestreams). The whole team must be based in the UK and have work from across the last 12 months to support its entry. A ‘team’ constitutes two or more staff and can include permanent staff, freelancers or a mix of both. Work must be predominantly independent and not client-supported.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Video Team entry for . Please supply links for up to five examples of your best videos. An optional personal statement (250 words – MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about your work or history. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including quality versus budget, content, style and originality.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
MAINSTREAM VOICE
Who is eligible?
Any individual writing or producing material for a wider readerbase outside of the traditional games-playing audience (across any platform, radio, TV, video, online or print). You can be a freelancer or directly employed by an outlet that primarily targets a mass market audience.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Mainstream Voice entry for . Please supply links or PDFs for up to five examples of your work. An optional personal statement (250 words – MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about your work or history. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider quality and key criteria including overall quality, content vs target audience, style and originality.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
YOUTUBER
Who is eligible?
Any individual that produces video content about video games which is published on YouTube. You must be based in the UK and have work from across the last 12 months to support your entry. Work must be predominantly independent and not client-supported.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: YouTuber entry for . Please supply links for up to five examples of your best work. An optional personal statement (250 words – MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about your work or history. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including quality versus budget, content, style and originality.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
STREAMER
Who is eligible?
Any individual that produces video content specifically as livestreams. You must be based in the UK and have work from across the last 12 months to support your entry. Work must be predominantly independent and not client-supported.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Streamer entry for . Please supply any links or archived footage for up to five examples of your best work from the eligibility period. An optional personal statement (250 words – MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about your work or history. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including quality versus budget, content, style and originality.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
RADIO OR PODCAST
Who is eligible?
Any person or persons that produces radio or podcast content about video games. You must be based in the UK and have work from across the last 12 months to support your entry.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Radio/Podcast entry for . Please supply links for up to five examples of your best shows. An optional personal statement (250 words – MAXIMUM) can be provided to support this material if you wish to elaborate about your work or history. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including quality versus budget, content, style and originality.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
RISING STAR
Who is eligible?
Any person or persons that has been working professionally in the games media – either full-time, part-time or freelance – for less than 36 months (across any platform, radio, TV, video, online or print). You must be based in the UK.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Rising Star entry for . Please supply links for up to five examples of your best work, a brief background document (250 words – MAXIMUM) of career highlights so far can be provided but is not compulsory. Emails supporting nominations for people other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including quality of writing, progress, and originality.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
EDITORIAL TEAM OF THE YEAR – PRINT
Who is eligible?
Any team that produces regular content for a print magazine or newspaper that is dedicated to video games or which regularly includes video games as part of a wider remit. A ‘team’ constitutes two or more staff and can include permanent staff, freelancers or a mix of both. You must be based in the UK.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Editorial Team – Print entry for . Please provide access to up to three of your best issues from the year (ideally as a PDF/PDFs), a brief background document (250 words – MAXIMUM) of team highlights from the last 12 months, plus a list of all the editorial team members. Emails supporting nominations for teams other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including quality of writing overall, originality, output versus budget/size, use of the print medium, and industry standing.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
EDITORIAL TEAM OF THE YEAR – ONLINE
Who is eligible?
Any team that produces regular content for a website dedicated to video games or which regularly includes video games as part of a wider remit. A ‘team’ constitutes two or more staff and can include permanent staff, freelancers or a mix of both. You must be based in the UK.
How can I enter?
Please send an email to gma@nbmedia.com. Subject: Editorial Team – Online entry for . Please provide access to up to ten of your best pieces, across a mix of word counts. A brief background document (250 words – MAXIMUM) of team highlights from the last 12 months plus a list of all the editorial team members. Emails supporting nominations for teams other than yourself are welcome but must offer useful feedback – these should be similarly marked up in the subject line and include written reasons why the person should be considered, including links if necessary. The deadline for all entries is August 14th.
What are the awards criteria?
Judges will be asked to consider key criteria including quality of writing overall, originality, output versus budget/size, use of the online medium and industry standing.
How is the award judged?
The Games Media Awards committee will organize specific panels for each award. The judges will hail from across the games business – mainly journalists but also key personnel that we are confident are well versed in the games media. The judges will read the longlist and vote for the winner and the shortlist. Votes are secret, and the winner is named on the night of October 14th. Judges will not be named until the evening of the Games Media Awards ceremony itself.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Journalists’ Journalist
This special award is voted for by GMA ceremony attendees from a shortlist we announce at the start of October. Any journalist/vlogger working in the UK video games business can enter for consideration as a finalist. Suggestions or entries for finalists should be sent to gma@nbmedia.com. The various judging panels for the main awards will be asked to shape the shortlist for this prize, which will be announced on the days leading up to the Games Media Awards ceremony on October 15th. On the night itself, we will ask those games media personnel attending the awards to vote for the winner in a private ballot. They will be asked to consider key criteria including quality, industry standing and integrity. We will count and verify the votes and announce the winner later that night.
Players’ Choice (in association with Playfire)
This special award is voted for by the public, who will be invited to choose their favourite piece of games writing or journalism content (i.e. single video or podcast) in the past 12 months. Individuals can enter this award once each, supplying a link or copy of their (or their team’s) best piece of work – send that to gma@nbmedia.com, subject ‘Players’ Choice’. The various judging panels for the main awards will be asked to shape the shortlist for this prize, which will be announced on the weeks leading up to the Games Media Awards ceremony. An open vote will then be conducted online with the winner announced on the night of October 14th.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Games Media Awards 2015 ceremony?
October 14th
Where is it held?
Bloomsbury Ballroom, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1B 4DA
Nearest tubes are Holborn and Russell Square.
www.thebloomsburyballroom.com/contact/
Event begins at 7pm with welcome drinks followed by dinner and awards, plus an after-party.
How do I enter?
The full guide above gives you a good breakdown of each award. Please note the requirements for supplying copies of your work. Other bits of housekeeping: Media nominees must be based in the UK – their work can be self-published, or published by an outlet based outside of the UK, but UK must be their primary residence. All content must be English-language.
What’s the eligibility period?
All work submitted must have been published between August 1st 2014 and July 31st 2015, except for the Rising Star award, where we are looking at work for the prior 36 months/three years (i.e. August 1st 2012 to July 31st 2015).
How do I attend?
The event has a strictly controlled invite-only guest list. Finalists and other invited media can attend the GMAs for free. Free attendance is also offered to our sponsors. We’re expecting 300 people to attend this year – over 200 of them from the games media.
How can I be a judge?
Judging this year is conducted by panels of media experts working in video games. We already have a longlist of ideal judges, but if you’ve got what it takes feel free to throw your hat in the ring, and let us know via gma@nbmedia.com
