Part of a continuing series of Profiles in Game Journalism:
Dedicated play can lead to work as a game journalist, at least in Turkey. But first and foremost, Tugbek Olek is a writer.
Tugbek Olek - Managing Editor of Level Magazine in Turkey:
My parents bought my first computer when I was at 3rd class. I was addicted to it. I always dreamed to have an Amiga or PC later. But I couldn't. But I was a game maniac. I was spending my all time at friends' homes (who have a PC) or Computer Lab in University. First thing I do when I started to earn my own money was to buy a PC. And first thing I do was installing Starcraft. After doing lots of shity jobs and living as an Anarchist Activist, I saw at newspaper that they are looking for editors for PC Gamer Turkish edition. I applied and accepted. I worked as a freelancer for 3 months and became Ed-in-Chief. 2 years later I moved to Level. And working here for 4 years.
And the real story is I was always the worst at sports all my life. Which caused a lonely high school life. Most unpopular type of human being. Spending my days with just one friend, "isolated". Which made me read and listen. Met with Huxley or Blake, dance with Morrison, loving Ginsberg, fighting with Durutti. Which makes me the most popular at University. And when I'm bored of humans. I've got to find a job and live better. My only talent was writing. And I get a chance to write for something I really love. I wish I could write a novel. Maybe I could... one day. Until that time... That's the best job I could imagine. I think gaming editors are first "writers"... being a gamer comes after it.
At first glance, it looks as if wargames and strategy titles are more popular in Turkey than they are here. I wonder if that's just a difference in Turkey's gaming audience in general, or if it might be due to Turkey's proximity to the war in Iraq?
Posted by: misuba | 04/23/2003 at 02:00 PM
I don't know how you get that idea. But it's not true. As far as I see all audiences all over the world are playing the same games. Except Koreans, they still play SC :)
Posted by: ofcm | 04/24/2003 at 01:25 PM
People all over the world may play the same games, but still it seems like there are some games that are locally-designed.
Are there game developers in Turkey? What is unique to the Turkish game scene?
Posted by: justin | 04/25/2003 at 08:13 AM
I wish I could say we have many developers. But we have just a few of them and they all work on mobile or web games. There is 4-5 local adventure games unique to Turkish culture but that's all.
Piracy is so high and it scares all potential developers.
Posted by: ofcm | 04/25/2003 at 12:33 PM
Well done
Big naturals
Foot Fetish
8th street latinas
Posted by: well tiki | 02/07/2004 at 12:39 AM
Well done
Big naturals
Foot Fetish
8th street latinas
Posted by: tki | 02/07/2004 at 12:40 AM
Well done
Big naturals
Foot Fetish
8th street latinas
Posted by: tki | 02/07/2004 at 12:41 AM