Why subscribe?

Screen Grab is a place for artisanal, hand-crafted writing about the world of video games and games media (and sometimes other things) from the perspective of somebody who’s been doing it for a very long time.

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives, and to stand a better chance of noticing when I write something. I’m sure your inbox is bursting but it can’t be worse than the state of Google or social media.

Who am I?

I’m Jon Hicks, although I often go by Jonty. I have been working in media for a very long time, starting in technology magazines before moving into games magazines and then websites, video, social and events.

Most recently I was Editorial Director at Gamer Network, where I oversaw outlets like Eurogamer, Rock Paper Shotgun, VG247 and Dicebreaker and worked closely with GamesIndustry.biz, Digital Foundry, Outside Xbox, Nintendo Life and VGC. I was on the global management team at ReedPop working on some of the world’s biggest pop-culture events including New York Comic-Con and Star Wars Celebration. At various points I have been in charge of SEO, social strategy, audience development, merchandise, ecommerce and live events. I have learned a great deal and worked with some excellent people, and I have actively resisted using the term “content” at all times.

I’ve contributed to dozens of technology and games publications, hosted dozens of live events, and appeared on national and international TV and radio. I’ve consulted on AAA videogames, and lead global editorial strategy for multiple international brands. I still do all of those things, so if you’d like me to do any of them for you then please get in touch at jon@screen-grab.com.

I’m also one-third of the Total Playtime podcast, which is a much more chaotic view on the world of videogames.