Hello everyone.
I am currently enrolled in an “Introduction to Writing for the Media” course. My final assignment is a feature story on a topic of my choice. I have chosen to cover gamefaqs.com, and the writing and reading of Game FAQs in general. I have here a survey asking about the writing of Game FAQs and it's importance to you. I would really appreciate any and all answers from this survey, as it will certainly be helpful in the writing of my feature story. A couple of things to keep in mind: When answering questions, please include the question itself in your post before each answer. Secondly, feel free to answer casually, formally, or in any other way you care. Go off on tangents, say whatever you like under the reach of this topic, all repsonses will be helpful to me. This thread is posted in several places in order to get the most feedback possible from anyone and everyone concerned. Oh, and I reserve the right to quote any posts in this thread.
Thankyou for participating.

1. How old are you?

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

Thanks again.

Sure thing

1. How old are you?
15, will be 16 next January


2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
December last year


3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
Well, there was a guide posted for a certain game that was well...crap. I decided that it was Friday, I didn't have a date and was bored silly. So I typed like 50K in one night, a feat that I have NO idea how I ever managed.


3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
Not really, I actually do it now as I have decided I wish to go into either Journalism or non-fiction with my career. Just writing a lot is the best way I think I can improve at this.


4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
Sure. I get E-Mails all the time with people telling me Iv'e helped them. I don't think Iv'e like improved people's lifes or anything but ya, I think I have helped some.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
Almost 100& positive. I think the fact that my WWE guide is really the only one with any real info it. I think peopel appreciate that.


6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
My first guide was pretty much written in two days. Now If I can make 5K a day I am VERY lucky...I'm very lazy.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
Skies of Arcadia Legends, Harvest Moon 64, N64 Paper Mario, GTA:SA

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
Uhh my SD guide I guess. Though my Maple Story guide is probably a lot better.


9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
I tend not to. Once I finish stuff I get lazy on it and don't want to work on it anymore. That's why I force myself to complete the entire guide before submitting it.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
It's something constructive for me to do in my free time. I used to get bored a lot and it's nice to do something of worth on weekends and such.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
Oh god yes. Truth be told, without humor my guides are as dry and generic as they get. I like to laugh at guides and I like to think that others like to be entertained by them as well.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
They're stupid, unwelcome, and 100% KB crap. I loathe them and think they should be banned. Seriously, who reads a guide for ARTWORK?...People read your guides for info on the game, and maybe to be entertained. Not to see your pretty pictures.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
The only thing that really bothers me is guides that are worth several KB I just know took very little time, and that very few people want or will ever use. It seems like full fleded phoning it in if you ask me.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
Heh my grades. Nothing too terrible but ironically, my English grade has dropped from an A- to like a B. But nothing too much.

---
Maple Story Quest Guide
53/120 Quests done...It never ends...

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
Well as I have said I hope writing these will better prepare me for any journalistic fields I wish to enter. I also like helping people so that's always fun.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
Until I feel like stopping I guess. With summer coming my only plans are to pick up steam.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
Well I like running and very dorkish things. I do try my best not to let the two influence eachother as I know that most people won't get my Inyuasha reference and likewise, my friends just don't care about my writing.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
Not really. My dad does buy me games to guide tho. So I guess that kind of counts.

Hope I can help you out.
---
Maple Story Quest Guide
53/120 Quests done...It never ends...

1. 25.

2. 4 years.

3. I found out a strategy for a specific challenge I was participating in, so I wrote a FAQ for it. Following that I got bored two months later and the rest of my 137 FAQs soon followed.

3. Honestly, I get to send out my knowledge of the old school and it kills time, so in that instance yes. However, I will admit I am also driven by the chance to possibly make this my career as well.

4. I get lots of great e-mails with ages ranging from 6 to 86, thanking me for helping them with old challenges or to help them understanbd the golden days of gaming. So yeah, I feel I have helped educate the younger generation of gamer that puts the effort in, helping them know their roots.

5. Again, mostly positive, but you do get the odd hate mail. However, those are usually unintentionally funny, so they do not bug me. :)

6. I took about 15 months of on and off to do some FAQs, but for shortest time in comparison to a huge FAQ, I did Ogre Battle in five weeks of real time, but I took a week off to do a project for IGN in the middle portion. Four week to do a 600+ K FAQ game was pretty good... especially for such an intense FAQ.

7. Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (NES)
Bubble Bobble (NES)
Donkey Kong Country 2 (SNES)
Ogre Battle (SNES)

8. Ogre Battle for SNES, without a doubt.

9. When I get new info, or when I feel the format has become outclassed by my current style.

10. I enjoy it and it is something that has been solid for me in four years of turbulent changes.

11. No not really, as I often aim for the info required and little else. However, due to how RPGs lend themselves to some lampooning, I do them with humour.

12. I use them, but I often due a simple block letter approach. They are good to have there, it is the ones where people use them for EVERY SECTION title that are no good.

13. Useless Filler! Not because of a KB bump, but rather how they are often ugly, unsightly, difficult to use, and generally not needed to get across the relevant information.

14. Sure have, but I have yet to regret any of them to a large degree.

15. Again, I am making some waves in the professional field of writing guides, and I hope to get a career (technical writing or otherwise) out of it.

16. No plan, I will be done when I am done.

17. Video games are my main hobby, so I branch out into competitive gaming (like submissions to Twin Galaxies) or board user competitions. However, I am also a fan of extensive reading, educating the mind to expand my horizons.

18. I have done 16 paid guides to date as well as recieving 5 free games in exchange for doing a FAQ. I think it is a fine thing, but it is not for all as meeting deadlines while writing on a game you do not know can be tough.
---
68 FAQs for games never covered at www.GameFAQs.com.
Now with a NES FAQ for each letter of the alphabet!

Thank you bobeta, this is definitely helpful.
What im trying to do is A, get a good sampling of thoughts from writers and readers of FAQs, and B, get good quotes, as I would like them to make up a large portion of the paper.
Thanks again. Anyone else?

1. How old are you?

Catching up on twenty-two.

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

A little under two years.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

I'd be using GameFAQs for quite a while before I bothered to try writing a guide. One day in the summer of 2004, there was nothing better to do, so I figured I'd give it a shot. It turned out to be a lot of fun, so I wrote a few more.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Yeah, pretty much. If I've got some downtime with nothing else to do, writing a guide is always an option.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

I'm sure at least one person's found one of my guides useful at some point, so yeah.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Lots of people email or IM me to say thanks or to ask pointless questions. Either is fine by me, it's just nice to know at least a few people are actually looking at them.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

I don't really focus on finishing a guide, so it usually takes me about two months or more to finish one, unless it's something like a game script.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

XIII is probably my current favorite. The style of the game is absolutely brilliant, from the music to the graphics. Multiplayer is also a blast if you've got a group of people to play with.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Soldiers: Heroes of World War II is my personal favorite, simply because that game is notorious for being insanely difficult. I played the crap out of that game for months and thought up some unorthodox strategies to get through it. I'm also quite fond of the Veteran Campaign part of my Frontline Command guide, since tons of people on boards all across the internet (including me) were stuck on a certain mission for months until I found a way to exploit the computer's stupidity. >_>

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

Very rarely for the ones I've finished, though I do occasionally go back to fix a few spelling errors or copy/paste errors.

---
Hostis humani generis.
Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It started as just another way to burn time for me, and that's basically what it is for me today, but as you can tell from my response to the best FAQ question, I've learned to appreciate what my efforts can mean to other gamers around the world.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

No, not even close. Humor is always a plus, sure, but it shouldn't be the focus of the guide. Sneaking in a line or two every once in a while is one thing, but constantly trying to amuse your audience by including a bunch of crap that has nothing to do with the game is annoying if you ask me, and it just leads to poor guides that aren't as helpful as they could be.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

A fairly small, relevant, well-designed piece of text art at the top of the guide is fine. Huge ASCII titles are just a waste of space, and almost always look bad. That being said, the quality (or lack) of text art at the start of the guide should never, ever be used to judge the quality of the guide.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

Excessively poor grammar and spelling definitely disgusts me, but hey, it's free, right? Shouldn't be picky. Poor formats annoy the hell out of me too, especially when people stick a bunch of worthless crap in front of the walkthrough or main section of the guide.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Nah, it's just a hobby. It's not something I'd skip work for or anything like that.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

To me, it seems like I get a lot more enjoyment out of a game if I write a guide for it. You pick up on so much stuff you'd normally miss if you weren't paying attention, and that really adds a lot to the overall experience of most games.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

Probably when I lose interests in gaming entirely, which probably won't happen for a long, long time.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

There's... other stuff beyond GameFAQs? Surely you jest.

But seriously, family, friends, music, work... I don't think any of them relate to guide writing, nor do I think guide writing's really affected any of them.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

I've been approached by the people that publish Playstation Magazine, but since guide writing is just something I do in my spare time, I'd never be able to meet their deadlines if I wanted to produce an even remotely high-quality guide, so I've turned them down. Some day, if I had an abundance of time with nothing to do, sure, I'd take a paid position writing guides.

---
Hostis humani generis.
Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear.

I'm pretty sure you're the same person from the email, so I'm going to go ahead and pass on this :P
---
Everybody's doin', what they shouldn't be doin'
Everybody's doin' it, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET

1. How old are you?

39


2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

Wrote my first game walkthrough in January 2004. Wrote my first GameFAQs walkthrough in June 2004.


3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

I was (still am) a big fan of KotOR. I wrote an HTML-format walkthrough with maps just for fun. I enjoyed the experience of writing the walkthrough, so I decided to do it again...and again...


3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Yup.


4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

I receive "thank mail" almost every day. There are a lot of people who have been helped, and that feels pretty good.


5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Very little negative feedback. Character building for RPGs draws the most criticism, but most of it is constructive.


6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping?

I started X-Men Legends in late September 2004 and posted the final update in early January 2005. That's probably the longest so far. The shortest was Freedom Force vs 3rd Reich, which I FAQ'd in a weekend.


7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic (I & II), Psychonauts, Lego Star Wars, F-Zero, entire Age of... series, lots more I'm not remembering right now


8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Dungeon Siege II; though, I'm hoping Oblivion exceeds it in quality.


9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

A lot.


10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

I like to play games and I like to write, so FAQing is a natural hobby. It stimulates my creativity and gives me a break from dealing with the kids all day. :)


11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

Some humor is good. Some FAQ writers though, are not nearly as funny as they think they are.


12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

They add a little to an otherwise staid document.


13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

Excessively poor grammar and spelling. Walls-o-text. Large amounts of irrelevant information, especially personal anecdotes.


14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Yes. And I'll let it go at that.


15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

I'm a little better at sticking with a project now than I used to be. I've made some money selling premium guides.


16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

Until either I or my wife gets tired of it.


17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

Outside of FAQing my life is mostly taking care of three kids. There's not much room for other hobbies.


18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

I've been selling premium guides for about 7 months now. So far the money flow is small, but I'm hoping that's going to change. There's also the possibility of getting other paid work (I've been offered a couple contracts, but at rates so low I couldn't accept them).
---
www.papagamer.com
Own the game

1. How old are you? 40

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?First FAQ was posted March 2003

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?Just sort of stumbled onto it actually. I started in the review department but moved over to FAQ's because of the technical details.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?Yes

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?Definitely. I have gotten a lot of e-mails of support.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?Mostly support and constructive suggestions for input.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)? Probably about four months to write a full FAQ. I've played and written on many occasions.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites? Too many to count. I'm still hooked on classic arcade games from the late 70's-early 80's

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?PTO IV for the PS2

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?I will update FAQ's as new information becomes available

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?It's a good way to keep the writing skills sharp plus it serves a niche in the gaming community

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?To a degree. Too much humor can be a serious detractor

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?To each their own.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?False information. Plagiarized information. Poor format, spelling, or lack of knowledge of the game one is writing for

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?No

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?Won a few awards

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?Until I get sick of it

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?Reading, working on the computer, enjoying time with my family. Some are reflected in my writing

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?I've been paid to write FAQ's in the past. I do it when I have the time since I believe in giving 110% when you are commissioned for a job
---
Living by chance, loving by choice, killing by profession

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

1. How old are you?
-20. 21 in June.

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
-Two years now.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
-I started to get the urge for writing FAQs in 2003, but I really never submitted any of my work until 2004. I guess I would say that seeing so many great authors made me want to start as well to help my fellow gamers.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
-I know so. I get so many e-mails from my readers complimenting me on my guides because they helped them out. It's a really good feeling to get those e-mails, too.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
-A lot of it has been positive. Compliments about how the guide is in general, the tips on bosses, the list goes on and on.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
-Right now, that would be my Shadow Hearts: From the New World guide. I started it back in March, and it's not finished yet, though it's close. Sometimes I'll be able to sit down and write a guide for hours, and others, just for about 10 minutes or so. So it depends on my mood.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
-Easily Shadow Hearts and Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2. I'm an RPG kind of guy, mostly.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
-It's a toss up between Skies of Arcadia Legends and Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
-I usually update a guide if I have a few things to add, mainly a few add ons to a section, or just a new section. I really don't wait that long to update, though, unless I feel the guide has enough content in it.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
-As I said before, knowing that I've helped out my fellow gamers and my readers really makes me feel good, because I've been stuck quite a lot as well. Plus, it's getting me ready for when I get a degree in Journalism one day. I can look back at this, and not only say it was a hobby, but it actually helped me start a career.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
-I don't see what's wrong with throwing a little humor in every now and then. As long as you're putting in all of the content of the game, I see no harm in putting in one or two random remarks every now and then as long as it doesn't become a habit.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
-Again, I don't see the harm in them as long as they're not extremely huge.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
-Hard to say, really. It differs. But my biggest pet peeve is filler information. True, I may have an About the Author section in one of my guides, but there are a lot of guides out there that have just a lot of useless crap.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
-Surprisingly, no. I still live my life as I've been living it before I started FAQ writing.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
-I've benefited mostly from helping out my fellow gamers mostly, but I've made some new friendships with some of the other FAQ writers as well.
---
Your Final Fantasy VII hatemail makes me stronger.
They also make me giggle.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
-Until my life becomes too much of a hassle to continue.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
-Even though you wouldn't know by looking at me, I'm a huge sports fan, and I love music just as much. Gaming, of course, and I'm probably going to start writing short fantasy stories again if I can find the time. Writing for RPGs gives me ideas for some possibly great stories, while at the same time, makes me appreciate the genre even more.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
-Never been paid. If someone gets paid to write a guide, it doesn't bother me one bit.
---
Your Final Fantasy VII hatemail makes me stronger.
They also make me giggle.

1. How old are you?
No response

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
About 4-5 months, but I don't write faqs often

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
I looked at many faqs to help me play the games, and some of the writers' faqs inspired me. I had also made notes to help me play the games, and I decided to revise them and turn them into faqs, hoping for them to benefit others as they benefitted me.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
No, I don't write many faqs. I only write faqs when I have game notes that I think can help others.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
I hope my faqs help other players with the games.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
On my first faq, some people were able to give me good suggestions for improvement when I asked. I was glad when someone asked about something that was unclear in one of my faqs, and pointed out typos. That way, I was able to fix them quickly.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
I think for me, it took several weeks, but that's hard to say, because I lose track. I tend to write them with breaks, because I'm often busy.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
I am very indecisive, and can't decide which ones to name. I like RPGS and adventure games, ones that have many secrets and treasures as well as a complicated story. They also need to have good lessons (educational purposes) and happy endings, and can't have nasty or improper content, or anything that is a bad influence to society.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
I don't think any of my FAQs are good. I'm from a background where we can't praise ourselves, because modesty is very important.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
I don't do it very often, only when there are mistakes or unclear information. I usually don't submit faqs unless I feel they're complete.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
Writing FAQs is not important to me. I make notes to help me play the games, and if I feel that they really helped me, I turn them into FAQs, hoping they benefit others.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
I don't think humor is important in facts. Clear and organized information about the games and its strategies are the important aspects of game FAQs.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
I think those who create them are good artists and good with computers.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
The things that bother me are trolling, flaming, cussing, nasty and improper content, and anything that is a bad influence to society. I usually skim past the parts that bother me, and don't do anything.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
I have given up time on other hobbies, and probably time on school things.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
I hope my FAQs help other players with the games.
---
I don't do favorites on people and characters.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
It's hard to say, because I'm not a regular FAQ writer. School comes first for me, so that will play a big part in my FAQ plans.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
I am a fan of too many things. I have too many interests, and writing and games are only some of them.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
I've never been paid for FAQ writing. I only do it for enjoyment and hope it benefits others, so I don't mind not being paid. Having others benefit from my FAQs is already a reward.
---
I don't do favorites on people and characters.

1. How old are you?
18.

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
Year or so.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
Played an online game, got tired of seeing the same questions so I just started compiling them in a list.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
Yep. If it helps someone, its worth the little bit of time I spent on it.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
Of course, I get plenty of emails for the small amount of guides I have. They give answers quicker than message boards and can come in handy when you're stuck in a part of the game. I use FAQs a lot, so I know what its like to have one when you need it.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
Mostly positive, but most offer suggestions and improvements rather than just Thank You's.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
Months. I dont play games often, only a level or two a day so it takes awhile to write a full guide for me.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
Favorites: Time Crisis 3, GRAW, Oblivion, Starcraft, San Andreas

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
Cant really say, I only have a few full ones. But I like my Outpost Kaloki X one. Mainly because it involved a collective effort on the parts of a few people.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
Hardly ever. I dont bother if its not really important.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
Its not really, I just do it for fun.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
Not really. I rather they just be simple and straight to the point.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
As long as its not overdone and done for KB padding I dont mind them. ASCII art is kinda cool if its well done.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
Plagiarism, KB padding, stuff like that.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
Nope.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
I've gotten a bounty for one, thats about it. If you mean towards helping people, well thats good too >_>

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
As long as I have games to write for that I enjoy and theres not many other guides up, I'll give it a shot. So probably for quite a few years.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
Dont really have any dedicated hobbies, so I guess this doesnt apply.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
Like I said, I got one bounty, thats about it. And probably all I'll get since I'm Canadian.

---
www.MBHShield.com | www.WikiFAQs.net
XBL: Gimpy The Great

1. How old are you?

22

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

Year and a half, I think.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

Well, I got the gist of it from having visited this site for many years. Originally, I just wanted to write one FAQ, because I wanted to put all my knowledge of Gemfire to some kind of use. I liked the writing process, so I kept doing it. I've been writing as a hobby for years in non-FAQ form, so it's not like writing was anything new and different.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Yeah. I like to write. That's the basic reason.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Some more than others. I certainly hope so. I mean, that's the point of a FAQ, right? To provide something beneficial to the reader.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Mostly positive. Except I have a game script for a DBZ game, and I've received a few really dumbass emails from dumbass DBZ fans. Even though it says GAME SCRIPT on the FAQ page, and even though I go out of my way to point out blatantly "This is not a guide for answering gameplay questions. It's just a script," this concept is a bit too difficult for DBZ fans. So they email me, telling me that my guide didn't help them beat the game.

The rest of my FAQs get positive feedback though, mostly, and what little feedback that I do get.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

I tend to write all my FAQs all at once. The hardest part for me is getting started. I have a lot of incomplete guides, but once I get started and into the groove, I try to stay in the zone and get it done. Phoenix Wright is 240KB, but it only took me three or four days I think. Gemfire took me the longest. It was over two weeks from start to finish.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

Star Ocean 2. I've played it to death.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

I think it's my first one, for Gemfire. Maybe I'm saying that just because it's one of my favorite games, and because I spent the most time on it.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

Eh. I've only really done that with one of my FAQs so far. I don't like editting. I try to make the guide as perfect as possible on the first draft, so I very rarely go back and make changes.

I had this problem in middle school and high school. Whenever I had to write a paper, my teachers expected me to have both a rough draft and a final draft. And they would dock points if I didn't make any significant changes between the two draft, because they think that means I didn't proofread my paper hard enough. The truth is that I just put in more effort in the first draft so that I don't have to make any revisions. So SCREW YOU, teachers. I'm not going to make changes to my paper for the sake of making changes if they're unnecessary.

Sorry, got off on a tangent.

---
The University of Texas Longhorns (13-0) National Champions

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It's a hobby, nothing more. Sometimes I have the itch to write, so I find something to write, then I go for it. If I weren't writing FAQs, I'd be doing something else. Many years ago, I wrote fiction regularly. Then, I wrote a weekly column for about three years. Lately, I do the FAQ thing. It's an outlet.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

When the humor in a FAQ isn't actually funny, I find it detracts a LOT. I don't think I add much humor to my FAQs, which is contrary to my real life personality, which is very sarcastic and wise-cracking.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I like 'em. Having ASCII art at the top of a FAQ is like the cover on a book. Like the box on a game. It's purely aesthetic, but I think it's very important. It turns a boring text file into a pretty guide.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

I don't like fluff. That is, going into insane detail about things that can't possibly be helpful. This is what happens when people obsess on getting KB.

I also dislike it if I can't use Ctrl+F to navigate a FAQ. It's not that hard. Just use a table of contents and subject headers.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Not... really. Maybe time, I guess.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

It relieves stress. Seriously.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

As long as I have the mood to do so. I may stop next month. I may stop five years from now. Who can say? I don't feel obligated to do it for a certain amount of time.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

I write. I play games. I surf the internet and post on message boards. I like good movies. I play racquetball. I can see how the like of writing and the like of playing video games helped faciliate the who FAQ writing process.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

Haven't been paid. I'm fine with that (unless I win FOTM, then I'll gladly take the $50 of course).
---
The University of Texas Longhorns (13-0) National Champions

1. How old are you?
29 y/o

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
4 years

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
I saw the game BS Zelda on this site, and wanted to play it. After doing so, I thought I could make an FAQ for it and wanted to give it a try. Sure enough I did, and it got posted. Mapwise, I just gave it a try as a second type of FAQing, since I love drawing maps IRL. Overtime I realize mapmaking is more my style, which is why I do mostly that.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
Back then I got the sense of "OMG MY FAQ IS POSTED!!" or "OMG I JUST POSTED MY *insert big number here* FAQ" which I only do that for every 100th total FAQ/map. I still get that same feeling, but it's not really the same as when I first contributed.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
Actually I'm hoping it has been, as I'm sure it has. If not, it actually has beneficial to me in some ways.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

99% positive, there has been some criticism, but I take that pretty well.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
Longest time, don't even ask! As for the second question, when I made up the Super Mario Land 2 Secret Goals FAQ, that was made in literally a few hours (though altogether less than 20 hours due to breaks), so yeah I guess I have.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
Too long of a list there!

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
Best FAQ I written, probably Crystalis NES and BS Zelda because they were fun games. And mapping would be Super Mario RPG because then I took my skills to awhole new level.

CONTINUED

---
Life is full of irritations, and I'm just one of them. Get use to it and move on.

CONTINUED FROM LAST POST

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
At the time I use to take notes of the game before typing it up. Now I just type as I play the game, and go back when necessary.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
It helps me mentally. Not only does it give me confidence in my skills (as well as expand on them), but it helps me cope with problems I may be facing IRL.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
I feel that when you make FAQs, just put your heart and soul into it. Sure this may seem sappy, but you can't slap something together without putting that into it. If it turns out to be a humorous FAQ, then so be it, so long as it's coming from within you.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
Really no comment. They have their way of advertising, so be it.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
That they make really nice FAQs for games I wanted to do :P But seriously I haven't really came across that problem yet.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
My computer hates me for pushing it's memory beyond it's limits. >_>
Other than that, no.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
Expand on my skills as much as possible. I'm not sure where this will take me, but I'm hoping some place good.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
For as long as possible.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
I was never really much of a writer before FAQing, but I don't mind writing now. Mapmaking has been a hobby of mine, which inspired me to start doing that.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
Got Silent Hill 4 for being IGN Writer Of The Week. Aside from that, nothing really too noteworthy to report. As for my situation, FAQing is what I do, it's what keeps me going, and I'm hoping to continue doing it for a very long time.

---
Life is full of irritations, and I'm just one of them. Get use to it and move on.

1. How old are you?
21

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
Just under two years.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
I was gaming anyways, I figured I may as well do some writing. I can get a better understanding of games I love while providing help at the same time.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
Yes.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
A number of my FAQs have helped people through some games and they have told me this.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
Moslty positive, but then I've not yet done a very mainstream guide. Most emails just talk about the game and not the guide, honestly.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
The FAQ I am currently writing has been on the back burner for at least a month, but university had prevented me from really working on it.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
Some of my favourites are Zelda II, Super MArio Brothers 3, and Super Metroid.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
Probably Chester Field. (NES)

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
Only when someone submits content.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
It's a hobby, and let's me give something back to games I know and enjoy. When I help people, that's a perk, but when I write the guides I do I don't expect anyone to read them as they're not usually big names. If I can reach only one person with a guide, that's great.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
Not really. It adds some individuality to the guide, and I am guilty of it myself. However, it can quickly derail the guide. Informative content needs to come first and not be compromised.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
I personally enjoy making them, but I will say that many ASCII logos are huge, unweildly, and difficult to read.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
When a topic is skirted perposely ebcause they can't be bothered to write about it. They don't even say that they really don't know what to do here, or there's no real stratgey - it's just skipped. For instance "This boss shoots missiles at you. Good luck with it." and that's it...

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
No.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
It's a hobby to help keep the stress down and have fun, and that's exactly the benefit I get.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
Until I lose interest, if no real problems come up before then.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
Drawing, reading, bug-catching... Ha, I guess only reading is represented here.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
No money aside from a FAQ of the Month prize. Nice perk.

---
585467 Centipede | Complete FAQS: 40
http://ccc.domaindlx.com/CoolZomb/ Zombies! (Warning: Blood, etc)

1. How old are you? 18

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for? Since March 2003, so just over three years.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you? I just enjoyed using them and I wanted to get into writing something, so this seemed a great idea. It's a great excuse to replay games and also to help people out.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then? Yeah pretty much, difference is my motivation is extremely varied these days compared to when I first started.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so? I think they do; although most of my guides get hardly any hits I've wrote for games without any help for so far, plus I get thank you emails now and again anyway.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s? Thank you emails, and one user asking if they wanted to pay cash via PayPal as a thank you. Never got that cash though, mind. ;) I don't really do it for that anyway.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)? When I had a bit more free time I used to spend a full day or two on a guide, and over holidays I sometimes still spend three or four days solidly working on larger guides.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites? Final Fantasy VII if my favourite, it's a cliche but still. ;) Shenmue I + II, FFIX,
Grandia II, Metroid Prime, Super Mario World, Metal Gear Solid also come to mind.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written? Super Mario World (although it needs touching up) followed by Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ? Hardly ever. I really should do it more, my older works have slightly tight formatting and glaring errors. Working on new guides is so much more fun though.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you? It's just a great hobby and another way to enjoy games. The community is fantastic as well.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them? Yes and no... I personally perfer informative FAQs with less on the filler. The odd joke is great, but some guides is just gag after gag and when you just want help, it's not helping so to speak.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these? None of mine have ASCII art on top, although most have an ASCII sig toward the bottom. I don't mind them in other FAQs however.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs? The worst thing is commentating about the games plot. Not only is it spoilers but pointless filler... you know what the cutscene is like as you are playing the damn game!

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs? As I didn't have that many friends near me I had enough free time to write without compensation much. However these days I do very occasionally miss a night out or something to work on an FAQ that I really want doing.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs? Much faster typing skills, improved informative and general writing skills, and of course knowing more about the games I cover.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for? Until it gets boring. I'm never gonna officially retire as I do want to just come back and write for a random guide now and again.


---
37/54 Full Circle | Y.T.W.S.R. |
The FAQer Profiles and History - http://homepages.tesco.net/vicky.reynolds1

Continued...

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies? I don't really have that many hobbies, I guess movies I have a big passion for and sometimes I put the odd line references in my work.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be? I did two FAQs for IGN when I get the game free as long as I write for it, although I lost the second game and didn't finish the project, terminating my contact. I didn't feel motivated enough anyway to be honest. For cash however may be a different story.
---
37/54 Full Circle | Y.T.W.S.R. |
The FAQer Profiles and History - http://homepages.tesco.net/vicky.reynolds1

1. How old are you?

16

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

Since November. 6 months about.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

Well, I've always used GameFaqs for help on video games, so I always wanted to be cool like the guys here and write them. Of course, that was when I was 10. Recently, I noticed a lack of FAQs for a game I had, so I picked it up and FAQed it. Then I got hooked. I like writting, because it not only gives me an artistic outlet (of which I have few), but it also gives me a chance to help people, even if it's only a few.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Yup.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Most of my FAQs are for older/less played games, but my biggest FAQ helps a lot over on the SSW2 board.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Once again, on the boards, only positive for one FAQ, but I haven't received any feedback whatsoever on the others.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

My SSW FAQ took me about 1 and a half weeks, but you have to consider the time taken to send the guide to my co-author, for him to send it back, etc.

Not really, but I did my Character FAQ in a span of three days.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

I can't name one, but my favs are Kingdom Hearts, Freedom Fighters, TimeSplitters 2, and of course, Zelda: OoT

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

I'd have to go with my SSW2 FAQ.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

I normally write the guide completely, then submit it to GameFaqs. Then, about a week later, I totally update it, fixing all the errors, and making it "Final" version. Then I forget about it unless someone e-mails me.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It's important to me becuase it makes me feel like I'm doing something good with my (bad?) habit of video game playing.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

Yes, as long as the author doesn't go out of his way to constantly make it funny. Sometimes I just need a walkthrough, and I have to sift through kbs of jokes, personal comments, etc.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I love 'em. 3 out of my 5 FAQs have ASCII art done by Osrevad.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

Lack of orgainization, no ToC, no section breaks, etc.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Not really, I've given up a few hours of sleep, but I just get it back by sleeping in.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

Who knows? Probably for a while, at least until college, which isn't too far away.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

I paint. And no, it's not really reflected in my writing, or vice versa.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

I have never been paid to write a FAQ, however, I have recieved a bounty for one of my FAQs. I would never accept money from anyone that was not a contest payment.

It's kinda neat to know I'm the youngest one here.
---
Currently playing: Kingdom Hearts*; Freedom Fighters*
Currently writing: N/A

1. How old are you?

23, going on 24 in a few months

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

I wrote my first FAQ in 2000, albeit never finishing it.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

I used the FAQs to help before I joined the site. I remember seeing an incomplete FAQ at the time for Ratchet & Clank and that is when I started.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

The main reason to write FAQs is to help out other people, regardless of whether the game is so niche or old.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Of course they have been beneficial. I have received plenty of e-mails saying that my FAQs have been very helpful to that person.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Mostly positive, with the odd hate mail thrown in there every once in a good while.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

I think the longest it had taken me to write one from start to finish was around a month for my Mercenaries one.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

Disgaea, Wild Arms series, Final Fantasy Tactics...

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

I would have to say I am especially proud of my GTA: San Andreas FAQ.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

If I get a new format, I'll go back and add it to old FAQs, although I may not submit them.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It is merely a hobby to do in my free time or when I'm bored, but it is very nice to help people out who are stuck on games.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

I do try to add some humor into my guides, since without it, they would be quite dry and monotonous.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I really enjoy making ASCII art for my guides and try to always make one for my guides.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

If people post false information into their FAQs and never fix it.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Nothing really comes to mind.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

I feel I have improved my writing skills by quite a lot.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

For as long as I can or until I get bored of it.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

Watching anime, drawing (that is reflected with ASCII art for my guides)

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

I have received a few rewards from Bounties here on GameFAQs, but that's as far as it goes.
---
http://www.freewebs.com/mastervg782

Wow.
I am absolutely stunned by the response.
Thankyou so much everyone, this is extremely helpful.
I'll post the feature story when its finished, which should be like Tuesday next week.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

1. How old are you?
- 16

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
- 3 years

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
- I stumbled on to gamefaqs, and noticed all of the guides for games. Like many sites with unique content, this interested me, so I gave it a shot. This is one hobby that has stuck.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
- Yeah, I guess so.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
- I do, as I have gotten several e-mails saying so.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
- Questions, some nice comments, and several e-mails that I could comprehend, due to the way they were typed.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
- Longest would probable be DBZ Buu's Fury. Took me two years, due to a "short break" in the middle. I've finished Mr. Driller in one sitting, I believe.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
- Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Metal Gear Solid 2 are all 10/10 games.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
- I'm inclined to say Mystic Quest.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
- Very, very, rarely.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
- I wouldn't call it important. It doesn't have much signifigance at all to me. I just find it fun to do, and when I'm in the moon, I'll do it.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
- Nope. I'll toss a joke now and then, and I've read some hilarious ones as well. When it comes down to it though, jokes can not save a guide that doesn't have useful information. On the other hand, a guide with good strategies will be useful with or without humor.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
- I like them. They add personality to the guide.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
- Plagiarism. I've had it done to me several times, one of which I believe is still on the site. It's minor though, and I can't prove it.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
- I guess I have lost many hours of potential studying (but without FAQs, I would have just wasted them on video games.) For compensation, I've made a few hundred dollars in contests and bounties.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
- I haven't noticed anything like this, and don't expect to.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
- I'll stop when I get bored. Could me next month, could be in 5 years.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
- I like watching wrestling alot. In some of my FAQs, I occasionally make a reference to this. Rather than "kill the enemies", I'll put something like "Layeth the smackdown on his candy asses".

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
- Nope, but it's cool. I can't afford to have more deadlines put on me right now, especially with school testings left and right as of now.
---
"Thy shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife... Unless she's really hot." - Vince McMahon
---
"Thy shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife... Unless she's really hot." - Vince McMahon

1. How old are you? 31

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
6 1/2 years.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
I got bored at work one day and searched for Deathlord, a very old Apple IIe game I'd bought ~1986 and joked with a friend that I'd solve it around 1993 or so(I solved it a few days before Y2K.) Wilson Lau(WLau) had good chunks of information and I had a bunch of stuff to fill in. Then I noticed there was a guide for Ultima IV, which I'd left unfinished at the final stage in 1988. It had become freeware, so I downloaded it and followed the walkthrough instructions. I stayed up almost all night reliving the game and eventually winning. I wanted to do something like that for all the forgotten games. Then I found out about emulators and even wrote code to start producing graphic maps.
Then I found that you could speed up an Apple emulator, which made games like Centauri Alliance and its annoying space-travel scenes so much quicker, and the fun kept rolling. I remember GameFAQs used to have a top-30 list where 700KB of text got you in the top 50 and in fact it ranked ALL contributors on KB. I loved moving up 50 spaces from #260 to #210 or whatever. That was part of the competitive fun but CJayC had to disable that. But I still enjoyed pulling allnighters writing for Championship Lode Runner(another old old favorite--the puzzles are still great) or other obscure shooters/rpgs I loved.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
Before, it was a nice way to really enjoy wasting time, but over time I've tried to look at it as an organization exercise--and something to leave behind for future readers. Also, for many old games I've found that I enjoy writing programs to extract data, etc. Now I've enjoyed cowriting a few FAQs, which is tricky but the process helps me with collaborative processes at work. I think also I'm starting to write guides for games that already have them, but the guides were written in the mid-90s and with better technology, emulators, etc. you can just look more deeply into things, so guides can be more detailed too.
I still write to preserve a game's memory and just for anyone out there, although now I don't worry about how much I write as opposed to how concise it is. Since GameFAQs started accepting graphics I think many things are better done as PNGs and written FAQs can afford to be more descriptive with detailed maneuvers.
Writing FAQs has helped my organizational and coding skills and also my writing skills. I know it's been beneficial to others. I think just having the discipline that comes from writing things down, or outlining a big project, is invaluable. I used to hate research papers in high school but it wasn't until I started writing game guides that I really understood about organization.
It's also wonderful to know that something I write may be the only source for a certain game's memory beyond the ROM dump. People can play through it quickly and evaluate it with my guides.
I also like being able to read my FAQ or graphics and be able to relive a game without having to play through it, which takes too much time, and I bet/hope other people get the same sort of benefit.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
Yes. To myself, and to others who might've been stuck on a game otherwise. I'd like to think, too, that other people may've seen my FAQs for old games and--just because they were for old games--said "Hey, I have something I want to write for too."
I have this vague fantasy that 20 years from now when people are retired, games will still be emulatable(maybe even more easily so) and people with nothing else to do could research them and maybe we could have guides for every Atari, NES, etc. game. I'm also pleased that my suggestion for a NES guide completion project has been taken up so well by the GameFAQs authoring community. I didn't realize there were so many games left. But I think it's helped other people write stuff too.
Also writing a FAQ has often helped me appreciate a middling game a bit more, or even (in a series of games) follow the progress in detail--what the developers changed, etc., very exciting.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
"Wow! Thanks for writing this old game!" Some people even have helpful hints but I'm often too lazy to add them. Parents even asked if their kids could use my FAQs as references.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
Well, I've modified a FAQ a few years after I wrote it. I try not to spend more than a month on a FAQ although that is not fully continuous of course.
But I think FAQs are best written in stretches of time, where you write down notes, what you'd like to figure out(you don't figure it all out on the first pass,) and what you have figured out. Otherwise you lose the organization of everything in your head, and you especially forget stuff that's obvious after 20 hours of play but that you forget when you go back to it. Looking at my old FAQs I know that I often find I've forgotten to write in something that seemed too obvious at the time.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
Deathlord for the Apple IIe. Perhaps this may be more due to the nostalgia and "finally I did it." It's a clunky game, hard to get started, but the pixelated graphics are well done and it has biting brief wit and awesome tile-based puzzles. Oh and it's ENORMOUS for its time.
Ultima IV/V are also awesome. They came up with the sort of leap technology never could: both exciting games about morality. With V sort of apologizing for IV's excesses.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
Deathlord for the Apple IIe. Because it's written from a narrative point of view and the only one I really ever proofread in detail. Guides can too often just be "do this, do that, oh and here are side quests." I just loved the game, and I think it shows in the guide. It gets 300 hits a year, but when I re-read it I don't mind the faults. I'm planning to do another like it for Robotron.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
Not as much as I should. Usually in the first month or so I update a few times until it's complete, then maybe a few times in the next months. I've let updates go for 5 years. In fact some 5-year-old FAQs I've looked at I've really ripped up because I organize things so differently now.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
It's something I can do that helps establish my individuality. Even within the FAQ writing community I am somewhat unusual because of the games I write for. It's something I'm always glad I did, I can take a break from it when I want, and I know that for certain games I've looked at, I might be the only person to do anything with that game.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
It depends on the humor. Standup comedy stuff, overgeneralized, is bad. If it's something you'd have to conversationalize to be funny it should go. But pointing out the humor behind, say, an amusing bug or workaround or glitch helps people to remember it. "NPC X is a dork" is unfortunately prevalent in FAQ humor.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
Yeech. But then again my particular sin is text mapping, which I should probably resubmit to GameFAQs as just graphic maps. It would require a lot of overhauls of my guides though.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
Talking about the author too much. These sections get outdated quickly. I also think that controls sections can get very long without any critical "here's a move you'll be using a lot, so learn it" sub-sections.
While I'm guilty of over-text-mapping I also think "formatting" goes overboard. Maybe one day we'll have a good standard for HTML(FAQMl?) in FAQs as GameFAQs only accepts text at the moment. Then we wouldn't need all that spacing etc.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
Probably I could be doing a bit more with my career or socially without them. But then, they've helped in other ways, so it's at least a wash. I know I use them to procrastinate, but when it's a choice of internet FreeCell or Sudoku or the-same-website-the-fifth-time-this-day vs FAQs to procrastinate, the latter gives me a much better feeling when I'm done.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
Well, I've gotten some nice Amazon gift certificates. I feel a sense of accomplishment, that I've done something few other people would, for my own reasons, and that people out there have been able to relive some favorite old games they thought they'd never solve. I also know that my body of work left behind on the internet will be more than just one silly homepage I made.
I also enjoy being able to really look into some games I missed out on when I was younger. We had an Apple for too long and so I missed certain sequels like Might and Magic III, Magic Candle II, Ultima VI etc. and now I can go back and pick through them and enter the worlds the authors created as much as I want to.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
Until I run out of games. But one always seems to pop up. I think there'll always be good retro puzzle games that slipped through the cracks and that need a guide, and there are always fun RPGs to look at too. I just like making maps, or tinkering with my mapmaker to make them. One thing I want to do is to be able to make a point-and-click Windows application that creates maps of 16x6 D&D style games and/or writes them out as text. I think it would fold programming and writing together very well.
It also seems that every time my FAQ writing hits a wall a new program comes along to facilitate it. See: DosBox, which is great for old computer RPGs new ones can't handle. I also have plans to try saving screenshots with AutoIt to try culling the results of many possible decision-trees quickly.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
Writing computer games, reading, writing. It fits in well enough.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
I mentioned I'd won a few bounties for FAQs and some FAQ of the month awards. I make a pretty comfortable living, and I think that writing a guide can often help me explore certain aspects of my job that are tough to look at just as a job.
A lot of times I may be doing the same sort of thing with a new FAQ but I can find new ways to make things quicker or more streamlined. I'll say "I've been doing things this way for so long, and I'm sick of it, and how do I change it?"

1. How old are you?

21

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

6 years

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

I already used guides on GameFAQs and started writing them to see whether I could do it properly.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Back then it was only for fun, now it's more serious because of my job. I still enjoy it though, even without the money.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Yes, I get e-mails regularly, also just to thank me. I also contributed the largest amount of Dutch FAQs, so I feel I've helped out gamers from my country who prefer to read in Dutch.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Most of them are questions, but a lot of them are from people who only saw my e-mail address and didn't bother to look at the rest of the FAQ.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

I'm still working on Final Fantasy X which I started in early 2004. I've done FAQs pretty fast, but not without stopping.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

My favorite game is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Others are God Of War and GTA: Vice City.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

I'd have to say Final Fantasy X, because it's the most comprehensive one I've written so far.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

When it is done, it is done. After naming it Final and starting a new one, I don't go back to it any more.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It helps to improve my writing skills while helping people at the same time.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

As long as the information provided is useful, it's fine with me. Too much humor can even harm the FAQ.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I only include information about the game and the FAQ in a formatted separate header, but I don't include ASCII art or something like that.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

Writers who act like they are a superiority, both in writing as with the game they're writing about.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

I wouldn't call it sacrifices if it's something you consider a hobby. It's just a matter of fitting it in with the rest.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

It got me my job for Official PlayStation Magazine 2 and I hope it will also help me get into the game industry.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

I was going to say as long as I have time for it, but I will keep writing even with little time.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

I only write game related stuff because games are my biggest hobby.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

My The Getaway FAQ got published before my job for Official PlayStation Magazine. After that, many of my FAQs were published in that magazine and they're still being published.

---
GameFAQs Prolific FAQ Contributor Ranking page:
http://gamefaqs.blue8.nl

1. How old are you?

17. 18 in four months.

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

Three years, one month, and twenty-two days.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

I dunno... just using this site for long enough and then deciding that I should help this site out too instead of simply using it, and then starting from there.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

In some ways.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

I do know that it's inspired some people to write from the lovely e-mails I get. ;) But putting that aside, it's been beneficial to people whom I helped.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Generally positive (some even going as far as saying stuff like 'your guide was the best I have ever read'), to a few complaints now and then which stuff (I particularly remember a 12 year old mailing me about how 'disgusted' he was with one of my guides because I used the word 'damn' in it three times), and a couple flame bombs, but I don't seem to get those as much as some people around here do.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

If it counts as an FAQ from a long period of at least semi-steady work, Tales of Symphonia with four months. But anyway, not anything to that extreme. When I did an exclusive guide for IGN, I worked practically two hours every day on it, though.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

The Final Fantasy series instantly comes to mind. I have a lot of trouble answering this question, so I'll leave it at that.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

Once every few months if it's complete, I might occasionally change something.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It's not that important to me, I just do it in my spare time. And it doesn't really 'mean' anything to me.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

Absofriggenmaniacallytastic yes. That is extremely important to me because as a reader, I tend to prefer the guides which have a certain degree of personality in them, and throwing humor and jokes into your guide is an excellent way of showing that, and allowing your readers to go through your guide and not be bored to death.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I'm all for it as long as they look good.
---
Woof. Visit board 571756.
#32454 ;; FAQs: 32 - 5650KB ;; I.W.W.H.T.Q.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

A lack of personality. Those who know me as a writer know that I absolutely stress that. Personality is vital.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

My poor, ever fleeting time. Nothing much more.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

Writing ability, personality in informative writing, text formatting, motivation (hah, like I have any of that), and typing speed have all improved to at least some degree.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

I'll give it at least two more years.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

My passions/hobbies are music, girls, games, chillin'... nothing much which is reflected in my writing besides the occasionally flirtastic remark or song lyric.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

The most I've been paid is a free game from IGN, and a combined total of $125 from FAQ/Review of the Month.
---
Woof. Visit board 571756.
#32454 ;; FAQs: 32 - 5650KB ;; I.W.W.H.T.Q.

1. How old are you?

24

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

On and off since 2001.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

Back in 2001, I was browsing the FFT boards and was interested in what was called the "Straight Class Character" challenges. I thought it would be fun to apply this to FF5 and to write a guide based on the blue mage character class. This kicked the whole thing off, even though I never did submit the guide, it sparked off my interest in FAQ writing.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Still does. It's a great way to pass the time, especially if that is naff-all else to do.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

The games that I have written for are generally niche, not particularly well-known and have no other guides, so it's always a pleasant surprise when I get emails from people either praising my work or have general questions they wanted to ask. It's nice knowing that people you read my stuff, no matter how obscure some of them are.


5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Mostly praise and how much my FAQ had helped them.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

Monster Max took well over a year to fully complete.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

I have a crapload of favourite games, most of which fall under the RPG category including most SaGa games and Final Fantasy V. Of the non-RPGs, Bubble Bobble and Solomon's Key are my absolute favs.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Eternal Quest.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

General I revise my guide 2-3 times at most, depending on what else I discover about the game or if someone has suggestions on what else could be added.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It's a hobby. Since I love creative writing anyway, it felt like a different direction I wanted to explore.


11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

It can be, but it all comes down to the humour coming across as natural and not something that's forced.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

Ultimately unnecessary, but I certainly don't mind them.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

Lack of organisation and coherent structure.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Nope.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

Takes my mind off any droughts where there's a severe lack of game releases that interest me.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

As long as I can maintain the motivation and interest over time, and there's something that I want to write for.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

Nope.


---
"Why even bother being evil if you're gonna be weak and pathetic?" Isabel (Suikoden V)

1. How old are you?

13 (turning 14 soon)

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

A little over two years

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

peach freak told me about it, and I thought that having work actually up on a site would be really cool

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Not at all. Now I do it to help gamers, and it's much more of a hobby.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

It's been beneficial to me, and the readers. I can type much faster now, and I've helped users get through different tricky sections in the guide, and if not there, in emails.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Mostly positive. Sometimes I get some huge lists of errors, or random comments but the majority is "nice work, good job" etc

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

5 months working on Star Wars. I had a lot to do in that time, and my motivation dropped out towards the halfway mark of the guide

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

Halo: CE

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Star Wars three as a single author

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

Once in awhile. If I find a mistake, want to reformat, or add in a frequently asked question I do so.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

It's not that important to me but it does mean a lot to me to help other users.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

Yes. One of the most important. It keeps the reader entertained, and wanting to read more of your or another writer's FAQ.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

They're fine. As long as it isn't a 12 KB guide, with a massive ascii logo, it's good to go.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

Asking people for donations or for thanks in their FAQs.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

No

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

Improve my typing, and work on getting a better writing style.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

As long as Gamefaqs is still around. I've notice a sever dropout lately, but that's due to school. I'll always have summers and vacations if worst comes to worst.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

I play a lot of sports. It doesn't really effect my writing, except cost me FAQing time

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

Nope. I'm fine. My parents support me tremendously, and I love my life.
---
Boston Red Sox 14-11
Next Victim: Yankees

1. How old are you? 13

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?1 year

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you? 5 on GFAQS, I wanted fame

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then? Hell no.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so? Yeah, I got to rip part of one of my guides and use it as an English report :-P

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s? Good feedback.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)? 1 year for my GT4 FAQ and no.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites? All the games I FAQ'd for

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written? MC3:DUB Edition/Remix, no doubt

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ? A bunch. I rarely get accepted on my first submission.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you? It's just fun.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them? HELL YAH

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these? I wuv em :DDD

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs? Plaigarism. The end.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs? My GPA dropped .3 points >_>

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs? My Typing speed

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for? A long time.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies? Poetry.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be? No, but it would be nice :D but that's not why I write.
---
IMPORTANT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: Nyeh. That is all.
Official Alt of TheeMikester. LOOK AT QUOTE!

1. How old are you?
16

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
I began working on my first FAQ (for The Legend of Dragoon) in 2001. If you search GameFAQs, you will find no such FAQ. That is because when the FAQ was nearing 50% completion, my computer crashed and my only copy of the FAQ was lost. I was only 11 back then so backing up the file never entered my mind. Let's just say I learned my lesson, and losing hours upon hours of work didn't stop me from continuing with this hobby (I wasn't about to write for that game again, however).

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
Well, you learned about my first FAQ up above. Why did I begin writing? Well, I had used GameFAQs for a while and I guess I just thought "Hey, I could do that". Really, I found a game I loved and thought it would be fun to write and describe all I knew--and it was. Writing FAQs appealed to me because I enjoyed doing it (I always had a thing for writing) and it's also nice to know you're helping others with difficult spots in a game.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
It sure does.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
I am constantly reminded that my FAQs are helping others thanks to the e-mails I receive. I have yet to receive an e-mail from someone that didn't have something nice to say. Actually, just a few days ago an e-mail appeared in my inbox and the subject was "Your FAQ sucks..." Of course, I opened the e-mail immediately because this was definitely a first. But the first words of the e-mail were "at sucking." The person then complimented me on the FAQ. I'm the kind of person that would just blow a negative comment like that off, but it definitely made me feel better knowing that my 100% positive feedback still stands.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
Whoops. It seems I answered this one up above.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
Hah! Longest amount of time it took for me to write a FAQ? Try three years... and counting. Honestly, I'm not proud of that fact. I have a few incomplete FAQs and I'm actually quite ashamed of them, but I refuse to listen to anyone who comments on their incompleteness. I write these things for free and if I lose interest in one, I'm not going to force myself to finish it because someone is picky about his free FAQ. I do plan to go back and finish my incomplete FAQs one of these days, but only when I feel like it. I have never played a game and written its FAQ without stopping. I can write for long periods of time, but I tend to get burnt out on it if I go crazy and try to write the entire thing without stopping. The quickest I've written one is in 15 days (my Project Gotham Racing 3 FAQ) and that hasn't even reached its final version yet.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy X, Starcraft, Legend of Dragoon, Goldeneye, and the three Splinter Cell games for Xbox (those are insanely fun on Xbox Live). Those are some of my favorites. I'm probably forgetting some.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
Hmm, I don't think I can answer that. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and each of my FAQs has at least one thing I despise and hope to one day change. I am currently writing a FAQ/Walkthrough for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. When it is complete, it will surely be my best FAQ. It really is coming along great.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
I should do this a lot more often than I do. Since some of my FAQs were written when I was real young (although it seems I still am compared to the other FAQ-writing geezers), I find myself going back and reading them and realizing that I hate the way I wrote. I'll probably be doing the same thing in a few years looking back at the FAQs I wrote in 2005-2006.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
It seems like a productive way to burn time (that's a little contradictory, but whatever), I enjoy writing, and it's great helping others with a game.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
An important aspect? No. But it definitely makes them more enjoyable reads. Like others have said, you shouldn't go overboard trying to make your reader laugh. I agree most with StarFighters76's response to this question. One of the writers who has the best natural humor in his FAQs is BTB.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
I like them, myself. I have one in each of my FAQs. It makes no difference to me whether a FAQ I'm reading has one or not, however. I do think it gives the reader a good first impression since the ASCII Art (if present) is normally the first thing one will see. If it is ugly, however, then you'd be better off with none at all.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
I don't like reading a FAQ littered with spelling/grammar mistakes. Also I dislike FAQs that are a pain just to scroll through and find what you need. Plagiarism is another thing that bothers me.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
I can't say that I have. I do give up time to write these FAQs, but I can't call it a sacrifice if I enjoy doing it.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
I feel I've become a much better writer (and I continue to improve). I don't expect or want anything in return for these FAQs, but I do hope that this hobby continues to entertain me. The day it stops will be the day I stop writing.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
I have no plans to stop writing. I write when I feel like it and if I don't, I stop. As I said above, the day I stop getting enjoyment from this will be the day I stop writing.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
I enjoy playing baseball, golf, football, and basketball. I also enjoy watching movies and playing the guitar. I can't say that any of these hobbies have any effect on my writing and vice versa.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
I have never received payment for writing a FAQ. I have been offered a few times, but never responded to the e-mail. The person who made the offer wanted all of my current and future FAQs to be on his website exclusively. None of the people who e-mailed me ever said how much money they were thinking of paying me, but it would have to be pretty large for me to consider taking my FAQs down from every other site that has them.

1. How old are you?

13

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

Since September of last year.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

A little before I started writing FAQ's, I started submitting other contributions, then just decided FAQ's should come next.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Yes, I still do it to play a game over again and to help someone out.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Yes. I think my guides may have helped somebody learn a game better, instead of helping them through a part. Judging by the obscurity of most of my FAQ's, few people probobly get help.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

I have recived little feedback. I have gotten a couple thanks but that's related to what I write for.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

I do FAQing in sprees. I will do a bunch one weekend to try to complete something, stop, then a week later do another spurt.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

I'd have to say SSBM (Super Smash Bros. Melee) is one of my favorites. I play videogames with friends a lot and SSBM is a good game to play. It is a intereting fighter title I just seem to love

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Uhh, I put my own most original information into my Math Blaster FAQ so I would have to say that one.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

Whenever I see something in another FAQ I think would go nice in my FAQ, I usally update.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

I just like to help out people and feel the joy of trying to do something productive.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

I think humor should be mixed in every once in a while to liven up the FAQ and make it easier for the reader to enjoy.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I use them on my own FAQ. I just think they are a nice little entrance to make he FAQ noticeable.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

When a FAQ is poorly written and leaves out a lot of information it really bugs me.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Lots of free time and school work time spent on FAQ's.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

It's helped my writing skills and has made me try to complete games more fully.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

As long as I have interest and games to write for, I will continue writing.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

I like to play lots of sports. I play soccer for a complex and I play basketball for my school. My writing doesn't infulence my hobbies, except I play more videogames and I spend more time on the computer.
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Sign My Petition: Receive Notification if Contribution is Taken Down
http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=7&topic=26212169

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

Never been paid, nor do I expect to. I write for pleasure, not money.
---
Sign My Petition: Receive Notification if Contribution is Taken Down
http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=7&topic=26212169

1. How old are you?
20

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?
1 year and a half

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?
Hm, I had always read FAQs for games I needed and thought really useful, and being free and easily available was something really cool, just as being something so complete that had faqs for almost every known game. Once I realised I could contribute too, I started doing so for a game I loved and would really like other people to know its greatness.
The fact that my work would be available forever gave me extra motivation to start. The game is Metal Gear Solid 3, btw.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?
Well, I have a quite strong appeal to it, but the lack of time to write (as I'm in College now, and working too) has really got to a point where I haven't written for monthes.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?
Yes, mainly to Brazilian guys that don't understand English, as I've written some FAQs in Portuguese. And now they can really understand the storyline and its details of the game and such.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?
Well, Almost always is a question about something that's already explained in the FAQ, but the dude is too lazy to look at. Almost always it comes with some compliments and congratulations, which I like too. Some rare cases write just to tell me they really appreciated my work and to let me know that, that's the ones I like the most.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?
No, I always write taking breaks, never done any marathon about it.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?
I really love the Metal Gear Series, and all about it. That's the game that has made me love videogames, and that's the game that motivated me writing FAQs.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?
Metal Gear Solid 3 is such a great FAQ when it comes to amount of information, there's really a lot, and it's well explained. People really get impressed about it for containing so much information about the game in Portuguese. Despite it all, I think my best faq is for MGS1, it's really cleaner than the others, and contains some good-quality easy-to-find detailed information.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?
While still writing I do it all the time. After finished, almost never.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?
It means providing good and useful information that's gonna be recorded forever and help a lot of potential gamers. I really believe in free information, and when it's something organized as GameFAQs is, that makes everyone reach any information about the games so easily, it's yet better.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?
Hm, depends on the author's style, maybe to estabilish a friendly connection with the reader, but I hate faqs that overdo this issue or make it obligatory. Must be natural and used with moderation.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?
I particularly use it, and I think it's a nice way to introduce your work. A good design means you care about the one who reads it.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?
copy/pasters and people who don't know how to layout. I don't like faqs that cover the minimum either, just pointing the obvious.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?
Well, I have already worked unwillingly, but nothing so hard.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?
Hm, I have improved my English, my descriptive skills, and communication skills as a whole. You learn to get to the point, you have to know what people expect from your FAQ and write it before they ask. I've learned I make lots of typos that need to be corrected. And I've benefited in getting some joy and satisfaction in having the work done and available for everyone.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?
I plan to do it forever as it's something that really distresses me and I feel good contributing with the world free display of information.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?
Writing FAQs has become a hobby. I also like gaming, I think it's an expression of art. As I like reading books and watching movies, I like walking around looking at the buildings and trees on the parks. I don't think they reflect FAQ writing but the gaming one.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?
I have never been paid. If I had got anything it'd have been nice, but it was never the target, and I don't feel I need it as a motivation.

Thanks again.
Welcome, buddy!


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Proud FAQ writer!

1. How old are you?

Too damn old.

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

Uh...five, six, seven years? I forget.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

First one was Extreme G3, I'm not sure why I wrote that. Second was the DW4 Nu Wa/Fu Xi FAQs, and I just wanted to write something, but they were the only characters without FAQs. After that, I moved on to RPGs.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Yep. Spoiler-free as much as possible for as many games as possible.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Probably, I get the rare e-mail saying such.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Uh...RPG FAQs, mostly good comments. My WoW rogue FAQ, mostly criticism.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

Totally forget, but I would guess Avernum 3 or Tales of Symphonia. Those took a few months each due to World of Warcraft interferring.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

Chrono Trigger, FF6, FF7 (quiet!), Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Super Mario 64, Suikoden 2, Sonic and Knuckles, etc. etc. I know I list a lot of RPGs, but it's just that the other genres slip my mind.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Couldn't say. In terms of total work, Tales of Symphonia or Avernum 3. Both had a ton of listwork. While listwork =/= good FAQ, they're the ones I put the most work into.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

Nowadays, hardly ever unless there's a glaring error. Immediately after completing a FAQ there's always a dozen or so minor things I fix until I'm relatively satisfied.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

I hate, hate, HATE guides that explain the story in the middle of telling the player where to go or what to do. And far too often, those are the only kind available for a game. The more spoiler-free guides I can put out there, the better.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

Not terribly important, but if you can effectively use humor without detracting from directions or instructions, more power to you.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

Eh. As long as they're not too big, not a thing for me.

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

See above. Describing the story in the midst of directions, blah blah blah.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Can't think of any.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

Polishing up my writing skills, I suppose.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

As long as I can still type and see the screen. I do it in my spare time, anyway.

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

Writing fiction.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

Won the FAQ of the Month award a couple times, so I guess that counts.
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I like taking people from behind, but this is the first time I've been taken. - Sh!zuru

1. How old are you?

17

2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

About a year and a half, but now I just don't have time.

3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

I always looked for the most obscure game FAQs and there were never any. I wanted to help people like me, the few that look for those rare games.

3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

Yes, I'd still write if I had the time.

4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Yes, people are stuck in games everyday. I've gotten hundreds of thousands of hits for all of my FAQs combined. Even if only one person out of those hundreds of thousands people actually got any help, I'm happy.

5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Only positive along with the few mature criticisms, which I appreciate. No actual hate-mail.

6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

Probably two or three months with my intense Gran Turismo 4 FAQ which I put so much work into. I put so much work into it that if you input the data into a computer, it could probably beat the game 100%.

7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

Gran Turismo 4 - It's basically a dream to any racing fan. You start off with a small amount of money, race those cheap cars that you can afford and you keep raising money until you can race with the big guys.

8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

Definately Gran Turismo 4, as I mentioned before, I put so much work into it that if you were just pretty good with racing games and you read my FAQ, you could probably get 100% in a quarter of the time as you would have if you weren't using my FAQ.

9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

I don't do it too often because I write for mainly older games. Those games don't include much so I pretty much include everything I want before I submit it and leave it forever. I update my newer FAQs whenever I find necessary.

10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

Just simply because I know it helps the average gamer. The average gamer is just some teenager who's stuck and is so frustrated they can't figure out what to do. Money is important to them, every single dime. They don't want to go out and pay $15 for a strategy guide that they will only use once or twice. I want all of my work to be free just so the people don't have to pay and they get exactly what they're looking for, money is not a factor to me in any way.

11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

I am personally indifferent on this. I don't make my FAQs serious, I try to get straight to the point with any problems they may have while doing it in as much detail as possible. I don't want to waste the reader's time reading through jokes.

12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I personally like them but I can see why people wouldn't. I just find it much easier to look through and I think that some formats are actually just pretty cool looking.



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Don't **** with Da Hui

13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

I can't really say anything about this. I only write FAQs, I almost never read them. The only FAQs I really use are for item locations and those are really straight-forward so I don't notice anything wrong.

14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Yes, I have stayed in some days while my friends were out having fun just so I could finish FAQs quicker. Nobody really minded because my friend's support what I do.

15. In what ways do you feel you’ve benefited or hope to benefit from writing FAQs?

Well as a high school student, it has helped my writing skills. I am kind of a rare writer which I don't think my teacher's like but I find more enjoyment out of it. The best way to describe it, which is how a lot of people have told me, is that "I write how I talk." I personally see that as the only good way to write. You want to make the reader feel comfortable, you don't need them getting confused over these big words that nobody really heard of.

16. How long do you plan to continue writing FAQs for?

I plan to continue writing FAQs in any vacations that I have. I haven't really had time since I retired because I got a job back in October and that takes up more than half my week now. The other thing is that I've always been playing guitar while I was FAQing except near the end of last summer is when I was really getting into it and now I play an average of two hours a day. Even on days where I'm only home for two hours (not including sleep.)

17. What are your other passions or hobbies do you have? Are these reflected in your writing, or perhaps your writing is reflected in your hobbies?

My only other hobbies are playing guitar and just about anything involving hockey from collecting hockey cards all the way to playing ice hockey. I think that writing these FAQs are reflected in my other hobbies in the fact that they motivated me. I knew that I was helping people and the fact that I knew I could do whatever I put my mind to definately helped me in everything else. If I never wrote FAQs I probably would still be sitting at home everyday doing nothing. Now I'm jamming with a band and I have over $3000 in guitar equipment, I've gotten a great oppurtunity through my job to actually play ice hockey in a charity event against the Boston Bruins Alumni (featuring such greats as John Bucyk) and the Hanson Brothers. It was probably the best time I ever had in my life and knowing that we raised over $40,000 for charity definately made it that much better. Life just seems to keep getting better and better in every single way since I started writing FAQs and my self-confidence has been so high it's ridiculous.

18. Are you regularly paid or have you ever been paid for writing an FAQ or Guide? How do you feel about your particular situation whatever it may be?

The only money I got for writing FAQs was prize money for FotMs, one bounty, and I also received $25 through Honest Gamers. Honest Gamers is another great site for any FAQer as you can accumulate points with your FAQs and received prizes with those points, granted they take a long time to accumulate. However, money is never a factor for me. If somebody told me that I am guarenteed to never get a single penny from now on, it wouldn't discourage me to write again. The money is just kind of an added bonus.
---
Don't **** with Da Hui

1. How old are you?

I’m 17 years old.


2. How long have you been writing FAQs for?

I started writing back in January of 2005; my first FAQ was posted on Feb. 2005.


3. When and how were you introduced to writing game FAQS, and why did this appeal to you?

I was introduced to FAQs on this site while needing help for a certain game. After posting on the message boards for around a year and always admiring FAQs and specific authors, I finally decided to take a stab at it. Needless to say, it stuck and I’m still doing it. I mostly did it to help people.


3. Does writing FAQs appeal to you for the same reason/s today as it did back then?

I used to write FAQs for the sole purpose of helping people. While I still enjoy receiving friendly emails about how much my FAQ was a help for them, I feel that my love for writing also helped me continue to write FAQs.


4. Do you feel that your FAQs or the writing of them has contributed to something or been beneficial to someone, how so?

Totally. Like I previously stated, I get a lot of friendly emails about how they were stuck in a game and how my FAQs covered every niche and detail, ultimately giving them enough help to complete the area where they were stuck. I also have received emails and comments about my writing style; I had one person say that my writing style was very casual, yet informative and professional at the same time. They said that they liked the numerous jokes and such in my FAQs and that it wasn’t dull trying to find a solution to their gaming problem. Considering that I have won some money from FAQs, it seems that I have certainly contributed something to this site.


5. What sort of feedback have you received from gamers who’ve used your FAQ’s?

Most of the time the feedback I receive is positive. Like I said, I have a lot of emails that state how helpful and informative my guide is. When having a FAQ critiqued by a fellow FAQer, they also say how my writing style is top-notch and well done. Honesly, I rarely get hate mail. I find hate mail to be pretty funny, so I wish I could have the occasional poor insult thrown at me for a good laugh. I don’t get many emails (I guess because most of my FAQs are for obscure games), but they are mostly very thankful for the FAQ that I’ve provided.


6. What is the longest amount of time it took for you to write an FAQ? Have you ever played a game and written its FAQ without stopping (over a single weekend for example)?

I am a big procrastinator, so I’d say around a year for one FAQ. I’ll be honest and say that I’m not nearly as dedicated as other FAQers. Sometimes I’m simply too lazy to continue on a FAQ (although I can certainly say that I still love to FAQ); compiling 25 KB worth of FAQ is a good day for me, while some can do well over 50 on a normal day. Most of my FAQs usually take a little over a month, but I still have some FAQs lying around unfinished and unsubmitted that I started back in March. So yeah, I’d say the longest it took for me to finish a FAQ was probably Musashi Samurai Legend. I submitted it unfinished and finally mustered enough strength to finish the FAQ a year later. As for non-stop FAQing, I could never do that. I can’t spend a whole weekend (or even a whole day for that matter) simply working on a FAQ.

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7. What’s the best game you’ve ever played, or if you can’t decide, some of your favorites?

My all-time favorite game USED to be Donkey Kong Country for the SNES. That was definitely one of the best games I had played at the time and I used to play it nearly every day with my friend as a kid. Now I would have to say Metal Gear Solid 3, mostly because I feel that it’s more than a game, it’s a story that you feel compelled to learn more of; urging you to play more and more. I also can’t forget about Quest 64. While most people loathed the game, it is one of my favorite games of all time (in fact, I’m writing a FAQ for it right now!)


8. What is the best FAQ you’ve written?

My best FAQ is a real toss-up for me. Blood Will Tell comes to mind simply for its sheer size and immense amount of content. I also really like Conker: Live and Reloaded, mostly for I really love the writing style that I used in that guide. I can’t find one dull sentence in that FAQ. :)


9. How often if ever do you have to go back and modify or add to an FAQ?

I stated earlier that it took me a year to finish a FAQ. I hate submitting FAQs as unfinished, so I tend to submit it once and leave it until I happen to find a major error. I don’t really like updating FAQs that much. If I find a spelling error or add very minor information, I’ll add it into the FAQ but not submit it until I have more to add/fix.


10. Why is writing FAQs so important to you, what does it mean to you?

FAQing is merely a form of entertainment for me; it’s a hobby that I enjoy immensely. Helping people gives me a great feeling of importance as well. I also enjoy the FAQ boards here on this site. The trio of FAQ boards are the only boards I go on GameFAQs now. The FAQing community is full of very nice and interesting people.


11. Most game FAQs are fairly humorous; do you feel this is an important aspect of them?

Humor is good in a FAQ in a way. Making numerous cracks at jokes can get tiresome, but on the other hand it helps the reader to not get bored when trying to check out the FAQ. So, humor in FAQs is pretty much a toss-up, although you will find some humor in most of my FAQs.


12. Many FAQs have graphics or logos at the top of them, how do you feel about these?

I love ASCII art at the top of my FAQs. I will never have a FAQ without one. It not only catches the reader’s eye, but I feel that it adds to the presentation. I may sound naïve, but I used to only read FAQs with art at the top and ignore ones without it. ASCII maps and diagrams are useful and I tend to use them often in my FAQs.


13. As a writer, what if anything bothers or even disgusts you about others’ FAQs?

There isn’t anything that I necessarily abhor about FAQing really. There are minor tidbits that can be really annoying at times, such as when FAQers don’t break up their work into paragraphs so they’re just giant walls of text. Formatting is a big one for me as well, for you can’t read a FAQ when it’s poorly thrown together. There are others, but I can’t think of others in order to go into more detail.


14. Have you made any sacrifices or compensations as a result of writing FAQs?

Well, I’m sure my grades decreasing have something to do with it. There are probably other minor things as well, but nothing too drastic other than schoolwork and grades. School is for lamers anyways. ;)

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