Justin McElroy is the Reviews Editor and a writer for popular gaming news site Joystiq.com, and has done freelance work for several publications over the years. He is also one of the hosts of the Joystiq Podcast, and is active in it’s fangroup the JPAG (Joystiq Podcast Appreciation Group).

Mr. McElroy was graceful enough to do an interview with WingDamage.com so we could get some insight into his work, and his life as a gamer.

Jonah: What got you into gaming? Any particular game or system that really peaked your interest?

Justin: I’m one of those lifelong guys, Atari, NES, the whole bit. I think maybe the closest I got to a lull was the few confusing pre-teen years before the PSOne was launched. I’d say that’s the system that made me … well, more into video games than my friends were. That’s where it all went wrong, I guess.

Jonah: Did you always want to write about games, or are you more of a writer who also happens to play games?

Justin: My degree is actually in acting and directing, though I’d been writing about games since I was about 12 years old. I’ve had some more respectable-type news paper gigs (beat reporter, news editor, etc.) but I was always writing about games.

Jonah: I know at least one of your brothers also writes for Joystiq. Has gaming always been a part of your family? Does your wife get into gaming?

Justin: It’s a big deal for Griffin and I, and it was always a big thing for us growing up. My dad always played with us and Griffin actually learned to read while we played JRPGs. My wife Sydnee is a few months shy of being a doctor, so she doesn’t have a whole lot of free time. That said, she enjoys the occasional puzzle or music game as much as everybody else.

Jonah: How did the Joystiq podcast come about, and how did you get involved?

Justin: The podcast had actually been around for 10 episodes before I got on. The thing is that those 10 episodes took them around 4 months to release, so they needed someone to sort of set it up and make it more regular. I basically shoehorned my way into it with begging, and eventually I took over the producing duties to keep things off my boss Chris’ plate.

Jonah: How has your roll changed now that you are the reviews editor at Joystiq?

Justin: I’ve got a lot less free time to just write, which is what I like the best. I’ve also had a lot of trouble convincing PR people that they need to send product our way, in part, I suspect, because we don’t put numbers on our reviews and can’t effect Metacritic. A lot more of my day than I’d like is spent trying to line up product. That said, I think reviews bring a lot to the site, and I’m still really glad we’re putting more of a focus on them.

Jonah: If you could change one thing in your industry (writing about games), what would it be?

Justin: If I could change one thing, it would be the attitude of the PR and marketing side that they’re the gatekeepers of information. On the one hand, I think they’ve discouraged original reporting by being so tight-lipped all the time. Also, access to the actual people who make games is so rare, and I think that could bring a lot to games coverage.

Jonah: How do you really feel about the JPAG? I mean, that Wesley guy is kind of shady…

Justin: The JPAG, the fact that that community exists, is one of the things I’m proudest of in my whole life. The knowledge that people have made real connections, lasting friendships, because of some dumb show I do means more to me than they suspect. Also, Jonah, the power. THE POWER, she’s intoxicating.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Mr. McElroy for taking the time to talk to use today. You can check out his work at on the site and on the podcast at Joystiq.com.

Tags: Interview, Joystiq, JPAG, Justin McElroy, Wesley

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