In the build up to our new issue, Fantasy, we get to know our latest group of writers, their wider work and what games they love, and of course their experiences of writing for Five out of Ten. Pledge to support our Patreon and get the new issue as soon as it’s released!
Gaby Lax is a writer and game developer living in Melbourne. She is a big Fire Emblem fan, but has written about her issues with Awakening, as well as a feature about Raiden’s masculinity in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
How did you get started as a writer?
Writing is one of those things I’ve kind of always done, but I came to games writing about a year and a half ago after a particularly meaningful experience with Dragon Age 2. I spent the entire Valentines Day weekend holed up in my room working on an essay about it, and I haven’t been able to turn off my critical eye since.
What inspired you to write your features for Five out of Ten?
I tend to write stuff I’d like to read, often based off an inability to find similar articles in the first place. Maybe I have really niche interests, or maybe my Google-fu is just bad.
What is your favourite part of your Five out of Ten features?
Definitely how my piece on Fire Emblem Awakening discusses game mechanics and how they shape experience. I never used to be able to think about games in that way until I started trying to make them.
What’s your favourite game?
Metal Gear Solid 2. I replay it once a year and get embarrassingly emotional.
What advice would you give to other aspiring video game writers?
The idea of sitting down and knocking out the perfect essay by yourself in a single sitting is seductive, but distance really helps. That can mean knowing when to step away for a couple of days, or finding people you’re comfortable talking to for a second opinion. I don’t think I’ve ever written anything that hasn’t benefited from some kind of breathing space.
Where can we find more of your work?
https://puellaexmachina.com/.
