In the build up to our new issue, Lost and Found, 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!
Nathan Altice is an artist, musician, and professor of Computational Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He published his first book, I AM ERROR, a platform study of the Nintendo Entertainment System, in 2015. He also writes at metopal.com and tweets @circuitlions.
How did you get started as a writer?
I’ve written stories and poems for as long as I can remember, but it was my sixth grade English teacher who first made me think my writing might be worth sharing. I really owe credit to a series of wonderful teachers who taught me what it means to love writing and share it with others.
What inspired you to write your features for Five out of Ten?
I like the independent publishing model, and I like writing for readers beyond the traditional academic audience.
What is your favourite part of your Five out of Ten features?
It’s nice to write about contemporary games for a change. Most of my game topics are usually decades old.
What do you do when you’re not writing about videogames?
Most of my non-game energy goes to my wife, my cats, and music.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
Writing is never easy. You just do it, sometimes with inspiration, sometimes dispassionately. It’s work, like anything else of value.
Where will you be five years from now?
I have no idea, and that’s very exciting.
What are you playing right now?
Super Mario Maker
What’s your favourite game?
Silent Hill 2
What advice would you give to other aspiring video game writers?
Keep writing. Put it online. Don’t wait for your reader to find you—find them.
Where can we find more of your work?
