1: I want to submit a game review to you. What do I do?
I'll take reviews for any of the game systems I've currently got in on the Game Reviews page. If you write me one for a system that isn't there I'll put it up eventually, but I'd like to have three or four games for a particular system before doing so. Then just package it up in an email and send it here.
2: How should I write my review?
Type up a one page review. Try to follow the standard essay format you used in school, intro paragraph, descriptive body, summary paragraph. Try to cover the main aspects of the game (characters, story, game modes, gameplay aspects, etc.) Give both positive and negative aspects of the game, even if it's one you're totally in love with. Try to make it fun to read, spice it up a bit, but no HaX0r baloney or whole paragraphs of shout-outs to your hommies, none of that will make it. No fan boy crap either.
Don't get mad if I edit your review, I am the Editor-in-Chief here after all. I'll only edit stuff that is glaringly obvious, like sentences that make no sense, spelling mistakes, blatant plagiarism, stuff that is just not true, etc. I will in no way change around an entire review just because I think it sounds lame or whatever.
Limited bad language is okay, but limit the vulgarities if possible. Profanity should be like salad dressing, just a little bit to make everything taste better, not the F-word repeated three hundred times. Keep in mind a lot of kids visit my website and I don't want it getting blocked again. All racist terminology will be deleted, in fact I won't even bother with your review. Bottom line is try to keep it professional, like you're writing for a magazine or something.
3. Should I enclose screenshots?
Sure, screenshots would be nice. Try not to rip them off of other websites though. Usually stealing pics from other sites is illegal unless it's an "official" picture released for review purposes (i.e. a picture found on the official site of the game.) If your review is of a particularly obscure game then your own screenshots are required.
4. Can I write a review of a game you've already got covered?
I would prefer games I already haven't reviewed, however I realize other people have different opinions from mine. If yours is vastly different than mine (for instance you think a game is good that I said sucks donkey balls) then I would be interested in seeing it. If your review is similar to mine then there isn't much reason for me to publish it.
5. Will you pay me for my review?
Nope. Sorry. If I made money doing this I would, but since at the moment the site doesn't even pay for itself this is not a possibility. What I will do is give you credit to whatever name you wish, as well as put links to any personal sites you may have yourself (homepages, businesses, etc.) No links to porn, warez, or racists sites. The benefit to you is exposure and writing experience.
6. Can I submit my review to other websites?
Here's how it works: By submitting you give me permission to publish your material on Ultimateconsoledatabase.com and in any other related work (like a magazine or newsletter) without the promise of future compensation. However you retain the right to submit your review to any other websites, magazines, or publications. You retain ownership of your work but promise not to sue me for any reason in the future, not even if in the future I make a truckload of money. By submitting you acknowledge this agreement.