The last few weeks have been completely insane. My boss left for another great opportunity and I was mentally bracing myself to help pick up the slack until we found a replacement, but I was asked to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief. (!!!) It took me a week to let it all sink in. After having worked closely with Ricardo here at GameSpot, I knew that this job was not going to be easy and that I will likely be stressed out permanently. (but I still love it!) To be honest, when I made the decision to switch careers and move into video games, I really wasn't gunning for any kind of position. I just wanted to be surrounded by games and talk about games all day. Turns out I am pretty organized and apparently management likes that I've been so incredibly lucky and blessed, and I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the wonderful people I've worked with at GameSpot, especially Ricardo, who taught me almost everything I know. (about yelling at people mostly. lol, just kidding. No not really.)

I still really like this community and I've been a part of it for so long, it's hard to leave but I'm excited to see what my team at GR can do. I'm on Facebookand Twitterso please stay in touch, and if you want to keep up with Bailey, he's got his own Facebook page and Tumblr too.http://thingsiputonmydogshead.tumblr.com/

Even if I'm not going to blog here, I will check PMs and lurk on YOUR blogs. Those of you who have messaged me in the past, know that I will always respond

GamesRadar has a lot of exciting plans in the next year, so I hope that we cross paths again on the internets!

http://www.gamesradar.com/ping-radar-letter-editor/

xoxo

Sophia & Bailey

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

It's Bailey's birthday this weekend so I"ll try to have a post with some pictures It'll be 2 months tomorrow since his surgery and he's been walking and playing just fine. I can't let him run yet, but he is gaining his strength back slowly so I'm happy and relieved.

I've added some new photos on his tumblr here:http://thingsiputonmydogshead.tumblr.com/

Things have otherwise been going well at GamesRadar. Lots of changes happening, but I'll update when I get around to it. I do miss GameSpot still, but I know you guys are doing well so that makes me happy

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

The cone of shame. His usual dopey self after he's had his dinner.

After the drugs kicked in...O_o

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

50.19.220.129, try not to cause any trouble will try to log on this week)

Here he is, drugged and hiding under my desk when I work from home.

I would like to take more photos of him, which I may since he can't do much but sit around anyway. I also got my hands on some doggy treat recipes so I'll make him some dog friendly cookies to bribe him into posing for me. No playtime for awhile unfortunately.

Other than that, not much happening here. I played Fez a little bit but then got stuck and gave up. I've been spending a lot of my free time working out and experimenting with new recipes so that leaves very little gaming time. Luckily it's been kind of slow anyway, but I have a lot to catch up with.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend I was in Vancouver and Victoria to see my sister. Lovely part of the country!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 22 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Lim_ak joined and it got me thinking about the GS Community night we had last year. (Photos here)I don't know if some of you are still playing on the GS UK server or if you're still playing on the community one, but if you want to join in sometime just leave me a note here or a PM I don't have anything scheduled, I'll probably be online later tonight. If you're on TwitterI'll let people know when we go live, otherwise, feel free to swing by and say hi!

On another Minecraft related note, I just pre-ordered this:http://www.facebook.com/LEGOMinecraft

Update: 50.19.220.129 is the server. It's going to stay up for awhile, so drop by whenever you can. I won't always be there but feel free to look around. City hall shouldn't be that far from spawn point if you need a place to hide

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 18 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Instead of spamming all of you who may or may not care, you guys should join if you're interested. I honestly don't know what they're doing with it, but I do play SC2 from time to time and I remember that last game night we had was pretty fun. Minecraft game night was fun too! I hope GS is still doing those.

Hope everyone is doing well. GDC is over, which makes me a little sad because I had a wonderful experience this year. It was great meeting so many talented people and it was also nice to catch up with some GS folks.

Sorry, no Bailey pictures yet. I swear I get asked almost every other week. I hope to be posting a couple of podcasts soon featuring the composers of Mass Effect 3 and one for Journey.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 7 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

He's sooooo cute. I love how he'd let me squeeeeze him. (Well, not sure if he let me or I just forced it out of him)

I only had my camera lens cap, so I put it on his head. Hehehehe.

More pics to come, hopefully soon! Oh, and I also went horseback riding for the 2nd time yesterday. Can you guess who I went with?

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 22 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

[ Watch Video ]

I'm still working on SoundRadarbecause it's a lot of fun, while trying to help plan and organize the team over here at GamesRadar.

I would have ton a top 10 of 2011 but there are a bunch of games I haven't finished. The ones that have stood out to me include Portal 2, Ghost Trick, To the Moon, Gears of War 3, Battlefield 3, Alice: Madness Returns, Super Mario 3D Land, Outland, Minecraft and I know I'll like Uncharted 3 when I get around to it and Rayman Origins if I played more. So that's almost 10

Here's to an even better 2012!

Sorry, no new Bailey pictures yet. I just moved before the holidays so I haven't set up my studio. But I do have a bunch of new toys I could use... heehee.

I did meet this adorable American Eskimo named Snowball over the break that let me put things on his head too so I'll have to dig up a picture of him.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 23 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

I love GameSpot The first time I drove by the office after I had left, I felt this pang of sadness and wondered if I had made the right decision. Although I've driven by many times since then, and I always smile to myself when I see the building. I miss seeing those guys everyday but it makes me happy knowing that they get together and do stuff like this. (of course, AFTER I leave. THANKS GUYS.)

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 28 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Anyway, have you played it yet? What did you think? I may actually play it again because I played it really late one night and some of the finer plot points kind of went over my head. I'm curious as to what you guys think too

Oh and episode 2 of SoundRadar is up if you're interested!http://www.gamesradar.com/soundradar-episode-2-modern-warfare-3-brian-tyler/

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 19 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Part of me is glad that I don't go to conventions for fun because the lines are too long. I was able to see Minecraft on the 360 the night before it all started so I at least got that out of the way. I think the biggest line (other than the autograph line) was the line for merchandise. I just get so impatient if I have to wait more than 20 minutes...

So by Saturday I was ready to get out of there!

Anyway, I also wanted to swing by and let Sound Byte fans know that I've started something else that's music related. It's on iTunesif that's easier for you. I will continue to do giveaways so swing by if you're interested!

Hope everyone's doing well. I need to play Uncharted 3 over the holiday weekend. I've been juggling Rayman, Skyrim, Modern Warfare 3 in the past week.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 21 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

After Blizzcon is Disneyland! And after that, off to Montreal to see a Secret game that has the word World in it! The fun part is that @Maxwell will be going to both events so I'll get my healthy dose of Mr. McGee in the next week.

Don't you guys love Max? I left cupcakes for GameSpot the other day and Max returned my muffin pan with a note "I miss Sophia " Apparently my muffin pan just can't stay away from me...

[ Watch Video ]

I bet Max will never forget this.

Anyhoo, I haven't had time to play any games lately. My commute is now slightly longer and a new job is always draining, emotionally and physically! But I do want to play some Batman when I get some free time. A friend was kind enough to buy me a lovely new tablet as a new job present, so I've been messing with that. I don't really play games on it, but Com2us has made a couple of really fun games, Slice it and Homerun Battle. I also want a Kindle to read on. I can't believe how many gadgets I carry on me, it's actually pretty scary.

Just wanted to say hi. New job is going well. It is an adjustment moving from a previews editor to a managing editor, since it's less writing and a lot more planning, meetings and other things that I never really had to consider. Hoping that it all pays off though, but it does feel weird not producing content all the time.

Hope everyone is doing well, let me know what you're up to and what you're playing

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 47 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

I knew that this day would come at some point. I just didn't think it would be so soon. I never shared the story of how I got here, so here it is! It took me a long time to finish college. I dropped in and out for years because I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. When I made the decision to go back to school full-time and study journalism five years ago (thanks to a soulless sales job that I fell into), I drove by the CNET building at the time and told myself that one day I would work there--at GameSpot. A year and a half later, two months after graduation, I managed to do it! I was at IGN as a contractor at the time, and through blind luck and persistent applications, Andrew Park FINALLY sent me an email. (Of course I studied my ass off in school, won awards, and wrote for multiple sites/newspapers without pay just to make my resume look spiffy). I used to tease Ricardo about totally ignoring my resume the first time around. There were two Assistant Preview Editor positions open and I only heard back after I applied the second time, changing very little on my resume except I bolded a few headlines and shuffled a few items around. But it all worked out. I was brought in to meet the team and was offered the job that I had worked so hard to get.

I love Jody. Be nice to her while I'm gone or else I'll come back and be very upset!

The job was even better than I had thought it would be. Not only did I get a chance to cover video games, I was also able to meet and work with some truly amazing people across the industry. But part of me knew though, deep down, I couldn't do this job forever. 1) Because it was impossible and I'd have to retire eventually and 2) It's rare to be doing the same thing for your entire career. I've grown so much here at GameSpot already and I want to keep growing and learning.

The two people who have had the most impact on me are no longer working here but I wanted to thank them anyway. I owe a lot to Ricardo, for believing in me when I barely believed in myself. He taught me as much as he could during his time here and pushed for me to grow, professionally and personally. Without his careful guidance and thoughtful leadership, I wouldn't be where I am today. I also want to mention Brian Ekberg, whom I miss just as much, because without him I don't think I would have ever become comfortable in front of the camera. Co-hosting with him for Today On the Spot was so much fun, especially when we'd dress up for special events and do stupid things on air. That's what I love about my job--doing stupid things on air!

For the video go here.I must say, this is my crowning achievement.

There are so many people I'm going to miss here, especially with the guys I've traveled with, you know who you are. All those late nights, the now-repulsive smell of katsu, the hunt for ice cream, delicious ramen… wait, why is this all food related? I know we'll see each other again but I want you to know that I will miss you all very much and thank you for being there when I needed you. (You know who you are. If I start listing I'll forget someone and then I'll feel bad.) I couldn't have asked for a better team to work with. I hope we work together again someday.

I'm sure many of you in the community are already supportive of the editors you see in front of the camera, but there's an army behind the scenes that produce all those videos and fancy graphics that you click on. As editors we get all the glory, but seriously, it's the guys behind the camera that make us look good (or halfway decent) haha!

Pretty sure this is the highlight of Brian's career.

So why am I leaving a place I love so much? I've been offered a chance to do something more, and it is probably best left for me to reveal via some other social networking method (Twitter/Facebook, whatever, you can find me) I can tell you that I will still be in the industry doing what I love and you'll find me writing on the Internets. I'm super excited and can't wait to start my new gig, which actually starts next week, so you'll find out soon enough. I'm going to miss it here, but I know this next step will be good for me.

This is getting long… but I wanted to tell you, the GameSpot community, that I've enjoyed getting to know you guys throughout the years. (especially the haters. I'm always fascinated by what drives a person to rant on the internet behind an anonymous username. That takes courage. ) I love providing you (the nice ones) with content, whether it be video game previews or Sound Byte articles. Thanks to those who wrote to me to tell me how much they appreciated my work. One nice comment makes it all worth it, especially on the days where I feel really good about myself and decide to lower my self-esteem a little by reading Youtube comments.

For those who have been asking about Sound Byte, it's not going away! I'm happy to tell you that Jonathan Toyad will be continuing it for me here. If the radio station stays, Synthia has offered to help keep that up to date as well. Just know that I will not stop trying to raise awareness when it comes to game audio/music, no matter where I go. After all, that's how I got into the business of writing about games. I used to write game music reviews for fun on a fan site almost 10 years ago, and look what happened!

Not everyone has the opportunity to do what they love for a living. I am truly grateful and blessed for being able to come into work every day and love every minute of it.

I don't want to say goodbye, because I would like to still be a part of this community, even if I'm working elsewhere. I'm onTwitter @sophiatongif you want to keep track of what I'm up to and I have a Facebook account (http://www.facebook.com/soapymoose)

Thanks to everyone who has been keeping up with my blogs. Sorry I haven't contributed as much as I would like to in the last few months. I still plan on taking more pictures of my dog with things on his head and if I ever get the time to practice piano, you'll be the first to know.

It's been an incredible adventure and I look forward to the future. I feel a mix of sadness, excitement, and happiness… but above all, I'm thankful to have all these wonderful memories to take with me. I have to remind myself not to be sad that it's over, but be glad that it happened. And I am. My last three years here have definitely been some of the best years of my life. Thank you to everyone who made it special for me. It's the dedicated people, the passionate GameSpot staff, the tight-knit community, who have made this place what it is today.

Take care and be kind to one another.

Much love,

Sophia xoxo

PS: As promised, here are more Bailey photos to leave you with! I will keep my album updated and I started a tumblr blog for him.

For the rest click here.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 116 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

So on Sunday, after Bailey went for a nice romp at the dog park and took a nice long dog shower, he was totally pooped. He spent the entire day sleeping and I could tell when he got up that he was sore and exhausted. Soooo... what better time to take advantage of a sleepy puppy?!

Don't worry, the boxes are empty and really light. He only looked up once and then put his head back down like he didn't care. He had the most "whatever" look on his face.

Just had to share. I did do a photoshoot with him on Saturday so I will have those pictures to post when I write my next blog (can you tell I'm avoiding having to write a goodbye thing? I've been dragging it out for a week now)

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 48 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

I will certainly continue the series, and keep you guys posted. Whether it's here, on Facebook or some other blog that I start. Can you tell what the items are?

Heehee, poor Bailey. But he always puts a smile on my face This was taken late at night, he was pretty tired... which is the only time I can do this to him without him freaking out. He eventually looked up at the tissue box and was like "What. Is. This."

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 43 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

I mentioned that I was leaving on the podcast this week, but didn't go into detail. I don't want this to be depressing. It makes me sad thinking about it because I LOVE the team here, but I'm also excited about my new opportunity. Just know that I will still be around the internet, and I will always visit here of course--this has been my home for awhile now and I've loved every second of it.

So I'll be back to share pictures of Bailey with silly things on his head. I bought all these fun hats from Japan that he still needs to wear!

Anyway, if you have Gears 3 and nothing to do later, come join us, or the chat room! It'll be my last chance to hang out with you guys on a game night so come by and say hi.

PS: Sorry I didn't get a chance to do another Minecraft night I've been traveling so much.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 44 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

It's been a busy month with PAX, CoD XP and then TGS. Phew. Still recovering from all the traveling. Sorry I don't have any pictures to share at the moment, but have you guys checked out the coverage?

Here are some highlights!

Sumo wrestling! @JodyR won. But you should watch the match.

[ Watch Video ]

If you want to see Max in a dress.

[ Watch Video ]

Oh wait, I was planning on blogging about games. As you now, it's a busy time of year if you're into video games! I'll be playing Gears of War 3 a lot I really want the Ico Collection, the new Kirby game, and anything Mario on the 3DS...I'm also waiting for Skyrim and Battlefield 3 to come out! There's more that I'm looking forward to, but I can't think of them at the moment.

What are you most excited for?

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 39 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Basic functions:

E - brings up your equipment menu, drag and click outside of window to drop items (bottom bar is where you put stuff you'll actively use)

Q - drop items

Left click on mouse - punch, mine (keep it limited to trees and dirt people, don't hurt each other)

Right click on mouse - drop / use item highlighted

Scroll wheel - switches items on your inventory bar at the bottom

WASD - movement

How Minecraft works:

Pretend you've been dumped on an island with nothing but your fists. There's a day/night cycle (10 minutes or so of daylight before it goes to night, we'll try to set it to daylight when we start)

Monsters comes out in full force at night, so you'll want to find/build shelter as soon as possible. For those who are new and want to skip the shelter building bit, a shelter has been built for you when you spawn. (just look around, there'se a sign and double doors, right click to open door and PLEASE close the door behind you)

First thing: Get wood. Punch trees!

Once you have wood, you need to make planks, then sticks. I will have a crafting table for you in the shelter, but you can make one yourself by bringing up your menu with E.

Here, you'll see a 2x2 grid. Put your freshly chopped wood in there and you'll see that the box to the right will yield planks. Click on those planks to convert your wood. Once you have planks, put them in the 2x2 grid but in two places. (right click to take half the amount and split them up, see below)

Now you should see sticks, grab those. To make a crafting table, put 4 planks in the 2x2 grid. Voila!

Highlight your crafting table in your inventory bar and right click to put it down. (I have one in the shelter already) Once you place it somewhere, you can revisit this table to build anything. First things first, build a pick. You need 2 sticks and 3 planks (cobblestone if you have any, they're better because they're faster and last longer, but you can work your way there)

Once you have a pick you are ready to mine! You'll need candles too because it can get hard to see. Put a stick and a piece of coal together like a candle. You don't need the crafting table for this, just press E (Dig in stony places for coal) There really is no point in Minecraft, it's really just a giant sandbox at this time to play in. For Game Night, we are giving out an emblem to the person who finds the most diamonds. (You need an iron pick to mine for diamonds! Iron picks are made from iron ingots, which are from iron ore that you find underground) I'll have a furnace set up for you guys in the shelter too, or you can make one with the crafting table by putting a ring of cobblestone together. The furnace is used to convert items, like sand to glass. You just need a lot of coal.

If you're new, this may be confusing, but just have fun with it and you'll get the hang of things. You can build your own house too with the materials you collect.

I'll be online and in the chat room for questions. It's easier to talk via chat so try to keep the conversations there.

Have fun, see you tonight!

Side note: If anyone has computers that lag or are chugging, here are some things you can do to maybe help speed things up.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 31 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

I know that there are members of the community that already play on a server together, but this one will be hosted by staff, (and moderated, so no griefing). Who's interested? We're probably going to have a chat going around 5pm PST this Friday and I will post the IP in the chat module then so that we don't just get random people showing up. I'm just worried about people who want to come on and destroy things :p

I have several funny stories to share, but I'll wait until I make my update.

Let me know here in the comments if you're interested this Friday so I can kind of get an idea of how many people to expect. Also spread the word among your GameSpot friends!

Btw, if you want to get the game, you can purchase it online at minecraft.net

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 22 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot