A big week with lots to think about | The DeanBeat

venturebeat.com:

We're thrilled to announce the return of GamesBeat Next, hosted in San Francisco this October, where we will explore the theme of «Playing the Edge.» Apply to speak here and learn more about sponsorship opportunities here. At the event, we will also announce 25 top game startups as the 2024 Game Changers. Apply or nominate today!

I want to start this column today with a thank you. Last week, I posted about the challenge facing game journalism and GamesBeat/VentureBeat, and how we recently had to lay off some awesome staff members. I made a plea for more support for what we do.

It’s been gratifying to receive support in response to that cry for help. I and other folks wondered if I had been too candid about our situation. But my obligation to help our former staffers and to do something to save our publication and our community made me take the risk of being more open. There were a lot of people who were surprised that we weren’t doing well, and they were willing to help — all it took was asking for that help.

Amir Satvat used his megaphone on LinkedIn (where he has 40,000 followers) to write a touching post about why GamesBeat’s journalism is important. That post and many others like it helped us spread the word that we need help, particularly with our upcoming GamesBeat Next event that takes place in San Francisco on October 24 and October 25.

This means a lot because we are not a nonprofit and we are not a public institution and we are not an educational entity. But we are a small independent media and events company, and people said they would miss us if we are not around. We’re as much an underdog as so many others out there struggling in a tough economy.

This heartwarming response feels like a validation of the 27