Many regular readers will know this already, but it’s a point I’d like to reiterate; TSA is staffed entirely by volunteers whose dedication astounds me. Although efforts are being made to turn TSA into a paying venture, for the time being those 15+ pieces of content you read every day come from a group of people who have given up their spare time to bring you the latest news, views and opinions.
Lately, as I’ve become more involved with TSA, there have been a lot of negative comments aimed in my direction from non gamers with regards to the fact that I do this “for free”. The general consensus is that I’m ‘insane’, and that they would never work for free, because it’s pointless. This is where my little rant begins, and I’d like to start off with replacing the word ‘insane’ with ‘dedicated’.
Let me guide you through an average day for me. I get up at 5.45am every morning and head straight into work with the express intention of getting news up on TSA. I get into work about an hour and a half early so that I can scour the web/press releases and put up some morning content. Lunchtimes don’t exist; instead it’s more content for TSA and a quick sandwich. After an eight hour work day, and a few hours writing, I head home where I try and balance family time with more news writing, original content or game reviews. I normally head to bed at about midnight/1am.
Despite this, I couldn’t give a flying fart about getting paid. I don’t do this for any financial gain; I do it because I’ve been a gamer for 24 years, I love writing, and I’m dedicated to helping TSA go supernova. Of course, I’m not the only one; the entire news team and contributors work their butts off every day. The community team moderates some great events, Kris brings you top quality features, Al, Peter and Lee not only post fine content, but also work behind the scenes sorting out stuff you never get to see. The whole site radiates passion and dedication. All in our spare time. On top of that there’s also our sister sites, ScreenDemon, HalftoneHero, and AppTilt; the work that goes into these is immense.
This follows through to our readers too. I struggle to think of many other places where the readers not only give up their time to comment, but do it in a polite, coherent manner time and time again.
Are we all dedicated? Absolutely. Are we all insane? Perhaps, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Mikiyaru
“Are we insane?” No
“Will you marry me?” Please?!
icuyesido
Your not insane, just passionate which makes TSA even more awesome, it’s like one big happy family. :P
Boomshanks
Brilliant read. The amount of work you lot put into the site absolutely astonishes me. This is pure dedication and everyone is very, very thankful for it. TSA would never be the same without it’s staff or the communiy.
Ingore all the comments people make that they would never do it for free. You have to give up a lot but they amount you get back is immense, even if it’s not in money
Raider197
Great article, I’d like to take the opportunity to actually thank all the writers on TSA and everyone working behind the scenes because I am amazed by the dedication you guys have and the quality of everything that goes up on the site.
TSA is in my opinion the best news site on the web and the fact that no one gets paid for it is really amazing. So cheers to all the hard work you all do and know that it doesn’t go unappreciated.
solidsteven
Right who said we are insane?
TSA is the number 1 website for me.
Jas-n
Not we as in TSA, but Dan/the rest of us that write for TSA, because we do it for free.
solidsteven
and for that i thank you for all the non-biased and interesting reads over the months since i joined. keep them coming.
Jas-n
Been wondering what this post has been about for a few days.
The people who call you insane for doing this for free can’t be passionate about anything, or even help people for that fact.
If you are passionate about something, you want to do something about it, be it write about it or anything else because you like to.
Do these people charge others if they help them out? I doubt it, it’s because we’re kind, and like to help people, which is what us writers do, help people get their latest fix.
solidsteven
Those people are ***** and would believe that we are all killers.
I volunteer at a charity shop and i don’t care about the pay.
And the stories are always interesting to read.
haz360
Brilliant article. The dedication and loyalty that EVERYONE involved with TSA has, from the guys writing the articles to the people commenting on them and everyone inbetween, astounds me. It’s what makes TSA what it is for me. The best source of gaming news and reviews around, with a kick-ass community and just a generally awesome atmosphere. If this makes you insane, then commit me now :)
solidsteven
And me. In fact commit everyone involed if that is insane.
scavenga
I appreciate all your efforts and your dedication. It brightens my every day, and I know atleast I forget that you guys sacrifice so much to bring us the latest news in an entertaining fasion.
You’re all a BIT mental, though.
solidsteven
The forums on here are the best forums i have ever visited.
Charmed_Fanatic
same love this site soo much!
bigdon23
tsa is my no 1 site for gaming news as it is the best and most up to date. keep up the good work guys. and the best minds in history were considered insane. i still think a weekly tv show would fill an empty slot on tv though.
solidsteven
But it would be changed to suit the channel’s needs.