What’s next? That’s a question I seem to be always asking myself. I love working on TheSixthAxis. I love working with committed, smart and talented people who do a truly exceptional job of getting interesting and entertaining content on the website at an astounding rate. But I’m always looking for something else.
Often, I can satisfy that urge towards new things right here on TheSixthAxis. I write a new feature or suggest some new changes to the site which give me the temporary buzz of feeling like I’m doing something new and exciting again. The podcast feels different every time we record it and I loved making the video content when I had time for that.
Sometimes I look slightly further afield and force a hole in my schedule to write something for ScreenDemon or HalftoneHero. When I’m incredibly lucky I manage to find a few hours to make some music or write something completely unrelated. I recently wrote a scene for a screenplay I’ve been thinking about, for instance.
A while ago, I had an idea for something that I thought would be really fantastic. I fleshed the idea out a bit. I gave up a weekend and a few really late nights to write a design document and make concept art. I pitched the idea to friends and got great feedback. It was going to be brilliant. But then, as we were struggling to find time to actually work on the idea, someone else launched something almost identical. Don’t misunderstand me, there was no wrongdoing involved. It was just a good idea that seemingly occurred twice to two separate people. We were beaten to it. I was crushed.
TheSixthAxis saved me from sinking into a fit of depression. I could focus on what needed to be done, instead of wallowing in self pity for the missed opportunity. I could spend a Thursday evening making bad jokes with Kris and Lewis for the podcast. I could spend some time listening to members and reorganising the forums. There’s enough here to keep me occupied and my mind off the disappointment.
But I’m always asking myself what’s next. I always want something more than the routine necessary to keep the website running. I need to be thinking about something different or I start to lose interest all together.
TheSixthAxis consumes my life completely at the moment. Things generally quieten for me at the weekends (primarily because I force myself away from it for spells) but most weekdays I am always doing something with the site. From 9AM to 2AM, or later, I’m constantly working on or thinking about or responding to something related to TSA. I’m not complaining, I wouldn’t have it any other way and I know that there are other people who work just as hard in between their jobs and families. But it’s a gruelling routine and I often need something new to keep my mind active.
So, what is next? Well, I want TSA to be seen and known by more people. We’ve got the team here to be successful and we’ve got the readership figures. Now we just need people to notice us. We’re working on that but in the meantime, we keep on going. We keep doing the things we’ve done that have gotten us to this point. We keep strengthening the team with talent and we keep trying to reward the loyalty and commitment of the existing staff members who make TSA possible every day.
How do we intend to achieve those aims? Well, the most important thing is to keep the site ticking over, the news output steady and the features and opinion pieces landing every day. Without the staff here, that would be impossible. On top of that, I think we have to look to new avenues for the future.
There’s still a slim possibility we could do something with the idea I mentioned earlier. That could build the public profile of the site in a big way if we got it right. It’s tricky now that we’ve been beaten to the punch but there might be scope to adjust slightly and still do something exciting.
We could move to other avenues of getting our content out there. I’ve always had ambitions to run a magazine and with the advent of digital publishing, particularly on iOS devices, this is becoming an affordable possibility. I think that we have some of the best writing talent on the internet here at TSA and I’d like to see them given the opportunity to branch out.
We could bring back the video content we’ve done in the past and do new things with that medium. There are a one or two extra staff members here now who are more than capable with video.
I’ve got concepts and ideas which I plan to work with when I have some more time. I need that diversion to keep things interesting for me. But I’d love to hear what you would like to see next from TheSixthAxis (or ScreenDemon and HalftoneHero). After all, if we know it’s something you want then we can be reasonably sure we’re heading in the right direction.
So, what’s next? Well, what do you want?
billsmugs
Only thing I can think of is a version of the site that’s optimised for the Amazon Kindle and lets you log in/post/view the forums more easily than using kinstant.com, but I don’t know how many people visit on a Kindle or even if any of the staff have them (I’d be happy to test a Kindle version if not). I will admit this is more of an “ideal world” sort of thing, rather than something you’re likely to implement though.
Other than that, a return of Abridged Too Far or the TSA newsletter would be nice, but I haven’t got any problems with how the site works at the moment really.
TSBonyman
I’d like to see TSAtv back and the magazine idea sounds great too!
rht992
The new idea and trying to improve thing sounds rather simlar to the way i feel about writing music! Would be okif it were a hobby but its my only form of income
As for you guys, the podcast is great, TSA tv would be awelcome return if its not too stressful.
any hey with the getting noticed thing you guys are growing all the time and you are bound to get bigger. I’m proud to be apart of a gaming comunity like this
Dan Lee
Sick to death of Rich Tea biscuits, can we change brands?
colossalblue
Shhh, I can’t hear you over the rustle of the Jammie Dodger packets I keep in my secret cupboard ;)
gordon_strange
how about something akin to waht penny arcade did, and launch your own expo thingy. granted it would be teeny weeny at first, but everything starts teen weeny
colossalblue
speak for yourself ;)
We’re hitting Eurogamer’s Expo in a large way this year, I hope. We’ll see what we can build around that but basically, if I can justify the expense I’ll take every opportunity to meet up with TSAers for drinks and shenanigans.
djhsecondnature
I’d like to know what your idea was. The curiosity is killing me! :-p
Death_In_Flamez
I going to give you guys a big yes please to the videos. Personally, I would love video reviews. If I could do them, even better :D Maybe some gameplay videos in general though could be put in order? Whatever camera quality, whatever time of day, I think comments and personal community reviews could be something others sites have not really capitalised on…
colossalblue
Watch this space.
OOOH, TEASING!
Death_In_Flamez
I hate teasers dammit XD Please tell :3
SpikeyMikey23
I want to be ……a Tree. Remember that advert? grrr I hated it.
Back on subject…. Your doing a grand job as it is, seeing as there is plenty of time until F1 2011 release, I wouldnt mind another TSA F1 champ. Site content wise im not too sure, you already do enough news/review wise that the site and its contents dont become diluted.
Foxhound_Solid
I love TSA and I too, try and stay away at weekends as I am constantly on the site.
I think its awesome and evolving all the time in look and stature. I always mention it to people I know and as a resuly my mates tend to visit TSA as their primary source [also to look for my nerdish comments so they can take the piss lol]
The one thing that would be nice would be more HOME visits and online tournaments. It would also be nice if random games were announced, picking a member from the rich community, asking them for a few words and then setting them a challenge with maybe a few TSA points up for grabs [They are worth more then £’s these days]
Just an idea :-)
bunimomike
Keep listening to the community. Keep running your ideas passed us. Keep up the great work and the quality of articles.
Clone nofi, so we have someone around to do all the tech stuff instead of that “parenting” thing. :-)
If you need any design help (with print too), let me know. I know you’re adept at all the print/design malarkey but you’re swamped, fella.