Chris Stead
Chris Stead (born 6 April 1979) is an Australian video games journalist, editor and publisher. He is best known for founding the Australian editions of Game Informer and GamePro magazines and their websites. In 2013 he won the inaugural MCV Pacific Journalist of the Year award.[1] In 2014, he launched Grab It Indie Games Magazine.[2] In 2015 he launched the print and digital book publishing company Old Mate Media.
Chris Stead | |
---|---|
Born | Sydney | 6 April 1979
Other names | The Captain |
Occupation | Video games journalist |
Known for | Game Informer GamePro Grab It Indie Games Magazine Old Mate Media |
Early life
Stead was born in Sydney, Australia and is the oldest of five children. He studied Molecular Biology and Genetics at Sydney University, graduating in 2000.
Career
Early career
Stead's first published work appeared in N64 Gamer magazine in 1997. During this time he also contributed to Hyper, PC PowerPlay and GameSpot, amongst others. In 2000, he signed with ACP Magazines as Staff Writer for the launch of Official PlayStation Magazine.[3]
GamePro
In 2003 Stead signed on with IDG to launch the Australian edition of GamePro magazine as senior staff writer, with veteran editor Stuart Clarke.[4] Stead later become deputy editor, and then editor prior to his departure in 2007.
Gameplayer
Soon after departing IDG, Stead signed on with Derwent Howard to launch a new gaming website called Gameplayer as editor-in-chief. After two years, he left the site to contribute to IGN, Official PlayStation Magazine and the Australian version of Official Xbox Magazine.
Game Informer
In 2009, Chris Stead re-signed with Derwent Howard to launch an Australian edition of Game Informer magazine.[5] The magazine picked up the 2011[6] and 2012[7] Australian Magazine Award for the Computing & Games category, and the 2013 MCV Pacific Award for Print Publication of the Year.[8] In January 2014, Stead left after completing the 51st issue.
Grab It Indie Games Magazine
In February 2014, Stead released the first issue of Grab It Indie Games Magazine.[9] In October of 2014, Grab It was a finalist in the Digital Magazine Awards 2014, ultimately receiving a highly commended accolade.[10] Eight episodes of the magazine were released, as well as standalone episode based around the game Nihilumbra. The eighth and final episode of Grab It Magazine is notable for also doubling as the indie guide to PAX AUS 2014.[11]
Books written by Chris Stead
The books written by Chris Stead have been published through Amazon and many other online stores.[16]
- The Little Green Boat (Book 1 The Wild Imagination of Willy Nilly Series) -2015
- Follow the Breadcrumbs (Book 2 The Wild Imagination of Willy Nilly Series) - 2016
- My Birthday Cake Needs a New Home - 2016
- Fastest Kid in the World (Book 3 The Wild Imagination of Willy Nilly Series) - 2016
- A Very Strange Zoo - 2016
- Can You See the Magic - 2016
- Nintendo Switch - The Complete Insider's Guide - 2017
- Adam Exitus (Book 1 Adam X series) - 2017 (written with Nick Adbilla)
- The Making of Monument Valley - 2017
- What is Cryptocurrency: Your Complete Guide to Bitcoin, Blockchain and Beyond - 2018
- Christmas Chimney Challenge (Book 4 The Wild Imagination of Willy Nilly Series) - 2018
- Let the Sad Thoughts Out - 2020
- Ultimate at Home Activies Guide for Kids - 2020
- Adam Exiled (Book 2 Adam X series) - 2020 (written with Nick Adbilla)
- Nintendo Switch Gaming Guide - 2020
- Gentle George - 2020 (written with Ken MacKenzie)
- Sony PS5 Gaming Guide - 2020
- Adam Nexus (Book 3 Adam X series) - 2020 (written with Nick Adbilla)
References
- Harris, Leigh (9 December 2010). "MCV Pacific Awards: The finalists and winners announced". Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- Wildgoose, David (23 January 2014). "ex-Game Informer editor launches iOS games mag". MCV. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- "Official PlayStation 2 Magazine Australia (ACP)". Australian Gaming Database. 1 November 2001. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- "Australian GamePro appoints editor". 23 September 2003. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- Wildgoose, David (3 November 2009). "Game Informer launches Australian edition". Kotaku. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- Jackson, Sally (4 November 2012). "Vogue Australia is Magazine of the Year". The Australian. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- Lince, Tim (1 November 2012). "Australian Magazine Awards 2012 celebrates the best of the industry". Influencing. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- Connellan, Alex (10 May 2013). "MCV Pacific Awards Winners, Who Would You Have Preferred?". Gamepresso. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- Perry, Jayden (13 February 2014). "Love Indie Gaming? 'Grab It' is the App for you". OXCGN. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
- "Grab It a Finalist in the Digital Magazine Awards". Grab It. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- "Grab It Twitch Interview - All About Our PAX AUS Edition". YouTube. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- "Old Mate Media is helping writers become published authors". Reading With Your Kids. 24 June 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- "Buy Books, Apps and Magazines from Old Mate Media". Old Mate Media. 24 June 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- "Chris Stead". Finder. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- "Full List Of 2016 IT Journalism Awards Winner". Gusworld. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
- "Chris Stead Author Profile". Amazon. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.