Xbox 360 Game News, Reviews, and Columns - XboxFocus

Around XF #1: Meet the Writing Staff

by XboxFocus Staff March 5th 2008 9:08 PM CST3 Comments

Over the past few weeks, those here at XboxFocus have been working our tails off to get this site finished. We were all very dissapointed with the outcome of the first site (which we now refer to as the new XF's bastard child), and as soon as we realized the site wasn't going to cut it, we went back to the drawing board.

From me yelling at Ryan everyday, to Matt's whimpering and exhaustion, and to a lesser extent, Mustafa's general role of being "that jerk on staff", the team has has been at hard work. Well now the site is finally done, and we couldn't be more happier with what has been developed (even though you're the ones whose judgement actually matters).

This is our first of many roundtables and we're dedicating it not to the staff's opinions, but more so just them giving you some information about themselves. All the staff asks from you is just a little bit of face time; so give them that, or we will kill you.

Steve Wysowski
Editor-N-Chief
Gamertag: xAD Steve

Hey guys. It's good to see XboxFocus up, and as you guys may not have known, we laid a huge hunk of crap back in September. We're sorry for it, we know you guys expected better, but can't we just let it go?

Anyways, I basically run the ship here at XboxFocus (yeah, we're pirates). My job is to make sure everyone is doing theirs, and to make sure the site's content is at its fullest potential. I hire writers, I let them go, I help them, guide them, and I push them foward; all in the hopes that the user gets the best content we can offer.

I'm also responsible for my own little column here, which I will update nearly everyday. There you can see my inner most thoughts on the industry around us, and I'm not afraid to speak what's on my mind. Can't wait for that to get going. But that's me in a nutshell, I'll see ya on the battlefield.

Tyler Treat
Senior Staff Writer
Gamertag: inSaneELF

Hi, my name is Tyler. I’m known as the senior staff editor ‘round these parts, or so I’m told. I’m also the editor-in-chief over at Game-Spectrum.com. My job here at Xbox Focus mainly consists of pounding on a keyboard into the wee hours of the night, so I don’t feel the wrath of The Man. Every now and then, this mindless pounding results in some sort of incoherent article, but I figured out that if I stare at it long enough, it starts to sound semi-intelligent.

My reviews, previews, editorials and cupcakes have two primary purposes. The first is to satiate your hunger (for information). I will be upfront in every article I write. Nothing will be held back. If I think a game sucks, by God, I’m going to say it sucks. The second purpose is to entertain you. One of my pet peeves is stuff that's boring, boring articles to be specific. Sure, they may have some good information, but who cares? Maybe I don’t want to know how many pixels are in Master Chief’s left butt cheek. Anyways, if I fail to inform you, shame on me. If you fail to enjoy my articles, shame on you.

Once in a while, I escape my cage. In this case, you may see me running amuck in the forums. If you see me, say hello!

Matt Schmachtenberg
News Reporter
Gamertag: Legendofzelda51

I'm Matt Schmachtenberg (yes, my name's longer than an 18 wheeler, blame the Germans) and I'll be writing news around here. I've had writing experience before, but mainly on personal gaming blogs, no full-blown websites, and my writing's usually sarcastic. Actually, I believe that's a bit of an understatement. Sarcasm's my best bud.

When it comes to gaming, I love my XBOX 360 for its online-ness. I can easily get caught up in Call of Duty online for hours, thinking it's been 15 minutes. Then I realize it's 5AM, and that tomorrow's gonna be a bad day. Then it's time for "one more game". I love FPS, racing, and adventure games, but recently I've found rhythm games to be my forte. Oh how I wish I could quit you, Rock Band...

If you happen to see me on Live, just drop me an invite and I'll do my best to pop in and donate a few headshots!

Chad Crawford
Reviewer
Gamertag: FlyEaglesFly36

Hey, I'm Chad Crawford, and my job here at XboxFocus is to tell you whats crap, and whats not. While others like Tyler do a bit of everything, I stick to what I know best: reviews. My reviews aren't to harsh, and I don't go that in depth while reviewing. I just tell you whats to like, what kinda sucks, and anything else I think you should know.

As for my kind of gaming, I'm a die hard Valve junkie. From Portal to Half Life 2, I can't get enough of Valve software. Just put it this way, when The Orange Box came out, I nearly had an (kiddies looking away) orgasm. But as for my 360 tastes, I do like Halo, but I'm not in love with it. Like most gamers, Call of Duty 4 has converted me, so you'll see me on there alot. I'm also a pro-Madden player, so that is my game. If you ever want to challenge me to a match, just send me a FR. Peace!





Mustafa Unal
News Reporter
Gamertag: Nemphtis

Name's Jamez. I make sure you know what's happening, what's doing, and all that fun stuff. I like this guy, this guy and this guy. I stare at a computer screen more than you breathe, but my eyes are so awesome I don't need glasses. I invented the car that runs on babies. I think Napolean Dynamite is the worst movie ever. I'm the last person to know what awesome really means.

'nuff said.




Thats our staff in a nutshell. Also, Kevin Parrish and Ryan Maffit will pop in now and then to offer some extra articles to keep the content fresh. Remember, this is just our starting team, expect a few more guys to join the crowd sooner than later.