To The Point - Jez Corden
An interview with video game journalist Jez Corden.
Welcome to the first edition of To The Point, an interview series where we feature prominent figures from the video game and esports industry. We’re honored to kick things off with Jez Corden, Editor for Windows Central and co-host of the Xbox Two Podcast.
Jez is an extremely active member of the video game community covering all things Microsoft, especially Xbox related news. Between his articles, podcast episodes and social media posts, Jez is known as one of the best sources for reliable Xbox related leaks and rumors. We had the chance to ask him a few questions about his career, validating sources and upcoming Xbox projects - all of which are aimed to help us learn more about him. Here’s what he had to say.
What do you enjoy most about being a video game reporter? What is the most difficult part of the job?
What I enjoy most, by far, is being involved with the Xbox community. I am incredibly grateful to have built up to this role, and feel that amplifying the voices of those who may feel unheard by Xbox and its leadership is central to my job. I'm lucky that it's Xbox I cover in this way, given that some other large tech companies out there seem wholly unresponsive to feedback at best, while others are openly hostile to it. Xbox has shown a unique willingness to listen and respond to fan's concerns, and being involved in that process is incredibly fulfilling.
I'm not sure there's anything I would describe in my job as difficult per se. The hours can be long, and require a lot of flexibility that can put a stressor on personal and social life... but before writing for Windows Central and podcasting with Rand_Al_Thor_19 on YouTube, I went through a series of tough minimum wage roles, often in unhealthy environments. These early experiences coming out of high school really made me appreciate what I have now.
What criteria do you use to validate a news source prior to reporting on it?
With regards to validating tips and sources, it's often more of an art than a science. I like to cross-reference reports with other journalists and known insiders. Where possible, albeit rare, physical evidence is always preferable, such as photographs and the like. It's rare that I report something on the site without being 99.9% certain — I don't trust my gut feeling.
In your opinion, which rumored Xbox Game Studios project excites you the most?
Out of the rumored projects, it often fluctuates based on what information I have available. Recently, I got an influx of new information about Stoic Studios' as-of-yet-unannounced Project Belfry, which makes it sound like a far more ambitious game than I had expected, complete with cloud systems and multiplayer. I am also intrigued by the possibility of a Monster Hunter-like game from Certain Affinity, which we believe is codenamed Suerte. I sorely hope we see some of these at the Xbox + Bethesda showcase in June, but Starfield takes the hype crown for me, despite the delay. Todd Howard and his team can do little wrong in my eyes. I love their games — and perhaps this is overly optimistic, but I expect Starfield to be a landmark moment in gaming — much like Skyrim before it.
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