Continue (stylized as CONTINUE) is Jackson Ryan and Mark Serrels’ answer to Australia’s ever-dwindling video game media scene; a print magazine featuring some of the most important voices in Australian games journalism, which just rocketed past its $18,000 goal on Kickstarter.
If you’re not based in Australia, you might be unaware of exactly how far the video games media scene has fallen Down Under. Video game journalists and websites are getting cut all over the globe, but Australia has seemingly been hit the hardest in the past five years. Why? Well, it’s certainly not due to a lack of support, as Continue, a self-described “defiant, new videogames magazine,” has pulled in roughly 44,000 Australian dollars’ worth of backing on Kickstarter in roughly 24 hours.
“It’s been a brutal time for videogames. Industry wide layoffs, studios shutting down. Games writing has suffered, too. We’ve watched on as our favourite outlets disappear — or worse, transform into AI slop factories,” writes Jackson on Continue’s Kickstarter page. “It feels bleak. It feels like there’s no light at the end of this very dark tunnel. But we believe audiences love great games writing. So we don’t want to give up.”
The first issue of Continue will feature articles from some of Australia’s biggest and brightest voices, including Alanah Pearce, Ruby Innes, Ally McLean, James O’Connor, Ben Armstrong, and more, but the line-up still has room to grow. That’s because Continue’s quest to revive the Australian games media scene is open to pitches from aspiring writers, too—you just gotta fill out a pitch form if you want to get involved.
The project won’t stay bound to a physical format for long, either, as, now that the Kickstarter has passed its AU$40,000 goal, Ryan and Serrels plan to establish Continue as its own website: continuemagazine.com. Although the project has already passed its final stretch goal, there’s still an entire month left if you want to chip in and help support issue #2 ahead of time.
Facts Only
Continue is a print magazine focused on Australian video game journalism, created by Jackson Ryan and Mark Serrels.
The magazine surpassed its $18,000 Kickstarter goal, raising approximately 44,000 Australian dollars in 24 hours.
Australia's video game media scene has declined significantly over the past five years, with widespread cuts to journalists and websites.
Continue describes itself as a "defiant, new videogames magazine" aiming to counter industry layoffs and the decline of games writing.
The first issue will feature contributions from notable Australian games journalists, including Alanah Pearce, Ruby Innes, Ally McLean, James O’Connor, and Ben Armstrong.
The magazine is open to pitches from aspiring writers via a submission form.
After reaching its AU$40,000 stretch goal, Continue plans to launch a website, continuemagazine.com.
The Kickstarter campaign has a month remaining, with funds supporting future issues.
Executive Summary
Continue, a new print magazine dedicated to Australian video game journalism, has rapidly exceeded its Kickstarter funding goal, raising over AU$44,000 in its first day. Created by Jackson Ryan and Mark Serrels, the project aims to revitalize Australia’s struggling games media landscape, which has seen significant declines in recent years due to industry layoffs and outlet closures. The first issue will feature work from prominent Australian games journalists, with opportunities for emerging writers to contribute. Beyond its print format, Continue plans to expand into a digital presence with its own website, funded by surpassing its stretch goal. The campaign’s success suggests strong audience demand for high-quality games journalism, even as traditional media outlets face challenges.
The initiative reflects broader concerns about the state of games media globally, with Australia experiencing particularly severe cuts. Continue positions itself as a defiant response to these trends, emphasizing the value of human-driven writing in an era of AI-generated content and industry instability. While the project has already secured funding for its first issue, the remaining Kickstarter period will support future editions, indicating a long-term commitment to sustaining independent games journalism in Australia.
Full Take
The rise of Continue is a compelling case study in how niche communities respond to systemic decline in their media ecosystems. At its strongest, this narrative highlights the resilience of grassroots journalism, where passionate creators and engaged audiences collaborate to fill gaps left by corporate retrenchment. The rapid funding success suggests a pent-up demand for authentic, human-curated content in an industry increasingly dominated by algorithmic output and cost-cutting measures. The project’s emphasis on inclusivity—welcoming pitches from aspiring writers—also signals a commitment to nurturing new talent, which could help rebuild Australia’s games media pipeline.
However, the framing of Continue as a "defiant" response to industry decay risks oversimplifying the structural forces at play. While the Kickstarter’s success is undeniable, the long-term sustainability of print media in a digital-first world remains uncertain. The planned website expansion is a pragmatic move, but it also invites questions about how Continue will differentiate itself from existing digital outlets. Additionally, the narrative leans on emotional appeals—contrasting human creativity with "AI slop factories"—which, while effective for rallying support, could obscure deeper discussions about the economic pressures facing media globally.
Root cause: The decline of Australian games media mirrors broader trends in journalism, where monetization challenges and corporate consolidation have eroded specialized coverage. Continue’s emergence suggests that audiences still value depth and authenticity, but its success hinges on whether it can build a viable business model beyond crowdfunding.
Implications: If successful, Continue could inspire similar initiatives in other underserved regions, proving that niche media can thrive with direct audience support. However, the burden of sustainability falls on a small team, raising questions about burnout and scalability. Who benefits? Independent journalists and readers seeking high-quality content. Who bears costs? Potentially, the creators themselves if the project cannot achieve financial stability.
Bridge questions: What structural changes in media consumption make print magazines viable again in 2024? How might Continue’s model adapt if audience support wanes post-launch? What role should institutional funding (e.g., grants, sponsorships) play in sustaining niche journalism?
Counterstrike scan: A coordinated influence campaign might exploit the "David vs. Goliath" narrative to position Continue as a lone bastion of purity against corporate media, using emotional triggers to suppress critical questions about its long-term feasibility. However, the actual content focuses on tangible goals (funding, website launch) and avoids demonizing competitors, suggesting a genuine effort rather than manipulative framing.
Patterns detected: none
Sentinel — Human
The article exhibits strong human signals, including a distinct voice, emotional tone, and verifiable details, with minimal indicators of synthetic origin.