News Writer | Dot Esports
- Edward Strazd
- Oct 21, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 10

Company: GAMURS Group
Website: dotesports.com
Role: News Writer
Period: September 2023 - Present
Employment type: Freelance
Throughout my work at Dot Esports, I wrote over 800 articles covering a wide range of games (all of which I'm personally invested in and interested in) and generated over a million sessions. I started out writing news, but quickly branched out to strategy guides, reviews, and features.
Contents
News Reporting

Reporting on news and developments in the gaming industry is a part of my day-to-day at Dot Esports. The news stories range from industry news, like acquisitions or layoffs, to game updates and community stories. Occasionally, I'm assigned to cover breaking news, which includes self-publishing on the website and frequent updating as the story develops.
I source and pitch news stories using social media and news feeds. I ensure I'm well familiar with the topic, link to relevant sources, and come up with a fun headline if the story allows it. News pieces I write are always concise and include the necessary context.
Here are examples of news stories I wrote for Dot Esports:
Microsoft reportedly lays off 650 gaming staff, Xbox boss claims it’s for ‘long term success’: https://dotesports.com/business/news/microsoft-reportedly-lays-off-650-gaming-staff-xbox-boss-claims-its-for-long-term-success
Destiny 2 is bringing the armor grind back in Codename: Frontiers - https://dotesports.com/destiny/news/destiny-2-is-bringing-the-armor-grind-back-in-codename-frontiers
You might not be able to play Amazon’s new MMO—even if you bought early access: https://dotesports.com/mmo/news/you-might-not-be-able-to-play-amazons-new-mmo-even-if-you-bought-early-access
THE FINALS goes back to its roots in season 4 with Ranked Cashout, new map, and more: https://dotesports.com/the-finals/news/the-finals-goes-back-to-its-roots-in-season-4-with-ranked-cashout-new-map-and-more
The First Descendant players discover a weapon bug you used to blame your mouse for: https://dotesports.com/the-first-descendant/news/the-first-descendant-players-discover-a-weapon-bug-you-used-to-blame-your-mouse-for
Helldivers 2 whacked with review bombs again—this time over nerfs: https://dotesports.com/helldivers-2/news/helldivers-2-whacked-with-review-bombs-again-this-time-over-nerfs
Helldivers 2 issues free Killzone items after players declare crossover pricing undemocratic: https://dotesports.com/helldivers-2/news/helldivers-2-issues-free-killzone-items-after-players-declare-crossover-pricing-undemocratic
Guides and SEO

SEO content is the backbone of Dot Esports, meaning I'm involved in writing guides and lists for a variety of games. The games I cover are both new releases and live-service games, like Destiny 2. SEO content ranges from shorter guides (like how to get a specific item) to longer guides and lists covering major aspects of the game (like builds or tier lists). Dot Esports also covers patch notes where I highlight the most important changes in an update based on my expertise and community sentiment.
The majority of the SEO content is pitched and managed by editors. However, I pitch my own ideas for guides based on Google Trends and community queries on social media. This allows me to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to coverage.
Every SEO I write focuses on delivering the answer to the query as fast as possible. The article delivers well-structured information with extensive context the reader might need to explore the topic further.
Depending on the game, I come back to the published pieces and update them with relevant information. This usually happens when the game receives an update, or the SEO team aims to improve the article's rankings.
Here are examples of SEOs I wrote for Dot Esports:
Exuviae god roll and best perks in Destiny 2: https://dotesports.com/destiny/news/exuviae-god-roll-and-best-perks-in-destiny-2
Best Crossbow and Dagger build in Throne and Liberty: https://dotesports.com/mmo/news/best-crossbow-and-dagger-build-in-throne-and-liberty
Best weapon combinations in Throne and Liberty: https://dotesports.com/mmo/news/best-weapon-combinations-in-throne-and-liberty
All game modes in THE FINALS: https://dotesports.com/the-finals/news/all-game-modes-in-the-finals
The First Descendant season 1 patch notes: Hailey, Invasion Dungeons, and more: https://dotesports.com/the-first-descendant/news/the-first-descendant-season-1-patch-notes
Embargoed Content

I have had the opportunity to work with editors, PR agencies, and developers on embargoed content for Dot Esports. The content includes writing news about upcoming announcements using press releases, playing and pre-writing SEO articles for upcoming games, and participating in media events to write both news and SEO.
I always ensure Dot Esports adheres to the embargo and only covers what the game developer confirms and officially reveals.
Here are examples of embargoed news stories, previews, and SEOs I wrote for Dot Esports:
THE FINALS brings ‘the wackiness and glitz of Las Vegas’ to life with sheer chaos: https://dotesports.com/the-finals/news/the-finals-brings-the-wackiness-and-glitz-of-las-vegas-to-life-with-sheer-chaos
THE FINALS season six is all about 5v5 casual gameplay, from TDM’s return to new rewards: https://dotesports.com/the-finals/news/the-finals-season-six-is-all-about-5v5-casual-gameplay-from-tdms-return-to-new-rewards
Splitgate 2 is gearing up for a momentum jump with its latest alpha: https://dotesports.com/splitgate/news/splitgate-2-is-gearing-up-for-a-momentum-jump-with-its-latest-alpha
Icy new season in The First Descendant features new dungeons, progression system: https://dotesports.com/the-first-descendant/news/icy-new-season-in-the-first-descendant-features-new-dungeons-progression-system
THE FINALS season 3 offers players a new reason to return with the World Tour series: https://dotesports.com/the-finals/news/the-finals-season-3-offers-players-a-new-reason-to-return-with-the-world-tour-series
How to establish a colony in Frostpunk 2: https://dotesports.com/frostpunk/news/how-to-establish-a-colony-in-frostpunk-2
How to get Cores in Frostpunk 2: https://dotesports.com/frostpunk/news/how-to-get-cores-in-frostpunk-2
Interviews

I had multiple opportunities to interview developers for Dot Esports to discuss upcoming events and address player feedback. By coordinating with PR representatives, I secured interviews with the developers of THE FINALS, Delta Force, Splitgate 2, The First Descendant, and more. Those interviews were transcribed into original features.
Here are examples of interviews I did for Dot Esports:
‘We will do a comprehensive difficulty check’: Delta Force dev confirms plans for Black Hawk Down solo mode: https://dotesports.com/delta-force/news/we-will-do-a-comprehensive-difficulty-check-delta-force-dev-confirms-plans-for-black-hawk-down-solo-mode
1047 CEO breaks down how Splitgate 2 is primed to compete against other live-service FPS titles: ‘I actually don’t think [the market is] as competitve’: https://dotesports.com/splitgate/news/1047-ceo-breaks-down-how-splitgate-2-is-primed-to-compete-against-other-live-service-fps-titles
Open world and mounts among features devs are considering adding to The First Descendant: https://dotesports.com/the-first-descendant/news/open-world-and-mounts-among-features-devs-are-considering-adding-to-the-first-descendant
‘So much more that we can do’: THE FINALS dev talks dynamism, season 5, and beyond: https://dotesports.com/the-finals/news/so-much-more-that-we-can-do-the-finals-dev-talks-dynamism-season-5-and-beyond
Features and Opinions

Lastly, I wrote multiple original articles based on my gaming experiences. While some of them are in the Embargoed Content section, the articles below are mainly created by me opening Steam and playing new (and sometimes old) games.
Here are examples of original features and opinions I did for Dot Esports:
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack made me feel like a true Star-Lord: https://dotesports.com/marvel/news/marvels-guardians-of-the-galaxy-soundtrack-made-me-feel-like-a-true-star-lord
Princess Peach: Showtime! review: A spectacular play cut short: https://dotesports.com/nintendo/news/princess-peach-showtime-review-a-spectacular-play-cut-short
Steam Next Fest showed me a sequel I never knew I needed: https://dotesports.com/indies/news/steam-next-fest-showed-me-a-sequel-i-never-knew-i-needed
Destiny 2’s new Guardian Games mode is one of the best ways Bungie repurposed old content: https://dotesports.com/destiny/news/destiny-2s-new-guardian-games-mode-is-one-of-the-best-ways-bungie-repurposed-old-content
Destiny 2’s new activity is actually pretty fun despite the lack of healing: https://dotesports.com/destiny/news/destiny-2s-new-activity-is-actually-pretty-fun-despite-the-lack-of-healing