View source for Tim Rogers (writer)

{{Short description|American video game journalist (born 1979)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = Tim Rogers
| image       = Tim_Rogers_2018.jpg
| caption     = Rogers in 2018
| birth_name  = William Timothy Rogers Jr.
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1979|06|07}}
| birth_place = United States
| death_date  = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| death_place =
| alma_mater  = [[Indiana University Bloomington]]
| other_names = 108
| known_for   = [[New Games Journalism]], [[Action Button Entertainment]]
| occupation  = Video games journalist (formerly), developer, YouTuber (currently)
}}
'''William Timothy Rogers Jr.''' (born June 7, 1979) is an American [[video game journalist]], [[video game developer|developer]], and [[video essay]]ist. His work is associated with mid-2000s [[New Games Journalism]], a style of video game journalism that emphasizes the author's subjective and personal experiences in relation to the game world. ''[[The Guardian]]'' cited his 2005 opinion piece "Dreaming in an Empty Room: A Defense of ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2]]''" as a core example of the genre. Rogers is additionally known for his [[verbose]] writing style and his video game reviews website ''ActionButton.net''. He has also written for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', ''[[GamesTM]]'', ''[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]]'', [[Game Developer (magazine)|''Game Developer'']], and ''[[Kotaku]]''. He later edited videos for ''Kotaku'' before resigning from the site and becoming an independent [[YouTuber]].
Rogers co-founded [[Action Button Entertainment]], where he designed games including ''[[Ziggurat (video game)|Ziggurat]]'' and ''[[Videoball]]''. The four-person studio specializes in simple aesthetics and controls, following from Rogers's own video game aesthetic and minimalist [[esports]] interests. He compared the studio's design philosophy to the spartan menu selections of ''[[Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares]]''.
== Video games journalism ==
Rogers is a video games journalist{{r|IndieGames.com: Ziggurat pick}} known for his verbosity.{{r|GameSetWatch: rock|Eurogamer: App of the Day|RPS: Nash}} Danny Cowan of ''IndieGames.com'' described him as "infamous" in [[New Games Journalism]],{{r|IndieGames.com: Ziggurat pick}} a style of subjective video game journalism in which authors emphasize their personal experiences in relation to the game world.{{r|Guardian: state of play}} ''The Guardian'' cited Rogers as one of the "unmissable examples of New Games Journalism" in 2005 for his ''Insert Credit'' piece on ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2]]'', "Dreaming in an empty room: a defense of ''Metal Gear Solid 2''".{{r|Guardian: unmissable}} Gaming journalist [[Kieron Gillen]] called the article "highly discussed and fairly brilliant".{{r|Guardian: unmissable}} [[Jim Rossignol]] of ''[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]'' recommended "Who Killed Videogames?", a new Rogers essay, as another standout work.{{r|RPS: Sunday Papers}} [[Simon Carless]], remarking on an 80,000-word Rogers essay, described the author as "the [[Lester Bangs]] of video games" for his "disruptive and iconoclastic" approach to games writing.{{r|GameSetWatch: saturates}} As an originator of New Games Journalism, Carless wrote of Rogers, online communities were both fascinated with and dismissive of his work.{{r|GameSetWatch: fascination}}
Rogers started ''ActionButton.net'', a video games reviews website, in early 2007 as an outgrowth from ''Insert Credit'' and its forums, SelectButton.{{r|GameSetWatch: minds dissolve}} At the time of its launch, Simon Carless praised its "great writing" and signature "self-conscious metacommentary" style.{{r|GameSetWatch: minds dissolve}} ''GamesRadar'' called Tim Rogers "loquacious" and "a character" as profiled in Cara Ellison's "Embed With..." profile series, where they discussed "sticktion" as the role of "sticky friction" in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' and how it was used in Rogers' own ''[[Ziggurat (video game)|Ziggurat]]'' and ''[[Videoball]]''.{{r|GamesRadar: Embed}} ''Edge'' described Rogers as a "polarizing author of so much 'publish-now-edit-never' brain spew".{{r|Edge: Ziggurat review}} In 2013, Rogers was selected to publish in the first round of digital books on games criticism published by Press Select.{{r|Polygon: Press Select}} Rogers has also written for ''Insert Credit'', ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'',{{r|GameSetWatch: fascination}} ''[[GamesTM]]'', ''[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]]'', ''N-Revolution'', ''[[Kotaku]]'', ''Atomix'',{{r|LinkedIn}} and [[Game Developer (magazine)|''Game Developer'' magazine]].{{r|GameSetWatch: Game Developer}} He later edited videos for ''Kotaku''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caty |date=2020-03-18 |title=Remember When… A Final Fantasy 7 Tech Demo First Baited Fans Into Wanting a Remake |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/remember-when-a-final-fantasy-7-tech-demo-first-baited-fans-into-wanting-a-remake |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422043730/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/remember-when-a-final-fantasy-7-tech-demo-first-baited-fans-into-wanting-a-remake |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=2021-06-18 |website=[[USgamer]] |language=en}}</ref> As of June 2016, ''[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]'' reported ''ActionButton.net'' to be "dormant".{{r|RPS: release date}}
Rogers translated the 1997 PlayStation game ''[[Moon: Remix RPG Adventure]]'' into English for its 2020 re-release on the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=September 16, 2019 |title=22 Years Later, A Major Milestone For RPGs Is Finally Coming West |url=https://kotaku.com/22-years-later-a-major-milestone-for-rpgs-is-finally-c-1838156407 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916225607/https://kotaku.com/22-years-later-a-major-milestone-for-rpgs-is-finally-c-1838156407 |archive-date=September 16, 2019 |access-date=8 September 2020 |website=Kotaku}}</ref>
In February 2020, Rogers announced via Twitter that he was resigning from his position at ''Kotaku''.<ref name="kotaku-resign">{{Cite tweet |number=1224419447269707783 |user=108 |title=announcement: as many of you have decoded from my recent videos, i have decided to step away from full-time work at @Kotaku effective today, in order to focus on @ActionButton's #TRUCKHECK, other Exciting Endeavors, and my health. |author=Rogers, Tim |date=2020-02-03}}</ref> He currently creates long-form video reviews under his Action Button channel as an independent [[YouTuber]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Jacob |date=2020-10-29 |title=The Quarantine Stream: 'Action Button' Reviews Video Games on YouTube Unlike Anyone Else Reviewing Video Games on YouTube |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/577501/the-quarantine-stream-action-button-reviews-video-games-on-youtube-unlike-anyone-else-reviewing-video-games-on-youtube/ |access-date=2022-01-01 |website=SlashFilm.com |language=en-US}}</ref> such as a six-hour video review of ''[[Tokimeki Memorial (video game)|Tokimeki Memorial]]'', which has been credited by games journalists with generating greater interest for the title in the West.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Ian |date=2022-02-11 |title=Konami's Iconic Dating Sim Is Finally Being Translated Into English, Just Not The Version Everyone Wants |url=https://kotaku.com/tokimeki-memorial-english-translation-konami-snes-plays-1848525789 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=[[Kotaku]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Allen |first=Eric |date=2022-03-07 |title=Dating sim classic Tokimeki Memorial has a fan translation out now |url=https://www.destructoid.com/tokimeki-memorial-fan-translation-out-now-super-famicom-snes-dating-sim/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=[[Destructoid]] |language=en-CA}}</ref> In October 2022, ''The Guardian'' described Rogers' 2022 video review of ''[[Boku no Natsuyasumi]]'' as "a meditation on art’s capacity to give meaning to life," praising the narration and animation commissioned for the video.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-22 |title=From The Banshees of Inisherin to Taylor Swift: a complete guide to this week's entertainment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/oct/22/from-the-banshees-of-inisherin-to-taylor-swift-going-out-staying-in-guide-entertainment |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Action Button Entertainment ==
{{main|Action Button Entertainment}} Rogers is a co-founder of [[Action Button Entertainment]],{{r|VG247: 10×8 out}} a four-person studio that consists of Rogers, Brent Porter, Michael Kerwin, and Nicholas Wasilewski, who together have built all of the studio's four games from ''Ziggurat'' through ''Videoball''.{{r|Polygon: Videoball}} Their games are consistently simple in their aesthetics and controls,{{r|Polygon: Videoball}} following from Rogers's own video game aesthetic interests.{{r|Edge: Ziggurat review|Zigg Kotaku: dev}} His interest in minimalist [[esports]] and simple games parlays into his design philosophy, which he compared to ''[[Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares]]'', a show in which Ramsay advises failing restaurants to improve by trimming their menus to a spartan few great dishes.{{r|Polygon: Videoball}} Rogers also felt simple games were "less work".{{r|Polygon: Videoball}}
Rogers has said that he aspires for Action Button Entertainment to make games that share his preferred gaming styles and his hobbies. In finding that the common link between his top 25 video games (including ''[[Panzer Dragoon]]'', ''[[Cave Story]]'', ''[[Canabalt]]'', and his favorite, ''[[Another World (video game)|Out of This World]]'') was minimalist aesthetics with no overt story to tell other than through game mechanics, Rogers wanted ''Ziggurat'' and future games to live up to those expectations and used his gut to fine-tune design decisions. The games also reflect aspects of Rogers's personality, such as in the "scream sound effect" on ''Ziggurat'' made and distorted from his guitar and based on sounds made by eccentric Japanese musicians whose records he owned.{{r|Zigg Kotaku: dev}} He also called ''Ziggurat'' a descendant of his hobbies: the video game ''[[Ibara: Black Label]]'' and the [[Rubik's Cube]].{{r|Zigg Kotaku: dev}} Rogers also became known for producing promotional "[[infomercial]]-style trailers".{{r|VG247: 10×8 out}}{{r|Gamasutra: Dyad}}<!-- "amazing" -->
=== ''Ziggurat'' ===
{{main|Ziggurat (video game)}} ''Ziggurat'' is a retro-style [[arcade game|arcade]] [[shooter video game]] where the player fights off incoming aliens{{r|IndieGames.com: Ziggurat pick}} as the world's last human from atop a ziggurat. The player uses simple touch controls to charge and shoot the enemies away, and dies if hit by an enemy. The game has 16-bit graphics style and an 8-bit [[chiptune]] soundtrack.{{r|Edge: Ziggurat review}}
Rogers co-founded Action Button Entertainment while working on ''Ziggurat'', which began with an idea Rogers had while playing ''[[Angry Birds]]'' about pushing back a swarm of bats by shooting projectiles at them. He decided that he could not make the game alone. Rogers put out a call for artists on Twitter with a submissions request of "fan art of the Japanese box art of ''[[Phantasy Star II]]''", and Action Button artist Brent Porter replied in under an hour with an entry Rogers called "incredible".{{r|Zigg Kotaku: dev}} In mid 2011, Rogers decided to work on an iPhone game for a few weeks as a break from a larger project. Rogers said the team was convinced by his design document{{emdash}}this game would become ''Ziggurat''. Rogers contacted an Internet acquaintance who had previously mocked up a design idea from Rogers's ''Kotaku'' column, programmer Michael Kerwin, who came through with a rough draft within a week. Andrew Toups converted a soundtrack created by Rogers's rock band into an 8-bit soundtrack. After six months of hiatus and working at a social games company, Rogers rekindled development and the team finished the ''Ziggurat'',{{r|Zigg Kotaku: dev}} which was released in February 2012 for iOS platforms.{{r|Zigg Dtoid review}}
''Edge'' related the "unexpectedly poignant" red screen and sound effect that flashes upon the player's death to Rogers's personal interest in [[noise rock]].{{r|Edge: Ziggurat review}} They called it a "beguiling personal signature".{{r|Edge: Ziggurat review}}
=== ''TNNS'' ===
{{main|TNNS}} ''TNNS'', pronounced "tennis",{{r|Pocket Gamer: TNNS}} is a brick-breaking [[action game]] where players use a paddle along the screen's left side to bounce a ball towards breakable objects on the right side of the screen,{{r|IndieGames.com: TNNS}} and to avoid getting the ball in their goal.{{r|Polygon: Videoball}} It was released with little advanced notice in November 2012 for [[iOS]] as a universal app playable on [[iPhones]], [[iPads]], and [[iPods]].{{r|IndieGames.com: TNNS}} Danny Cowan of IndieGames.com compared it with Sidhe Interactive's ''Shatter''{{r|IndieGames.com: TNNS}} and ''VG247'' called it a rendition of ''[[Breakout (video game)|Breakout]]''.{{r|VG247: TNNS}} ''Pocket Gamer'' likened it to both and further compared it with ''Alleyway'', ''Arkanoid'', and ''Super Hexagon'' with a "telekinetic power" to alter the ball's direction apart from the panel (as in ''Shatter'').{{r|Pocket Gamer: TNNS}}
=== ''10×8'' ===
{{main|10×8}} ''Ten by Eight'', stylized as ''10×8'', is a [[puzzle video game]] where players match tiles.{{r|IndieGames.com: 10×8}} Players align similarly colored blocks and trace the path they create when aligned. Star blocks act as [[power-ups]] that extend combos.{{r|IndieGames.com: 10×8}} Rogers produced an "[[infomercial]]-style trailer" for the game, which ''[[VG247]]'' called one of his signature moves{{r|VG247: 10×8 out}} and that IndieGames.com called "glorious".{{r|IndieGames.com: 10×8}} It was released on July 31, 2013, in North America for [[PlayStation Mobile]]{{r|VG247: 10×8 out}}{{emdash}}the [[PlayStation Vita]] and compatible devices.{{r|IndieGames.com: 10×8}} Around the same time, Rogers presented at the [[Game Developers Conference|GDC 2013]] Indie Soapbox,{{r|Gamasutra: Indie Soapbox 2013}} where he told the story of how he "went indie".{{r|GDC Indie Soapbox}}
=== ''Videoball'' ===
{{main|Videoball}} In ''Videoball'', players use solely one [[analog stick]] and one button to control triangles that shoot projectiles{{r|Polygon: Videoball}} to knock a circular ball into the opposing team's endzone.{{r|PC Gamer: hands-on Videoball p1}} The triangle shoots a projectile, which charges the longer the button is held, such that a charged "slam" shot can sail across the full screen.{{r|PC Gamer: hands-on Videoball p2}} Rogers, the game's designer, describes the game as "an abstract minimalist electronic sport".{{r|PC Gamer: hands-on Videoball p1}} Its development began as a dare from ''[[QWOP]]'' developer [[Bennett Foddy]], Rogers's friend, to make a "one-button ''[[StarCraft]]''".{{r|PC Gamer: hands-on Videoball p1}} Rogers compared the game's design process to ''[[Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares]]'', where Ramsay convinces failing restaurants to provide fewer menu options and to make those dishes well.{{r|Polygon: Videoball}} Rogers acknowledged the role of noted basketball-like strategy in its [[playtests]], and the difficulty in crafting a minimalist game with a high importance on nuanced detail.{{r|PC Gamer: hands-on Videoball p2}} He livestreamed prerelease sessions of ''Videoball'' via [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]]{{r|Polygon: Videoball}} and broadcast gameplay from Twitch's booth at [[PAX East]] 2014 with indie publisher Midnight City.{{r|Polygon: Midnight City at PAX East}} The game released in 2016.{{r|RPS: release date}}
== Personal life ==
[[File:Large prime numbers - gentlemen, start your clown shoes.ogg|thumb|"Gentlemen, Start Your Clown Shoes" by Rogers's rock band, Large Prime Numbers]]
William Timothy Rogers Jr. was born on June 7, 1979.{{r|PSB: Tuffy}} He graduated from [[Indiana University Bloomington]] in 2001 with a degree in East Asian languages and cultures.{{r|LinkedIn}} He is a guitarist{{r|GameSetWatch: rock}} in his rock band, Large Prime Numbers.{{r|MTV: Akihabara}}
{{clear}}
== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Edge: Ziggurat review">{{Cite magazine |last=Edge Staff |date=February 27, 2012 |title=Ziggurat review |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/ziggurat-review/ |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140527181444/http://www.edge-online.com/review/ziggurat-review/ |archive-date=May 27, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="Eurogamer: App of the Day">{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=March 9, 2012 |title=App of the Day: Ziggurat |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-09-app-of-the-day-ziggurat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820223818/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-09-app-of-the-day-ziggurat |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |access-date=May 25, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Gamasutra: Dyad">{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Leigh |last2=Smith |first2=Quintin |date=November 22, 2012 |title=Hey Baby, Do You Dyad? A Letter Series |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/182086/hey_baby_do_you_dyad_a_letter_.php?print=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110185529/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/182086/hey_baby_do_you_dyad_a_letter_.php?print=1 |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Gamasutra: Indie Soapbox 2013">{{Cite web |last=Gamasutra Staff |date=July 8, 2013 |title=Video: Game developers sound off from the Indie Soapbox |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/195706/Video_Game_developers_sound_off_from_the_Indie_Soapbox.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510144519/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/195706/Video_Game_developers_sound_off_from_the_Indie_Soapbox.php |archive-date=May 10, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>
<ref name="GameSetWatch: fascination">{{Cite web |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=March 10, 2006 |title=The Fascination Of The Rogers |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/03/the_fascination_of_the_rogers.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207044643/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/03/the_fascination_of_the_rogers.php |archive-date=February 7, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[GameSetWatch]]}}</ref>
<ref name="GameSetWatch: Game Developer">{{Cite web |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=December 10, 2010 |title=Game Developer December Issue Showcases Splinter Cell: Conviction Postmortem |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/12/game_developer_december_issue_3.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305192156/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/12/game_developer_december_issue_3.php |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[GameSetWatch]]}}</ref>
<ref name="GameSetWatch: minds dissolve">{{Cite web |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=March 31, 2007 |title=Rogers Hits The Action Button, Minds Dissolve |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/03/rogers_hits_the_action_button_1.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716114653/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/03/rogers_hits_the_action_button_1.php |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[GameSetWatch]]}}</ref>
<ref name="GameSetWatch: saturates">{{Cite web |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=February 15, 2007 |title=Timsplosion Saturates Insert Credit x 80,000 |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/02/timsplosion_saturates_insert_c.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011140257/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/02/timsplosion_saturates_insert_c.php |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[GameSetWatch]]}}</ref>
<ref name="GameSetWatch: rock">{{Cite web |last=Carless |first=Simon |date=May 12, 2008 |title=GameSetLinks: Rock The Action, Rogers And Out |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/05/gamesetlinks_rock_the_action.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305192720/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/05/gamesetlinks_rock_the_action.php |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[GameSetWatch]]}}</ref>
<ref name="GamesRadar: Embed">{{Cite web |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |date=April 5, 2014 |title=Off Radar: The Best Stories You Missed This Week – Read… Embed With Tim Rogers |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/radar-best-stories-you-missed-week-9/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407231549/http://gamesradar.com/radar-best-stories-you-missed-week-9/ |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[GamesRadar]] |page=5}}</ref>
<ref name="GDC Indie Soapbox">{{Cite web |year=2013 |title=Indie Soapbox |url=http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1018117/Indie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812110507/http://gdcvault.com/play/1018117/Indie |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |publisher=[[Game Developers Conference]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Guardian: state of play">{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=February 22, 2005 |title=State of play: is there a role for the New Games Journalism? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/feb/22/stateofplayi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917193915/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/feb/22/stateofplayi |archive-date=September 17, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Guardian: unmissable">{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=March 3, 2005 |title=Ten unmissable examples of New Games Journalism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/mar/03/tenunmissable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918023718/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/mar/03/tenunmissable |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
<ref name="IndieGames.com: 10×8">{{Cite web |last=Polson |first=John |date=August 4, 2013 |title=Release: ZiGGURAT, TNNS dev's puzzle addiction for PS Vita - Ten By Eight |url=http://indiegames.com/2013/08/giveaway_ziggurat_tnns_devs_pu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824104826/http://indiegames.com/2013/08/giveaway_ziggurat_tnns_devs_pu.html |archive-date=August 24, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[IndieGames.com]]}}</ref>
<ref name="IndieGames.com: TNNS">{{Cite web |last=Cowan |first=Danny |date=November 12, 2012 |title=iOS Release: TNNS (Action Button) |url=http://indiegames.com/2012/11/ios_release_tnns_action_button.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130015209/http://indiegames.com/2012/11/ios_release_tnns_action_button.html |archive-date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[IndieGames.com]]}}</ref>
<ref name="IndieGames.com: Ziggurat pick">{{Cite web |last=Cowan |first=Danny |date=February 21, 2012 |title=Mobile Game Pick: Ziggurat (Action Button Entertainment) |url=http://indiegames.com/2012/02/mobile_game_pick_ziggurat_acti.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204225/http://indiegames.com/2012/02/mobile_game_pick_ziggurat_acti.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[IndieGames.com]]}}</ref>
<ref name="LinkedIn">{{Cite web |title=tim rogers |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tim-rogers/24/391/51a |access-date=May 24, 2014 |publisher=LinkedIn}}</ref>
<ref name="MTV: Akihabara">{{Cite web |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=September 22, 2006 |title=Where Does A Game Called 'Mother' Outsell 'Halo'? Check Out Tokyo's Coolest Street |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1541597/where-does-a-game-called-mother-outsell-halo-check-out-tokyos-coolest-street/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528090841/http://www.mtv.com/news/1541597/where-does-a-game-called-mother-outsell-halo-check-out-tokyos-coolest-street/ |archive-date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2014 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref>
<ref name="PC Gamer: hands-on Videoball p1">{{Cite web |last=Fenlon |first=Wes |date=February 25, 2014 |title=Hands-on with Videoball: a local multiplayer electronic sport for the living room |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/hands-on-with-videoball-a-local-multiplayer-electronic-sport-for-the-living-room/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306070054/http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/hands-on-with-videoball-a-local-multiplayer-electronic-sport-for-the-living-room/ |archive-date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |page=1}}</ref>
<ref name="PC Gamer: hands-on Videoball p2">{{Cite web |last=Fenlon |first=Wes |date=February 25, 2014 |title=Hands-on with Videoball: a local multiplayer electronic sport for the living room |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/hands-on-with-videoball-a-local-multiplayer-electronic-sport-for-the-living-room/2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731184421/http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/hands-on-with-videoball-a-local-multiplayer-electronic-sport-for-the-living-room/2/ |archive-date=July 31, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |page=2}}</ref>
<ref name="Pocket Gamer: TNNS">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=November 5, 2012 |title=ZiGGURAT developer's TNNS is Breakout by way of Super Hexagon |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/TNNS/news.asp?c=46346 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512122757/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPhone/TNNS/news.asp?c=46346 |archive-date=May 12, 2015 |access-date=May 25, 2014 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Polygon: Midnight City at PAX East">{{Cite web |last=Tach |first=Dave |date=April 8, 2014 |title=Here's what indie publisher Midnight City is bringing to PAX East 2014 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/8/5593698/midnight-city-pax-east-2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516232833/http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/8/5593698/midnight-city-pax-east-2014 |archive-date=May 16, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Polygon: Press Select">{{Cite web |last=Lien |first=Tracey |date=August 21, 2013 |title=Press Select launches to publish long-form games criticism |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/21/4645686/press-select-launches-to-publish-long-form-games-criticism |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202145155/http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/21/4645686/press-select-launches-to-publish-long-form-games-criticism |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Polygon: Videoball">{{Cite web |last=Lien |first=Tracey |date=February 19, 2014 |title=It's a sport, it's four to five flavors on a plate, it's Videoball |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/2/19/5421120/action-button-entertainment-video-ball |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508120610/http://www.polygon.com/2014/2/19/5421120/action-button-entertainment-video-ball |archive-date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>
<ref name="PSB: Tuffy">{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Tim |author-link=Tim Rogers (journalist) |date=June 25, 2014 |title=Tuffy the Corgi Out Now on PlayStation Mobile |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/06/25/tuffy-the-corgi-out-now-on-playstation-mobile/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715015358/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/06/25/tuffy-the-corgi-out-now-on-playstation-mobile/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=[[Sony Computer Entertainment America]]}}</ref>
<ref name="RPS: Nash">{{Cite web |last=Gillen |first=Kieron |date=November 9, 2009 |title=J. Nash Watch: Or Something Launches |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/09/j-nash-watch-or-something-launches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515024807/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/09/j-nash-watch-or-something-launches/ |archive-date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2014 |website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]}}</ref>
<ref name="RPS: Sunday Papers">{{Cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Rossignol |date=October 2, 2011 |title=The Sunday Papers |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/10/02/the-sunday-papers-188/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526031521/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/10/02/the-sunday-papers-188/ |archive-date=May 26, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]}}</ref>
<ref name="VG247: 10×8 out">{{Cite web |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |date=July 31, 2013 |title=10×8 out now on Vita, PS Mobile devices |url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/07/31/10x8-out-now-on-vita-ps-mobile-devices/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930021818/http://www.vg247.com/2013/07/31/10x8-out-now-on-vita-ps-mobile-devices/ |archive-date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[VG247]]}}</ref>
<ref name="VG247: TNNS">{{Cite web |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |date=November 6, 2012 |title=TNNS is the new game from ZiGGURAT dev |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/06/tnns-is-the-new-game-from-ziggurat-dev/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404152723/http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/06/tnns-is-the-new-game-from-ziggurat-dev/ |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2014 |website=[[VG247]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Zigg Dtoid review">{{Cite web |last=Pinsof |first=Allistair |date=February 20, 2012 |title=Review: ZiGGURAT |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-ziggurat-222170.phtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407053104/http://www.destructoid.com/review-ziggurat-222170.phtml |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2014 |website=[[Destructoid]]}}</ref><!--didn't include much from this-->
<ref name="Edge: Ziggurat review">{{Cite magazine |last=Edge Staff |date=February 27, 2012 |title=Ziggurat review |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/ziggurat-review/ |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140527181444/http://www.edge-online.com/review/ziggurat-review/ |archive-date=May 27, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="RPS: release date">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Graham |date=June 9, 2016 |title=Videoball's Final Trailer Heralds July 12th Release |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/06/09/videoballs-release-date/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610063007/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/06/09/videoballs-release-date/ |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=June 9, 2016 |website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]}}</ref>
<ref name="Zigg Kotaku: dev">{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Tim |author-link=Tim Rogers (journalist) |date=February 22, 2012 |title=Introducing ZiGGURAT |url=http://kotaku.com/5887445/introducing-ziggurat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218192517/http://kotaku.com/5887445/introducing-ziggurat |archive-date=December 18, 2013 |access-date=May 25, 2014 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref>
}}
== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Twitter|108}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsiJPoHlPqEHueUQ2QvbEyVtKSLEBGdSE "Videos By Tim Rogers" playlist on Kotaku YouTube]
* [https://www.youtube.com/actionbutton Rogers' "Action Button" YouTube channel]
{{Action Button Entertainment}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Japan|Journalism|Video games}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rogers, Tim}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Action Button Entertainment]]
[[Category:American male journalists]]
[[Category:American video game designers]]
[[Category:Indie game developers]]
[[Category:Indiana University Bloomington alumni]]
[[Category:Video essayists]]
[[Category:YouTube critics and reviewers]]
[[Category:Video game critics]]