Gene Park

History

Member for

3 years 4 weeks

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Profile

Title(s)

Critic Emeritus

Brief Bio

Born John Eugene Park in 1981 on the U.S. territory of Guam, video games have almost always been a part of his life, much to the detriment of his vision and social aptitude. His grandmother bought him a Nintendo Entertainment System when he was 6 years old, but Park was already gaming on the Atari and PC beforehand.

Gaming fell out of favor as he entered high school. Park's interest in journalism spiked after an internship with Gannett Co.'s Guam branch, the Pacific Daily News. Park attained his bachelor's degree in journalism from California State University, Fullerton in 2003. During the college years, he interned at the Orange County Register and San Gabriel Valley Tribune. He also regained his interest in videogames after witnessing Hideo Kojima's "Metal Gear Solid," and deciding that videogames have matured along with him. He began writing for GameCritics.com, covering two Entertainment Electronic Expos for the site before retiring in 2003.

He then returned to Guam, where he worked as business and education reporter for the Pacific Daily News. He went on to become assistant news editor for the newspaper. He also did a short two-week job as a reporter and consultant for the Marianas Variety, a newspaper based in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Park is now the crime reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin in Hawaii. He also is a member of the Hawaii Newspaper Guild. Since 2003 he also has been a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, and he currently serves as a member on the national committee for professional development. He also contributes to Quill, a national magazine for journalists. His journalism experience includes covering natural disasters, wartime exercises, presidents, homicides, drug busts, tourism, business, public education and celebrities.

He continues to be involved with GameCritics.com, believing firmly in its vision, and seeing it as a journey to see what makes the great distraction that is videogames so compelling. He lives with his girlfriend in Honolulu. Other interests include playing the guitar and harmonica, social activism, politics and going to the beach.

Ten All-Time Favorites Games

1) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, 2) The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, 3) Shenmue II, 4) Shadow of the Colossus, 5) Street Fighter II, 6) Halo, 7) Super Mario 64, 8) The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, 9) Suikoden II, 10) Super Metroid

Five Current Favorites Games

1) The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles, 2) The Godfather: Blackhand Edition, 3) Guitar Hero II, 4) God of War II, 5) Wii Sports