Ben Sledge on Muck Rack

Ben Sledge

(He/Him)
Liverpool
Covers:  Gaming, technology, sport, travel, news, and culture.
Award-losing journalist, Features Editor at @TheGamerWebsite, formerly The Loadout. Words: Eurogamer, The Guardian, IGN, NME, Kotaku, VICE, more ✍ he/him

Ben Sledge’s Journalist Portfolio

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How a visually impaired streamer hunts shiny Pokémon

How a visually impaired streamer hunts shiny Pokémon

Eurogamer — Shiny hunting is a task only the most dedicated Pokémon players dare undertake. Shiny Pokémon are an incredibly rare phenomenon, identical to their regular counterparts in all but colour. In pre-internet times, they were nothing more than a playground myth, but nowadays self-confessed "shiny hunters" spend hundreds of hours hatching eggs to the extent they even have representation in the anime.

The pursuit of low ping: one player's 6,000-mile journey to the ALGS Championship

The pursuit of low ping: one player's 6,000-mile journey to the ALGS Championship

The Loadout — "It means a lot for the African orgs and the players to compete at this high level, and for this much money," says Matthew 'DaStwika' Ries. DaStwika plays Apex Legends for South African organisation ATK, and often has to remind people that the EMEA Super Region encompasses more than just Europe.

"Actions Speak Louder Than Words": Why Pokémon GO Streamer Reversal Is Quitting the Game

"Actions Speak Louder Than Words": Why Pokémon GO Streamer Reversal Is Quitting the Game

Gfinity — Despite Pokémon GO earning over £15 million during the hugely successful Pokémon GO Fest weekend last month, and Ultra Unlock events introducing new coveted shinies to the game, players aren't happy. Players - or trainers, as they call themselves - have been continuing to play the mobile AR game throughout the coronavirus pandemic, largely thanks to generous changes from developer Niantic.

Fans Are Resurrecting a Canceled LEGO Bionicle Game, Along With its Murky Past - IGN

Fans Are Resurrecting a Canceled LEGO Bionicle Game, Along With its Murky Past - IGN

IGN — When Bionicle: Tales of the Tohunga was released for the GameBoy Advance back in 2001, it was poorly received, to say the least. A licensed game themed around LEGO's hugely popular Bionicles figures, IGN gave it a 4.5, saying "I've had more fun watching my grandmother play bingo."

Home comforts: how The Sims let millennials live out a distant dream

Home comforts: how The Sims let millennials live out a distant dream

The Guardian — ne of the first decisions you make in The Sims is which house to buy. The 200m-selling life simulation series, which turns 20 this week, gives every player 20,000 simoleons, the game's virtual currency, and they can use it to purchase anything from a ready-made four-bedroom townhouse to an empty plot of land on which to construct a dream pad from scratch.

Women of Warhammer Show Us Their Finest Work

Women of Warhammer Show Us Their Finest Work

VICE UK — Whether you were a nerdy collector, a friend dared you or it was an honest mistake while you were looking for a copy of Call of Duty, you will have been into a Games Workshop store at least once in your life.

The north of England's women wrestlers are coming for WWE

The north of England's women wrestlers are coming for WWE

The Overtake — Professional wrestling is often seen as a hyper-masculine, testosterone-fuelled man-fest, but when you really think about it, that is hardly the case. Both male and female wrestlers appear in the ring dressed in incredibly extra costumes, having walked down what is essentially an elaborate catwalk whilst performing choreographed entrances.

We analysed video game predictions from 10 years ago to see which came true

We analysed video game predictions from 10 years ago to see which came true

The Overtake — Think back to the murky depths of 2008. What comes to mind? Usain Bolt breaking the 100m World Record, twice? Wayne Rooney getting married? Barack Obama becoming President? It all seems like a very long time ago, but has much changed? Bolt still holds the World Record, the Rooneys are (somehow) still married, and... Oh.

Could Fortnite be responsible for the England team's World Cup success?

Could Fortnite be responsible for the England team's World Cup success?

The Overtake — Sunday evening. Big man Harry Kane is sat on the sofa in the England camp, World Cup trophy sat to his right, Golden Boot to his left. But he only has eyes for the screen in front of him. His lovely lips, that hours ago formed the words of the national anthem, now say something entirely different.

Alabama's werewolf hunters: 'People question our sanity'

Alabama's werewolf hunters: 'People question our sanity'

The Overtake — "Monster hunting was never anything I expected to fall deeply into," says Doug Ward. "But when you start looking into sightings and seeing patterns emerge, those folks with inquisitive minds tend to want to look deeper." Ward, who lives in the US state of Alabama, is a self-proclaimed werewolf hunter who investigates sightings of mythical creatures.