Kotaku has published guidance for freelance writers interested in pitching stories, emphasizing original reporting and distinctive angles over routine reviews and previews. The outlet says it is especially interested in work offering exclusive information, fresh insight or an unusual perspective that readers are unlikely to find elsewhere.
Potential assignments include features, opinion pieces, essays, investigations, interviews and reported scoops. Kotaku says strong stories can range from interviews that reveal new details about older games to reporting on events in online communities, troubled projects or ambitious modding efforts. It describes compelling work as informative and entertaining, often built around characters, conflict or tension.
Pitches should briefly explain the proposed story, include an estimated word count and filing timeline, and suggest a headline. Writers are also asked to explain what makes the idea compelling and distinct, and to provide one or two relevant work samples along with a public profile, if available. Submissions can be sent to the email address listed in Kotaku’s guidelines or directly to individual staff members. The outlet says it reads all pitches but cannot promise to respond to each one, and asks writers to follow up if they have not heard back.
Kotaku says it does not accept work produced by AI agents or drafted with their assistance.
The outlet’s listed rates start at $50 for short news posts of 300 to 450 words. Short features of 750 to 1,000 words typically pay $150 and may involve light research and some original sourcing. More in-depth articles requiring multiple interviews, extensive research or substantial time with a game can pay up to $300. Other rates are negotiable on a case-by-case basis.
Sources: Kotaku.