Hi,
I would like to just provide my own personal insight to the following question: "How do I become an EA GameChanger?". My hope is to not only provide some clarity on how to go about becoming a GameChanger, but also what it’s like to be a GameChanger and our role in the community.
Just to provide a little bit of background here, I am a GameChanger for EA's Madden NFL Mobile. I have also spent a short stint as a GameChanger for NBA LIVE Mobile, which is quite similar to Madden Mobile in several ways. Having been a GameChanger for a little while now, I have had this question asked to me quite a bit now. For one, there seems to be a common misconception among the various gaming communities (not just Madden Mobile and NBA LIVE Mobile) that all GameChangers are social media influencers. I’ll get asked quite often from people what my Youtube or Twitch channel is. When I tell them I don’t have one, they immediately are confused. People generally think that all of us post YouTube videos or stream on Twitch, for example. I would just like to emphasize that this is not the case. While there are definitely a lot of GameChangers who also make content, there are also a good number of us who are "behind the scenes" as solely feedback GameChangers (myself included).
Our role as GameChangers is to work as a liaison between the community and EA. Essentially, we relay issues and suggestions for improvement from the community to EA, while also sharing information directly from EA to the community. You may notice us around the several platforms (Discord, Reddit, EA AHQ, other forums) providing insight and posting game announcements from EA.
Now that I have provided some clarity on what a GameChanger’s general role is within the community, I will now address the question proposed in the title of this thread; the “How?”. I would like to provide insight to this question from the perspective of someone like myself, who is strictly a feedback GameChanger. So while I am sure there are ways to get noticed through your content by making videos or streaming the game, I would like to provide some of the other avenues one can take without having to make and post content.
While there is no step-by-step guide on how to exactly become a GameChanger, there are definitely some things I can recommend to someone who is interested in getting noticed for the program having been in the position myself at one point.
- Be passionate about playing the game you are into. I would assume if you are interested in becoming a GameChanger that you already check this box. If you don’t really care for the game, then you should not expect to become a GameChanger.
- Establish yourself within your community. Whether that is posting on a forum board like here, a Discord server, etc… This is kind of an obvious one. But, if you want to get noticed at all, you will have to put yourself out there in the community.
- Be active/consistent. You can’t just expect to get asked to be a GameChanger by only being active on a forum board for a week or two. You have to make an effort to be consistently present within your community. If you are passionate about the game you play, this should be of no issue to you. While you don’t have to be someone who is active within a community platform for 12+ hours a day on top of playing the game, you should maintain a level of activity for an extended period of time. Although being a GameChanger requires a level of commitment, you can still have a life outside of being a GameChanger. All the GameChangers I know either work or go to school full-time, are in committed relationships, are married and have kids, and are still able to devote quite a bit of time into the program and the community at large.
- Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who are passionate about the game and want to see it become better. You don’t at all have to agree with everything about the game, but don’t be one of those people who are constantly bashing the game in a non-constructive manner. It is important while expressing your issues with the game, to do so in a respectful manner. There is a way to be constructive, while not being disrespectful in the process. People who can provide constructive criticism while maintaining a level of respect are highly valued among the community.
- Help those who need help. I think the greatest pleasure in being a GameChanger is getting to help new players with the game (or anyone for that matter). Use your high-level knowledge of the game to enlighten those who ask for assistance or advice. If you can establish yourself as someone who is a reliable source of information about the game, you will most definitely get noticed quickly.
- Help create a positive environment. While content creators generally stick to making videos or streams, there are other means to creating content. For example, proposing thought-provoking questions, proposing suggestions for the game, or posting guides that help those playing the game. All of these contributions can spark conversation and create engagement among the community. I think we all have the tendency to let the bugs of the game cloud our experience playing to some degree. Being someone who can see past the issues and still find a means to create positive engagement will stand out.
Although this may not be an official step-by-step guide on how to become a GameChanger, sticking by these elements will put you well on your way to being a worthy addition to the GameChanger program.
