Introduction
Chris Stead (born 6 April 1979) is an Australian video games journalist, editor and publisher. He is best known for founding the Australian editions of Game Informer and GamePro magazines and their websites. In 2013 he won the inaugural MCV Pacific Journalist of the Year award. In 2014, he launched Grab It Indie Games Magazine.
Early life
Stead was born in Sydney, Australia and is the oldest of five children. He studied Molecular Biology and Genetics at Sydney University, graduating in 2000.
Career
Early career
Stead's first published work appeared in N64 Gamer magazine in 1997. During this time he also contributed to Hyper, PC PowerPlay and GameSpot, amongst others. In 2000, he signed with ACP Magazines as Staff Writer for the launch of Official PlayStation Magazine.
GamePro
In 2003 Stead signed on with IDG to launch the Australian edition of GamePro magazine as senior staff writer, with veteran editor Stuart Clarke. Stead later become deputy editor, and then editor prior to his departure in 2007.
Gameplayer
Soon after departing IDG, Stead signed on with Derwent Howard to launch a new gaming website called Gameplayer as editor-in-chief. After two years, he left the site to contribute to IGN, Official PlayStation Magazine and the Australian version of Official Xbox Magazine.
Game Informer
In 2009, Chris Stead re-signed with Derwent Howard to launch an Australian edition of Game Informer magazine. The magazine picked up the 2011 and 2012 Australian Magazine Award for the Computing & Games category, and the 2013 MCV Pacific Award for Print Publication of the Year. In January 2014, Stead left after completing the 51st issue.
Grab It Indie Games Magazine
In February 2014, Stead released the first issue of Grab It Indie Games Magazine.