Gaming Made Honest – Reviews, News & Tips Without the BS
Why I Started GlitchRant
Hi, I’m Youness Obik, the founder and managing editor of GlitchRant.
The moment that made me start this site? It was December 2023. I’d just spent $70 on a highly-anticipated AAA release that every major outlet rated 9/10. Within three hours, I hit a game-breaking bug that corrupted my save file. The “masterpiece” reviewers raved about was a broken mess that clearly nobody had finished before reviewing.
That wasn’t the first time. I’d fallen for overhyped reviews of Cyberpunk 2077 at launch, bought into the No Man’s Sky promises, and watched friends waste money on games that looked nothing like their trailers. Every time, the same gaming sites that hyped these releases quietly updated their scores weeks later — after millions of players had already been burned.
I realized the problem wasn’t just bad games. It was gaming journalism that prioritized publisher relationships over reader trust. Sites that softened criticism to keep getting early access codes. Reviews published before anyone had actually finished the game.
GlitchRant exists because I wanted to build the site I wished existed as a reader: one that tells you the truth before you spend your money, not after.
What You’ll Find Here
News — Breaking gaming updates, release dates, and industry stories delivered quickly, without repackaging press releases as journalism.
Reviews — Honest assessments of games I actually play and finish. If a game is broken, boring, or overhyped, I’ll say so — regardless of who published it.
Guides — Detailed walkthroughs, strategies, tier lists, and tips created from actual gameplay. No filler content padded to hit word counts.
Opinion — Direct commentary on industry trends, controversies, and topics that other outlets avoid because they’re afraid of backlash.
Rumor Mill — Leaks and speculation about upcoming releases, always clearly labeled and analyzed critically rather than presented as fact.
About Me
Youness Obik — Founder & Managing Editor
I’m a 38-year-old web developer, programmer, and lifelong gamer based in Sheridan, Wyoming. I’ve been building websites professionally for over 10 years and gaming for nearly 30.
My first console was a PlayStation 1, and the game that hooked me was Final Fantasy VII. I still remember spending an entire summer trying to beat Sephiroth, restarting dozens of times because I didn’t understand the Materia system. That mix of frustration and obsession — wanting to master something, figure it out, and share what I learned — is exactly what drives GlitchRant today.
These days, I play across every platform: PC (my main), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and mobile. My favorite genres are RPGs, survival games, and strategy titles, though I cover everything from indie gems to AAA blockbusters.
Recent games I’ve sunk serious hours into: Europa Universalis 5 (400+ hours and counting), My Winter Car (the Finnish survival game that’s become a surprise obsession), Arc Raiders, and Octopath Traveler. I’m currently working through the Soulslike backlog I’ve been avoiding for years.
My Professional Background:
I’ve spent over a decade working as a senior web developer and programmer, specializing in content management systems, SEO, and building websites that actually serve their readers. I’ve created and operated multiple successful content websites across different niches, which taught me what works — and what doesn’t — in online publishing.
That technical background shapes how I approach GlitchRant. I understand how SEO pressure pushes sites toward clickbait. I know how ad revenue models incentivize quantity over quality. And I’ve built GlitchRant specifically to resist those pressures: honest content first, everything else second.
My Commitment to Readers
No Sponsored Reviews — My opinions aren’t for sale. Review scores and recommendations are never influenced by publishers, advertisers, or anyone else.
Games Played Thoroughly — I don’t publish reviews based on preview builds or press event impressions. If I review something, I’ve played it extensively.
Transparent Affiliate Links — When product links earn commissions, it’s clearly disclosed. Affiliate relationships never influence what I recommend.
Corrections Made Openly — If I get something wrong, I fix it and note the correction. No quiet edits.
Why “GlitchRant”?
The name captures exactly what this site is about. “Glitch” — because I focus on the reality of games, bugs and all, not the polished marketing version. “Rant” — because sometimes the industry needs someone willing to call out the problems everyone else ignores.
Thanks for visiting. Whether you’re researching your next purchase, looking for help with a game, or just want honest opinions about the industry, I hope GlitchRant gives you what other sites don’t: the truth.
— Youness Obik, Founder
