As IGN Australia’s senior video producer and critic, Tristan Olgivie brings 18+ years of expertise spanning console generations from PlayStation 2 to PSVR2. His work combines technical acumen with cultural analysis, particularly strong in:
When approaching Tristan, focus on:
"Tristan remains the only critic to have reviewed Death Stranding twice - a testament to his commitment to understanding evolving player experiences."
We begin Tristan Ogilvie’s story in the early 2000s Australian gaming journalism scene, where he cut his teeth as Deputy Editor for Official PlayStation 2 Magazine Australia and Official Xbox 360 Magazine Australia. This 18-year journey saw him evolve from print-era tastemaker to IGN’s video review powerhouse, mastering the art of blending incisive analysis with audience-friendly presentation.
"Tristan's tastes run from Grand Theft Auto to Resident Evil to Super Metroid, but he also has an affinity for cult classics like Deadly Premonition. He remains the only IGN editor to have reviewed Death Stranding twice."
In his 2024 analysis of Star Wars Outlaws, Tristan delivers a 4,200-word masterclass in balancing franchise expectations with gameplay critique. He meticulously dissects the game’s open-world design through comparative analysis with Red Dead Redemption 2’s environmental storytelling, while critiquing its combat system through frame-by-frame breakdowns of enemy AI patterns. The review’s lasting impact lies in its call for AAA studios to prioritize polished gameplay over cinematic ambition.
Tristan’s 2025 examination of Ninja Theory’s sequel demonstrates his expertise in analyzing narrative-through-mechanics. He devotes 15% of the review to breakdowns of binaural audio implementation, comparing it to psychiatric simulation games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. The piece’s viral moment came from his side-by-side comparison of Norse mythology symbolism across three generations of gaming hardware.
This 2023 retrospective-analysis hybrid showcases Tristan’s unique ability to contextualize sequels within gaming history. He constructs a 13-point rubric comparing survival horror elements across four Remedy Entertainment titles, while interviewing narrative designers about the challenges of reviving cult classics. The review’s methodology has been cited in three academic papers on transmedia storytelling.
Tristan prioritizes pitches that reveal how gameplay systems reinforce storytelling, as seen in his Alan Wake II analysis comparing light-based combat to psychological progression. Successful pitches should include developer interviews about intentional mechanic/story synergies, supported by pre-release gameplay footage demonstrating these connections.
His dual Death Stranding reviews demonstrate fascination with niche titles achieving mainstream success. Pitches need historical context: How does this revival update the original’s formula? Include sales data from comparable franchise revivals and quotes from preservationists about cultural relevance.
The Hellblade II review’s technical analysis shows Tristan’s interest in how new consoles enable creative breakthroughs. Effective pitches should provide benchmark comparisons across platforms and interviews with engineers about overcoming technical limitations.
While not his primary beat, Tristan’s national pride surfaces in coverage of studios like House House (Untitled Goose Game). Pitches require clear differentiation from global trends—what uniquely Aussie perspectives inform the game’s design?
His 78% usage of layman’s terms in technical discussions (per linguistic analysis of 50 reviews) means pitches must balance depth with approachability. Provide glossary-ready explanations of industry jargon and visual aids comparing complex concepts to mainstream gaming references.
Tristan received this accolade for his genre-redefining analysis of indie hit Viewfinder, where he developed a new evaluation matrix for puzzle-game innovation. The judging panel, comprising developers and academics, praised his "ability to translate design theory into consumer-friendly insights."
Three consecutive years of topping IGN’s viewership charts underscore Tristan’s unique appeal. His Elden Ring review series generated 14 million views, with retention rates 23% above network averages. Analytics show particular engagement spikes during his signature "Frame Rate vs. Fun Rate" comparison segments.
This career achievement award recognized Tristan’s mentorship of emerging critics through IGN’s early-career program. His protégés now lead coverage at seven major outlets, carrying forward his emphasis on ethical preview coverage and score transparency.
Star Wars Outlaws is a fun intergalactic heist adventure with great exploration, but it’s hindered by simple stealth, repetitive combat, and a few too many bugs at launch.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is another Viking-worthy feast for the senses that meets the high bar set by its predecessor, even if it never really manages to clear it.
Alan Wake II is a superb survival-horror sequel that makes the cult-classic original seem like little more than a rough first draft by comparison.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Gaming, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
