About Alex
Hey, I’m Alex. I’m a multimedia journalist, videographer, and songwriter in the video game industry. Previously, I led Game Informer Magazine’s video team, traveling the world profiling video game publishers and filming documentaries about the people behind the games. I’m available for consulting, music composition, and video production for projects of all sizes.
Say “Hello.”
Would you like to hire me or pitch a special project? Click the button below.
Featured Projects
Photograph by Alex Van Aken
Exploring Caves With Derek Yu
In 2012, Derek Yu released Spelunky, a video game about exploring caves. In 2022, we climbed into a cave to ask Yu what it means to make a “perfect” game.
Photograph by Alex Van Aken
The Making of Mina The Hollower
I flew to Los Angeles to learn how a secret side project became Yacht Club Games’ anticipated follow-up to its popular video game series, Shovel Knight.
Photograph by Alex Van Aken
Game Informer Gold Product Trailer
Introducing Game Informer Gold, an ultra-rare gaming collectible. Each issue features a gold-foil cover, high-gloss pages, and is individually numbered.
Photograph by Alex Van Aken
Double Fine Looks Back At 10 Years Of Broken Age
We reunite Double Fine’s project leads to a roundtable interview to discuss the studio’s Double Fine Adventure Kickstarter that made history in 2012.
Photograph by Alex Van Aken
The Making of HUMANITY, 2023’s Best Puzzle Game
The creators of Tetris Effect guide a crew of new developers through global unrest and game delays to ship a standout puzzle game.
Image Design By Laleh Azarshin
Ori and the Will of the Wisps Is 2020’s Best 2D Platformer
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a game that sticks with you, running through your mind after you complete it and asking you to relive its best moments.
Featured Writing
Image Design By Laleh Azarshin / FromSoftware
Armored Core VI Game Informer Cover Story
We fly to Tokyo, Japan, for an exclusive first look at Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon, FromSoftware’s highly-anticipated follow-up to Elden Ring.
Photograph by Alex Van Aken
The Return of EVO: The Global Stage of Fighting Games
The fighting game community returns to its global stage for the first time since COVID-19, and it still knows how to put on one hell of a show.
Photograph by Alex Van Aken
Analogue Pocket Review – A Retro Handheld Marvel
The Analogue Pocket is a marvel of design, setting a new standard for premium video game handhelds, retro or otherwise.
Image Design By Laleh Azarshin / Behaviour Interactive
How Dead By Daylight Sunk Its Teeth Into Millions – Retrospective
Developers Dave Richard and Mathieu Côté detail the humble beginnings of Behaviour Interactive’s flagship multiplayer horror game.
Image by KCL Mascots
Behind The Dangerous Stunts of Nintendo’s Mario Commercials
Costume designers detail heartfelt memories, dangerous stunts, and near-death encounters that defined a decade of traveling the globe with Nintendo.
“From the moment Alex started, Game Informer’s videos and streams took on new life and produced resounding results. Viewership is up across the board, and there’s a new excitement among the staff to be a part of everything we release.”
“[Alex is a] true talent in the video and content creation space. Well worth your time to seek him out.”
“Alex Van Aken is one of the best creatives I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. His knack for storytelling is a rare gift in the video game industry [...] His nose for a good story is only matched by his visual creativity.”
“[Alex] had to take on many roles in his time at Game Informer and adapted well to them. [...] He asks and receives feedback well [...] As a coworker he was nice and charismatic. ”