Liverpool-based mobile publisher Thumbstar has signed up as the official backer of the first ever Games Journalism Prizes, with the firm donating £1,000 to the awards' prize fund.

The Games Journalism Prizes, which looks to "recognise the best writing about videogames", was set up in response to criticism surrounding existing industry honours, which many believe rely far too much on status and standing than actual writing.

As such, rather than nominating specific writers, individual pieces published throughout 2012 can be nominated via the prize's website, with the judging panel sifting through articles instead of personalities.

'An absolute good'

"It's never been more important than it is now for the industry to come together and for different sectors to support one another," said Thumbstar's digital communication manager Kirsten Kearney.

"Games journalism is the heart and soul of the video games industry and what Games Journalism Prizes is doing is an absolute good.

"The simple and streamlined way this initiative highlights the creativity and passion at the heart of games writing is brilliant and we're very proud to support it."

The Games Journalism Prize's judging panel includes the likes of Edge editor Alex Wiltshire, RockPaperShotgun founder Kieron Gillen, IGN editor Keza MacDonald and PocketGamer.biz editor Keith Andrew, amongst others.

Money matters

According to one of the prizes' founders and advisory committee member Dan Griliopoulos, the £1,000 prize fund will go "straight to the winner of the best piece chosen by all the judges, without even resting in our bank accounts."

"Obviously, the kudos of having your writing recognised by your peers should be reward enough for any writer, but starving artists have to pay the rent on that garrett somehow, so we're very happy that Thumbstar has chosen to donate this money," he added.

"We're tempted to call it The Grand Prize."

You can nominate articles yourself via the Games Journalism Prizes website.