Thank You GameSpot
Tomorrow is my last day at GameSpot and CBS Interactive. As cliché of a line as this is, I can still honestly say that leaving was one of the toughest decisions I have ever made. GameSpot was the first full-time and “real” job I ever had. Even as far back as 2012, GS Esports bringing me on as a freelancer allowed me to finally feel comfortable in my decision to commit to a career in esports. I learned so much here and the resources I was provided allowed me to travel the world, follow my passion, and create content I am truly proud of.
When I first spoke to someone about providing esports coverage here, way back at MLG Anaheim 2012, one of the very first things mentioned was that GS would never try to dictate the coverage, tell me what questions to ask, or hold me back from creating content the way I wanted. Despite reporting to multiple people and working on multiple products over my time here, that promise was kept the entire time. Resources were always provided, but everyone trusted me to produce coverage that fans would appreciate. That may be the thing I am most thankful for.
At the same time, I also want to thank the audience of folks around the world that watched my videos and read my content, often providing feedback that was critical in helping me grow over the past years.
It was an honor to work for such a well-respected brand and with such a great team. I have no doubt that the games sites at CBSi will continue to produce incredible stuff. I know I’ll keep reading and watching all of it.
This also means that this coming weekend will be the first time I have ever missed LCS. I feel less guilty shirking my duties knowing that the industry has grown since Season 3 and there are now a ton of fantastic journalists and outlets there every weekend.
I’ll return to the LCS soon though! I will share more details about what’s next for me shortly, but suffice to say you’ll see more of my silly interviews as well as a bunch of different stuff from me down the road as I look to experiment with longer-form content, features, and more.
Also, here’s a reel of some moments from the past couple of years you may enjoy.
Finally, just a few public acknowledgements and thanks before I move on:
Benito and Erick – You guys started esports at CBS Interactive and brought me onboard, I’ll always be thankful for that. You both helped me find my footing after I started down this path.
Rod – Thanks for the introduction and recommendation way back in 2012 and for always having my back. You’ve done some great stuff and I know you’re going to do more.
Hunter, Kim, Spellsy, Sully, Adam, Matt, Duncan, Cody, Andreja, Kelsey, Nilu, and all the other wonderful folk I had the opportunity to work with at onGamers – Thanks for teaching me what it meant to be a part of a team working together to create a great product. I’ll forever value the work we did together and it brings me great joy to see all the cool stuff everyone is doing now.
Zorine – Thank you for the laughter, friendship, and for always being there at the odd hours to help guide my terrible writing skills.
Michael Powers – For supporting my content with resources and faith over the past year and for allowing me the freedom to build out the G|League brand and “run my own show.”
Danny and Andy – The stuff you make for GameSpot has and continues to inspire me. If I can someday create stuff that has anywhere near the quality and insight you two put out, I’ll consider myself very lucky.
Mark Marking – The man who journeyed through all my crazy adventures since the start of LCS: both professional and personal. I am happy to have started our strange and odd lifelong friendship through this job.
Finally: Benson, Rachel, and Jeremy – You became my crew a year ago and everything these past 12 months wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you.
Thanks again to everyone at GameSpot and CBS Interactive!