Good information for the ten folks within the feedback who constantly downvote something I say: I’m off.
I’ve labored as deputy editor of VG247 for nearly three years now. Time has flown by. I’ve travelled the world with this job. I’ve made new mates, and I’ve had moments that I’ll keep in mind for the remainder of my life. But now it’s time for one thing new.
Before I received into video game journalism I did a little bit of all the things. At one level I used to be a plasterer’s labourer. At one other I labored in a flower manufacturing unit. I’ve achieved retail in Primark. I’ve labored as bar and kitchen workers within the Brexit hellworld that’s Wetherspoons. I’ve managed nightclubs and stacked grocery store cabinets.
I come from a working class household and took my first job once I left college at 16 so I might assist pay lease. I by no means stopped working, falling from one factor to the following with no route – till I discovered video game “journalism”. But regardless of all that work expertise, it is a new feeling for me. I’ve by no means felt unhappy about leaving a job earlier than.
I’m excited in regards to the future, however there’s a sinking feeling in my intestine. VG247 made me really feel welcome from day one and by no means let up, and now it’s virtually over. It seems like the top of an period. This small crew is sort of a second household to me.
Before I depart, I needed to jot down this self-indulgent put up to name out among the greatest folks within the games business: the VG247 crew. Let’s begin with the information crew.
Steph Nunneley and Sherif Saed are two of the toughest working folks I’ve met in any line of labor. Part of my job is to focus on stuff that wants overlaying by the information crew, and 90 % of the time they’re already on it by the point I move it throughout. Steph and Sherif are sensible, self-motivated, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with them. Their work ethic throughout a busy dwell present is humbling.
Sherif can be the person to go to if you need a deep dive into the most recent Soulslike or a tactical shooter, whereas Steph is a recovering MMO addict. Sherif lives in Egypt and Steph lives within the US so we’ve by no means really met in particular person, however we nonetheless labored collectively as one unit and I’ll miss them each immensely. I’ve numerous admiration for them each working via that distance – it’s not simple, however our Slack patter stored us all collectively. I hope Steph continues to ship me pictures of animals and Sherif sometimes messages me to inform me a game appears shit.
Next up we’ve received the guides crew: James Billcliffe and Lauren Aitken. Again, ridiculously exhausting staff. I keep in mind reviewing Shadow of the Tomb Raider and passing movies of the puzzles to Lauren as I targeted on the overview, leaving her to transcribe the movies and switch them into guides. With just one code for the crew, she hadn’t even had an opportunity to play the game. Working on these guides made her sick of it earlier than she’d even touched it.
Focusing on issues like Fortnite challenges and maintaining on prime of different service games like Destiny isn’t simple. It’s numerous work and generally it seems like a slog, however these two by no means complain about it and at all times flip in high quality, correct, readable guides. These are the spine of the location and the rationale we’ve got the liberty to fee such a variety of freelance voices. James, I’m sorry for forcing you to be my sat-nav at Gamescom, however that’s mainly information work in actual life.
We not too long ago employed Alice Liguori, who I’ve recognized now for about six years (we labored collectively beforehand at one other web site), but I nonetheless needed to Google her surname simply now to ensure I spelled it appropriately. Sorry, Alice. Alice is likely one of the most gifted video producers within the business. She edits, writes, livestreams, captures, and scripts a lot of the content material herself. She is likely to be one particular person, however she does the work total groups do at different websites. It’s unreal what she’s able to. A legend, even when she usually pretends I’m not her boss on Twitter. She’ll do something for a little bit of clout.
Next up it’s Alex Donaldson, our assistant editor. Like everybody on the location, Alex does a little bit of all the things. It’s one of many issues I really like about how VG247 works – all of us muck in and unfold the workload. We all do guides and information and options as wanted. I feel that’s one of many causes crew morale is so constantly excessive – it seems like all of us have one another’s backs. If you thought Sam Bridges from Death Stranding had it unhealthy trekking throughout post-apocalyptic America, you need to see the sacrifices Alex has made to maintain our Pokemon Go content material ticking over. Alex even helps out with video now and again, and he’s essentially the most authoritative voice within the business in the case of JRPGs. VG247 is fortunate to have him.
Lastly we’ve received Matt Martin, who rapidly turned one in all my favorite folks within the business. I’ve by no means had a boss as caring and understanding as Matt, and I’ll miss his comfortable face. Where many workplaces will allow you to work additional hours and never give again, Matt is extra give than take. He understands that household life is extra necessary than phrases about video games, and I respect the hell out of that. Matt turned a mentor to me and I discovered a lot from working beneath him.
I’ve additionally been fortunate sufficient to attend E3 with Matt and journey all the way down to Dubrovnik for Reboot. Those sorts of occasions are lengthy hours and exhausting work, however Matt was at all times truthful about when it was time to show off, somewhat than forcing his workers to work via it. I’ll always remember that night time at E3 the place we one way or the other ended up in a celebration in a automotive showroom the place somebody was making an attempt to promote train bikes on the bar. Then Snoop Dog turned up and began DJing, filling the room with potent ganja smoke, although it was a non-smoking occasion. It undoubtedly beat working in Wetherspoons.
I’m happy with the stuff we’ve achieved as a crew at VG247 and far of that’s all the way down to Matt. He trusts his workers to do what they’re good at. He’s open to concepts which might be outdoors of the conventional, po-faced video game protection you see all over the place. And it’s all the way down to him that the location is so numerous – each in its workers and from its freelancers. It’s been an honour to work with such a gifted vary of writers throughout my time right here.
My level is, VG247 is in good arms. It’s been in good arms for a very long time and it’ll proceed to do what it does – spicy, broad video game protection that isn’t afraid of creating dick jokes. I’ll miss being a part of that, however I’ve made mates for all times and reminiscences that I’ll maintain onto perpetually – a few of which I received’t put right here. Thanks to anybody who’s learn and loved my stuff through the years. To those that hate me, sorry I didn’t just like the video game as a lot as you. I should dwell with that for the remainder of my life.
My final day is August 20 so be happy to name me a cuck at kirk.mckeand@vg247.com till then.
