Global Senior Director of Integrated Comms for Battlefield at Electronic Arts, Gamer, Cyclist, Sneakerhead, Esports Fan, & Ex-Game Informer *tweets = mine*
Hard to believe, but this is my last week at Game Informer. After 29 years, it is time for a change. I’m leaving games journalism. I wanted to thank everyone who made this dream possible. It has been an amazing experience. My final letter: (1/3)
My next journey in games is at Electronic Arts as Director of Comms Strategy. EA has great things happening, & asked me to come along for the ride. In my role, I’ll get to work with legendary developers all over the world to find new ways to tell their stories & I can’t wait.
The thing I dislike about The Last of Us 2 discussion is that it feels like people who didn’t like it really feel this need to tell those of that did how wrong we are. (And I’m sure vice versa but I see more telling from the dislike side). Play what you want. Like what you like.
I would like to add as someone who has seen games in development for oh, I don’t know, 30 plus years, I thought the GTA VI footage looked awesome given where they are in the process. I’m hype. Do your thing Rockstar.
To be clear, Stig never claimed Coruscant was a “freely explorable open world.” He only confirmed it as one of the destinations in the game. Survivor has amazing planets to explore and our biggest environments to date but wanted to be clear on what was said. Thx!
I appreciate all the love. I see it. I feel it. I am trying to get things right with my people. I love Game Informer, its people and its readers more than any corporation could, and I will address all the issues when I can, but for now I need to focus on my GI family.
I’m proud that my last issue features Cyberpunk 2077 - working with
@CDPROJEKTRED
is always a treat. Combine that with my review of The Last of Us Part 2, and it is a hell of a way to go out! (2/3)
As someone who was there at issue one and spent most of their life fighting and scratching and clawing for GI, it breaks my heart to see it end. GI will always hold a special place in my heart. As always, the people are who matter. What an amazing journey for us all. GI4ever.
If I read my tweets, I believe a number of Battlefield fans are calling that I get sacked already. I understand your frustration, but I can tell you I’m killing myself to deliver something I think you’ll love when the time is right. Patience please. ❤️
The discussion on Cyberpunk is so out of control I’m afraid to say I’m enjoying it (which I am btw), and that’s unfortunate. And to be clear, I waited for some patches and I’m playing on PC. And sure, it has some hiccups and some juvenile content at times, but I’m having fun.🤷🏻♂️
In EXACTLY six weeks we will be preparing to launch Battlefield 2042 into early access at midnight on November 12th. SIX WEEKS. OMG. I’M NOT FREAKING OUT. YOU ARE FREAKING OUT.
In my opinion, you can’t say no micro transactions when there’s micro transactions and then be angry we made a tweet focusing on that angle. Apologies you don’t like the “despite”
@DuvalMagic
. It clarifies what we feel is a misleading comment which the story lays out clearly.
Despite Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford's comment about "no microtransactions" in Borderlands 3 during today's livestream, we've been told cosmetic items are still purchasable.
My last GI Show is this Thursday. A show I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting even if for a short time. It is such a great way to spend time with the GI Community. What’s next you ask? I’m packing up and moving to LA for an exciting new opportunity in games. More on that soon.(3/3)
I know the video game industry is winding down as the holidays approach, so before everyone runs to the hills I wanted to let everyone know who works in games, no matter what the degree, I think you’re amazing. Players be baller too. Games are the best.
It has been a crazy day. I never imagined so many people would send such wonderful messages. It really puts it all in perspective. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Really has been an emotional roller coaster today. I have a lot of messages to reply too. ❤️❤️❤️
@Bricky_T
@Battlefield
Everyone is working super hard to deliver an amazing experience and we will have more info as the month rolls on. Creating these moments is complicated, and we want to come correct when we share info. Everything we do is to make a great game for the players.
I understand why the merger is good for Xbox’s portfolio and ATVI’s shareholders, but I’m surprised by how vested players are in this deal. How does this deal benefit the players and industry? Or does it not? Would love to hear some perspectives that remove brand loyalty bias.
Played Ghost beginning to end in Japanese with English subtitles, and I adored it. Thank you
@SuckerPunchProd
and everyone involved for your hard work, and for creating such a lovely experience.
I had to put up an official notice on our layoffs. Still so much to do here, and I'll do my best to tell you everything I can. Today was tough without our friends.
This is one of the reasons I have mad respekt for
@CDPROJEKTRED
. When they pitched us to do a Witcher 3 cover story they came armed with an edited 32 page custom magazine about the game and the studio wrapped with an example of the cover art. Amazing right?
So today was a year at EA. Worked on so much stuff. Some highlights:
The Mass Effect reveal at the Game Awards last year
An Oscar-winning campaign for Respawn
ME Legendary Edition
The Battlefield 2042 Reveal
Lots of work on EA Play Live.
+ so much more.
Been fun.
I love that all the first party companies get along now, but if they were serious they would share their button icons/layouts and allow players to choose in the options where the f**k the X button is. :)
All the outreach and all the love for GI I am seeing online. 😢 Sometimes you don’t know the value of the work that you do until a moment like this, so just wanted you all to know that all the GI peeps can feel it and appreciate it.
One of my most prized GI possessions. I had the entire team sign this for me that was a part of issue 300. This signifies one of my favorite times in GI history (the whole gang was still here!). We had a beer. We had a party. It was a moment in time I will never forget.
Dear Internet trolls, I will talk about things on here that aren’t work & when you change the subject to jab at the games I work on, you will instantly be muted or blocked. I appreciate on-topic criticism, but just trying to make my life miserable 24/7 ain’t happening.
I am seeing concerns about the cross generation news today around Battlefield, and I would ask that you kindly wait for more details. Just because one thing is true doesn’t mean another can’t be.
Reading a lot of doom and gloom comments about the changes happening at BioWare, and that EA is doing this or that... Do you really think games with the pedigree of Dragon Age or Mass Effect with their legions of fans are going away? Come on.
Yes, cosmetics have no influence on gameplay but they are indeed MTX. Many free to play games use that as their only monetization. I feel the comments about my team and our outlet are uncalled for, and I back our reporting in this case.
Another stunning day of love from all the video game peeps out there. I want to thank you all. Also, I want you to know it supercharged my day and eases my fears amid all this change in my life. Change is scary & exciting but your support makes it alllllllrighhttttt. Cheers!
We bought a house today in LA, so I guess that makes the move official. Here is my little office space but I have big plans!!! Our stuff can finally be delivered next week. Btw, next time I have the brilliant idea to move across the country during a pandemic someone punch me!
Journalism matters. It matters to the health and well-being of the video game industry and losing outlets, or more specifically, the voice of the teams that drive them, is terrible news. Video games needs strong, informed and smart journalists. Every loss hurts us all.
Game Informer obviously is a huge part of my video game career and I’m always heartbroken when its value isn’t recognized. Love to the GI fam old and new.
The President was asked if he would condemn racist groups, the easiest question in the history of presidential questions, and he dodged it. Then sends a message directly to the Proud Boys. Unbelievable. This can’t be real.
I wasn’t at EA when Anthem launched or part of any planning for NEXT, but I was here for many discussions leading to this moment. This stuff isn’t as easy as people think. Everyone involved with the game, including those in leadership, were concerned about players & the game.
When I first heard the screaming in my neighborhood I thought to myself, “SOMEONE is a big Mass Effect fan,” then realized that the election had been called for Biden. LOL.
We have done so many amazing things in our Jedi Survivor campaign. We built a Bacta tank for The Game Awards reveal, we had an amazing preview event in Hollywood, poncho madness at Celebration in London, and finally we made this. Working on Star Wars is just a dream.
Loving The Pathless, dying to start Miles, and Demon’s Souls is calling me, but I decided to try Astro’s Playroom and I’m in love. The soundtrack is from my video game daft punk dreams, and fucking around with this controller is the Friday night vibe I needed.
@DuvalMagic
Clear would be a statement like, “we have micro transactions but they are cosmetic and don’t effect gameplay.” That’s my opinion. Calling us names doesn’t seem constructive. I’m sorry we disagree.
If you didn’t like it. Ok. That’s cool. Moratoriums that all games are this and that because we disagree here is just wind. Love listening to real critique btw, and find it interesting when it focuses on discussion not just I didn’t get what I want I’m mad.
It seems a common question that I didn’t address because I care more about the people at this point, but yes, we are still producing the magazine both in print and digital. We are making all the content we can. Just with a broken heart.
EA's Respawn Entertainment is working on three new Star Wars games – a sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a first-person shooter, and a strategy game from former XCOM developers.
Have I got a story to tell. This a pillow case from a train trip Nintendo put on that had us playing Link’s Awakening across the country ahead of its launch.
One thing I didn’t say in my The Last of Us Part II review was that the acting top to bottom was spectacular. So many great performances. Not gonna drop names for twitter cred, you know who you are, but wanted it to be said.
I did something good today. I can’t tell you until later (probably much later), but it was big enough that December 6th, 2019 is an important one on my life timeline. Sorry to be annoying but wanted to share friends. :) High fives to all! Video games rule.
Just rolled credits on Hades. Fantastic game. Forgive the double entendre, but it is a great example of how width can be better than length. The runs aren’t long but the amazing depth in the story and combat systems keeps it fresh. Kudos to
@SupergiantGames
.
As someone new to the publishing side of things, today’s launch of Mass Effect Legendary Edition really means a lot. I saw first hand the work it takes to move the vision of this remaster to an amazing reality. Congrats to all my friends & co-workers at EA that made this happen.
Well. There goes the truck full of our stuff. Can’t get much more real than today that I’m leaving Minnesota. House is empty and next week we leave for LA. No pandemics out of control there right?
Since this is my first
#TheGameAwards
from the comms side, I want to share with you all that I had no idea getting to today took so much effort and planning to make happen across so many teams. It was crazy to experience. I’m dying to see everyone’s reactions now more than ever.
I want to get an Xbox Series X but this whole tracking shit down thing is tiresome. Start a queue, take my money, and send me one when my number comes up. K. Plz. Thx. Bye. 😘
From the first time I saw this in its earliest form to every viewing since, including tonight, this trailer has given me chills. Grats to the
@bioware
crew.
It has begun. Heading to LA for a week of pre-E3. This E3 feels so different coming in. It’s not just Sony dropping out, I think many feel unsure about the future of the show. I hope it delivers, but I can also see a future without E3 as well. I got ideas. Someone give me 💵
This is the Minneapolis I love. Dayna Frank owns First Ave, and the second post is from the daughter of Gandhi Mahal Restaurant's owner. Both own establishments that were damaged during this tragedy.
“Meanwhile here at BioWare, a veteran team has been hard at work envisioning the next chapter of the Mass Effect universe. We are in early stages on the project and can’t say any more just yet, but we’re looking forward to sharing our vision for where we’ll be going next.”
Not even joking (pun intended), every time you didn’t win the award for best performance for your work in Batman I died a little inside. 10 years ago, it was the best voice performance in games imo and changed the standard. You deserved all the kudos and that game is a classic!
It felt fantastic to get behind the wheel of that crazy clown car again for the 1st time since the animated series. Free from the restrictions of TV censors-we were able to explore a more complex version of the character that was more vicious & sadistic than ever before!🃏
#NoJoke