It’s been an eventful ten years since 2009. I’ve gotten a divorce. I’ve seen my daughter enter high school, get a driver’s license and to grow into a young woman of whom I am so proud. I’ve moved a few times, met someone important to me and learned to do all sorts of things I never thought I could. But my one constant in the chaos has always been MMORPG.com. I’ve poured my heart and soul into my work as solace when I was hurt, as calm in the eye of the storm of my life and because I love gaming. But life ebbs and flows and sometimes it presents us with a crossroads. It is here that I stand today.
Even writing the words “I’m leaving MMORPG.com” makes my heart hurt and the thought of embarking on the new is both thrilling and terrifying. I tend to like to cling to the familiar -- after all, I’ve only had two jobs in my entire adult life -- but sometimes the familiar means that exciting new things fall by the wayside. Sometimes, you just have to buckle up and take that first step.
I’ve loved every day here at MMORPG.com.. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Bill Murphy for a decade. We made, I believe, quite a team and have become dear friends along the way. How lucky I am to know such a kind, generous man. And there are others: Garrett Fuller who never has an unkind word to say. Mike Bitton who has run the community side flawlessly every single day. Ben and Craig who gave us the opportunity to make the site our own and never inserted themselves into editorial matters. All the writers who’ve come and gone over the years have made the site what it is today and I’m so thankful for having had the opportunity to meet each and every one.
And you, believe it or not, are the very souls who have kept the job fun and challenging. Each of you has made it worth waking up at 2 am every day to see what pithy commentary or great tips you have in store. Like all great families, we’ve squabbled and agreed and laughed and raged at one another, but in the end, we’ve all kept coming back for more. That’s what families do.
In 126 months, I’ve written or posted 33,000 (and change) articles. I’ve been on trips to places I might never have traveled before, seen games go from seeds of ideas to fully released, successful titles. I’ve met developers, publishers, PR people and more. It has been, as Bill said, a helluva ride and I’m so grateful I’ve had this chance.
I’ll miss my work here, but I have new irons in the fire and I know that the site’s future is in good hands with Joseph and Poorna. They are, simply put, going to do great things. I’m very sure of that.
I’ll be lurking around through the end of July and, of course, be present over at GameSpace. I’ll be continuing to work with Bill to do my best to see his business flourish and grow.
Thanks for everything. I am grateful.
