*Sigh* I have many thoughts about this I'll never publicly articulate. But if you're an aspiring games journalist and you happen to see this: Create. Your. Own. Path. Please. Don't rely on foolish optimism like I did and join a corporate entity thinking: "This time, maybe it'll work." It won't.

FINALLY. I PARTAKE.

The cruelest irony of how @acvalens.com has been treated throughout the year is that many of the people who love kicking her when she's down wouldn't take on a FRACTION of what she willingly puts herself through day in and day out. Then, somehow, have the gall to assassinate HER character.

Hate how easy it is for people to read awful & terrible intentions that are not there, constantly happens to trans women who are outspoken, I’m not doing another year of cis people running in and going “erm, I’m not sure about this Ana person,” I’m so over this shit. God forbid a tgirl have OPINIONS

I swear, everyone *better* show up and show out when Doc drops his inevitable 'Planescape Torment' piece that I'm unreasonably excited for! I crave it. I need it. (Also, support Doc because he's one of the greats and knows his shit!)

To have the tools, time, and clearance as an outlet/entity to dig into Ana's recent horrendous struggles and have nothing to say about it is journalistic cowardice, plain and simple. Don't position yourself as a leader and authority in the space if you aren't going to do any real work.

Popping out the shadows again for a hot second. Support Ana as much as you're able. Despite the sheer misery of it all, she actively chooses to discuss topics and issues most others would rather not because it's "uncomfortable." Because she, against all fucking odds, *believes* in a better world.

I see new Doc, I share and support new Doc. Now more than ever, we need to stand by and boost as many knowledgeable, talented folks between the games industry and games journalism as we can. The bottom doesn't have to fall out into the abyss if we form a safety net around the greats!

"Is there a Doctor in the house?!" Why, yes. Yes there is. And he's put out another Doc Classic!

@shauncichacki.bsky.social stood on business for devs of all stripes and sacrificed his livelihood to do the right thing. He deserves as much love and support as anyone can feasibly offer.

The whole Bloober Team/quote debacle at the moment makes me so, SO glad I'm not in games journalism anymore. Thank God.

As is tradition: I emerge from the shadows to boost Doc, a phenom of a writer who juggles an insane combo of journalist, game designer, and critic! Read. His. Stuff. Tip him, if you can! Now more than ever, we have to start protecting and nourishing stellar work that deserves more attention!

Popping up just for a brief little "Lol. Lmao, even."

Now that I've rid myself of this week's "toxins": I fucking *love* 'StarVaders.' store.steampowered.com/app/2097570/... So, I'd say I'm a roguelike deckbuilder addict of sorts. And this? Is that. It's just *THAT.* It's nice to actually play and savor games again! 😃

I'm owed ONE more shot: Anyone who has the audacity to say/imply that a group of people who were consistently vilified for 10 months with zero grace/understanding/empathy knowing how awful the games journalism space is deserved it or the rage campaign was justified? *Entirely* out of their mind. 😂

Ana's the hard-hitting journalist with all the proper articulation points regarding this whole disaster. But I wanna say: thank you. Each and every person who's using their voice to remedy a heartbreaking injustice. Keep the pressure on. 🤙🏿

I'll never stop fighting for video games. A medium that's given me so much when I had nothing. And, hey. Who said it was the end of the road for boosting excellent indie games? 😉

...You know, at the end of the whirlwind of emotions I've felt since Sunday, all I feel is sad now. My team was endlessly criticized and woefully utilized. They fought, and fought, and fucking fought. To be talked down to. To be discredited. To be disgraced.

Oh, and in case you were plotting on the queen's downfall? ...Sorry! 😊

Ana said it best: this world doesn't have to be a hopeless, broken hellscape. Never stop fighting the *real* enemies.

Reminder: if you want to stop companies from making stupid decisions (or reverse actively malignant ones), organize and go for their pockets. 😉 You attack/threaten that bottom line enough? They'll fold!

Presented without commentary. 😁

OH, if y'all can, though, show the rest of the gang some love! At the end of the day, this is family. Treat 'em right in this transitional stage of their careers. 🙂

Honestly, I'm good for now, y'all. I've been fortunate (and lucky) to make it this far on my own two feet -- despite some blunders -- and I'm gonna try and rock with that for now. 🙂 ...If I'm still unemployed six months later, we can reconvene. 😂

Ana's been doing this for YEARS, man! And, like she highlights, all she was doing was aggregating news and providing context and receipts when necessary! Person/organization says thing. Ana links to thing. Explains thing. Further contextualizes thing with many more links.

One last thing: people saying I was "crashing out" for being right about capitalism is CRAZY. ...Yes, I was under a lot of stress and lashed out a bit. But to this day, I'll stand by those posts. The boy was spittin'. 😂 I'm just saying, look into the "scabs" before dunking on them next time. 🤷🏾‍♂️

ALL THAT BEING SAID... we're cool! Water under the bridge and all that! We can focus our energies on the proper places now!

Bro, like, someone equated us to being no better than NAZI SYMPATHIZERS. ...Are you okay??? At worst, this is a naive games journalism website! Relax!

I'm not saying we did everything 100% right; and I'll happily own my fuck-ups! But that grace has to go both ways! Some folks were rabidly harsh, that's all!

Yeeaah, I can also confirm that because we were "Easy to hit," I do feel like many people assumed I was some moustache-twirling corporate villain. People created whole narratives where they assumed I tossed Ana to the wolves and never supported her.

To defend Ana: I *do* think there's something to be said for cliques in games journalism regarding certain critiques. It explains, honestly, the *intensity* from some pockets of social media who kicked us at our lowest.

And now, I can rest. 🙂

So, now that I've had a day to mourn the loss of my team and process everything, here's where things stand. @acvalens.net has popped off left and right regarding certain crucial issues we've had, but you have no idea how deep the insanity goes. For now, though, I'll abstain, for two reasons.

Feel how you want about me and my misguided initial goals and processes, but understand that @peagle05.bsky.social and @brentkoepp.bsky.social are just trying to survive. Be kind to them. They deserve that.

Aaaand with my Slack being unceremoniously deactivated following my own formal announcement of my resignation and the exodus of 66% of the team, that's ballgame on *that* particularly gruesome era of my career! 🙃

The only thing I presently want anyone to know is that I adore @acvalens.net, @mattvat.bsky.social, @peagle05.bsky.social, @shauncichacki.bsky.social, and @brentkoepp.bsky.social with the fullness of my soul. At further risk to myself, that's all I can say at the moment.

GIVE. DOC. ALL. THE. ATTENTION. I'm a proud Doc Demon! I discovered his work as I was going through a games journalism crisis (both internal and external). His article about 'I Was a Teenage Exocolonist' helped me in understanding my own goals and ambitions in relation to the games industry!

Happened to see this today, and I'll be doing my part to support the indie dev landscape. No, it's not as easy as "Just go indie." But perhaps this will be the start of something resembling an equalizer against greedy, uncaring executives who want to dismantle everything great about video games.

Support. Great. Creators. Simple as that. 🙂

Doc's an insanely talented writer and critic. If you can, help him out. During these *uncertain* times, we need to protect and nourish as many great creators as possible!

Confidence: +100 Y'all wait. Baltimore is about to go from being "THE WIRE???" to "THE NEW HOTSPOT OF GAME DEVELOPMENT???"

Today, I learned there's an entire Discord group dedicated to FMV games. ...*MY PEOPLE.* (Also, 'Dead Reset' looks SO awesome!)

"And when the world needed them most... their return ushered in a new era of universal peace."

There's a time and place where we're *really* gonna have it out over the whole "performative activism without substantial action" conversation. But that time isn't now, and that place isn't here.

...Hyperaware of the position I'm in, at the risk of being chewed out, I have *thoughts* about this wonderful article. As someone who grew up admiring a slew of games journalists who just had that personable edge and layered insight into an experience, I always thought, "Wow, I'd love to do that!"

Now more than ever, it's crucial to start supporting great indie outlets, games, and dev teams as much as possible. 'Into The Spine' deserves and has earned the opportunity to make itself a sustainable, pure place for the best of the best to talk everything gaming. I'm in. You joining me? 🙂

"Indie Elitism" is a whole other can of worms. Firstly, support @docseuss.bsky.social if you can because he's a *phenom* of a writer. Then, support @azario.bsky.social and @noisypixel.net because, duh: great indie content! As for my quick thoughts, well:

I read something recently about the cynicism behind the games industry. That, collectively, we've mostly accepted that things suck, will never get better, and there's nothing we can do about it. The greatest lie that's ever been told at any point in a year is "There aren't any good games to play."

I like books, I like video games, and as it happens, I like supporting great writers! 😁 If you can, throw them your support! 😃

What I've learned today is that Doc is a phenom that should be protected (and supported) at all costs! Plus, he was one of the folks behind 'Adios,' which I'm a major fan of as a narrative nerd!