A Friend Indeed

Op-Ed - A Friend Indeed- Since the dawn of the 21st century I’d venture to say that we’ve become less tolerant people. I'm not talking about specific groups of people, just of each other, in general. We assume the worst, have less empathy, and maybe lack of curiosity about others. Obviously it doesn’t apply to everyone, but certainly the climate has shifted. If the internet was the progenitor, social media became the super spreader. Our attitudes need to change

Having the good fortune to have found a career in games, I consider myself eternally grateful. I didn’t know anyone in games when I got a job at Take-Two. I didn’t have connections, didn’t study it in school, and wasn’t part of any clubs or groups. I worked at an Electronics Boutique and then a Gamestop during/post college, lived abroad, and eventually realized I should be working in games

My career started with blind messages to people in gaming that I found through LinkedIn. There wasn’t much in NYC. I kept up a weekly call to T2 recruiting with the goal of being persistent, but not annoying. I finally got through (thanks for answering the phone, Stuart!). I consider myself lucky

That is something I believe should always be paid back to others, whatever their goals are. No one succeeds in a vacuum. And that brings me to the current scenario. We’ve witnessed mass layoffs across the games industry that have been devastating for many. While there are several reasons for the layoffs, some understandable, some avoidable, there are a lot of people who are now pushed out of their passion, something I deeply understand is demoralizing to say the least

Here’s what I’ve learned that can help us all. We need to approach each other with compassion and understanding. The majority of people in this industry are here because they are driven to make or support amazing games. That’s not the same for every industry and it makes this special. When people reach out or need help, do what you can, even if your own situation is tough. And do so without the need for any reciprocation

Be genuine in how you help people and interact with them. We want to have open and honest dialogues with each other. When you have people who are passionate about anything, from what they like to specifics about art, audio, design, narrative, etc, you’re going to get strong opinions. You don’t have to agree or even like those opinions, but the beauty of games is there are a lot of them and they are made for many different types of gamers. We don’t all have to enjoy the same games (I’ll go to the mat for Dark Souls though…)

I’m a person who tends to keep to themselves. I don’t share a lot (outside of this writing, I suppose). Working in games has introduced me to a lot of people, at all levels. Keeping up with those people has let me know that I’m not alone and there’s help to be had. For that I am forever grateful as it’s kept me on point, even when the path hasn’t been clear

At an impromptu dinner during DICE, I met Carter Lipscomb. I didn’t have a long and storied history with him as so many did, but we had a hell of a night. It was the conversation about games and life that was so good. He was magnanimous in that brief moment at dinner and later in the evening. It was like we’d been friends for years even though we just met. The outpouring of support after his unexpected and untimely death 6 days later was moving. I felt lucky to have known him for that brief window

What he so clearly embodied was a sense of community and treating everyone like he’d always known them. We need more of that, especially now. That support and care is something that cannot be taken for granted

In my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work at some great places and with some great people. It didn’t matter the job function or level within a company, they were everywhere. There’s a bond that keeps us together, a community of dedicated people focused on creating outstanding game experiences?

My first boss at Take-Two all those years ago used to often say to me, “Don’t suffer silently.” We all need to take note and support each other. The industry, and indeed the world, needs more friends, so be one?