It’s been basically forever since I updated my blog. A lot has been going on, some good and some not so good. I had trouble finding a job I wanted and eventually had to settle for a low-income position at a hotel. That threw me into depression for the entirety of November. I was doing a bit better come December. However, I was still not great until I got a better job working for Stride PR, a PR firm that focuses primarily on indie games PR.
It’s been a busy couple of months since I joined Stride. Work alone has been incredibly busy, for one. However, I also already had plans to attend GDC before joining Stride. My boss was good enough to let me carry through with those plans. That was followed immediately by a very, very busy few days before going to PAX East. I was exhausted by the end of it.
I wrote the first draft of this post on my flight home from PAX East. It was my intent to polish and publish it last weekend, but I took time to relax instead. Although I originally planned to spend most of this weekend playing as much Persona 5 as possible, since I want to get as far in it as I can before the English version hits, I’ve actually spent most of it getting things done. There are a lot of little things I’ve been putting off. I want to start whittling away at the pile.
On Writing for IndieGames.com
Those of you who know me will know that I’ve been writing for IndieGames.com (April 23, 2019 edit: Now Indie Games Plus) for a while. As you might surmise, I am phasing out of writing for the site going forward. I have a bunch of interviews with indie devs from developing scenes around the world to finish, though.
This series of interviews have so far been some of the coolest that I’ve done in my 3+ years with the site. These devs all have interesting stories to tell. One interesting thread running through most of their stories is that few of them target their home markets with their games. It’s just not profitable. It makes sense, but seems like such a shame.
I’m not writing about any of Stride PR’s clients for IndieGames.com. However, I’ve written in the past about games developed by some of our clients. Even though I’m not currently on any of those accounts, I think it best to step away from being games press.
Managing Things
Although I was only hired on by Stride PR in January, I’ve already been promoted to PR Account Executive, a.k.a. manager. It’s a huge vote of confidence and I hope I live up to my boss’s expectations.
I’m reminded of a conversation I had with my father when I was in middle school. He told me that he thought I’d make a great manager. My response at the time was along the lines of: maybe so, but I’m not crazy and don’t want to be one. I think he’d be laughing his ass off right now if he were still alive.
Over the years, I’ve done a number of things involving teamwork, leadership, and followship. I did an acting conservatory every summer for nine years; was assistant raid leader in my World of Warcraft guild; and have been top-level volunteer staff for BitSummit. All that experience has taught me that I am good at, and like to be, second or third in command.
I do not want to be the guy at the top. That’s what I was really thinking being a manager meant when I had that conversation with Dad so many years ago. But the folks at the top need competent assistants to help implement plans. They need someone to interface with people farther down the chain so that top folk are free to focus on things which only they can handle.
This is a role I’ve had a lot of practice with at this point. I’m comfortable with it. And I find that getting paid for it now is quite nice. xD
It’s funny, the paths down which life takes us. I cannot remember which 90s song goes, “every day is a winding road,” but the lyric feels really appropriate right now. I’ve lived in three countries, held an array of interesting jobs, and am finally getting a foothold on the industry my heart has always been set on.
Life is good. <3