I’m leaving gaming media

After almost two decades as a game-industry journalist/critic/writer/editor, I decided it was time to move on and try something new. Friday, Oct. 3 will be my last day as GamesBeat’s editor-in-chief, and I am leaving video game media altogether.

Why? I simply received a great opportunity and offer, and it made me realize that this is as good a time as any in my life to make such a big change. I’ve been doing gaming journalism for 18-and-a-half years now, and I’ve been hovering around the same position (editor-in-chief or editorial director) for 13 of them. So I hope you don’t blame me for seeking new challenges. I want to grow and learn new things in the industry that I love, and this new company is offering me a chance to experience “the other side.” I can’t, however, reveal what I’m doing at this point — the company for whom I’ll be working has its own plans for announcing my hire.