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Giant Bomb #8 | It's a Hit!

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Huh, wonder how much he knew about that during the Amplitude Kickstarter. I got mad respect for that dude after it became clear that he was out there campaigning so hard for that thing because it was going to save people's jobs.
 
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I'm getting it out of the way now: John Drake cannot be one of my giant bomb dads. He seems more like a really cool giant bomb first cousin or maybe even half brother, though.
 
Zaph said:
Weird, I didn't think Harmonix would lay off such a public face of their company, but Drake not having a job to go to certainly makes it look that way.
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I interpreted it as him deciding to leave more so than being laid off, but I guess it doesn't really say one way or the other.
 
Freedom = $1.05 said:
Seeing that jeff has wanted a business manager for like forever, i mean, i dunno. That shit seems so obvious that it can't happen.
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I think CBSi only approved 2 new hires. I don't think Drake could fit the producer or editor job, so i think unfortunately it's unlikely he joins GB considering how long it took to get CBSi on board with hiring new people.
 
Also this seems a bit too sudden to actually be in the window for the hires.

It didn't seem like he left there. It seemed more like he was laid off.
 
Antiwhippy said:
Also this seems a bit too sudden to actually be in the window for the hires.

It didn't seem like he left there. It seemed more like he was laid off.
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Thats what it seems like to me. Usually folks have something lined up if they are leaving on their own.
 
Mr. F said:
I interpreted it as him deciding to leave more so than being laid off, but I guess it doesn't really say one way or the other.
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Yeah it's hard to read. Wonder if he saw the writing on the wall and realised that Harmonix transitioning from a major release studio to a small scale/multiple projects one just wasn't for him.

As I understand it, their recent mobile game was Drake's project. Wouldn't be surprised if between that and Kickstarter, he just felt that shit was a step back for his career.

Hoping his next employer is cool with him popping up in GB PAX/E3 content... World needs more John/John/Jeff.
 
You don't just get laid off after doing a desperation Kickstarter tour and then promoting at E3. That he doesn't already have something lined up sucks but I doubt that Harmonix would just squeeze him dry for a couple of months and then unceremoniously dump him with no notice that it was coming whatsoever.
 
Not that this is the case, but a reminder that while jokes are fun have a little respect for the circumstances of the situation. Don't be like Schreier and pull off a glib one liner.
 
CB3 said:
Thats what it seems like to me. Usually folks have something lined up if they are leaving on their own.
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Actually yeah reading it over again that makes more sense. Thought it was his decision as he mentioned having something in the works at the end but then goes on to link his resume. Hope he lands on his feet either way.

Is there a shakeup going on at Harmonix that I wasn't aware of or is this its own thing?
 
Mr. F said:
Actually yeah reading it over again that makes more sense. Thought it was his decision as he mentioned having something in the works at the end but then goes on to link his resume. Hope he lands on his feet either way.

Is there a shakeup going on at Harmonix that I wasn't aware of or is this its own thing?
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They just got done with a round of layoffs. That's why they were trying to get that kickstarter going because it would employ another 20 or so people without having to add them to the cut list.
 
Mr. F said:
Actually yeah reading it over again that makes more sense. Thought it was his decision as he mentioned having something in the works at the end but then goes on to link his resume. Hope he lands on his feet either way.

Is there a shakeup going on at Harmonix that I wasn't aware of or is this its own thing?
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A bunch of people got laid off recently. It seems that the Amplitude Kickstarter was an attempt to give as many people a job working on something as possible so they wouldn't get booted as well.
 
Alas GB could not afford Drake even if they fired Brad, Alex and Patrick. He likely already has offers lined up before quitting. He is a really great PR man.
 
SteveWinwood said:
They just got done with a round of layoffs. That's why they were trying to get that kickstarter going because it would employ another 20 or so people without having to add them to the cut list.
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EmCeeGramr said:
A bunch of people got laid off recently. It seems that the Amplitude Kickstarter was an attempt to give as many people a job working on something as possible so they wouldn't get booted as well.
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Wow, wasn't aware it was that rough. Hope everyone affected finds their way to more work. That kinect isn't in the box anymore certainly isn't doing them any favours going forward, either. :/
 
Freedom = $1.05 said:
You don't just get laid off after doing a desperation Kickstarter tour and then promoting at E3. That he doesn't already have something lined up sucks but I doubt that Harmonix would just squeeze him dry for a couple of months and then unceremoniously dump him with no notice that it was coming whatsoever.
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Sadly, this actually seems like the perfect time to lay him off. You don't lay off your main PR person before the biggest PR event of the year. Now that it's over? Unfortunately, it would be the obvious time to do so.
 
He's a great hype man. He will land somewhere great. I just hope where ever it is we get to see more of him.

Good luck.
 
Keyser Soze said:
It took two years, the death of a colleague, and three staff members choosing to work off site for CBSi to give them a budget to hire two new people for Giant Bomb Prime. I dont think we are suddenly getting Drake aboard.
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I also suspect that he was making quite a bit more at Harmonix than he would make at GB.
 
His statement at the end of his post (paraphrasing) "If i have my way you'll see me soon enough." makes me think he might have some place(s) in mind, but that's just my impression.
 
I hope he gets picked up quickly, he probably has strong ties at Microsoft what with Dance Central and Fantasia being exclusives.
 
Whatever the circumstances I'm pretty sure he'll be fine, because he's a good dude that works fucking hard.

That Kickstarter got funded off of his back
 
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