Since there is quite a time difference between the States and Ireland i want online for the breaking news and also work was a killer this morning so i didnt get on my phone until at least lunch.
I have only been following GT for the past year, so i cant even begin to understand how long term followers are feeling, as well as the guys. But ever since following GT since the Shenmue streams last year, my daily life has been a bit better every day/every week with their tweets, site content, and video uploads. I am as much confused, angry and frustrated as anyone, and hope that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
What made GT great, was that no matter what you were read or watching, you felt it. The passion for gaming, the belief in their words, the fun and excitement of how amazing their job is/was. They invited you in, and made you feel like part of the family, and were a bright light in amongst all the other crap gaming media sites that currently exist. They genuinely acknowledged their followers opinions, interacting with everyone, including myself, on social media, and across the comments sections of their media output. Today, is a day when the hard reality hit home that nothing lasts forever and life isnt always fair. In the year where i not only discovered GT, but the game i have been waiting for for 14 years, Shenmue 3 was announced, the bad rears it ugly head to counteract the good. GT was part of my week, watching every show when it was uploaded, and Saturday afternoon became by GT time by watching the show with a cup of tea.
I dont know what has happened, and the legalities or reasons behind it all by Defy Media. Is it legal to lay someone off in that timeframe? Did they buy out the rights to the properities? Can GT continue under another investor? I dont know. All i know is i am selfishly sad because GT in its current form is now no more, and all of these great people have been completely shat on, in a real sense, concerning finances and making a living by giving of themselves for us.
Either way, i just want to say thank you, not for anything specific, but for making me feel part of something and igniting my interest in general gaming. I entered this generation and bought games due to the things GT mentioned and recommended. Today is one of those days, despite looking forward to attending MAGIC in Monaco in a couple of weeks to meet Yu Suzuki and see some new Shenmue news, that has be flat out bummed, and the world got a little less fun to live in right now.
I genuinely wish everyone well, and their talents speak for themselves so they will land on their feet. When one door closes, another opens and they will move onto bigger and better things. I just hope that they will all still work together, and if they do, no doubt, they will have a huge collection of fans that follow.
i am about to press play on the Twitch video of the last stream and no amount of preparation has done me any good. I am dreading the end. I can only close off by saying a huge thank you for everything Brandon, Huber, Matt, Brad, Kyle, Cassanova, Ben, Ian, Blood, Omar, Max and anyone i have left out. Hope to see you all again soon.
Pete
ShenmueGuru