Wow, this ended up being long. Sorry, just started typing and it all came out - felt like I wanted to give this site my support. While I'm very very sad to see Jeff go since he feels like the last connection to the Giant Bomb I loved when this site started, the truth is that version of Giant Bomb hasn't existed since they had to leave their offices when the pandemic hit. Everything about the vibe of the site changed since then, and that's not necessarily a bad thing - just different, and it has definitely had some growing pains. I feel like in the past half a year or so it had been starting to hit some kind of groove with the way they have to do content now and with the staff they have. While this news is rather jarring and sudden, adding back Dan and naming Lucy, Tam, and Grubb as core members makes me think the future could be pretty promising. And to me, outside of the bombcast it kind of seemed like that for awhile Jeff has taken a step back, at least from video content. But maybe that's me!
There are quite a few parts of this statement that seem pretty aloof in a way that rubs me the wrong way, but at the same time I feel like I get it and respect it. Instead of trying to beat around the bush and act like they're doing damage control, they're staking their claim and treating Jeff just like another departure - a big departure, but one that's happened before. Every person who has left GB throughout the years has really bummed me out because I've enjoyed them so much, but the line about SNL casts really contextualized it for me - I've followed GB since the beginning due to the CREW. Though I have liked some individuals more than others, the main draw was how everyone worked off each other. Jeff was a big part of that for me, especially as the last original person, but he is one of many. THAT is why this is presented as being authored as the Giant Bomb Staff as opposed to one person - presumably this is the statement they collectively co-signed and wanted to project to the world. To attribute it to one person defeats the point.
I understand why people would say they're no longer going to be paying attention to the site, or unsubscribing, or whatever. The sting of Brad, Vinny, and Alex leaving is still fairly fresh. Like I said, I'll miss Jeff's contributions to GB A LOT - symbolically and practically. His humor to me was the most effortless of the whole staff since the beginning. But especially after the announcement of who GB considers the core staff now, I feel like it would be disingenuous of me to stop supporting this site now. To leave after Jeff's departure I feel like invalidates all of the staff's contributions that make me love this site for what it is. Jan and Jason's great content throughout the years. Rorie's presence since the Whiskey Media days, and the joy when he finally joined the crew officially. Same with Bakalar, who has felt like he has been a part of Giant Bomb for many years prior to having an official position. Jess has been doing a great job finding her niche in the site and enhancing the video content. I'm interested in seeing how Tam, Lucy, and Grubb's roles might change or be enhanced. And of course...the return of Dan is wonderful.
I've been with the site from the beginning, subscribed for years, and that's not going to change any time soon! Maybe the vibe of the Giant Bomb I fell in love with initially won't ever fully return, but I'm more than open to see what the future will bring!
watching this late but I can't say I was expecting to hear someone talk about one of my favorite local sandwich spots on Giant Bomb today. Hell yeah Jess that place rips!!!
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