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Christopher Bratt's Online Newsletter: It's been too quiet!
🕑 Added 2024-11-11 15:59:40 +0000 UTCHello everyone!
I've been feeling pretty weird about not being online enough recently. When you have a job like this one, it can feel like the ultimate crime, honestly.
Now this tends to happen whenever we're deep into reporting a big, complicated story. There's a sort of single-minded focus that's required in these moments and it makes the idea of stopping to do anything else quite painful. That's definitely part of what's been happening here. We're close to publishing a documentary that has consumed 100% of my work brain in recent months and for really good reasons.
However, that's obviously not the only factor. Becoming parents has also been a gigantic shift for Anni and me. Dylan is doing great, by the way! He's just turned nine months old, has learned to pull himself up and climb things (terrifying), and is just the best little guy in the world. He's also required both of his parents to scale back the amount of work they can realistically manage as they take turns to look after him while the other one gets a day in the office.
This has undeniably had an impact on the output of PMG this year and is probably where a lot of my anxiety is coming from. Helpfully, we've just hit an important milestone today, as little Dyl is about to have his first day in nursery, which will then allow Anni and me to get back to a more typical routine going forwards. There's a lot of different emotions sloshing around my brain as I think about somebody who isn't us looking after him during the work week, but one of them is definitely relief. We've been spinning a lot of different plates all at once and we're ready for some help.
Also, as you may have already seen, Quinns broke his leg last month. So yeah, it's been a challenging time over at PMG headquarters.
In the past, Twitter has really helped me to maintain that connection with the day-to-day happenings of the games industry, even when a story has become so all-consuming. It's been somewhere to talk about the work more generally, or whatever big news has just broken, but like many people this year, I've felt less and less inclined to contribute to a platform that's been so effectively weaponized in the service of spreading misinformation and ultimately, electing Donald J. Trump back into office.
I didn't even make a joke about brat(t) summer this year. That's how bad it's gotten. Imagine having this surname in this moment and not doing anything with it. Unbelievable.
My account is still active over there and I'll still use it for some work-related things, but my relationship with the "global town square" has been forever changed by its new owner and the disgusting influence he's been able to wield. May a rogue robotaxi put us all out of our misery some time soon.
On that note, if you're using Bluesky, you can now find me over there instead. Will it be a long-term replacement for Twitter? I've absolutely no idea. But the vibes seem a lot, lot better.
Anyway, I'm sorry if it's all seemed a little quiet around here lately! You'll be able to see what we've been working on later this month and I think it's some of our most vital reporting to date. Thanks so much for bearing with us.
Comments
Anni
I see these kinds of posts on various Patreons, creators feeling worried about being quiet for a while. While I understand the worry, it doesn't quite make sense to me - to me, the whole point of supporting PMG is to allow you guys to focus on important and/or interesting and/or potentially long-term quality projects! Keep it up, don't stress, and make sure to take care <3 (of both your kids and legs!).
Alfred Kwak
Keep it easy, don't burn out, focus on parenthood and try not to feel anxious towards your work. This is the one patron I know I'm going to keep for a long time, you guys earned it with your legendary work so far and every article I get on top of all of it is pure bonus !
Edward Steele
Welcome fellow Bluesky refugee, its so much nicer over there. Also wow Dylan already looks so like you! Cute as a button (Dylan that is)
Bertje3000
Wave hi to little Dylan from us! Congratulations with the most valuable being in your life forever :)
iani_ancilla
Family and health ALWAYS come first, and it would be hypocritical to love PMG, but expect you to work full hours when you're already working overtime on being parents. No to crunch: for developers, for QA, for everyone, that includes you guys. I don't have Twitter, didn't know about Quinn's leg, best wishes and speedy recovery! (But I kind of want a documentary on Quinn's kickboxing career now)
Matthew Reynolds
If anyone else has been contemplating a switch to Bluesky (the vibes are indeed better) here’s a starter pack of UK games media folk which can ease the transition: https://go.bsky.app/PNz1auy
Ben C
Oh man Dylan looks so much like you! So adorable. We just had our second who is now 6 months and I completely get it. It’s amazing the two of you were able to provide care on your own for this long. Kudos. Handing them off to others can be hard but is ultimately so rewarding for everyone. Best of luck on your parenting journey!!
Ross
I guarantee that anyone of your followers who has had a kid gets it. My wife and I are constantly attempting the 3 way balance of job-job-parenthood. It's not easy, and it's super emotional to send your kid off to nursery, but after the first few days especially that routine becomes CRUCIAL for their development and beneficial your long term life balance
Mark Kirwan
Oh my god Dylan is absolutely adorable. Good work!
