Ash Paulsen 🏳️🌈 · @AshPaulsen
9th Nov 2020 from TwitLonger
Hi all! I have a statement to make re: GameXplain + a new venture I'm starting:
I’ve never really written anything like this and I’m not one to try and draw attention to myself, especially when there’s, ahem, something *else* going on at the moment that is far more important than any personal announcement I have to make.
So while I would’ve preferred to wait to let this cat out of the bag until things have calmed down a bit with regard to the election, I unfortunately don’t have that luxury for reasons that will become apparent quite soon. So here it is:
Effective today, I am voluntarily leaving GameXplain. That’s the bad news.
The good news is, I am doing so in order to pursue my own venture with a couple of super awesome like-minded friends and colleagues who believe in my vision enough to go all in on it with me as equal partners. And you won’t have to wait long to find out what it is, so don’t worry: I’m not going anywhere, I’m not going on hiatus, and you’ll see and hear me on YouTube again soon. Very soon, in fact, and more often!
With that now out in the open, I would like to turn my attention to GX and express my enduring love for the channel and my profound appreciation for the innumerable ways it has enriched and changed my life for the better. To put it plainly, I cannot imagine my career without GX in it, nor can I imagine my life without the amazing people GX has brought into it, from each and every member of the GX crew to every single fan I have had the genuine pleasure of interacting with either online or in person, at various conventions and trade shows.
In particular, I will forever be thankful to GX for enabling me to build the personal platform I have today, a platform that has granted me the immense privilege – and responsibility – of having people care what I think, not just about video games but about things far more important, like social justice.
Before I wrap up, I want to be absolutely clear about one thing: this is not, in any way, about trying to compete with GX or leaving the channel in the lurch. I want to see GX continue to thrive just as much as I’m sure you all do and I truly hope the door will be left open to collaborate with them down the road, after we’ve generated some momentum.
So while I hope all of you GX fans will follow me as I embark on this new adventure, please also continue to follow GX and show your support for the new staff who will be carrying the channel forward. Tris, Joey, and Chris are awesome and they all deserve the same love you all have shown me and the rest of the “old guard” over the years.
To Andre, thank you so much for creating this wonderful channel that has not only enriched my career but brought you, Derrick, Tom, Jon, and Steve into my life. I will always treasure our shared experiences over the years and the many irreplaceable memories we’ve all made together.
And finally, to all the GX fans out there: thank you so, so much for all the love you’ve given me and for lending me your eyes and ears over the years. (Rhyme totally unintended!) I genuinely appreciate each and every one of you, and I can’t wait to see you on the other side.
Until then, good vibes to all… and to all, good vibes!