WoW Insider announced today the class columnist layoffs that the writers have known about for almost a week now. Seeing the email from the editor announcing that most of us would be losing our gigs was not unexpected; the sweet ride could only have lasted so long.
It’s bittersweet, nonetheless, to consider that I am essentially the last protection paladin columnist that WI will have. I held the position for a few weeks shy of three years, which is just mind-blowing: that time went by so fast. Three years ago I was on the brink of quitting WoW, completely burnt out by guild churn and how terrible Cataclysm turned out to be. Today could not be any more different.
I was also preparing to propose to my girlfriend (now wife, spoiler alert there) the following month, and was suddenly saddled with a monthly payment on an engagement ring. When Dan O’Halloran, the EiC at the time, emailed me offering the prot pally column, I initially turned him down — and reconsidered almost immediately. I must admit, in a mercenary sort of way, I only initially took the gig for some extra scratch to pay down the engagement ring. I like to think it was one of the smarter things I’ve done.
(Of course I mean the proposal, dear.)
But seriously, taking the WI column was an incredibly smart move on my part. Working for WI — and especially with the writers there — has been a source of tremendous personal growth for my writing. Having a much wider audience was very fulfilling at times (and torturous at others, but so it goes on the internet). And I think the rule of linking to wowhead on each first ability or item mention is seared into my brain now.
I’m going to miss the forum that WI provided me, but regardless I still have that writing itch. It’s no secret that this blog suffered immensely when I left for the big city, so to speak. Now that I don’t have the fire of my column burning all the oxygen from the room, I think it’s safe to say I’m going to be writing a lot more here.
Further, considering how ridiculously excited I am about Warlords, it’s pretty much set in stone that I’m going to be writing a ton in this space in the future. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like just over the horizon is a new and brighter future for WoW after these past few years of decline. I’m glad to still be a part of this community, three years later, and to still have a space to share my thoughts in it.
Lastly, I just want to say that I wish all the best of luck to my former colleagues. I hope everyone lands on their feet, and in a better place than ever before.