Chapter 1: Meet The News Editor

Sometimes life coasts along almost imperceptibly, making gradual shifts only recognizable in retrospect. More often though, at least if we trust our recollection, the gas pedal is jammed to the floor, barreling us ahead at breakneck speed. In these instances, it's easier to react moment to moment. Emotion takes over, and a force of will is required to deepen our breaths, think clearly, and consider the bigger picture.

This note, my friends, is my deep breath.

Today is my first day as Game Informer's news editor, and as you might guess, things are moving pretty darn fast for me. (And in case you are wondering, this is not a Game Infarcer post... I hope.) I've been writing about the gaming industry and covering news for a number of years. Most recently, I was the managing editor of RipTen, and before that, the reviews editor and community manager at ZTGD (the editorial arm of N4G). In another life, I worked in the nonprofit sector and spent a lot of time counseling smaller organizations on how best to seek and maximize their funding. It's a wildly different industry, but as you might expect, the writing and analysis that I did on a daily basis (before clocking out and rushing home to play video games) lend themselves well to my transition.

As I've watched and reported on the enormous, sweeping movements of the industry over the past few years, one thing has become clear: There are exciting stories to be told, and only by connecting the dots between events can we discern the clear picture of where we've been and where we are going. Just take a glance at social media or a forum when something (anything) happens, and you'll see a stew of mixed emotions.  And right now, on the cusp of a new console generation, the excitement (and fear of the unknown) has only begun to build.

I believe that when we view events as the latest chapter of a story, we can find logic in even the most sudden of happenings. Making sense of the sorrowful moments in the gaming industry (all too often lately involving studio closures and job loss) and tempering uninhibited enthusiasm isn't easy, but it is possible. And it's my job, along with my colleagues here at Game Informer, to help put the puzzle together. 

Of course, even when we are at our best, our readers are likely to want more information. Game Informer has a wonderful tradition of not only entertaining, but seeking questions from the community. Please consider me one more resource. I will be reading your comments, and I am available on Twitter (@Futterish) if you'd like to reach out to me directly. If you’d prefer to reach out to me by email, drop me a line at Mike@GameInformer.com. I'll do my best to get back to you in a timely fashion. 

I'm thrilled to be here, and I can't wait to get to know the Game Informer community. Things are about to get very exciting for gamers, and I couldn't be happier to be hurtling toward the next generation with you.