Written by I think one of the most frustrating things about leaving IGN was that I didn’t have a very good answer for my most frequently asked question. “Where are you going next?” was asked so much by so many people, and honestly, “freelance and consulting work” isn’t exactly the most interesting or glamorous response.
But now I have an answer, or a partial one anyway: starting this Monday, I work for SEGA.
I’m sure it’s kosher to talk about what I’ll be doing, but I’m going to hold off simply because it would feel weird laying out my job before I even start my first day.
Here’s the poetry of it all: people might remember that I was hired as the Saturnworld editor for the Imagine Games Network. I started at IGN in 1997 to write about SEGA games, and now, a decade and a half later, I’m working on SEGA games.
I’ve always wanted to break out into game development, and over the course of nearly 15 years at IGN developer buds of mine have wondered when I would make the move. I can see some editorial folks, awesome guys like Jeff Gerstmann, Chris Kohler, and Andy Eddy, doing the enthusiast gamer thing until their thumbs fall off, but for me I was starting to get antsy. It didn’t help that my tight group slowly started to depart about a year and change ago, a lot of great IGN personalities hopped off for other things and it started to poke at me. Casamassina, Bozon, Roper, Dunham, Clayman, Brudvig, Ahern. These guys are surviving beyond IGN and it’s time I did the same.
But for someone that has no programming or artistic skills, and is a hack writer, options are limited. After a six month break, though, I landed something I think is perfect for my skills and interest, and will make a great branching point for my gaming career. I’m glad I don’t have to leave this industry because I’ve made too many friends to simply up and try something else.
Here’s to Monday! I’ll try not to screw it up.
Awesome news, Craig! Best of luck, I hope you kick butt at SEGA!!!
Are you working in a PR or community manager position?
man this sonic game looks bad ass i swear, i like that sonic is still around! i aylaws took nintendo over sega, but aylaws loved mario and sonic , great to see nintendo and sega working together,and i only bought a wii yesterday and soo happy with this game , donkey kong ,kirby,mario, link, i cant understand why people wud think wii isnt a great system! well im about to find out ! def getting this game
Hey Craig,
Congratulations on your new job and can’t wait to here more details when the time is right about your position. And remember a lot of the great gaming visionaries didn’t get to where they got with programming skills. OK maybe John Carmack did but I doubt that Miyamoto and Iwata have much if any programming skills. What we need our people with great ideas and suggestions and who are willing to fight to make great games!
Have fun!
right!
Congratulations, Craig. Looking forward to seeing what you’ll be up to.
Nice! Congrats Craig!
Congratulations Craig, I look forward to hearing more about what you’re up to…
HOLY CRAP! Trent Ward from Ultra Game Players?
Congrats, man.
Congrats, and I bet working at Sega will be a fun change of pace, especially after working so long at Ign.
Congrats and good luck !
I’m excited for you, Craig! I was quite curious what was going to happen next in your career. This looks like a great fit. Congratulations!
I’m so pleased for you. Sounds like your really exicited for this so I wish you all the best.
Congrats Craig, that is awesome!
Good luck Craig! We will be asking you for news of the Captain Falcon!
Good for you man, now make ‘em work on Skies of Arcadia 2 please…
Congratulations on the new job Craig! That is fantastic news! I wish you all the best, and I can’t wait to hear about your new position!
Congrats! Remember, Craig. SEGA does what Nintendon’t.
Hopefully they don’t embargo everything cause your blog is good.