Everytime I read an article from any good games website such as Kotaku, Polygon or the ever-divisive IGN, I see myself starting a life's career through something like that: writing about something I love. Now, I don't mean to say I think it's an easy job - it's not. Even as a casual writer sometimes I find it hard (not to mention pointless) writing anything on a schedule or just because. I'm sure most professional gaming writers have had frustrating days and nights when they were given a short deadline in which to come up with a ridiculous amount of words and when it comes to that, it's a job that ends up having little to do with gaming itself - rather, it becomes a pressure-inducing and forced topic just like any other. Even so, it must beat writing the odd advertisement for that cheap magazine that just came out and is trying to impress the old ladies at the hairdresser and is surely a good way to start a hypothetical climb up the industry's ranks.
In light of these personal ambitions, I'd like to pay a modest hommage to one of the best things to happen in the gaming universe in the near past - Kinda Funny.
What is Kinda Funny?
To put it briefly and straight to the point, Kinda Funny is a group of friends and former IGN employees - Greg Miller, Colin Moriarty, Tim Gettys and Nick Scarpino who, after years of enjoying steady jobs in the company and being regarded as some of their best journalists, took it upon themselves to leave that behind and start their own company, studio, programs, franchise or whatever you want to call it relying on outside support via donations.
I used to go to IGN practically every day and even then I'd have a tendency to mostly check out whatever these guys in particular were covering at the time. They seemed professional but somehow more focused and interesting than most people. Holding nothing against IGN, I can honestly say I've almost stopped going on it since these guys left. There is just better reporting out there - and they are a big chunk of it.
Why it is important
Unbiased and totally honest journalism is not that common nowadays. Even good magazines have to maintain a certain level of discretion in order to not seem like they're giving out this or that controversial vibe. This does not quite happen with Kinda Funny: these guys enjoy the freedom of working on their own and thus are able to say exactly what they want to and how it comes natural to them. Watching one of their Gamescasts, Let's Plays, Discussions or really anything they do is a completely different experience to watching something from big mainstream websites.
Not wanting to undermine any one member in favor of another, one of my favorite people to hear talk about gaming is Colin. 99% of the time, either agreeing with him or not, you just have to respect the way the man talks and expresses his frequently strong views with deep insight, sometimes relating distant aspects that end up having a lot to do with eachother and making a lot of sense. Having said that, all of them usually bring interesting takes to the table and provide for meaningful discussions, sometimes funny, sometimes serious, sometimes random, always worthwhile.
Kinda Funny Live commentary
A few weeks ago, Kinda Funny did their first live show in San Francisco. I saw the over two hour-long replay yesterday and can gladly say I haven't enjoyed watching a show that much in a long time. Seeing as they are so young, one should always expect a few rough edges in such a big event, as did I. Gladly, I don't think there were many problems throughout (at least not ones I could notice on the replay). More important than that, the show turned out to be deeper and more heartfelt than I had expected. The way they embraced each and every fan who wanted to talk to them and just shake their hands, the way they answered tough or just curious questions and every other contact they established on such a personal level really brought to light the good and simple nature of the whole group. Combine that with a lot of funny moments and you've got something really special.
An inspiration
By the time the show ended, I found myself reflecting upon the evolution of this group of young people who had a vision and did something about it. We hear it everyday: "Follow your dreams", "never give up", all that sort of recycled mumbo-jumbo people say to eachother just to feel better about themselves. In my opinion, there is a huge metaphysical gap between those people and the ones who actually take risks because they realize there are things in life worth getting your ass off the couch for. I am just a guy way across the Atlantic Ocean from the Kinda Funny crew and yet I feel a part of the adventure just because I am a gamer and enjoy taking part in the process in whatever way I can.
I can only hope to one day enjoy my life and career as much as Greg, Colin, Tim and Nick are right now. Do yourself a favor and go follow them:
Boris
