Topic: Talking Point: Kate Gray Says Goodbye

I feel I’ve left enough gushing comments under your brilliantly, confoundingly, hilariously sub-headered articles to express that I think you’re a wonderful wordsmith and huge asset to gaming literature in general.

The measured whiplash dolled out by your writing — astute observations interspersed with exquisitely dumb asides* — always kept me on my toes and ensured that I read every word. I’m guilty of skimming through news digests and summaries as much as the next perennially scrolling screen addict, but your words always warranted proper reading and that felt like such a treat.

*sometimes the order is reversed

I also admire not only the imagination, but the sheer guts its takes to produce/publish so many ooph-inducingly out-there puns —something I think many writers tend to shy away from for fear of being thought frivolous and ‘unprofessional’. Why invest so much effort and imagination in writing something outwardly stupid (and risk being taken at face value) when you could opt for a style evoking high-brow intelligence or safe, matey approachability?

…Because the result is inimitable and brilliant and lends the writing enough levity to keep its heavier points from feeling pompous, pious or preachy — as it turns out.

So I’m sad to see you leave the site’s full time staff, but also oddly… relieved, in a sense. You’ve always been such an inspiring ball of imagination (living testament to the idea that polishing one’s quirks can produce something much more inspiring than masking them) and it would feel very wrong for you to be chained to single role forever, contractually churning out crab articles until you’re old and crabby and have claws for hands and googley eyes protruding from your cranium on sticks.

Good luck with all your upcoming projects, and thank you for everything you have contributed to the site and gaming literature as a whole.

What?! @KateGray , I’m just seeing this topic now and didn’t realize you were leaving! (the comments sections and occasional forum visit here on NL is the closest I ever get to socially media-y things, so I’m usually the last to know.)

I’m incredibly bummed! Yet so happy for you!! You were a breath of fresh air that blew into this site with your imaginative wit, gal’s perspective, and creative USE OF CAPS, and I will truly miss reading your articles. I enjoyed your humorous work the most but I think those times you dared speak up for LGBTQ+ representation in games despite the inevitable trolls were most memorable for me. If you hadn’t kindly reached out to me in the comments section that day, I may never have learned about Celeste’s trans connection! That was such a happy revelation for me, when I sorely needed some cheer in my life. I’ll never forget. ❤️

Wishing you all the best, Kate, and good luck with your future projects!

@KateGray I didn’t realize you were leaving! I’m sad that you are, but I hope you enjoy whatever else you’re doing now. I really enjoyed all of your articles on here, and I wish you luck with your future projects!

@Maxz highly specific compliments are the best compliments and I loved reading this so much! Especially since you really seem to understand what I'm going for — having been in journalism for so long, I've realised that my favourite thing is not to be academic all the time but to be lighthearted and goofy and not take myself or games too seriously.

I find that levity exposes you to vulnerability more than the heavier tone of writing ever does, because you're coming to something with a childlike sense of wonder and glee, and that's part of the reason I think it's so important — to remind us of why we're here, and to provide a source of light in dark times.

I hope some day that people learn to appreciate comedy as much as tragedy in games! Comedy doesn't win awards and it absolutely should; we're still trying too hard to prove ourselves as a SERIOUS MEDIUM and blehhhh boooooo. Gimme fart jokes.

@Teksetter Thank you Teksetter 😭 I'll admit that it was a challenge and there were many days where I felt so beaten down by trolls, but if it made even the tiniest bit of difference to someone, if it helped anyone feel more welcome and seen, it was worth it. <3