Calvert Games (AKA The Recycle Bin) has existed in one form or another for over eight years. As my grandmother was fond of saying – “that is a hell of a note!”
I posted the first Calvert Games article on September 27, 2001, and “officially” launched the site October 1, 2001. Prior to that I spent some time with the infamous Sports Reviewers, and of course stretching back in time even further, Usenet was my original proving grounds for videogame reviews, commentaries, ramblings, and whatnot. Eight years with a site is a long time; 12+ years of writing about videogames feels like an eternity.
These days the Recycle Bin has more or less lost focus, and while I have explained that I have a few primary seasonal writing interests, including adult oriented airgun articles, Georgia Bulldog and Falcons football, and maybe even some Dungeons and Dragons, videogames seems to play second fiddle. Over the last few months it has felt like more of a chore looking for something interesting videogame related to write about.
Would you believe that I have posted daily articles going back to June 18? By my reckoning, that is 160 days of continuous writing. Can you say burn out?
Over the last 60 days I have purchased Demon’s Souls, renewed my WoW subscription, picked up OOTP 10, and ranted about the PSP Go all in the name of trying to renew my videogames jones. It is just not there right now. I have not played FIFA since the first week it was released. It is a fine game, I just do not have the time, energy, or inclination to play the game and then write about my experiences. Something has to give.
While there are a few very successful older videogame writers (we will call them journalists for our purposes here), I think that as I close in on 40 that my time as a videogame blogger is nearing an end. There are better writers elsewhere, sites with fresher content, and certainly sites with more focus. When things become a chore, it is no longer fun, and certainly no longer a hobby. That was the primary driver for me closing down the last incarnation of Calvert Games, which resulted in the current blog format. Déjà vu all over again.
I am not saying that I am down and out; done if you please. However, I do think that I will take the Thanksgiving break to evaluate a change in direction. I think it is time.
Regardless of “where to from here” – even if the site retains its current format – I want to thank all the readers that have supported the site over the years.
Hey Jonathan,
I completely relate to how you feel. If you decide to hang up the keyboard, I’ll miss your musings for sure, but I certainly understand what you’re saying.
Keep us posted on which direction you want to take. At the very least, drop me an email now and again to let me know how it’s going!
Take Care,
Kevin
Thanks Kevin! I’m not sure that I will stop writing – I get some stress relief out of it so that part may be worth keeping. I think that I have come to the realization that
(A) Right now I am looking at everything through review colored glasses. So instead of enjoying the new Hardball Times for what it is – an interesting, enjoyable, readable baseball annual, my first thought is how I am going to review the book. As an example, I immediately thought about how I should go about covering my disappointment that the book does not cover the entire postseason?
(B) I just do not have a passion right now for covering the videogame industry. It has become a chore to look for news, and provide some commentary. Besides, I just do not have that much time to play games, which will probably change as we move into winter and football season comes to a close.
So I am not sure what I am going to do, which is the reason I am contemplating some sort of change. I think it is time.