Mikey Neumann, who is best known for his work on Borderlands and Brothers in Arms, has announced he is leaving his position as the chief creative champion at Gearbox due to health reasons and pursuing his YouTube show, Movies with Mikey, full time.

The news comes months after a health episode left Neumann in rough shape. Back in 2011, Neumann suffered a stroke while at work, which he successfully recovered from. Neumann attributed his health as the reason he is stepping away from Gearbox.

"Movies with Mikey is now my full-time job," Neumann said in a tweet today. "Everything is 1,000,000% amicable with Gearbox. I physically just can’t do the work anymore. I am, and will always be, part of that family." When another Twitter user asked about long-term disability opportunities at Gearbox, Neumann replied, "They do and they have been absolutely incredible. I was on leave when I and I alone made the decision, friend."

Neumann recently launched a Patreon for Movies with Mikey, which currently brings in over $5,000 a month.

[Source: Mikey Neumann on Twitter]

Our Take

It's a shame to see Neumann leave a company for which he's been a public figure over so many years, particularly when you consider the circumstances. Movies with Mikey is a popular show that has gained a big audience and success on both YouTube and Patreon, and the increased time to focus on it can only benefit the show. We wish him nothing but the best in the next chapter of his life.