Roughly seven years ago I walked into Andrew Reiner's office at Game Informer (quite overdressed) to interview for a new internship position. I had just learned that Game Informer was located 15 minutes from my home a mere six months earlier, and spent every intervening day studying up on the industry, playing everything, and writing as much as I could to prove I could work there. Trying to focus on the interview in Reiner's office was challenging, as he's flanked by every amazing Star Wars toy you could ever desire. I managed to survive a volley of questions from him and Jeff Cork about everything including the Sega Master System, my predictions about the Wii's future, and "how exactly does your sociology degree apply here?" The dust settled and they took me on. I still remember the exhilaration of having my first preview published in the magazine I had been reading since elementary school (The Last Guardian was the preview, by the way – I can't believe it's still not out yet). I've had a profound sense of belonging and purpose here at Game Informer from my earliest internship memories through my time as a staffed editor. That's what makes saying goodbye so damned difficult.

Game Informer has presented me with more rewarding career opportunities and challenges than I could have ever predicted. I helped kickstart our weekly Replay show with my co-workers/friends Andrew Reiner, Dan Ryckert, Phil Kollar, Jeff Cork, Ben Reeves, Annette Gonzalez, and more. I've traveled the world, visiting my favorite game developers for exclusive first looks at their games, trusted by GI's readers to write exhaustive, in-depth cover stories. I partnered with GI's ridiculous and ridiculously hard-working video producer, Ben Hanson, to reboot the Game Informer Show podcast following Matt Helgeson's departure, which quickly became more satisfying and fun than I could've dreamed. I had the good fortune to help lead Game Informer's internship program, and did my best to help these amazing up-and-coming writers evolve their writing skills, go forth, and conquer. I also enjoyed working closely with features editor Kim Wallace to ensure GI fans get the most exciting, original features possible.

Here are just a handful of projects I've been involved with at GI and remain proud of...

Playing video games, recording videos while playing them, visiting dev studios, and writing stories is wonderful work, but there is another crucial element that has made working at Game Informer so incredible: The community. Getting to know the intelligent and lovable goofs of the Game Informer community has been my everlasting joy since the earliest days of Replay and our other shows. Their feedback, support, fair criticism, and ridiculous photoshops have brought me more joy than I could have ever predicted. I'll always appreciate the times I was able to meet GI fans face-to-face, interact with them on livestreams while raising money for Extra Life, and throwing myself at the worst video games Super Replay had to offer.

Hanging with the awesome GI community at GlitchCon 2014.

Saying goodbye to Game Informer fills me with profound sadness, but I'm excited about the next leg of this crazy adventure. I'm glad to say I'm staying a part of the video game industry I love so much, however I'll be stepping away from the press side. Despite a big move out to the West Coast, I plan on staying in close touch with my GI family and hope to reappear on shows like Replay (Minnesota is my home state, after all). If you enjoy watching/listening to my dumb face talk about awesome video games on livestreams, videos, podcasts, and more then I hope that you'll consider keeping in touch with me via Twitter and join me for what's next.

Writing for a print publication over the years has taught me that word count limits are important, and I've already gone on too long here. I want to say thanks to Crystal Dynamic's Meagan Marie (formerly of GI) for answering a desperate little email all those years ago, Andy McNamara for taking a chance on me, my incredibly supportive girlfriend, and the rest of the GI staff for helping me become a better writer and person. I have nothing but love for all you and it's been incredible.

I still have a week left here at GI, so drop us an email at podcast@gameinformer.com if you have any questions or embarrassing memories you want to share.