Hilary Goldstein: "Why I’m Leaving IGN"

Hilary Goldstein writes, "I leave not because I have a better job lined up. I’m not being laid off, forced out, or pressured to move on. I’m being selfish. For nearly 10 years, I’ve given everything of myself to IGN. I’ve been happy to allow it to consume my life — to own so much of me every day and night. But lost along the way has been my passion and commitment to myself. To grow as a writer, to grow as a person, I need to leave and find something new."

[pangitkqb]

Hilary Goldstein has always been a dichotomous figure at IGN. Some will celebrate his leaving, some will mourn. Either way, the desire to do something new, something personal, something "better" is a feeling I can relate to. In that sense, I wish him luck.

[likedamaster]

Please don't speak for the majority of us please, thank you.

He was my #1 @IGN, and by far the most interesting. IGN is now officially dead to me. Unfortunately.

[pangitkqb]

@ likedamaster Ummm...okay

[I_find_it_funny]

i sont visit any of those big websites

[Eamon]

Hilary was a very polarised reviewer in my opinion. I agreed with many of the points he'd make but completely disagree with other points.

Oh well, it's still a shame. The only guy on IGN I wouldn't mind leaving is Greg Miller. That guy has no skill in journalism whatsoever.

[Controversy]

@ likedamaster

Please don't tell other people what to post. Please, thank you. (Do you see the irony in me even saying this?) This is an open forum.

Back on topic...whether or not I agreed with the things Hilary Goldstein said, I always felt like he was genuinely passionate about gaming. That means something to me as a gamer.

[ChronoJoe]

Haha he didn't speak for anyone but himself. - bubs for immaturity.

[Lifendz]

Wow. Really strong piece. I encourage you guys to actually read what he wrote (it's like maybe three paragraphs) rather than getting caught up in the whole comment section back and forth.

Regardless of how you feel about the guy, you gotta respect someone that leaves a job that person is comfortable and familiar with to pursue their dream.

God speed, Hill.

[Shinuz]

hmm IGN has been dead to me for a couple of years already.

[JsonHenry]

"I'm leaving because they won't stop making fun of me for having a girls name."

[SephirothX21]

I always found Gamespot to have better reviews than IGN. I agree with him in that its much better making games than writing about games other people have made. He wants to connect with his creative side and I don't blame him for that.

[persistentlobster]

well aren't you just Mr. deep and brooding.

[HebrewHammer]

Me personally? I say good riddance! This dingleberry gave GTAIV a 10/10..... Jump on the hype train much Hilary?

[frostyhat123]

GTA IV is one of my favorite games of all time. Just because its cool to dislike Gta 4 on here doesn't mean you can't say your own opinion!

[D0ffy]

@frostyhat123

And yet HebrewHammer also stated his own opinion? Don't you see the irony in your post?

Not that I agree with HebrewHammer at all, can't really state my opinion on GTAIV as I haven't played it and probably won't either (the GTA series doesn't mean anything to me). The only thing you can really frown upon is how he said it, but he is entitled to his opinion as much as you are.

OT: Can't really say anything against pursuing what you want out of life. I say good luck.

[HebrewHammer]

D0ffy, you sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you.

frostyhat123, I just despised the direction GTAIV went. It completely contrasts the GTA games from my childhood and the GTA games from the PS2-era. I was legitimately disappointed by it. Watching Hilary's review of it was cringe-worthy for me.

That is all.

[redDevil87]

That was very heart-felt and a little inspiring. I wish him all the best.

[ape007]

Nooo

I'll never forget his beautiful gta 4 review

[Trevonn]

is he the one that said it deserved an oscar

[CRUCIALxTHREAT]

what else did he review? anyone know?

[ABizzel1]

I feel for him and wish him the best. I'm going through a similar experience, and it's just so hard and emotionally draining to the point where you don't feel like dropping everything.

Some may look at it as being selfish, but you have to do what's best for you, because if you're not satisfied or happy with what you're doing, then you're going to hurt yourself and not be able to fully help others. Life is hard, opportunities come and go, but what matters the most is that you feel you've lived your life the way you wanted.

[Tru_Ray]

I was never a huge fan of his work (or any of the writers on ign.com for that matter), but I certainly wish him the best.

It seems to me like he is going through an existential crisis. The things that he thought were valuable are no longer valuable to him.

Here's hoping that we all find the one true thing that motivates our will to action.

Tru_

[Garethvk]

I know what he means. I dealt with suits and politics years ago for gaming companies and with publications.

In the end I decided to start my own and do it myself and my way and learn along the way. Small, no staff, no budget, but years later here we are still going and growing, two offices, quarterly magazine, and a weekly radio show. Best of all, I answer only to myself and my Co-Editor (Wife). Yes it is a challenge going up against billion dollar companies but the rewards through growth are amazing and satisfying. I wish him well.

[TheColbertinator]

Skewed and Reviewed!

[scotchmouth]

On a personal note kudos to you for doing so. Best of luck in this journey!

[Garethvk]

Thank you. So far so good with the second office.

[kaveti6616]

Good luck to him.

[telekineticmantis]

to you.

[Chuk5]

Aww damn, Hil's leaving. I wish him luck he's been such a huge part of ign.

[DEagle-izer]

*A little off topic*

I only found out recently that Jessica Chobot left IGN for G4TV, which is almost nearly as bad but at least better than IGN.

Does anybody know why?

*ON TOPIC*

I didn't really hear of this guy b4, but he was really driven by some of the things in his life to do this. I felt his passion for the job he did at IGN. I hope he continues to be successful.

[Bravo4]

Can't Ryan Geddes leave?

[AdrianHD]

I enjoy everyone at IGN, but Hilary along with the rest of the old Three Red Lights crew is what really got me into everyone there.

I wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors.

[Sigh]

His reasoning for leaving= respect. Sucks to hear his experience with his mom after she had cancer. I'd hate to see my mom change due to a similar circumstance Hilary's mom gone through.

"You help remind us that games are awesome and that we’re lucky to be in this industry." - Even though alotta people diss IGN, he in turn embraces it and is aware not to take his job for granted. Thanks Hilary, there were a lot of things I disagreed with you when you were reviewing games and also agreed with but thank you for everything you have done for the game industry.

[curtis_boy]

THANKS FOR GIVING GTA4 a 10/10

bought it and after a week it felt like a 2/10 so fucking boring lol

[kevnb]

it was the best game he played in the last 10 years at the time so he said, it was worth $300 for the game according to him. Just the tip of the iceberg of idiotic things he has said.

[JimboG]

His voice and annoyed me and his name in Hilary. He was alright. I hope is mom gets better.

[theonlylolking]

There are girls named Charlie and John.

[JimboG]

Cool?

[Beastradamus]

DAMMIT I'M NOT GONNA CRY

[denero1]

i wish him the best out of all things in life you should have happiness is one of them -_- go out start anew and find your happiness

[ilkercruiser]

Hilary Goldstein,
I can clearly remember you from your Forza Motorsport 2 review. How could IGN allow a reviewer, who hadn't reviewed any racing game before, review a hardcore racing simulation like Forza Motorsport 2?

[Deadman_Senji]

The same way they keep getting people who have never played JRPGs to review....JRPGS... -_-

[MARKUS_MAX1MUS]

"Hardcore racing simulation" LOL

[ilkercruiser]

how about ultra mega uberb racing simulator?

[MARKUS_MAX1MUS]

GTR2, iRacing, rFactor

all say hello

[ilkercruiser]

I've played all of them. Nothing but cars full of ads...

[rabidpancakeburglar]

He's a guy called Hilary. Weird.

[Deadman_Senji]

You like Bleach so...

[rabidpancakeburglar]

Eh?

Ok, I just wasn't sure what your point was.

[Deadman_Senji]

idk, im just kidding.

[Anderson8]

so what?... i'm going to name my son Jessica

[Zynga]

Grow up man. Seriously ppl are so immature these days!

[iNFAMOUZ1]

ign sucks I get my info from n4g, news on ign takes 2 days later or a week later to arrive

[sprayNpray]

He left because they chose Bioshock Infinite for best of E3, and I don't blame him.

[LilDeja93]

Wow what an emotional read. Best of luck to you.

This article should be the main N4G headline.

[Kon]

I know how he felt after losing his mother. I lost my father when i was 7 years old. It is so hard.

[Jack-Dangerously]

Sorry to hear that..

[_Q_]

Meh Hated his attitude which always showed in his writing. He's a tool and only harms gaming. He wont be missed. IGN died when they fired talented editors and writers so they can make the top spots @ IGN look like they are rock stars but sadly that has come forth and IGN is a void within the internet. They are good to get some quality pics here and there but the staff is balls.

[DuneBuggy]

It sucks that he was with Netflix 10 years ago when it was just kicking off (and before its prime). Thats almost like one of those people who didnt work out with Steve jobs or Bill Gates in the 70's.

[lukasbolander]

IGN is such a bad website. I was banned from the boards for using this Avatar.

[ambientFLIER]

That's probably because there are kids there, as it is the biggest site. I don't agree with it, but it's not hard to figure out why. Also, maybe because the boobs are just too big.

[scotchmouth]

Hilary had talent. A lot of times i didn't like his reviews. But one thing I do admit was he was a fairly good writer. He articulated his thoughts well and He had a passion for gaming. Though I may have disagreed with him over the years or scoffed at his opinion I still have respect for Him.

I can understand the want and desire to move forward. I am sure he could have kept that job for another 5-10 years. It's nice to see him pursue something he likes while challenging himself.

Sad to hear about his mom. That had to be tough. A good reminder not to take our family for granted. It's amazing how short time really can be.

All the best Hilary.

[Enigma_2099]

... who?

[ambientFLIER]

Hilary Goldstein, IGN gaming journalist.

[Enigma_2099]

Sarcasm... I don't really care

[ForROME]

LOL some of you still read IGN? they are so 1995-2000 they went dead to me 10 years ago.

[kevnb]

hilary is gone now, it might be half decent again!

[ambientFLIER]

No, nobody reads IGN anymore. That's why it's the largest gaming website.

[Orionsangel]

Are you taking the David Spade Voice too?

I hate to this, but the reality is IGN just isn't as relevant as it was 10 years ago. Today it's all blog sites like Kotaku or newsfeed sites like N4G. Who give you all the news in one spot. Certain IGN employees see the storm coming and are slowly making their exit.

[kungfuian]

Always good to hear when someone decides to do what makes them passionate. Otherwise what's the point to life?

Best of luck to him!!!!!

[ambientFLIER]

I was going to make fun of his name, but after reading the article, I decided to not say anything. Seems like a good person.