Staff Blog: A Tribute to Ryan Davis

A Tribute to Ryan Davis

On 07/08/2013 at 02:10 PM by Julian Titus

It's a strange thing, mourning for someone that you don't know. When celebrities die, it never really affects me, apart from being sad that so and so won't be able to contribute more of his or her talents anymore. Maybe that's a cold way of looking at it, but I have a difficult enough time making connections to people I actually know to spend a lot of time feeling sad because an actor or singer died.

Ryan Davis is different. When I came to PixlBit in 2011, I was the only person beating the Giant Bomb drum. After the original EGM went down in 2009, I discovered podcasts to deliver that same sense of camaraderie I got from reading that influential magazine for 20 years. The Giant Bombcast eventually took that top spot in my podcast playlist, and it was definitely because of how much personality the show had (and has). I've listened to every episode, and I've even gone back to listen to older episodes when the podcast well runs dry. I've spent literally thousands of hours listening to these guys. In a way, the Giant Bomb crew is like The Beatles for me. Well, The Beatles of video game writing, anyway.

Ryan Davis passed away over the weekend. It's something I'm having trouble wrapping my head around. He just got married a week ago. He was only a year older than I am. Folks, I am a young man. I haven't had to deal with the death of a friend or close relative yet. Ryan Davis was also a young man, and now he's gone. It's a great loss to this silly hobby of ours.

I'm sure that Vinny and Drew are going to put together an amazing tribute video. I'm sure that the next time the guys get together to do the Bombcast (I don't expect one for a while) Vinny, Jeff, Brad, and a bunch of other people will say things far more poignant than I can. After all, they were close friends with the man, and all I can say is that I met him once and he was really cool. He always struck that perfect balance between going off the rails and wrangling that mad circus known as the Giant Bomb.

I don't know what else to say. I'm extremely sad that he's gone.Goodbye, Ryan. You will be missed around the world.

brighat

07/08/2013 at 02:26 PM

This comment has been removed.

Nick DiMola Director

07/08/2013 at 02:45 PM

This blog is clearly meant to pay tribute to a man who just passed away. No matter your personal feelings, this is not the appropriate place to express ill will towards him.

We all know the age old saying, "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all." I find this holds particularly true at this current moment in time.

07/08/2013 at 02:47 PM

I removed it.

07/08/2013 at 02:48 PM

Thank you for your understanding.

Jesse Miller Staff Writer

It really is amazing that just like that Ryan Davis is gone. He's been an important and influential figure in the industry for quite some time. His enthusiasm was downright contagious - he was always good for a laugh - he was good for what we do.

I'll remember the good times as we all move forward.

Chris Iozzi Staff Alumnus

07/08/2013 at 03:31 PM

So sad. I'm not familiar with his work but it doesn't matter. He was one of us. Condolences to everyone feeling the loss.

Michael117

07/08/2013 at 04:31 PM

This is heartbreaking, I'm in denial about it Julian. I still don't want to believe it. Just today I was catching up on some Mailbag and I Love Mondays videos, seeing Davis laugh and tell jokes, I love Ryan Davis. Him and Jeff always crack me up the most during the bombcast. You got me turned onto Giant Bomb in the first place back when I began spreading out into gaming press and enthusiasm a few years ago. I never heard of the gang until you sang their praises. I've listen to so many hours by now. Davis was one of a kind and he helped make the bombcast one of kind. He was funny, sharp, quick, he loved to joke about his friends and the industry and games, keeping things humble and in context, but at the same time having a genuine appreciation, enjoyment, and positivity about games and the work he was doing. Always that balance of being a professional and getting great high quality content out there for fans to enjoy, but always willing to go off the rails when it was needed, poking fun at anything, and never loosing his humor and humility about this passion we all share. We need more people like him around, loosing him so early and suddenly is crushing.

Jon Lewis Staff Writer

07/08/2013 at 04:42 PM

my sentiments exactly. Julian was the one who got me into GB and i've joyfully listened ever since. Its extra morbid as I listen to the last episode from July second, where they talk about being at his wedding and all. He's gonna be missed for sure. Giant bomb will never be the same...

07/08/2013 at 08:28 PM

I said on twitter that loosing Davis is pretty devastating, but it wakes me up and makes me more determined to start making these games. There's a lot of us at the site that are passionate about working in this industry and there's no better time than now to start fighting for it harder than ever. I've been in a rut for a little bit and having things like this happen puts things into context and reminds me I can't be in a rut forever, you never know how much time you have left. It's time to build some confidence, to make games and be happy and get over personal and financial hurdles.

Sonicbug

07/08/2013 at 06:12 PM

Well said.

Chunopo

07/08/2013 at 08:46 PM

Not familiar with his work but I shall certainly have a look now, It's shame that such influencial people in the gaming industry don't get to hold much of the spotlight but It's great to see he had such a positive influence on others like your self Julian who also provide much needed escapism in this often hard life, I suppose you could say a bit of him lives on through Pixlbit.

Julian Titus Senior Editor

07/09/2013 at 12:29 AM

If I can somehow manage to bring a tenth of the humor and personality to my podcasts that Ryan Davis had, I will consider myself a grand success.

Dandichu

07/08/2013 at 10:57 PM

Beautiful tribute m'dear. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone... man. I'm absolutely shocked.

leeradical42

07/09/2013 at 12:26 AM

A terrible day in the gaming community my hert and prayers go out to his family and freinds and my utmost respect for all of you here, he will truly be missed

NSonic79

07/09/2013 at 06:48 PM

I can't say I ever knew him since I'm not one for podcasts. But it's still concerning and sad when you learn of someone dying so young so soon. It's something I've yet to experiance myself and after reading all you've said it's something I don't want to know anytime soon.

My condolences for his loss. Not just for the personal but for the gaming industry itself. I wish I got to know him better thru giant bomb's podcast.

PixlBit