I’m taking a break this week from my usual weekly Shoujo Saturday. Instead I’m going to remember the good times had by all and the inspiration that I got from these three fallen websites and one amazing animator.

Joystiq: I remember reading Joystiq nearly daily in High School looking for the next greatest game, even if I couldn’t play it. I always salivated over the news from E3 and other things that Joystiq covered in great detail. I began writing about Video Games due in part to Joystiq and the next entry in this series.

WoW Insider: During the years, sadly I did spend years, playing World of Warcraft I always read WoW Insider every day pretty much from the day the website launched. It wasn’t until recently that I finally got a spot on their daily question and answer column, even though I was long since unsubscribed to the game I always would read WoW Insider just to keep up on the changes to the game, and the developer insights. Thank you WoW Insider for giving me the example that you can start writing about what you want and even make a semi-living off it. Thankfully WoW Insider’s alumni have moved onto Blizzwatch a new site that just reached a $12,500 monthly patreon goal that will allow them to cover more than just World of Warcraft, and bring back some of my favorite class column writers like Daniel Whitcomb whom I’m always fond of, if only because we spent days talking about Death Knight theorycrafting in the #Acherus IRC back in the end of Wrath of the Lich King.

TUAW: I didn’t TUAW often, but when I was curious about the latest Apple product that just got announced I always turned to TUAW for the answers to my endless questions.

Monty Oum: Monty was the creator of RWBY, pronounced as ruby, and was an animator for Red vs Blue for Rooster Teeth. He was easily one of the best animators in the business and his work got even the Japanese, who are notoriously against letting foreigners into their industries, to admit that RWBY was worthy of a Japanese dubbing. RWBY is the first of it’s kind, an American made anime getting a full Japanese dub. It’s sad to see someone with so much talent and life pass away, and I will always remember Monty Oum as one great guy who made me appreciate great animation work as much as it definitely deserves. Monty Oum passed away last Sunday at the age of 33 after entering a coma from a severe allergic reaction during a simple procedure at an Austin, Texas hospital two weeks ago.

That’s it for this week. Next week I’ll be back to writing Shoujo Saturday!