Colin Moriarty has resigned from Kinda Funny, a company he and three other friends left IGN to form just over two years ago. Moriarty announced the news on Twitter last night, linking to a Facebook post that explained his decision to depart from the increasingly successful games and off topic production company. The decision comes in the wake of a week of trying times for the company and their community, sparked off by a tweet Moriarty made last week.
On International Woman’s Day, Moriarty posted a tweet that was quickly deemed tasteless and, at its worst, sexist by a large majority of fans and fellow critics. Although many understood it as a joke, others didn’t take it so lightly, given the day and its important protest for woman in America.
Ah. Peace and quiet.#ADayWithoutAWoman
— Colin Moriarty (@notaxation) 8 March 2017
Later in the day Greg Miller, another Kinda Funny co-founder and roommate of Moriarty, posted a response to the backlash the tweet had received. He agreed that the joke was in poor taste, explaining that he and Colin had spoken at length about it during the day. The result was Colin choosing to stay away from the company’s panel at PAX East over the weekend, which only divided an already fighting community even more.
About @notaxation‘s Tweet… pic.twitter.com/Tx5aDIdB7S
— Greg Miller (@GameOverGreggy) 9 March 2017
Miller used the panel at PAX to explain events even further, opening with a heartfelt speech about how much Kinda Funny and it’s community meant to him and his team as a family (their panel begins at the 9h13min mark).
Watch live video from PAX3 on www.twitch.tv
Colin’s resignation probably shocked fans as soon as the weekend ended then, who might have assumed the issue was done and put to rest. In the post Moriarty explains that the decision to leave was his own, citing a difference in opinion over the future direction of the company as one of the causes. Moriarty always had conflicting views with the rest of the team, but emphasised his wish for fans to continue to support them.
“Just as we collaborated as friends, so too do we part. I hope you continue to support them. I simply want to reconnect with what’s most important to me. Politics, history, philosophy. Reading books. Talking about things I feel are most impactful and essential for a person like me.”
He also alluded to connecting with some of his other passions again, which included politics. Given recent appearances on the Rubin Report and Glenn Beck’s show, Moriarty’s next move could be into another industry entirely.
On the Kinda Funny Morning Show, a stream the company does most mornings, the team was visibly shaken up by the events. Greg Miller, Tim Gettys and Nick Scarpino all hosted the show and conversed with the community directly, explaining again that the tweet was symptomatic of them growing apart, and not the sole cause for Moriarty’s departure.
“The tweet and the whole exchange last week, while upsetting, obviously, [Colin’s resignation] is not because of that. That is a symptom, if not the most public expression, that there was something happening in terms of us growing apart.”
Colin even made a short appearance during the livestream, making a small joke about how he’ll never have to see anyone again before the entire team embraced in a hug on camera.
Watch live video from KindaFunnyGames on www.twitch.tv
Being a fan and consumer of Kinda Funny content, I’m personally sad to see Colin depart. Although I didn’t always agree with his views and remarks, Colin brought an alternative angle to both games and politics that will be sorely missed on Kinda Funny. His recent show, Colin Was Right, was also an insightful weekly segment that really tackled some of the gaming industry’s biggest questions. I, as a writer and critic, admired his work in this industry over the past decade, and wish him all the best on the future.
Last Updated: March 14, 2017
Umar
March 14, 2017 at 08:40
It’s really sad to see him go. I don’t always agree with him too but I have so much respect for his gaming opinions and views and I think he’s such a valuable asset to the industry…
But fuck me, the way some people are going after him disgusts me. I still maintain his tweet was in really poor taste but some folks are dragging him through the mud, which is unfair and I feel really, really bad for him.
Skittle
March 14, 2017 at 08:43
SJW’s attack people in the same way they accuse people of attacking them. Bunch of hypocrites.
James Anderton
March 14, 2017 at 08:46
I didn’t agree with a lot of what he had to say, but at least he was f**king honest.
I was also enjoying his ‘Colin was right’ series on YouTube.
Umar
March 14, 2017 at 08:54
Colin was right is a great show though….Man, really going to miss that
Alessandro Barbosa
March 14, 2017 at 09:44
Ditto. The best property under Kinda Funny I thought, next to PS I Love You (which seems dead now too)
James Anderton
March 14, 2017 at 08:42
Apparently you can’t be anything other than a professional comedian to make jokes in public now.
And even they have to defend themselves in this online outrage culture.
Sageville
March 14, 2017 at 09:55
That’s a good point hey, comedians get a free pass…
I have to say I’m not too impressed with this fragile snowflake generation that has developed….
Ottokie
March 14, 2017 at 08:45
I can’t see how that tweet would actually emotionally hurt someone unless they seriously want to go out of their way to start a fire.
I almost want to pick up this loudspeaker next to me and do the wambulance noise…
Gavin Mannion
March 14, 2017 at 08:49
“sexist by a large majority of fans and fellow critics”
I strongly disagree that a large majority of fans found this offensive at all. It’s a bad joke but to then see that as Colin being sexist is a bit of a leap.
I actually think the majority of Colin’s fans are like him and see the world like him and just see the joke as a play on a stereotype. I think the extremely vocal minority blew this way out of control and once again an honest person in the media is hanged for that.
Umar
March 14, 2017 at 08:58
It was the joke plus calling those people that didn’t like it humorless sacks of shits, which included his fellow co-workers that was in really bad taste. The joke was lashing out, and was a poorly made political statement, though, I don’t think his fans think he’s a sexist but he’s being painted that way now, which is fucking horrible.
Matthew Figueira
March 14, 2017 at 09:07
Really sad to see Colin go 🙁 he really did bring interesting, different views to the table. In the recent months, he shed angles on US politics that were super insightful and fascinating to listen to. I reckon he’s headed in that direction for sure.
I’ll check him out wherever he goes 🙂 hope he comes back to make guest appearances on KF!
flmboy
March 14, 2017 at 09:14
Great article. Fair and to the point of the situation. As for the tweet I found it funny just as I find all the other ‘tasteless’ things KINDA FUNNY say on a daily basis. Nobody mentions Greg’s running minority joke about Kevin. Or Nick objectifying women on the shows and Tim wanting to fuck all the Disney princesses. People need to clam the fuck down.
HvR
March 14, 2017 at 10:41
First time I’ve learned of Kinda Funny (or maybe bothered to pay attention) and Colin Moriarty.
Been listening to some of their stuff and interview with Colin.
Finally honest person not following hypocritical liberal agenda box that 99% of gaming journalism force himself into.
New Colin Moriarty fan right here and will be following his new projects.
Steffmeister
March 14, 2017 at 13:19
That’s the snowflake generation for you.