R.I.P. Rooster Teeth (2003-2024) - by Forrest
I’ll keep this short and sweet, because honestly I could go on forever about how much this company meant to me for over the last decade. For those of you who don’t know, Rooster Teeth is an Internet company dedicated to gaming and content, and is responsible for creating web shows such as Red vs Blue and RWBY. I recently attempted to review each volume of RWBY and have gotten bogged down by a lot of other stuff going on in life (as well as other distractions) so I haven’t been consistent with that, but this latest news about the company is definitely going to light that fire under my butt to continue.
On March 6, Rooster Teeth announced that it will be closing its doors for good, severing 150 people from work, and putting the fate of a lot of projects in question, including RWBY.
This was part of the statement from RT general manager Jordan Levin:
“[I]t’s with a heavy heart I announce that Rooster Teeth is shutting down due to challenges facing digital media resulting from fundamental shifts in consumer behavior and monetization across platforms, advertising, and patronage.”
A lot can be debated about the reasons behind the company’s closure, and anyone who has really followed the company over the years and stayed up to date on what has happened behind the scenes might have some convincing theories, and I have a few of them myself. But I don’t want the purpose of this article to be pointing fingers at all those potential reasons and find excuses to rip the company apart. The fact of the matter is, 150 people are going to lose their jobs and that’s not an insignificant number nor is it something to be glossed over. I have seen mass layoffs up close and have witnessed the emotional impact that has on people. Layoffs on this scale have been happening at an uncomfortably high rate these days, even in tech giants like Google. Between organizations like Rooster Teeth and Google, there seems to be no limit as to where these layoffs can strike.
That all being said, this news hit me hard, even though I’ve consumed far less of their content over the last few years. Rooster Teeth became a big part of my life all the way back in 2011 when I came across episodes of Red vs Blue and grew really attached to the characters and the story. When RWBY kicked off in 2013, I was inspired by the man who created it, a man who passed away in 2015 long before his vision was fully realized, but the impact he had on me had already been done. From 2012 to about early 2019, Rooster Teeth gave me content that I can remember and quote to this day, introduced me to people I’ll never forget, and was there for me during some of the roughest times in my life. They made me laugh in ways nothing else could, made me feel like I was right there with them in ways that other YouTubers like Markiplier couldn’t (and I love Markiplier). I was inspired by one of the original founders, Geoff Ramsey, who went through such a journey during the course of his time at RT. He quit drinking cold turkey and became sober. He overcame debilitating depression. He grew to become a kind of father he needed to be for his daughter. He inspired newcomers in the company and helped them take advantage of their passion.
I’ve been vocal about my Christian faith on this platform, so it might surprise you that I don’t have very many Christian role models in my life. Personally, yes, but not authors, content creators, and storytellers. I can name one from the last few years that has been an inspiration to me and has had an impact on me (that being Brant Hansen, go check him out). But when I think of the people out there who’ve inspired me, moved me, motivated me, and helped me through some tumultuous times, I think of Geoff Ramsey, Burnie Burns, Joel Heyman, Jack Pattillo, Monty Oum, Miles Luna, Gavin Free, and Jeremy Dooley. All people who have put a smile on my face day after day, and was always a comfort when I needed it. Assured me that it’s okay to be weird, let your inner child out, be goofy. I still have to learn that now, but they were a starting point. As Burnie Burns always liked to say, he saw the company as a ‘starting point’ for budding content creators, and eventually they’ll branch off and create their own work on their own platform. Well, here I am. I’m building my own thing where I am.
To them I say: thank you, and thank you for the memories. I’ll always rewatch old Red vs Blue, RWBY, and Achievement Hunter.
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