Nick and Neal Say Farewell to NWR

by Jon Lindemann - September 24, 2009, 9:55 pm PDT
Total comments: 62

Everybody's favorite News Editor and PR Managing Editor break out to form their own website, and they take their women with them.

As you all know, Nick DiMola and Neal Ronaghan have been prime contributors to Nintendo World Report over the past year or so. Along with Nick's wife Chessa and Neal's fiancé Lauren, they've provided a constant stream of great content including game marathons and lots of expertly-written news and reviews. They're a talented bunch, and that's something that cannot be denied.

Some of you may have been wondering why this foursome hasn't been around very much lately. That's because they're leaving Nintendo World Report to start their own (professional) site called Pixlbit, and they've been working feverishly over the past month in order to get the site up and stocked with content. Nick is responsible for the coding, and I must say it's damn impressive. Check it out, and be sure to give them your support in this bold move! I can assure you that NWR has their back.

On a personal note, it's been an absolute pleasure to work with Nick, Neal, Lauren, and Chessa. It's unfortunate that I didn't get to meet them all at this year's E3, but I'm sure we'll cross paths in the future. I'd like to thank Nick and Neal for their passion, work ethic, and dependability, and Lauren and Chessa for their excellent E3 coverage and great reviews. You will all be missed. On the one hand I'm sad to see you all go, but on the other hand it makes me extremely proud to see more NWR staffers venturing out into the world of professional video game journalism. I think it's a testament to the level of talent we have always had on the site, and will continue to have in the future.

That's enough of my rambling. Nick and Neal have some final words to share with NWR's staff and readers, so here they are.

Nick

Well, I'm not quite sure how to say this, so I guess I may as well just say it: I'm leaving Nintendo World Report.

For the past year and a half I have lived and breathed this site. I started as a basic News Writer, learning the ins-and-outs of the game industry with the guidance of previous News Editor Carmine Red and various members of the NWR staff. As time went on and I learned more, I came to accept larger and larger roles, doing more and more important tasks for the site. Of course, all of this has culminated with my final role: PR Managing Editor, a role I have greatly enjoyed.

I am saddened to step down from that post today, but excited to start on my newest venture. Because I've long desired to do game journalism professionally, I had no other choice but to start my own website. So for the past month I have built a site from the ground up called PixlBit (www.pixlbit.com), a multiplatform video game website.

I am taking on this endeavor with my wife Chessa DiMola, and fellow ex-NWR staff members Neal Ronaghan and his fiancé Lauren Lewandoski. We will be providing extensive coverage and will be doing so with the principles of NWR in mind: professional and timely coverage.

Though I'm leaving, I will still remain a part of the staff contributing on occasion, and slowly handing off my PR duties to a ready and willing soul. I will also continue to frequent the forums and hopefully retain the friendships I have forged there.

Nintendo World Report has taught me a lot, and without my experience here, I doubt I could have ever gone and followed my dream. I thank each and every staff member I've ever worked with here, and I hope in the future we can continue to work together in some capacity.

Farewell,

Nick DiMola

Neal

It's with a heavy heart that I say this, but I'm leaving Nintendo World Report. It's been a fantastic year and a half and I've learned so much, including what I want to attempt to do with my life. That's the main reason why I'm going to form my own web site, PixlBit, along with Nick, Chessa, and Lauren.

But seriously, thanks so much to everyone who I worked with at NWR. It's been an absolute pleasure. When I showed up around these parts I was a slacker college student who was doing all of this for the hell of it. Now, I'm still a slacker college student, but I've become a better writer, editor, and arguably a better person (maybe). That's all thanks to the people that edited the crap out of my work (TYP, Jonny, etc.) and who gave me the opportunity to do many different things (Lindy, Jonny, etc.).

I would not be the writer I am today if it weren't for NWR. I have learned more about writing in my time here than I ever have before, and I'm a freaking English major.

I won't completely disappear, though. I'll stick around and help out with editing from time to time, and I hope to still talk to and work with the staff of NWR in the future. I've been following this site since 2001, and I don't plan on stopping now.

Neal Ronaghan

Talkback

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 24, 2009

:(

Good luck.

:(

MaxiSeptember 24, 2009

Checked the site and I didn't notice a forum.

Anyway good luck!

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterSeptember 24, 2009

In fear of being corny and personal I will say that I am glad I was around long enough to have worked with these two gentlemen, Neal in particular. I mention Neal because he did A LOT of editing for my stories, and perhaps gave him the most work out of all the staff members. It was awesome how we were able to work together in posting an important story. And yes, we did have our crashes of egos and things I regret saying afterwards. But in the end, it was all very fun, and everything fun has to have a few bumps.

So good luck with the new site and hopefully everything that you learned here will be put to great use on Pixlbit.

nickmitchSeptember 24, 2009

Happy trails, you guys! You were always my favorites.

thatguySeptember 24, 2009

Wow, that site looks amazing.  I will definitely check it out and grow accustomed to it.  I never got too involved with Nick, Neal, Chessa, or Neal's fiance, until the Metroid marathon.  I suppose I was too late, because they were definitely very awesome people, and they all have been some serious contributors.  Thanks, a big thanks, to all of you, for being major supporters, and helping to make the site the way it is.  I had a great time, I'll say that, and I hope to see some new adventures on the new site!

Edit:  Of further note, should I advance my rank up to #1, now that they're gone?

I don't know...do you think you're ready?

thatguySeptember 24, 2009

Well, if I was #3 with Nick and Chessa here, and they're gone, wouldn't I naturally move up?

AND I LOVE THEIR SITE ALREADY! "OUR TAKE"

They have a section where they put in their two cents on the news stories, something I still think NWR needs to bring back :D  I'll be a regular visitor, already registered!

Ding-dong ShalongSeptember 24, 2009

Good luck at the new site, but we'll miss you here!

ShyGuySeptember 24, 2009

Thanks for all those great news podcasts. You are all now dead to me.


Actually, the new site doesn't look too bad. Pretty good really. Needs more compelling content though.

D_AverageSeptember 24, 2009

Good luck ya'llz, site looks slick!  Given that you gave Wet a 3.5/5 I'll be following you.  I'm playing though it now and that sounds about right.

Going to do a regular podcast?

BlackNMild2k1September 24, 2009

Quote from: Maxi

Checked the site and I didn't notice a forum.

Anyway good luck!

That was the first thing I just looked for.

Killer_Man_JaroTom Malina, Associate Editor (Europe)September 24, 2009

Good luck with the new website, you four. I hope you'll pop into the forums every so often to chat. I also hope you continue the weekend marathon project on PixlBit, because they have been excellent so far and I'd love to see more (3D Mario trilogy or the Pikmins, perhaps?). Goodbye and again, I wish you success with your site.


Question for Lindy: how will this affect the staff line-up? I mean, there's two very important positions open now... should we expect job title changes for several staffers?

CalibanSeptember 24, 2009

I'm a fan of Pixlbit, and NWR. That's all there is to say :).

SteleSeptember 25, 2009

Site looks great. Best of luck.  Enjoyed the marathons.

PlugabugzSeptember 25, 2009

Your permission to leave has been denied. Please return to asylum cell #314.13.

No? Well... DONT LEAVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111111

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusSeptember 25, 2009

Thanks for all of the kind words guys. It really means a lot to all of us.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I will definitely still frequent these forums. I've been posting here since before the Wii launch and I've been lurking here since even before that. NWR will always have a special place in my heart.

We will (do) have a podcast. Though there is no article up for it currently, you can access the MP3 version of Episode 1 here and the AAC version here. It's not the liveliest of episodes, unfortunately. It was our second shot at doing it since Audacity bombed out midway through our first attempt.

A few other things, marathons will most definitely continue. We will also be doing something called PlayBit where one night a week we turn on the feed and either Neal and co play something for an hour or two, or Chessa and I do. It will range from new to old, but I'm guessing most of the time we can swing it, we'll be trying to play games that aren't released yet. Neal has the first episode scheduled for October 4 and he'll be playing Captain Rainbow.

On the lack of forums: Basically we opted out of that route because it's just too much work to handle on top of everything else for just 4 people. In due time we will likely incorporate some sort of forum, but it'll likely be more disjointed than it is here. For now, you are able to sign up and comment, so feel free to voice your opinion on anything we write!

Finally, I would like to thank everyone again. The kind words are very much appreciated.

PlugabugzSeptember 25, 2009

I will put it into Google Reader when i'm home and start causing mischief at the earliest available opportunity. EDIT: Is there an RSS feed?

I was hoping for more of an allusion to Brangelina, like Chick or Nhessa but never mind. :(

The new site looks great, guys.  I didn't get a chance to work with you more than a few weeks, but it was pretty obvious to me how much you both bring to the table.  Good luck with your new venture, and I will be sure to stop by the new site on a regular basis.

jrlibrarianJeffrey Trewin, Associate EditorSeptember 25, 2009

Your site looks great and I will be frequenting it often now.

Will it just be the four of you for now or are you going to be hiring writers/reviewers in the near future?

vuduSeptember 25, 2009

Good luck you guys!

My only question for you is what's your schtick?  What's going to separate your site from the countless others?

EDIT:  OK, I lied.  I have a second question.  What makes you professional?  Don't you need to get paid in order to be professional?

KhushrenadaSeptember 25, 2009

What a great way to start your Friday morning. Well, congrats and good luck. You've all had a notable presence on the site and I'm sure your absence will be felt.

KhushrenadaSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: vudu

My only question for you is what's your schtick?  What's going to separate your site from the countless others?

Better ads.

EasyCureSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: nickmitch

Happy trails, you guys! You were always my favorites.

How well are you familiar with Nick and Neals happy trails? Is there something about the three of you I don't know?

Good luck N's!

Yes, there will be some staff changes eventually.  For the moment I handle the bulk of Nick and Neal's old duties (editing and PR), but I'll be looking to offload those duties when it's deemed appropriate.

In other words, no massive panicky staff shuffling, but some changes in the near future.

MoronSonOfBoronGarnet Red, Contributing WriterSeptember 25, 2009

Professional opinions on non-Nintendo games that I feel I can trust?

What has this world come to.

NinGurl69 *hugglesSeptember 25, 2009

You can Trust me.

I am called Pro.metheus.

kraken613September 25, 2009

Aw, sad... Neal you where one of my favorite staff members!

I hope you can get a forum up soon though! That's an integral way to get people to come back to a site in my opinion, if NWR didn't have the forum I wouldn't come nearly as much.

I added the site to my favorites and can't wait to see what you have in the future!

StratosSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Yes, there will be some staff changes eventually.  For the moment I handle the bulk of Nick and Neal's old duties (editing and PR), but I'll be looking to offload those duties when it's deemed appropriate.

In other words, no massive panicky staff shuffling, but some changes in the near future.

I assumed the recent two additions were because this was coming. Is that not the case?

You guys (and gals) will be missed. Best of luck to you.

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: vudu

Good luck you guys!

My only question for you is what's your schtick?  What's going to separate your site from the countless others?

EDIT:  OK, I lied.  I have a second question.  What makes you professional?  Don't you need to get paid in order to be professional?

Without giving too much away, we have a couple neat features that we'll be rolling out soon. We're hoping they gain us some traction. Other than that, we're just hoping that our take on games journalism stands out from the crowd. We are going through great lengths to remain unbiased and on top of the game.

As for being professional, we are getting paid ... by ad revenue. This is a full out business complete with a license. Though none of us are pulling a paycheck yet, it's obviously our aspiration to make a living on this pay eventually.

vuduSeptember 25, 2009

Good luck!  I have no idea about the kinds of revenues you can pull in from ads--I'm always a bit skeptical though--but I hope you make it work.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.  ;)

EDIT:  Are you going create a thread in the style of Wha's Bloodworth up to??

ShyGuySeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: NinGurl69

You can Trust me.

I am called Pro.metheus.

When was the last time you played a non-Nintendo game?

NinGurl69 *hugglesSeptember 25, 2009

Cursed Mountain.

AVSeptember 25, 2009

>:( :o :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :-[

Mop it upSeptember 25, 2009

Well, I'm glad to see you four are pursuing a career doing what you love, and I hope you are met with success, but I can't help but say this is a sad day for Nintendo World Report. You all were fast becoming my favourite staff members, and your absence will be glaring to me. Plus, there goes the site's only female staffers.  :'(

I'll check out your new site when I have the time, but I'm not committing to anything. I have enough trouble juggling the sites I currently visit. But I wish you all the best.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: Mop_it_up

Well, I'm glad to see you four are pursuing a career doing what you love, and I hope you are met with success, but I can't help but say this is a sad day for Nintendo World Report. You all were fast becoming my favourite staff members, and your absence will be glaring to me. Plus, there goes the site's only female staffers.  :'(

I'll check out your new site when I have the time, but I'm not committing to anything. I have enough trouble juggling the sites I currently visit. But I wish you all the best.

I think a certain Birdo fan should apply for a staff position.

Mop it upSeptember 25, 2009

I'm not much of a writer but I'd make an excellent proofreader. But I don't think they'd hire a specialized position like that.

I think a certain vampiress should apply for staff, she has strong but fair opinions and expresses them very well.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: Mop_it_up

I'm not much of a writer but I'd make an excellent proofreader. But I don't think they'd hire a specialized position like that.

I think a certain vampiress should apply for staff, she has strong but fair opinions and expresses them very well.

Don't think so, Lindy obviously hates me since he has ignored every single PM I've sent him in like the last 2-3 months.

ShyGuySeptember 25, 2009

Can Pap or somebody post a Ubisoft Petz press release or something? It's depressing having the first story on the front page be: "Bravo Team has left the building, LOLZ"

vuduSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: Mr.

>:( :o :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :-[

Why so sad?  You'll still get to see Chessa's pretty face on the new site.

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Quote from: Mop_it_up

I'm not much of a writer but I'd make an excellent proofreader. But I don't think they'd hire a specialized position like that.

I think a certain vampiress should apply for staff, she has strong but fair opinions and expresses them very well.

Don't think so, Lindy obviously hates me since he has ignored every single PM I've sent him in like the last 2-3 months.

With all the complaining you do about PMs regarding multiple people I'm beginning to think you just don't know how to use the PM system correctly.

Good luck with the new site, guys (and girls). Multiplatform coverage from people whose opinions I trust is a rare and very valuable thing so I wish you the best.

Ding-dong ShalongSeptember 25, 2009

"The topic for #nwr is still Metroid Prime Trilogy Marathon Weekend"

;(

NinGurl69 *hugglesSeptember 25, 2009

Multiplatform coverage is a difficult thing, a kind of in-effectiveness due to un-biasedness.  One has less time and personal resources to fairly sample the range of products within a single platform (unless you're Super Gamefly Gamer and are pretty dedicated to playing everything that comes down the pipe).  This is why I roll my eyes at "strong" "fair" opinions of multiplatform owners who appear to only sample "top of the list" products yet pass them as representative of the whole singular library.

Comparing multiplatform releases is an exception.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterSeptember 25, 2009

Quote from: Mop_it_up

I'm not much of a writer but I'd make an excellent proofreader. But I don't think they'd hire a specialized position like that.

I think a certain vampiress should apply for staff, she has strong but fair opinions and expresses them very well.

Editor is pretty much a proof reader, something we ALWAYS need. Though, you must also know how to properly correct a sentence. Like if I write that feels odd you must know and tell me why its wrong. An editor corrects your work and lets you know about it.

Oh and please no need to attack each other. Please keep all personal issues personal.

YankeeSeptember 26, 2009

:'(
You guys and girls did great work, and I wish you well on your future endeavors. Your contributions will be missed here, but I will be sure to check out your new site sometime.

ShyGuySeptember 26, 2009

Quote:

that feels odd you must know and tell me why its wrong.

That is a run-on sentence. Also, the beginning isn't capitalized. Do more gooder next time, Pap!

I met Nick, Neal, Chessa, and Lauren at E3 this year, and I'm going to miss them terribly. Great people, funny people, professional people. People who laugh and laugh and laugh at crudely drawn pictures of dicks. I wish them all the best of luck in all their future endeavors. Live long, and prosper.

I can only hope our paths (SWORDS?!?) will cross at E3 down the road.

Mop it upSeptember 26, 2009

Quote from: NWR_pap64

Like if I write that feels odd you must know and tell me why its wrong.

Something seems odd about this sentence. I think you meant to add the word "something" in between "write" and "that". Also, "its" is possessive and "it's" is "it is". There should probably also be a comma after the word "odd".

Most articles have only one or two mistakes so the current editors are doing fine. Maybe I'll just start pointing out in Talkback the mistakes I see.  ;)

MaxiSeptember 26, 2009

Nick did you send out my prize for stumping Neal?

kraken613September 26, 2009

I listened to their podcast and it was good.

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusSeptember 26, 2009

Quote from: Maxi

Nick did you send out my prize for stumping Neal?

Yeah, we just sent that out this afternoon, sorry about that :\ Been a verrry busy month.

Quote from: kraken613

I listened to their podcast and it was good.

Thank you, good sir!

MaxiSeptember 26, 2009

Thanks Nick!

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorSeptember 27, 2009

Does Pixlbit have an RSS feed that I'm just missing?  I want to add it to my reader. :)

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusSeptember 27, 2009

Quote from: Pale

Does Pixlbit have an RSS feed that I'm just missing?  I want to add it to my reader. :)

Coming soon, didn't have time to get it in before launch.

Mop it upSeptember 27, 2009

Random question: The articles and reviews they've posted on NWR, are they allowed to post them on their new site too or do they belong to NWR?

Quote from: Maxi

Nick did you send out my prize for stumping Neal?

Hey! That was Zach you stumped!

I was there, but I wasn't stumped, and I also wasn't the namesake of the segment.

Quote from: Mop_it_up

Random question: The articles and reviews they've posted on NWR, are they allowed to post them on their new site too or do they belong to NWR?

Those are all property of NWR.  It's like that for anything posted on the site...it can't be reproduced anywhere else without permission.

In the case of an article being reprinted by a third-party, that requires permission from both the author and NWR.

ShyGuySeptember 28, 2009

Why don't you guys start putting Ian Sane's posts on T-shirts and watch the money roll in?

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 28, 2009

Does NWR have a team of lawyers ready to go in case someone posts an Ian post on another site?

PeachylalaSeptember 28, 2009

Sounds like a law drama...with comedy and not murder.

D_AverageSeptember 28, 2009

Quote from: NWR_Lindy

Quote from: Mop_it_up

Random question: The articles and reviews they've posted on NWR, are they allowed to post them on their new site too or do they belong to NWR?

Those are all property of NWR.  It's like that for anything posted on the site...it can't be reproduced anywhere else without permission.

In the case of an article being reprinted by a third-party, that requires permission from both the author and NWR.

But you can pull a GoNintendo, slickly provide a summary/link and still collect the ad revenue.  What a fat phony that dude is.  Worst podcast ever by the way.  Just sayin....

Mop it upSeptember 29, 2009

Quote from: GoldenPhoenix

Does NWR have a team of lawyers ready to go in case someone posts an Ian post on another site?

Actually I've stolen several posts from this board, even some of yours GoldenPhoenix. I guess I'd better get myself a lawyer...

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusOctober 01, 2009

Quote from: Pale

Does Pixlbit have an RSS feed that I'm just missing?  I want to add it to my reader. :)

RSS Feed - http://www.pixlbit.com/rss
iTunes Feed For PixlTalk - http://www.pixlbit.com/podcast?type=xml&path=feed.xml (Soon to be in the Store)

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