Andy McNamara On Leaving Game Informer - MinnMax Interview

In this MinnMax interview, Ben Hanson talks to his former boss Andy McNamara about his decision to leave behind his role as Game Informer's editor-in-chief for a new job out in Los Angeles, California. Andy shares his thoughts on the evolving media landscape, his passion for biking, and what he thinks about his incredible 29-year run at the world's biggest video game magazine. To unlock the podcast version of this interview, help support more interviews like it, and much more, please consider supporting MinnMax on Patreon! / minnmax
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[@minnmax]

To unlock the podcast version of this interview, The Deepest Dive game clubs, and support more content like this in the future, please consider supporting MinnMax on Patreon! www.patreon.com/minnmax

[@TheMonkeyButte]

“Maybe I opened the door but you went through it” surprisingly touching quote.

[@tyrannostoragerex3637]

It's weird living in the timeline where this interview is happening. AndyMac's been at GI even since before I first subscribed in the PS2/N64 era. Thank you for posting this in such a long-form way instead of clips or whatever. Much respect for both of you gents.

[@greyfox4044]

I honestly loved Andy, especially when he took over the game informer show. He has such a love for games and you constantly hear it in every episode but it's all contained in such a humble, appreciative person. So many guys with his history have egos and think they're voice should be the loudest, but Andy just wanted to love games and talk about them. I hope his legacy lives on for a long time at game informer still, but I can't wait to see what he does. Hope he is still a voice in the public.

[@WadeWojcik]

Wonderful discussion with the Legend himself. Thanks Andy and Ben:)

[@minnmax]

Oh hello Wade! Thanks for checking it out!

[@thewhitewolf4968]

Where have you been??? I've missed your content from GI

[@Idle_Wilder]

Andy McNamara is a legend - yes, Andy, it's true.

[@polyphonique]

Andy on Sneakers and Cycling seems like a perfect MinnMax premium show, just saying!

[@WarpHype]

So glad this interview happened with Ben and MinnMax!

[@TURKY54KSA]

Andy is awesome and deserves all the happiness and joy in the world. God knows he brought me a lot of both over the years.

[@rickywinterborn]

pretty bummed andys already done hosting the GI show, i really enjoyed his older nerd wisdom. it made the convos and criticisms drastically different then most of the other game coverage online. hope his next job involves a podcast or show...

[@lukeahlemeier6379]

Yes, I really hope I can keep hearing his voice in the industry. I don’t know what he’s doing, but I hope it involves a podcast too.

[@ARIXANDRE]

I just wish we had a 3 hour podcast with Ben Hanson, Andy McNamara and Jeff Gerstmann. We love you Andy, Legend!

[@mikeogden1980]

Fired this up as soon as I got the notification to listen while I work. There are a lot of special, talented people that have come through GI, and Andy is the one responsible for all of that. I've said it before, it's hard to find places in the game journalism world that aren't super cynical, and GI and now MinnMax are two of those places, and I think it really starts with Andy and his love for this industry.

[@akaType1]

I didn't find a passion for video games until maybe last year and Andy had a HUGE hand in that. Much love to you Andy, GI, and MinnMaxx! Much love and blessings to yall!

[@jacobdowman6878]

"I'm not a legend" - legend

[@Lordvestage1313]

why would someone dislike this??? gonna miss you andy

[@joestaples8834]

"Maybe I opened the door, but you walked through it", Aw! Wish I had a mentor and friend like Andy...

[@cataclysmicbane9068]

I always loved having Andy randomly appear on Replay so I was very excited when he started hosting the podcast so I could enjoy even more of him. Hearing him talk was always so interesting and insightful. Good luck on your next adventure Andy! You'll always be the Godfather of GI.

[@jimpinto4448]

It's so sweet to me how Hanson has adopted so many of Andy's GI family. Ben carries the flame. Cheers

[@usedfuzzbox]

A true legend, just for sticking it out for that long, even if you don't count everything else :D Plus, a hard task to follow Ben on the show, he did a great job though :D

[@Uptown2525]

It's great to see a legend get his flowers while he lives. Protect him at all cost!!!!

[@Atreides217]

I will miss Andy's monthly letter in the GameInformer magazine AND him hosting the GameInformer show. I truly hope you put together a podcast in the future...I'll subscribe day one! :)

[@ethanguillot]

I don't know who writes these, but my favorite little detail from the GI magazine is the changing description of a 1 score in the page leading up the the month's reviews. The first thing I do is read that. Thanks Andy for all you've done!

[@Joes_Z-Music]

Going to listen to this on my way home from work but this is awesome Hanson!

[@realnovadamus]

Thank you, Andy.

[@thewhitewolf4968]

Ben you are a treasure!!! I'm glad you did this ! More and more the statement getting better. Starts to makes since! Andy is an inspiration!

[@withbravado1548]

Saw this, put life on hold, clicked, liked, and enjoyed. Thanks for such a charming interview!

[@Lunst_DK]

Much love to Andy and all the best in the future!!

[@OMGLX]

What a wonderful interview -- saddened to see him go but encouraged to see what's next. Three cheers for Andy! Thanks for the good times and great stories! (Also, I would put money down that the 'Ah, so you didn't make it the full 10 years, huh?' quote was from Jeff Cork. :p )

[@dhet]

Andy, you are a beacon in this storm we call life. Hope to find you again soon.

[@cptclown2110]

Andy is a gaming treasure. Cant wait to find out where he is landing

[@alextownley9388]

They were totally holding back tears at the end there!

[@CraigItsFriday]

Welcome to LA, Andy!! Will be missed good sir. (I hope he reads the comments) :D

[@Daniel_D-bo]

Im going to miss Gameinformer magazine if it ever disappears. The touch, feel and smell of the pages cant be replaced by online stuff. Ive been subscribed to gameinformer for over 15 yrs and I would even pay more money for the magazine if it means keeping it around.

[@marvinmartian8746]

I feel the same way. Sigh. I just got through reading the most recent printed issue and I noticed a difference in quality. Not in the layout or editing so much, but the quality of the printing process. Maybe I just got a bad batch. Looking at every screenshot capture, I felt like I was looking at captures from 10 years ago. I haven't watched this video just yet, so forgive me if it's covered in the video, but I have a sneaking suspicion that a big reason he's leaving is that he knows the quality of the magazine is going to have to suffer - considering how the staff numbers (editors or not) are dwindling. It's difficult to continue to put your heart and soul into something but not see the results you might have seen in years past. Hopefully they will pull it together and the magazine will be with us for years.

[@Ranger1287j]

Andy has always been very humble and self depreciating, but his contribution to games journalism and the industry as a whole cannot be denied. Hate to see him leave GI, but glad he's sticking with games in some fashion!

[@tbarganier8823]

Andy, such a brilliant man. Big thanks for choosing the path you've taken. We really appreciate you and the crew. Best to you good Sir.

[@jasmine-ruff-puff9951]

All the best, Andy! 👍

[@aldoelektrika]

I have always enjoyed Andy more as a guest than a host so I am in love with this episode. I dropped off HARD from the GI Show once Ben left and it was mainly because of Andy. Awesome new beginning for GI and Andy. I am unemployed now partly because of Covid but also because I needed change. I understand his desire to learn something new and contribute to a brand new endeavour that fills his soul.

[@Lyle-qc8ld]

I GREW up reading andys stuff. He is very influential on game industry and game journalism. I will follow him whereever he goes

[@IanTClark]

The Andy Mac & Me show...not my joke...someone said it on the discord. Great job Hanson.

[@dakota265893]

Great interview Andy, can't wait to see whats next.

[@hammadkhan450]

Amazing interview!

[@mikemaciaszek3508]

This was awesome. Thanks Hanson and thanks Andy! Good luck with what's next for you!

[@kdunc]

Yea, I had to watch this as soon as I got the notification. ANNDDYYY!!

[@ChrisLT]

MinnMax cornering the marker on "hey, let's talk about you leaving" interviews. Andy rules, I hope his new thing works out great. And I'd 100% listen to Andy's own little rogue podcast.

[@Disco_Potato]

Andy McNamara, an American institution. A games industry Icon.

[@MichaelCordeiro]

Great interview, Andy is awesome. Also I agree Andy, Skyrim is the best rpg! Good luck on your future adventures.

[@DanCGe]

Never clicked so fast in my life

[@TheMonkeyButte]

Goodluck Andy! Wishing you the best

[@Squall2020]

Man I will miss him. Hope he isn't a stranger to GI and Minnmax in the future.

[@mattj2692]

I've been following GI since the FUNCOLAND days, this is truly a shocking/saddening/exciting time!

[@somethingventured3]

My partner (who was unfamiliar with Andy before this video) exclaimed, “Oh, he’s young!”

[@jayjayson9613]

Is this Gamestops fault? Was Andy forced out? I can't believe Andy left Game Informer, its surreal.

[@Zoombot37]

We will miss you Andy! Hope you still stay in the industry in some compassity.

[@demarek]

Andy is such a cool guy - I wish I had a boss like that.

[@gman2015z]

Wish all the best to Andy. My Middle school years thru college from 07-present were better thx to GameInformer. Wish no one was layed off last year.

[@beatendownbrian]

Andy is sitting there wondering if he could maybe start a podcast about games, cycling, and sneakers. Meanwhile, I'm thinking he could probably have a successful Patreon about games, cycling, and sneakers. Andy is a legend, and while I'm sad to see him leave, I'm excited to see what's next for him.

[@minnmax]

Ha, agreed!

[@beatendownbrian]

@@minnmax I was really glad you called him out for streaming, but not telling anyone. I was so mad when I heard that on the GI show haha. I would've watched the heck outta that.

[@maliberti85]

I take back the salty af comment. You guys definitely like each other lol

[@DylanCisGood4Me]

*Bike Riding Booty Calluses* But seriously, thanks for all the years of work and passion-shedding light on games, championing the industry, & elevating games coverage Andy!

[@JohnBasedowYoda]

Worked there forever and a day and couldn’t even get a goodbye party. What weird times

[@trossity]

I LOVE Andy! His passion for games has been so apparent in his time at Game Informer. but as an LA native... riding your bike down la cienega is absolutely no joke!

[@FBuilding]

Damn that was fast. I thought it would take a few weeks to grab him

[@Merlin_Price]

Idk if we will ever have the whole story about what went on with the mass exodus of game informer but firing a whole bunch of staff that had established relationships with each other and the community seemed like one of the stupidest ideas for a media based platform that relied on a familiar viewership.

[@LocoCocoPops]

Who’s on next?

[@cheappyv5156]

respectfully, what would be the benefits of not announcing your next gig, especially when you start in a week?

[@edjoned1560]

He may not be allowed by his new employer. My guess is he’s going to be with a big game studio. Probably to do with content of games. Or maybe demos

[@sublime90]

GI is basically gutted now.

[@solofox9426]

So whats the new job? It must be pretty good for him to leave Game Informer right? My theory is head of ESA in charge of revamping E3. Maybe im thinking too grand but my thought process is if you where the ESA and E3 was tanking so hard, who would you get to restructure but a guy who has been there the whole time and seen it all. I guess he could be running a studio but that seems a little bit more far-fetched for a journalist.

[@wastelanda7x]

My guess is he going to be an Esports commentator. he said on the podcast before he wants to do that.

[@Chandlest]

Dang, I was really hoping he was going to make a game

[@radekseky4571]

Please someone just tell me the name of Andy's Twitch. I respect this man so much for the humbleness, but I would genuinely like to watch him.

[@leitrotro]

God I love Andy!

[@StoryoftheYear16]

Andy's mind would be blown if he tried out a motorcycle.

[@TinyDancerX99]

crazy

[@WackoWambo]

I thought Andy was an egotistical jerk before this interview. (admittedly didn't know him well or watch much of him.) Really liked the interview and came out with a different perspective. BRAND THE EXIT INTERVIEW SERIES

[@residentevilclone]

Andy has no idea how many lives he’s changed, and listening to him struggle to understand how valuable he’s been for so many people makes him all the more endearing.

[@jaypurrington6573]

44:32 did Andy just confirm he's gonna go work at a studio?

[@Ermor666]

I guess there were too many Brutal Expectations at GameInformer for him to work there.

[@sincerlyeric6585]

I hope that one Thumbs Down is Andy.

[@rickywinterborn]

don't commute on a bike in LA. people drive 20+ miles faster here then rest of the country

[@aNightmaresRequiem]

Now Reiner is gone too. Crazy.

[@SlyferOmega]

No way!

[@TheFrenchielove]

What kind of evil man can hate Pokémon Snap?! Obviously the only way to make Pokémon Snap even better is to make it in an open environment. No more tracks, just walk around on this island and try to take the best pictures. Gonna miss Andy, having him jump into Overblood 2 and wondering why he’s paying people to play such a terrible game was a big highlight. I still have a bunch of old copies of game Informer from when I was growing up. Having Andy be the one of the driving forces behind my favorite magazine for so long is, such a warm feeling.

[@matthewtheis332]

Mr. McNamara: I’m not a legend. Also Mr. McNamara: Beat a match of Kabuki Warriors with his ass.

[@azriell783]

Andy going to California? Here's hoping he's replacing Kyle at EZA

[@masterblaster831]

RIP game informer. Get Reiner on the show dude

[@spman2099]

Skyrim? For best RPG? Oh god... I think it has a better argument for worst.

[@hairyasstruman2257]

The cowardly captain refused to go down with his sinking ship

[@sonyabladesbooty3890]

Andy is working at EA. He went over to the dark $ide...

[@jacobwiman3733]

The two people who I liked the most left GI. No more GI.

[@minnmax]

Not true! There's still so many folks there, be sure to check out Ben Reeves' new run on The Game Informer Show podcast.

[@MJ4LGBTQ]

👍👍

[@apnwu369]

Wish the best for you but you're crazy to want to move to LA right now with the massive increase in violent crimes and demoralization of the police, and still lots of looting and rioting by extremists.