A Holiday Note From the Desk of Colin Moriarty (LOL)

Hello!

It is with great relief that I write you this letter. (Sounds like I’m penning a dispatch during the Civil War.) Over the last month or so, Last Stand has been in overdrive with the intention of pre-recording all of our content for the holiday season, so that we might collectively get about three solid weeks off while not missing a beat for the audience. For the sixth consecutive year, I’m pleased to report that we’ve succeeded: Sacred Symbols, Sacred Symbols+, Defining Duke, and Defining Duke Ultimate will all roll-out on schedule for the duration of the time we’re away.

Even more exciting is that the first episode of our new show is in the can, and we cannot wait for you to see it on January 2nd at noon ET. I suspect you’re going to love it.

Perhaps it’s because I’m braindead from lots of preparation and recording, but I don’t feel as verbose as I usually do in missives like this (though I’ll still write like 500 more words). So I won’t belabor the point and occupy your time for too-too long. All I really want to do this year is to offer a simple acknowledgement to two groups of people in particular:

First and foremost, I want to express my appreciation for my staff, both full-time and contractor. I am surrounded by a truly wonderful group of hard-working, industrious, and decent people who help make our products shine. They do so without complaint, and they deliver the goods week-in and week-out with attention paid to quality and consistency. I’m proud of the work they do and notice the fashion in which they represent the brand. To Dustin, Ben, Matty, Chris, Cog, Dagan, and Micah -- as well as our collaborators like Hoeg, Tom, and Lockmort -- thank you for everything. Here’s to more great things in 2023 and beyond. Enjoy your time off.

Secondly, I’d like to thank our audience. The older I’ve gotten and the more time elapses, the more appreciative of my life I’ve become exactly as it is. The reality is stark, and it’s one I talk about often on the show: Though I’ve worked enormously hard in my career and feel I’ve earned what I have, I’ve also been truly and undeniably lucky. There are so many talented and wonderful people in the world, much more talented (and infinitely more wonderful) than me. But through some combination of timing and happenstance -- and gaming conversation and abject silliness galore, yes! -- we found each other. Some of you are newcomers, and that’s amazing. Every single day, more and more people find our community. But many of you have been with me for years, since days long past. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

I guess what I’m saying is: I’m grateful. Up and down the board, I am grateful.

Attached you will find the holiday card Micah and I sent to family and friends. A lot of people have remarked that I look happier than I have in a long time. I suppose that’s because, though it all, I am. Through all of the gray experience of existence (and the insanely dark humor that thus manifests on our programming), the reality is that life is very good.

On the personal front, I’m getting married next year to a wonderful woman, and -- at the end of the day -- I get to play lots of video games and talk about them for a living. And the Jets are even in the playoff hunt, which is in itself a dream (albeit likely a short-lived one). And professionally, I'm pleased to report that 2022 was yet again Last Stand’s best year ever by any conceivable metric. The truth is, the company has grown (and continues to grow) beyond my wildest expectations. A lot of people told me I walked away from a dream job not once, but twice, and that I'd come to regret it. The only thing I regret is not betting on myself (and, in turn, my crew) a hell of a lot sooner than I did.

My friends, it’s with great love and respect that I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas (or whatever you might celebrate), as well as a Happy New Year.

Yours with sincerity, -Colin