Ryan Davis, 1979-2013
July 8, 2013 1:04 PM Subscribe
Ryan Davis, co-founder of gaming website Giantbomb, passed away on July 3rd. He was 34 years old. He had been married less than a week and was on his honeymoon.
In 2007, Jeff Gertsmann was fired from Gamespot for posting a negative review of Kane & Lynch. Ryan, Vinny Caravella, Brad Shoemaker, and Alex Navarro left with Jeff and founded Giantbomb.
Giantbomb was noted for delivering an unusually personal touch to reviews when reviewers were generally unknown by audiences.
Giantbomb was best known for its audio/video shenanigans, not necessarily its text reviews, so I've chosen to pick out some of Ryan's best moments on-camera.
Ryan on a young Brad Muir.
Ryan on Best Buy.
Ryan is a narc (audio-only, 17 minutes).
Ryan would make a terrible junkie (audio-only).
Ryan doesn't like the "Enslaved" hype. (audio-only)
Ryan Divekicks.
Ryan Davis hates GiantRoom.
Ryan Davis' game of the year 2012 list.
The same list, 2011 version, except Davis is dressed up as a cowboy.
Ghost train.
The Dragonball evolution quicklook.
You can go here to find a complete list of every Quick Look he had ever done. (For those not familiar with Giantbomb, a Quick Look is when a member of the team videotapes themselves playing a game so that viewers can get an idea how it handles without having to wait for the review, which often comes out later.)
In 2007, Jeff Gertsmann was fired from Gamespot for posting a negative review of Kane & Lynch. Ryan, Vinny Caravella, Brad Shoemaker, and Alex Navarro left with Jeff and founded Giantbomb.
Giantbomb was noted for delivering an unusually personal touch to reviews when reviewers were generally unknown by audiences.
Giantbomb was best known for its audio/video shenanigans, not necessarily its text reviews, so I've chosen to pick out some of Ryan's best moments on-camera.
Ryan on a young Brad Muir.
Ryan on Best Buy.
Ryan is a narc (audio-only, 17 minutes).
Ryan would make a terrible junkie (audio-only).
Ryan doesn't like the "Enslaved" hype. (audio-only)
Ryan Divekicks.
Ryan Davis hates GiantRoom.
Ryan Davis' game of the year 2012 list.
The same list, 2011 version, except Davis is dressed up as a cowboy.
Ghost train.
The Dragonball evolution quicklook.
You can go here to find a complete list of every Quick Look he had ever done. (For those not familiar with Giantbomb, a Quick Look is when a member of the team videotapes themselves playing a game so that viewers can get an idea how it handles without having to wait for the review, which often comes out later.)
So sad about this today. They always come off both as genuinely enjoying each other's company and I can only imagine what it must be like to go to work and have to process this while trying to make witty videos. Ryan also seemed like a great guy in general.
posted by selfnoise at 1:07 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by selfnoise at 1:07 PM on July 8, 2013
My deepest condolences to his spouse, that really sucks.
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:10 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by BrotherCaine at 1:10 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm a huge Giant Bomb fan and so heartbroken about this. Thank you for posting, flibbertigibbet.
Justin McElroy, video game journalist and 1/3 of the podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me, wrote something I found pretty moving.
RIP Ryan Davis. We're really going to miss you.
posted by penduluum at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Justin McElroy, video game journalist and 1/3 of the podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me, wrote something I found pretty moving.
RIP Ryan Davis. We're really going to miss you.
posted by penduluum at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've never watched (listened to?) any of the Giant Bomb stuff, but the outpouring of sincere grief I see today from people I respect is enough for me to say that Ryan Davis was clearly a really nice guy and we are all worse off for this untimely loss.
posted by jess at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jess at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by Rustic Etruscan at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by kilo hertz at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by kilo hertz at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013
I'm genuinely upset over his (far, far too early) passing. His infectious enthusiasm and acerbic wit has kept me entertained for years. What was is the NYT called him? 'Charmingly garrulous?' Him and Jeff Gerstman make... fuck... made a wonderful double act. The world needs more games journalists who still get as excited and enthused about games as Ryan did and the entire giantbomb crew do.
Thinking about not hearing his 'Hey everybody, it's Tuesday and you're listening to the Giant Bombcast!' intro every week is making me well up again. Someone suggested that a recording of that be the intro to every Bombcast from now on. I don't think I could handle the heartache.
The outpouring of messages on Twitter is a strong indicator of the impact he's had on the industry and his peers. A singular voice.
You'll be missed, duder.
posted by slimepuppy at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
Thinking about not hearing his 'Hey everybody, it's Tuesday and you're listening to the Giant Bombcast!' intro every week is making me well up again. Someone suggested that a recording of that be the intro to every Bombcast from now on. I don't think I could handle the heartache.
The outpouring of messages on Twitter is a strong indicator of the impact he's had on the industry and his peers. A singular voice.
You'll be missed, duder.
posted by slimepuppy at 1:11 PM on July 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
The moments-late post (now deleted) with more on Davis.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:13 PM on July 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by filthy light thief at 1:13 PM on July 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
This is a crusher. The Bombcast is always truly enjoyable listening, more for the dynamic between those guys than anything else.
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posted by mean cheez at 1:14 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by mean cheez at 1:14 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by Navelgazer at 1:14 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by Navelgazer at 1:14 PM on July 8, 2013
He was charmingly garrulous.
He was kind and patient with my dumb question at PAX East 2012.
"Duder, it's over." And way too soon.
Bye, Ryan.
posted by Gin and Comics at 1:15 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
He was kind and patient with my dumb question at PAX East 2012.
"Duder, it's over." And way too soon.
Bye, Ryan.
posted by Gin and Comics at 1:15 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
slimepuppy: Here's a soundfile of just Davis saying "Hey everybody, it's Tuesday."
Thanks for the link, filthy light thief.
I'm quite upset right now.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 1:16 PM on July 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
Thanks for the link, filthy light thief.
I'm quite upset right now.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 1:16 PM on July 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
Well this is some serious nonsense right here. He was younger than I am.
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posted by boo_radley at 1:23 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by boo_radley at 1:23 PM on July 8, 2013
This has struck me a lot deeper than I thought it would. He was a great podcaster, and all around dude.
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posted by graventy at 1:25 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by graventy at 1:25 PM on July 8, 2013
They've edited the front page of giantbomb.com to have some of Ryan's best vids stuck at the top. The Quick Look for Hotline Miami is fantastic.
posted by slimepuppy at 1:35 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by slimepuppy at 1:35 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by BeauPhenom at 2:15 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by BeauPhenom at 2:15 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 2:20 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 2:20 PM on July 8, 2013
Gandolfini, then Jeff McManus, and now Ryan Davis? As a fellow man who's larger than I should be, this has convinced me to finally start to lose some of this extra weight I'm carrying around. It starts right now.
posted by mrbarrett.com at 2:52 PM on July 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by mrbarrett.com at 2:52 PM on July 8, 2013 [4 favorites]
I was going to let that '.' stand, but on reflection, this bit wherein the gb guys eat Swedish candy deserves highlighting for those who haven't heard it.
posted by juv3nal at 3:00 PM on July 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by juv3nal at 3:00 PM on July 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
I knew Ryan very briefly from GameSpot. Nice guy, great reviewer, too sad.
posted by mrgrimm at 3:32 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by mrgrimm at 3:32 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by interim_descriptor at 3:43 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by interim_descriptor at 3:43 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by clockbound at 3:54 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by clockbound at 3:54 PM on July 8, 2013
This was a man who could make you laugh. I miss him already.
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posted by tracert at 4:52 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by tracert at 4:52 PM on July 8, 2013
No, no, don't shake the baby!
A young (22-ish years old!) Ryan Davis reviewing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 4:53 PM on July 8, 2013
A young (22-ish years old!) Ryan Davis reviewing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 4:53 PM on July 8, 2013
I love that Dave posted a link to the final couple of minutes of the original Rollerball in his tribute page. I admit I had never heard of Ryan, but it sounds like he was a helluva guy.
posted by grimjeer at 5:14 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by grimjeer at 5:14 PM on July 8, 2013
Jesus... I've known a few people to have passed, but none that I had been in contact with for a few years... but this... is different..
I obviously never knew Ryan personally, but I've been following Giant Bomb on a daily basis for a few years now. Watching their videos, their live streams, listening to their weekly podcasts... and Ryan was always there. I remember just listening to a podcast a few days ago about the crew talking about driving out to Ryan's wedding, and how hot a drive it was. Jesus...
This is the first time I've been shaken by a death. It's incredibly upsetting to know that I'll never get to see or hear from him again. He was a great guy. And he seemed to be pretty central in Giant Bomb activities by moderating their E3 livestream discussions, and other video stuff, opening up and running the podcast. Fuck... I know a lot of people are going to be missing him. Jesus...
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posted by SollosQ at 5:53 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I obviously never knew Ryan personally, but I've been following Giant Bomb on a daily basis for a few years now. Watching their videos, their live streams, listening to their weekly podcasts... and Ryan was always there. I remember just listening to a podcast a few days ago about the crew talking about driving out to Ryan's wedding, and how hot a drive it was. Jesus...
This is the first time I've been shaken by a death. It's incredibly upsetting to know that I'll never get to see or hear from him again. He was a great guy. And he seemed to be pretty central in Giant Bomb activities by moderating their E3 livestream discussions, and other video stuff, opening up and running the podcast. Fuck... I know a lot of people are going to be missing him. Jesus...
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posted by SollosQ at 5:53 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Bombcast carried me through a lot of lonely marathon training a few years ago.
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posted by liet at 6:19 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by liet at 6:19 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
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I cried today. I cried when I heard Ryan Davis was gone. I feel like I don't have the right to be so upset when I never even met him but Giant Bomb and the Bombcast is a huge part of my week, every week, and Ryan was at the center of that.
Oh man, I'm crying again.
posted by InsanePenguin at 6:23 PM on July 8, 2013
I cried today. I cried when I heard Ryan Davis was gone. I feel like I don't have the right to be so upset when I never even met him but Giant Bomb and the Bombcast is a huge part of my week, every week, and Ryan was at the center of that.
Oh man, I'm crying again.
posted by InsanePenguin at 6:23 PM on July 8, 2013
oh god I never even met the guy but I ugly-cried as if my brother died today. still am, kinda.
The Giant Bombcast kept me connected to video games, to a culture I loved, when I could not afford to participate in that world. The dependability of HEY EVERYONE IT'S TUUUUUUUUUESDAYYYYY weeek after week after week got me through some very dark times in my life.
When you're feeling depressed and lonely and kind of fucked up... having a bunch of dudes just chatting along like they were sitting right there on your couch just helps. It helps everything.
And it's vaguely embarrassing how much slang I've picked up specifically from Ryan Davis
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 7:53 PM on July 8, 2013
The Giant Bombcast kept me connected to video games, to a culture I loved, when I could not afford to participate in that world. The dependability of HEY EVERYONE IT'S TUUUUUUUUUESDAYYYYY weeek after week after week got me through some very dark times in my life.
When you're feeling depressed and lonely and kind of fucked up... having a bunch of dudes just chatting along like they were sitting right there on your couch just helps. It helps everything.
And it's vaguely embarrassing how much slang I've picked up specifically from Ryan Davis
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 7:53 PM on July 8, 2013
The demon that lives in the air: "And it's vaguely embarrassing how much slang I've picked up specifically from Ryan Davis "
Pretty sure I can attribute my ongoing attempt to revive the word dope (as in cool and/or interesting) directly to him.
For those with some time, there have been a two twitch.tv streams today, one from Harmonix (A Tribute to Our Friend Ryan) and one from Giant Bomb proper/Maybe just Dave? (Ryan's greatest hits and summerjam mashup).
posted by Gin and Comics at 8:05 PM on July 8, 2013
Pretty sure I can attribute my ongoing attempt to revive the word dope (as in cool and/or interesting) directly to him.
For those with some time, there have been a two twitch.tv streams today, one from Harmonix (A Tribute to Our Friend Ryan) and one from Giant Bomb proper/Maybe just Dave? (Ryan's greatest hits and summerjam mashup).
posted by Gin and Comics at 8:05 PM on July 8, 2013
What the fuck. I can't even process this right now. I'd been meaning to do a GB post for forever but I don't know if I even can now. RIP duder.
posted by kmz at 8:13 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by kmz at 8:13 PM on July 8, 2013
Btw I don't know how unique this is but the Bombcast hasn't missed a week in over 5 years with no reruns, not counting special weeks (E3, GOTY, etc) when there's actually more podcasts than usual.
posted by kmz at 8:19 PM on July 8, 2013
posted by kmz at 8:19 PM on July 8, 2013
kmz: "What the fuck. I can't even process this right now. I'd been meaning to do a GB post for forever but I don't know if I even can now. RIP duder."
Well, I know I would read it.
posted by Gin and Comics at 9:14 PM on July 8, 2013
Well, I know I would read it.
posted by Gin and Comics at 9:14 PM on July 8, 2013
I keep hoping this is just a really horrible prank.
After being sort of familiar with Giantbomb in passing, but never really visiting the site, I finally got hooked through the Bombcast. I needed something to listen to while walking with my baby. That led to me watching a few quicklooks and some of the recent E3 stuff they did and feeling like I was really getting to know these guys. This hurts and the Harmonix tribute above was honestly pretty tough to watch. I feel terrible for his family and friends.
posted by ODiV at 10:30 PM on July 8, 2013
After being sort of familiar with Giantbomb in passing, but never really visiting the site, I finally got hooked through the Bombcast. I needed something to listen to while walking with my baby. That led to me watching a few quicklooks and some of the recent E3 stuff they did and feeling like I was really getting to know these guys. This hurts and the Harmonix tribute above was honestly pretty tough to watch. I feel terrible for his family and friends.
posted by ODiV at 10:30 PM on July 8, 2013
I've listened to every Bombcast, and considering how many there are (250+) and how long they are (usually at least 2.5 hours, often more) that alone probably puts the Giant Bomb guys near the top in terms of volume of listening outside of close family and friends. That's not even counting the Quick Looks, live streams, premium videos, etc.
God, I can't even imagine what Jeff's going through right now. They were all super-close but Jeff knew Ryan years before they even entered the industry. Fuck.
posted by kmz at 11:15 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
God, I can't even imagine what Jeff's going through right now. They were all super-close but Jeff knew Ryan years before they even entered the industry. Fuck.
posted by kmz at 11:15 PM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Bombcast kept me sane while working long hours overseas, and now it feels like a part of home is missing. Looking at Twitter and here shows the positive effect Ryan Davis had on the lives of the large community that he and Jeff Gerstmann created at Giant Bomb.
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posted by arveysee at 11:21 PM on July 8, 2013
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posted by arveysee at 11:21 PM on July 8, 2013
It's weird how this loss feels even more personal than the deaths of other famous people. Ryan and the rest at Giant Bomb just made you feel like you were part of a gang of friends, the most fun gang of friends you can imagine. And now you've lost one of them.
Rest in Peace, you beautiful, beautiful man.
posted by gkhan at 12:55 AM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Rest in Peace, you beautiful, beautiful man.
posted by gkhan at 12:55 AM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
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posted by EndsOfInvention at 7:30 AM on July 9, 2013
posted by EndsOfInvention at 7:30 AM on July 9, 2013
I just remembered that Patrick Klepek's dad died July 3rd of last year. JFC.
posted by kmz at 12:12 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by kmz at 12:12 PM on July 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
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posted by TimeDoctor at 9:43 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by TimeDoctor at 9:43 PM on July 9, 2013
He was 34, it was five days after his wedding, and he was on his goddamn honeymoon. Gone way too fucking soon.
Goodbye, Ryan, you will be missed.
The memorial edition of the podcast is up right now.
posted by flatluigi at 10:42 PM on July 9, 2013
Goodbye, Ryan, you will be missed.
The memorial edition of the podcast is up right now.
posted by flatluigi at 10:42 PM on July 9, 2013
The memorial edition of the podcast is up right now.
It's like an Irish wake. Laughing through the tears, crying through the laughter. Fucking incredible.
posted by kmz at 9:57 AM on July 11, 2013
It's like an Irish wake. Laughing through the tears, crying through the laughter. Fucking incredible.
posted by kmz at 9:57 AM on July 11, 2013
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posted by JHarris at 1:07 PM on July 8, 2013