Part 1 of 1 by Evil Chris Priestly
Today is Jay Watamaniuk’s last day as BioWare’s Community manager. I’m not going to make a big thing about this, as Jay is not really the sentimental sort, but I didn’t feel right letting this day pass without a few words. 
This is Jay. He likes to LARP (Live Action Roll Play) with friends and he runs in the annual Alberta Death Race. He’s a huge nerd who once set a man’s desk on fire in a fit of pique. He may prefer fruity booze drinks with little umbrellas to beer, but he also owns his own whip ala Indiana Jones.
Jay, like me, has been with BioWare for over 8 years now which makes him one of the “old timers” around the office (I am still young and spry, but Jay is very old indeed). For many years Jay WAS the BioWare community team. Sure, he had a bunch of help from the web teams, customer service folks and other staff, not to mention the fact that BioWare has made some great games that have pulled in a great community of fans.
Still, without Jay, the existing BioWare community would not be what it is today. I’ll let him discuss his achievements and accomplishments if he chooses to, but I’m going to call out a few things.
Without Jay, there would have been no BioWare Wednesdays. That was his idea and he worked hard each week to support it.
Without Jay, Community would not be attending conventions like Gen-Con & PAX or holding the builder events we’ve held.
Without Jay, much of the upcoming Social Site would not be nearly as cool as it will be.
Without Jay, I would have had to wear the Shepard armor at PAX this year. And that would have been both dangerous to others and potentially obscene.
Monday, Jay starts a new job here at BioWare. Jay has always wanted to be a writer (if you’ve enjoyed the good writing on the BioWare Blog or laughed at the newsletter you’ll have seen a glimmer of his talent) and he’s moving onto the Mass Effect writing team to help fulfill his dream. He’ll still be stopping by the forums from time to time, twittering, blogging and such, but now Community will have to soldier on without him.
I’ve worked with Jay for over three years now and I’ve always said that he was the brains and I was the mouth. Without Jay, I wouldn’t have this cushy cushy job working on the internet, jet setting around the globe, attending fan events, and really enjoying my life. Community is a great gig and you’ve left some big shoes to fill, but we wouldn’t be here today without you.
For that Jay, much thanks.
Congrats, Jay!! Best of luck on your new career path!
For a moment there I thought you were being crazy enough to leave Bioware! hehe Good luck in your new job Jay.
Sir Buliwyf / Roy Wood
Good work Jay. Hope you have lots of fun in the new position
Congrats. Fruity drinks with umbrellas in have a higher alcohol to water ratio than beer. Therefore they are better (unless you have drunk so many you manage to poke the little umbrella in your eye. This is bad).
Thank you Jay for the builder’s events, they were lots of fun, including getting to drink fruity drinks with Jay and other BioDevs.
Good for you, Jay! I’m glad you’re fulfilling your highest dream!
Hopefully one day soon, you and I will be working together.
All the best of luck, although I’m certain you won’t need it
Michel
Game Designer and Game Writer
Jedi Grandmaster
Congratulations–from your reading your blogs I’ve no doubt that the teams quality will go up a little–which doesn’t leave room for anyone else, I guess!
Cigne
Well done Jay. I hope your new gig is both challenging and rewarding.
Thanks for the good thoughts folks. I suspect I will be loitering around the ye olde community way more often then not. In fact, I feel a blog coming on…
All the best of luck!
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I wonder if he got the job because he was a great community guy, or despite he was a great community guy.
… well … I once heard that BW only takes the absolute best, not the best they can get, so he probably deserves it.
And I won’t say anything like good luck, or congratulations, but that what really counts: Have Fun
Greg
Congrats Jay. I was worried you were moving on to non-Bioware pastures at first. I too enjoyed hanging out at the event, and maybe someday we’ll meet up again and I can buy you and fluffy a round of umbrellas
Jay,
On behalf of the Broodslayers guild, thank you for all your hard work on the community. You will be missed. We do wish you much success and joy in your endeavors as a game designer writer.
Good luck!
Chokra Broodslayer
Thanks Chokra, you and the gang are the very definition of what’s essential about community. I tip my hat to you all.
Congrats Jay! I love the fact that you are stepping outside your comfort zone and growing. It’s a great testimony to what we should all consider doing at some point or another.
I agree. A loooot of late nights getting my submission ready. Not an easy road for sure. We shall see what happens.