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Mikey Neumann, the chief creative at Gearbox Software, has left the studio after 16 years. Neumann was the lead writer on the original Borderlands, co-wrote the second, and was named as the writer for the upcoming but-as-yet unnamed new installment in the series (that everyone is referring to as Borderlands 3 anyway).
In his spare time Neumann makes a YouTube series where he analyses films, called Movies with Mikey, which has been praised for its positive outlook as ‘a celebration of what makes movies great’. Neumann announced he was starting a crowdfund for Movies with Mikey, and later confirmed it is now his full time job.
Everything is 1,000,000% amicable with Gearbox. I physically just can’t do the work anymore. I am, and will always be, part of that family
— Mikey Neumann (@mikeyface) June 5, 2017
The move is due to Neumann’s continuing battle with illness. Neumann suffered a stroke six years ago and was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but was able to return to work at Gearbox. Two months ago Neumann suffered an autoimmune failure, and, though he has relearned to speak, walk and write, has made the decision that he is unable to continue working for Gearbox. He stressed that everything is ‘1,000,000% amicable’ with the studio.
In his recent account of his illness, Neumann is inspiringly motivated, saying ‘I’m just a bit more broken than I used to be. I shouldn’t even be standing up, honestly — but I am, defiantly because f*** MS, f*** auto immune deficiencies, f*** whatever this fresh hell is, and f*** any disease that thinks it’s gonna keep me down.
I’ve been down for long enough.’
Movies with Mikey, which, for full disclosure, the person writing this now supports on Patreon, is often equally as inspiring. We wish Mikey nothing but the best, and leave you with one of his videos to enjoy.
