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Letter from the Editor - Wrapping Up 2024
🕑 Added 2024-12-20 21:08:39 +0000 UTCIt’s the end of our first full year here at Second Wind so I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about the past 12 months, our plans for 2025, and what we’ve got lined up for you over the holiday break.
We’ve had an incredible first year here at Second Wind, let me start with that. We achieved over 40 MILLION views across our videos, livestreams, and podcasts. We will have just over 5 MILLION watch hours by the end of the year, and produced over 900 pieces of content between our premium videos, livestreams, podcasts, and columns here on Patreon.
This was funded by over 11,000 of you who have decided to join us on this adventure through paid subscriptions across YouTube, Twitch, and Patreon. For that we cannot thank you enough for allowing us to continue doing what we love – making things for a community that we truly enjoy making things for.
With The Escapist, we set out to rebuild the brand and build a community that exemplified the best of the gaming community. Focusing on creating works that are interesting, informative, and fun, and fostering a community that treated one another with respect, kindness, and a shared love of the hobbies that we enjoy every day.
We founded Second Wind on these same virtues, and I’m so proud of the team and the community for continuing that vision as we figured this whole thing out this year. Going straight from The Escapist to Second Wind was an immense amount of pressure for this team, especially with the roaring start we had right out of the gate.
Maintaining that kind of momentum was always going to be impossible, which was a reality we planned for. Things weren’t perfect, and it’s important to acknowledge that. But as a team we have a mutual respect for one another to push each other to be the best that we can be, and that was put to the test this year. I’m thankful that we’ve built a team that has everyone’s best interest at heart, and as Editor-in-Chief, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be surrounded by every day of the week.
I personally had a very rocky year that was highly publicized, emotional, damaging to my name and I’ve often struggled with dealing with it. To the team that stood behind me not only when I was let go from The Escapist, but also through personal and professional struggles this year - you have my endless respect and appreciation for being there when I need it most.
And that goes for the community as well. Not only do you support the work we put out, but you support us as people too. You make sure that we aren’t overworking ourselves, or presenting ourselves in a way unbecoming of the brand and community we’ve built. You’re there for us as much as we try to be there for you. You remind us every day why we get up to do this job, and for that we’re grateful.
The online sphere around video games and entertainment can be dishearteningly negative and combative on an almost daily basis, but we don’t see that here, and we thank you for that. The entire Second Wind team is proud of this community, and we can’t wait to continue building it together in 2025.
Thank you to everyone on the Second Wind team for your hard work and dedication this year. From our full-time staff, to our freelance contributors, to our moderators on Discord, to our partners and sponsors. Second Wind wouldn't be possible without every single person that has contributed to it.
My best wishes to all of Second Wind and our community,
Nick Calandra
Editor-in-Chief
WHAT’S NEXT IN 2025
As we head into 2025, the goal with Second Wind is the same as when we started. Build a sustainable games media outlet with a high standard of quality across all of our work. While we have new things on the way, 2025 will be a year heavily focused on optimization for our shows, and revenue streams.
Transparently, the Patreon has clearly seen a sizable decrease since we began. Some of this was planned for, and some of it was not, and some of it was malicious. Right now the Patreon is at a lower point than we’d like it to be, but as we’ve said since the beginning we do not want to be, nor should we, be in a position where we rely on any single source of revenue to be sustainable. Ad rates shift, people’s income fluctuates, algorithms change, people come and go, and these are all factors that can affect our income every month.
In our initial planning document for Second Wind, we never expected to even be close to the level that our Patreon was at, and so this year has been a lot of experimenting and learning. Finding shows that work or don’t, testing shorts, bigger projects, sponsors, merch, figuring out our baselines… you name it. We’ve never done this before, and there’s no right answer for how to run an independent media operation this large.
We have learned a lot this year just by putting in the work, and this team has always been very adaptable. While the Patreon may not be right where we want it at, we aren’t just going to sit on our hands and not do anything about it.
So here’s a few of the things we’re working on for the new year:
We’re moving from Shark Robot as our merch provider to Don't Forget To Be Awesome – DFTBA, and focusing on higher quality designs and products moving forward.
We’ve got three new shirt designs ready to launch the store with, and as soon as we have a date we will let you know. DFTBA also services international orders which we know a lot of you had issues with!
As a reminder from the other post - any orders you put through Shark Robot are still going through and being taken care of! DFTBA is only for products we have not launched yet.
As part of our initial strategy, we had always planned to take on Work for Hire projects to bring in an additional revenue stream. In 2024, thanks to your tremendous support, we didn’t need to start that just yet, but in 2025 we will be and have been planning ahead for those. This will be something separate from Second Wind entirely, while supporting the business at large.
We will be reformatting Unpacked into more of a short-form discussion show that airs weekly so that I have more free time to focus on these additional revenue streams. The Archive will finally be getting more episodes, you can expect more one-off essays from a number of members of the team, our Animal Well Documentary, and of course… the long-awaited fourth season of Adventure is Nigh in February 2025. And some secret projects that we haven’t talked about yet.
We’re planning on more collaborations in 2025 with different creators and communities to help expand our audience reach. If you’re a group or creator that would like to do something with us, feel free to reach out!
Things are looking good already for us with a number of sponsors already lined up for January, our new merch store being prepped for launch, and an absolutely stacked spring for games, movies, and TV shows.
We’re excited for the new year and confident in our ability to make Second Wind a sustainable outlet for ourselves. Of course, if you enjoy what we do here, you can help with this by continuing to support us on Patreon, joining us if you haven’t, or just sharing our work across social media when you enjoy something to help new people find our community!
CONTENT OVER BREAK
We have a few pieces left to go while we’re on break which includes the following:
Adventure is Nigh - Season 2 Remaster finale on 12/21
New Yahtzee Tries on 12/22
New Battle Masters episode on 12/23
New The Backdrop on 12/24
[PATREON EXCLUSIVE] Director’s Commentary for Metal Gear Untold 12/24
New Semi-Ramblomatic on 12/26
New Design Delve episode on 12/27
Our Favorite Games of the Year on 12/30
Our Favorite Movies and TV of the Year on 12/31
Yahtzee’s Best, Worst, and Blandest on 1/1/2025
We will also have some streams throughout the break and additional shorts we’ve prepared for you.
Thank you for your support this year, and we look forward to getting right back to work on January 6th, 2025. We hope you all enjoy your holidays with your friends and family and have a Happy New Year.
The team at Second Wind
Comments
Mario
This is the first and only Patreon I've ever supported. Thanks to all of you for bringing humor and levity to an otherwise challenging year.
Lil' Cass
I agree in saying that Second Wind continues to be a breath of fresh air😄💖
Lil' Cass
A Second Wind Patreon subscription is also on my "never cancel list" too😄💖
Lil' Cass
Oh I totally wanna buy the Second Wind Shill Cap😄💖
Lil' Cass
I'm also happy to have my horizons beyond Yahtzee's videos be expanded thanks to Second Wind Group😄💖
Lil' Cass
Same here, Second Wind is what convinced me to finally make a Patreon account too😄💖
Lil' Cass
I agree Here's to a better year ahead💖😄
Lil' Cass
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂Well fuck you too Denmark💖💖💖💖💖😊😄😆
William Alexander
Thanks for keeping us in the loop, SW. Just bought my year-long membership to provide at least a little stable support. I am sorry our broken capitalist system and a malicious former colleagues have made things harder for you Nick. SW has been a breath of fresh air. Looking forward to more great videos and essays. If I could have one request it would be for a better system of finding and (re)visiting existing content. Honestly, I'd rather have it easy to find Design Delve videos I've missed rather than a well-produced but long documentary on XYZ. That's a lot of work to produce something I'm probably not likely to be able to fit into my schedule.
lookitsaneric
This is the only subscription I have that is on my "never cancel list" The joy and sanctuary provided by the community and the never ending videos and podcasts keep me informed on things I'll never see and games I'll never play but appreciate nonetheless Love you all and can't wait for more Deez nuts jokes... And did we all decide that Nick DOESN'T eat poo poo?
Bob Gilmore
I've been following you guys first with Yahtzee, then with Marty, JM8, Darren, Frost, Nick and the rest for over a decade at this point. You would easily be my most watched content in 2024 from anywhere. I haven't been in a position to support the Patreon, but will come January. Love you guys. Merry Christmas!
jahr
Got my Shill cap and SW minimalist tee today and they look great! Truly a xmas miracle. Welcome to the rotation and here's to another year 🥳
melchar
I originally followed 'The Escapist' for Yahtzee, then got into 'Adventure is Nigh' mid-season 2. I was JUST starting to check out 'AIN' archives and was on season 1/ep 2 when THE INCIDENT happened. I Muppet-flailed during the chaos of that day, then followed you to 'Second Wind' and have been with you ever since. I watched everything & most of it was new to me, but I found ALL of it worth my time. All of you are adorable! Troubles have happened, but IMO it's because we are all human and for humans COMMUNICATION IS HARD. It took me DECADES to accept that communication/getting ideas across to other humans is 100% the responsibility of EACH side. 100% on me to explain & 100% on me to listen - and ask questions if there is anything not understood. That is the hard part, admitting that I don't understand something, but pushing past pride is vital for not ending up with hurt feelings & misunderstanding. You guys have a wonderful team and -AFAIK- pretty fantastic viewers. With this last year as a guide, you all give me hope!
Angelnickl
Thanks for a great year, there were rough patches and personal struggles but at the end of they say it seems like you guys are able to push ahead. Happy to be a part of the community, hoping I can continue but may have to to hold off due to my poor finances. I need some more fastfood in my life to start the new year. XD
Tim Wilson
I got Patreon to support you guys and when I can I’ll be upping my subscription. Gotta say, I came for Yahtzee, I stayed for the rest of the content that you guys put out and I’m sure I’m not the only one happy to have my horizons widened with a constant stream of high-quality content. See you guys next year, it’ll be a great one :)
Félix, from Paris
Thank you, and happy year's end !
Shade
This is one of the first groups I ever supported on Patreon, and I'm so glad to see you guys continuing to grow and be awesome. Very much looking forward to 2025! Such a good crew.
David Arcaine
I still think we should have a higher tier on Patreon just for those that want to give more via this venue without all the weirdness of gifting them. Make a hundred dollar or more tier with the additional gift being something silly yet cheap. Like having the member name posted on Marty's broken closet door. Closet crew unite! But seriously, thanks for hard work Second Winders. Hell of a first year, let's make each subsequent year even more baller! Cheers!
Altrus
It’s definitely been a year with ups and downs, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to support you all and be a tiny part of the journey! Second Wind is a shining beacon of what games media can be, free of vampiric corporate overlords. I hope that it leads the way in a wave of new independent ventures in the gaming space <3
Christopher Eychaner
I too signed on to Patreon for the first time to help fund Second Wind. I love the chemistry of the entire team and can’t wait for more Adventure is Nigh.
Denmark
Not one to be verbose unless I'm irritated or analyzing something, so I'll say the nicest thing I can in the language of my people. Fuck you.
Michael McCarthy
I Hope for a smoother year in 2925. A bit rough to see Second Wind lose 4 people on the team for reasons I feel could have been avoided with everyone being a bit more aware and tuned in. I feel like the unpacked discussion could be rolled into firelink as there seems to be an overlap, unless you get some more guests. Looking forward to seeing what you have cooking for 2025 and hope you all have a good break to recharge.
Seba Kingmaker
Nick, Second Wind is the reason I signed on to Patreon for the first time, and I couldn't be happier supporting content of the quality you guys provide. I look forward to continue enjoying the channel in 2025 and wish you all the best. ...especially Jack. Mad respect to you all, but he's my favorite. Warmly, a 40-year-old manchild fron Argentina. ❤️
Lil' Cass
I've learned a lot during Second Wind's birth year, and I know that I'll continue to learn even more in Second Wind's second year and beyond. Thank you all so much, both the team and the community. 😄💖
Lil' Cass
A lot's happened this year, good and bad: but the important thing is that we're all still here doing our best in spite of a world that's both tearing itself apart with anger, hatred, and fear and saying that indulging in hobbies means you're part of the problem, which I find so sad💔😭. Thank you to everyone at Second Wind, both the team and the community, for building such a kind, caring, loving, friendly, open-minded, heartwarming, human place which says that it is still possible to enjoy hobbies while also giving healthy criticisms and being sustainable too.💖
Joshroom
Thank you so much for so many hours of joy and entertainment this past year - and all the years before as well. ZP/Fully Ramblomatic has been a part of my life for 15 years now so not losing it was amazing - and discovering so many others shows and individuals of the site has been wonderful. Especially Adventure is Nigh - I am now one of those rabid fans and can't wait for season 4. Have a great Christmas break all :)
Cynthia McGarvie
I'm not surprised that much of the challenge was caused by imo hyperbolic personal agenda holders who are no longer relevant to the organization, which is better off without such bile and anger. Here's to a better year ahead!
Andrew White-Winter
I could not be prouder of this community, nor happier to keep supporting your mission into 2025 and beyond. You have learned, grown through controversy, and come out on the other side stronger and ready to make the days better and the future brighter for the rest of us. Take a well earned break and see you back in 2025!
Cameron Gore
Love the Director's commentary for the Metal Gear essay! Also great to see everyone's hard work this year and their growth as they continue to get comfortable at Second Wind!
Cory McLean
I luv u
urb4nm
Thank you for bringing premium quality videos all over the year. It's great to see the team pushing together in the same direction. Have a Merry One, and a Happy New Year!
MarvoMundercup
You’ve identified what I really value about this channel/group, but hadn’t personally realised until I saw it written down. Despite the endless cycles of toxicity, overhype and rage in gaming/media commentary and discourse, Second Wind manages to rise above and just be a cool place to discuss the projects we enjoy… whilst also critiquing that same industry! That’s really bloody hard to pull off. Get yourselves some holiday rest. 2024 was a bit of a bruiser for almost everyone; let’s face 2025 head on and maybe even come out the other side stronger for it.
