Obituary: Mike Fahey of Kotaku has passed away

by Mike Fahey Kotaku, one of the longest-running authors of one of the oldest and most widely read online publications of video games, died Friday. He was 49 years old. For over 16 years, Fahey has written with great joy and deep love for toys, snacks, giant robots, video games, and the emotional bonds that bind them all to the reader.

Fahey’s death confirmed on friday by his partner Eugene Abbott. Fahey in 2018 had aortic dissectionThe rupture of his main artery paralyzed him from the chest down, forcing him to use a wheelchair. Fahey suffered another such tear in April and died from an infection related to these chronic health issues.

Mike Fahey joined Kotaku in 2006 after establishing an online presence with hilarious posts about a missing Pikachu plush. “He had a Pikachu that people kept kidnapping,” Abbott told Polygon. “People used to hold a sign that said, ‘We have your Pikachu.’

Photo: Eugene Abbott

Brian Crecente, Kotaku’s editor-in-chief from 2005 to 2011, recalled that Fahey was a commentator on a blog he started before Kotaku was founded. When Crecente was chosen as Kotaku editor, Fahey was her first hire.

“The reason I hired him and kept working there was because he was a naturally funny guy,” Crecente said. Said. “A lot of people trying to write funny things are forced, but for him it was an innate talent. It just came naturally. I forced him to do research stuff and write longer, but I think what he loved most was making people laugh.”

Fahey came out of his shell when Crecente hired him in November 2006. He has remained on the roster ever since. “I got a job again, a girlfriend, and eventually my own apartment without a roommate,” Fahey wrote. On Kotaku, Fahey became known for her reviews of delicious treats — Snacktaku was the running title from these posts – and to celebrate the lighter moments of video game culture.

Photos: Brian Crescent

Fahey has found his voice as a casual pop culture fan, with interests and enthusiasm spanning The Transformers, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, Madden NFL and especially role-playing games. Released in October 2009 a groundbreaking memoir of his own video game addiction when playing everquest, and how he ruined a relationship with Abbott that he would soon mend.

“Everybody was like, ‘Ha ha, did you date the guy who ignored you for video games,'” Abbott said on Monday. He seemed to understand that Fahey was making his way to level 40 – still hating it. “But I was like, ‘Doesn’t he care? Does he like the video game more?’ I was just like, ‘Bruh, hurry up.

posts about and Michael McDonald Fight Stickor how to cook an authentic Castlevania Wall Turkey was equal for the working day. in 2008, his one-man campaign He picked up the 1986 power song “The Touch” for Stan Bush. Transformers: Movie animated feature — added Guitar Hero 5.

In one of Fahey’s most memorable and hilarious posts for Kotaku, he was playing a video game in his office, looked over his shoulder and “a spider the size of a small Volkswagen” at the top of the ceiling. He popped a can of Elmer’s CraftBond with glue, then smashed it with a copy. Plants vs Zombies: Garden War for Xbox One. The case is still stuck to the ceiling.

Fahey invited comparisons to the stereotype of the big, overgrown kid, especially since he’s 6 feet 6 feet. Abbott remembers returning from business visits to conventions and exhibitions often with a suitcase full of surprises for his children. They said, “He would come home with a suitcase, open it, all the sweets and toys would come out.”

“Momocon came home from 2015 [in Atlanta] with lots of ramune and Hi-Chew [candy]“He called the kids and unfolded them on the bed, then fell asleep surrounded by candies,” Abbott said.

Polygon news editor Michael McWhertor, hired to Kotaku shortly after Fahey, had a similar memoir spanning San Diego Comic-Con together. “I went back to the hotel room and there was Fahey sleeping in his bed, surrounded by toys he picked up from the show floor, like a kid on Christmas,” he said.

Michael Fahey is survived by Abbott and his two sons, Seamus and Archer. GoFundMe campaign to help family Was established.