I worked freelance for GameXplain for the majority of 2020. It started with the 10th Anniversary of GameXplain video. I was elated to be asked to work with my favorite YouTube channel of all time. Unfortunately my experience wasn't what I hoped for.
I put maybe 15-20 hours into that video and (me being new to freelance) we settled on $150. I was so excited by the opportunity that I let the low ball slide. This set an unfortunate precedent.
Later on in the year I was offered the opportunity to edit every episode of Game Club. This was some of the most stressful work I had to do for GameXplain and I asked for a pittance of $65 per video. I value myself higher than this now but I believe Andre could have stepped in and told me I was low balling myself. But he didn't. With future projects I started sending invoices with what I believe I was owed to no contest from Andre.
Now most of you probably don't know I was even involved with GameXplain for as long as I was. That's because Andre made little to no effort to give me credit of any kind. The most blatant instance was when he asked me to edit the Super Mario 3D All Stars review.
I worked the entirety of the night up until 45 minutes before the embargo to get that video done. Andre's Twitter made it sound like he worked through the night when it was me. He didn't finish writing his review until that evening putting me into a corner and allowing him to coast through that night while I worked. I was furious. At this point I decided I was going to walk away. I was making no strides in my career because nobody knew I was doing the work. Steve thankfully would edit Andre's descriptions and add credits for me or tag me on Twitter himself.
After completing what was supposed to be my last video, Andre asked me if I would work on another video. I told him I likely wouldn't have the time to do it and his response upset me. He made it sound like it wasn't a ton of work. If it wasn't, why didn't he do it? What did he do all day? I still don't know. I accepted the work, disgruntled, and that was the end of my time at GameXplain. I wanted to be done with it.
During this entire experience I was one of the candidates to be hired for GameXplain. Andre knowingly used this to pressure me into more work for little money. I found out I didn't get the job before deciding to leave because Steve was kind enough to let me know. I didn't hear this from Andre himself until mere days before the new hires were announced. And I know for a fact it was decided I wouldn't be hired quite some time prior. I've never felt more used and taken advantage of in my life. It hurt me on a deep level and I still struggle with it.
That said, I have immense respect for Tom, Tris, Chris, and Joey and wish them all the success in the world! Please don't harass or direct hate at Andre, or anyone else at GameXplain. Thank you.
For now, I've been helping out with Good Vibes Gaming and I've had an incredible time. I feel like I belong and that I'm treated with the respect I deserve. I love these guys and am so happy that they're doing GVG.
