Happy 15th Birthday, Destructoid!

Finally old enough to rent Critters 2: The Main Course

[This article was originally posted on Destructoid’s actual birthday, March 16]

Hit the lights, strike up the band, pop the corks, lose your pants. We are gathered here today to celebrate the anniversary of the coolest and hippest video game website on the internet – right up there with such contemporary trends as Tamagotchis, Fidget Spinners, and The Macarena. Yes, friends, today sees Destructoid celebrate its 15th birthday.

It’s been 15 long years since founder Niero Gonzalez started his own gaming blog for the sole purpose of blagging an E3 press pass. Suffering for his art, our affable overlord crammed his head inside a home-made, razor-sharp helmet and spread the gospel of a brand new games media experience. A website that aimed to take a wry look at the video games industry – its wares, people, politics, and curiosities, offering informed and honest information without taking itself too seriously.

Since those humble beginnings, Destructoid has grown into the “phenom” it is today – like The Undertaker, but without the weirdly right-wing clothing. For well over a decade, Destructoid has posted thousands upon thousands of features, reviews, videos, interviews, podcasts, show reports, and contests. The site has raised money for numerous charities and causes, while Destructoid alumni have birthed memorable series such as Podtoid, Jonathan Holmes’ ‘Sup Holmes, Ashly Burch’s Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin’?, and The Jimquisition, hosted by the irrepressible Jim Stephanie Sterling.

_{[Image credit: Mary Stowe]}

Destructoid is a recognized symbol of both reverence and irreverence within the gaming industry. Our fair and accurate reviews are quoted in accolade trailers and promotional posters, while Destructoid itself has made proud cameos in a host of video games including Rocket League, Ms. Splosion Man, Super Meat Boy, and Retro City Rampage. Lest we forget, our mascot Mr. Destructoid has also haunted Twitch for years as a popular emoji, yet to be removed on any grounds of being a conspiracy theorist.

Most importantly, Destructoid offers the best video game community on the ‘net. Thanks to the constant outpouring of love, friendship, and support from all of you, the readers, Destructoid remains – first and foremost – a radical place to hang out. We’re not all expected to always agree – this is a very flammable industry, after all – but that’s the great thing about family: sometimes you gotta fight, sometimes you gotta hug. (You can have that one for free, Vin Diesel.)

Thank you to our talented and tireless team of editors, contributors, and moderators. Thank you to the people at Enthusiast Gaming who oversee Destructoid’s legalities, business dealings, and tech issues. But above all else, thanks to you, our dear community, for joining us on this incredible and ridiculous journey. We all hope that you’ll stick around to witness Destructoid’s exciting future. There might be cake, but I’m not making any promises.

The video game industry – and the internet itself – has changed dramatically in the past 15 years. And through its myriad highs and occasional lows, Destructoid has endured. It has achieved this thanks to the passion and commitment of each and every person involved in keeping its huge robotic heart beating… That’s me, and them, and you. All of us. We’re all responsible.

And if I have to use that as defense in a court of law one day… Believe me, I will.