[2020] Reflecting on what I’m grateful for

Some of you out there already know who I am, for those that don’t, my name is Bellissimoh and I’m the Product Lead for Personalization and Events on League.

Here in the US, many of us are separated from family on a day known for togetherness. Sitting at home and thinking about what I’m grateful for, a few things came to mind that I thought were worth sharing. Here we go.

I’m grateful for the mentors and coaches who believed in me early in my career and invested in me. They gave me opportunities, positive feedback to raise my confidence, and criticisms or perspective to check my ego.

I’m grateful to have a wife that shares a love for League with me. It makes staying up for Worlds or geeking out over things like KDA into things we share and remember together.

I’m grateful for our two Shiba Inus, Ahri and Teemo. In a year where it’s been hard to be home all the time they’ve made it a joy by constantly reminding me to play and be silly, and indulge in companionship during moments of rest.

I’m grateful to work on a game that a lot of people really care about. I got my start in the industry working in customer service on a few really small games. (Space Cowboy, Fly for Fun) While I was ecstatic to be working in the game industry, the audiences were small and no where near as passionate and vocal as the one we have here for League today.

I’m grateful to work for an audience that cares enough to holds Riot and our dev teams accountable. Accountable to what our stated values are as well as our stated intentions. Whenever someone is frustrated I know it’s born out of passion and whenever someone says thanks or expresses how happy they are with the game that fuels me and keeps me going.

I’m grateful to work on a game that has been around for 10 years and by the looks of things will be around for 10 more. When I grew up the most popular games were popular for months, not years. It’s crazy to think that some of the most popular games today will likely live longer than I will.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope that you have a great holiday and weekend. Here’s hoping your games are good and that your enemy Yasuo goes 0/8.