Press Release - January 5th, 2023
Matt Merkle to continue spearheading operations at the speedrunning organization
Today, Games Done Quick announced that its founder, Mike Uyama, will be departing from the organization. Since the first Games Done Quick event, which took place in Uyama's mother's basement in 2010, the organization has grown to raise more than $41 million for charities like Prevent Cancer Foundation and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). After 13 years, Uyama is ready for a new adventure.
Matt Merkle, GDQ's longtime Director of Operations, will take over Uyama's responsibilities as Owner and Managing Director. The organization will hire a new assistant manager to help with duties previously held by Merkle.
While Games Done Quick is sad to part ways with Uyama, the organization remains dedicated to the community he helped grow while living up to the legacy of camaraderie and altruism he leaves behind.
"Since I started Games Done Quick, I’ve seen it grow from a small volunteer effort to the thriving organization that it is today," said Uyama. "I would not have been able to do it without the help of Matt Merkle and the growth of GDQ would not have been possible without the help of the speedrunning community, which has grown both in size and diversity over the years. I’m not sure where I’ll go next, but one thing I am sure about is that I will take a break and a vacation before diving headfirst into my next adventure."
"I feel incredibly honored to be entrusted with the future of GDQ by Uyama, and will do everything I can to build upon the foundation he has built for the organization since its inception," said Merkle. "I would not be where I am today without Mike and the team he has built. It’s incredible to see how much we’ve grown, transitioning from a group of friends in a basement to a company with over 50 staff members, raising millions of dollars for charity! I look forward to working with the speedrunning community and our staff going forward, and I hope to lead GDQ to new fundraising records!"
Uyama's final event will be Awesome Games Done Quick Online 2023, which will be taking place January 8-15 on the official Games Done Quick Twitch channel in support of Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Lizzie Killian
gamesdonequick@fiftycc.net