People often ask me why I get up so early to stream every morning, why I spend so much of my time writing about games, and why I care so much about building communities. The answer is actually quite simple.
I love people.
Gaming has given me so much over the years. It has introduced me to incredible worlds, unforgettable memories and, most importantly, friendships that I genuinely treasure. If I can give even a small part of that back to someone else, then every early morning alarm is worth it.
When I go live at 06:00 BST with a mug of Essex Tea in my hand, my goal isn’t to be the loudest streamer on Twitch or Youtube. It isn’t about chasing viral moments or pretending to be someone I’m not. It’s about providing a friendly face and voice.
If someone joins before work with a cup of Tea or coffee, if they’re having a difficult week, if they’re feeling a little lonely, or if they simply want somewhere to relax for a while, I want them to know they’ll always be welcome.
The games are important, of course. I love everything from simulators to open-world adventures, and every stream brings something different.
But the games aren’t really the point. The conversations are.
Outside of streaming, I’ve been fortunate enough to help build something I’m incredibly proud of, the CompleteXbox team and community.
As Editor, I write news articles, review games, edit content across the site, and have been lucky enough to play a part in helping the website grow into what it is today.
I’ve also helped grow our Discord community into a place where people can carry on those gaming conversations long after gaming sessions, community nights and streams that have ended. It’s somewhere gamers can share their passion, organise multiplayer sessions, chat about the latest releases, and make new friends.
One of my favourite things we introduced is our community gaming nights. Seeing people who first met through the discord, socials or via a stream, end up laughing together in-game is something I’ll never get tired of. Moments like that remind me why I started doing this in the first place.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to build relationships with developers, publishers and PR teams throughout the games industry. Some of those professional conversations have grown into genuine friendships, and I’m grateful for every opportunity and every person who’s taken the time to support what I do.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I certainly don’t claim to be the best gamer on the internet.
I’m just Dave.
A bloke from Essex who enjoys a good cup of tea, loves talking about games, and believes the internet could always do with a little more kindness.
If, through CompleteXbox, my streams, our Discord community or our gaming nights, I’ve managed to make someone’s day a little brighter or helped someone feel part of something, then I’d say it’s all been worthwhile.
Because at the end of the day, games bring us together. And that’s what it’s always been about for me.
So if you’ve ever stopped by a stream, read an article / review, joined a gaming night, been part of our Discord, or simply shared a conversation along the way, thank you.
It genuinely means more than you probably realise.
The games will always change. But I hope the welcome never does.