How to even begin to describe Gordon William Hall?
How to put into words a person such as this?
You can’t even say ‘such as this’ with Gordon, that would imply at least one other Gordon out there somewhere. No other such Gordons exist, Gordon was a genuine one off singular deal; Gordon was the only Gordon.
We all know and knew him, we his family and his friends, we all feel the magnitude of this loss.
While Gordon may have lived only 51 years, he packed those years with real life experience, he lived those 51 years well, he touched many people, he made positive contribution to so many lives.
He put cities on the map.
He was a true friend.
Gordon’s personality? Where and how to even begin to describe it…
he’d make you a cup of tea whilst listening to your woes.
That’s probably where to begin, where things would usually begin anyway.
Gordon had a particular way of stirring tea, more a whisk than a stir.
Your tea would then be handed to you along with a solution to your dilemma. Usually, it was that simple.
Next, you’d be off driving somewhere on a crazy expedition, or listening to his guitar, or watching something interesting, or reading something interesting, having something interesting ran by you, many ideas, schemes and plans. How to do this that and the others, crazy funny stories, somewhere new, news; usually a string of them all.
Life was never boring when Gordon was about.
He’d also just listen, if need be.
Going to get paint from the shop was entertaining with Gordon.
Sitting in the rain was entertaining with Gordon.
He could quietly chat 1 to 1, he could hold rapturous court with tens, even hundreds.
The tea was interchangeable, it could be coffee if you preferred, or beer; bottled usually.
“Can I get you anything?” he’d say.
It was easy to like Gordon, he was warm, welcoming, fun, respectful. Sharp and cynical in all the right places. You could sense something deep in him intellectually, he was smart, aware, wise and his confidence and charisma were off the charts.
He wasn’t some goodie two shoes either, he was bloody rebellious, but only with those that would seek to limit him, or underestimate him. he’d push their boundaries, answer them back and prove them wrong. He was competitive like that; he wanted to always be getting better, always be growing.
When he was skint in 1995 he photoshopped points from his driving license to get lower car insurance. That was super cool, he got away with it too.
He’d talk the police out of giving him speeding points more times than not, …usually.
Gordon could talk you into most things, if he thought you could do it, you probably could. Even if you didn’t think you could do it. You’d find that in actual fact, astonishingly you could actually do it!
That’s how he effected most people first; he showed them what they were capable of, he’d see your potential, he’d give you a chance and trust you to try.
He’d work with you on your weak spots too, he’d forgive you if you fucked up.
Gordon did not suffer fools however. If you made it through your first conversation with him, he probably liked you. Or, at least he thought you could be useful to the group somehow.
The group was important to Gordon, centrally important, vitally so; his team, his family. He dedicated his life to nurturing, growing and maintaining it, facilitating happiness within it.
Gordon was a true natural leader; it was effortless to him. Or, at least he made it seem effortless.
When storms needed navigation, Gordon truly shone at it.
Those who have weathered storms with Gordon know how deep the bonds forged therein run. Those great moments when everything would click into place, even the moments when it would all fall apart again, they were all special, the failures, the success, ups, downs, all of it, it was all perfect experience, all a privilege to share with him.
And when the dust cleared, we’d all be stronger, wiser, better.
Gordon was indeed a true leader; he led you to a better version of yourself.
Gordon’s first love was video games.
Gordon had made a few games in his mid teens, he was a self-taught games programmer, he’d figured it out himself. he’d finished the games; this was always the first great hurdle to overcome; finishing anything. Then brazenly he negotiated pretty good deals with games publishers. Early signs of things to come…
However, initially Gordon landed a ‘proper job’ - he worked at British Coal, he maintained their I.T. at a couple of pits. He was mostly driving here and everywhere, doing this that and the other, he was well paid and very overworked.
While he continued to dabble in games development, it remained largely a hobby, something to advance in the odd bit of spare time he did have.
At British Coal he was given tremendous trust and responsibility at a young age; managing large teams of people years older than himself. Key skills were perfected, …ultimately though, he was bored.
In the mid 90’s, he packed in the ‘proper job’ and embarked upon a remarkable games industry career instead.
Initially he joined Hookstone, a small games developer in Harrogate. Where he immediately became indispensable, which wasn’t hard being Gordon.
From there he began his own company Mobius Entertainment formed in 1997 with his close band of comrades, a group which would grow and grow, flourish and ultimately become Rockstar Leeds in 2004. He worked with Rockstar Games until 2012.
Gordon declared his ‘retirement’ in 2015. However, the term ‘retirement’ to Gordon was somewhat loose; he was always right there should you ever need him.
He led and sold millions of games, now classic games; he entertained millions.
He threw legendary parties.
He put Leeds firmly on the games development map.
In-fact his contribution to the games industry, especially here in the north is immense; many hundreds of jobs created, many careers started, many lives touched, …and now, many great new companies emerging. Faces, old and new.
The legacy of a great leader; a great man.
In his 51 years Gordon knew tragedy. He knew success.
He lived full and he lived well.
He will be loved dearly and missed deeply by the many hearts he touched.
When the pain of his passing eases into all those great memories he left us; we’ll see Gordon there smiling.
When our times come, Gordon will be there to great us all.
To help us out, make tea, …show the ropes of whatever’s next.
Who knows?
Suffice to say no words could ever really sum up Gordon William Hall.
Thank you Gordon.
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