The closing of Monolith Productions has saddened me.

I only played one of their games, F.E.A.R., briefly.
What I most remember them for is how they interacted with me back in the late 90s.

Back in middle school, in Home Ec. II, we were tasked with writing letters to a company we liked to ask them a question. I chose Microsoft.

I had inquired about a rumor about “Windows 97” and they responded they were working on a new version of Windows code-named Memphis, which would later be know as Windows 98.

They also included a CD with game demos, aptly named “Game for Windows 95”.

This demo disk used a 3D space station that you could explore and interact with to launch game demos and videos. I loved it.
It was like nothing I’d seen before and given my age and limited game exposure, it blew my mind.
It exposed me to other franchises I hadn’t known, and the station was so fun.

So, I wrote to the developers, Monolith.

Brian Goble answered my emails, which in hindsight I wish I could’ve kept. I was using AOL at the time and exporting was not an option.
Anyway, he wrote back and sent me the Monolith demo disc, along with the sequel demo disc “Games for Windows 95 2”.
I remember for the audio tracks on their demo disc, whenever they mentioned Brian Goble I got excited, “I know that guy!”.

I wrote Mr. Goble back and forth a few times and trailed off as my youthful attention pushed me to the next distraction. I treasured each message though. To think someone as cool as them took the time to respond to me was so uplifting.

I loved all 3 discs very much and poured through them over and over.

While they were lost to my childhood, I’ve thankfully gotten them back via the internet archive.
I still fire them up in a VM every now and then to relive some good memories.

When I heard the studio was closed my heart sank.
They have been making games for so long, and to see them shuttered so casually by WB, it was like a little bit of my core was shrunk and made cold.
They didn’t close up shop because of bad decisions on their part, or wind down to retire. They were just a line item in a budget to be axed.

I’m hoping they can all go on to lead happy lives, maybe even re-form under a new name should they be so inclined.

Mr. Goble, if you’re out there and read this, I wish you and your friends the best.
1, by 4, by 9.