Watch our stream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/DqYcclSS9ME
Hey, everyone. So, for those of you who haven't seen yet, Rec Room is shutting down. On June 1st, the game will no longer be playable. So what does this mean for us?
I've been pretending to be someone I'm not. Simply read these blog posts. "Executive decision." I've made plans for schedules, and business ventures, and speaking in such corporate language- but in reality, I'm just a guy. Jostar is just a guy. Four is just a guy. We're three dudes who wanted to make a thing, and I got way too into it.
I was in denial about Rec Room's state. I openly admitted it before. And now that it's over, I've seen three primary responses, and interestingly, they align with the college theme of Rec Room.
The first group is those who aren't ready to leave. Those who want to keep going, stick with their friends and stay in it for a higher degree (those moving to VRChat or Roblox, or otherwise seeking a replacement.)
The second group is those who are prepared to move on. They know people come and go, and they let their experience guide them to new horizons.
The third group is those who are lost. They don't want to lose their friends, their routines, their livelihoods.
I would have been in the third group. I genuinely cannot put into words in this blog how much Rec Room has changed my life. I would have been devastated. For a while, I was. When I got the news at work, I was shaking uncontrollably. I dropped things, almost broke a carton of eggs; I eventually asked my managers if I could leave early, and when I got home, I started a live stream. Because I knew the only way to keep going would be do share my sadness with the people around me; the thing I've been so scared to do for so many years.
The stream went better than I could have imagined, and being surrounded with friends and viewers (even my girlfriend was with me, despite how late it was), I was able to make peace with it. I identify myself in the second group now.
I don't know what comes next. I'll weigh my options. But what I do know is this.
Rec Room was a lifechanging game. And it's time to use what it taught me to move on. Indie development? Working in Unity and Blender? Moving on to other programs? I truly don't know. But it's time to take life as it comes. Enough stressing the small stuff.
No matter what happens next, I'll see you guys in the next video.
- Hawkshadow74, CEO
Hello again. We recently put up a poll on our YouTube channel and Discord server, asking where you guys want updates. There's a lot of stuff I want to say, and writing is much easier than making videos (and less time intensive), so here's the new, NEW plan.
First, I know we so thoroughly planned out the year. But I'm making a new executive decision: we will not be making ANY new videos until after May, the month that I graduate high school. That's the gist of it, and I will go into more detail below for those who wish to read it. This info is very personal, but since I have nothing to hide, I figure it would be better to get it out somewhere.
Trigger warning for death, illness, and other potential trauma sources. Please read at your own risk.
Going into 2026, I was very optimistic. I was ready to keep working, keep improving the channel, strengthening our brand, and making more and more videos. But then, we learned from the vet that our dog has a blood tumor. Then I receieved news from my father that his father had passed away. Shortly after, my mother announced that they would be getting a divorce. Through it all, I didn't really know how to feel.
I tried distracting myself. I got a job back in September, and as of a week or two ago, I was promoted! So I engrossed myself in my work, in getting a paycheck, in strengthening my resume, and things felt almost like they faded into the background. They were real, but so was my work, and my current life. So I tried focusing on the latter.
Those of you who know me on Discord may have seen that I recently set my status to say I'm taking a hiatus to figure my life out. That still holds true. All commissions from my end are freezing (paid commissions excluded if offer is high enough, nothing motivates like money lol), alongside videos and mod updates. I'll be using this time to relax with family, spend time with friends, and do things I enjoy while I focus on the school year.
I appreciate each and every one of you, new and old, for supporting the CQC. I never imagined this little project would grow this large, but here we are.
In the meantime, I'll be making frequent announcements, posts, and updates all across our platforms. This site will be getting an HTML overhaul with an aesthetic I've dubbed "Google Docs before you figured out the page format options" chic. I hope you guys are looking forward to that, and I'll see you fellas in whatever next post I make.
- Hawkshadow74, CEO
So, yes, it is the 20th of February, and those keen eyed among you may have noticed that our total video count for 2026 has been... one whole video. Wowzers!
I know, I know. We promised seasons to hopefully encourage more videos, but in the end, we just haven't been able to follow through on that. And now here I am, blogging about it instead of filming or editing. So, before I get back to work, I figured I may as well summarize what was said in the video here. By the way, if you haven't watched it yet, please do so! It's very informative.
Season One: Four's First Smorgasbord
This season was originally set to run through January and February. However, as you may have noticed... we have seen nothing from Four yet. My bad! But it's not for no reason. We're preparing some new tech, and I've been busy with work and classes. So, to make up for it, I'll be pushing this season to end around halfway through March, and season two will simply be shorter. This season will be all about Four's content, as the video said, and will mainly be various Let's Plays.
Season Two: This Wobbly Life
This season will run for the second half of March. I know, that's a tight timeline, but I'm free from work for all of spring break, so things are looking bright! We have plans ready to go, and all we gotta do is record them. Besides, I don't expect to make more than two videos for this season. (Not including shorts, of course!)
Season Three: Re-Re-Re-Imagining
This season, running in April (the anniversary month of Origins: Reimagined) will focus not just video content, but also updates for the mod. We have some VERY optimistic plans, and have even more time to work on them. (If you somehow don't know what Origins: Reimagined is, read more here)
Season Four: Link's At It Again
This season for Kingdom Engineering has been very highly anticipated, and falls during May and June. My birthday falls right at the start of May, and I'll actually be turning 18 this year- so it's gonna be a busy time. (Also crazy age drop, I know, but at this point I don't see any reason to lie about it.) On top of that, during this season I'll be graduating high school and moving on to bigger things.
Season Five: Tomfoolerous Activities (yes, I decided to change the name)
This season, taking place in July, is for collaborative content. Be it external collabs, community activities, or just all three of us CQC founders working together, it all fits. It'll be nice to take a load off, since this will be the post high school time. I'll likely need to start looking for somewhere to move to around this time, so times might be rocky.
Season Six: Midlife Crises
Aptly named, this takes place in August. It'll be the first August I won't be heading back to school like usual, so it will likely feel off. Here, I'll talk about personal stuff, and really anything that comes to mind. It's me time, for me.
Season Seven: The Bizzare Adventure: pt. 1
This season will be a nice rest for September and October. Jostar will hopefully begin his season proper (prepping has already begun, thankfully) and you'll get to enjoy some nice, polished VR content. (We'll also be dropping a throwback episode from 2025 in here!)
Season Eight: What A Wonderful Year
To end off the year in November and December, we'll be returning to Rec Room content. It'll include recaps of the year, projects we've developed, and visiting Rec Con and any other events happening at the time.
This is our finalized structure (for the moment). I'm really looking forward to what the rest of 2026 will bring, and I thank all you guys for sticking with us along the way! (Also, one last call to join our Discord to stay up to date lol)
- Hawkshadow74, CEO
Do you guys like this sort of blog style? We might continue announcing things here like this, but only if you want it. Feel free to let us know on Discord, if you have that.
We have plans. I know I've said that a million times, but this time, we have a Google Slides deck to go along with it. One way or the other, we are changing things up for next year, and I'm excited to see how it goes! Firstly, I'd like to thank all of you for helping us get so close to 500 subscribers. (We may have hit it by the time this is published, but I don't know yet.) My lifelong dream has been to see this channel thrive, and all of you have been a big part of that. However you found us, and however long you've been with us, we appreciate you.
We're gonna be changing some operational things in our subsidiaries, as well as our video structure. You may have also noticed that the website has been getting a lot of updates! As I'm learning HTML, I'm using my skills to make the best UX (user experience) that I can. This brand is ever-changing, and I hope you'll stick with us as we continue finding our style.
- Hawkshadow74, CEO
Rec Room rough patch is, more or less, over. However, you may have noticed we have been moving slowly as of late. So what's going on?
No. As I've said and will say a million times more, the CQC will not die. I simply not let it. However... I will not deny that the channel has been stale lately. The reason for this is primarily me getting a job, college courses and applications, and life in general. I have plans, but honestly, that's not saying much. So I just want to assure everyone, it is not the end. I have plans. I hope I can actually see them through this time. Your support is appreciated.
- Hawkshadow74, CEO
If you haven't been keeping up with the recent news, Rec Room's CEO announced that half of their staff was laid off last night. For the second time. As a result, many people are flocking to say that the game is doomed, and will only last one or two more years.
No. The CQC is fully unaffected. The CQC, as a company, has "stock" (so to speak) in several avenues. Rec Room is but one of our main avenues, and we will continue making videos and games and working on projects through other mediums. Whether the game dies or not, we will go on.
My answer remains mostly the same. We have other avenues we can pursue. That said, I do not believe that Rec Room is going to die, even in the next three years. I will not expand upon this point, and if asked, I will tell you I have no comment. We will be sticking with RR for the forseeable future, and we will not be changing our policies. No matter how many people leave out of spite or fear, people will always need help, and we will be here.
This is not the end. And even if it was, it still wouldn't be "the end".
- Hawkshadow74, CEO