Many of you have heard the sad news that Geoff “iNcontroL” Robinson passed away recently. We wanted to share some good memories of a dear friend and say our goodbyes.
Geoff was more than just a friend to Frankie and I, he was like a brother. His passing has been extremely difficult for us to process as it was so sudden. It just doesn’t make sense. He was young, took great care of himself and had a bright future ahead of him. I had been chatting with him just hours before he passed about mundane stuff. It just doesn’t feel real. I imagine at any moment he’ll call us and tell us this was all a big joke.
But it’s not a joke, and I’m never going to speak to my friend again.
It’s difficult to accept that fact, but there it is. I imagine all of the fun things we had planned to do that we won’t now and it’s easy to slide into a pit of grief that feels like it’ll swallow me whole. So instead of succumbing to that, I wanted to share some good memories of our bro and talk about why he was such an awesome guy.
Geoff first came into our lives many years ago looking to get some models painted. He asked for a discount in exchange for tweeting about our service and I remember laughing to myself thinking, who does this joker think he is? I am not a big video game enthusiast and didn’t know who the famous iNcontroL was, so his proposal sounded pretty silly to me. How much could a tweet be worth? Then he showed me how many tens of thousands of Twitter followers he had, and I came around on the idea pretty fast!
Geoff was always generous in that way, willing to help us out with our business in any way he could. From things like helping get us exposure to grow our (at that time, tiny) company to helping us unload shipping containers in the early days of us making gaming mats. And let me tell you, that was really crummy, manual labor and not in any way fun. But he was always down to help his friends out.
Geoff was a massive influence in getting more exposure for many gaming communities from Starcraft to D&D, and especially for the competitive 40k scene which was his personal passion. We wouldn’t be where we are as a community without his constant hard work and belief that we could make our common love of 40k into something bigger and better. His efforts will be felt by thousands of gamers in many different communities worldwide for years to come. For that we owe him a debt of gratitude as his efforts have helped enrich our lives.
Geoff was also a fierce competitor. He lived to compete at the highest level in the games he loved. I’ve never met someone so driven to succeed. He was always down to practice and help hone not only his own skills but those of his friends. In fact, I often had to turn down practice games because I couldn’t keep up with his relentless pursuit to improve!
He was also the captain of our 40k team and a great leader. He kept the gang focused on improving and made it fun with his humor and witty banter. We used to call him the “Joke Machine Gun” as he fired them out faster than I thought was humanly possible. Some of my favorite memories with Geoff are of road-trips with the team to tournaments where we all shared laughter and camaraderie while playing the games we all love. Our team won’t be the same without him.
All the hard work paid off, too. Geoff was wildly successful in his career as the famous “iNcontroL,” bringing his charisma to gaming events around the world and entertaining us with his hilarious Tweets and gaming streams. He applied that same relentless drive to excel from his professional life to his competitive gaming life. Geoff was a winner, and was piling up championship performances in his favorite games. He probably had trouble finding a place to put all of his trophies! It was awesome to see him win his favorite event–the BAO–this year. It was his biggest win to date and I loved seeing how happy it made him to get that W.
But more than any of that, Geoff was our friend. One of my best friends in the whole world. Like real brothers, he and I bumped heads some times but we always came back to that friendship that has held us together for all these years. I am thankful for those years. All the memories, the shared laughter, the fun times. Having someone you could count on to be there for you and share your fears and hopes with through life’s ups and downs is something that you can’t really quantify. That’s the stuff that makes life worth living.
While trying to process all of the sadness and anger that we’re feeling at this senseless tragedy to see such a good friend taken away from us, we try to focus on the good times and happy memories. Hopefully for those of you out there feeling similar feelings, reading this will help ease that pain even if just a little bit. Don’t fear the pain though, as it’s proof that you loved that person and that they were an important part of your life, that they made your life better with their presence.
I’d give damn near anything to just talk to him one more time, but I can’t. So, I share this to honor him and help tell his story so he can live on in our memories.
Geoff, love you bro. I am so sorry your life got cut short but man, the years you had were really lived. You had a wonderful life and you will be missed.
See you on the other side.
Reece & Frankie
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
So sorry for all of you guys and his family and friends. Such a big presence and such an impact. There is a void that won’t be filled.
Was very sad to hear about this as well. I know you all were very close. I did not know him very well but did see him at ATC and now regret not taking the time to go and say hello. He certainly was a shining star in competitive 40k and will be sorely missed in the community and beyond. This post was a great way to honor his memory and legacy.
I’m not crying you’re crying…..
Geoff was a beacon of light for every community he was engaged in. I’ve been following him since the drop of Wings of Liberty and Geoff has always been the nicest guy to run into and chat at events, from SC2 to 40k.
Being someone way on the outside, this has hit me pretty freaking hard. I can’t imagine how hard this is for those close to him. I’m so sorry for your loss.
So sorry Reece, I still can’t believe he is gone so soon. I will never forget our game at BAO and looking back I am so happy he had the chance to experience that win. he was a titan in the community and will not be forgotten. My thoughts are with you, and all the friends and family he had in the community. RIP Brother.
wow, that picture from the first LVO, winnin trophies…..haven’t gotten any sleep tonight. He was a bloody excellent entertainer, he did so much bringing that professional edge to 40k. I’m glad I got to know him a bit, wish I’d got to play him though, always thought I’d get the chance to. words are really awkward at the moment. love to his family extended and otherwise.
My heart goes out to you lads, I only knew Geoff through discord and twitch but he was always willing to help with list design and getting better at the game we’ve lost a titan and all too soon RIP brother.
The community has lost one of it’s finest. Geoff had a charisma, a passion and a positive attitude that will not be replaced.
It’s so sudden and difficult to accept. He will be missed by many.
FLG always talks about the concept of being an ambassador for the game.
Geoff was that and more.
I had no idea about his SC past and only knew him from chapter tactics and seeing him at local tournaments. He was a friendly and witty character.
As i see the tributes pour in i cant help but think the world is a sadder place without him.
I’m so sorry for everybody who was part of Geoff’s life. This is the first I’ve heard of it and I’m gutted so I can’t imagine how you all feel.
I didnt know him aswell as others, but I remember carpooling down to the first Lvo with him and joking there and back, he was a good man. Every tournament i saw him at he always asked me how I was doing and told me to keep it up.
I never met Geoff, only listened to him in podcasts. He always came across as larger than life, always with a joke and a big laugh, always with passion.
Thanks for sharing your memories and picture, I’ll miss the man and I didn’t even know him, I can only imagine how hard it is for you, his friends and family. Stay strong, thinking of you. RIP Geoff
Beautiful tribute, thanks for sharing that and the photos. I’ve been a big fan for 8-10 years and remembering watching him every week on State of the Game while I was living alone abroad in my younger days. I was so excited when he got back into 40k and I was pumped to finally meet him briefly in Vegas last month. I had high hopes of getting to know Geoff better in the coming years out here in the West, and was looking forward to his Team USA performance.
It’s been a total shock since yesterday and for those of us who didn’t know him as well as all of you but feel like we did, it’s been hard to digest. Thank you for sharing your memories and your tribute. Lots of love for the FLG family and the Robinson family in this difficult time.
Absolute tragedy. Such a giant in the community.
Damn. I just gotta send my condolences to you guys and everyone who knew Geoff. He had one of the biggest and best personalities in the hobby and it was so great to see him racking up wins at the highest level. He brought laughs to every bit of content he was featured in and seeing him drive Reece crazy made for so many signature moments. My heart goes out all you guys. Take care. Rest in peace Geoff
Well said.
RIP Geoff and God Speed!
Taken suddenly and too soon.
Well said guys – a moving tribute
I saw the sad news this morning. I couldn’t believe it. I never met Geoff, but like many I guess, felt I knew him a little from all the podcast I’d heard him on. In fact I was just listening to him yesterday on the Best General Podcast.
I can’t imagine how you guys are feeling, as people who were his friends.Grief comes in waves, and you just need ride them out. I know it’s trite, but the anger passes, and the pain fades. In time, with luck, you’re left with a grudging acceptance, and all the good memories.
Hang in there.
Super out of nowhere. With TotalBiscuit everyone knew the inevitability of his illness. This is definitelly one of those “this is just a bad dream” moments for me. Very hard for it to sink in. I just watched him start a new DnD campaign with Destiny and the first episode was as amazing as one could expect with those two… Guess it will remain a one-shot session…
“I had been chatting with him just hours before he passed about mundane stuff”
This part is especially fucked up. Even hours before Geoff probably didn’t even know.
Hope he can teach TotalBiscuit how to play 40k finally.
I only half-met Geoff in person and certainly never knew him. But I heard so much of him on podcasts, that he practically felt like a friend. He was absolutely brilliant – not just as a strategist, but also as someone who could make me burst out laughing while alone in my car.
He will be missed by many – both his close friends and family and many, many more who never even knew him.
This has stung me all day since I learned of it. His passion was plainly visible for all to see in both this and Starcraft, and I loved him in both. I only got to know him as an entertainer. You got to know him so much more closely. Gaming is one of the few ways I really connect with people, but I don’t ever want my friends to think that it’s the only reason. It’s just the door that opens the possibility of your friendship, and I am thankful for that yes, but am thankful for the relationships I have after having walked through it so much more. Pour one out tonight for a fellow gamer, Geoff Robinson.
WTF??? I am in shock….. Geoff and I did not always see eye to eye but I never doubted his passion and love for Warhammer 40K nor his love for those around him. My heart, prayers, thoughts and love go out to those now looking for answers and finding none. Please Please please can we start a fundraiser or have a FLG tourney that raises money for….maybe a foundation or scholarship or something to keep his memory alive for those that never got to know him.
Im so sorry for this. I was just listening to one of his podcasts the other day discussing the up coming ETC. I thought, man I love this guy he’s so funny, such a smart ass, and while I never met him, I thought “This is a guy who enjoys LIFE” plain and simple.
It’s sad that such a young person could have this happen.
Geoff was the very first person in the community i interacted with at the first LVO. My thoughts are with his family..
..really a sad day.
This is terribly depressing and a massive loss to the community. I’ve loved listening to Geoff on podcasts and have only heard good things from those who met him. The shock to his friends and family must be unbelievable. The world is poorer with his loss.
Beautifully said. I’m so sorry for your loss. Geoff really worked so hard to grow the Warhammer community. You could tell how mich he loved it from his passion and his constant involvement.
I am in utter disbelief on the news. Geoff will be thoroughly missed in our community, in a sense he was the face of our hobby for a few of us and it sad to think of all the potential lost.
Though Reece and Frankie, I would petition you to rename the BAO Award to the Robinson Award to remember whoever wins this trophy again, the paragon they stood on.
I second that suggestion. It makes for a memorial like no other.
Third. I just can’t seem to wrap my head around this I was watching him on stream on Friday…
this would be an amazing tribute!
A great tribute. Sorry for your loss, indeed, everyone’s loss.
I only knew him from his content here, but seeing that news still hurt. He always seemed like such a great guy, and such a great face for the hobby. My condolences to those who knew him better, and may he Rock in Peace.
Oh man, this is heartbreaking. I didn’t know Geoff, but I have many good memories of him from podcasts and the like. He will be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Geoff was a legend. He will be missed.
Damn……. I think naming the BAO after him is a great idea as well. And sorry to bring it up as I am sure it hurts but those matches with Reecius and him will always be my favorite, Geoff was the ultimate competitor and always had a joke and a smile. Damn…..
Man..
He was my favorite part of the hobby. I tuned into a half dozen podcasts every week just hoping Geoff would be on, watched all his reviews, chats, warhammer vids.. He was a funny mofo, and will be missed terribly.
RIP
I’ve been following Geoff for the better part of a decade and losing him was really like losing a friend I’ve known for years. I can’t even imagine what you guys are going through.
I live across the globe and never met him, but I feel like I know him from many years of listening to him on podcasts and watching batreps and streams. Just yesterday I was listening to him on Chapter Tactics and today I woke up to these terrible news. I’ll miss his wit and humor, his knowledge and his enormous charisma. Heartfelt condolences to all of you who knew him.
I had followed Geoff for a couple of years now, I loved his humor and wit. Like many others hear he could make me laugh like no other. I’m grateful that I got to meet him a week or so ago at the ATC. I had gone there to bring him a bottle of Bourbon, a taste of Tennessee, and he was SO nice and genuine. He will be greatly missed.
I’m blown away by this news. I never met Geoff, but like so many others I’ve listened to him countless times on CT and other Podcasts. He was such a powerful presence and a smart intelligent person. Today I truly feel a sense of loss, and if I feel that, then I can only imagine how his real-life friends and family feel. My thoughts are with you guys. Take time to grieve and be there for each other.
Geoff will be missed. I met him only briefly at LVO 2018. He was friendly and welcoming and funny, even in a brief encounter. Like so many of us, I knew him most through his online presence, but I enjoyed his humor and his insights. He helped make the game we love better and more fun. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
If you want to run Geoff’s last list that he was going to bring to Slaughterfest. I know that’s the first knight list I’ll run:
Nurgle Battallion:
HQ: pox bringer 70
HQ: piper 60
Troops: Plagues 1×28 (icon) 211
Troops: Plagues 1×28 (Icon) 211
Troops: Nurglings 1×3 54
Iconoclast Knights
Knight Despoiler – 388 (gauntlet, reaper, stubber, ironstorm) [DREADBLADE]
Knight Despoiler – 501 (avenger 2x, 2x flamer, stubber, ironstorm)
Knight Despoiler – 501 (avenger 2x, 2x flamer, stubber, ironstorm) [DREADBLADE]
TOTAL: 1996
DROPS: 8
CP: 14
So sad to hear it for the few i knew him, looked like a cool guy, condelences to his family and close friends
@rvd1ofakind
maybe i miss something but you can have only 1 dreadblade for each Ik detachment
RAW you can have many dreadblades but only 1 per detachment can be given stuff before the game begins. This way you can adjust which one do you actually want to have the abilities
My condolences to his family and friends. I’m going to miss hearing his voice. RIP Geoff.
I’m saddened by the news and of your loss. Rest in piece, Geoff.
I first “discovered” Geoff in a Dark Heresy YouTube game on ItMeJP many years ago. He was my favorite YouTuber. I never met him in person but I loved his humour and personality. The world is lessened with his loss. My heartfelt condolences to you all
Never met him yet have so many fun memories about him.
I am sorry for your loss guys.
Rest easy Geoff.
Geoff,
Thank you for your influence in the community.I will remember you being one of the guys to aspire too.I never had the pleasure to tell you so I am now.
I first saw this guy when I started following professional StarCraft: Brood War some 20 years ago. He was a character back then already, as a part of Team USA. And then he just kept popping up in whatever hobby I engaged in. So even though we were on different continents and I never met the guy, and only talked to him online once or twice… I felt we had a lot in common. It made me really sad to hear of his passing. He was much too young. Rest in peace Geoff!
this was a beautiful written post. Every time i read it i start to cry. He will be missed
Wonderfully written Reece. Really sorry for everyone’s loss. Thanks for sharing with us all.
Rest in piece, Geoff.
I remember him all the way back from the Starcraft days. He helped grow esports from a joke to a legitimate venue of competition . I was happily surprised when I found him in the 40k scene years later. It was just cool seeing a familiar face across different games and to see that we all have more in common than we think. My last memory of Geoff, I was interacting with him in twitch chat while he worked as a commentator with Frankie at a 40k Tournament. They did a great job together. He made you feel included and a part of the community, even though I was a just another twitch name on his screen. I envy all of you who had the pleasure to know him in person. He will be missed not just by his loved ones, but by all communities that he’s touched.
Sorry for your loss. I know I will miss his hilarious and insightful commentary and banter on the pods.
I only saw him in Videos and Twitch Streams, but i was always interrested in his sharpe thoughts on any Codex and unit and he made me always laugh.
Rest in peace.
What a loss for his nearest to him.
I will miss him. Well witten, thanks!
He was my favorite person to listen to on various podcasts… his rants were legendary. On top of this, I find out he loves bulldogs that are my favorite bread. The community lost a great member and I give my condolences for his friends and family. So glad he won a major this year and his friends have that found memory
I was crying for two days straight now at work, at home over this man I only ever met once, briefly but he was a truly great man. I feel like I got to know Geoff intimately over the many years and hundreds if not thousands of hours I spent with him. He’s a friend, a close friend at that even if he never knew it. Rest in peace brother.
Condolences to everyone close to Geoff and his family. Know that he brought a lot of joy to many of us.
Rest and peace, bud, and will you go exactly to your hobby’s heaven.
I had never met Geoff but got to know him through his prolific presence on 40K podcasts. He was a constant in ear companion on many long commutes, walks, and runs, and his personality, passion, and sharp wit came across every time. The suddenness of his passing shocked and saddened me to a surprising degree and I offer my heartfelt condolences to the whole FLG family. He touched and will be missed by more than he could know.
Geoff was always a happy site at every convention I attended. Always friendly, always welcoming, always happy to discuss strategy or let me watch him pick his opponents castles to pieces. Even when I didn’t know anyone, he was a friendly face to see. He will be sorely missed and my deepest condolences to the world who will miss his smile.
Only came across Geoff recently through you guys, but instantly liked him, so personable, witty and genuinely nice.
He will be missed.
My thoughts and well wishes go out to his family and friends at this time. Thank you for covering his loss on the podcast and in this article.
Geoff “iNcontroL” Robinson was a legend. He was a great player and a witty and funny commentator with great insight into the games he played. I once emailed him about army list advice and he wrote back with feedback and suggestions. He even offered additional help saying – “Love talking WH40k!”.
He was a great personality to have been involved in 40k and I know he will be sorely missed..
Farewell Geoff, you will always be an inspiration to me.
Got me into starcraft and funny enough fighting games because of how my love for skill based 1v1 games developed. He was competitive but in the good spirited kind of way, something I will always take with me. Cya buddy.
incUTOPIA 7