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Mikey Neumann
Mikey Neumann
from Wikipedia

Mikey Neumann (born April 16, 1982) is an American YouTuber and video game writer. He is known for the channel FilmJoy, which hosts film criticism series Movies with Mikey. The series celebrates the positive elements of movies, and was nominated for the Outstanding Informational Series or Special Emmy in 2017.

Key Information

Before his work on YouTube, Neumann worked in the video game industry as a creative director and on games including Brothers in Arms, Borderlands, and Borderlands 2. He worked at Gearbox Software for 16 years, ultimately earning the title "chief creative champion" before departing the company because of health problems.

Career

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Video games

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Neumann began working in the video game industry at the age of 19. He left college after one year to do quality assurance on Gearbox Software's PlayStation 2 port of Half-Life, becoming a full-time texture artist in 2001, a year later.[2][3] He went on to write, voice act, and serve as creative director or associate creative director for games including the Brothers in Arms series, Aliens: Colonial Marines, and Borderlands.[4][5] For Borderlands, Neumann provided motion capture and voiced the character Scooter.[6][7] He also wrote comics for the series, including the prequel Borderlands: Origins.[8][9][7]

When pre-orders for Borderlands became available, Neumann tweeted "Twitter me a screen of you buying the game and I'll play BLs with you and give you loot." When the tweet was picked up by gaming news website Kotaku,[10] the popularity of the tweet exploded, with more than 200 players tweeting their game receipts. As a result, Neumann spent more than 3 days playing the game, grouping up with each player and giving them in-game weapons.[11] In 2014, Neumann gave the keynote talk at PAX Prime.[4] Alongside developers from other game studios, he created a card for Magic 2015, titled Chasm Skulker.[12]

In 2016 Neumann, then in the position of 'chief creative champion', was announced as the lead writer on the upcoming Borderlands 3.[13] He left Gearbox Software in June 2017, before the game's release, as a result of ongoing health problems, saying that "Everything is 1,000,000% amicable with Gearbox. I physically just can't do the work anymore", and opened a Patreon account to crowdfund his YouTube videos.[14] Neumann later assisted with the Borderlands 3 trailer.[15]

YouTube

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In 2010, Neumann created a web series alongside Anthony Burch called Anthony Saves The World.[16] He started a film criticism series titled Movies with Mikey in 2014 on the Chainsawsuit Original YouTube channel (now titled FilmJoy) in collaboration with Kris Straub.[17] The videos focus on the positive elements of movies, celebrating and highlighting aspects of those movies Neumann enjoyed. He described the impetus for the series as a desire for people "to feel good about the things they like, as opposed to feeling attacked all the time" and he aims to bring something new to viewers' opinion of the film, such as framing John Wick in a mythological context.[18] After leaving Gearbox Software in 2017, Neumann began funding the series via Patreon as he worked to become a full-time YouTuber.[19] 5 days after his Patreon opened, more than 1,300 fans were pledging money each month to fund his videos.[17]

Neumann envisioned Movies with Mikey as being focused on films that were reviewed negatively in the 1990s and 2000s, providing viewers with a deeper appreciation for them. When the first videos received few views, he refocused the series. His video on The World's End received considerably more attention, including being shared and commented on by the film's director and cast.[3] Movies with Mikey has since covered movies and television shows, including 10 Cloverfield Lane,[20] Princess Mononoke,[21] and Stranger Things.[3] The series was nominated for an Emmy in 2017, in the Outstanding Informational Series or Special category.[22]

Personal life

[edit]

Neumann had a stroke while playing games at the Gearbox Software office in October 2011, resulting in him being hospitalized for nine days. Doctors diagnosed Neumann with multiple sclerosis.[2][23] Following auto-immune failure as a result of his condition, Neumann was hospitalized again in 2017.[7][17]

Neumann has identified as asexual.[24]

Works

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Year Game Role
2005 Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 Writer; voice of Corporal Sam Corrion[25]
2005 Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood Writer and Story Director; voice of Corporal Sam Corrion[26]
2007 Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway Writer; Voice of Corporal Sam Corrion[27]
2009 Borderlands Writer;[5] voice of Scooter
2012 Borderlands 2 Co-writer and Creative Director; voice of Scooter[28]
2013 Aliens: Colonial Marines Writer[29]
2013 Poker Night 2 Voice of Steve the Bandit
2014 Tales from the Borderlands Scooter

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mikey Neumann is an American video game writer, voice actor, and YouTuber best known for his contributions to the Borderlands series at Gearbox Software, where he served as lead writer, creative director, and the voice of the character Scooter across multiple titles. Born in 1982, Neumann began his career in the gaming industry with writing roles on the Brothers in Arms series, earning a nomination for the 2005 Interactive Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story and Character Development for Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood. He joined Gearbox in the early 2000s, rising to Chief Creative Champion by 2011, a position he held until resigning in June 2017 to focus on his health and independent projects. Neumann's tenure at Gearbox included writing credits on over 25 games, including Borderlands (2009), (2012), and Battleborn (2016), where he helped shape the studio's signature humor and narrative style. His voice work as Scooter, the eccentric mechanic in the Borderlands franchise, became one of his most iconic roles, appearing in the main series and spin-offs like Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014). Beyond gaming, Neumann transitioned to with the YouTube series Movies with Mikey, launched in 2013 under his channel FilmJoy, which offers comedic yet insightful film criticism and analysis; the series earned an Emmy nomination in 2017 for Outstanding Informational Series or Special. As of 2025, FilmJoy continues to produce episodes, with recent videos covering films like The Fall of the House of Marvel and , amassing over 300,000 subscribers. In 2011, at age 29, Neumann suffered a that significantly impacted his health, leading to a diagnosis of shortly thereafter. He experienced further complications in March 2017, including an auto-immune failure related to his MS, which required hospitalization and relearning basic motor skills like walking and speaking. These challenges prompted his departure from Gearbox after 16 years, allowing him to prioritize recovery and full-time work, where Movies with Mikey also serves as a platform for MS awareness. Neumann has since become an advocate for the disabled community, identifying as asexual and disabled in his public persona while maintaining an active presence in and gaming discussions.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Mikey Neumann was born on April 16, 1982, in . He grew up in the nearby suburb of Broken Arrow, where he lived during his early childhood until a impacted the area. Following the tornado, his family relocated to , a suburb of , where he resided until age 18. Public information regarding Neumann's family background remains limited, with few details available about his parents or siblings. Neumann has reflected on enjoying movies during his youth, which hinted at an early interest in creative that would later shape his professional pursuits.

Academic background and early interests

Mikey Neumann attended college in , for one year starting around age 18 in 2000. At age 19 in 2001, Neumann decided to leave college to pursue opportunities in the , beginning with contracted work for on the port of . This pivotal choice marked his transition from formal education to a professional career in gaming, driven by his passion for creative media. During his studies, Neumann developed early interests in and , viewing them as foundational to . He described his initial career aspiration as becoming a cartographer, noting that "when I was studying , I really enjoyed the concept of a geographic story." These pursuits fostered a approach to mapping and world-building that later influenced his creative contributions in and media production.

Video game career

Entry into the industry

Neumann entered the at age 19 in 2001, leaving college after one year to take on a contract position in at in . His initial role involved testing the port of , developed by Gearbox, which provided his first professional involvement in the field. During this early tenure, Neumann contributed to the QA process for the , ensuring compatibility and functionality on the new console hardware. By the end of 2001, he transitioned to a full-time role as a texture artist, applying his artistic background to create visual assets for games. This entry-level experience at Gearbox allowed Neumann to build foundational skills in game development, from and testing to creation, laying the groundwork for his long-term career at the studio.

Roles and contributions at Gearbox Software

Mikey Neumann joined in 2001, initially working in an entry-level capacity as a texture artist, which laid the foundation for his subsequent advancement within the company. By the mid-2000s, Neumann had progressed to roles as a and cinematic director, where he contributed to narrative development and visual storytelling elements. He also took on responsibilities, lending his talents to character performances that enhanced the immersive quality of Gearbox's projects. Further advancement led to positions as associate and , allowing him to influence broader design and narrative directions during this period. In , Neumann was appointed Chief Creative Champion, a senior leadership title he held for nearly six years until 2017, overseeing key aspects of narrative design, character creation, and creative team coordination across Gearbox's initiatives. In this role, he provided guidance on storytelling frameworks and mentored emerging writers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on innovative character development and cohesive narrative arcs. His contributions emphasized building engaging worlds through strong character dynamics and effective team leadership, spanning his overall 16-year tenure at the studio.

Key projects and credits

Mikey Neumann contributed significantly to the narrative and performance aspects of several prominent video game titles developed by Gearbox Software. His work on the Brothers in Arms series, spanning 2005 to 2008, established him as a key writer for the studio's World War II-themed shooters. For Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (2005), Neumann served as one of the primary writers, crafting the story based on real paratrooper experiences from the 101st Airborne Division. He continued in this role for Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (2005), providing additional writing to expand the squad-based tactical narrative. In Brothers in Arms: D-Day (2006), Neumann acted as writer and cinematic director, overseeing the integration of historical events into the portable adaptation's cutscenes and dialogue. His writing duties extended to Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway (2008), where he helped develop the emotional depth of the Easy Company storyline amid intense combat sequences. Neumann's involvement in the Borderlands franchise marked a pivotal shift toward humorous, loot-driven action RPGs, with his writing and voice acting defining much of the series' irreverent tone. As a writer and associate creative director for Borderlands (2009), he co-authored the script that blended post-apocalyptic adventure with satirical elements, influencing the game's cult following and commercial success. Neumann reprised his voice role as the eccentric mechanic Scooter in the game, delivering lines that became iconic for their fast-paced, comedic delivery. For Borderlands 2 (2012), he advanced to co-writer and creative director, shaping the expanded narrative around the villain Handsome Jack while voicing Scooter again, contributing to the sequel's enhanced character interactions and critical acclaim. His performance as Scooter persisted in DLC content like Mr. Torgue's Campaign of Carnage (2012), where the character's quips provided comic relief during high-stakes missions. Neumann continued his contributions to the franchise with Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014), serving in a capacity and voicing Scooter, integrating the character into the prequel's storyline set on Pandora's moon. In 2016, he contributed to the narrative design of Battleborn, Gearbox's multiplayer , helping craft its lore and character backstories during his time as Chief . Beyond Gearbox's core titles, Neumann lent his talents to collaborative projects that showcased his versatility in writing and voice work. In Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013), a co-developed shooter with TimeGate Studios, Neumann was credited as a writer, contributing to the screenplay that extended the Alien universe's horror elements through scripted events and character dialogues. For Poker Night 2 (2013), published by Telltale Games, he provided the voice for Steve the Bandit, a Borderlands crossover character, adding humorous banter to the poker-themed adventure. Neumann also voiced Scooter in Tales from the Borderlands (2014), Telltale's narrative-driven episodic series, where his performance supported the choice-based storytelling that intertwined with the main Borderlands lore. These credits highlight Neumann's role in bridging Gearbox's IP across genres, from first-person shooters to interactive adventures.

Media and YouTube career

Early online content creation

In 2010, while employed as a at , Mikey Neumann began experimenting with online video content, creating a behind-the-scenes feature for the studio that aired on G4TV's X-Play program. This early project showcased his skills in producing humorous and insightful gaming-related material, drawing on his professional experience in to highlight Gearbox's creative process. In 2011, Neumann collaborated with fellow Gearbox writer Anthony Burch to launch the web series Anthony Saves The World, debuting in February with a pilot episode featuring over-the-top comedic skits blending science fiction tropes with gaming humor. The independent production, directed by Gearbox's cinematic director Brian Thomas and scored by composer Danny Baranowsky, positioned Burch as a reluctant world-saver protected by a time-traveling Neumann. Episodes were hosted on Neumann's personal YouTube channel, TheMikeyface, marking his entry into self-produced digital media. These initial efforts, focused on gaming commentary and satirical sketches, quickly attracted an audience within the online gaming community during the early , establishing Neumann's reputation as a witty content creator beyond his studio role. The series ran for several episodes through , fostering subscriber growth on his channel and laying the groundwork for his expanding online presence.

FilmJoy and Movies with Mikey

In 2014, Mikey Neumann launched the "Movies with Mikey" series on the FilmJoy YouTube channel (originally named Chainsawsuit Original and rebranded in 2017), marking his transition into dedicated film criticism. The series quickly established itself as a platform for in-depth explorations of cinema, building on Neumann's earlier online experiments with gaming content. The format of "Movies with Mikey" emphasizes upbeat, positive , focusing on elements such as techniques, choices, and thematic depth to highlight what makes films compelling. Episodes typically run 10 to 20 minutes, blending trivia, narrative breakdowns, and enthusiastic commentary to foster appreciation for cinema's artistry rather than critiquing flaws. This optimistic and insightful style sets it apart from more cynical review formats, encouraging viewers to engage with movies on a deeper level. FilmJoy's growth has been steady, amassing approximately 391,000 subscribers and tens of millions of views as of November 2025, driven by the series' consistent appeal to film enthusiasts. The channel's content evolved to include collaborative episodes and broader media discussions, reflecting Neumann's background in video game narrative design while centering on cinematic transitions between genres and mediums. As of November 2025, "Movies with Mikey" remains active, with recent installments such as analyses of Kingdom of Heaven, the episode "The Fall of the House of Marvel" (discussing the Marvel Cinematic Universe's trajectory), and "Superman 2025 is a Caffeinated Masterpiece," continuing to blend with insights on across entertainment forms.

Health challenges

2011 stroke and multiple sclerosis diagnosis

In October 2011, at the age of 29, Mikey Neumann experienced a debilitating while employed at in . The episode began with a vision in his right eye, progressing to , numbness in his left hand, , and eventual full on his left side, causing him to in a stairwell at work. He was hospitalized for nine days, during which medical tests revealed a ovale—a allowing blood clots to bypass the lungs and reach the brain—as the 's cause; was initially suspected but ruled out at the time. Approximately one year later, in 2012, Neumann received a formal diagnosis of , a chronic affecting the . This diagnosis addressed ongoing neurological symptoms separate from the acute stroke event. Neumann's initial rehabilitation focused on adapting to persistent left-side numbness, a 26-day migraine, and vision impairment, requiring him to re-learn basic mobility and daily tasks with assistive devices like a cane and an eyepatch. Despite these challenges, he was discharged early at his insistence and returned to Gearbox the following weekend, demonstrating resilience in resuming his creative role amid ongoing symptoms. The early effects of the stroke and MS diagnosis significantly altered Neumann's daily life, necessitating adjustments such as modified workstations and paced workflows to sustain his output on projects like Borderlands 2, while he navigated fatigue and physical limitations during recovery.

2017 health crisis and recovery

In early 2017, Neumann experienced a severe health crisis exacerbated by the progression of his (MS), which had been diagnosed in following a in 2011. After contracting the flu at PAX East in , his autoimmune system failed, leading to a rapid loss of motor functions, speech, and cognitive clarity; he was hospitalized for nine days and treated with high-dose intravenous steroids to address the relapse. Following his release, Neumann underwent extensive rehabilitation, relearning essential skills such as walking, talking, and writing, though his recovery plateaued at approximately 70% functionality after two months, with persistent numbness in his right hand and frequent falls. This stalled progress, combined with the physical demands of his role, prompted his departure from in June after 16 years, an amicable decision allowing him to reduce his workload and prioritize health. The crisis marked a pivotal career shift, as Neumann transitioned to full-time content creation on , where the flexible schedule better accommodated his ongoing recovery needs; his series Movies with Mikey quickly gained traction, supported by a campaign that raised over $9,000 monthly by August 2017.

Personal life

Identity and asexuality

Mikey Neumann publicly identifies as asexual and uses he/him pronouns. In a 2015 personal essay, he described his as a long-standing aspect of his identity, stating, "I am an asexual" and noting that he had embraced it fully by adopting —the color symbolizing asexual pride—as his favorite for several years prior. Neumann reflected on his personal experiences with , explaining that despite past attempts at dating and sexual activity, he has never felt to any gender. He characterized as inherently introverted, observing that it often leads individuals to maintain a private inner life separate from their public personas. While briefly considering whether his diagnosis might influence this orientation, Neumann concluded that the cause was irrelevant to his . In the context of his creative work, Neumann highlighted the challenges of navigating within the entertainment industry, which he described as "a hell of a sexually charged entertainment landscape." He advocated for greater representation of asexual individuals in media as a , emphasizing that creators have a duty to depict diverse identities to foster inclusivity. Neumann pointed to the Borderlands, on which he contributed as a , as featuring one of the strongest portrayals of in up to that point, though he credited collaborator Anthony Burch for the concept.

Disability advocacy

Following his 2017 health crisis, Mikey Neumann has openly identified as disabled due to and shared his personal experiences in interviews to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges of chronic illness. In a 2017 profile, he described relearning basic functions like walking and speaking after a severe episode, emphasizing resilience by stating, "If I can be positive, you can. It’s not hard," to inspire others facing similar struggles. Neumann has continued discussing the impact of his condition on his career and daily life in subsequent media appearances, highlighting how it limits physical activities while enabling new creative outlets like video essays. A 2018 interview noted his observation that the gap between symptom onset and can prolong suffering and financial hardship for those affected, underscoring the need for better support systems. In a 2025 podcast interview, Neumann referred to himself as "mostly disabled," explaining how the condition has confined his artistic expression to digital formats and prompted adaptations in his workflow as a content creator. Through these disclosures, he promotes empathy and visibility for disabled individuals in media and entertainment.

Works and recognition

Video game works

Mikey Neumann contributed to over two dozen video games during his 16-year tenure at Gearbox Software, taking on roles such as writer, voice actor, creative director, and quality assurance. His work primarily focused on narrative development and character performance in the Borderlands series and related titles. He also wrote the Borderlands comic book series published by IDW, including Borderlands: Origins (2009–2010) and Borderlands: The Fall of Fyrestone (2014–2015). For his writing on Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (2005), Neumann received a nomination for the Interactive Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story and Character Development. The following table lists his key video game credits, emphasizing significant roles in writing and voice acting:
Game TitleYearPlatform(s)Role
(PlayStation 2 port)2001Special Thanks
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 302005Windows, , Writer
Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood2005, Writer
Brothers in Arms: 2008Windows, , Writer
Borderlands2009Windows, , Writer, Associate Creative Director, Voice of Scooter and Midget Bandit
2012Windows, , Co-Writer, Creative Director, Voice of Scooter, Midget, and Darts Guy 3
Aliens: Colonial 2013Windows, , Writer
2013Windows, , Voice of Steve the Bandit
2014Windows, , Voice of Scooter
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!2014Windows, , Special Thanks (Development Contributions)
Battleborn2016Windows, , Special Thanks (Voice of Benedict)
2019Windows, , Special Thanks
Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-shot Adventure2021Windows, , Voice of Midget and Scooter
Additional minor credits include special thanks or company acknowledgments for titles such as (2011), (2017), and (2016), reflecting his broader involvement in Gearbox projects.

Media works and awards

Neumann co-created the web series Anthony Saves The World in 2011 alongside writer , in which Neumann portrays a time traveler assisting Burch in evading apocalyptic threats to ensure he fulfills his destiny. The series premiered on as an independent project and ran for one season with 10 episodes. In 2014, Neumann launched Movies with Mikey, a YouTube series where he serves as creator, host, writer, producer, and editor, offering in-depth, positive analyses of films that highlight their technical and artistic merits. The show emphasizes joyful exploration of cinema, covering blockbusters, cult classics, and overlooked works through long-form video essays. For its contributions to online informational content, Movies with Mikey received a nomination in 2017 for the for Outstanding Informational Series or Special at the 69th . Movies with Mikey is hosted on the FilmJoy YouTube channel, which Neumann established as a dedicated platform for his film criticism content, including the core Movies with Mikey series alongside spin-offs like Deep Dive—where he examines viewer-submitted "bad" movies for redeeming qualities—and Fav 5, ranking his favorite films in thematic brackets. The channel also features ad-free releases on Nebula and supports community engagement through Patreon. Post-2017, Neumann has continued producing Movies with Mikey episodes, with recent installments analyzing films such as and WWII epics like The Thin Red Line and . In a May 2025 interview, he discussed his full-time transition to via FilmJoy following his departure from the , crediting the channel's success for enabling this shift after a 2017 health crisis. No additional media awards beyond the 2017 Emmy nomination have been documented for his work.

References

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