I still remember it like yesterday - ten years ago, I was just a wide-eyed 17-year-old scrolling through YouTube after a mundane college day when I stumbled upon IGN's new series called 'Prepare To Try.' What started as Rory Powers attempting to conquer Dark Souls before Dark Souls 3's release evolved into something that would become a constant companion through my formative years. Now, as a 27-year-old in 2025, watching the trailer for the third and final part of their Elden Ring series hits me with emotional waves that crash against the shores of my nostalgia.

The Evolution of Gaming's Most Heartfelt Trio

The journey of Rory Powers, Daniel Krupa, and Gav Murphy has been nothing short of legendary in the gaming content space. Like a caterpillar that transformed not just once but twice - first from IGN's humble beginnings to the branded subsidiary of Prepare To Try, then emerging as the fully-formed butterfly that is RKG Video in 2019. Their rebranded series 'Retry' continued the legacy they built, carrying the torch of authentic gaming content through an industry increasingly dominated by algorithm-chasing content.

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Their Elden Ring series represents not an ending of RKG itself, but rather the closing chapter of a decade-long saga that has followed me from adolescence to adulthood. The production quality has evolved like a fine wine aging in perfect conditions - once limited by IGN's hardware constraints, now flourishing in their dedicated London studio with community-backed freedom.

From Fans to Fools: The Community Connection

What makes RKG truly special isn't just their content - it's the community they've cultivated. We 'Slugs' (later 'Fools' after the rebrand) have followed them through Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Resident Evil, and countless other gaming adventures. The bond between creators and community has grown like an ancient oak, with roots running deeper than most gaming channels could ever dream of achieving.

The trailer for Retry: Elden Ring Part Three struck me like a thunderbolt on a clear day. Set to Johnny Cash's haunting rendition of 'Hurt,' it showcases not just the upcoming footage but also nostalgic clips from their original Prepare To Try days. The direct comparisons between then and now - the evolution of their set, their appearances, their production values - tells a visual story of growth that parallels my own journey from teenager to adult.

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The Gold Standard of Gaming Content

In an era where gaming content has become as disposable as fast fashion, RKG stands as a bespoke tailored suit - timeless, crafted with care, and improving with age. Their production values have skyrocketed not just because of better funding, but because of their relentless pursuit of quality. Each episode feels like unwrapping a meticulously wrapped gift, where the packaging itself is part of the experience.

Their commitment to quality reminds me of master blacksmiths forging legendary weapons - hammering away at imperfections, tempering with patience, and polishing until the final product gleams with perfection. While other channels might mass-produce content like factory-made swords, RKG crafts Excaliburs with every upload.

The trio's chemistry remains their greatest asset. After a decade together, they anticipate each other's reactions, build on each other's jokes, and create moments of genuine human connection that transcend the games they play. Their banter flows like a well-rehearsed jazz trio - each knowing when to take the lead and when to support the others.

My Personal Journey Alongside Theirs

As I reflect on my decade with RKG, I realize how much we've grown together:

  • 2015: 17-year-old me watching Prepare To Try while writing amateur blogs

  • 2019: Witnessing their brave leap from IGN to independence

  • 2022: Following their initial Elden Ring adventures while developing my own career

  • 2025: Now a professional in video production myself, appreciating their craft on deeper levels

Their influence on my own creative journey cannot be overstated. The care they put into their productions inspired me to approach my own work with the same dedication. The authenticity they maintain despite growth taught me that scaling up doesn't mean selling out.

Looking Forward: The Next Decade

While Retry: Elden Ring Part Three marks the end of this particular saga, it feels more like a comma than a period in the ongoing RKG story. The foundation they've built over ten years provides a launchpad for whatever comes next.

For the community, this moment feels like graduating from a beloved school - bittersweet, reflective, but ultimately exciting for what lies ahead. The friendships formed, memes created, and inside jokes developed will carry forward into RKG's next chapter.

As they say at the end of each episode: "To the fools." 🍻

And here's to ten more years of the finest gaming content on the internet. Whatever comes next for Rory, Krupa, and Gav, their dedicated community of now-grown Slugs will be there, controllers in hand, ready for another decade of digital adventures together.

The 17-year-old me would be astonished to see where we all ended up. The 27-year-old me couldn't be prouder to have been part of this journey from the beginning.