I've been with this MUD... for... Well, a pretty long time. I keep changing myself around and the content I deliver so that things stay fresh and new for everyone. But to be honest, I can't say I build for any of you. Not even Zeno, who is a close friend of mine. I build because it is fun. I build because I love to do so. There are times where I just... spark up ideas, or something motivates me to work on some things and I eagerly do so until it is seen and experienced by you, the players. Unfortunately, the community doesn't change. This isn't limited to just the MUD community. Society as a whole is just falling in deeper and worse than before. This shows by the way most of you behave. About 90% of you literally log in just to cause trouble. To antagonize others and somehow manage to find satisfaction in that. Despite my efforts to unify the player base through ideas and suggestions, content (grouped, etc) and such, you always find a way to somehow create conflict. Sometimes, I can't even believe my eyes at the things some of you will fight over for. I know, some of you are probably thinking one of two things: 1.) This is just a game or 2.) This is where I come to vent. But that's hypocritical on most aspects in most cases. If it was just a game, some of you wouldn't become hell-bent on trying to PK someone. Of all the things I've come to create and offer, 90% of the MUD is still consumed by unnecessary conflict through PK. I know the game supports PK, but I didn't come here to build a PK MUD. If I did, I'd go find my way to Godwars, or something along those lines. The point is, other content exists, too! There are other aspects people refuse to explore! The environment itself is filled with effort, lore and adventures waiting to be had. The MUD itself is Roleplay friendly, encouraging people to further immerse themselves in the lore of the game and the story of their characters... Yet... PK still reigns as the only focus for a majority of the player base. Again, it is simply disheartening. But I didn't come here to preach about peace and love. Not me. Not Alexander the Great (BIYG Edition). Not the chaotic God of Destruction. No. I did, however, want to throw that out there so a little insight about how I feel (and my rationalizing behind my current thought pattern) is made clear to you, the players. I've been thinking about this now for YEARS. Retiring from the MUD entirely, that is. But something keeps drawing me back. Aside the special place in my heart this game holds, it is just addicting for me. I love to create it. I love to experience it. I love seeing my work be used in what I consider one of the most important things in my life (yes, it is one of the most important things in my life. I've experienced a lot of things and met a lot of people through here). So you can imagine letting it go has been difficult. That, and I still feel the game has not reached its full potential. And I know I can help it get there. But still, the thought still persists. Sometimes I get discouraged. Sometimes I can't find time. Sometimes I witness things that makes me not want to further contribute my effort to the MUD.
(On a side note, the old PvP port 1804 was my idea, which was in hopes of dividing the hardcore PKers from the casual gamers. It was also a great way to monitor PK encounters and point out a lot of the imbalances that currently grip the aspect of PK. This, however, was foiled. I thought, and still believe, that the concept is great in its own right. And it would allow for a greater focus on players to have what they seek. Regardless, all I can do is express myself and offer ideas. At the end of the day I don't call the shots as far as the production of the MUD is concerned. Building is my primary and only real department.)
With that out of the way, let's talk about what it means when my retirement comes, and when it may happen. I'll also speak about the possibility of this not entirely taking place, but solely in one form or another.
WILL I really retire? The truth is, I really do not know. WHEN will I retire? The truth is, I still don't know. There is a certain quota in my mind that has to be fulfilled before I take that action. If I do retire, I envision it being sometime before or right after Beta starts. Will ANYTHING stop me from retiring? Oh, sure. I am positive there are at least a dozen things that could potentially stop me from doing so.
So what can you expect before any of this comes to pass, you may be wondering...
- Complete Redesign of the Foreboding Region of Kasai - Complete Redesign of Kaede's Village - Complete Redesign of Birds of Paradise (Wolves Region) - Complete Redesign of the Southern Coastline - Complete Redesign of Sawakami Region - Possible Complete Redesign of other areas (particularly areas I did not create, such as Slayer's Village, Forbidden Forest, etc.) - New Miko Shrine area - New End Level area - New Villager (Feudal) Newbie Area - Possible addition of Bleach areas (such as Seretei, Hollow Forest, etc.) - New Afterlife - Blood Master Class - Miko Class - Countless new items, mobs, quests and achievements!
So with that said, I think it is pretty safe to say I will not leave you guys empty handed, at least with my original plan. But things always keep changing.
In the meantime, continue to show your support for the MUD. Zeno and Myself can't be the only ones to get this great MUD up there on our own. We need your help, too! For now, that is all. Stay tuned, and take care.
_________________ "Being right means you betray life. After all, common sense is dead." -Alexander Leon
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