A Psuedo-farewell
KungFuSquirrel
Basher of Muttons Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 103Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
Basher of Muttons Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 103Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">on the eve of moving for my new job</div> This is mostly taken directly from my site with a personalized excerpt for the NS players at the end.
==
Imagine, if you will, being brought on board to play for your favorite sports team. Or joining your favorite band as a new member. Or starring in a re-make of your favorite movie. That is the level of indescribable joy I feel at this moment.
In little more than 24 hours I will begin the long drive to Madison, WI, and in little more than 48 hours, I will begin my first day on the job at Raven Software. I wouldn't call Raven my 'favorite' developer (as alluded to in the first paragraph), but the comparison still holds true. The near future is exciting beyond words, though I don't know yet how it will turn out.
To be perfectly honest, I'm terrified. I have no idea how I'll hold up in this setting. I have no fears of getting along with the other guys; I've had great experiences in my two visits there, but I can't shake the feeling that I haven't made anything I've been truly happy with in months... Hopefully a brand new engine and editor will kick-start that old creative motor.
I don't know what will happen from this point. I'd love to stay with Raven and raise a family with Maggie in the Madison area, but I know a lot of people, even at major companies, start out with such dreams but never get the chance to achieve them. It's a tumultuous industry right now, and the greatest disservice I can do to myself is take anything for granted.
I've had a blast working independently and in the mod community over the last few years, but as time goes on and on I keep getting more and more burned out by it. It's time to move on.
This is going to be fun.
==
To the NS community: Wow. Thank you. I know not all of you guys like my work, but the overwhelming response I have received towards Eclipse and Veil is just absolutely incredible. I never imagined that I could have created a single level to that sort of reception, let alone two.
It figures that I just start getting more involved in these forums as it's time for me to cut myself off. For the most part, at least. As with Ken, I'm sure I'll still post here, but just in case I wanted to leave this thread.
Eclipse and Veil have had their final 3.0 changes made and will be passed on for compiling and distributing after I have my internet connection restored June 29th. The new owner is.... *dun dun dunnnnn* Ben "MrBen" Ives. His style-matching work for Nightwatch is absolutely top-grade and he came to my mind as a successor with not a single second thought. I know he'll do fine on whatever revisions they may need.
Finally, to Flayra, if he still is out there reading this... After I get settled into Madison and my finances balance out again, I'll be making (what I consider to be, at least) a fairly significant donation to the Constellation program. I haven't done so yet, and have meant to for some time, and this seems the best time to do so. While NS was by no means the only factor in landing my new job, without NS many of those additional factors may not have existed. I figure the least I can do, then, is give Flay something back for that as he gets started with his own company. And to anyone else who hasn't done so - please consider doing the same.
Thank you everyone for a great couple years. It's been a blast being a part of this community and this mod as a whole, and I wish you all the best. Keep in touch, and I'll see you around. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
==
Imagine, if you will, being brought on board to play for your favorite sports team. Or joining your favorite band as a new member. Or starring in a re-make of your favorite movie. That is the level of indescribable joy I feel at this moment.
In little more than 24 hours I will begin the long drive to Madison, WI, and in little more than 48 hours, I will begin my first day on the job at Raven Software. I wouldn't call Raven my 'favorite' developer (as alluded to in the first paragraph), but the comparison still holds true. The near future is exciting beyond words, though I don't know yet how it will turn out.
To be perfectly honest, I'm terrified. I have no idea how I'll hold up in this setting. I have no fears of getting along with the other guys; I've had great experiences in my two visits there, but I can't shake the feeling that I haven't made anything I've been truly happy with in months... Hopefully a brand new engine and editor will kick-start that old creative motor.
I don't know what will happen from this point. I'd love to stay with Raven and raise a family with Maggie in the Madison area, but I know a lot of people, even at major companies, start out with such dreams but never get the chance to achieve them. It's a tumultuous industry right now, and the greatest disservice I can do to myself is take anything for granted.
I've had a blast working independently and in the mod community over the last few years, but as time goes on and on I keep getting more and more burned out by it. It's time to move on.
This is going to be fun.
==
To the NS community: Wow. Thank you. I know not all of you guys like my work, but the overwhelming response I have received towards Eclipse and Veil is just absolutely incredible. I never imagined that I could have created a single level to that sort of reception, let alone two.
It figures that I just start getting more involved in these forums as it's time for me to cut myself off. For the most part, at least. As with Ken, I'm sure I'll still post here, but just in case I wanted to leave this thread.
Eclipse and Veil have had their final 3.0 changes made and will be passed on for compiling and distributing after I have my internet connection restored June 29th. The new owner is.... *dun dun dunnnnn* Ben "MrBen" Ives. His style-matching work for Nightwatch is absolutely top-grade and he came to my mind as a successor with not a single second thought. I know he'll do fine on whatever revisions they may need.
Finally, to Flayra, if he still is out there reading this... After I get settled into Madison and my finances balance out again, I'll be making (what I consider to be, at least) a fairly significant donation to the Constellation program. I haven't done so yet, and have meant to for some time, and this seems the best time to do so. While NS was by no means the only factor in landing my new job, without NS many of those additional factors may not have existed. I figure the least I can do, then, is give Flay something back for that as he gets started with his own company. And to anyone else who hasn't done so - please consider doing the same.
Thank you everyone for a great couple years. It's been a blast being a part of this community and this mod as a whole, and I wish you all the best. Keep in touch, and I'll see you around. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Comments
Then I'll buy you a beer or something.
Edit: And some might even miss you <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
You've been a big part of the NS community ever since I've been around. It makes me kinda depressed to see one of the favourite parts of my favourite online community go away even though I know it's for the better. I really hope you enjoy your new job and attached lifestyle and you and Maggie are happy together for the rest of your lives.
Be sure to drop in occasionally and provide us with updates mmk? <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
--Scythe--
Eclipse was my favourite map.
Good luck with your dreams.
Eclipse also is my favorite map, thanks <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
(if we do see those kids I bet they've got a number on the top of their heads as a birthmark... something like 1337 <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
eclipse and veil are by far the best maps, good luck in the future.
also i would like to see subtle anti-microsoft messages in games. just a simple "OMG eat shiz and die MS" on the intro to every game will do.
Good luck, and have fun mapping for them <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Good luck and all the best for the future.
Have fun at your new job! Do good!
Try to stick around, we will miss you too much if you just dissapear. Good luck and have fun with the new job, and when something you worked on comes out, advertize shamelessly for us all <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
It's sad to see you go, but for a person with such talent it was inevitable really.
GL HF for everything in the future! <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
You've left your mark here, now go and leave that mark of talent on the big scene.
Let us know how you're getting on, when you get the chance.
I also won't say goodbye, I'd rather say 'see you'. As stress - and eventfull as your life is going to become now, I sincerely hope you'll stop by from time to time. Keep rocking, Andrew, and remember: You and Ken are the sole reasons I'm going to buy Quake 4, so you'd better do some good work or you owe me 50 bucks <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
To think we chat with somoene whos going to be doing quake4 <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Thats something to tell your friends when it comes out hehehe.
Nah, i guess this is a little different from some clanner stopping playing. Good luck in the future, KFS, I hope everything goes well at Raven and we can see some kick-arse maps from you in the future. But don't forget about the NS community when you're gone. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->