Firstly – I apologize to the community for overreacting a few days ago. I shouldn’t take out my frustrations on you guys. I received many PM’s and emails from members, some I don’t even know, who expressed their sincere appreciation for my contributions to site, and urged me to rethink my decisions. Well I have.
In my rant I mention how I feel like this is my “job” – that’s not exactly true. I enjoy being a member of a community, as well as art & design, so my maps provide a sense of accomplishment and pleasure. Plus there are a lot of members here who have become, well, like cyber-friends. So, that’s why I’ve been an active member for 2 years now. Not because it’s like a job.
Lack & Twill – you have disappointed me with this latest announcement (or lack thereof). I realize that you two are regular guys, who probably work out of your apartments, still in your twenties. You’ve done well. You hit a niche with this site. But when a corporate lawyer hits you with pending lawsuits, you did what most of us would do. I understand that, and am over it. I just felt like I was being used. I contribute to the site, both with making maps and part of the achievement medals, as well as guide other cartographers in making maps that the community will appreciate and enjoy. Maybe I shouldn’t feel taken advantage of, but sorry – I did. Aren’t we apart of the team? I was asked to be a foundry mod, but declined because I think mod’s have a responsibility to be active, fairly neutral, and provide constructive criticism for all map makers. With my life, family and job, I couldn’t commit, but I still do what I can. I’m members in the Design Committee in the special focus group. Maybe you could have asked us to whip up a nice looking map – which would have taken only a few hours. The reason I took my maps down, was because at that moment, I didn’t feel like contributing any more to this site.
Andy – your secrecy really bugs me. Even the PM you sent me “Ahoy Ahoy” – you don’t need to play the monkey role when you’re supposedly saying goodbye to a “friend”. At least Twill signed with his real name, and gave me some personal details about himself. Andy from the banana tree. I guess that’s your right when we only communicate through text, but it just would have been nice.
So I’ll put my Charleston map back up. Too many people have contributed for me to be selfish and take it down. I’ll continue working with Marv on Brazil - also selfish of me to stop, when like 700 members voted for the map to win. The revamp process will change I’m sure, but I’m in the home stretch with that map. I am going to take Iron Curtain down, and stop work on that. It can go to the abandoned maps sub-forum.
I'm thrilled you are back to finish at least the Brazil and Charleston maps as I want to play those so badly it physically hurts (I'm not joking). I'm bummed about Iron Curtain going away as I felt it was going to be an awesome big map for tournaments, but I can accept it and hold a little prayer in my heart that it will return someday down the road by chance.
I thought I would have to leave my signature up longer than this, but I'm not complaining that it's already time to take it down.
I'm thrilled you are back to finish at least the Brazil and Charleston maps as I want to play those so badly it physically hurts (I'm not joking). I'm bummed about Iron Curtain going away as I felt it was going to be an awesome big map for tournaments, but I can accept it and hold a little prayer in my heart that it will return someday down the road by chance.
I thought I would have to leave my signature up longer than this, but I'm not complaining that it's already time to take it down.
Regards, Optimus Prime
How could I leave my friend Optimus in physical pain?
As much as enjoy making maps, I think I should focus my skills on different areas, ie. projects that i get paid for. I'm not in high-school. I'm 34 yrs old. I have a house and family to support. Maps are fun, but sort of a waste of my time.
Rj, please don't abandon Iron Curtain. Put it on vacation (to be picked back up on Brazil's requench), but don't drop it entirely. In Soviet Russia, map puts you on vacation!
EDIT: And welcome back, now I don't have to beat down your door with a crowbar and hand you homemade cookies and convince you to return.
Thankyou for changing your decision, If I remember rightly Charleston was abandoned for a period of time like a year ago so maybe once these 2 projects are finished and CC is back on the mend after a potential classic revamp you might come back and finish iron curtain? I hope so... but like a lot of the rest of the community I am glad to see you back .