Reports of Begeren Colony's (no, we're not calling it Satele Shan
) sickness and demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Seriously, folks, it ain't over 'till it's over, and... it ain't over. Personally I intend on sticking around in some form until it is. We will all know what that looks like, and this is not it. At this point I don't think it's just this latest melodramatic episode hanging over the community nor even the admittedly regrettable state of the game itself, but rather the collective communal anxiety monster that has been created by it all being blown so wildly out of proportion. I've wrestled with an anxiety monster or two in my time—as I'm sure many of us here have—and the thing about them is they only have the power you give them. In the wise words of God A.K.A. Aaron Rodgers (I know, alright, I know, I know, sportsball, ick, ahh, banish them; hang on a sec): R E L A X
Everything is ok. Yes, things are not what they once were. That's how time and change works. Yes, people come and go and come back and go again and so on and so forth. I've seen it before, I've seen it here, I've seen it with some of the people and things that are "gone" from here right now and that's far from a unique observation. I've even been gone "for good this time" once too. In the... *thinks* decade, now, that I have been participating in this RP thing, that has
always been how it goes. In any game, at any time. The notion that what we have here is static and concrete and built on irreplaceable pillars is a false one, fostered by the way our human brains are wired. This thing we call a community, like the roleplay it is built for and around, is dynamic and fluid by nature—one big nebulous matrix of people who like things at times connecting with other people who like similar things at the same times. And that is ok.
I suppose what I'm trying to say here, as I've been wanting to say for a while and it seems this thread has unavoidably become a platform for, is I would like to caution everyone, for whatever it's worth coming from yours truly Joe Rando, against sounding the alarm and abandoning ship in a big sweeping exit. Or do that, if that's what you need/want to do. But remember that this too shall pass, and rather than trying to predict the future just be here now, whatever that means for you. I believe that everyone should do what they feel is right, that's all any of us can do, but I urge everyone to take a step back and take a good, clear headed look at things before deciding on what that is.
As for the game itself, it has obviously changed over the years. Some things for the better, some things for the worse, but I think it's hard to argue it's all one or the other and that in the end it doesn't at least even out. Even if you're one who thinks the aforementioned proverbial ship needs righting, I would have a hard time believing anyone who takes an honest look back at "the good old days" and doesn't find at least some stuff they'd sorely miss—or really like to change. Particularly since, on the whole, I believe the game itself has grown more and more friendly to roleplay as an activity from various angles and that's ultimately why we're all here. I, for one, still see plenty of joy and entertainment to be found in SWTOR, but I think it's safe to say it won't be if you assume it's not there from the start.
In any case, I leave thee with a nugget of badly quoted wisdom from honestly who cares where (I can't remember, not the point),
Make friends with change, as it is the only thing you will meet everywhere.
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