Scootaloo

Well this was definitely not something I was expecting to happen so soon. I don't blame you for losing interest in Tf2 either, the game has been getting worse and worse with every update, I do actually believe this last Halloween update might've been one of the nails in the coffin. You were a great community leader, xG probably wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for you. I really hope that I'll see you around, friend.

This Halloween update is what's driving me to sell, actually. I'm done with the shoddy updates. =(

Well that's sad, you were always one of the nicest most understanding person in this place, we all have fudge we need to do. Also i don't blame you quitting tf2, you could probably quick sell your backpack for 4 grand, however i know you're better than that. We should play overwatch sometime and get angry at how fricking bull fudge the game can be.

I still need to buy it. I played during beta, but never got too into it. Perhaps with friends, it's a lot better.

Also, before anyone asks, I have revoked my own forum powers and have set myself back to UberDonator on servers.

I killed my own access. RIP me.

I've made the decision, and I hope everyone respects it. I thank you all for the opportunity you have given me to lead this clan, but for the time being, I feel it's best if I call it quits.

I won't be gone. I'll still be around. Perhaps one day I may return, if and when xG needs it. <3

The Hardest Goodbye

I can't believe how difficult this is for me. I've written and rewritten this message at least ten times now, and I still don't like the way it's coming out. But fuck it, it needs to be said.

My time here at XenoGamers has been amazing. I've made some very strong friendships, made some very fond memories, and helped build this clan into something astounding. If anything, pride is the strongest feeling I have for where xG is at today. I'm proud of our little community. I'm proud of the people who are leading it in the direction it is going. And I am proud of the growth we have made here in our tiny little corner of the internet.

With all of that being said, it is time for me to hang up my coat. Ladies and gentleman, I am hereby announcing that, as of now, I am stepping down from the role of Clan Manager here in xG. No tricks. No memes. 100% pure honesty.

Some may be wondering why. And to that, I can only say that I have accomplished everything I set out to do, specifically with the Team Fortress 2 division. There was once a time where my assistance was in dire need, and I provided it to my fullest abilities. There were many problems that needed solving, and someone such as myself was required to find the solutions. The time for my assistance has long since passed, so now it's time to turn in the badge.

In all honesty, the higher ups are super crowded right now. With the return of @Aegean, our higher ups are in excellent hands, and I honestly feel like the responsibilities of our CMs is spread waaay too thin among us all. So it's with no remorse that I depart from this point, because deep down I know that after I leave, we will continue to operate under some great leadership.

And to be quite frank, since we have gotten to where we are at, the desire to play Team Fortress 2 has dwindled heavily. In the day, I find myself wanting to play less and less. It's almost at the point where I am considering selling off my entire inventory, and when someone with a near $5k backpack is considering cashing out, that's a pretty strong indicator that the desire is depleted. Not only this, but with other distractions in life, such as new games to play, responsibilities to oversee, and people to connect with, Team Fortress 2 simply is not a priority at this time.

I love you guys. I love this clan. And I honestly feel that it deserves much more than what I am giving it at this time. I have no desire to pursue the game any further. And as much as it hurts me to step down, I feel like it is something I have to do.

Please don't think this is me abandoning the clan. I'll still be around. I'll check in occasionally, perhaps hop on a server every now and then, and I'll still be here. I just won't be the guy people turn to to ask questions or ask for help.

Thanks for the memories xG. See you, space cowboy. =)

some thoughts, as a long lasting veretran fudgeposter in xG:

 

we have too many higher ups.

I actually agree with this post. I really do.

Before anyone gets up in arms about my stance on it, I honestly feel like this is a responsibility that definitely doesn't need to be stretched across more than 3 or 4 people at max. And I think that it's part of the reason I don't see much motivation in myself to actually get out and do more than I already do. And @DrPepperPhreak raised a good point about my activity and how I am not very active on the forums. I won't lie, I haven't been. I haven't been active in a LOT of the different roles around xG, because I feel satisfied in where we have come to. I feel like I have done quite a lot of work and have put xG in a place where they no longer need me.

I don't want it to sound patronizing or sound like I'm claiming sole credit for our clan or anything like that, but I have weathered quite a few storms since I became staff here in xG. Through tough times and happier times, I've made a lot of memories here. But that being said, I simply don't have the drive to keep it going. As I said in my last lengthy post, I don't want it to sound like I'm making excuses either. I'm just going to face facts: I find the desire to even play TF2 anymore dwindling more and more each and every day.

The more I analyze it and the more I dissect the issue at hand, I keep ending on the same point: Perhaps it is time for me to hang up my coat and retire from my position. Not because I disagree with how anything is being managed, not because I dislike anyone or have any ill feelings, but more because I feel that all of the things I wanted to accomplish for this clan have been accomplished. When @Aegean came back, I knew things would be in excellent hands, so I have no remorse for leaving. We're honestly overcrowded in the higher ups, and I know deep down I don't do much anymore. I won't kid myself and be blunt. So maybe it is for the best if I called it a night.

I love this clan and I love its members. That's mostly what is driving me to this conclusion. It isn't fair of me to hold this position if I am not going to be as active as I used to be, and between two kids, a steady career, and all of the other interests I have going on in my life, there simply just isn't much time for the clan. It isn't anything personal, it's just the truth.

Sure, I'm down!

Perhaps we could start by polling the community. Let's hold an open forum to kick ideas around for what we could do with the unused servers. Maybe we can try some new gamemodes or something! :D

not nothing.

This doesn't really help. -_-

Strange. I have been kicking around this very issue personally for quite some time now. It's weird that I was literally logging on to address my inactivity when all of a sudden I'm tagged in a post about that very topic.

I don't think anyone here will question my integrity or how much I absolutely love this community. I've been a huge part of this clan for well over something like three years now, and I slowly rose through the ranks until I became CM. As the DL of the TF2 Division, I constantly had my hands FILLED with stuff to get done. Most of which revolved around servers and policing them to make sure people are behaving. The biggest part of my responsibilities involved making sure the servers were running, there were no hiccups, and all of the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes with making sure the servers are operational (such as managing plugins and maps and whatnot).

Shortly after I became CM, all of that....went away. I was constantly busy, constantly working on projects, and constantly monitoring bans and problems within the TF2 division. Once I was promoted to help manage the clan as a whole, there was this sudden and jarring shift of me doing absolutely nothing. I'm not kidding. I feel like I do absolutely nothing around here. It feels like all I am necessary for anymore is to help with discussions on Promos and Demos (Which I don't really even input very much into as it is) and making sure they get posted at the correct time. My other responsibilities include confiding with the other CMs when huge issues arise and discussing workarounds, but that hasn't really happened since I became CM.

And lately, because of all of this doing literally nothing, I've begun questioning my usefulness as a CM. I'm not really so sure that this many CMs are even necessary, considering the workload of the CMs isn't nearly as heavy as the workload of the Division Leaders, at least for TF2. (I can't speak for CS:GO, I don't have the appropriate experience there.) And because of these empty feelings of not accomplishing anything, I have seriously been kicking around the idea of stepping down.

I can't try to pretend that I have an excuse other than there simply doesn't seem to be anything for me to do. While it's true that I teach, have two kids, and am generally pretty busy in my day-to-day life, my night life is usually spent at my computer, so there is no reason for me to not be able to log on every so often. I try to make a point to do it once a week, if just to check how things are going, but maybe that isn't enough. Sure, I can log onto the servers once a week or so, help regulate any rulebreakers here and there, and occasionally smash everyone with the hammer plugin, but that's all it has come down to for me. Vexx raised the point of not having any support from the CMs, but the funny thing is there is literally nothing more for me to do than I am already doing. I monitor the Promo Demos, I interact with staff and answer any questions they may have, and I do my best to resolve conflict within the community. On an outward perspective, that really does seem like I'm not doing anything, and the truth of it is that I'm NOT!

But, it isn't out of laziness. It isn't by choice. I didn't choose to do nothing with this position. It's just that there's nothing for me to do. And I hate this feeling of being idle. I've stopped playing TF2 almost entirely since I stopped contributing to the servers. Ever since it stopped being my direct responsibility, I see no reason to even play the game anymore. In a weird way, I think xG was the reason I even kept up with TF2 in the first place. You guys have made this my internet home, and I wanted to repay the favor by making xG as awesome as possible. I guess I succeeded, but by being put into the role of CM, it has completely killed my ambition to keep playing the game.

There are times that I sorely miss being the DL. Back when I was in that position, I was super active in the community. All of our regulars knew who I was. I talked and communicated with so many people. But ever since CM happened for me, the communication has slowed to a trickle. I went onto TGH a few nights ago and barely recognized anyone in the server. And I hate that feeling.

So at this time, I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm not doing anything, because I truthfully am not doing anything, outside of the very simple tasks laid forth for me to monitor Promo/Demos and to help with staff questions. That's literally it. There are no expectations of me to do anything else, and I guess I've let that govern what I do in a day.

And if there's things that I am missing that the TF2 division wants me to accomplish, I simply ask that they communicate those things with me. Am I needed to help with server stuff? Is my presence online required at any given time? I'm on Steam A LOT, so it should be as simple as sending me a quick chat message. But I literally hear nothing. This is the first I've heard of any of the divisions having any issues with my activity. T.T

I want Vexx to know that I took no offense from his post. I actually agree with it. Why should we have so many CMs when there is so little for them to do? Perhaps we need to reassess how many CMs are necessary, or find other things for them to do. Silence manages forums, so that much is covered. TF2 servers are under great maintenance between the leaders of the TF2 division. CS:GO is covered by the leaders of the CS:GO division. So where does that leave me? What am I expected to do?

Well, I can tell you one thing: I'm sick of doing nothing. =(

Wait, what? What did I miss?

Looks good on my end! :D

A pretty significant amount, actually.

Built my own rig. Have done countless custom projects for family and friends. Pretty knowledged in C++, Java, Linux, Unix, Windows, and Mac platforms. I'm basically the go-to IT guy for my inner circle.

Yeah, as Supreme said, the map is on the server, just not in rotation. And due to the high amount of policing the map requires by our staff, it's probably best to keep it that way and only play on it when there's active staff online. =(

It is usually really combat based or in between, I have yet to see the server be more surf based.

Which is probably why I'm not too familiar with our surf server, as I always opt to go to ReSurfed over our own servers.

Don't get me wrong. I'm certain our patrons are great and everything, but when I want to go surf on TF2, I'm not looking for a server where people mainly focus on fighting in jails over actually surfing. I want something where I can surf a bountiful amount of varying maps, keep track of my records, and know my completion times. That simply isn't what our surf server is.

And I try and keep my views on it reserved, because it seems like every time I express my views on the matter, I get my head bitten off.

But whatever you guys want, I guess we'll tailor to. We can totally rid the server of this problem, but it would involve disabling weapons altogether. The only other alternative is enacting a rule that would require mods to enforce, which doesn't really present a permanent solution.

If you guys don't want people to use sticky jumpers or any other weapon to reach the end of a surf map, the only solution is to disable them. So you can either have a surf server with the weapons enabled and put up with people using them, or disable the weapons and put up with people complaining about them being disabled. You can't have both.

The only other option is to add a rule...which a plugin could easily solve, and mods would have to be on to enforce. That doesn't seem like a proper solution to me, but that's just my view.

Don't know what else to tell you. ><

Hell no, If we disabled rocket launchers and sticky jumpers, we would lose a lot of players and get many complaints about it because a lot of people enjoy market gardening and sticky jumping period because the maps have a lot of space to do so. And we just have a lot of regulars that play soldier and demoman.

I'm confused.

Was the complaint not that people were cheating in surf to reach the end, using weapons that gave an advantage? Yet if we remove those weapons, we'd be upsetting regulars who come to our surf server...to do combat?

I don't understand. Do you want this to be a surf server or a combat server? You can't exactly do both and complain that there's imbalances when specific classes can reach the end with their weapons.

IMHO, this server should have ALWAYS had a focus on the surf and not on combat, but any time I try and suggest changes to make it such, they automatically get shot down.

I'm not quite sure what exactly you guys want. >.>

Is it not possible to implement a plugin similar to what JB has, that would restrict the use of specific weapons for certain classes?

I know ReSurfed has a plugin that prevents you from using certain weapons on each class. For example, if you try to go Soldier and you have ANY RL equipped that does knockback, it simply doesn't allow you to switch to that weapon slot while spawned in game.

That would surely fix it, right?

It takes a village to raise a child.

We'd all have a part in ensuring he knows what is expected of him.

gotcha, fam ;]. thats why i said

 

 

guess we'll stick with 2 dms then, haha :love:

Goblins has very valid points. Individuals with quick temperments are not typically a good mix with higher responsibilities.

That being said, I think that we should coach Egossi on his attitudes and dealing with conflict. Maybe set him on a course to become DM if he can prove that he can handle his outbursts.

I'd hate to pass up an opportunity like this without doing some sort of process to improve his faults. You know what I mean? =)

Egossi has definitely shown that he is capable of handling himself in a much better manner. He has also been here for quite a long time.

From what I can tell, he knows his stuff pretty good, but I'd want to make sure everyone on the staff is alright with him before making him DM.

I'm cool with it, but you gotta sell everyone else on it, Bello. =3

Even if informally, such as just simply creating a forum for it, would there be any interest from any of our staff from starting a Rocket League division?

I myself have gotten pretty balls deep into this game and its community. It's a hell of a lot of fun, and after the most recent Rumble update, it surpassed TF2 in player numbers. I was just wondering if any of you guys also play, and if we have enough support, if we'd like to do a division for it?

I'm not too entirely sure about the logistics of doing anything major, such as servers or anything, but I think that even just having a place to discuss the game might be a good idea.

Any thoughts or inputs? :D

The thread will stay open until the poll closes, or will stay open a little longer.

Well, I mean....not for two weeks it won't. I'm fine with keeping it open for the duration of the poll, but not if the duration is THAT long. I'll allow it to stay open if it's shortened to no longer than a week. It's honestly not necessary, and honestly isn't any of the players' concern how we manage the server. (Don't freak at this comment, just read on below for more.)

And I actually dislike that you popped in long enough to slam your foot down over someone wanting to remove the map. While the map is generally loved by all, there are still good reasons for it to be potentially removed.

1. I don't exactly know why you'd dislike me giving my input, considering CM opinions go a LONG way on server decisions. It isn't something to get bent out of shape about. C'mon.

2. While I will agree with you about people having good reasons for disliking the map, I will disagree with you about those reasons being good reasons to be removed. There have been many people already who have commented on ways to avoid the issues they have with CyberPunk. Music slider and avoiding the disco room, etc etc. I know Moosty has the point about people with extrasensory issues, but then again, and I mean no disrespect to Moosty or his gripes, but maybe people with extrasensory issues shouldn't be playing fast-paced video games if they are being set off by flashing lights.

3. This issue has been danced around already in the past. People bitched about Cyberpunk, it was removed, and even MORE people bitched that it was gone. This is history literally repeating itself.

I'd want our players to be able to confidently post a request to remove a map. Not because they don't like the map, but because the map actually has issues with it. Edventures for example: was not game history related, had annoying music that people often spammed, and was only in rotation for so long because it literally was a meme that people "enjoyed". The map was removed because a player spoke up. We discussed it thoroughly and came to a decision. Squid bringing up the Echinda Shrine removal suggestion is silly. But he still voiced his opinion over something.

Don't scare people away from posting their thoughts over something. If we don't know, we won't grow.

This is honestly my biggest issue with your post. It is worded to make it sound like I don't have the community's opinion in mind and that I'm just trying to strong-arm my way. That's not what's happening. The first, major thing I want to address is that for whatever reason, the TF2 division has taken to the community's OPINIONS when it comes to map removals. That has NEVER been how it worked in the past. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you are not allowed to seek out the community's input, but I will tell you that I feel it is inappropriate to set the precedent that if people start polls and express dislike in a map in this forum, that the map could potentially be removed, especially when it isn't due to inherent flaws with the map, such as crashes or glitches, but instead due to preference. That's not a sound reason to remove a map.

That is a STAFF responsibility, not a community one. It never has been and never should be a community issue. If we start asking for our community to make the decisions about maps on our servers, eventually people will find reasons to nit-pick everything we host into oblivion until there's nothing left. When I was DL over the TF2 division, these actions would have NEVER been allowed. I have no idea how it's being allowed now, but it isn't sitting right with me.

If our members have issues with maps, it's okay to make threads to discuss reasons why they don't like a map, but they need to be addressing the division heads to express their concern, and these issues need to be discussed in the staff forums, not here in the public. I mean, this isn't even a forum for expressing dislike for a map just because you don't like it. It's a map request forum. How did it turn into this? I mean, most of the removal requests have logistical reasons to remove maps. This one...it has annoying music and flashing lights? There's nothing wrong with Cyberpunk. >.>

I know you mean no beef with me over this, and I hope you understand I mean no beef with you with my reply. I simply want to give you a bit of perspective on what I am seeing, as the Community Manager. It's my job to take community issues and sort them out, for the entirety of the clan. TGH, whether you know it or not, is probably one of our most populated servers, and I can't simply sit idle as people begin voicing their concerns on this forum with the expectation that a map gets nixed. Sorry, but that isn't how it works.

So, to meet you halfway, I won't shut down the thread, but I do request that the duration of the poll is lowered. The Edventures vote amassed something like 23 total votes. We're almost there. After the week is up, thread is to be closed and the results need to be taken into consideration, but the ultimate decision needs to be discussed in the staff forums.

And from here on out, I would also request that users refrain from posting these kind of threads in the Map Request forum in the future. If necessary, we can make a separate forum for addressing issues with existing maps, but ever since this was added, it seems to be filled with requests to remove maps. That's kind of the opposite of what we were going for. We can't satisfy everyone. XD

This is a forum for posting potential new maps, not for rioting to have maps removed. Let's follow the same protocol that has always been in place and start directing these ill feelings from our regulars to the division leaders, who can then discuss those issues in the staff forum.

Is that a fair enough request of me? (I wrote up a pretty heated reply, took 30 minutes, reread, and decided to write this one instead. Hopefully it didn't come off too dickish. =/)

Rogueport was removed due to excessive server crashes, player sticking in teleports, horrible textures, and tele-camping problems.

The map is NOT coming back.

Not gonna lie, but I'm not liking the "Let's remove all of the TGH maps I dislike" tirade ever since edventures got the axe.

There's nothing wrong with cyberpunk. There's nothing wrong with echidna. They're both staples of our server. If you dislike either map, nominate something else when rotation happens or try playing on a different server while the map is active.

My two cents. Thread will stay open until tomorrow, but I doubt there's going to be an avalanche of support to remove cyberpunk. The early results already show something like 75% of people want to keep it.

Can we make a rule that allows people to not make these "I am leaving :( lol jk" threads?

 

But really though, have fun on your vacation, Scoot. Have a drink for me.

I mean, if you want. But do you think I'll follow that one? =p