The following issues have led me to this conclusion:
1. The lack of tact concerning the removal of MidWest. I do not grudge the decision that was made. I understand that it was judged that the hardware was needed elsewhere. What angers me is the complete disregard for the player base that was shown. We had less than 24 hours notice. The post was made late Saturday evening and the server was gone by Sunday. Many of us don't even play on Sundays. Many players didn't even find out until the server was gone. The player base on MidWest was known by the DMs and ServerOp to be a mature and respectful group. I firmly believe that if we had been given the chance to enjoy MidWest for one last week (or so), we would have been able to come to grips with the situation and deal with it. Sadly, I'll never get to test that theory because we were shown no respect as players.
2. The refusal by DeputyDog to allow another player to host MidWest on other hardware. This particular player is very technically savvy and I have no doubt he/she would have done a fantastic job with it. This would have been the ideal win/win situation. MidWest players stay happy and NS4 gets a new server. Instead, this proposal was rejected. No reason given.
3. The refusal by DeputyDog to allow West to consider instituting some sort of controlled PvP. Clearly, all of the MidWest players were in favor of it, and, to our utter shock, the majority of west players were in favor of it as well. That means that a significant portion of the NS3.5 player base was interested in pursuing this line of development. It was rejected.
Furthermore, along this same line of thought, not only was the idea rejected, it was also judged to be "pointless". I'm sorry.... but a style of play that 20 or 30 people are interested in participating in is not pointless.... unless you no longer care about pleasing the player base. If NeverSummer doesn't exist for the enjoyment of the players, then why does it exist at all?? Nevermind the lunacy that one person can dictate what another group of people might find entertaining.
That is why I am leaving. It has become clear to me that the management has lost touch with the player base and is now pursuing some other agenda. I don't wish to play in that sort of environment.
Ugh... now that the unpleasantness is off my chest, a few goodbyes.
To all of you who ever played MidWest: Some of the most fun of my (extensive) gaming career was enjoyed in your company. I will miss you all. I will miss the battles in CiC. I will miss the Burrfeet and the Racers. I will miss the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
To DM Wraith and DM Mistress X: You guys were unreal. You put up with some amazing crap, some of which I probably helped generate (no comments!). You have more patience than I ever could, but I thank you for it. You were friendly people who always managed to maintain a professional environment. I thank you for all that you did. X, whenever I see a penguin, I will think of you. I mean that!
To my TC Brothers: See ya soon.
-Forge [TC]
P.S. --- I was Spritle.
