The Rabbit Hole Ends Here?
 

Quoting my good friend Spark: "I believe this is as far as the rabbit hole goes."
I've been with Graal since about 2000. Started out just a player, and then got upset about how UN was back then, and taught myself to script. A few weeks later I got my first job on Rudora (might I add my coding skills were terrible back then). Since that first job things have changed so much. After I basically was a scripter or NPC Admin on nearly every server I got a job on Kingdoms as a scripter by the off-chance Stefan liking my scripting. A few months later the GST (Global Scripting Team) was setup, and I was on the team. I believe April 2002 was when we established the GST. As you're all aware I'm sure, we've changed members a lot, and only Lance and I have since remained, but now I feel my time is drawing to a close.

For nearly the last two years I've tried to do the best I could with what I had, and keep the game in running the best possible condition, and to help scripters who wanted to learn and become better. The only regret I have looking back is that I didn't do more. I hope that for a few people, that I made some small diference, because that to me, means I have not wasted these last few years that have taught me so much.

It's funny, I used to seek attention, but quickly it died out, because I realized that it's not about promoting yourself or making yourself public and out there in the open, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that people learned, and I found the more work I did, the more I was unheard of. Many of you probably haven't seen me if you're not staff on a server. I tried to take a few days out of every month, and talk to players, see what they thought, see what they wanted to happen, but I didn't always get around to it I must admit.

Until a month or two ago I was paying my own subscription to Graal, regardless of the fact that I strictly worked, and did I have honestly not sat and played in nearly 3 years except for the occasional GK episode. My last effort to give something to the game was to ask for my dev world to be brought back up so I could leave a playerworld in the hands of Graal and the players, but thus far Stefan and Unixmad are not keen on allowing me to have my server back without paying the rental fees for a server. This is upsetting, but this is not the reason by any manner that I am quitting.

Many people are aware of the management that goes on in Graal. So long have I sat back and watched, and tried to basically abuse glitches and bugs to fix servers or prevent people who have taken over a server to do more damage. Currently I have a level2 + NC (without folder rights except logs, temp and wordfilter), which does not do a lot as far as being able to help goes. It's always been up to the playerworld owners to give rights they wanted help with, same for all globals except recently with Spark. I can't sit back anymore, it's not fair to me, it's not fair to you guys. For example the account "Enchant Wolf XxX" stole a server and I removed him, and sent an allservers message about removing and banning him, asked Spark to ban him (no disrespect to Spark, he's just one man and is very busy), and then today I found out in the last 24 hours he deleted things on a server and gave rights to someone who took over that server later last night or this morning. I just can't do this anymore...

A lot of people have been curious as to my age, so now is as good a time as ever to explain. March 4th of this year I will be 18. This is the date I have set aside to take my leave if things continue. I intend to leave behind a few last documents for all those who wish to learn, and I offer the advice "never give up". It's not always easy, but you'll be amazed at what you can do if you set your mind to it. For the last several years I've done what I thought was in the best interests of Graal, but I don't think that currently I can do anything else for the players, and for this I am sorry. I only hope that my leaving will leave the game in as good of hands as when I found it. My decision is not final, but unless things change in the next month and a half or so, then I am afraid I will be leaving you all.

I will not begin to mention names of all those who have given me fond memories throughout the years, and I think all of you. Most notably I feel obligated to thank Spark, who was always around when he could be and puts more into this game than I could ever dream. Also to Lance, without his guidance and support I don't know what I would've done. Despite what anyone may say, I will vouch that Lance is a wonderful guy and I trust him above all others, so I urge you all to put your trust in him as I have. Lastly I would like to thank Multiflame aka Anti-Chriz, from unholy nation. He has helped me through many problems I've had over the years and just been there when I needed him, and for that I am eternally grateful, thank you. Most of all, I want to thank the players, for without you, there would be no Graal. Best wishes.
-David

Goodbye, thanks for giving everyone your time over the years. I know the feeling of not being able to do everything you can to help, and sitting back wishing you could do more without being able to.

Best of luck in the future

bye man with green name.

If you're sure that's what you want, then an early farewell to you.

I hope this is not the end, you are a great person and it would be a large loss to the Graal community if you leave. I do understand though, that there comes a time that you must quit playing the games. If you do choose to take your leave, we will miss you greatly.

Regards,
Luciano Santino

Truly, if that's what you want, then best of luck to you, and thank-you for all the guidance you've given me in the short while that we've worked together. You'll be missed greatly.


So long, and thanks for all the fish.

=((((
bye

Buh Bye Buddy, Merry christmas, and have a happy new year. We will miss ya. Make me proud (somehow) and live a long and healthy live filled with fruits a vegitables, 8 servings daily!

but byebye :(

Bye :(

respect for the long text

I remember the same feeling when i posted "I firmly believe the sooner the better." in regards to removing Zido on N-Pulse...

Less than a week later, well, i felt it could have easily been avoided. I felt a bit helpless.

Thanks for everything you've done of graal PS. I wish you the best of luck on which ever you deceide to do with your life..

Bye.

[EDIT] That account that PS mention about the PW taking over is our newest member on the forums. :whatever: [/EDIT]

Yet I barley knew yee! However you've brought alot of understanding and influence to graal. Although the impact may not seem as big as you may have initialy wanted I am sure that the effects are there. Graal does have alot of problems, yet playing the "Perfect Game" would get boring eh? XD
If you do decide to leave I wish you luck in the future you have great problem solving skills I'm sure you will do great especialy in a related field. And if you stay good luck as well , hope all goes well.

ps... Nice speech btw

Farewell?

Project Shifter :(, I have admired your work through out the process of you being an GST. There is nothing wrong I can say about you. Only thing I have something agains't is you doing someone else's job. Just remember, your a GST not a PWA. Let the PWA do that playerworld crap.

As Lance has said, if this is what you want I can't stop you. But I would like to thank you for everything you have done. Goodbye, friend.

With the PWA thing, we have the same jursidiction, and I have higher rights than the PWA because of my work and such, it's also easier to handle NPC Servers when you can troubleshoot them a bit more (still limited in many respects). The only reason I handle playerworlds is because they come to me, and can I really turn my back on someone asking for my help? It's just not me, which is why I'm tired of looking as things fall apart and not be able to do anything about it...

Since he's quitting, would it still be breaking the rules if I insulted him? Aw well.. I'll save it. G'day clod.

Well, he's not exactly quitting yet. No doubt he'll be making another of these threads in early March.

"Dear Graal players,
I Projectshifter, hereby proclaim this a royal parchment. Blah blah blah.." Skip 20 or so paragraphs.. It's all the same really. He could very well just copy and paste it when he feels the need to step up again.

lolz u died

Adios! PS!

I'd of thought you'd be here to the bitter end >_<

We have had some fun throughout the past years, keep in touch through AIM :)

Graal is losing another great developer :\

it'll be sad to see you go.

Adios friend

I don't know you that well, but I've heard good things about you.
Sorry to see you go, but I think I understand.

Good luck with everything!

Bye PS! Also, like everyone else has said.. thanks for everything. You have helped me, and the PW that I work for.

Goodbye, Projectshifter. Best of luck to you.

See ya PS :( I'll miss your visits to Maloria...

The few times we have talked on debug have always been enlightening. You will indeed be missed. :'(

meh.. take it easy PS.. the times we shared were fond memories :)

hope you dont go but if you do.. best of luck... <3

Cya man, nice knowing ya :o

PS, I didn't know you well or for a long time, but you very selfless and a very hard worker. It's unfortunate that you have been forced into this situation. I only hope that conditions improve and you decide to stay.

What do you mean by "back then"?

Kai must be glad.

G'bye.

Honestly. I doubt he cares either way. This is just a sample of more to come I think.

I'll see ya PS - Will miss the late night stop by on servers that I'm on. :(

Bye.

Wow PS can't believe your going.. Best of luck <3 and thanks for everything..

It's sad PS.... I don't wanna see you go, but there's no stopping it because I'm pretty sure things won't change.. I keep thinking "If only they hired a team who could take care of things like this" but then I remember Oh, there's the supermod team and the mod team, etc.. and they can't do this stuff.

Graal needs to hire a few professionals who can atleast manage accounts and player problems.

I want to learn from you PS.. it's too bad it can't happen on graal... but I'll wait for this document you speak of.

PS should just work for Graal3D servers :)

Heh, I considered such things, but I would not want to take a demotion like that. I like being able to help people, and being global for me was my ultimate goal, that way I could the most people and make a difference in the game. Sadly I think I have failed, and there is no where left for me to go. They're not willing to allow others to do more, they're worried about having multiple level4 RCs. I won't go into detail, my intent was not to bash anyone. I appreciate those of you who have contacted me and expressed your support (and those who have offered me jobs when I quit :P), but there are two people who are able to change my mind, and if they do not feel it's a priority, than that is fine and March 4th will be it. Also today I found out districts for debate are on my birthday as well, which is a bit depressing. I have trophied in all the debates I've been to, but debating on my birthday... what fun =/

Ouch.

Well just remeber your name is on the staff list for Mushia ;o

PS, I respect your attempts to help my playerworld and you were a valuble staff. We all leave at one point, the rabbit hole will end for a while but eventually it will continue... it just happens.