Post by Midnight on Dec 3, 2015 16:44:36 GMT -5
4 years, 5 months, and 8 days.
I wanted to make it to five years, but I don't have the motivation, time, or will, and the majority of my fellow staff members are in the same boat.
I was thinking about doing this Saturday, because I'd be able to stay up all night and read/respond to this thread, etc. I then wanted to do it last night, but there were some family issues and I ended up too tired/too indecisive. Regardless, today is the day.
Many of you are going to find this unbelievable: "Wait, AWRP is shutting down? This can't be! I thought you loved it, Mid. Why are you doing this?"
The truth is, I've wanted to do this for a very, very long time, but it was only recently that I really wrapped my head around the idea and accepted the fact that I needed to do it. I wasn't about to give the forum away (too selfish for that--I made it and I'm keeping it. I don't think there is any co-admin or mod willing or capable to take it, for pretty much the same reasons why I'm shutting it down), nor could I just stop coming online and abandon you all (I've come on to this forum every single day since its creation; there's no way I was going to let that record shatter). I haven't cared about Warriors for a long ass time, despite the fact that I come back and roleplay it every few months. I love the concepts of it: the traditions, the ranks, etc., but none of that is enough to keep me anchored like I was back in 2011, 2012, and 2013. I'll start some threads, get a few posts in, and within a few days the whole thing feels like a chore, and I'm out of it again.
Beyond the point of Warriors itself, there are the people. As I've told the staff numerous times, I have a hard time getting along with many of AWRP's members, and that in turn makes me not want to be here. Neither of those factors are healthy for a forum.
Recently, there have been many old members who have left AWRP: Sand, Ambrose, Misa, Echo, Lily, and Rose (who came back, but nevertheless) come to mind. These were people who I loved having around, and seeing so many of them leave helped me realize that I needed to shut AWRP down soon. "If some of the most loyal members of AWRP are leaving, that's a big red flag," I thought.
So what was holding me back, if I had all these reasons to close the forum? Nostalgia, mainly. I also didn't want to shut it down knowing that we still have loyal members who love being here. Unfortunately, love isn't really enough here, y'know? Maybe it's just school and the holidays, but roleplay posts have taken a hit, we haven't been dealing with applications in a timely manner, and I just could not give any fewer fucks about running this place anymore. I come on here for a few seconds a day, just because it's one of my home pages, and then I'm off and that's it. I avoid replying to messages and being in the chatbox. I'm just sick of dealing with it. After four-and-almost-a-half years, I've had my fill. I've always told myself that I'd rather shut AWRP down than let it slowly die, and I'm pleased with keeping this personal promise.
On that note, it's been over four years. I opened this forum when I was only 12 years old. It was the beginning of summer vacation, and I'd only started roleplaying a month prior. I loved it, even though I was awful at it, and I was determined to make it popular.
Eventually, it grew to become one of the biggest Warriors forums on ProBoards, and for that I'm sort of proud ("sort of" wasn't originally in there, but come on, who the hell is actually proud of running a thing online where people write as cats? I still cringe every time I think about it). In fact, I think that hitting 80 members online in the past 24 hours was AWRP's peak. This past summer was, by far, our most active time in the four years that we've been running, and although I've always wanted to see it hit 100, I just don't think it's going to happen at this rate.
I've made a lot of great friends here, and we've had countless fun times, but I think it's finally time to let this place go. It's weird, really. This is how I put it to my friend, who told me that he hopes I'm content with my decision: "Deep down I am. On the surface, I'm not sure. It's like having a friend who treats you like shit: you want to get rid of them because they're an asshole, but you've had some great times together. Besides, they're not always an asshole. When you finally block them, you regret it for maybe a month or so before you mostly forget about them. It hurts but it's relieving at the same time."
At this point, I'd like to write more, but I'm grasping at straws for ideas on what to say, so I think I'll leave it.
So what, exactly, does "shutting down" mean here? Simply put, I'm going to disable new member registration. I'm going to hide the advertisement boards. I'll make sure that every board is "members and staff" for creating threads and posting replies. You're all free to continue roleplaying here as long as you'd like, but character applications will no longer be accepted, litters won't be rolled, and store purchases will be disabled.
To those of you who are new members, I apologize for this. I realize that there are a few people out there who just joined and are excited to hop in on the fun, but I don't think it's fair to you. The staff here, for the most part, have grown distant, all for many reasons (time restraints, school/work overload, general lack of interest), and you don't deserve to be on a forum with inactive staff. I'd rather see AWRP go down with a reputation of having a good staff team and plot-loving members than one of a forum with lazy/inactive staff and bored members.
To the older members out there, I know that many of you will probably resent me for this, and that's okay, I really could not care less. I firmly believe that I'm making the responsible decision here, and that's enough for me. Am I sad that I'm doing this? Sure, a bit. Am I disappointed for not making it to the 5-year mark? Yeah, I guess. but really, this has been coming for a long ass time, and I'm kind of surprised that I made it as long as I did. Think about it: AWRP is almost half a decade (now you see why I wanted to shut it down on its 5th birthday? but, see, as many of you know, I'm not exactly patient the type ;P) old.
Out of respect for Another Warrior Roleplay, I ask that you all refrain from stealing our guides, rules, application code, etc. Honestly, do you really want to fucking steal from something that's being shut down? That's just downright douchey, and if you do that, I'd be even more disappointed than if you'd stolen from us a few months ago. Who the fuck steals from a forum that's been shut down? Yeesh.
I also ask that you continue to follow our rules. Just because we may not be watching as closely as normal (that's a joke, because I haven't watched over this place at all in several months) doesn't mean you can go ahead and godmode, powerplay, etc. Finish up your threads and plots. Don't be assholes.
PM me if you're interested in getting my Skype and/or Steam name. If I don't respond, I guess we weren't that close. I wish you all good luck in your futures, and I hope your time here has been good.
And on that note, this is it. As I'm typing, there's a pit in my stomach and a desperate desire to stop myself from posting this thread (I've already talked to two friends while making this post about it, and they both agree I need to just post it, but here I am stalling by putting more damn words into this post. y'know, I had it at a perfect 1,500 words when I was "done" a few minutes ago. Now we're over 1,600.), to keep AWRP running, but I can't do it. I know I can't, it just wouldn't be right for anyone. I feel chained to this place. I feel like I have to go on to the Internet every single day just to make sure I log in. I want to be free from it, yet I don't want to see it go down. It's odd. I haven't roleplayed on here since July or August, I haven't done really anything since then, but part of me still doesn't want to shut it down.
Right then. I'll still be logging in every now and then, at least until everyone else is gone and I fill my home page with other things. Who knows? Maybe I'll start it up again in a few years. but for now, I'm laying AWRP to rest.
Best of luck to all of you in the future.
Goodbye.
-Midnight
I wanted to make it to five years, but I don't have the motivation, time, or will, and the majority of my fellow staff members are in the same boat.
I was thinking about doing this Saturday, because I'd be able to stay up all night and read/respond to this thread, etc. I then wanted to do it last night, but there were some family issues and I ended up too tired/too indecisive. Regardless, today is the day.
Many of you are going to find this unbelievable: "Wait, AWRP is shutting down? This can't be! I thought you loved it, Mid. Why are you doing this?"
The truth is, I've wanted to do this for a very, very long time, but it was only recently that I really wrapped my head around the idea and accepted the fact that I needed to do it. I wasn't about to give the forum away (too selfish for that--I made it and I'm keeping it. I don't think there is any co-admin or mod willing or capable to take it, for pretty much the same reasons why I'm shutting it down), nor could I just stop coming online and abandon you all (I've come on to this forum every single day since its creation; there's no way I was going to let that record shatter). I haven't cared about Warriors for a long ass time, despite the fact that I come back and roleplay it every few months. I love the concepts of it: the traditions, the ranks, etc., but none of that is enough to keep me anchored like I was back in 2011, 2012, and 2013. I'll start some threads, get a few posts in, and within a few days the whole thing feels like a chore, and I'm out of it again.
Beyond the point of Warriors itself, there are the people. As I've told the staff numerous times, I have a hard time getting along with many of AWRP's members, and that in turn makes me not want to be here. Neither of those factors are healthy for a forum.
Recently, there have been many old members who have left AWRP: Sand, Ambrose, Misa, Echo, Lily, and Rose (who came back, but nevertheless) come to mind. These were people who I loved having around, and seeing so many of them leave helped me realize that I needed to shut AWRP down soon. "If some of the most loyal members of AWRP are leaving, that's a big red flag," I thought.
So what was holding me back, if I had all these reasons to close the forum? Nostalgia, mainly. I also didn't want to shut it down knowing that we still have loyal members who love being here. Unfortunately, love isn't really enough here, y'know? Maybe it's just school and the holidays, but roleplay posts have taken a hit, we haven't been dealing with applications in a timely manner, and I just could not give any fewer fucks about running this place anymore. I come on here for a few seconds a day, just because it's one of my home pages, and then I'm off and that's it. I avoid replying to messages and being in the chatbox. I'm just sick of dealing with it. After four-and-almost-a-half years, I've had my fill. I've always told myself that I'd rather shut AWRP down than let it slowly die, and I'm pleased with keeping this personal promise.
On that note, it's been over four years. I opened this forum when I was only 12 years old. It was the beginning of summer vacation, and I'd only started roleplaying a month prior. I loved it, even though I was awful at it, and I was determined to make it popular.
Eventually, it grew to become one of the biggest Warriors forums on ProBoards, and for that I'm sort of proud ("sort of" wasn't originally in there, but come on, who the hell is actually proud of running a thing online where people write as cats? I still cringe every time I think about it). In fact, I think that hitting 80 members online in the past 24 hours was AWRP's peak. This past summer was, by far, our most active time in the four years that we've been running, and although I've always wanted to see it hit 100, I just don't think it's going to happen at this rate.
I've made a lot of great friends here, and we've had countless fun times, but I think it's finally time to let this place go. It's weird, really. This is how I put it to my friend, who told me that he hopes I'm content with my decision: "Deep down I am. On the surface, I'm not sure. It's like having a friend who treats you like shit: you want to get rid of them because they're an asshole, but you've had some great times together. Besides, they're not always an asshole. When you finally block them, you regret it for maybe a month or so before you mostly forget about them. It hurts but it's relieving at the same time."
At this point, I'd like to write more, but I'm grasping at straws for ideas on what to say, so I think I'll leave it.
So what, exactly, does "shutting down" mean here? Simply put, I'm going to disable new member registration. I'm going to hide the advertisement boards. I'll make sure that every board is "members and staff" for creating threads and posting replies. You're all free to continue roleplaying here as long as you'd like, but character applications will no longer be accepted, litters won't be rolled, and store purchases will be disabled.
To those of you who are new members, I apologize for this. I realize that there are a few people out there who just joined and are excited to hop in on the fun, but I don't think it's fair to you. The staff here, for the most part, have grown distant, all for many reasons (time restraints, school/work overload, general lack of interest), and you don't deserve to be on a forum with inactive staff. I'd rather see AWRP go down with a reputation of having a good staff team and plot-loving members than one of a forum with lazy/inactive staff and bored members.
To the older members out there, I know that many of you will probably resent me for this, and that's okay, I really could not care less. I firmly believe that I'm making the responsible decision here, and that's enough for me. Am I sad that I'm doing this? Sure, a bit. Am I disappointed for not making it to the 5-year mark? Yeah, I guess. but really, this has been coming for a long ass time, and I'm kind of surprised that I made it as long as I did. Think about it: AWRP is almost half a decade (now you see why I wanted to shut it down on its 5th birthday? but, see, as many of you know, I'm not exactly patient the type ;P) old.
Out of respect for Another Warrior Roleplay, I ask that you all refrain from stealing our guides, rules, application code, etc. Honestly, do you really want to fucking steal from something that's being shut down? That's just downright douchey, and if you do that, I'd be even more disappointed than if you'd stolen from us a few months ago. Who the fuck steals from a forum that's been shut down? Yeesh.
I also ask that you continue to follow our rules. Just because we may not be watching as closely as normal (that's a joke, because I haven't watched over this place at all in several months) doesn't mean you can go ahead and godmode, powerplay, etc. Finish up your threads and plots. Don't be assholes.
PM me if you're interested in getting my Skype and/or Steam name. If I don't respond, I guess we weren't that close. I wish you all good luck in your futures, and I hope your time here has been good.
And on that note, this is it. As I'm typing, there's a pit in my stomach and a desperate desire to stop myself from posting this thread (I've already talked to two friends while making this post about it, and they both agree I need to just post it, but here I am stalling by putting more damn words into this post. y'know, I had it at a perfect 1,500 words when I was "done" a few minutes ago. Now we're over 1,600.), to keep AWRP running, but I can't do it. I know I can't, it just wouldn't be right for anyone. I feel chained to this place. I feel like I have to go on to the Internet every single day just to make sure I log in. I want to be free from it, yet I don't want to see it go down. It's odd. I haven't roleplayed on here since July or August, I haven't done really anything since then, but part of me still doesn't want to shut it down.
Right then. I'll still be logging in every now and then, at least until everyone else is gone and I fill my home page with other things. Who knows? Maybe I'll start it up again in a few years. but for now, I'm laying AWRP to rest.
Best of luck to all of you in the future.
Goodbye.
-Midnight
