Resignation If you're reading this, it's too late.

It's over, it's over, yeah, I'm leaving, I'm gone
I can't stay here no more and I can't sleep on the floor
Man, I'm leaving, I'm leaving, you know I got my reasons
Yeah, I'm leaving, yeah, I'm leaving, yeah, I'm leaving, I'm gone

Isn’t the resignation of a staff member such a dramatic thing? Someone who holds an elevated status in an online community decides that for whatever reason they do not want to continue their job and posts a thread like this. Now when the thread is posted, news of the resignation spreads like wildfire and people from all over the forums come to post the same generic thing as the person above “Noooo, I miss you”, “Resignation Denied, please try again later”. All this in the attempt to maybe scavenge a friendly rating or two. Most people don’t actually care someone’s leaving. It’s just a way to get your post and rating count up. Another thing is people often act like they were good friends with the now ex-staff member. Pft.

I find myself writing this because of a few reasons. Generic some of them may be, I’ll admit. I could probably link you to 20 other resignations which have similar if not the exact same reasons as me. However let me tell you anyways because I am sure you want to know regardless:

1. School: Let me tell you about the way school here in NZ is done, cause it is very different to the way you Yankees do it. In New Zealand we have a system called NCEA, or National Certificate of Educational Achievement. This system works by eradicating the policy of grading people on end of year exams alone and instead sets up a credit system. There are 3 levels, to pass level 1 you need 80 credits, lvls 2-3 only require 60 credits but they are a lot harder to claim. Throughout the year we are given internal examinations, or internals as we call them. Depending on the internal you can get anywhere form 3-6 credits at an Achieved, Merit or Excellence level. These keep us busy all year round, and at the end of the year we have our external examinations which is like your Finals or O levels. It’s O levels right? And if we get 80 credits from these then we pass the year. This system of schooling limits the time that I can have to play MC as if I miss even one class I can fall majorly behind in my work.

Seeing as I am at lvl 2 now I really cannot afford to have any distractions from my work. I also started at a new school this year, this time I am away from home boarding. This further takes away from my time spent on the internet.

2. My next point ties into my last one; Sport. I am a huge football player. Not American Football which isn’t even football. Let’s be honest it’s hand egg. I am part of my schools 1ST XI football team and I need to get back into shape for the upcoming season. This means lots of time spent out of the school house running etc and this cuts into, once again, internet time. I have also taken up rowing this year, I was going to do it last year but my football 6 times a week took up far too much time for me to do it. This year however my school is 5 min away from one of the best rowing locations in the country and this is my chance to get out there and make the most of this opportunity.

3. Personal Life: Those who know me well (@Skulduggery57) are aware that I can be a very stuborn, rude and emotional person and this tends to land me into trouble with myself a lot. Since I have moved schools, away from everyone I have grown up around I have been fragile a lot as I settle in. All of you will know the struggle of turning up somewhere new and trying to establish yourself in already existing friend groups. This has caused me some distress lately and has been the reason for my almost complete lack of Teamspeak and in-game activity over the last few days. @Cuddled is aware of this and let me take some time off but I do not think that I am in a state to keep my rank.

4. Brawl as a whole: Now this, along with school (sport kind of ties in with school) is the biggest factor in my decision to step down as a staff member.

3 Days ago I turned 16, and this is a big milestone in my real and Brawl life. I joined Brawl in 2012 after being introduced by Skul / followhenis and have avidly played the server for nearly 4 years now. That’s a quarter of my entire life. Do you have any idea how much crap I have seen go on in that time? My long stay has also saddened me as I believe Brawl, especially War is not the server that I devoted myself to almost 4 years ago. Things have changed, not necessarily for the better. Brawl still hasn’t gotten War 2.0 out, regardless of what you say it should have been the top priority. This lack of major updates to things really isn’t good for the long run as War has sort of gone off, like milk turned bad. Slowly more and more bugs have crept in, not to be fixed. Sure the constant updating of Minecraft itself has done damage to the servers but if the server got the attention that it deserved I don’t believe that it would be in it’s current state. The community is also turned toxic. It used to be WarZ’s community that people complained about but it seems like everything has done a 180 and turned on War. I often log in on alternate accounts and just observe what goes on in chat and it’s worse than ever. I see bullying, talk of DDoS etc. People don’t seem to want to be human on the internet. You all put up this tough, manly act trying to be king. King of what? Some person half way across the country who you will never ever meet, know the name of.

War has also lost it’s aim. When I first joined, the aim was to be a great player who used raw talent and skill to become the best. Where are the players like that now? Where are the @meltingangels, the @mebmatts? There aren’t any no matter what you say. These days it’s a contest of who has the most money and the most time. People like iEddie purchase everything and run around basically invincible killing people much lower levels than them. People are reaching 100+ with less than 50K kills. They purchase their way there which defeats the point of having the 100+ rank in the first place. 30+ and even 60+ doesn’t set you apart from anyone now. When I prestiged at level 31, back in early 2013 I was seen as someone better than the rest. I could be level 40 and be one of the highest level players on any of the War servers at the time. Now, being 30+ and 60+ doesn’t mean ****. You’re just like everyone else. There is also no freedom to do what you want. I see people being bullied into not using their donor weapons. “Hey, you can’t use that gun on this gamemode cause my ego is too bug for my own good and I can’t handle being killed by you”. Seriously, war players you’re all too involved in what other people are doing. Mind your own and keep your mouth shut if you have nothing positive to say.

I could go on for longer but if I do I think my fingers might combust. This is all my opinion and I am stating how war has changed. Ask any other long time member (not you people that have been here for 2 years or so. 4 years or there around) and they will say the same.

Yea, now I am finished that let’s get onto something more positive.

During my time here, I have achieved lots of things. I worked my way up from 12v noob to staff member. Admittedly I was demoted but I managed to obtain my rank again. I also managed to nearly make it to 100+. I have no doubt that if I hadn’t played WarZ for all of 2014 and taken most of 2015 off I would have broken the barrier but I couldn’t manage it. I’m proud to have made it as far as I have, my stats at time of writing being level 94 with 91,224 kills. I got nearly all of it without having any donor ranks, unfortunately my staff rank came with elite so I couldn’t go all the way without XP boosts. I also managed to make my way onto all the forums members lists, with me at one point being the 5th most liked person (ratings wise). I’m also one of only 3 staff members to have the retired staff medal and a staff rank at the same time. Go me. Making it passed trial amongst other things.

Of course there has been downsides to my time here. The most obvious one being my little spell after my demotion where I went a bit AWOL and did some things I am not very proud of. Not to mention not being as kind to some people as I would have liked. To all of you, you know who you are.

Now for the part your egos all demand: the tagging. It’s traditional when a member of staff resigns that they tag people that they were good friends with during their reign of terror.

@ExpertZJP: I only met you a few months ago but ever since we started talking on TS3 you have been one of my best mates. You helped me integrate back into the community after my long absence and playing War with you was always a good way to pass the time.

@Nezzr: You’re the worst War player I have ever seen but you are one of the nicest people I have met here. It’s impossible not to like you really, you’re so damn happy and chilled out. Thanks for making fun of me and my taco face when we skyped and it’s good to see you rising up the ranks in the staff team.

@MrWaffleman: Continuing the trend of doing staff members first, hehe. I really didn’t know what to make of you when I came back. I knew the name but to be honest I was surprised to see you as a staff member. However you were unwavering in your support of me during my time as an applicant and I hope you’re proud of what I have achieved. You’re role model to the community and I wouldn’t be surprised to see you in Smod colours soon.

P.S I expect at least a 5,000 word reply to this. Don’t let me down

@Viva: Most deserving Smod we have ever had, albeit Lord_Roke.

@Cuddled: I don’ think many other people would have taken the gamble of promoting a previously demoted staff member but you did. I remember when you first joined SPVP and your constant happiness and cheerful attitude really was a breath of fresh air in what was then a toxic and unwelcoming community.

@Lord_Roke: I know we didn’t always get along that well but you do your job better than anyone else. What is it, nearly 3 years of being a staff member? That kind of commitment deserves some recognition and when you decide to leave I don’t think Brawl will be the same. Keep ruling the forums with German efficiency and I expect to see “Forums Admin / Watchdog” as your custom title soon. Thanks for helping me through trial and putting up with all the mistakes I made.

@18kss: You’re still a noob, get good. For real tho, I’ve known you since forever. I remember when I first met you and it ended up in a massive flame war. Good times. You deserve some recognition for all the work you have done for this community.

@Piky: Stay strong and keep being a great leader and human being. You’re the second most followed person on the forums for a reason.

@Chopo: Bootyism babe

@HailTheBooty: Gonna miss you man.

@Phanta: You creating the War client single handedly got you to where you are now. Keep coding and continue being a great member.

@RMST1: Sad to see you weren't accepted, maybe that can change in the near future? You're a top notch fellow and I hope you go onto do big things here on Brawl and in life itself.

So yea, this is it I guess. I don’t expect to be on much at all, if I am make sure to say hi and maybe we can kick some ass together. Other than that it’s been a real pleasure to get to know most of you people. Few exceptions but oh well. If I forgot to tag you, let me know and I will add you in.

 

Our TS chats were crazy fun, gonna really miss chilling with you and Nezzr. I don't use skype really but PM me and i'll make an exception.

 

Thanks feather. It was a pleasure getting to know you, both as a staff member and as a good friend.

 

Aye, thanks Nezzy. When I get the free time I'll hop on teamspeak and we can catch up on some good times. Till then keep being an overall badass mother****er and keep Zack in line for me .

 

Reading this bring back memories from our promotion. Seriously couldn't have gotten a better promotion buddy, you have to make it to Mod for me tho. Promise that. When I'm on TS hit me up and we can get to know each other more.

You'll be where I was soon fam, I bet on it. I'm gonna check the forums one day and see that nice staff team tag on you.

My promotion story is a good way to break the ice . Thanks for the kind words. Like you said we never really got acquainted that well but the times I did play / talk to you were always extremely fun.

 

Yea man, Follow can give you my skype sometime.

Cya some other time man, keep making sick builds for the server. It's a talent to be able to build you know. I'll make sure to come by sometime to destroy them all

Like I said, I'm forgetting people. I'll write up something for you when I get the chance though . Goodbye, stay sexy and don't ever say no to pudding.

Hey man, I don't really remember you but it's never too late to get to know someone. Thanks for the kind words. Things like that are what makes being a staff member worth it.

 

I start trends in CTF while not playing it at all. *Thug lyfe music plays*.
Thanks man, I really do appreciate the nice things you say. Gonna miss you too, so you'd better be on when I can get on TS and talk. People like you are what makes the staff team one big family. Keep being a generally awesome dude.

 

Yea man, when I am on we need to have a catch up