So long and Thanks for all the fish!

[Wolfeman]

It is with regret that I must tender my resignation as Guard. A lot of thought and prayer went into this decision.

For me the server is no longer a fun place to play and rather than to continue and get bitter, I"m stepping down.

The cyclical nature of the game dictates that people will come in, build a little, build a lot, get bored and leave. Few will stay long term. Our server is now full of people I know mostly by name only. We are a spread out bunch who form our own little groups (if any) and do our own things. There is no fellowship at all. Participation in the forums is one way to combat the lack of in game contact but most of the players we have in the server now have only been on the forums to get whitelisted, if at all.

I understand this is the nature of the game. Go out somewhere and build something. It's a lonely game at it's heart (which is why I think Notch is trying so hard to make it something more with the adventure update). I still love the game and the people in our server. I will still be around. Just not as much and in no official capacity.

I'm truly sorry I could not bring myself to continue. I enjoyed my duties and helping others. I just don't feel the fellowship anymore and it's not fun right now.

 

[Malohaut]

I didn't realize this was a problem, and I'm really sorry to see you step down. You will certainly be missed and your assistance was always appreciated.

I guess fellowship comes from group effort. I try to build close enough to others and share with others to try to build fellowship, but perhaps we can do more. Community builds, get togethers, events and so on.

So what was it like before, Wolf? What was it before that made it fun. What are some of your fond memories and what were the things you guys did as fellowship?

Also, if anyone has ideas or suggestions, please feel free to add them here. After all, if we want to play by ourselves, we can play single player. But here, we have a chance to have fun with fellow gamers of the faith. So let's take that opportunity!

 

[Wolfeman]

I didn't realize this was a problem, and I'm really sorry to see you step down. You will certainly be missed and your assistance was always appreciated.

I appreciate it. I'll still be around, just not as much and I'll still be helpful, just not in an official capacity or with any powers.

I guess fellowship comes from group effort. I try to build close enough to others and share with others to try to build fellowship, but perhaps we can do more. Community builds, get togethers, events and so on.

There are still a few people that play not just for the game but for fellowship such as yourself. It's why I'll be around from time to time.

So what was it like before, Wolf? What was it before that made it fun. What are some of your fond memories and what were the things you guys did as fellowship?

When I first started here it was a much smaller group. I think the server was still hosted on XT's home computer. Everyone generally already knew each other from other games and the forums so there was much more interaction.

Also, if anyone has ideas or suggestions, please feel free to add them here. After all, if we want to play by ourselves, we can play single player. But here, we have a chance to have fun with fellow gamers of the faith. So let's take that opportunity!

I wish I had an answer. I came in because the server was open to everyone. Tightening the white list requirements has already been brought up in another thread. I'm against it. The very thing that makes us what we are (a safe clean environment) is what has made the server so lonely for me. Because we've made it a place we as Christians want to play, it's become very popular and attracts a lot of people. All those extra people tend to make their own little groups and go off and do their own thing. It takes away from the community feeling. Minecraft does not lend it'self well to building communities. It also tends to have a short lifespan for most people which causes a high turnover in the server population. If we tightened up the whitelist requirements, we would soon have no one in the server. (our whitelist is on it's 19 forum page - How may of those people are still active)

Like I said, I love playing here and will still be in from time to time. But I've lost my joy for the game right now. High turnover and a lack of community feeling is part of what has taken away from the fellowship I used to feel. I don't know how to fix that without unmaking what has been made. Another part may be that I've asked God to help me step away from the computer more. It's a lot easier to step away from something that you get no joy from.

 

[ProSimm]

Ya... I remember when most of the people on the server we all knew each other... and played tf2 together or l4d..

 

[Gaming4JC]

Sadly I didn't get the benefit of meeting any of you on the server. Every time I joined (EST) there was rarely anyone online, now I can't join since the update to 1.8. I think it could be more interesting to hold regular meetings at a scheduled time. That's how the URU Live Community meets in the caverns.

If the server gets updated I'll be sure to stop by now and then. I do like the idea of a Christian server since it doesn't have nazi symbols, burning upside down crosses, and random people running around with swords beating you to a pulp as is on other servers currently... though I don't mind going to those too and spamming scripture on crafted sign posts... :]

 

[Wolfeman]

Sadly I didn't get the benefit of meeting any of you on the server. Every time I joined (EST) there was rarely anyone online, now I can't join since the update to 1.8.

Both Sarugon and I had an issue where we didn't update the preloader in the past and it wouldn't let us into 1.8. Try finding your minecraft.exe program and deleteing that (not the flolders where your bin files are, just the minecraft.exe program). You'll have to download the installer again from Minecraft but it will hold all your settings and passwords. Should work like a charm.

Unless you've refused to update until 1.8 is stable and bukit is active. In that case I can't help.

 

[Abea]

Well Wolf, if you asked of God, maybe he is granting it, in that case, I'm happy to see you following Him.

In the other case, I tend to agree. When I first joined, which wasn't long ago, there were people all over my place willing to help me build it up. Now, when someone joins, there's not too many that even bother with them.

When I log on, there's usually no one there. But I figure there will be more now that winter is upon us. So I keep briefly logging in to see if anyone is there, if not, I log off. Like Malohut said, if I want to play alone, I'll play single player. Can't remember the last time I logged on and seen Lost, Grey, Ben, Koah, not even my own sons Soka and Cata. part of that is the time I have to log on now though. I really am hoping that will change this winter.

As far as building far off, I do that because I like to have a nice country feel to my place. But you know me, I am always up to traveling to see other's places and help them if they allow. That way I get to know the person a little better and then when they log on, I feel like I "know" them. People don't have to live near each other to have community.

Sometimes it's us that has to make the effort. In making Herod's temple I seen lots of people contribute and help out. It was fun and I hope it will take off a bit again when I have time to get on, if they move it. If they don't, I'll come up with something else. The point is that in reaching out ourselves, we can create the community ourselves. But if we just go to our plot of land, work it, stay on it, don't travel to other places, etc, then we won't have that community. I've gone into those little cliques and been readily accepted by them. It's about reaching out, not waiting to be reached.

And about the tightening of the white list, I just suggested it because everyone seems so paranoid about griefing. The paranoia seems to restrict those who don't grief on an everyday basis. I don't care who is on, and even if I am griefed, I look at it as an opportunity to do more building, more mining, more exploring, just a part of the game. Kind of like an act of nature in the real world. Griefers are our hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. And really it should bring us together to try and help the person rebuild or give them supplies, etc. Ban them and wait for the next disaster to happen. If they come back on the forums and apologize for what they did, give them another shot. If they do it again, and then come back on the forums and apologize, give them ANOTHER shot. After that, just don't let them back in.

Will miss your presence tho. But I'll just sneak up behind you in TF2 and shoot you for not being on minecraft. (Of course the likelihood of it being the other way around is much higher )


Of to work I go!

 

[Flamethrøwer]

(Red_Letters)

I might be part of the problem

I play Minecraft to explore/look at other people structures, find ideas for my own, learn, and experiment. I'll admit that I also come to get away, and maybe hang with a friend of mine (Fjord on our server).

The reason I'm a little more withdrawn in this game is that I'm the guild leader of our Redeemed World of Warcraft chapter, and I'm very social there and have a lot of responsibilities. Minecraft lets me just hang out, build, and get away from all that.

The reason I like being on the multiplayer server:
- I can see everyone else's super awesome structures! Abea took me on a grand tour when I started and I'd love to explore more sometime
- I can show off my own accomplishments. Single player is fun, but only to a certain extent when I can't share my hours of work with anyone
- Chatting in the chat channel
- Asking questions

 

[Malohaut]

Well Red, it's kind of like World of Warcraft. Different people have different playstyles. And you're right. One style is to just relax and enjoy the game while admiring other's constructions. And you are part of no problem, I assure you.

So for those of you who come on just to enjoy your own little place in our world, that's perfectly fine. Don't stop. Keep doing that and keep enjoying that!

And for those of you who want more fellowship, then let's get together and do something and have some fun! Some ideas was having a centralized down, like we will probably do with our permanent world.

There's also options for role play, prayer groups, get togethers, etc. Maybe even some fun events or contests. Though for something like that, there used to be a mod that let you do /local talk in stead of server wide broadcasting. I'll have to look into it.

But yes. We want everybody to have a place here and have fun.

 

[Abea]

Malohaut - we can use ts3 for the local talk thing, especially since there are several channels on there. I think there is text chat at the bottom for those who do not have a microphone or are not able to speak because of their surroundings.

 

[Wolfeman]

Please understand. No one is "to blame" for my decision. Everyone is different and God made us all different for a reason.

When I first started it was pretty much a personal server and it was quite a bit like the TV show Cheers. You came in and everyone knew everyone. Everyone said Hi and then you did your own thing. It might be relaxing building by yourself or helping others. It might be just hanging out and chatting. It felt like a small cozy place where everyone knew everyone and we all had a good time.

But minecraft does not lend itself to that kind of an atmosphere for long. Most people get bored with it and move on. It was like that in the beginning because everyone generally came from the same place (here). Now people don't come there from here. They come here to get there and then rarely come back here. The ones reading these posts are not the ones that are contributing to the lack of fellowship I"m expressing as the main reason for me leaving.

Part of the problem lies with me. I"m not a very social person. In game, here or in real life. The Bible clearly states to have friends one must be friendly. I"m not so much.
Also, as I stated in an earlier post, I've asked God to help me step away from gaming and my computer some. This I feel is part of His help (I"ve also started getting more irritated in TF2 so I know He's working this).
Finally, there are other personal reasons for this decision that I choose not to go into.

No one is "to blame". It is His choice and my decision. However, if you feel anything of what I've said has touched you, feel free to act upon it. Christian fellowship is what we're about and is sorely lacking in the world today.

 

[Flamethrøwer]

And you are part of no problem, I assure you.

Good to know

I always try to err on the side of caution when attempting to join an established group - some of you may remember me asking lots of questions when first starting to avoid stepping on anyone's toes.

It seems like our server, and Minecraft in general, is in for some big changes as the game changes and morphs over time.

 

[Abea]

Part of the problem lies with me. I"m not a very social person. In game, here or in real life. The Bible clearly states to have friends one must be friendly. I"m not so much.
Also, as I stated in an earlier post, I've asked God to help me step away from gaming and my computer some. This I feel is part of His help (I"ve also started getting more irritated in TF2 so I know He's working this).
Finally, there are other personal reasons for this decision that I choose not to go into.

*Stands with hands on hips, frown on face, and says with a forceful voice*

I beg to differ there Wolf. I CAN NOT allow you to describe yourself in such a way as "not so much" friendly. You're not very out-going, and maybe not a proactive friendly person. But I DO find you to be friendly, helpful, and giving. So, wipe that right out of the existence you just spoke it into. Besides, if the Bible is right (which we know it is) then you MUST be friendly cause you clearly have some friends here. Like it or not.

Maybe as another request of God, you could ask him to make you more outgoing in the friendly department. It seems that this is something that you are really longing for, yet don't really seek out proactively. Three years ago, I was not as outgoing as I am now. I felt very much the same way. I wanted the friendships, and was very friendly IF someone reached out TO ME. But He sure has put me in some tough spots (like speaking at a church I'd never been too and didn't know a sole going in, on a Sunday morning) where I didn't have a choice. Let me suggest a challenge to you. If you attend church on a regular basis, make it a point to meet at least one new person, initiated by you. See someone sitting by themself and no one talking to them, walk up and say, "Hi, I haven't met you before, my name is ____. Ask them how long they've been coming to your church. Ask them what brought them to the church. Then see if there are any questions they have about the church. Etc. With God's guidance, it WILL change the way you relate to other people in all areas of your life. Today, people describe me as very friendly and outgoing. I'm the one that knows most of the new people. It's truly a miracle and absolutely a God thing.

I am very glad that God is granting your request and this can only mean a major growth spurt is about to happen in your life. Growing is always a hard thing and many times painful. But when it is God initiated, the other side is so rewarding. I'm excited for you as God is clearly got his eye on you at the moment. Grab on to his hem and hold on!