Can't Go Home Again

[Vilidius]

Hi all

I've resisted writing this for some time.  Rift just isn't working for me.  I tried an experimental period of not playing just to see what would happen and the result was ... nothing.  No cravings, no jitters, etc.  And it's a new game!  So that's not good.  At least not from a gaming perspective.

I'm still playing DCUO very occasionally with another crowd.  We're on teamspeak, which believe me took some getting used to, but I did.  We will likely migrate en masse to SWTOR when the time comes.  And since we'll be on a PvP server I consider the odds of seeing Saga in the same place to be somewhere between nil and FFXIV unseating WoW for king of the MMO market.  Which makes me smile just thinking about it.

You all are some of the nicest people I've ever gamed with.  I say that to everyone I've ever actually gamed with here and to anyone else they've picked up since then, with full confidence that the character of Saga hasn't changed.  I could never have hoped to meet a more naturally generous, friendly, good-hearted bunch.  And I'll add patient too.  It takes good humour to game through some of what we've seen - the sort of thing that games are intentionally designed to avoid these days.  I'll say that Saga definitely changed my identity and my priorities as a gamer for the better.

When I got back into MMOs, first with the awful fail that was FFVIX and then with Rift I imagined Saga would be the place to be.  But somehow ... it just isn't.  There's nothing wrong with Rift and God knows I love Saga, but I think I love the guild based on memories more than anything.  Some aspects of live chat in gaming annoy the hell out of me and yet I find it almost indispensable.  And I have to admit I was always RP lite and numbers heavy - always meaning to RP more (which I can do, honest!) and always meaning to care less about progression (I'm not sure I can do that) and somehow never quite getting there.

I don't think Saga is the place for me to be at - even when I do game.  I can't imagine hearing you all on live chat, even if you all tried it.  It would just be ... wrong.  And the drive to find the next edge or push the next margin ... that's never been Saga nor should it be.  I guess I just realized that I can't quite go home again.

So I'm ending my subscription to Rift and I won't be playing.  I'll poke at DCUO, and if for some strange reason someone shows up on Public Enemies (a PvP server) please drop me a line.  I'll stop by here once in a while just to see what folks are up to.

Thank you, immensely, for the memories.  I won't name specific ones, for fear of getting both maudlin and obscure, but thank you.  There are times in every life when you try to go back to recapture something and find it elusive.  This has been one of those times for me.  But that doesn't change the quality of the memories - it just confirms the time was special.

All the best, and I wish you well in your new journeys.

Val

[Noa]

Valquiss.  Deepest respect for writing this and even more for having the nerve to post it.

Saga will be around if you feel the urge to return.  In the mean time, you'll be missed.   

[Alirrin]

You gotta find what makes you happy. Have fun whatever you do, and don't be a stranger - the door's always open!

[Corsair]

Yeah, that is the way the ball bounces in life sometimes eh? It's a bummer, but also honest, and not really a bad thing.  For whatever reasons our tastes and limits wax and wane. (I wish I could play more myself...be more involved, etc.) What's nice is that you actually can come home again, if and when it's the right situation. And when it isn't, you can just say that, and no one gets all dramatic, "what, were not good enough for you?"

The worst you get is the natural bit of    that comes along with bonds that have endured for years.

It is indeed all about the people.

[Lyrima]

Oh, Val   You are still Saga in all the important respects.  If you have found a more satisfying play style and game, I say, YAY!!

I'm glad you have folks with whom you enjoy hanging.

Remember to keep in touch.

[Jasyn]

<drama> WHAT!?  We're not good enough for you?!?!?!11one    </drama>

Oops!  I pressed the wrong button.    Seriously, Valquiss, it has been awesome getting to hang with you in the metaphorical sense, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for you.  Also, never forget that somewhere behind the mysterious digital media curtain, your portrait still hangs in our attic.  Your soul belongs to us, and you shall remain eternally young.  Or something like that.  No matter what, have fun, and don't be a stranger!