Notification, Liberty Security Force

[Jayce]

With the state of the game (and the world) being what it is, it's time for an action that's been long overdue, I think.

For many, many years, Discovery has been in a downward spiral, the same downward spiral that has led to the eventual demise of many games. Ineffective adminship, generalized apathy, and mismanagement of the highest degree. While I'm certain players can shoulder a portion of the blame, I'm even more certain that the constant, tumultuous alterations to what in the business world we refer to as "executive leadership", has played an even larger role.

Two months ago, during peak EU playtimes, there'd be 40+ players on at any given moment, boating around, doing whatever it is Belgians do on Discovery. I'm unfamiliar with what, precisely, that is, since it didn't involve being anywhere near me.

Now, I'm barraged with messages fairly regularly. "Jayce, can you log? We're going to miss activity." "Jayce, I'll pay you to go AFK in space for our check." "Jayce, are you busy?" "Jayce" "Jayce" "Jayce". What's left? Genuinely, honestly, answer that question. What is left of Discovery? Roving gangs of groomers who exist solely to generate cheap laughs with Novas? Silent powertrading that mysteriously constitutes "activity"? Roleplay that could be more easily, more comprehensively, more engagingly done in Discord?

As far as I can see it, from my, admittedly, likely-limited viewpoint, it's over. I fired up the launcher today, for the first time in a rather long while, and wasn't greeted with the "patch game" button. I wasn't greeted with a new splash screen, I wasn't greeted with a server full of abundance and new experiences. No new announcements, no new information. Despite actually observing devs floating around in Discord, likely doing some sort of development work for Battlecruisers and Gunboats, there was nothing featuring that development.

I was greeted with "Players: 17/150."

Seventeen. That is the best Discovery can muster. Seventeen players.

And yet, despite that, people still cling to "activity checks." I'm guilty of it. Call it ego, call it pride, call it whatever you like. It's probably correct.

Years ago, Impy, Wildkins, and I saw the writing on the wall. It was the beginning of the end, then. All three of us were burning out. So, we set up our little triumvirate. I would lead for a few months, Impy would lead for a few months, Wildkins would lead for a few months. It stove off the boredom and the tedium and the utter banality of "make sure to log for the activity check, even if there's nothing to do." Eventually, even that wasn't enough, and we made the decision, for better better or for worse, to pass the proverbial torch to Saronsen. In my eyes, contrary to what the court of public opinion has ruled, I think the man did a wonderful job. Frankly, that's what I care about. Now, that mantle has been passed back to myself, and after a few little conversations, I've come to a conclusion.


To my supporters, friends, comrades-in-arms: thank you for everything. It's been an absolute pleasure.

To my detractors, to those who have been waiting for this announcement for years upon years: I hope the time spent waiting was worth it. Enjoy the bones, because I ate the meat.

Rejoice, it's over. Please remove the =LSF= tag from the tracker.

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