Hello FFXIVCore readers,
Today will be my last day for the foreseeable future as a member of the Staff here in the usual capacity. This was a decision made after spending the last couple of weeks sorting out and balancing all that's currently happening both on and offline, so no one single factor is behind the reasoning.
First, let me say that I wasn't forced out, blackmailed, or asked to leave. Despite having the general reputation as that guy with the itchy moderator trigger finger, I've enjoyed my nearly two years here at the Core. The staff was made aware of this decision ahead of time, so this post isn't about blindsiding them or slinging mud at other staff. I like to think I got along with all the other members of the site, even if we didn't always see eye-to-eye.
Anyway, my reasons for stepping down are my own. Some of them are public knowledge, others are just people taking wild shots in the dark. Some of them have to do with medical reasons on the part of my family, others (and more importantly) have to do with general time consumption. I'm leaving my position having made well over 3000 posts on a site dedicated to Final Fantasy XIV and it's fan base, and despite all of that, aside from last week, I've probably played less than 30 hours total since the game went live. I wanted to enjoy it, but for so long I spent the free time I had answering emails, helping out in the Technical Support sections, or just researching and getting posts in order while attempting to relay information about the game and Square-Enix as a company.
Like all other Moderators, this position was entirely voluntary. We didn't receive gifts, perks, or any type of cash reimbursement for our time. We simply got out of it what we put into it. For me, that was quite a bit. My time at the site saw the game hit beta, live, the eventual changing of staff, and now the plans unfold for a new launch or "Version" of the game.
Outside of the site my wife and I moved twice, had our second child, and eventually bought our first home. Quite a lot to take in when you think back on it and attempt to sum up just two years of time.
Enough rambling on my part though. Now onto the future plans.
One of the things I'm most looking forward to is being able to play this game with friends once again. Many have continued to play despite my absence over the past 10 months, and I feel like the game is currently worth the price of admission once the billing system is adjusted.
Being able to enjoy time with the family while having a house is also worth mentioning. After a decade of apartment living it's nice to get outside every once and awhile.
In terms of my site activity, I'm not leaving the Core entirely, just my current role. I plan on posting as just another member while possibly taking on a contributor role, especially seeing all of the changes slated to be made over the next 15 months. I'd like to get on another PodCast or two as well.
I've also got some personal projects I'd like to get rolling as well. Certain things are important to me and I'd like to give back what I've been blessed with over the past few years.
I expect my stepping down at the end of the day to be met with views from both sides. On one hand I'm sure some people will miss the style in which I try to deliver information and my views on it, but on the other, I'm fairly sure others will be happy the big bad jerk is finally without the insta-shank options that I dual-wield on my +4 Daggers of Moderation.
As always, people are more than welcome to contact me on the site, email, Facebook, Skype, Steam, etc. I promise, outside of the Core I'm really not too bad of a guy.
Take Care,
Jackel
Spoiler
More...
Today will be my last day for the foreseeable future as a member of the Staff here in the usual capacity. This was a decision made after spending the last couple of weeks sorting out and balancing all that's currently happening both on and offline, so no one single factor is behind the reasoning.
First, let me say that I wasn't forced out, blackmailed, or asked to leave. Despite having the general reputation as that guy with the itchy moderator trigger finger, I've enjoyed my nearly two years here at the Core. The staff was made aware of this decision ahead of time, so this post isn't about blindsiding them or slinging mud at other staff. I like to think I got along with all the other members of the site, even if we didn't always see eye-to-eye.
Anyway, my reasons for stepping down are my own. Some of them are public knowledge, others are just people taking wild shots in the dark. Some of them have to do with medical reasons on the part of my family, others (and more importantly) have to do with general time consumption. I'm leaving my position having made well over 3000 posts on a site dedicated to Final Fantasy XIV and it's fan base, and despite all of that, aside from last week, I've probably played less than 30 hours total since the game went live. I wanted to enjoy it, but for so long I spent the free time I had answering emails, helping out in the Technical Support sections, or just researching and getting posts in order while attempting to relay information about the game and Square-Enix as a company.
Like all other Moderators, this position was entirely voluntary. We didn't receive gifts, perks, or any type of cash reimbursement for our time. We simply got out of it what we put into it. For me, that was quite a bit. My time at the site saw the game hit beta, live, the eventual changing of staff, and now the plans unfold for a new launch or "Version" of the game.
Outside of the site my wife and I moved twice, had our second child, and eventually bought our first home. Quite a lot to take in when you think back on it and attempt to sum up just two years of time.
Enough rambling on my part though. Now onto the future plans.
One of the things I'm most looking forward to is being able to play this game with friends once again. Many have continued to play despite my absence over the past 10 months, and I feel like the game is currently worth the price of admission once the billing system is adjusted.
Being able to enjoy time with the family while having a house is also worth mentioning. After a decade of apartment living it's nice to get outside every once and awhile.
In terms of my site activity, I'm not leaving the Core entirely, just my current role. I plan on posting as just another member while possibly taking on a contributor role, especially seeing all of the changes slated to be made over the next 15 months. I'd like to get on another PodCast or two as well.
I've also got some personal projects I'd like to get rolling as well. Certain things are important to me and I'd like to give back what I've been blessed with over the past few years.
I expect my stepping down at the end of the day to be met with views from both sides. On one hand I'm sure some people will miss the style in which I try to deliver information and my views on it, but on the other, I'm fairly sure others will be happy the big bad jerk is finally without the insta-shank options that I dual-wield on my +4 Daggers of Moderation.
As always, people are more than welcome to contact me on the site, email, Facebook, Skype, Steam, etc. I promise, outside of the Core I'm really not too bad of a guy.
Take Care,
Jackel
Spoiler
More...